Chapter 7

During the summer vacation of my second year in high school, Chen Ye took me to a big mobile phone market and bought a Nokia 5300 from an acquaintance.

When we were paying, the seller said, “Ye, why not add five hundred and get another one? That old Xiaolingtong of yours has been off the market for ages. You should change it. I’m in a hurry to clear out inventory, so I’ll sell it to you at a loss.”

Chen Ye didn’t care at all. “What’s wrong with it? It’s not broken. As long as I can make calls and send texts, that’s enough. I don’t need any other features.”

Coming out from the crowded basement, the shops upstairs looked much more orderly and upscale. Chen Ye asked, “Want to check out the women’s clothing on the second floor? Or I can give you money and you can shop by yourself.”

“No need.”

As I spoke, I tilted my head slightly to look at him. His cheeks were lean and sharp, his jaw shadowed with stubble-even though he’d just shaved that morning, it was already growing back.

Thinking of the rusty blade on the sink, I steeled myself, walked straight to the counter by the escalator, and bought the latest electric shaver with my own money.

Chen Ye asked, “Did you earn any money? Did you ask for my opinion before buying it?”

Such a bad temper, really annoying.

I sneered coldly, “My mom gave me the money. I’ll spend it however I want.”

It took Chen Ye a few seconds to realize who I meant by “mom.” Maybe that word had become insignificant in our lives, gone for so long that it sounded strange when it suddenly popped up.

“When did Aunt Sun contact you?”

“Two months ago.”

“Is she planning to take you to Shenzhen?”

“Yeah, but I haven’t decided yet.”

Chen Ye didn’t say anything more.

We took the bus home, each lost in our own thoughts, not speaking the whole way.

After getting home, I felt the room was a bit stuffy, so I opened the window for some air. Downstairs, the barbershop was playing an old love song, Dao Lang’s voice drifting in, winding and lingering.

At dinner, Chen Ye propped one leg on the stool, holding his bowl in one hand and shoveling food into his mouth, completely unconcerned with his image.

After spending so long in a chaotic environment, he’d picked up some street habits-often gathering with other vendors to play cards, all of them shaking their legs, smoking, their loud laughter and cursing carrying far.

He was nothing like the boy he used to be.

Suddenly, I felt a little sad.

After hesitating for a while, I spoke as if by chance: “Do you think I should go to Shenzhen? My mom always says big cities are better, but I’m afraid I won’t adapt to a new environment, and I’m worried transferring schools now will affect my grades.”

The sports channel was replaying yesterday’s football match. Chen Ye was absorbed in watching, and without turning his head, he said, “Shenzhen is developing fast. Whether it’s healthcare or education, it’s definitely better than Chunshui Town. Once you’re there, Aunt Sun will find you a tutor. As for whether you’ll adapt, you’ll only know if you go. There’s no point overthinking it here.”

Seeing that I was silent for a long time, he finally looked away and asked, “Do you want to go?”

“No.”

“Then why are you asking me?”

After saying that, Chen Ye paused, then suddenly pointed at himself in surprise: “You’re not reluctant to leave me, are you?”

I looked up at him coldly. “In your dreams.”

For some reason, I suddenly felt a little sour inside, and couldn’t help but mock, “But it’s obvious you’re not reluctant to let me go. What, am I a burden to you?”

Chen Ye looked baffled. “Are you crazy? Since you’re going to leave sooner or later, does it matter whether I’m reluctant or not?”

That’s true.

After dinner, it suddenly started to rain outside.

Thunder rumbled, the weather was pleasant, and the soft hot wind carried a chilly drizzle, like dipping ice cream into hotpot.

Each on its own would be nice, but mixed together, it was a bit nauseating.

The environment affected me, and my mood was unsettled.

Sun Hui had remarried long ago. She had a new family, a new husband, a new child-she was no longer just my mother.

Even though she abandoned me back then, at least in my memory, Sun Hui’s heart and eyes were all for me.

What would it mean to go to her now?

Sun Hui’s life already had other people. There was no way she could give me all her love like before. Besides, I’d have to face a brother I had no feelings for and a completely unfamiliar man… God, I couldn’t even imagine how hard those days would be.

Forget it, I’ll think about it later.

Immersed in my own world, I didn’t notice when Chen Ye came over.

When I snapped out of it, I saw him peeling an orange, his eyes glued to the TV, watching “Happy Camp.”

Chen Ye had just showered, his hair unblown, the short crop wet like grass just watered.

He handed me a segment of orange. “Want some?”

Tch, only remembered to give me the last piece.

I grumbled inwardly, but still ate it without protest.

“Ugh… so sour!”

Seeing this, Chen Ye dropped the act, clutching his stomach and laughing on the sofa, louder than Xie Na, saying that sharing sour oranges was the soul of the experience.

“Get lost!”

I grabbed a pillow and threw it at him hard.

What a jerk, my soul was about to be soured out of my body.

Outside, the rain drizzled on; inside, laughter filled the room. I wondered how much longer days like this would last.

……

I left Chunshui Town on a gloomy afternoon. Endless drizzle fell on my face, the cool wind carrying the scent of the sea, waves rolling toward the shore.

I boarded the ferry, turned back, and saw Chen Ye leaning against the railing, his clothes tousled by the wind, his tall figure looking so thin and small on the vast pier.

The heavy horn sounded. His figure grew smaller and smaller, turning into a black dot, and finally disappeared.

My heart felt empty, too.