Chapter 16 (1/2)

Chapter 16

For a long time afterwards, Xie Meng would always dream about Ji Qinyang’s back as he rode away on his bicycle. He stood under the gradually dimming street light, his head turned, watching him. The boy rode very slowly, his figure flashing amidst the lights. He did not turn back, but yet looked reluctant to leave.

The next day when Xie Meng woke up, he discovered that he had overslept. Groaning with regret, he slowly sat up to find something falling out from his blanket.

Baffled, Xie Meng held the thermometer in his hand.

“You’re awake?” Zhang Xiujuan entered. She was wearing a pair of reading glasses, and reached out to him. “Give it to me.”

“…” Xie Meng obediently handed it over.

The old lady’s glasses balanced on the bridge of her nose. Holding the thermometer at a slight distance, she looked at it carefully for a long time. “It’s nearly 39˚C.”

She gestured, “Do you want to go to the hospital?”

Only then did Xie Meng feel dizzy. Pulling at his hair, he coughed. “There’s no need. I’ll be fine after taking some medicine.”

Zhang Xiujuan did not nag, only saying, “I’ve applied for 3 hours of leave for you. Have some porridge first.”

After freshening up and having porridge, Xie Meng felt a little better. He took two cold tablets, and found out that it was raining outside only when he was prepared to leave.

The moment he opened the door, the rain was nearly blown onto Xie Meng’s face. The boy shivered before thinking to turn around and pick up an umbrella.

“An autumn rain and a cold.” Zhang Xiujuan changed her shoes and followed behind him, “I’ll walk you to the bus stop.”

The old lady had to carry an umbrella. Xie Meng failed to talk her out of it, and could only hunch over as much as possible. By the time they reached the bus stop, the back of his shirt was wet.

Zhang Xiujuan wiped him off as she sighed, “Grandma is really old… You’re so much taller than me now.”

Xie Meng held her hand, coughing immediately once he opened his mouth.

“You should go back quickly,” Xie Meng’s voice was hoarse. “It’s cold outside, and the ground is slippery. Don’t fall.”

Zhang Xiujuan smiled, “I should be the one telling you that.”

She looked outside the bus stop, nudging her grandson lightly, “The bus is here, quick, get on.”

After getting onto the bus, Xie Meng stood by the window, and Zhang Xiujuan waved at him. When the bus drove off into the distance, he could still see the old lady’s slightly bowed figure.

When Xie Meng arrived at school, the second lesson of the day had just finished. He bumped into Zhuo Xiaoyuan outside the door of Class 3, and it took him a long while before he reacted.

“Your fever seems very high.” Zhuo Xiaoyuan frowned, “Didn’t you apply for leave?”

Xie Meng’s head was a little stuffy. “… Why are you here?”

“The classes have already been split. Class 3 and Class 6 have been divided by the science stream and the arts stream. You’re lucky that you don’t have to move, your seat hasn’t changed.”

“…” Xie Meng looked confused, and only a moment later did he remember to ask, “What about Ji Qinyang?”

“He’s gone to Class 6. He’s in the arts stream. Qi Fei and Zhang Ganggang went there too. You weren’t here for the first two classes, if not I would have watched a play of people bidding each other farewell on a long trip.”

Zhuo Xiaoyuan helped Xie Meng carry his bag. “You’ll have to wait till the afternoon if you want to express your sympathy. They have three classes in a row of memorising ancient Chinese texts. If you go, Zhang Ganggang’s Historical Records by Sima Qian would definitely turn into Zhu Geliang’s Chu Shi Biao.”

Xie Meng followed Zhuo Xiaoyuan, returning to his seat in a state of muddledness. His mind was filled with nothing but glue named Ji Qinyang.

Zhuo Xiaoyuan looked at him in worry. “Are you really ok? Do you want to apply for a day’s leave?”

Xie Meng waved him off. His throat was so painful he could hardly speak. Half the classmates around him were from Class 6, most of them boys, and unfamiliar looking.

Zhuo Xiaoyuan sat next to him. “You sure you’re ok?”

“I’m fine.” Xie Meng coughed. He saw Maitreya coming in with a pile of papers. The bell for the third class had already rung.

Ji Qinyang finished writing the ancient test half an hour ago. Under his table, he sent a text to Xie Meng, but did not get a reply even after waiting for a long time.

The arts teachers were very indulgent towards him, mainly because of his excellent scores. As long as he did not affect anyone else, Ji Qinyang was allowed to do whatever he wanted in class.

Finally managing to wait till the class ended, Ji Qinyang headed directly over to Class 3 only to find the door closed. Glancing through the window, the expression on his face was a little ugly.

Zhang Ganggang who had followed him leaned on the windowsill. “They’re doing a test? It’ll take at least two classes then… Is Xie Meng here yet?”

Ji Qinyang frowned, and did not answer Zhang Ganggang. His eyes were glued at Xie Meng who was working on his paper. The boy had his fist in front of his mouth, and he looked like he was coughing.

“I’m going to the dean’s office.” Ji Qinyang suddenly said, “Watch over Xie Meng from here. If there’s anything, call me on my cell.”

Zhang Ganggang was shocked. “What are you going to do there… Hey, don’t go!”

Xie Meng covered his mouth, trying his best to suppress his cough. Because of his high fever, his test was blurry, and with his muddled mind, he did not know what he had written.

When doing the geometry questions, Zhuo Xiaoyuan nudged at him. Xie Meng slowly raised his head to see Ji Qinyang carrying his bag standing in front of his table expressionlessly.

“…” Xie Meng, “?

Ji Qinyang reached out and placed his palm on his forehead. He commanded him firmly, “Stand up.”

It took Xie Meng a moment before he made a questioning sound.

Ji Qinyang pulled the pen and paper away from the boy. Pulling the desk away, he packed everything into his bag. Turning around, he saw Xie Meng obediently putting his coat on.

“Why did you wear so little?” Ji Qinyang reproached him. He took off his coat and placed it around Xie Meng, tugging it over him and fastening the buttons.

Xie Meng sniffed, and his voice was like a buzz, “Thank you…”

Ji Qinyang patted him on his head, laughing.

Maitreya was standing at the door, waving the two leave forms in his hand, “Aren’t you ashamed that your teacher have to help you submit your own leave form?”

“Then you can give it to Zhang Ganggang.” Ji Qinyang carried two bags with one hand as he supported Xie Meng with the other. He called out to Zhang Ganggang, “We’ll leave first.”

Zhang Ganggang hurriedly nodded. “All right all right, be careful on your way back, we’ll come after school!”

“Why are you coming.” Ji Qinyang spoke bluntly, “Why would we need so many people at a place like the hospital? It’s enough for me to accompany him.”

“…” Zhang Ganggang was very hurt, and he looked at Xie Meng with eyes wide open.

Xie Meng coughed, barely managing to wave at him, “You really don’t have to come… I’m fine.”

“Go back to class,” Ji Qinyang said impatiently. “It’s not a parting of life and death, what are you feeling upset about?”