1305 Caterpillar (2/2)
”How do you write 'jade' in Chinese?”
As he wrote, he also swore. He did not seem to be apologetic about his behavior and attitude. He neither apologized nor thanked Zhang Zian, though Zhang Zian was seemingly helping him.
Zhang Zian did not flinch. He would answer all questions asked. He explained things to the fat boy and replied to his queries about green or black or why the Chinese word for jade was written as it was. He also corrected the words that the boy wrote incorrectly.
After Zhang Zian stopped talking, the fat boy looked up and asked, ”That's it?”
”That's it,” Zhang Zian replied. After all, that was all he knew. Nevertheless, it was much more than what the fat boy could come up with.
”Oh, it's too little. Come up with more.” The fat boy was still not satisfied. Scratching his head, he suddenly remembered something and asked, ”Can I eat this worm?”
Zhang Zian didn't reply at first.
”No?” The fat boy saw that he was hesitating and did not answer.
”Probably…yes,” Zhang Zian replied reluctantly.
”What does it taste like?” he asked.
Zhang Zian gave a thumbs up. ”Chicken. Very crispy!”
The fat boy was suspicious. He licked his lips. How could this soft thing be crispy?
He added another sentence at the end of his work: ”This caterpillar can be eaten and taste like chicken.”
He finally finished it. He counted the number of words he wrote and said triumphantly, ”About one hundred eighty words. It's okay, I guess! If I write a bit more, maybe I can get a high score and make my dad get me a new phone!”
The more he thought, the happier he got. He smiled wide and showed his teeth. It was as if he saw his teacher reading his work and commending it, thereby allowing him to attract the hatred of fellow male students and the admiration of beautiful female students.
”You are quite good.” The fat boy didn't know how to thank him. Instead, he glared at Zhang Zian. ”Is there no business at your store, so you came over to watch the bugs here?”
Zhang Zian shrugged and said nothing.
”Right. Since you are so good, what kind of moth will this caterpillar morph into?” he asked, pointing to the caterpillar.
”The Swallowtail Butterfly,” Zhang Zian replied calmly.
The fat boy was stunned. He thought he'd heard wrongly. ”What?”
”Swallowtail Butterfly.” Zhang Zian repeated the name.
The fat boy's eyes widened. ”But the teacher makes us record stuff about moths.”
Zhang Zian nodded. ”I know. I did this on purpose.”
Revenge successful! It felt so good!