three

When I received the admission notice from D University, I felt it was a resounding slap in the face to those who asserted that I was about to "mix with society." Throughout the entire summer, I wished I could stick it on my forehead and go out into the world.

I was engrossed in eating noodles, not saying a word the entire time

I remember when Kang Jie and I had just met, the two of us exerted great effort to climb onto someone else's rooftop to share our thoughts. That old house, with its roof made of brick-red tiles, was covered in moss and dust.

Not long after I pulled Kang Jie away, a bald man and the middle-aged woman who had previously slapped Li Shanshan by the roadside got into the car.

On the day of my eighteenth birthday, I finally entered the examination hall for the college entrance examination

She held her round, watermelon-like head in a rattle drum manner, imitating the tone of Zi Wei from "My Fair Princess" and said: "What am I supposed to do? Why is it that in this vast world, there is no place for me to belong?"

I do not know why, but her utterance of that sentence does not evoke in others the sentiment of cherishing and valuing beauty in the slightest

The bald man wearing black sunglasses had a sullen expression: "Today is your birthday, don't ask so many questions"

However, immediately afterwards, I felt that this car looked so familiar

I was deeply shocked by her exceptional parents at that moment, and I remained silent for a long time until she asked me in a disdainful tone: "So where has your father been all these years? Why has he not cared about you at all?"

From childhood to adulthood, I have had no concept of the term "father" and have never known what it feels like to have a dad. While other children are picked up and dropped off by their fathers on rainy days, and receive gifts from their fathers on Children's Day, I have experienced none of this

She seriously analyzed the situation: "I love eating meat, I love drinking, and I have a fondness for beauty. I heard that now one needs a bachelor's degree to become a monk... In summary, am I left with no choice but to work in a bar?"

Emerging from the restroom, I splashed my face vigorously at the faucet. In the mirror, my face appeared pale, reminiscent of the dimly lit scene in the carriage that night, the reflection on the window.

Then, no one spoke again, and with a press of the accelerator, they vanished into the distance

I admit that at my core, I am a vain and cunning petty bourgeois.

In fact, I am afraid that as soon as I open my mouth, I will embarrass myself and start crying.

She glared at me, enraged by my ignorance, and shouted, "Go find your father to fry you a peach heart," after which I dared not let out a single sound.

May I ask who the protagonist is

As for those unknown individuals who have suddenly appeared, whom I have never known in my eight generations of ancestors, they are monopolizing the microphone and wailing loudly

The setting sun painted the entire sky red, a beauty that is both tragic and magnificent, and I gently nodded: "Of course."

I used to envy those who could fry eggs into heart shapes, and I even complained about my mother's lack of skill in this regard

When she spoke her last few words, her gaze kept darting in my direction, probably hoping to see me shed tears out of shame and inferiority. Unfortunately, she was truly disappointed; I am just a pig that is not afraid of boiling water.

During our few visits, I had the fortune of seeing a nun wearing lace-trimmed socks, as well as a young nun smiling at her phone like a blooming flower. Of course, this pales in comparison to me and Kang Jie, who were sitting on a wooden bench in the temple, gnawing on a pig's trotter.

My last memory of that night is her driving me home, as I lay in bed, sleeping soundly.

She thought her reckless words had provoked me, who appears carefree but is actually fragile and sensitive. I repeatedly said "sorry". I rolled my eyes in silence and replied, "It's not that I can't say it, it's just that I don't know how to say it, because I have no memory of it at all"

Wait for me to go to university, find a coal boss, and swindle all his wealth to support you, isn't that delightful

Having been expelled from the monastery by the old nun, Kang Jie and I walked along the riverbank in boredom

Currently, those engaged in business and politics are fond of driving to the Buddhist temples. Perhaps the more profitable the venture, the more anxious one becomes, thus the need to frequently visit and pray to Buddha for peace of mind

I was wise for a lifetime, yet I was foolish for a moment, when I actually listened to the illiterate Kang Jie while shopping in the supermarket and ended up picking up a pig's trotter

After hearing this sentence, I felt a deep sense of regret for my previous small act of kindness: "Shut up!"

Before I entered university, Kang Jie began to seriously consider her financial issues

After completing her vocational education, she mingled in society, working in bar marketing. Discontent with certain lewd men touching her in the dark, she angrily resigned. Later, she took a job at McDonald's, but her previous experience at a noodle shop led her to ask a customer who said, "I want a new ice cream," in authentic Changsha dialect, "What flavor do you want?" which became a classic line.

We awkwardly ran from the serene grounds of the Buddhist temple to the bustling street, where Kang Jie, out of breath, leaned against a black Audi parked by the roadside, patting her chest and saying: "I'm getting old, I can't even run a little anymore"

That evening, we walked side by side along the Xiang River for a long time. The wind was strong, and we talked a great deal, also drinking a lot of Heineken. At that time, I had little tolerance for alcohol; once I had a drink, I would speak indiscriminately, and I cannot quite recall what exactly I said.

I did not expect that she would seriously consider the idea of working at Fusi Temple, but in the end, she firmly rejected my proposal.

One morning, my mother, as usual, got up to make breakfast for me, a large bowl of noodles topped with two golden fried eggs

She looked at me helplessly, her eyes clearly reflecting her distrust towards me: "Marrying a wealthy son-in-law is a competition of intelligence and strategy, can you handle it?"

When the class held a graduation party, Teacher Wang still spoke in a tone of skepticism: "Was there really no one supervising in the examination room where you took your test?"

Her words were like pouring salt on my bleeding wounds, and I rolled my eyes, completely losing the desire to confide in her

I want to scold her, what is she thinking, but my eyelids are too heavy, I really can't open them

The woman asked without looking away: "Are you still involved with that little vixen?"

When my mother opened the door and saw my ghastly appearance, she thought I was suffering from a drug addiction and was startled. After learning about my pressures and concerns, she earnestly communicated with me: "If you really can't pass the exam, just find a foot massage center and work as a foot washer. If studying doesn't work out, washing feet is still an option..."

Kaifu Temple is a famous ancient temple in Changsha, with a continuous stream of worshippers every day. On the street outside the temple, there are many fortune tellers, both genuine and fraudulent.

On a scorching hot day, I wrapped myself in a blanket, my face smeared with tears and mucus

At that time, she was still studying, but her fierce temperament was already evident. While casually gnawing on a chicken foot, she said, "Living with my dad, he brings back different women, but living with my mom, she brings back different men. What's the difference? Besides, my dad's financial situation is relatively better, while my mom's money is barely enough to support her toy boys."

Although she made it clear that I should invite as many friends as I have, for me, the only one who can truly be called a friend is Kang Jie. After I called to inform her, I idly flipped through the phone book and paused at the name of Li Shanshan

I sadly got up to go to the restroom, but after several turns, I still couldn't find the right direction and ended up bumping into someone. The other person had a mixed scent of alcohol and perfume. I looked up at him for a moment; it was no exaggeration, he truly deserved the description of "a jade-like figure on the road." Unfortunately, a certain part of my body was on the verge of collapse, so I could only turn around and run away, not even saying a word of apology.

One cannot expect ivory from a dog's mouth, but it does not matter; I am in a good mood and there is no need to hold a grudge against her. Moreover, I am now an adult, and adults should maintain a mature demeanor. As for certain unethical remarks, I will simply treat them as if I accidentally heard someone let out a fart.

After countless jobs, they all ended with either her firing others or being fired by others. As her close friend, my only suggestion is: "Go to Fusi Temple and see if they are still hiring."

If I invite Li Shanshan, then in the future, if I ask Song Yuan what he will treat me to, would he dare not to treat me

It is possible that her movements were too exaggerated, prompting the Audi to issue a timely alarm, which even startled me

However, that morning I was astonished to discover that the two eggs before me were actually in the shape of magical hearts, which truly shocked me. I pondered, could it be that my mother has blossomed like an old tree?

Therefore, when Kang Jie asked me this question, I was momentarily at a loss for how to respond to her

I asked her, "Does your father always bring different women home? Then why don't you go look for your biological mother?"

I seem to have said, "We should be good friends for a lifetime," and I also mentioned, "I still miss him," and perhaps I said even more outrageous things, but Kang Jie only replied with, "I'm sorry"

At that moment, I said to myself: Cheng Luoxun, if you do not strive harder, you will truly be a worthless piece of trash

I have lived with my mother since childhood, and I have never actively brought up those matters to avoid making both of us unhappy. Besides Russell, my idol, there are also the weeds growing in the corner of the wall. I tell myself that no matter how dark the environment of growth may be, there is still the right to bloom

In fact, I had a breakdown once before the college entrance examination

At that time, none of us could smoke yet. One person bought a bottle of Sprite, along with some marinated pig ears and chicken feet costing a few yuan, and we sat on those old tiles, eating and drinking.

Sometimes I really cannot understand how she, a mere radio host, could have so much money to buy luxury brands, and also support her brother who lives a lifestyle that is equally extravagant as hers

She is like a person who has lost 100 yuan suddenly encountering someone who has lost 1000 yuan, transforming all her self-pity and narcissism into sympathy for me: "Then you should be good to your mother."

Previously, Teacher Wang disdainfully said in class: "Some students achieve grades that reflect their true abilities. There is no need to resort to cheating for a few extra points. This is not an ordinary exam; being caught would lead to dire consequences... For those who cannot pass, if their families are wealthy, they should send them abroad. For those without money, it is better to look for good job opportunities early on and start relying on their own hands to make a living, which is also quite honorable."

Seeing her dejected appearance, I forcibly swallowed the extremely hurtful words, "Who would take you out?"

I have thought it over; I am determined to go to university, even if it costs me my life. I absolutely refuse to become a foot masseuse.

And Kang Jie, this thorough local tyrant, while running, gnawed on the leftover pig's trotters and even took the time to ask: "Luo Xun, is she envious of us?"

In the final days of summer vacation, Russell finally returned from Hong Kong and called me: "You received the admission notice, right? Let's go out to celebrate tonight. I booked a luxury package at Windsor and invited all our friends."

While I was devouring my food ravenously, my mother said in her usual nonchalant tone: "Yesterday, while shopping at the supermarket, I happened to see a small pan for frying heart-shaped eggs, so I bought one to try. You mentioned it before, right? It's my first time using it, and I'm not very skilled, so please don't be too critical."

Of course, this is her privacy. No matter how close our relationship is, I would not be foolish enough to inquire about her personal life

Clearly, it was agreed that they would celebrate for me, but the actual scene at that moment was that Song Yuan's eyes began to shine upon seeing Li Shanshan, and the two of them were huddled in the corner of the private room, whispering and seemingly up to something. Luo Suran brought me Guerlain's gold diamond powder and meteorites, and before I had a chance to say thank you, Kang Jie leaned in to ask, "What magical effects do these beads actually have?"

When a kind-looking old nun glared at us, I grabbed Kang Jie and ran away, reciting as I ran: "Bodhisattva, do not blame me, I am still young and do not understand..."

However, after I met Zhou Muchen, I became completely unhinged, casting aside all matters, and my academic and personal life fell into disarray. In retrospect, I truly should have offered a heartfelt apology.

She looked up to the sky and let out a long howl: "Whether to go pay respects to the Bodhisattva or not, it would be good to seek some guidance on the path!"

In light of the sentimental comfort she offered me during my past heartbreak, I too indulged in a moment of sentimentality: "Alright, stop bothering me. When I go to university, I'll find a coal tycoon and swindle all his wealth to support you. Wouldn't that be delightful!"