Chapter 1, The Halley Boy
Is that so? If you step into the classroom after the bell rings, under the gaze of everyone, that feeling would be even more wonderful. Lu Wei glanced at the clock on the wall, then looked at me, "Isn't it just a dream? Your expression is like that of a cat that has stolen a fish."
Xiaoyu, it's one thing for you to be out all night having fun, but at least you could bring a good mood to the dinner table, right? Xing An is speaking to you in a nice tone, and your attitude is just too much, isn't it?" It seemed that he could no longer stand it, and Lu Wei finally spoke up in support.
This is a leisurely coastal city, and although it is affluent, it is still rare to see such heavy motorcycles. In fact, I have only seen them in movies; they are valuable means of transportation that most people cannot handle. They are synonymous with freedom, and adjectives such as rebellious and fervent belong to them.
Lu Wei closed his eyes and rubbed his brow, a habitual action when he felt extremely distressed: "Well... you can choose not to know him, and you don't need to know him. Such a person, who possesses a negative sense of shame and social morality, should be avoided as far as possible if encountered one unfortunate day... Are you alright? Were you scared?" Lu Wei looked at me, waved his palm in front of my eyes, and asked with a concerned expression... Are you alright? Were you scared?" Lu Wei looked at me, waved his palm in front of my eyes, and asked with a concerned expression.
"Alright! Everything about me is bad, and everything about her is good! Is that right?" In response to Lu Wei's accusations, Xiao Yu forcefully set down her cup, the ceramic clashing against the glass, producing an unpleasant noise
I hesitated for a moment and silently nodded my head
She often mocks my underdeveloped body in various ways, and I can only force a smile, telling myself that everyone has their own points of pride, as well as their own troubles. This kind of unreserved mutual teasing may indeed be a true sign of good friendship
Alright! As usual, a high-pitched yet somewhat trembling voice of Aunt Chen, the nanny, echoed from the kitchen
What should I say about him? Arrogant? Frivolous? Or carefree?
Returning from a brief and refreshing journey, everything before me suddenly feels somewhat unfamiliar, to the extent that I have to squint and quietly lie down for a while, allowing myself to settle back into the world I once knew.
I can hardly imagine that she actually got involved with that Ye Mubei! Before I could finish my sentence, Lu Wei interrupted me, his tone and expression filled with indignation, as if the person he was talking about owed him one million.
He sat quietly there, examining me with the other narrow eye that was exposed, like a black panther that had been waiting for a long time, coiled in a posture of gathering strength, as if ready to leap at any moment
Then, what kind of feeling would it be to ride the same iron horse with him, passing through the same scenery and being caressed by the same gentle breeze
Lu Wei held a slice of white toast, silently spreading honey on it with a dinner knife, his expression as serious as that of a male model standing under a gloomy sky with his hands in his pockets in an advertisement
"Isn't this a pretty good score?" Suddenly, Xiaoyu, who had been sitting quietly beside us, interrupted our conversation, her face showing displeasure as she exclaimed loudly, "Aren't we almost late? And you keep babbling those incomprehensible words next to me. My head really hurts! Damn it, are you doing this on purpose?" After saying this, she frowned and rubbed her right temple. Perhaps due to the effects of alcohol and lack of sleep, she really did not look well.
Youth appears quite similar, with youthful smiles, innocent emotions, light steps, and pure gazes, yet the ways in which each person squanders it are so different. Sometimes I even feel a bit envious of Xiaoyu; she has already done many things I dare not attempt. Her youth is as lively as rock music, with a fast and intense rhythm, while I have only done one thing all along, which is to continuously open books and work on various exercise collections. Sometimes I even feel a bit envious of Xiaoyu; she has already done many things I dare not attempt. Her youth is as lively as rock music, with a fast and intense rhythm, while I have only done one thing all along, which is to continuously open books and work on various exercise collections
Perhaps sensing the commotion behind her, Xiaoyu turned to glance at me, her expression marked by the fatigue of a hangover and a habitual impatience
After shouting this sentence, she rushed out the door without looking back, stumbling slightly at the entrance, and turned around to pick up her small black bag.
"No matter what, you should have said something in advance. Your mother has been waiting by the door for you to come back for dinner!" I said
I glanced at that boy again, and he seemed to have noticed something. From a distance, he curled his lips into a smile; his lips were angular and very attractive. He gently placed two fingers on his lips and playfully blew a kiss, then pressed the accelerator, roaring away amidst the sound, accompanied by a delighted scream from Xiaoyu.
"Xiaoyu, how can you treat your mother this way?" Lu Wei said, pointing at me as he spoke to her, "I think your mother is just too good to you! Those gentle reminders are like the buzzing of mosquitoes to you. If it were Xing'an's mother, she would have slapped you so hard that you wouldn't know which way is up or down!"
This should have been a beautiful morning, but none of the people standing here have the mood to appreciate it
Rather than saying it is hard for people to let go of their worries, it is more accurate to say that it is hard for me to let go of you!" He paused for a moment, suddenly glanced at me, and said calmly
Where is this child going? Hearing the noise, Aunt Chen ran out of the kitchen and happened to see the back of Xiaoyu as she slammed the door and left. In a state of anxiety, she called out loudly, "Isn't she going to school?"
Who is that? Well... as I watched the Harley motorcycle speed away like the wind, leaving only a cloud of smoke behind, I couldn't help but ask curiously
Regardless of the circumstances, she has finally returned after a night away, and everyone in this house can finally set their anxious hearts at ease
Xiaoyu's hair has been dyed a new color, resembling the wheat ears that have fallen in a harvested field. Although it is still yellow, it has already lost its luster. Her eyeliner has not been properly removed, and the corners of her eyes appear somewhat dirty. She is wearing a gray long T-shirt, or perhaps a dress, which has been intentionally designed with a large hole in the back, exposing a large area of her bony back and the back of her black underwear. Heaven knows where she was last night, as she only thought to come home and change clothes at this time. Her eyeliner has not been properly removed, and the corners of her eyes appear somewhat dirty. She is wearing a gray long T-shirt, or perhaps a dress, which has been intentionally designed with a large hole in the back, exposing a large area of her bony back and the back of her black underwear. Heaven knows where she was last night, as she only thought to come home and change clothes at this time
This brief and tedious conversation came to an end, and a silence fell over the dining table. The porridge was steaming hot, the toast had just been toasted, and the only sound was the clinking of the metal spoon against the porcelain bowl.
Unsure whether she was truly hungry or simply wished to hasten the end of this breakfast, Xiaoyu said nothing further and drank down two bowls of oatmeal porridge in a manner twice as fast as usual
I tucked the novel under my pillow, praying that when night fell, I would remember the last page I had turned. I sighed and went to find a coat hanging by the bed
"Xing An, it is precisely because you always say such naive things that people cannot help but worry about you!" Lu Wei shook his head and sternly interrupted my words again, "Xing An, promise me, listen to my advice, you must never casually approach such people; they are far worse than you can imagine!"
Not long ago, on my 18th birthday, I received a heavy and large red box from my father. As I untied the white satin ribbon, I was filled with anticipation that it would be the Peter Rabbit chess set I desired. However, what fell out of the box was the original Oxford Illustrated Dictionary, heavy enough to be lethal, along with a passport holder.
Xiaoyu, please don't do that... I can understand her feelings. If I were sitting next to two people who were chattering incessantly about last night's drama, I would also feel frustrated. In that case, I would prefer that the people at the table remain silent, so I wouldn't have to experience the feeling of being isolated
In ordinary days, encountering extraordinary people has left my thoughts somewhat disordered
I gave a wry smile, then shook my head and said softly, "It's nothing."
"I apologize, were we talking too loudly... did we wake you up?" Lu Wei looked up at me, his anger subsiding, feeling somewhat awkward. He lowered his voice and asked me gently, and it was evident that he was truly sorry.
His expression suddenly reminded me of the reassuring smile of Yang Yu, revealing that I am not as easy to deal with in his heart as I thought
I have never seen such a radiant smile on her face; I even suspect that this is a vehicle from another world, destined to take her to a paradise from which she will never return
I am serious! The weather is so hot, let's go swimming
When I opened my eyes, the purple wind chime on the ceiling was swaying gently in the breeze, just as it always did. This was a scene so familiar that I suddenly realized that the dark and quiet world was nothing but my dream
The voice of the young man grew increasingly stern; it was Lu Wei, who lived across the hall. Hearing his elevated tone, I could roughly guess who he was speaking to—Lin Xiaoyu, the daughter of our housekeeper, who lived under the same roof as me but was not related by blood.
I stood at the bottom of the stairs, watching the two equally matched individuals at the door, and sighed. Lu Wei had his back to me, looking so angry that he seemed almost ready to tremble. He always managed to jump out of his room the moment Xiyu took out her keys at the door, catching her red-handed for staying out all night. It was truly incredible; I couldn't understand how he did it. Of course, as the top student in the academy, he must have his own methods. He is so intelligent, a genius that both of us little girls have admired since childhood. He can sing a song from beginning to end after hearing it just once, which is truly astonishing; I couldn't fathom how he accomplished that. Naturally, as the top student in the academy, he must have his own ways. He is so clever, a genius that both of us little girls have looked up to since we were young, able to sing a song from start to finish after hearing it just once, while we could barely hum the melody in tune.
She turned around, stuck her tongue out at us, and then walked to the end of the path
Hearing the words spoken by Xiaoyu, I couldn't help but bite my lip, and then I made an effort to persuade her.
"Delinquent boy? Are you referring to that guy who was just riding the Harley motorcycle?"
As I approached her, I caught the scent of smoke and alcohol emanating from her; heaven knows what kind of night she had endured
I let out a long breath, shaking off the drowsiness that was swirling in my head. I casually gathered my long hair and secured it with a pink long clip, rushing down the stairs without even washing my face, ... while their argument continued ...
I have never seen a character like this; his mere presence is breathtaking, as if he carries an aura of magic. Just by sitting there, the surrounding air seems to be tainted with the exclusive colors of demons—black and purple—and I find myself severely affected, somewhat dazed.
Yet the temperature of the sea water, along with the sensation of my hair being lifted by the waves and brushing against my chin, is as vivid as the patterns on a shell, as if I truly passed through a strange door in a dream and spent time in another world
He spoke while looking at me intently, and under his unwavering gaze, I suddenly felt a bit flustered, as if I had been infected by a certain unsettling emotion from him
Before I could react, he turned around and went back into the house
I don't do this every day! I never intended to stay out so late! I was just too happy and lost track of time!" Faced with me and Lu Wei, her patience was clearly limited. She frowned and said loudly, "She doesn't even know what I'm going out for, so why should she control me!"
You say I am a child? I think you are not qualified to say that! I am afraid that what I learn in one night is something you will never learn in your lifetime from books or piano keys
For me, perhaps even daydreaming is a form of luxury
Those vague and ambiguous sentences will never be uttered from his lips
Aren't you exaggerating a bit? Such actions are quite common abroad, aren't they? I looked at Lu Wei, whose face was filled with anxiety, as if he were worried that I would be swept away by a gust of wind onto that heavy motorcycle at any moment. I tried to ease his emotions with a slightly relaxed tone, saying, "Your expression is a bit too frightening, isn't it? Someone who can ride a Harley should come from a decent background. People from good families shouldn't be too..."
"Xiaoyu, come back here quickly!" Lu Wei shouted at her in an angry and commanding tone
Xiaoyu, please don't be like this! Aunt Chen truly cares about you. She has been managing our household chores every day, which is already very tiring for her. However, in order to save up for your tuition, she even refrains from eating a piece of meat, and she is reluctant to wear the clothes my mother gave her. If you think she doesn't care about you, it's just that she is too gentle of a person and is reluctant to scold you... If you think she doesn't care about you, it's just that she is too gentle of a person and is reluctant to scold you...
There, a black heavy motorcycle was waiting for her, its loud revving demanding attention and making it impossible for everyone around to ignore its presence
Perhaps we should not mention these matters at all, but it is the season of examinations, and apart from Xiaoyu, everyone else has to worry about their own grades
From the moment Lin Xiaoyu stepped out of the house to the departure of the motorcycle, the entire process took place in just a few seconds
And now, just a distance of over ten meters, he has effortlessly taken away my breath
Since all the young people in this household have entered puberty, such noise may occur once every two or three weeks.
Although my daughter did not contact me all night, I still remember sitting at the table eating the breakfast she made. I believe Aunt Chen must feel as helpless as I do. However, in any case, "one more portion" means that Lu Wei has also arrived. He is like a refreshing breeze, blowing away the gloomy feelings and injecting some fresh air into this dull room, allowing Aunt Chen's mood to brighten up a little. However, in any case, "one more portion" means that Lu Wei has also arrived. He is like a refreshing breeze, blowing away the gloomy feelings and injecting some fresh air into this dull room, allowing Aunt Chen's mood to brighten up a little.
At a friend's birthday party, how delightful! Of course, we must celebrate all night long! Xiaoyu widened her eyes, tossed her bag onto the chair by the entrance, and said nonchalantly, "My mom? She wouldn't care about me at all!"
"Did you not see how much of a jerk he was just now? You only glanced at him, and he dared to act like a rogue from afar... He probably has some interest in you, and seeing that you look easy to bully, who knows what he would do if you got within a meter of him!" Lu Wei said angrily, gazing in the direction where Harley had disappeared.
I raised my head and saw Aunt Chen standing at the kitchen door, gazing with a worried expression at Xiaoyu's head. When our eyes met, she hurriedly returned to the stove.
Standing at the door, I seem to still hear the roar of the heavy motorcycle in my ears, and I remember the gaze of that boy. No one has ever looked at me like that, unrestrained, even able to sense the essence of his soul.
"Stop with that nonsense! Worried? What I become is probably of no concern to anyone anymore, right? Anyway, I won't resort to acts of murder or arson, and I'm not a three-year-old child anymore..." The young girl retorted loudly, her sharp voice causing a dull ache in my temples.
Are you all hungry? Let's not talk too much and have breakfast first! I pulled Lu Wei in from the doorway and turned back to shout into the room, "Aunt Chen, please add one more serving of breakfast!"
I dare!
Xiaoyu, you should hurry and change your clothes, or Aunt Chen will have something to say... I quietly advised her while staring at the huge hole labeled "cool" on the back of her T-shirt
In conclusion, it must not be a creature I am familiar with
"Stop it, you know very well that I haven't learned to swim well yet..." Xiaoyu shot me a glance and said, "Do you want to get me killed?"
My gaze was firmly captivated, unable to divert my attention.
Is it not beautiful? Laughing Feather spread her arms and twirled around, and unsurprisingly, I heard Lu Wei gasp.
"Xing An, what are you thinking? If you don't hurry up, we will be late," Lu Wei's urging came from behind.
"There is not ... ... " I shook my head
He paused for a few seconds and continued, "What deep sea, what sinking, it sounds quite frightening. You must be under a lot of exam pressure to have such a dream, right? I heard that Professor Gu requires you to get into a university ranked within the top ten in the country"
"You are so gentle with her, yet so fierce with me!" Xiaoyu glared at him with a mix of anger and dissatisfaction as she spoke
Is that so? Is he really that worried about me? Xiaoyu blinked her eyes, and this indirect warmth seemed to improve her mood a little. She glanced at Lu Wei a few times, and the gentle expression typical of a young girl seemed to return to her face.
Although he is just our neighbor and only one year older than us, he is like a true elder brother to us. Now he worries about Xiaoyu's daily routine, and soon he will be concerned about my studies. The characteristic of type A blood being overly caring is vividly manifested in Lu Wei.
"What dream?" Lu Wei lifted his eyelids and said
In fact, that is at most an unintentional kiss blown from a distance; although frivolous, it lacks any aggression
Aunt Chen is not a strong-willed woman. I guess when she walks out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron and sees Xiaoyu, she will at most show a helpless expression and then say something like, "You're back, right? You must be starving! The milk is ready, go drink it! Do you want to take a shower first?"
Lu Wei ... ... '' I looked at him somewhat awkwardly
I... I haven't dreamed in a long time! In fact, I just hoped to create a more relaxed atmosphere at the dining table, which is why I chose such a universally appealing topic, but it was doused back to the floor by his bucket of cold water.
Lu Wei always thinks things through thoroughly. Of course, I must admit that he is right; he is not a psychologist, and this dream holds no significance for him.
Xiaoyu let out a light laugh through her nose and said, "Sister, isn't this topic a bit too abrupt?"
This girl, does she still think she hasn't skipped enough classes? Lu Wei finally reacted, stood up from his chair, and followed closely behind.
The pointer indicates 12 minutes, which means I only have 8 minutes left to finish the remaining half of the toast and drink a large bowl of steaming porridge.
Xiaoyu, how about we go swimming at the Flying Fish Pavilion together next time?" After a brief silence, I tried to break the atmosphere, "I happen to have a ticket for their swimming pool, and it will expire in two months!
That kind of gaze made me feel somewhat uneasy, yet the words I wanted to say slipped uncontrollably from my lips: "Xiaoyu, you just got back? Why did you stay out so late without calling to let us know? We have been waiting in the living room for your call!"
You do not know, he is a notorious delinquent!
"Why do you always take other people's good intentions for granted? If this continues, who will want to be with you in the future?" Lu Wei suddenly darkened his face, unwilling to show weakness as he put down the knife he was using to spread honey on the toast, the knife making a loud sound.
Am I really that good?
The meaning he wishes to convey seems quite complex, but my mind is currently a bit short-circuited, the reflex arc is too long, leaving me no time to think about too many things
Lu Wei is the prince in everyone's mind, but at this moment, the prince-like smile has vanished from his face. He is very angry, his knuckles turning white as he clenches his fists: "Alright, then tell me what you have learned."
Xiao Yu mounted the Harley, holding onto the waist of that young man, and waved at Lu Wei in a show of defiance
I think this is quite good, but it's a bit cool!" Xiaoyu leaned closer to my ear and said, "The dress you threw to me the day before yesterday, I might as well return it to you. It fits everywhere, but the bust is too small, making it hard for me to breathe!" As she spoke, she proudly curled the corners of her mouth.
Downstairs, the rhythm of the morning tune is becoming more urgent
I dreamt that I was sinking deeper and deeper into the ocean, feeling a bit scared, yet I felt like a fish; this sensation was so wonderful... I looked out the window, watching the morning sunlight flicker on the thin curtains, recalling the faint light swaying above me in the dream, that sense of daze seemed to return.
If you could be like Xing An ... ...
Xiao Yu strode out with great confidence, the sunlight shining on her golden hair, dazzling to an overwhelming degree. On both sides of the path, the flowers in Aunt Chen's flowerbed, which had just been watered, sparkled with every leaf glistening, and the light purple trumpet flowers bloomed more vigorously than ever before
Have I worked so hard, yet still not matured enough
Which words touched her most vulnerable nerve
I did not ... ...
"Not at all," I shook my head. In reality, I was not frightened; rather, I was dazzled by a certain wild light, overwhelmed by intense sensations, momentarily unable to react. "Is this person... really that dangerous?"
Wow, it's a Harley motorcycle! I covered my mouth, almost screaming out loud
All along, I have become accustomed to her wearing my old white dress, her slender and petite figure. However, puberty is like a watershed moment. Perhaps it is because Xiaoyu enjoys eating fried chicken, while I only like light asparagus soup. Soon, she proudly dashed past the starting line of development, faster than anyone else.
Alright, alright! I won't disturb you, and you don't need to change the topic just to accommodate me. Since you all get along so well, why not continue discussing those universities and such, just feel free to leave me aside...
Her smile is so wicked that it catches me off guard
Although it is quite valuable, I am not happy at all. My passport holder has always been empty, and that anticipation of being filled with something reminds me of many vague smiling faces. They wish that I would stuff my passport in tomorrow, put it in my suitcase, and then board the fastest plane, standing on the lawn of some Ivy League school a dozen hours later.
From a young age, I have heard this phrase from many people: be as well-behaved as Xing An, be as understanding as Xing An, study as well as Xing An, be as beautiful as Xing An, be like Xing An in every way...
I jolted awake from my thoughts. Turning around, I saw Lu Wei looking at me with a hint of confusion, as if he were wondering why I was lost in thought.
His thinking is also like this: one is one, and two is two, strikingly clear, with never a gray area.
Is that so? I don't know why, but I find it hard to concentrate, just like now, as that dream flashes through my mind again. I slept well last night, but I had a very long dream
"Lin Xiaoyu, hurry down! Do you dare to skip more classes?" Lu Wei quickly caught up and shouted at her.
If it were not for my affluent family background, and my parents standing on the university podium, this passport would never have fallen from the brightly lit display case into the dark drawer of this room
There is a thick copy of "Twilight" beside my pillow, with deep brown stains from coffee on its deep red cover. I do not know when it slipped out from under my pillow; if my father were to see it, he would probably fly into a rage. A renowned professor who once stood on the podium by the Weiming Lake would surely scoff at the soap opera-like plots found in such books.
I answered softly, "I scored 702 points..."
The wind chimes sway, yet I cannot hear the footsteps of the wind; a sudden, urgent, and high-pitched argument drowns it out, becoming a discordant note.
I quickly swallowed the word "handsome" back down and quietly asked, "Ye Mubei? Who is that?"
So, what kind of person would the owner of this car be
Why don't you understand! Lu Wei said with a look of helplessness
Faced with her sudden outburst, Lu Wei and I exchanged a glance, both able to see the infinite surprise, confusion, and indignation on each other's faces, while I, on my part, might also display a bit more of a sense of helplessness.
Lu Wei, much like his name, embodies a clear distinction between black and white in all aspects. His fair complexion contrasts sharply with his deep black hair, and his eyes are equally defined in black and white. The piano keys he often caresses are also black and white, and even the decor of his room is limited to these two colors.
I looked at the boy sitting on the Harley, with sun-kissed skin, strong arms, and a white tank top. His chestnut medium-short hair was tousled by the wind, yet this did not diminish his handsomeness in the slightest. The sunlight cast a shadow on one side of his cheek, while his fluttering bangs covered one of his eyes.
What exactly are you thinking? Do you not realize that everyone is very concerned about you?
If you could be a bit more mature, like Xing An, and not make people worry, I would naturally be gentler. Do you think everyone enjoys waking up early to practice their vocal exercises?" Lu Wei sighed, his voice filled with a complete sense of helplessness
That boy has a fantastic motorcycle, and wherever he wants to go, he just needs to press the throttle. Along the way, he will undoubtedly attract many admiring glances; however, I always feel that he won't even take a look. A boy like that probably doesn't care about the scenery around him at all
Xiaoyu's stubbornness has not been a matter of just one or two days
Xiaoyu's expression turned cold again, and she no longer argued. She rudely threw the half-eaten piece of bread into the plate, stood up, and shouted at him: "Anyway, I am just this kind of person. You don't need to worry about me at all; there are naturally people in this world who will be with me"
Isn't this requirement a bit too harsh? Being in the top 50 is already quite impressive. Your scores this year aren't very ideal, are they? Or... you might consider attending a liberal arts college instead
You are just a child! As long as you continue to make others unable to feel at ease like this, you will still be a child
What, am I really someone that others find it hard to let go of?
What?
Xiaoyu was momentarily taken aback, as if she had captured a rare tenderness from this statement. A flicker of complex emotions passed through her eyes, but she quickly reverted to her childish annoyance: "It's so annoying, can't you say something else!"
Xiaoyu, Lu Wei is also worried about you. Nowadays, there are so many bad people at night. Just yesterday, the news reported that a girl was murdered. The killer followed her all the way to her doorstep, suddenly held a knife to her neck, and kidnapped her outside. There were bloodstains dragged all the way. Who knew she only had two yuan in her bag... Remembering this news, I couldn't help but shiver. To be honest, I really do not wish to open the newspaper for breakfast the next day and see the news of someone close to me lying dead in the street. I would much rather see her like she is now, wearing a top she bought for twenty yuan from a street vendor, lively and animated, arguing with us at the dining table about whether the tofu pudding should be savory or sweet. I couldn't help but shiver. To be honest, I really do not wish to open the newspaper for breakfast the next day and see the news of someone close to me lying dead in the street. I would much rather see her like she is now, wearing a top she bought for twenty yuan from a street vendor, lively and animated, arguing with us at the dining table about whether the tofu pudding should be savory or sweet.
I glanced at her several times, and she looked at Lu Wei several times before lowering her head. Then Lu Wei looked at me, frowned, and said: "You don't seem to be in good spirits; did you not sleep well?"