Chapter 16: Oh No, This Is Terrible!

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“Thirteen, need a lighter?”
In the shabby corner store, the shopkeeper fanned himself leisurely, never taking his eyes off the television, which was airing “Metamorphosis.”
Watching the wealthy city children sent to the countryside, throwing tantrums and smashing things, the shopkeeper couldn’t help but sigh at the decline of morals.
It was about time those rich kids experienced the hardships of poverty.
The slender girl shook her head, pulled out a few crumpled bills from her pocket, carefully counted them, and placed them on the counter. Then she picked up a pack of “Gray Liqun” cigarettes and turned around.
She just happened to meet a schoolboy in uniform who had stopped nearby.
Zhai Da asked in surprise, “You smoke?”
Lu Wei instinctively hid the cigarette pack behind her back, her long fingers tightening, “I don’t.”
“Buying cigarettes for a card?”
Lu Wei chose to remain silent.
Zhai Da didn’t understand.
He glanced around and asked, “Isn’t your home in Niumazhuang? Why are you here so late?”
“It’s Sunmazhuang... I have some things to take care of today, going to Maofang First Village.”
Maofang First Village, locally called “Da Mao,” was just diagonally across from Zhai Da’s place, Sanmao. It was the oldest among several Maofang villages and mostly consisted of single-story houses.
Zhai Da guessed she was probably delivering something to the spinning factory again. He had some matters to discuss with her since they hadn’t added each other on QQ last time, so running into her on the street was convenient.
“Let’s go, it’s the same way.”
Lu Wei hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward in her canvas shoes.
Her footsteps quickened to catch up with Zhai Da, and her silhouette seemed to carry an inexplicable lightness.
Inside the corner store, the TV switched to the rural children’s perspective. The shopkeeper shook his head and said, “This production crew is ruthless. What will happen when they go back? They see a glimmer of hope, but it’s all false in the end...”
Zhai Da chatted casually, “Since you’re here, has my mom gotten off work yet?”
“Teacher Yu left later than me, but she should be off by now...”
“An apprentice leaving earlier than the master? You’re not trying to improve, huh~”
“Improve?”
“Learning the craft from my mom, shouldn’t you show some initiative?”
Lu Wei pondered briefly and nodded slightly.
“Teacher Yu is great... but I don’t have anything to give her...”
Zhai Da suddenly remembered the school bulletin board and Lu Wei’s senior status, but after some thought, he didn’t ask.
No matter what the story was, it wouldn’t be a pleasant one. It wasn’t wise to casually pry into someone’s wounds.
From an adult’s perspective, if you inadvertently learn someone’s secret... it’s best that it remains a secret.
Not to go up to them and ask with a childish mouth.
Like when he found out about the project manager having an affair with his own boss before he won the lottery, he kept it to himself.
Only after being scapegoated and fired did he quietly inform both their wives.
Da Mao neighborhood wasn’t far from where they met at the small supermarket, just a few steps away, mainly because Zhai Da lived nearby.
This neighborhood was even more run-down than his own Sanmao. From the side gate, there wasn’t a single street lamp inside, pitch black like the abyss.
Facing this endless dark alley, Lu Wei showed no fear or hesitation. She turned to Zhai Da and said, “I’ll go now.”

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Zhai Da raised an eyebrow, “Aren’t you afraid of the dark?”
Lu Wei nodded without hesitation.
Normally, a girl would pitifully ask for company for a bit, right?
Forget it... he wasn’t trying to woo her or be some pure sunshine boy.
After enough blind dates, he realized emotional investment was the costliest thing, not money.
Just as he was about to leave, a sinister voice suddenly came from behind.
“Xiao Da, aren’t you going to see her off?”
Zhai Da nearly jumped in fright and turned to see Ms. Yu, who had appeared out of nowhere.
“Oh... oh, Mom, when did you get here?”
Yu Xiaoli wore a serious look, “Two intersections back.”
What a twisted sense of humor, silently watching her son stroll with her colleague?
“Xiao Da, a gentleman should have grace. It’s too dark inside. You should escort little Lu in; it’s not safe for a girl alone.”
Zhai Da thought, if it’s this dark, it’s not safe for boys either.
Lu Wei quickly greeted, “Hello, Teacher Yu.”
Yu Xiaoli smiled briefly, then her face instantly turned stern as she emphasized her demand with disdainful tone, “Hurry up.”
The look in her eyes said: How did I teach you?
Zhai Da thought, you taught me not to date early...
Well, whatever. Since Mom gave the order, might as well go.
Lu Wei stood there uncertain, and Zhai Da tugged her sleeve, leading her inside.
Watching their backs, Yu Xiaoli felt a mixture of concern and amusement.
Circumstances change; before, academics were the priority, and she guarded fiercely against Zhai Da’s early romance.
But now, with school no longer a concern...
Seeing Lu Wei around the factory these days, Yu Xiaoli actually liked her and didn’t mind pushing Zhai Da forward or creating chances.
———
Meanwhile, a few hundred meters away, at a deserted bus stop.
Lin Shuyao stopped by the shelter, the light reflecting softly on her glossy hair.
The No. 28 bus came only every 20 minutes, the same wait every night.
But tonight would be different.
Some things were better said clearly.
Lin Shuyao gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, revealing a delicate, pink earlobe.
“Zhai, your way home should turn left at the last intersection, right?”
No response from behind.
Understandable—after walking with the girl he liked all this way, being called out suddenly would be nerve-wracking.
For some reason, Lin Shuyao herself felt a bit anxious.
She exhaled softly and spoke the words she had rehearsed all along:
“Zhai... actually, I don’t dislike you. I think you’re... special. That day I was just startled by the love letter...”

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“A girl can’t just accept anyone’s affection so casually...”
“I never meant to reject you publicly, nor did I post about it on QQ Space or Renren. I’m not that kind of girl...”
The evening breeze swept away the warmth on her cheeks, and even she felt a sting in her words.
Scenes from several romantic dramas flickered through her mind...
“Zhai, actually... I’m quite optimistic about you. If you work a bit harder, and we get into the same university, I’ll be your girlfriend. Can we?”
Lin Shuyao unleashed her ace, confident it would make Zhai Da like her again.
Then she could do as she pleased!
Behind her, Zhai Da should be thrilled, right?
Lin Shuyao turned around with her hands behind her back, striking what she thought was her most elegant pose. Embarrassment mixed with pretension, and maybe a touch of sincerity.
Then she saw—
Wu Yue: ...
Lin Shuyao: ...
Silence was the eternal theme of the bus stop, and today it was especially suffocating.
Wu Yue’s eyes widened, and he dashed off!
Holy hell! No, it wasn’t that Zhai Da liked Lin Shuyao! It was Lin Shuyao who liked Zhai Da!!
A huge secret discovered!!
Lin Shuyao only weakly called out after Wu Yue had run several dozen meters, “Don’t run! Let me explain!”
Wu Yue ran even faster.
A girl’s blush was more powerful than anything...
————
Zhai Da and Lu Wei walked into the pitch-black alley, and he couldn’t help but pull out his phone to use the flashlight.
But after taking it out, he realized his knockoff phone didn’t have that function...
That’s how street lamps are; you pass by them a thousand times without noticing their presence or position.
But if they go out once, you panic.
A small county town in 2008 was no place to mess around...
Suddenly, a shout and curse came from a nearby window, making him shudder.
In the darkness, Lu Wei suddenly said, “Are you afraid of the dark?”
Zhai Da immediately denied it, “No.”
“Then why are you holding my hand?”
“Just because I’m lecherous, I like to touch hands.”
He rubbed his fingers along hers.
He felt roughness, as if from a bandage.
Lu Wei was silent for a moment, then softly said, “Zhai, you’re... quite humorous.”
But she didn’t pull her hand away.