Chapter 5

Chapter 5

I meant what I said.

After that, whenever I passed by 202, I only greeted Grandma. As for Zhou Cheng’an, I ignored him completely.

Even when he chased after me, calling my name.

Even when he admitted he had accidentally said the wrong thing.

Summer vacation ended, and Zhou Cheng’an’s mother came to take him home.

He refused no matter what.

She was furious and exasperated.

“What child lives with an elderly person like this? This is nonsense. At your age, you should be working hard, striving to improve, studying more!”

As she spoke, she noticed me eavesdropping.

An awkward silence flowed between us.

Zhou Cheng’an’s mother cleared her throat.

“Guo Guo, I didn’t mean to say anything bad about your parents.”

“They must have their own reasons for leaving you here.”

“After all, every family has its own difficulties.”

I waved it off. “It’s all right, Auntie. I don’t mind.”

Zhou Cheng’an finally broke free from his father’s hold and rushed up to me.

“Pei Guo, just say the word and I’ll keep living in 202. Then I can see you every day.”

His eyes were very sincere.

I didn’t know whether I should say yes.

But then he took two beautifully wrapped books out of his schoolbag.

“These are goodbye gifts.”

“One for your sister, and one for you.”

I bit my lip and said nothing. I only took one of them.

Zhou Cheng’an pouted.

“What kind of big sister are you? You won’t even give your little sister something nice.”

I said, “I will give it to Pei Qian. I just don’t want the one for me.”

Zhou Cheng’an glared at me angrily, then strode off.

The last thing he left me with was:

“Pei Guo, no wonder your parents don’t like you.”

I watched Zhou Cheng’an’s back as he walked away.

It felt like a piece of my heart was missing.

Which piece, I couldn’t say.

All I knew was that it felt as if it had been carved out with a rusty knife, leaving a dull, aching pain behind.

But I soon had no time to feel sad.

Because Zhou Cheng’an’s mother’s words had been overheard by Grandpa 201.

And so the entire nursing home found out.

Once again, they came to a sudden realization.

“How could we forget? Guo Guo is at the exact age to be learning things.”

“Her parents don’t care enough, but that doesn’t mean we can neglect her too.”

And just like that, I got a brand-new class schedule.

Aside from the time I spent at school, once classes were over, I had to sit in the common lounge.

101 taught me chess.

104 taught me English.

404 taught me drawing.

203 taught me how to build rockets.

…

The schedule rotated and was updated every month.

I asked, “Is there violin?”