The lyrics don’t seem to match the name.
Said Fang Qiu a bit unnaturally while touching his nose after the song.
Said who?
Jiang Mengjie turned and jumped on the track swiftly. She said to Fang Qiu,
It sounds very in keeping with the title to me!
Fang Qiu laughed.
He felt tricked.
The song wasn’t recalling the past student days but recollecting romance from the school days. It could even be considered a love confession.
For three years we were classmates in high school but only until now I know how beautifully you sing. You were already pretty awesome in high school. You were hiding your talent all this time!
Jiang Mengjie stopped after several agile hops and looked at Fang Qiu from three meters away.
If I knew, I would have made you sing for me every day.
I didn’t know it myself.
Fang Qiu joked.
Looking back, I really miss my high school life.
Jiang Mengjie sat down on the grass by the sports ground, thinking of the past, and said,
Back then we were in the same class and we studied together every day. After class, I often watched you guys messing around in the classroom and felt rich and content. It was way better than my boring college life.
Yeah.
Fang Qiu nodded as he took a seat next to Jiang Mengjie before continuing,
But we can’t just stay in high school forever.
Do you remember that female student who went back to be a freshman again from a senior class in our high school? She stayed in that school for six years before leaving for university.
Asked Jiang Mengjie.
I do.
Fang Qiu nodded, feeling sorry for her, and said,
She was the most hardworking in our school, always the first one to arrive and the last one to leave. Unfortunately, she was mentally challenged and her study results were good after all. Didn’t you help her with her study for a while?
Yeah.
Said Jiang Mengjie, nodding her head.
Every day after school, I first finished my homework in the classroom with you. Then I went to give her extra classes. Fortunately, her university dream came true in the end.
You did an amazing thing.
Complimented Fang Qiu with a smile.
He didn’t mention that he had been helping dredge her brain channels.
I can’t help laughing every time we talk about this.
Fang Qiu continued,
Every day we stayed in the classroom to do our homework. When we went to the cafeteria to eat, the workers there were cleaning up. Only the two of us were left in the entire cafeteria. Recalling that, it was pretty awkward.
Did you feel awkward back then?
Asked Jiang Mengjie.
Back then?
Fang Qiu was lost for a second.
Back then, he didn’t feel awkward at all.
Who wouldn’t feel embarrassed by a few things he had done in the past?
I wasn’t embarrassed at all.
Said Jiang Mengjie with a smile.
Not at all back then.
Fang Qiu nodded and added,
Otherwise, how could we get in university that easily? It was all thanks to our great efforts back then. Without those days, you might not come first in the college entrance examination in our city.
Thanks to your modesty.
Locking her eyes on Fang Qiu, Jiang Mengjie sounded puzzled,
I still don’t understand. You could study so fast and your results were so great. How did I come first in the college entrance exam?
Bad luck.
Fang Qiu smiled.
I don’t believe it!
Jiang Mengjie shook her head and said,
You were so modest. I didn’t show mercy.
Fang Qiu laughed.
At that time, he didn’t want to attract too much attention so he controlled his results. He never thought about taking first place in the college entrance exam.
I want to ask you a question.
Said Jiang Mengjie.
What is it?
Asked Fang Qiu.
What was the most improper thing you did during your three years in high school?
Jiang Mengjie chuckled. There was a certainty flowing in her eyes as if she knew the answer.
This…
Fang Qiu thought about it before continuing with a smile,
It has to be poking the hornet’s nest outside our classroom window. What about you?
Arguing with the Dean would be mine.
Answered Jiang Mengjie.
You did that?
Fang Qiu was shocked.
Right.
Jiang Mengjie nodded and continued to explain,
On the same day when you poked the hornet’s nest.
What?
Fang Qiu was dazed.
He began to understand.
In high school,
His class was at the corner on the second floor in the classroom building. There was a hornet’s nest outside a window at the back of the classroom building.
That hornet’s nest wasn’t big but was home to a ton of hornets.
Those hornets were all poisonous. They would fly into the classroom almost daily if the window was open and Jiang Mengjie was the one sitting by the window.
To better focus on study, Jiang Mengjie kept the window closed every day though she was drenched in sweat.
Because of this,
Fang Qiu sought an opportunity to poke that hornet’s nest after school with a bamboo stick he found in an abandoned drainage ditch behind their classroom building.
He was scolded by the teacher in charge of their class, who threatened to report this matter to the Dean.
In the end, it was left unsettled.
At first, Fang Qiu thought the teacher in charge of their class was just trying to scare him.
Now it sounded clear that Jiang Mengjie had reasoned this matter out with the Dean.
However, they didn’t lay the truth bare.
That’s enough of this.
Looking at Fang Qiu’s face, Jiang Mengjie shook her head with a gentle smile.
That was her first time standing up against a teacher.
However, it had passed for so long. It didn’t feel right to reveal it now.
So you…
Fang Qiu tried to speak.
By the way, do you know why I applied for this University of Chinese Medicine?
Jiang Mengjie interrupted with the question curiously.
Fang Qiu was confused by this.
Because Jiang Mengjie’s results in the college entrance exam were too good. The first place in the college entrance exam was not for everyone. She could enroll herself into one of the top universities in the country or even in the world but she chose a not so famous university of Chinese medicine.
To be clear,
Her results in the college entrance exam could easily get her into the medical department of Hong Kong University.
But she didn’t.
I still think you should have chosen Tsinghua University, Beijing University, or Hong Kong University.
Replied Fang Qiu.
But I chose a not so famous university of Chinese medicine.
Jiang Mengjie turned to look at Fang Qiu with a faint smile in her eyes and asked,
Do you know why?
Why?
Asked Fang Qiu at once.
Take a guess.
Jiang Mengjie got up and took a few steps forward before turning around to give Fang Qiu a sweet smile.
After a moment of thinking, Fang Qiu answered,
I can’t get it.
Keep guessing then. Tell me when you get an answer.
Disappointment flashed across Jiang Mengjie’s eyes but her smile remained.
Okay. I will.
Fang Qiu nodded.
The pair once again walked side by side on the sports ground.
They chatted happily, keeping no secrets from each other.
Most of the time they recalled their past in high school Jiang Mengjie’s memory about their high school life was so clear and detailed that Fang Qiu felt hard to believe.
However, it was those details which he had neglected that put such brilliant smiles on their face.
Beautiful memories.
The life they could never go back to.
The pair strolled along while chatting.
Time flew by quickly.
Soon it had been one hour.
We’ve met somewhere…
All of a sudden, Fang Qiu’s phone rang.
Fang Qiu took out his mobile to check.
It was from Jiang Miaoyu.
Hello?
Fang Qiu answered.
Fang Qiu, are you still on the sports ground?
Jiang Miaoyu’s voice from the other end sounded curious.
Yes, we are.
Fang Qiu nodded.
Next to him,
Jiang Mengjie winked with a smile and asked quietly,
Her?
Fang Qiu nodded.
Oh. Okay. Listen.
Hearing Fang Qiu’s reply, Jiang Miaoyu continued,
It’s already dinner time. I’d like to treat you and student Jiang Mengjie to dinner to thank you for taking care of me and to show her some hospitality as a host.
Your leg can’t move. Maybe…
Fang Qiu tried to decline.
But before he could finish,
Jiang Mengjie reached out and took his phone.
I’m hungry. Fang Qiu and I will head towards the cafeteria. Thank you, Miaoyu.
Said Jiang Mengjie with a smile.
Great. I’ll be there soon.
Jiang Miaoyu answered happily.
After hanging up,
Jiang Mengjie gave the mobile back to Fang Qiu.
Fang Qiu put on a bitter smile.
Wouldn’t it be better if I treat you to dinner alone?
Asked Fang Qiu, looking at Jiang Mengjie.
Are you feeling sorry for her or scared?
Jiang Mengjie teased.
Fang Qiu was speechless.
Let’s go.
Jiang Mengjie moved forth and turned around after a few steps, looking at Fang Qiu,
Just a meal. Look how frightened you are! Where is my fearless Fang?
Fang Qiu laughed and strode to catch up.
Through the sports ground,
The pair soon arrived at the entrance of the cafeteria.
Her foot is hurt pretty seriously. Maybe you should go and pick her up?
Said Jiang Mengjie.
Coming.
Said Fang Qiu after glancing at the direction of the female dormitory.
Jiang Mengjie turned her head to look.
She saw
Jiang Miaoyu was walking slowly towards them with a cane.
I’ll go and receive her.
Jiang Mengjie stepped out towards Jiang Miaoyu after rolling her eyes at Fang Qiu. Then she realized she couldn’t really help. She couldn’t support her with the cane in her hand.
Come on.
At the entrance of the cafeteria, Jiang Miaoyu said with a smile,
Let’s go upstairs.
Considering your foot, let’s eat on the ground floor.
Said Fang Qiu.
He knew the dishes were better on the second floor and they could order from the menu. Food was prepared in a large canteen cauldron on the ground floor. The second floor would be comparably better.
But it would be hard for Jiang Miaoyu to get to the second floor in her current condition.
It’s fine.
Replied Jiang Miaoyu,
Just one floor up. No big deal.
At last,
Under Jiang Miaoyu’s insistence, the trio headed towards the stairs to the second floor.
At that time,
The cafeteria was rather quiet. It was on holiday but some students were staying in school so the chefs and workers were still working in the café. The workload was significantly less than any normal working day.
Let Fang Qiu carry you.
Said Jiang Mengjie after two steps, watching Jiang Miaoyu, much concerned.
No need.
Jiang Miaoyu replied with a smile.
Then, there was already a thin layer of sweat on her forehead.
It was her first time using a cane. It was perfectly normal for her to feel strenuous and uncomfortable.
You are just going to stand and watch?
Although Jiang Miaoyu had already declined, Jiang Mengjie disagreed and turned to Fang Qiu.
She’s a patient. Carry her up now.
