Chapter 12 (2/2)

“I don’t really know which one’s better, so I asked a lot… This one was recommended by the salesman.” Xie Meng smiled at Ji Qinyang, “However, you’ll be the one to decide if they’re good or not.”

Xie Meng saw that Ji Qinyang did not react, and could only force himself to continue, “This is the manual, they work with your MP3 player as well. I didn’t throw the receipt away, the warranty is for 2 years, if it doesn’t suit you…” Xie Meng felt a heat upon his lips, the rest of his words had all been blocked.

Ji Qinyang’s face was very close. His eyelashes were long and curled up, and his eyes were smiling.

Xie Meng, “…”

“What happens if they’re not suitable?” The touch of the lips was still indistinct, and Ji Qinyang had already returned back to a safe distance. As though nothing had happened, he plugged the headphones into his MP3 player.

“…” Xie Meng said blankly, “Umm… You can use the receipt and exchange it.”

“Oh?” Ji Qinyang put on the headphones and smiled. “But they’re a present from you, how could they not be suitable?”

The students participating in the Olympiad had been split into two classes, and each class had fifteen students. The classes were held from 2pm till 8pm every day, and the classes were divided according to their progress. Xie Meng was the only non S-High student in the express class.

Han Dong was not surprised when he saw him on the first day. “It’s been a while.”

Xie Meng smiled, “It’s been a while.”

His former classmates came successively to greet him, and Xie Meng responded to them one by one, his expression cool.

“After Lin Hengjing’s affairs were settled, the Academic Department seemed to have contacted your grandmother to discuss about you transferring back.” Han Dong glanced at him, “However, they were harshly rejected.”

Zhang Xiujuan had never mentioned this to Xie Meng, but he could imagine his grandmother’s tone at that time.

“I’m doing very well in W-High,” Xie Meng said.

Han Dong gave him a scornful glance, “I’m also not blind. I can see that you’re now soaked in bliss.”

Xie Meng, “…”

At 8pm when the class ended, Han Dong and Xie Meng exchanged their notes. As they were discussing the topics, they bumped into the students from the normal class that were dismissed at the same time.

Lin Weixin was standing gracefully by the back door.

“Xie Meng.” The girl took the initiative to call out to him, her smile very sweet.

Han Dong chuckled, poking at Xie Meng’s arm. “Aren’t you lucky.”

Xie Meng glared at him, helpless, then looked down at Lin Weixin, “You’re not going back yet?”

Lin Weixin swept her long hair from the front to her back with a smooth action, her eyes shining, “I’m waiting for you… Let’s go back together?”

It was almost 10pm when Xie Meng returned home. Zhang Xiujuan’s door was closed, and a commentary was playing from her old-fashioned radio inside. Xie Meng quietly took a shower and returned to his room. Lying on his bed, he was unable to fall asleep.

He sat up, opened his bag and took out Lin Weixin’s letter. Sniffing at it, he realised there was actually perfume on it.

“…” Xie Meng smiled wryly and tossed the letter back into his bag.

On the table was boiled water that had already been cooled, and Xie Meng poured himself a glass. He then saw Zhang Xiujuan removing the facial mask from her face while humming <A Girl’s Love> as she walked out of her room. When she saw her grandson, she was startled.

Xie Meng, “…”

“Why didn’t you let me know you were back?” Zhang Xiujuan threw the mask away and complained. “Are you hungry? Do you want something to eat?”

“I’ll make something myself if I’m hungry. You should head to bed,” Xie Meng urged. Zhang Xiujuan yawned and patted him on the head, “Then I’m going to bed, don’t stay up too late.”

Xie Meng nodded. He drank some water, and his head again started to hurt when he remembered Lin Weixin.

The urn in front of his parents’ portraits was full. Xie Meng poured out some of the ashes onto the plants, and lit three joss sticks and inserted them into the urn.

The fragrance of the joss stick wafted into his nose. As though possessed, Xie Meng touched his lips with his fingers.

It felt as though there were still traces of Ji Qinyang left.

As the training class started at 2pm every day, Xie Meng would still attend school as per normal in the morning. The first thing Zhang Ganggang asked upon seeing him was about Rourou.

“…” Xie Meng had completely forgot about it. He was very apologetic, “I’ll help you ask today… I really forgot.”

Zhang Ganggang was magnanimous. “It’s alright. Then did you bring the album?”

Ever since his visit to Xie Meng’s house, Zhang Ganggang had been thinking non-stop about the photos taken by Xie Meng’s parents.

Xie Meng did not forget this. “Yes.” He took the album out from his bag, and Lin Weixin’s letter was accidentally pulled out along with it. Zhang Ganggang deftly grabbed it.

“You actually received a love letter and you didn’t show it to me?!” Zhang Ganggang was jealous. “Are we still buddies?!”

“…” Xie Meng replied awkwardly, “It’s not what you think it is…”

Zhang Ganggang held the letter up, refusing to let him take it back. Suddenly, his hand was empty, and he turned around to see Ji Qinyang standing behind him.

Ji Qinyang raised his brow. Around his neck were the headphones Xie Meng had given him. Waving the letter in his hand lightly, he had a smile on his face. “A love letter?”

Xie Meng somehow felt guilty. He opened his mouth, denying it, “No…”

“Oh.” Ji Qinyang responded, “Then I’ll help you throw it away?”

Xie Meng frowned.

Ji Qinyang looked at him, and tossed the letter onto the table. His smile dimmed a little, “I was joking. You can keep it.”

When Xie Meng tidied his bag in the afternoon, he purposely took out Lin Weixin’s letter. Thinking about it, he finally stuffed it into a pile of books in his desk.

Xie Meng took a leave of absence from the PE class. There was no one in the classroom. He packed his bag, and Ji Qinyang came in as he was about to leave.

Just as their eyes met, Xie Meng unconsciously shifted his eyes. As a result, his action was too deliberate, and instead made things awkward.

“You’re leaving now?” Ji Qinyang greeted him with a natural expression.

“Mn.” Seeing that Ji Qinyang was calm, Xie Meng too relaxed a little. He looked at Ji Qinyang wearing the headphones and could not help asking, “Ji Qinyang… How does your family express their gratitude?”

“?” Ji Qinyang was baffled. “Why are you suddenly asking about this?”

Xie Meng bit his tongue. “That day… when you kissed me… Was it because you were very happy… and wanted to thank me?”

Ji Qinyang was silent, before he laughed, “Why do you think of it in this manner?”

Xie Meng, “…”

Ji Qinyang walked up and stood next to Xie Meng. Removing his headphones, he placed them on his head. Xie Meng unconsciously retreated, but his arm was caught by Ji Qinyang.

The melody coming from the headphones was foreign yet familiar. Xie Meng only felt a warmth on his lips, the entire world quietening down, only leaving Ji Qinyang’s singing, as though he was whispering in his ear.

“Your smile of fleeting snow, lights upon my heart, little by little, bit by bit, hidden under the traces of our lives together.”