Chapter 4, The Green Bean Popsicle in My Memory

In fact, I am the only one who would come to this place under the blazing sun

Then what about you? Why do you always eat red bean paste?

It seems that this is no trivial matter; the weapons in their hands are at least sixty to seventy centimeters long. A strike from one of those could not only cause fractures but also potentially lead to concussions, and it might even result in fatalities

Later, we all discovered the small cave within the artificial hill, and everyone was so delighted that they couldn't sleep all night. We never expected that this little park we passed by every day would hide such an interesting place

He was astonished at how he could appear here, when suddenly three or four unfamiliar men emerged behind him, wielding baseball bats. Judging by their attire, they were undoubtedly delinquents; given their aggressive demeanor, it seemed as if Ye Mubei had committed some heinous crime, and they were eager to beat him to death with a single blow

As a man, a life without having fought is incomplete. The impulse to kick someone you dislike to the ground is inscribed in the genes of every male animal; how can you young girls understand the joy of fighting

I will not, I will always be here, as long as you need me—I silently recited in my heart, gently patting his back

However, in the next moment, Lu Wei's voice sounded

Do you remember when I said that when I grow up, I want to be a traveler and explore the whole world

The almost vanished Lin Xiaoyu, the ever-disruptive Ye Mubei who always pops up unexpectedly to disturb my life, and this annoying report card in front of me, resemble sponges that have absorbed water and expanded, filling my mind, with every outlet tightly sealed, nearly causing my head to explode

Haha, then go ahead and scold me!

I am speechless, and I begin to lower my head and rummage through my bag

In the living room, the opening music of "News Broadcast" did not play on time, and the television screen was completely dark

"Smooth talker..." I rolled my eyes and quietly refuted his twisted reasoning

On a small notebook, I scribbled a drawing of a robotic cat with a ballpoint pen, flipping through a few pages, I got my hands covered in dust from the past. Those childish boasts and grand statements, the handwriting blurred into a blue-gray shadow by rainwater that seeped in. I strained to recognize the handwriting of three people, seeing that Xiaoyu had written "Lu Wei, big fool" for several pages in a row, and then Lu Wei retaliated by drawing a little girl with a runny nose. ... I also saw the Eiffel Tower I had drawn with a few simple lines, with a little girl standing on top, waving her hands and smiling brightly. ... I strained to recognize the handwriting of three people, seeing that Xiaoyu had written "Lu Wei, big fool" for several pages in a row, and then Lu Wei retaliated by drawing a little girl with a runny nose. ... I also saw the Eiffel Tower I had drawn with a few simple lines, with a little girl standing on top, waving her hands and smiling brightly ...

Looking at his gentle expression as usual, I found it impossible to relax; in fact, there has been a sentence that has been stuck in my stomach, lodged in my throat.

Do you think there will ever be a day in this lifetime when they will allow me to relax? Even if I go abroad, they will probably still require me to be in the dormitory by 9 PM every night to answer calls, right? Perhaps they will even investigate what I had for dinner.

Just as I was immersed in memories of the past, I suddenly heard a commotion outside. The sound of hurried footsteps and someone shouting loudly, "If you have guts, don't run!"

A few days ago, a slap from Xiaoyu landed on Lu Wei's face, as if it had struck my own face, leaving my spirits shattered on the ground, unable to be picked up again

I have never been this close to Lu Wei before; I could even hear his heartbeat, strong and powerful, so rapid. His body emanated a warmth that was somewhat familiar yet also somewhat unfamiliar

"Does it hurt?" I asked

"Is this your first time helping someone with a bandage?" Ye Mubei frowned, wearing an expression of endurance as he watched me wrap the bandage around his arm

The warm breath he exhaled brushed against my forehead, causing me to instinctively shrink back, yet my gaze met his sweat-drenched collarbone. There was a peculiar scent about him, a potent blend of masculine sweat and a faint hint of smoke, seemingly tinged with the lingering aroma of some cologne, which induced a slight feeling of dizziness in me. I struggled to keep myself from fainting in this confined space. The scent was indeed remarkable, a strong mix of male sweat and a subtle trace of smoke, with an echo of cologne that made me feel slightly lightheaded. I fought to remain upright in this cramped environment.

"You aspire to enter an Ivy League school, yet you present such scores; do you have the audacity?" The father said, slapping the report card on the table. "Do you realize that an 8-point difference, in a real examination, is enough to leave someone far behind?"

"Don't go out yet!" I hurriedly pulled him back, "Let's wait a little longer! They might still be looking for you around here!"

Mung bean popsicle, a simple yet unforgettable taste. My preferences have remained unchanged, but unfortunately, it no longer possesses the sweet innocence of my memories

"I didn't expect you to get angry!" He deliberately widened his eyes, looking at me with a gaze as if I were an alien, "I thought that no matter what was done to you, you would never get angry! How should I put it? It's like a puppet."

I know that the feelings Xiaoyu has for Lu Wei have always transcended mere friendship. Reflecting on her panicked footsteps and her hysterical cries when she left, I truly did not expect her reaction to be so intense. I believe she must have suffered a significant blow.

The shout erupted like a thunderclap, causing my whole body to shudder, and my thoughts were abruptly pulled back. I do not know what exactly is happening outside, but an inexplicable sense of panic surged within me

After hesitating for a long time, I finally opened the box. Looking at the items before me, I was stunned for a few seconds, as a familiar warmth enveloped me, blurring my vision

He glanced at me, then hurriedly turned his gaze to the window, and gently shook his head

Biting on a popsicle, I unknowingly walked to the park in the community. For some reason, the image of Xiaoyu as a child resurfaced in my mind, with her round, black grape-like eyes and her hair styled in two pigtails every day. I remember one time when Aunt Chen didn't buy her a milk popsicle, she stood alone in the sun and cried for two hours.

Why have we become like this now

The scene before me is nothing short of a gang fight straight out of a movie

After a while, the father finally finished his scolding. The mother came over, handed him a cup of tea to moisten his dry mouth, then placed her hands on her hips and began the second round of admonishment

Is this mocking me? My score has dropped by 8 points, and I just received a scolding, my mood is utterly terrible. I raised my hand, lifted my head, and looked at the light and shadows filtering through my fingers

I seem to hear that sound of a slap ringing in my ears again

Do you remember when Xiaoyu said that when she grows up, she wants to be a model and a star, so she can earn a lot of money and provide a good life for her mother

Can't you say something else

Vibrant individuals

The saddest statement in the world is none other than "We can never go back again"

This place has not changed much from its appearance ten years ago; at most, the grass has grown denser, the water in the pond has decreased and become dirtier, and also, the number of visitors has decreased.

"How annoying! Are you doing this on purpose to make me angry?" This person, having taken advantage, is acting all innocent; not only do they not reflect on their actions, but they also make sarcastic remarks! Instantly, my anger flared up even more, and I decided to press down hard on the perfectly bandaged spot on their arm. The next second, I was satisfied to hear a cry of pain.

No one has ever said such words to me, as if suddenly tasting a spoonful of mustard, the pungent flavor rushing to my head, causing my eyes to well up with heat

I was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, unable to hold back my exclamation: "You are truly annoying! I, the person who is least skilled with my hands, kindly helped you with the bandaging; I, the person with the smallest courage, even risked my life to save you; yet you can't even spare a single word of thanks and instead mock me!"

In the torrent of youth, we all struggle desperately, wanting to hold each other's hands, yet we can only watch helplessly as our former companions are swept away to a more distant place

The sunlight glimmers with a dazzling golden light amidst the rolling green waves overhead, and I squint my eyes to gaze at the sky, which is a vast expanse of deep blue.

"It's all my fault. Aunt Chen asked me to keep an eye on Xiao Yu, so she could go to the academy today, but now she has run away again." I placed the bottle back on the table and let out a long sigh, "It turns out she thought I reported her, which is why she was so angry with me. How could she be so foolish..."

I shot him a glare, and he laughed, continuing to say: "With you bandaging it like this, I still have to redo it myself, what’s the point?"

I said: "No, I want this, I have been eating this since I was young"

He turned back to me with a smile: "Alright, look at you, your little face is as pale as a ghost. Are you really that worried about me? You wouldn't have fallen in love with me, would you?"

"You... how on earth did you get involved with this group of fierce and ruthless individuals?" I was startled by his words, and with a trembling voice, I asked, "Why are they chasing you? Have you also done something terrible?"

"Like this, just a casual bandage, doesn't it look much better?" As if seeing through my thoughts, Ye Mubei continued to poke at my sore spot, "For safety reasons, it is better for a lady in such a situation to find a safer place to hide. As for bandaging, it is best to leave professional matters to professionals."

Lu Wei trembled his lips slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but did not speak it out

At that moment, I inadvertently touched a hard object beside me. After taking it out, an iron box covered by leaves suddenly came into my view

"You... you should just carry on with your Ah Q spirit!" I was nearly rendered speechless by his excessive confidence, and then I looked down at the bleeding abrasions on his arm. "I think it would be better for you to take care of your wounds first! After sustaining so many injuries, you still call others a little flea? That must be one enormous flea!"

Unable to suppress my curiosity, I crawled out from behind the rockery and carefully stepped onto the small stone bridge, hiding behind the cypress tree. Concealed by the plants, I saw a boy rushing down from a distance, wearing a white T-shirt, like a white arrow. I could even hear his rapid breathing. He seemed to be fleeing from something, glanced back, and nearly stumbled and fell. When he lifted his head, I suddenly covered my mouth, desperately suppressing the scream that was about to escape.

Xiaoyu, why do you never eat red bean paste? Isn't it too much to always eat milk?

Do you remember that Lu Wei said he wanted to become a pianist when he grew up and hold a concert in the Golden Hall of Vienna

Indeed, I find you quite displeasing at the moment

I heard that you are an outstanding student at the academy? Seeing you always looking so stressed, I just can't believe that a good girl like you doesn't have any unpleasant experiences

I repeatedly ask myself in my heart, why didn't she ask me first? Is it so difficult to say something to me?

I did not speak. It is as hot as a steamer here, and the thought of having to continuously review at my desk for the upcoming time makes my heart feel as if it has died under the weight of oppression. I desperately need a bit of healing power, even if it is just the sudden sting of an ice-cold cola pressed against my cheek, to help me escape from this endless gloom, even if just for five minutes

I was taken aback for a moment, thought for a while, bit my lower lip, and replied softly: "I don't know..."

The dense grass at the entrance brushed against my bare calves, pricking like fine needles. As we entered the cave, the light suddenly dimmed, leaving only the collision of our astonished and tense gazes, along with the hurried breaths and heartbeats. The sound of rushing water drowned out his somewhat heavy breathing. I slightly bent down, and he mirrored my actions, peering out through the crevice of the artificial hill. It was very concealed; I saw a baseball bat swaying at the other end of the cypress tree, and the footsteps of those people moved from left to right, then from right to left, shouting Ye Mubei's name. A few minutes later, perhaps finally losing their patience, they left here cursing and grumbling.

Perhaps we are merely striving to appear strong, unwilling to acknowledge those facts. An unprecedented sadness enveloped me like a gray veil, striking me head-on.

The shop owner furrowed his brows and thought for a moment before shrugging and saying: "Mung bean popsicle? Why would you young ladies want to eat this... It's buried at the bottom of the freezer, you can go dig it out yourself"

What has been going on with you lately? You seem lost! When I was your age, I spent every day in the library, nibbling on dry bread and drinking plain water, and I wore out my dictionary...

My hands and feet have become weak, to be honest, I do not want to see Ye Mubei in front of me being beaten to a pulp, bleeding and rolling on the ground

I have always lived according to the demands of others, and no one has ever cared about my true thoughts, nor has anyone cared about whether I am truly living. Instead, it was his one remark that pointed out the aspect I care about the most

This is the Eiffel Tower

I walked across the narrow stone bridge, crossed the pond, and before me lay a vast expanse of artificial hills; this was the secret base of my childhood with Lu Wei and Xiao Yu

Ye Mubei

I hurriedly left Lu Wei. Although I knew he was sincerely trying to comfort me, being by his side made me feel an inexplicable sense of suffocation

I possess a beautiful exterior, smiling and nodding, every action dictated by the will of others, devoid of soul in my eyes, with a vacant expression, responding politely and fluently yet lacking creativity. Yes, this is me, this is how I appear before others, and it is also how my parents wish for me to be. However, this is not the true me. I am like a puppet on stage, playing all the roles, striving to please the audience, satisfying my master, bringing joy to those around me, yet forgetting what my true self looks like... This is how I appear before others, and it is also how my parents wish for me to be. However, this is not the true me. I am like a puppet on stage, playing all the roles, striving to please the audience, satisfying my master, bringing joy to those around me, yet forgetting what my true self looks like... What is it that I truly desire...

I understand every word that Lu Wei says, those familiar phrases are constantly repeated by the people around me. However, my emotions have not been lifted again by his words. I feel as if there is a pool of stagnant water in my chest, and those restless and agitated emotions, like insects immune to various pesticides, are fluttering their wings in this pool of dead water.

However, the crisis of disciplinary action and warnings is imminent, and Lu Wei and I only hope for her return to class, that is all.

He glanced at me, brushed aside the bangs that were stuck to his forehead with sweat, and said in a low, mysterious voice: "This is a matter between men, and girls do not need to inquire. You just need to stand behind me." As he spoke, he bent down and was about to crawl out of the hole.

Lu Wei had a thick novel spread out on his lap, but his gaze was fixed in the distance. Only upon hearing my words did he blink and say, "You did not perform poorly either."

"Your tone truly makes me sad!" Lu Wei shook his head, sighed, and then smiled at me, "What’s wrong? Did you get criticized just for dropping 8 points? Your parents are still so harsh on you!"

You are truly heartless! Had I known it would turn out this way, I would not have saved you! Let you be beaten to the point of searching for your teeth on the ground! I could hardly contain my anger, wishing I could kill him with a glare!

"I was just pushed by a jerk and got a scratch, it looks like a cat scratch, no need to be so surprised." He glanced at his arm and said lightly, as if these scars were merely temporary tattoos bought from a small shop at the entrance, which could be easily discarded when he was unhappy. "I have even more terrible wounds, do you want to see?" He said half-jokingly, reaching to lift his shirt.

I... I just happened to pass by here..." My voice was trembling, and then the shocking bruise on his cheekbone and the streaks of purple on his arm almost made me scream, "Oh my God... you..."

The sound of my father's scolding continued to strike my eardrums, but it had become blurred

In the infirmary of the academy, I hurriedly took down all the bottles I could find from the cabinet, and from a high shelf, I found clean cotton swabs.

No

This month feels as if it has been afflicted by some strange curse, as the people around me have started to get injured one after another. First it was Xiaoyu, then Lu Wei, and now it is Ye Mubei. I helped Lu Wei tend to the injury on his cheek, and now I am bandaging the wound on Ye Mubei's arm

"Need help? Do you want me to assist you? Superwoman?" Ye Mubei smiled, pressing his hand against the wall above my head, the distance between us rapidly closing. "Do you think those little fleas can defeat me? If it weren't for you, they would be kneeling on the ground begging for mercy from me by now"

I really don't want to study, and I'm growing more and more tired of English. I wish I were you... You seem to be under a spell, always achieving such excellent grades.

The surrounding air seemed to freeze in an instant, as I met his soft gaze, as if I had suddenly intruded into a world about him that I had never touched before. His body was warm, like a sturdy cushion that had been basking in the sun for many hours.

I watched my "work" gradually crumble and fall apart, a sour feeling filled my chest, and as I continued to look, the corners of my mouth were pulled down further and further. I truly underestimated him; I didn't expect him to bandage it so well, neat and professional!

I am somewhat panicked, yet I do not evade

A multitude of questions blur into a haze, like a layer of gray mist obscuring the view, yet there are no answers to be found

I stand before him, my back drenched in sweat, the uniform shirt clinging to my back, uncomfortably sticky. It has just rained lightly, yet the weather remains sultry; this is a season where everything feels sticky and clammy.

He looked at me, his face full of astonishment. I couldn't worry about that much, so I pointed to the cave by the edge of the pool and whispered to him: "There! Hide there!" Then I pulled him in.

Anxiety, sadness, resentment, helplessness, and loneliness... Various seasonings are being stir-fried in a boiling pot, yet they fail to blend together, ultimately solidifying into chunks of charred, unyielding heaviness, settling in my heart

It is like a broken pearl necklace, leaving behind only fragments, while the chain that connected the fragments has long since snapped

Lu Wei's muffled voice made me involuntarily close my eyes, and my once stiff body gradually relaxed a bit. I fell silent, as there was no need for further words; I knew that Lu Wei's feelings were completely the same as mine, equally helpless and equally distressed

The bandaging skills are so poor, yet the bow is tied quite neatly! He exerted a great deal of effort to successfully untie that bow, then gritted his teeth and tore off the messy bindings, proceeding to bandage himself.

What is going on? Scoring such marks, are you deliberately trying to infuriate me

Lu Wei's body trembled slightly, and he held me tighter, whispering in my ear: "Why has it come to this? The three of us used to be together, living so well; can we never go back to that?"

Then, he turned around and looked straight at me, his eyes shimmering with moisture, the blood vessels in his eyes still not dissipated. He said nothing, suddenly reached out and embraced me, pulling me closer to his chest

"Fun? All I see is a bloody incident," I said as I looked at the wound on his arm. A small patch of bright red blood had soaked through his white sleeve, appearing shocking. "Your wound is bleeding; let me help you bandage it up!"

That was an old mooncake box, and beneath a thick layer of dust, I could faintly see a familiar pattern. I was taken aback; this treasure box, which once held the beautiful memories of three children, surprisingly still existed in this secret base

She is always the most mischievous one among the three of us, and her favorite activity is to climb barefoot to the highest point of the artificial hill. Occasionally, she snatches Lu Wei's homework notebook and hides it in a small cave within the hill.

The clerk looked up and asked me what I wanted to eat in a rather unenthusiastic manner. I was taken aback, but I blurted out: "Give me a mung bean popsicle."

He was taken aback for a moment, seemingly reflecting on something, and then he touched his nose: "Well, that really puts you in a difficult position. But you said it yourself, last time I helped you out of a jam, so this time it counts as a debt you owe me. Since it's a debt, why should I be polite with you?"

Well, good

I hate it! I absolutely do not want to see it! I hurriedly turned my head away, my face burning with embarrassment. Aren't you afraid of dying? That group of people is holding such thick baseball bats, it's so terrifying!

So, where is the true me

In the future, I will go to France and stand at the highest point of the Eiffel Tower

This is too violent, isn't it? I couldn't help but gasp, frowning as I said, "Is fighting really that interesting?"

Hmph! I won't listen to your nonsense... I lowered my head, wiping the bloodstains on my hands with a tissue, concealing the unusual expression on my face, yet my heart could not find peace

Thinking that those people might not have gone far, I quickly covered my mouth to prevent my high-pitched voice from attracting the attention of those outside

I simply... I just do not want to witness a tragedy unfold before my eyes..." I rolled my eyes and replied, "Anyway, since you helped me out last time, I will help you this time as well, so neither of us will owe anything to the other, right?"

The roar of my father startled me, causing my whole body to tremble. I stood by the sofa with my head lowered, hands hanging down, silently accepting his scolding.

Congratulations, you have achieved the top score in your grade. I said weakly as I sat down beside him, the lawn freshly mowed, the fluffy grass pricking my legs, causing a tickling sensation

Can I say, "I’m sorry, I’ve been feeling down lately because some things have happened..." in response to his questioning

Lin Xiaoyu accidentally made a cut on Lu Wei's face—though unintentional, it felt as if a wound had been opened in our hearts at the same time, and even the metallic scent of blood in the air carried a faint bitterness

Two hours later, I found Lu Wei on the grass outside the library

That slap, she must have been so enraged that she could be so heartless

Xing An, do not leave me like Xiao Yu did

I guess the previous person is probably being amputated now

Disgusting

I searched in the refrigerator for a long time before I found the mung bean popsicle he mentioned, which may have become deformed due to having melted before. Nevertheless, I insisted on buying it. As I was leaving the small shop, the young clerk with a face full of acne joked with me: "Little sister, how about a chocolate cone instead? This kind of popsicle is outdated!"

"Do you really think I enjoy fighting?" He raised an eyebrow and said casually, "I don't like fighting, but if it comes to that, I'm not afraid. Do you believe that even if I go out to buy a bottle of mineral water, just riding my motorcycle, without doing anything else, there will still be people looking for trouble? Even if I don't ride that motorcycle, just my face alone will attract trouble; being too handsome is also a burden..." Even if I don't ride that motorcycle, just my face alone will attract trouble; being too handsome is also a burden...

"You... how could you be here?" Ye Mubei exclaimed, his eyes wide and red, pointing at me and lowering his voice.

The colored glass beads that Xiaoyu and I collected, the picture cards that Lu Wei played with, Wang Fei's cassette tapes and cellophane, the buttons from Lu Wei's elementary school uniform, a copy of a Doraemon book that was torn apart by three people, a small notebook that was scribbled all over ... ...

This saline solution has expired, let's use this hydrogen peroxide instead, it might sting a bit, just bear with it! I gently pressed the cotton swab soaked in hydrogen peroxide against Lu Wei's wound, and he sharply inhaled, lowering his eyelids, his expression devoid of emotion

"Xing An, do not overthink. The interview is the most important thing right now. If you fail the interview, your mother might go crazy." Lu Wei closed the book and continued speaking with a serious expression. At that moment, his demeanor was solemn, resembling that of a young authoritative spokesperson from an official institution, with sunlight shining on his hair like a warm, powerful spotlight. "As for Xiao Yu, that is something I should worry about. I will handle everything; you just need to focus on your studies." At that moment, his demeanor was solemn, resembling that of a young authoritative spokesperson from an official institution, with sunlight shining on his hair like a warm, powerful spotlight. "As for Xiao Yu, that is something I should worry about. I will handle everything; you just need to focus on your studies."

Worse still, after being struck by Lu Wei, Xiao Yu continues to skip classes, avoiding the teacher, avoiding me, and also avoiding Lu Wei. No one can find her. Who can possibly pull her back from the edge of this dangerous abyss? Thinking of this, I even feel a sense of despair.

You are only 8 points short. With your abilities, if you put in effort for two or three days, you should be able to make it up! Worrying like this is not a solution!" Lu Wei said, tapping my head with a book.

In a daze, I passed by a small grocery store, and the freezer at the entrance resembled those I had seen in my childhood. I stopped in my tracks and unknowingly walked into the store.

During this period, Lu Wei has been sighing frequently, almost as if he needs to make up for the sighs of the past ten years.

I stood there in a daze, reflecting on his words, allowing him to tousle my bangs.

Several seconds passed, and I suddenly realized that this embrace seemed to be a bit too long. I began to feel somewhat uncomfortable, so I shifted my body slightly

Trivial past events bounce out like transparent glass marbles from the pocket of memory, scattering all over the ground, and I slowly bend down to pick them up

It turns out that I was like a puppet before

So you were worried that I would be beaten to death, which is why you pulled me in?" He ambiguously curled one side of his mouth, disdainfully letting out a hum from deep in his throat, "You are quite bold! If that group of people finds us and comes after us, I can't guarantee that I will be able to save you as well!"

"Alright, if you have the ability, you can bandage it yourself!" I said, tying a tight bow with the bandage around his arm as a form of retaliation. I then pulled the ends of the band tightly, and he indeed gasped sharply in pain.

I comforted him by saying: "I believe she will eventually understand... I think she must be feeling both regret and sadness right now"

You are making a big fuss over such a minor injury!" He shook his head and said, "Don’t be fooled by my injury; I took down quite a few of them just now. That kick I delivered didn’t break any ribs, but it must have at least bruised their lungs!

"Am I being too harsh by doing this?" Lu Wei suddenly asked me in a hoarse voice.

This expression is quite nice! I didn't expect you to look so cute when you're angry!" Ye Mubei retracted his hand and rubbed his injured arm, smiling as he said, "When I saw you before, you always had that serious demeanor of a female host, with the same expression no matter what you said, filled with official jargon. At that time, I really wanted to pinch your cheek to see if it was made of flesh or silicone. You should be like this, if something bothers you, just say it directly, laugh if you want to laugh, cry if you want to cry, curse if you want to curse, that's what it means to be a lively person!" As he spoke, he reached out to pat my head.

On a whim, I groped my way to the entrance of the cave and then crawled in, bending down. Just as I remembered, the cave was deep and winding. However, while in my childhood this cave could accommodate me, Lu Wei, and Lin Xiaoyu playing games inside, it now felt somewhat cramped for me. I hugged my knees and sat inside. Looking out through a small gap, I could see the sunlight shining on the water flow of the fountain outside the artificial hill in my narrow field of vision. The familiar yet unfamiliar environment caused my mood to settle instantly.

As I watched him desperately running towards me, the distance between us was rapidly closing. I could see a large patch of sweat on his chest and his clenched teeth. Suddenly, an absurd thought invaded my mind; I couldn't tell which nerve had misfired, but an inexplicable force surged through my body. I dashed down from the bridge, sprang out from behind the dense cypress trees, grabbed Ye Mubei's hand, and pulled him into the rockery.

I am sorry, I... looking at that report card, my heart seemed to be crumpled into a ball. I did not dare to meet my father's piercing gaze; apart from saying "I will work hard" and "I will definitely do better next time," I really could not think of many other words

The cotton swab quickly turned pink, and my hand trembled slightly. I forced myself to stare at the scratch from which beads of blood oozed, manipulating the cold instruments: tweezers, scissors, and adhesive bandages, awkwardly wiping the mark with another damp cotton swab. It must have hurt a lot, yet Lu Wei remained like a silent statue, motionless, devoid of any vitality, with only his Adam's apple occasionally moving up and down. The room was filled with the pungent smell of disinfectant, a heavy gloom enveloping us, leaving me feeling somewhat at a loss. It must have hurt a lot, yet Lu Wei remained like a silent statue, motionless, devoid of any vitality, with only his Adam's apple occasionally moving up and down. The room was filled with the pungent smell of disinfectant, a heavy gloom enveloping us, leaving me feeling somewhat at a loss.

I have never seen him like this, as if he were a child in need of comfort. I couldn't help but silently reach out and embrace him for a moment

"Can you still bandage?" He raised one eyebrow and looked at me, his tone elevated, with a face full of disbelief

Do not say that. I know that the pressure of exams is immense, and your mood has been quite low recently. In fact, I feel the same way. What happened that day was indeed a setback; I did not expect Xiaoyu to be so stubborn, and I can understand your feelings even more. However...