Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Uncle Wu next door knew I was back home and brought Big Yellow to see me.

A dog’s 14 years is equivalent to a human’s 80-something. Big Yellow was already very old.

When I crouched down and hugged Big Yellow, it kept licking my palm with its wet, thick tongue.

It was slightly raspy, ticklish.

Uncle Wu looked suspiciously at Xu Ge standing behind me.

“Xiaohe, who’s this?”

The young man coughed lightly and politely extended his hand: “Hello, I’m Xu Ge.”

“Oh-” Uncle Wu nodded in understanding. “You’re Xiaohe’s Uncle Xu’s son.”

His eyes suddenly filled with approval and appreciation: “Not bad, not bad, this kid is really good-looking.”

In the evening, after dinner at Uncle Wu’s, he punted us by boat to East Fence to buy osmanthus square cakes.

Xu Ge had never seen such a scene before. After sitting in the cabin for a while, he went to the bow to chat with Uncle Wu.

Fine, dense raindrops fell behind him, forming sheets of mist, splashing into the emerald water, rippling out in circles.

Uncle Wu wore a raincoat, but Xu Ge wore nothing.

Still in that white sweatshirt, his shoulders wet from the rain.

He squinted, hands in pockets, standing tall, tilting his head to gaze at the vast rain in the distance.

“Xiaohe has someone she fancies at school. You must bring them back for Uncle to have a look.”

Uncle Wu punted the boat, swaying up and down, eyes curved in a smile as he spoke to me.

I said I would, Uncle, but my gaze couldn’t help but drift toward Xu Ge at the bow.

He crouched on the bow, chin resting on one hand, expressionlessly staring at his shoe.

His long lashes drooped, as if daydreaming, not caring at all about Uncle Wu’s question.

I lowered my eyes and sniffled.

We went late; the old woman selling osmanthus square cakes was about to pack up, with only one piece left.

The weather was cool, and the cake quickly turned cold.

I regretfully took the cold cake and handed it to Xu Ge.

“This osmanthus cake is best when hot. But the granny put it in a steamer, so there’s still some warmth. Eat it while it’s warm.”

Xu Ge glanced at me indifferently, took it, and broke it in two.

“Open your mouth.”

He commanded in a low voice.

Involuntarily, I opened my mouth, and a soft, sticky piece of pastry was stuffed in. The osmanthus fragrance immediately spread through my mouth.

Xu Ge popped the remaining half into his mouth and brushed off the crumbs.

“Not bad.”

He said.

At night, after returning home, I tidied up two rooms.

Holding a warm, dry quilt in the center of my room, I turned to him at the door: “Sleep in my room tonight, okay?”

Afraid he’d mind, I used new quilts and bedding.

After his shower, he sat on my bed, drying his damp hair with a large white towel.

There was a TV in my room. Since no one had been home for a long time, it wasn’t connected to the internet, so we could only watch live broadcasts.

After an episode of a drama, there was a lengthy news program.

The news was reporting on S City. It said S City is the first super metropolis directly governed by the central government, the economic center of our country, with the largest economic output.

Landmarks like the “Three-piece Suit”, pedestrian streets, the river beach, pleasure boats, LED light strips-all glittering and dazzling, a life of luxury and indulgence.

I sat hugging my knees on the bed and tugged his sleeve.

“I think I saw your house.”

Xu Ge paused in drying his hair and gave an indifferent “Oh.”

“What’s so special about that?”

I buried my chin in my knees and gave a bitter smile.

As expected of a pampered young master.

Things that ordinary people could never reach in a lifetime, things they yearn for-he dismisses them with contempt, tossing them aside like worn-out shoes.

The journey was tiring.

That night, Xu Ge actually fell asleep before me, which was rare.

When I finished an episode and turned around, his eyes were closed, his long, thick lashes drooping quietly, looking harmless and gentle.

The quilt was only pulled up to his chest.

“Xu Ge? Xu Ge?”

I called tentatively twice.

He didn’t answer.

I jumped off the bed, turned off the TV, and pulled the light cord.

I tiptoed to the bed.

Outside, the rain fell tirelessly, pattering against the eaves.

Inside, only the boy’s long, steady breaths.

I looked at him by the dim light.

But I couldn’t see him clearly, just his fair skin, dark hair, and tall nose bridge.

I smiled.

I crouched in front of his face.

His lashes trembled helplessly.

“Xu Ge.”

I called, then gave a self-deprecating laugh.

My heart felt like a bitter lemon, slowly squeezing out sour lemon juice.

I hugged my knees, lost in thought.

“These words should not be said now, but I’m afraid if I don’t say them now, I won’t have the chance after we go back to S City.

“You probably don’t know.

“I like you.

“I know that this kind of naive adolescent crush can’t compare to the passionate love of adults.

“But you might not believe it-

“I really have secretly fantasized about marrying you.

“But now, you and Ji Yunbai are so close, I know I have no chance.”

I stared silently at a point in the darkness, recalling many past memories, and couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

“I really don’t want to get involved between you and Ji Yunbai. It hurts to see you talking, but-”

I lowered my head and smiled: “If you like, I…”

My words stopped again, my throat sore and choked, unable to say the rest.

“Never mind.

“Still, thank you for coming back with me.”

I touched the mole on his tall nose bridge and stood up gently.

Leaning down, I found that mole precisely with my lips, touching it carefully, reverently, again and again.

“At least for these three years, I have no regrets.”

Outside, the rain seemed to grow louder. Worried about whether I had locked the door properly, I grabbed an umbrella and went out.

Completely unaware- the very second after I left, the person on the bed opened his eyes. In those eyes, there was no sleepiness, only a shock of bewilderment.