This weekend, Wang Muman still took the bus home. There were quite a few people, but not as many as the first time, so she found a place to stand. After some people got off, Wang Muman found a seat. Just as she was looking out the window, she felt someone sit down beside her. Turning her head, she saw Yan Cheng. It wasn't that awkward, after all, he had been sitting in front of her for two months, and she had always asked him for help with her studies. So Wang Muman smiled at him.
"It's okay, isn't it? If you're nervous, I can go stand at the front," Yan Cheng asked cautiously.
"No, it's fine. People are supposed to sit here, and it's not awkward with someone I know," Wang Muman felt he was being a bit too worried. She didn't have a fear of men.
Yan Cheng breathed a sigh of relief, placed his schoolbag in front of him, and felt the person next to him breathing softly. The mother and son behind them were talking, seemingly about the child's grades.
Although there was a familiar person sitting next to her, Wang Muman still felt a faint discomfort in her heart. She looked out the window, watching the passing traffic and the abundant greenery, her mind drifting to unknown thoughts.
"Yan Cheng, have you heard of 'The Nutcracker'? Not the ballet, but the song sung by a singer. I think it's quite suitable." Wang Muman recalled a song she heard in junior high, for which she had even devised some dance moves, a combination of ballet and modern dance. Yan Cheng shook his head.
"Then I'll send you the song and the sheet music when I get back," Wang Muman said, her eyes bright as she looked at Yan Cheng. "I believe you'll like it. I think this singer is amazing!"
"So, are you going to sing?" Yan Cheng's puppy-dog eyes also fixed on her. The discomfort in Wang Muman's heart dissipated, and she leaned a little closer to him.
"No, I'm going to dance. The choreography is my own idea." Wang Muman spoke enthusiastically about her dance and her understanding of the song, shedding her usual shyness. This surprised Yan Cheng; he hadn't expected her to chat with him for so long. As she spoke, her stop arrived, and they both got off the bus.
"Wang Muman, starting tomorrow, you can just take the bus to this stop. I'll pick you up," Yan Cheng said as he walked with Wang Muman to the opposite bus stop.
Wang Muman nodded. "From now on, call me Manman. Don't call me by my full name. We have a long time to spend together. You really do play the piano; I feel like we have similar interests." Wang Muman recalled their conversation, finding it very pleasant.
Yan Cheng seemed frozen in place.
"Goodbye, I have to get on the bus now." Wang Muman waved at Yan Cheng, but he hadn't fully recovered and waved back, almost getting on the bus with her. After the bus drove away, Yan Cheng finally came back to his senses. Had he gotten a little closer to her again?
Yan Cheng walked back to his grandmother's house. His grandmother was surprised to see him return and asked, "Xiao Cheng, why are you back? Have your parents gone out again!"
"Yes, I missed you, Grandma." Yan Cheng looked at the white-haired elder in front of him. "Grandma, a classmate is coming tomorrow. We're preparing a performance."
"Oh, alright, feel free to come. Let's make it lively. Is Xiao Yu coming too?" The old woman thought her grandson only had a few friends, all of whom she had met. Zhou Mingyu was the sweetest-talker and always knew how to please her.
"No, it's a girl." Yan Cheng spoke with a slight awkwardness.
"A girl? Your classmate? Grandma is looking forward to it." The old woman didn't ask any further questions and went to prepare dinner.