Chapter 9 (1/2)
Chapter 9: Keeping It In The Heart
“Come to the field this afternoon. My first score will be for you.”
When He Luo opened her English cla.s.s notebook, she saw a note inside scribbled in blue-black ink. There was a drawing of a boy with a stern expression as he dunked the ball into the net. She cannot help but laugh.
“What are you laughing about?” Zhao Cheng Jie asked.
“Since when did I laughed?”
“You’re obviously laughing.”
“I’m laughing at your coffee bean hair.”
“?” Zhao Cheng Jie didn’t understand her words.
“Your bird nest hair.” He Luo really couldn’t hold back her laughter.
“You must have taken the wrong medicine lately, you’re always so hyper.” Zhao Cheng Jie turned his pencil case around and used the s.h.i.+ny surface to check his reflection. He kept on smoothing his hair over. “Does it really look that pathetic?”
Seatmate, I’m really sorry, I really want to laugh, really. He Luo sprawled on her desk and laughed so hard that her eyes turned into crescents.
The long winter had already pa.s.sed. The snow covering the roads, the roofs, had all began to melt. The dry air carried a hint of moisture, bringing a feeling of comfort and refreshment. The trees remained as bare as they were, with all its vertical and horizontal branches. But the solemn grey of winter was dissolved by the humidity, the sunlight s.h.i.+ning tenderly. With the ice and snow melting away, the seasons had begun their transition. Spring creeped a little closer, with its gentle hue of green, before spreading all over.
School had just barely reopened but the boys were all lively and excitedly met at every opportunity to play basketball. They were preparing for the upcoming citywide high school basketball league. Members of the cross-year school team often met in the afternoon to practice. There was only half an hour for lunch break. As soon as the morning cla.s.ses ended, Zhang Yuan ate his chocolate bar and beef jerky. He tossed his sweater on top of his bag and began jogging near the cla.s.s door, occasionally leaping and mimicking a ball toss movement.
The student on duty that day returned to cla.s.s carrying lunch boxes. He Luo took her share and as she entered the door, she nearly b.u.mped into Zhang Yuan. Her face red, she quietly said, “You shocked me to death. Are you running so fast to go reincarnate?”
“If you’re this slow, you won’t be able to see the first score.” He shot a quick wink at her, showing her an OK gesture.
“What’s so interesting about seeing the first score?” A confused Li Yun Wei asked. She then laughed. “Unless you have the feeling that that will be your only score today?”
“Never mind just one score, I think someone don’t even want to let go of a single second.” Tian Xin nudged He Luo. “Oh right. You two are being ambiguous lately. You two have been coming to and leaving the school together. Cla.s.smate Zhang Yuan, don’t you usually ride your bicycle?”
Truly, Zhang Yuan did not want to lose a single second on the court. He ran smoothly, almost gliding, and dribbled the ball with a stern expression. This Zhang Yuan looked distant and unapproachable, yet firmly attracted He Luo’s gaze. Even amidst the crowd, He Luo can pinpoint his location with a single look. Precise and accurate.
Or perhaps,
she should say, in that moment that he appeared, he looked like he was bathed in sunlight, so bright and sharp he made the world paled in comparison. He was the one bright spot in a crowd, impossible to ignore.
The opponent today was the third year’s team. By the time He Luo arrived at the court, they were already five minutes into the game. Zhang Yuan had yet to show any of his skills. He was strictly on defence but in a sudden moment, he relaxed and straightened his back. He pointed at his opponent’s unravelled shoelaces and motioned for his team mates not to rush over. His expression was entirely calm, carrying a hint of prestige.
He truly was magnanimous and a gentleman. When He Luo described Zhang Yuan, she never fell short of adjectives to describe him.
He had already noticed her presence. He did not smile, he only glanced deeply at her.
Zhang Yuan easily shot down the opposing player’s rebound, moved into the gap in the midcourt, and swiftly pa.s.sed the ball. He continued to cut deeper into the other team’s defence, leaping into the air to receive a long pa.s.s from his teammate. With a gentle shove, he threw the ball in the direction of the net. The ball wavered on the ring of the net for a moment before falling in. A nice ball! Still he only ran to his teammate’s side and exchanged a quick high-five.
My first score will be for you. When He Luo remembered these words, she had to take a deep breath in order to suppress the excited screams threatening to escape her throat.
The players all looked worn and grim, the sweat falling. They used their jerseys to wipe it off, leaving streaks on their face. There was none of the splendour of a refres.h.i.+ng and beautiful youth.
“My seatmate must definitely be thirsty, I saw his mouth curling,” Li Yun Wei said. “He Luo, hurry up and buy some drinks.”
“How can she leave?!” Tian Xin laughed. “She’s grown a hook in her eyes. I’ll go.”
Before He Luo could stop her, Tian Xin had already run to the store to buy a bottle of mineral water. “They all spent a lot of effort playing today. There’s not even any break for them to rest. Your heart must be aching.”
He Luo smiled dryly. “What are you all talking about?” She looked at Li Yun Wei. “If you’re going to buy, buy a few more. There are still other kids from our cla.s.s on the court.”
“Why are you looking at me? None of those kids are my loved ones.”
“What loved one. You’re the welfare committee member, remember.”
“You’re still refusing to admit it!” Tian Xin persistently nudged He Luo. “Go, hurry up and give him the water. Don’t you see someone waiting with her black tea?”
“Hey, hey, didn’t I say there’s nothing between us.” She kept on walking backwards, her feet nearly touching the white line. The referee’s gaze flickered over at her every now and then.
“Even so, you can’t benefit that first year student. You don’t let the fertilised water from your field flowing to another’s field [keep the good things in the family].”
“Fine, fine. Let’s at least wait for the half-time, okay? If you push me anymore backwards, then I’ll be the sixth member in the team.”
After the game ended, Zhang Yuan walked over the side of the court. He lifted the hem of his s.h.i.+rt to wipe his sweat. He Luo was pushed right in front of him, Tian Xin had also taken the opportunity to put the bottle of water in her hands. “You played well.” He Luo smiled, keeping her hands hidden behind her.
Zheng Qing Yin ran over with a sweet smile. “Hey, you’re awesome today! What a beautiful alley-oop shot!”
“You can only consider it beautiful if it was an alley-oop dunk.” Zhang Yuan smiled lightly and turned around with an open palm. “Give it to me.”
“Take the time to wash up later. Our first cla.s.s in the afternoon is politics, we’ll be having a small quiz today.” He Luo placed the mineral water bottle in his hand and, with a smile, turned around to leave.
“Ah, don’t you like black tea the most?” Zheng Qing Yin took the mineral water away. “I have it here.”
“Mineral water is pretty good.”
“Black tea is better!” She stubbornly refused to change it.
“Then you drink it.” Zhang Yuan smiled. “I have such a big bottle with me.” He gestured. “It’s one litre, with chrysanthemum and boat sterculia seed, it’s very nouris.h.i.+ng.”
“Look at them. It’s almost time for cla.s.s and they’re still not done with their conversation!” Li Yun Wei grumpily said. “And you really turned around and left.”
“I think it’s fine.” Tian Xin put on the air of a learned old person. “He Luo’s performance was too amazing, confident and generous. That’s the aura the official wife should have.”
“What nonsense are you sprouting?” He Luo rushed over at Tian Xin and pulled her cheeks with a smile. “Be careful that I’ll pull your tongue out.”
There were still a number of students doing their homework after school. There was a little green box sitting on top of He Luo’s desk.
“Eh? It’s apple-flavoured candy!” Li Yun Wei picked up one and placed it into her mouth. “How sour!” Her entire face was scrunched together.
“I also have one.” Zhang Yuan walked over to them and showed them a similar candy box, but it was of a lavender colour.
“Yours should be empty?”
“Who said. It’s all money.” Zhang Yuan shook the box, there was a clanking sound. He placed the box on the desk, opened it, revealing a treasure box full of coins. He immediately covered it. “Did you see it? It’s a private fund!” He sounded like a child, as if he was Doreamon who was trying hard to buy dorayaki.
Bai Lian gave He Luo half of an apple she had peeled. “Come, help me with this question.”
“Ah, you jumped the queue!” Zhang Yuan s.n.a.t.c.hed the apple and took a bite before handing it to He Luo. “She promised to teach me grammar. She had already signed the slave contract with me.”
“Are you asking for a thras.h.i.+ng?” He Luo stared at him wide-eyed. “I can get an apple after helping Bai Lian, what are you giving me for compensation?”
“I’ll give you a tip [money],” Zhang Yuan said with a laugh. He fished a few coins from Li Yun Wei’s pencil case.
“Use your own money,” Li Yun Wei protested.
“I need to save for my wedding fund, it’s a very tedious task!” Zhang Yuan firmly said.
“It’s all for the same person anyway, why care about it?” Tian Xin laughed, her excitement rising. He Luo shoved the apple back into Zhang Yuan’s hand. “Look at your bleeding gums, hurry up and eat more vegetables and fruits.”
“I really can’t stand you two. It feels so sour to see you two being all touchy-feely,” Li Yun Wei lamented. “Let’s go home. I’ll go home and eat dumplings without the vinegar.”