"Um, Mom and Dad, why aren't you resting this late?" Zhang Zilin asked curiously as she returned home at nine and found her parents still sitting in the living room, drinking tea.
"Zilin, come sit down. Why are you back so late?" Zhao Jingxuan beckoned to Zhang Zilin.
"Mom, I went out with my classmates to catch up, so I'm a little late."
"A guy?"
"Um... no. Mom, is this an interrogation?" Zhang Zilin was clearly a bit resistant, her emotions fluctuating slightly.
Zhang Mingxuan exhaled a puff of smoke and said with deep seriousness, "Zilin, although our family isn't a prominent clan in Jiang City, we're not insignificant. Some people are not on the same level as us. Be more mindful in the future."
"Dad, Mom, what era are we in? You still think like this? I'm not talking to you anymore." With that, Zhang Zilin, somewhat annoyed, stormed back to her room.
"This child..."
...
After Li Haochen treated Zhang Zilin to a meal at Wanda City, he clutched his bag and hailed a taxi back to the village. As he got out and paid, his heart ached.
"Damn it, fifty yuan for such a short ride. If it weren't for the large sum of money I'm carrying, I... oh well."
"Uncle, are you home?" Seeing that Li Dehai's house was still lit, Li Haochen knocked on the door and called out.
"Ah, coming."
*Clang~*
"Haochen? So late, what's up?" Li Suli asked, confused.
Li Dehai heard the noise and also came out of the room. "Haochen, what is it?"
Li Haochen took out three stacks of cash from his bag, walked into the inner room, and placed them on the table.
"Uncle, this thirty thousand yuan..."
Before he could finish, Li Dehai's face darkened as he rushed forward, grabbed Li Haochen by the collar, and roared with anger, "Do you still consider me your uncle? Are you trying to anger me to death?"
"Dehai, Dehai, don't be angry, don't be angry. Let's talk properly," Li Suli, seeing the situation was wrong, quickly rushed over and pulled the two apart, shouting.
"Uncle, let me finish first." Li Haochen forced a wry smile, pulled Li Dehai to sit down, and said.
Still seething, Li Dehai glared at Li Haochen, "Explain it to me clearly, or I'll break your legs if I don't understand."
"This is what I got on the mudflat yesterday noon..." Li Haochen recounted the acquisition of the pearl mussels and the sale of the pearls, leaving nothing out. "Uncle, that's exactly how it happened. Even I can't believe it myself."
"Really?" Li Dehai, confused by such a bizarre story, still found it hard to believe.
"How could it be fake? If you don't believe me, ask Dexin and Uncle Dezan. The money has been returned."
Upon hearing this, Li Dehai's expression softened, and then he became overjoyed. The deep wrinkles etched by the sun and wind on his face seemed to be bathed in spring breeze. He clasped Li Haochen's hands excitedly and said, "That's wonderful. Heaven truly has eyes, heaven has eyes! Haochen, tomorrow we'll buy some pork and pastries to pay respects at your parents' graves. You know, remember to bring several bottles of sorghum wine; he liked that."
"No, you're a child, you don't understand these things. I'll handle it tomorrow. Come to my place early." Li Dehai decided it would be more reliable if he handled it himself.
"I'm going to prepare the dough now. Making it myself will show more sincerity." Li Suli was also very happy.
"Uncle, Aunt, I..." Li Haochen could no longer suppress the sorrow in his heart, and he hugged Li Dehai, weeping as if pouring out all his grief.
"Child, don't cry. Live your life well, and they'll be at peace below!"
...
Along the straight, tree-lined path, a gentle breeze rustled through the leaves of the tall banyan trees, as if whispering secrets. Li Haochen walked slowly, fragmented memories flashing through his mind.
"Memories like yesterday!"
"Haochen..."
A familiar voice, deeply rooted in his heart, called from behind. Li Haochen turned around, smiled, and respectfully called out, "Teacher Liang!"
Liang Qiujin looked at Li Haochen, who now carried a few more traces of maturity, and a flicker of pity and heartache flashed in her eyes.
"Are you... alright!"
Li Haochen knew what Liang Qiujin was referring to. He pursed his lips and smiled faintly, "Teacher Liang, I am very well. Thank you for your concern."
"Shall we walk together?" Liang Qiujin suggested.
"Mhm!"
The teacher and student walked quietly, their two long shadows seeming to convey their mutual concern and worry.
"Haochen, what are your plans?" Liang Qiujin's voice broke the silence.
Li Haochen stopped and looked at Liang Qiujin very sincerely, "Teacher, I... I'll listen to you."
Liang Qiujin trembled, her eyes slightly red. Li Haochen's answer surprised her, yet also filled her with relief and excitement.
"You and I will both 'repeat' a year."
Li Haochen stopped walking and looked at the slender figure ahead, his gaze firm. "Teacher, I will not disappoint you!"
"Teacher, I haven't tasted your cooking in a long time. I brought some seafood today."
"Okay, come back to the dormitory for lunch," Liang Qiujin smiled, a brilliant smile.
...
As the lights of the city began to shine, the bustling scene remained unchanged. A group of youths, still carrying a touch of childishness, were envisioning their future, lamenting the swift passage of time, and confidently writing their life stories.
"Come, cheers, to us who will eventually shine brightly!"
With the impassioned declaration from the class monitor, Zhang Zilin, the high school graduation party reached its climax. The sharp and bitter taste of beer couldn't dampen the spirits of these young talents who had already received their passes to the path of glory.
No matter when, humans always live in groups. Although they belonged to the same class, there were still many cliques, or rather, groups of like-minded individuals.
After much sighing and reminiscing, groups of two or three were engaged in conversations of their own.
Li Haochen and Li Qianrong, who were once inseparable, now sat far apart, as if an unbridgeable galaxy separated them.
"Haochen, what's going on?" Zhao Pinliang looked at Li Qianrong, who was seated a few positions away, and asked in a low voice.
"What's going on?" Li Haochen's eyes flickered slightly, and he feigned ignorance, asking back.
Seeing Li Haochen's silence, the few close classmates beside him didn't pry further. They raised their glasses, "Haochen, we're all in this together. Keep going, and we'll see you in college next year."
Feeling the sincere concern of his classmates, Li Haochen was deeply moved.
"Mhm, I will. We'll continue to write our heroic aspirations then!"
"Qianrong, did you two have a falling out?" Zhang Zilin also seemed a bit taken aback. She leaned close to Li Qianrong's ear and asked in a whisper.
Li Qianrong's body trembled slightly. She glanced at Li Haochen not far away, sighed inwardly for a moment, and shook her head.
"What falling out are we having? We're not boyfriend and girlfriend." As she said this, Li Qianrong's eyes visibly flickered.
Zhang Zilin was surprised and looked at Li Qianrong as if she had become a little unfamiliar.
"Classmates, to a brilliant future, cheers!"
"Cheers...!"