Chapter 18 (1/2)

Sadly the professor was also the most pa.s.sionate out of all his lecturers. The students who sat in the first row wanted nothing more than to close their books and stop listening but they wasn’t able to under the professor’s watchful eyes. At the end of cla.s.s, there were boys who ran over to the first row and teased them. “Come, let me look at your faces and see if they’re wet.”

It was a pleasant surprise for the university freshmen to know attendance wasn’t mandatory. They became obsessed with the feeling of being a “fugitive” and after discovering no one would investigate their disappearance, it soon became a trend.

Since a long distance call in daytime cost full price, the phone booth in the afternoon was empty as the crowd poured into the canteen for lunch. Over the line, it was also noisy with the sound of girls chattering. Their voices were high-pitched, like a group of happy birds. Amidst the sound of laughter and footsteps, Zhang Yuan tried to look for He Luo’s. While waiting to hear her voice, even one minute felt too long. He suddenly felt unsure of himself. He didn’t know how to begin a conversation with her. If the dorm warden tells him she wasn’t around, he would feel relieved.

He heard the sounds of quick footsteps and then He Luo’s breathless voice. “h.e.l.lo. Who is it?”

“En… you’re pretty busy lately.” The end of her sentence sounded unnaturally high.

“Angry?”

“I was busy too. I had midterms in the past two weeks,” He Luo replied. “I was so busy I didn’t have the time to be angry. Who said I’m angry anyway?” She smiled. A little reluctantly, she added, “Do you blame me?” Her tone made her sound like a child who had just made a mistake.

“If you’re unhappy about anything, tell me. Don’t keep it to yourself.” He Luo twisted the phone cord with her finger, wanting to touch his sigh if she could.

A 20 yuan calling card can only buy them about 10 minutes of talk time. Even after the call disconnected, He Luo was still reluctant to put down the phone.

“Much thanks,” Shen Lie said. “Students’ praise is the biggest affirmation of our work.”

“You’re lowering your standards too much! Serving the people is a never ending job.”

“You’re always quick to stereotype an entire group of people.” He Luo laughed. “Ah, since you have such a good impression of Shen Lie, why don’t I introduce him to you?”

“That depends on his character, how much he likes the girl, and the external factors that influence him. It’s hard to say.” She widened her eyes. “Is someone pursuing you? Or… the person you like isn’t pursuing you, so you want to know how he feels?”

He Luo reached out to poke Tian Xin where she was most sensitive. Tian Xin grinned as she avoided her hands. “No, for real. Tell me how you guys end up falling for each other [seeing eye to eye]. Teach me some of your experience.”

“You’re fis.h.i.+ng for his attention,” Tian Xin marveled. “And here I thought you’re a serious and proper person, turns out you’re a killer at attracting young men.”

“Ah, so you had a crush on him! Hurry up and confess, since when did it started? Since the basketball contest?” The truth dawned on Tian Xin. “That’s why I was wondering why he kept on using you for demonstration and being all touchy-feely.”

“So we’re the decoy for your love games! Isn’t it enough to just hold hands? If we’re not around, what will the consequences be!”

“Why are you suddenly so realistic?”

She continued, “If you’re having contradictions, then argue about it. If you miss each other, say it out loud. Is that very difficult?”

“I’m really a child. It’s nice to be a kid, they’re simple and cute.” Tian Xin bit her lips. “You two simply have too good of a relations.h.i.+p so you’re looking for something to fight about. You’re both masters trading blows, fighting for the kill.”

“Exactly! I told Zhang Yuan to clear things up with you but he calls me a busybody. G.o.d, why am I even looking trouble for myself?” Tian Xin rolled her eyes. “If it’s not for the fact that I’ve watched you two get together from back then and has even become our representative couple, I wouldn’t even bother.”

“Knowledge is power. Knowledge is life.” Tian Xin rubbed her hands for warmth. Her teeth were chattering. “Cla.s.smate Shen Lie, do you still have knowledge over there?”

“No. How long can that burn?” He Luo stopped them. “Let’s keep it to wipe our snot.”

Sweet and warm dialogue sprang up.

The night sky was quiet, even more profound than a summer night.

*

“Ah, meteor!” Zhang Wei Rui jumped and yelled as she pointed at the bright spot trickling past the night canvas.

“Aiya, it really does like a meteor.” Zhang Wei Rui laughed. Her ears and nose were red.

“No, what are you doing?” Zhang Wei Rui asked. As the two jostled over the piece of clothing, the first meteor flew across the sky, prompting the onlookers to cheer and cry.

Zhang Yuan took off his scarf and stuffed it into Zhang Wei Rui’s hand.

“That’s right! If not for you rus.h.i.+ng her, she wouldn’t be wearing so little,” Zhu Ning Li said.

“You’re calling me Chocolate again!” Zhu Ning Li shook her fist at him.

“Then how do we go back?”

“You!” Zhu Ning Li got angry.

The next day, Zhang Wei Rui waited for Zhu Ning Li outside her cla.s.s. The people inside were almost gone but she was still dragging her feet. “Where’s your monitor?” she asked. “I want to return the scarf to him.”