Chapter 3, Quibbling over Words and Playing the Lute to a Cow

Why does Zhong Bi persistently like Zhang Shuo? The reason is simple: no matter how she tries to strike up a conversation with him, Zhang Shuo always finds a way to deflect her advances, being polite yet distant, without hurting her pride. He then moves to a corner and immerses himself in his professional books. The moment Zhong Bi sees him pull out a thick tome filled with numerical symbols, it feels like a heavy blow, leaving her dizzy and retreating, swallowing back all the words she intended to say. Her heart is filled with both love and hate; she wishes she could slap him and throw herself into someone else's arms. With her beauty, how could she fear not being wanted? Yet, she ends up once again shamelessly approaching him to borrow this and that, only to awkwardly return them a couple of days later, with no significant progress made. Finally, graduation arrives; Zhong Bi is a bachelor's degree holder while Zhang Shuo has a master's degree, yet they are the same age. What she despises the most is the existence of so many geniuses in the world, especially at Peking University, which leaves her, a person with a bit of cleverness, feeling utterly defeated and disheartened.

The so-called "big trouble" that Zhong Bi referred to was simply the lack of labor to move things. Zhang arrived in a deep blue Audi, anxious and hurried, ultimately acting as the mover. He was good-natured, without a word of complaint, he took off his suit, rolled up his sleeves, and hoisted a large cardboard box onto his shoulder. Frowning, he remarked, "What is this? So heavy?"

Zhang looked at her with an expression that was hard to define as either cold or warm, and stood up to adjust his cuffs. Seeing him in a posture that suggested he was about to leave, Zhong hurriedly followed and asked, "What’s wrong?" Her voice carried a hint of urgency. For some reason, seeing him made her inexplicably nervous, perhaps because she cared too much. She was still as she had been before, filled with uncertainty and anxiety, completely unsure of what he was thinking.

At the beginning of the school year, various clubs are recruiting new members, marking the annual famous "Battle of the Hundred Societies" at Peking University. The crowd is bustling, drums and gongs are resounding, and posters are hung everywhere, even more lively than a performance on stage. When passing through the triangular area, it is truly difficult to move an inch. Every time she passes a booth, she shakes her head, "No, no..." It is rare to see someone with both hands in their pockets, neither handing out flyers nor shouting loudly. Zhong Bi glanced at him, then stopped, shamelessly approaching, "What club are you?" Feeling down does not mean she is immune to handsome guys.

Upon learning this, Zhong Bi poked his forehead and scolded, "You illiterate!"

Zhang said upon hearing that this young, handsome, and extraordinarily beautiful man was her younger brother, her heart suddenly relaxed. It turned out she had overthought it, and she smiled, saying: "Zhong Ze? Water Town Ze Country?" She thought to herself that he, like Zhong Bi, was from the south, and this name was quite interesting.

Zhang chuckled and let out a soft "oh," without responding, as he focused on drinking tea. Zhongbi looked at him with disdain, thinking to himself: what are you pretending for, knowing that you didn't understand at all

She is determined to forget her nightmarish past and start anew

Zuo Xue, however, did not cooperate, firmly gripping the doorknob and refusing to leave.

He nodded, not particularly grateful for her support, "Alright, fill out the basic information, and pay a membership fee of 10 yuan. Leave your phone number, and we will notify you when there are activities." Very professional, not a single unnecessary word from start to finish

He is well aware of the hardships that Zhong Bi has endured over the years, and Zuo Si has been too excessive towards her

She could not help but recall a past incident of playing the lute to a cow.

The two people ended up together like this. A late-arriving love is always fraught with misunderstandings

Later, Zhong Bi scolded him, saying: "Why are you so slow to react!" This made her sad for an entire night, as if it were the end of the world

She did not know how to continue; how could she compare to him? He had already become a figure influencing contemporary Chinese economy. She could only awkwardly change the subject and said, "I have plans to go out for dinner tonight, and I don't have a car."

The words of the other party are quite shocking, "Research Society on the Social Issues of Suicide"

She felt a chill run down her spine, but swallowed hard and said firmly: "I want to participate." Every year, Tsinghua University and Peking University have several students who, in moments of despair, jump from buildings or into lakes. It is only right to study this phenomenon and contribute to society.

Zhang said, piling things on the ground in a haphazard manner, breathing heavily, tilting his head back, and unbuttoning the second button of his shirt with one hand. Zhong Bi noticed his snow-white collarbone, slightly protruding, with smooth and delicate skin. The way he tilted his head was not only familiar but also added a touch of sensuality, causing her to widen her eyes and swallow hard. Before she could lean in for a closer look, Zhang turned to drink water. She licked her dry lips, constantly reminding herself: beauty can be harmful, do not let desire cloud your judgment. Zhong Bi noticed his snow-white collarbone, slightly protruding, with smooth and delicate skin. The way he tilted his head was not only familiar but also added a touch of sensuality, causing her to widen her eyes and swallow hard. Before she could lean in for a closer look, Zhang turned to drink water. She licked her dry lips, constantly reminding herself: beauty can be harmful, do not let desire cloud your judgment.

Zhang frowned as soon as she heard it, feeling quite displeased, a typical example of a rigid educational approach. She might even be planning to teach her son the Four Books and Five Classics.

Zhong Bi and Zuo Xue exchanged glances, not daring to tell him it was mineral water. Seeing him working so hard, Zuo Xue leaned close to her mother’s ear and said: "Mom, this Zhang Shuo said that Uncle does not fall behind in his work, well done." Zhong Bi glanced at Zhang Shuo, who was focused on driving, patted his head, and said seriously: "Sit tight, do not move around."

Zhong Bi cleared his throat and said, "Ah, you are now thriving and doing exceptionally well." I always knew he would be extraordinary in the future, but I never expected him to achieve such success.

At that moment, she poured all her emotions into it, with a sincerity she had never shown before, anxiously awaiting his response, which could either lead to heaven or hell.

Then, with the determination of fighting against all odds, she confessed to him. After watching the graduation party, she followed him out. That night, the sky was dark and the wind was strong, with not a single star in sight, the lights were dim, and the wind howled, wailing past her ears. Just then, he said, "The wind is really strong today, can you hear it?" Listening to the sound of the flags flapping, she recalled a Buddhist parable, and her thoughts stirred; ah, even the heavens were helping her, this opportunity must not be missed, time would not come again! So, looking at him, she said with deep affection, "It is not the wind that moves, nor the flag that moves, it is my heart that moves." Afraid he did not hear clearly, she added, "Did you hear it?"

Zhang ignored her, focusing on his meal, and did not mention the matter at all

Zhong Bi's father passed away early, and the family was impoverished, relying entirely on her mother who did some small business to raise the two siblings. During the summer vacation of her junior year, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Afterward, many events occurred, and she used her mother's illness as an excuse to apply for a leave of absence from school. A year later, she returned to school to complete the remaining credits, thus being a year behind her classmates. At that time, she was depressed and in poor spirits, and since she did not know anyone in the class, she maintained a stern expression all day and ignored others, giving off a cold demeanor and having a bad temper. A year later, she returned to school to complete the remaining credits, thus being a year behind her classmates. At that time, she was depressed and in poor spirits, and since she did not know anyone in the class, she maintained a stern expression all day and ignored others, giving off a cold demeanor and having a bad temper.

Perhaps this is a punishment from heaven for her, a punishment for her wrongdoings

She does not know how to initiate a conversation

Zhong was dizzy and foolishly followed him. Later, when she recalled that moment, she remembered that his hands were as cold as ice, and she did not know how long he had waited downstairs. Perhaps he also did not sleep well that night

He looked at the little boy who closely resembled Zhong Bi, his large eyes identical, round pupils like black gemstones, full of spirit. He bent down to meet Zuo Xueping's gaze and asked, "What is your name?"

Zuo Xue did not know why, but felt that he was not the kind of person who could joke casually, so he replied seriously: "My surname is Zuo, and my given name is Xue, which means to learn and practice regularly." His head-shaking and nodding demeanor was quite amusing.

Zhong Bi glanced at Zhong Ze and noticed that he did not show any signs of unease or shyness, so he said: "This is my younger brother, Zhong Ze." As for the identity mentioned by Zhang, it was briefly overlooked, and naturally, no one inquired further.

Zhang went downstairs to bring up the remaining items, while Zhong Bi and her son were tidying up in the room. Zuo Xue squatted there, tearing open snack packaging, mumbling, "Actually, we could ask the restaurant staff to bring the things up." Zhong Bi was taken aback; she hadn't thought of that. Dragging her son along, she said, "Don't eat this junk food. There's a restaurant across the street; go there yourself—you're not allowed to come back within half an hour." The last sentence was the key point. There were some things she didn't want the child to hear in her conversation with Zhang. "Don't eat this junk food. There's a restaurant across the street; go there yourself—you're not allowed to come back within half an hour." The last sentence was the key point. There were some things she didn't want the child to hear in her conversation with Zhang.

Zhang turned to look at her and said, "Did you not say you had an appointment with someone? I will take you there." The expression on his face was so neutral that it was impossible to discern anything.

Zhong Bi was quite surprised, "Oh, you know Han Yu's 'On Teachers'?"

Zuo Xue found it somewhat difficult to keep up with his leaps of thought, feeling dizzy and disoriented, and it took a while to understand what he was saying. With a cold expression, he said: "That is their business." He no longer dared to underestimate Zhang.

This little ancestor is so difficult to deal with! Zhong Bi placed her hands on her hips, glaring with her big eyes, and threatened, "If you don't go to the restaurant, from now on, whenever you want to eat something, I will take you there just to watch others eat, letting you see but not touch it." Zuo Xue, imitating her, glared back at her. Is this something a mother should say? "You—" The economy determines the superstructure, and he could only leave in frustration.

Listening repeatedly to Jay Chou's "Playing Chopin's Nocturne for You, in Memory of My Lost Love, with a Voice as Gentle as the Night Breeze, Heartbreak Sounds Beautiful..." I cannot help but feel tears wetting my hair, my heart heavy with emotion, deeply resonating with the singer's voice, which makes me feel even more sorrowful

Zhong Bi immediately said: "It is not the 'ze' from 'Shuixiang Zeguo', but the 'zan' from 'Zengzi Yizan'." Seeing him smile without responding, I recalled his limited knowledge of classical literature; how could he possibly know what 'Zengzi Yizan' refers to? So I explained in detail, "The top part is the character for 'bamboo', and the bottom part is the character for 'responsibility'. In ancient language, it means a bed mat."

The next morning, Zhang stood in front of her dormitory building and immediately approached her as soon as he saw her come out, blushing as he said, "I heard you." He seemed calm as he took her hand, yet his fingers were subtly trembling. Noticing that she was still in a daze, he cleared his throat and said, "Aren't you going to have breakfast? Why aren't you leaving?"

What could have prompted him to take such astonishing and unusual actions? She was at a loss to understand.

Zhong Bi felt somewhat overwhelmed, uncomfortable all over, shrank his head slightly, coughed once, and said, "Not yet, it is still being processed"

Later, Zhong Bi learned from a friend in his dormitory that on the night of the graduation party, he was asking everyone what "it is not the wind that moves, nor the banner that moves" means. When others asked him why he was asking this, he remained silent, appearing quite mysterious. Eventually, he spent the whole night searching for information online. Fortunately, he finally understood her intentions in time, avoiding a lifelong mistake.

He replied seriously: "There is a sequence in learning, and each profession has its own expertise, that is all. Different fields are like different mountains." He studies finance, not literature, so how could he possibly know such overly sentimental things

She is completely speechless

She thought he was probably contemplating how to refuse her, stamped her foot in frustration, and left angrily, her heart that she had offered now falling into the dust, never to be picked up again. Collapsing onto the bed, no matter how much she tried to hypnotize herself, she could not fall asleep, tossing and turning, her heart feeling as if it were being twisted, aching in waves. After a sleepless night, wrapped in her blanket, her large eyes were red and swollen from crying, while simultaneously fearing that she might disturb her roommate's sleep

Zhang immediately understood the true meaning behind the name Zhong Bi, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth, "They will get divorced." His voice was firm, exuding confidence.

Zhang said with no expression, "It's fine, but it cannot compare to Zuo Si."

Zhang straightened up and smiled, saying: "Aren't you going to introduce yourself?"

Little did he know, he stood there foolishly, not uttering a single word

Zhang glanced at her and did not ask whom she had made an appointment with, but instead asked directly: "Have you already divorced?"

The bell pen person has left, yet he turns back three times with every step. With such a handsome guy here, is it not an intentional temptation for the female students? No wonder she judges a gentleman with the mindset of a petty person; nowadays, the ranks of the "Foreign Trade (Appearance) Association" are growing ever larger

Zhang sat on the sofa holding a paper cup, sipping tea delicately and blowing gently on it. Even drinking water was done so elegantly, which made Zhong secretly curse him as a disaster to the world. This person was meticulous in thought and reserved in personality, lacking both humor and charm, yet he surprisingly went to participate in an entertainment program like "Heaven on Earth," which greatly astonished her

He still maintained that cool demeanor, took a sip of soup, and said leisurely: "This college entrance examination has been passed."

When Zhang said to send them off, Zhong Yan was already waiting in his seat. Zhong Bi watched him sit down next to Zhong Yan with great ease, feeling somewhat puzzled, "You—" Having fulfilled the responsibility of protecting the flower, shouldn't he have left by now?

Zuo Xue followed Zhang and asked, "Are you trying to pursue my mother? However, she is a married woman." He was very wary of this unfamiliar man, mimicking the manner of Zhong Bi, shaking his head and reciting, "The gentleman has his wife, and Luo Fu has her husband." He coldly reminded him

He remains unchanged, as handsome as ever. However, she has long been battered and bruised.

After all these years, does she still have no resistance to him at all

Now? She hurriedly jumped up to change her clothes, dashed to the bathroom, and bounced back, "My son, Zuo Xue, he... is in the restaurant..." Before she could finish her sentence, Zhang understood her meaning, nodded, "I will go call him." After so many years, this kind of tacit understanding still existed between the two, which made her feel very happy