Mao Yuqiu stood at the entrance of the school hospital. The infirmary was on the second floor. She hesitated there for a while and then saw her own PE teacher leisurely strolling out of the hospital.
"Hello, Teacher Gao." Mao Yuqiu raised her hand to greet him, the oil on her face, mixed with the evening sun, made her look like a large steamed bun from the cafeteria.
"Oh, you're that…" The PE teacher scratched his round, soft belly, which resembled a chiffon cake. He repeated "that" for a long time but ultimately failed to recognize Mao Yuqiu. "Ah, are you also here to find Xiao Lu? I remember you two seem to be in the same class."
[Mao Yuqiu: He doesn't recognize me, but he knows I'm Simon's classmate? What kind of ridiculous answer is that.]
"Yes." Mao Yuqiu smiled broadly, her expression adding three or five more folds to her steamed bun-like face.
"What do you need him for? Oh, right, if it's for a massage, you're too late. I was the last one he saw today. He'll be leaving soon after massaging his little girlfriend. If you have something important, you'd better hurry and find him, or it'll be truly too late." The PE teacher vigorously kneaded his beer belly, like a noodle chef tossing dough.
[Mao Yuqiu: The way you're talking, is Simon running some limited-time promotion? And Teacher, why does your accent sound like you lived in Northeast China for three years and then went to Sichuan for advanced studies? Aren't you a local?!]
"Thank you, Teacher. Could you tell me which infirmary he's in?"
"Number twelve, uh, he should be in number eleven now. Just ask a nurse when you get there. He's familiar with this part of the hospital."
"Goodbye, Teacher."
"Goodbye, uh, what's-your-name. I'll definitely remember you next PE class." The PE teacher squinted, trying to peer through the stubborn layer of adolescent oil on the student's face, but he failed. He only remembered that the light was thick and oily, much like the sheen of broth flowing from a meat bun under the cafeteria lights, making one's mouth water so much they couldn't speak.
[Mao Yuqiu: I thank you for that?]
The young girl rushed into the hospital. Without the interference of sunlight, her face looked much clearer under the cool lights.
Walking to the second floor, she counted, Infirmary Number Eleven. The door was closed. She peered through the observation port of the black, sealed glass door and saw Simon standing by the bed, relaxing Su Xiangli's back. The boy was very serious, and the girl, with her head tilted, was chattering away. No sound could be heard, but it was clear both were very comfortable.
[Mao Yuqiu: What's with this old-married-couple vibe?]
Simon slightly tilted his head and saw his classmate, Mao Yuqiu, peeking from outside the door. He quickly waved, and the automatic door silently slid open. Mao Yuqiu faced the two of them, and the three small heads looked at each other, suddenly creating a strange sense of solemnity, like a three-way interrogation.
Simon hurried to greet her, but after only two steps, his hand was caught by Su Xiangli. She gasped, helping Simon to sit up.
Mao Yuqiu saw their intimate posture. Just as she gathered the courage to step in, she suddenly found herself hesitating again.
Su Xiangli smiled brightly, waving her arm vigorously, "Maomao, you're here!"
"Hello, Su Su. Am I interrupting you two?"
Mao Yuqiu calmly walked into the infirmary. The large room was divided by dark green curtains, and medical equipment lay unused in the corners, only occasionally cleaned by robots. Such a place was truly quiet, with a sense of tranquility isolated from the campus, like a silent stone platform standing in a noisy forest at night, suitable for intimate conversations.
Wow, is this the legendary sweet love? Mao Yuqiu looked at the young couple before her. Su Xiangli was generous and cheerful, casually embracing Simon's shoulder, her expression unconsciously joyful and gentle. Simon, on the other hand, was lazy and unrestrained, like a playful big boy from next door. They were each other's refuge, otherwise, how could they appear so peaceful?
So, "deer head, what do you need me for?"
Simon brought over a chair, and the three sat down. "It's about the class monitor. We were originally discussing forming a band, and she should have played the drums, but that's not the main point."
[Mao Yuqiu: Not the main point? Really? It's obvious you want to pull her into the band.]
Simon stared at Mao Yuqiu with a serious expression, suddenly noticing the sunlight streaming in through the infirmary window, shining on her face, making it glisten with oil, like the traditional dish 'San Bu Zhan'. He suppressed the urge to complain in his mind. "Uh, I found that the class monitor seems to be in some trouble. Everyone knows her personality; she's very stubborn. The other day, when I spoke behind her, her first reaction was an elbow strike." Simon touched his own elbow to demonstrate.
Mao Yuqiu nodded, her oily sheen also shimmering. The dull acne on her face slid within the paste-like halo, like a laser pointer's red dot drifting on a bowl of fragrant, rich chicken soup. "Yes, she doesn't like people approaching her quietly."
Su Xiangli tilted her head, "Why?" Her soft ponytail brushed lightly against Simon's cheek, making him smile faintly.
[Mao Yuqiu: She instinctively leans her head towards deer head's shoulder. Oh my, I suddenly feel like I've become a third wheel. Why must I endure such pain?]
"Hmm… I'm not sure, maybe it's related to her family. You know, there are many single-parent families now; the divorce rate is so high after all." The 'third wheel' classmate replied hesitantly.
After this was said, the three of them felt a moment of reflection.
The current divorce rate is truly too high.
The annual growth rate of single-parent families is increasing every year.
It's difficult for modern people to have lasting love. Couples like Zhang Yingxuan's parents, where one passes away and the other can still love them, are actually a minority. For other families, separation is separation; they will never see each other again in this life.
Simon's family was relatively happy, but he didn't know if such happiness could always be maintained. Many relatives were divorced, and once such a topic was brought up, the atmosphere would become very heavy, especially for the children—how could they comment on their parents' affairs?
It's like that line from Wan Qing's song, "The Fishing King still wants to be the Fishing King, but the harbor is already gone." This kind of helpless sorrow, everyone has experienced it.
Mao Yuqiu and Su Xiangli fell silent. Seeing this, Simon, no matter how many questions he had, found it difficult to speak further.
"Shall we call it a day then?" Simon stammered incoherently.
Mao Yuqiu shook her head, "You want to form a band, and the class monitor is definitely a good choice. Her drumming is professional. But I don't know how to convince her; she doesn't like playing drums."
Disliking it means there's a trauma. If she dislikes it but is still so good at it, for a child, the reason is, of course, very clear.
Su Xiangli understood, "I don't like ballet either."
Simon saw them turn their gazes to him, and he was momentarily stunned, stammering, "I also don't like, uh, formalism?"
"Everyone knows that." Mao Yuqiu shrugged, "Actually, school is fine; it won't give you too many strange tasks. Anyway, you can just hand all those things over to me."
Simon was deeply moved, looking at his classmate, Mao Yuqiu, as if he were admiring a braised chicken drumstick enshrined in a deity's niche, its dazzling oil shimmering with a sacred afterglow.
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Greyhounds
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"