Mom Yan scanned the room, then walked over to me and asked with concern, "Xiaohe, what’s wrong? Has Yan Luo been bullying you?"
I glanced at Yan Luo. The guy was clutching his tablet nervously, shooting me frantic looks.
I hugged Mom Yan’s arm and pointed at him. "Auntie, he won't let me use his tablet!"
Upon hearing this, Mom Yan snatched the tablet right out of Yan Luo’s arms and handed it to me. "It’s just a tablet! Feel free to use it however you like."
Hugging Mom Yan and the tablet, I gave Yan Luo a triumphant look. "Thanks, Auntie!"
Yan Luo was so startled by the screen lighting up and then going dark that he stood at attention. Thankfully, he hadn't been caught; behind his mother's back, he mouthed to me, "You little brat."
Mom Yan patted my head. "Stay and eat with us later. I made braised pig trotters with peanuts."
Mom Yan and my dad used to be classmates at culinary school, so cooking up a home-cooked feast was second nature to her. Plus, the atmosphere at the Yan household was so warm that I could always manage an extra bowl of rice.
I desperately wanted to stay for the trotters, but I couldn't disobey my mom. I said regretfully, "I’m sorry, Auntie, but my mom told me to come home for dinner."
Knowing my mom’s temperament, she didn't insist. Instead, she said thoughtfully, "Then let me pack some for you to take back. Consider it an extra side dish."
I was moved to tears. "Auntie, you're so kind! Thank you!"
Mom Yan looked at me with a soft smile, then turned to Yan Luo with a stern face. "Go on, don't disturb Xiaohe. Let her finish her homework in peace."
Yan Luo had no choice but to pick up Curry and follow his mother out.
I stared at that annoying tablet, but I was in no mood to look up questions anymore. I tossed it onto the bed, skipped the problems I didn't know, and went back to my workbook.
But I just couldn't calm my mind.
That movie made me think of last night’s dream again.
Actually, it was just a dream; I would forget it soon enough. But for some reason, every detail of the dream felt terrifyingly real—that person’s body heat and breathing, the touch and pressure of his kiss…
I quickly tapped my cheeks.
"sin(A+B)=sinAcosB+cosAsinB, cos(A+B)=cosAcosB-sinAsinB…"
Good. My mind was finally filled with enough knowledge to calm down.
I buried myself in my work, not even noticing when Yan Luo took the tablet back.
After 11 o'clock, Yan Luo knocked on the door. "Lianhe, your mom just called and told you to go home."
I pushed my workbook aside and stretched. "Got it. Let me pack up."
He walked over and glanced at my work. "You made decent progress."
I said, a bit smugly, "I didn't copy you, you know. I did it all myself."
He said disdainfully, "Isn't doing it yourself the bare minimum?"
I said, "FBI…"
He immediately clapped. "Wow, Lianhe, you're so impressive!"
Haha, easy to manipulate.
I picked up my backpack and stood up. "I’ll pay you back for that milk tea this afternoon. What time are you going to school?"
Yan Luo didn't dare ask for milk tea anymore. He waved his hands frantically. "Forget it, no need. Just keep your mouth shut, and I’ll be grateful enough."
***
Back home, my sister and Juyan had already left. Only Dad was in the kitchen, clattering away.
Not seeing Juyan, I let out a sigh of relief. I carried the lunch box Mom Yan had packed into the kitchen. "Dad, I’m home. This is braised pig trotters with peanuts from Auntie. Let’s have it for lunch."
Dad turned around with a spatula in hand, smiling at the overflowing container. "Your aunt really dotes on you, packing so much. Take out that big ceramic bowl from the cupboard to store the trotters so you can empty the lunch box. I’ll fry some things for them this afternoon to send over."
"Okay." I took out the bowl and poured the trotters in, asking, "Where's Mom?"
"Her? She’s back in her room admiring that pearl necklace again. I don't know how many times she’s looked in the mirror today."
Thinking of the way she cried tears of joy when she received the necklace, I curled my lip.
Juyan really knows how to buy people off.
Dad sighed. "I never expected your sister to get married so soon. She’s always been so low-maintenance; it feels like she grew up before I could really take care of her. It’s hard to let go."
I said, "Am I not low-maintenance?"
Dad laughed. "You are too! It’s just your sister… oh, the food is ready. Go call your mom. We’re eating now."
"Fine."
The master bedroom door was open. When I got there, Mom was carefully taking off the necklace and putting it back in its box.
She knew I was back. Before I could even speak, she said huffily, "You have a home, why are you always running to other people’s houses? It’s true you and Yan Luo are friends, but don't you know that boys and girls should keep their distance? And girls shouldn't be so lazy and linger where they aren't wanted. Don't go to his house anymore."
Her words made me furious. "His family didn't kick me out, so why do you care?"
Mom looked like she understood how the world worked. "They’re just being polite to you; don't take it seriously."
Hearing her say that about the Yan family, I really wanted to retort, "They aren't like you," but the words died on my lips. Never mind; I wouldn't win the argument anyway.
Lunch today, aside from Mom Yan’s pig trotters, consisted entirely of leftovers from yesterday.
After we sat down, I reached for the trotters first, and Mom called me greedy and low-class.
My appetite vanished instantly.
Dad saw my face darken and quickly stepped in to make amends. "Pig trotters are very nourishing and good for your complexion. Besides, Yan Luo’s mother is a better cook than I am; if the child likes it, just let her eat!"
As he said this, he served me a piece. "Good girl, eat up."
Unable to find more fault with me, Mom began reminiscing about my sister. "I wonder what Xiao Xun and the others are eating today. It’s not easy for them to come home, and she left in such a rush. I didn't even get a good look at her. She’s lost weight again; is work really that busy…"
I lowered my head and gnawed on the trotter, ignoring her rambling.
The way she treated my sister and me so differently was so obvious—it would be a lie to say it didn't hurt. Sometimes I even wondered if she was really my mother.
But I didn't dare ask.
Because I had asked before.
That was when I was in middle school. She took my sister to buy a new dress and gave me her old one. I couldn't take it and cried, calling her a stepmother. As soon as she heard that, she burst into tears, crying even harder than I was.
She scolded me for being an ungrateful wolf, saying she had raised me through all that hardship, missing out on promotions and wasting her youth, yet I was so heartless and didn't know how to be grateful. If I thought she was a bad person, I could go have my dad find me a stepmother.
Dad had criticized me too, saying I had hurt her heart too much.
That was the sternest he had ever been with me. Although he took me to buy a new dress later, I lost interest in new clothes after that, and even if I had doubts, I never dared to call her a stepmother again.
***
After eating and doing the dishes, I checked the time. It was almost time to go back to school for self-study.
Because it was so cold, I decided to stay at the dorms next week to save on commute time in the morning and get a little more sleep.
Dad helped me pack my clothes for next week while giving instructions. "Make sure you eat well at school; don't shortchange yourself. If there's nothing you want to eat at school, call me, and I’ll bring you something. It’s getting colder; why don't you take another set of thermal underwear? Don't forget your hand warmer…"
He even wanted to stuff a lap blanket into my bag, so I quickly zipped it shut. "Alright, Dad! Stop stuffing things in; I can't carry all this! Just pack me some snacks instead."
He said, "I already packed them. They're on the sofa; take them when you leave."
While Mom wasn't around, I leaned in and whispered, "Give me some more pocket money, Dad."
Dad laughed and pulled out his phone to send me a red envelope. "Is fifty enough?"
I nodded like a pecking chick, accepting the money. "More than enough! Thanks, Daddy!"
Although there was plenty of money on my meal card, a girl always had things to buy—hair ties, clips, magazines, novels—and sometimes after evening self-study, the cafeteria was closed, but you wanted to grab a late-night snack with friends. You couldn't be without some cash.
The school was only two blocks away. Dad picked up the bag, intending to see me off, but I refused. "It’s not heavy; I can carry it. Don't you still have to fry those things for Yan Luo’s family? Don't forget."
Dad said, "Don't worry, I won't forget. The chicken nuggets and shrimp are marinating in the fridge; I’ll fry them when I get back. Once you’re in college and working, I’ll see you even less. I’ll cherish the time we have to talk now."
Hearing this made my chest ache. "Alright, then."
We walked to the door. Mom came out to see us off too. She handed the bag of snacks to Dad, and to me, she gave her usual, unchanging line: "Study hard when you get to school."
"Mm, I’m going."
Mom gave a dismissive wave.
Downstairs, Dad tried to counsel me.
He could tell I still had issues with Mom, so he explained earnestly that it hadn't been easy for her to raise my sister and me all these years. With all the trivialities of life weighing on her and the onset of menopause, it was inevitable that her temper would be a bit short.
He added, "Your mom is strict with you on the surface, but it’s really for your own good. You’ll understand when you’re a parent yourself. Of course, sometimes her way of speaking is a problem, and I’ll remind her, but you shouldn't always talk back to her. Family members need to be tolerant of one another…"
I said, "Mm…"
Besides favoring my sister, Mom hadn't done anything particularly egregious to me. If I didn't get angry, it was fine; staying angry all the time was exhausting.
Dad patted my shoulder and was just about to hold my hand to cross the street when a car suddenly pulled up beside us.
The window rolled down, and Juyan was in the driver’s seat. He turned his head to greet us. "Uncle. Lianhe."
The moment I saw him, I instinctively stepped behind my dad.
I couldn't help it; I just couldn't look him in the eye.
Dad noticed my avoidance but thought I was just being shy. He didn't think much of it and said to Juyan with surprise, "Oh, why are you here? Did you forget something at the house?"
Juyan said, "No, I just happened to be in the neighborhood for some business. Is Lianhe going to school now? I’ll give her a ride."
Dad said, "No, no, the school isn't far; it’s just a short walk. You go do your business."
His car was blocking the traffic behind, and the driver behind us began honking impatiently.
Amidst the annoying honking, Juyan showed no intention of moving. He looked at my dad, unmoved. "It’s no trouble at all. It’s on my way."
Seeing how persistent he was, Dad had no choice but to open the back door. "Then I’ll trouble you."
He put my bag in and gestured for me to get in. "Let your brother Juyan take you to school."
***
I really didn't want to get in Juyan’s car.
But with Dad waiting and the car behind us honking, I had no choice but to grit my teeth and climb in.
The car started moving. I called out an awkward "Brother Juyan," received a bland response, and then silence filled the car.
I turned my head to look out the window, hoping to reach the school quickly.
To my surprise, the car didn't head toward the school road, but drove straight onto the main thoroughfare.
I said nervously, "Brother Juyan, you took the wrong turn. The school is back that way…"
Juyan replied without looking back, "I know. Waste a little time and keep me company for an errand."
I swallowed hard and gripped the phone in my pocket. "I… I think I’d better not. You’re handling business, how could I possibly help?"
He said, "Only you can do it."
"…What kind of business?"
"I bought a wedding house. I haven't told Lianxun yet; I want to decorate it first and give her a surprise. I’m picking out curtains today, but I don't know what colors she likes, so I asked you to choose."
Hearing this, I relaxed just a little. "Oh—"
But I couldn't help but complain to myself: the surprise idea was nice, but they were about to get married, and he still didn't know what color my sister liked? He was remarkably oblivious.
He took me to a high-end curtain shop. As soon as we entered, a receptionist in a corset-style court gown greeted us with a smile.
I looked around. A curtain shop, done up like the Louvre, complete with carpeting, wall paintings, and a painted ceiling. Bright but soft lighting shone on the fabrics hanging around us, their textures and embroideries shimmering.
I quietly glanced at the price tag under the nearest curtain: 580.
I checked twice. I didn't see a decimal point. If it were 580 a roll, the price wouldn't be unreasonable.
Then there were two more symbols. I squinted to see: /m?
Five hundred and eighty per meter for this plain fabric with no pattern at all?
They might as well just rob me!
For a second, I really wanted to pull Juyan away and say, "This place is a scam!"
But he wasn't buying them for me. If he wanted to get my sister something high-end, and the price meant nothing to him, wouldn't me saying it was too expensive be like saying my sister didn't deserve it?
Better to keep my mouth shut. I wasn't the one paying.
The receptionist saw my reaction but didn't look down on me as a hick. She smiled gently. "You two make such a lovely couple. Are you choosing curtains for your wedding house today?"
I immediately explained, "No, he’s my sister’s boyfriend. He’s decorating a new home to surprise her. I’m just here to help pick out the colors."
The receptionist’s smile didn't waver. "Oh, I see! Your sister must be a beauty just like you! With such a caring boyfriend and sister, she must be very happy. Please come upstairs to select the patterns and colors~"
Wow, she was good; she didn't make me feel awkward at all.
The curtains were expensive, so I should have been meticulous, but as soon as I got upstairs, I fell in love with an aquamarine set. The color was light, very clear, and beautiful.
My sister wasn't very materialistic and didn't have strong preferences. Her closet was full of versatile black, white, and gray, but she had a few small items that were blue.
Besides, aquamarine was my sister’s birthstone; picking blue couldn't possibly be wrong.
Seeing my choice, Juyan didn't offer a single objection and placed the order immediately.
After the deposit was paid, the receptionist said they would be made and installed within three days.
Both parties were incredibly efficient, leaving me standing there feeling anxious: what if my sister didn't like them? Could these curtains be returned?
***
I told Juyan my concerns, but his reaction was calm. "As long as you think they look good, that’s all that matters."
That statement made me feel both on edge and flattered.
Thousands of dollars worth of curtains—if I messed this up, my mom would kill me.
But Juyan’s trust made me feel quite good, and I found him much more agreeable now.
He was so attentive to my sister and willing to spend money on her. Once they were married, we would be family. Why was I treating him like a thief because of some ridiculous dream?
It was so unfair to him.
Back in the car, he took a bag out of the glove box and handed it to me. "A Christmas gift. I forgot to give it to you yesterday."
The bag had the logo of a well-known jewelry brand. Inside was a thin, plain gold bangle with two small gold bells hanging from it.
Although it couldn't compare to my mom’s Tiannv pearls, with the current high price of gold, it was definitely a generous gift for me.
It was just that the size looked a bit big.
Actually, when he gave out gifts yesterday, I had been a little angry: why did everyone else get one, but he skipped me?
But I had moved past that, and besides, it wasn't that he didn't buy me one; he just forgot.
After looking at it, I put it back and handed it to him. "It’s too expensive. I can’t take it. Thank you, Brother Juyan."
The holiday was already over; let’s just let the forgetfulness slide.
Something this expensive—and not given in front of my parents—I wouldn't dare wear it even if I accepted it.
Juyan laughed softly and said, "If you don't like it, I’ll get you something else."
I quickly waved my hands. "It’s not that I don't like it; I really don't need it! Look, the holiday is over, and it’s not convenient to wear at school… in short, just live a good life with my sister. You don't need to buy me anything."
When I said I didn't want it, he tossed the bag onto the passenger seat and said indifferently, "Fine."
He dropped me off at the school gate.
As soon as he left, Yan Luo walked over, carrying a huge backpack. "Lianhe, whose car was that? Pretty cool."
I said, "My future brother-in-law’s."
Yan Luo walked beside me toward the school. "Why were you in his car?"
I told him about picking out the curtains, and Yan Luo had the same reaction as I did: "He doesn't know what color Sister Xun likes?"
"You know?"
Yan Luo said, "Blue. Aren't all of Sister Xun’s scarves and bags blue?"
He’d even noticed that.
But our families had known each other for so long, so it wasn't strange that he knew.
I stared at his backpack like a bandit. "What good food did your mom pack for you this time?"
Before I could finish asking, he threw the backpack into my arms. "Two snack packs, one for you and one for me. You take yours; I’m going to play ball. Help me take my bag to the classroom!"
"Hey! This is heavy!"
"To eat the snacks, you must bear the weight!"
He ran off without looking back. Even if I shouted "FBI," he probably wouldn't come back.
I had no choice but to carry the bag to the classroom and pull out the two snack packs.
The two packs were identical. My share even included extra hand warmers and brown sugar ginger tea, along with a handwritten note from Mom Yan: "Xiaohe, it’s cold, put on more clothes. Stay warm."
She had even drawn a smiley face and a heart at the bottom.
Sigh, it felt so warm in my heart.
Once I start making money, I must treat Mom Yan well!
Life at school was monotonous. My eyes would open to problem-solving and writing papers, and the day was spent rotating between the classroom, the cafeteria, and the dorms.
Fortunately, I had a few mischievous friends by my side to share the bitterness; it was much more fulfilling than being at home.
In the blink of an eye, it was Saturday.
Since entering senior year, we had weekly exams every Saturday: Chinese and math in the morning, English and science in the afternoon, with results and rankings out by evening.
After the science exam, my deskmate Yuansu and I were full of confidence as we compared answers.
The answers didn't match.
We stared at each other.
I crumpled up my scratch paper, threw it away, and picked up my meal card. "Forget it! Let’s go get something to eat first!"
At least I couldn't lose my appetite just because the answers were off.