Chapter 37: Without him around, What future is there to speak of?

Yin Xiuzhu’s exam results were so poor that it made Qi Mu extremely nervous.

On the way home, Qi Mu carefully observed his expression and didn’t dare to mention the results, fearing that it might upset him.

Qi Mu said, “I know a new place that makes excellent ice desserts. Would you like to go?” On such a hot day, having something cold might lift his spirits, and Qi Mu hoped it would help him move past his exam results and look forward bravely.

Yin Xiuzhu wasn’t interested in eating but just wanted to spend more time with Qi Mu. “Sure.”

Qi Mu gave the location, and after confirming it, the driver took them there.

Upon arrival, Qi Mu regretted his decision. It was a trendy spot, with the line extending out to the entrance of another store. At this rate, they would have to wait at least an hour to get their ice desserts.

Worried that Yin Xiuzhu might get impatient, Qi Mu said, “Shall we go somewhere else?”

Yin Xiuzhu asked, “Don’t you want to try this place?”

Qi Mu replied, “There are too many people, and the wait will be long.”

Yin Xiuzhu didn’t mind waiting with him but was concerned Qi Mu might get bored. “How about letting Driver Wang help us stand in line while we look around the mall?”

Seeing that Yin Xiuzhu was really interested in the ice desserts, Qi Mu agreed, “Alright!”

The driver parked the car and went to stand in line for them, while they headed into the mall.

The scorching heat outside was in stark contrast to the cool air conditioning inside the mall. Qi Mu wasn’t particularly interested in shopping and soon found it quite boring after walking around a couple of times. Yin Xiuzhu suggested, “There’s a shooting range over there. Want to give it a try?”

Qi Mu’s eyes lit up. “Sure!”

They headed to the entertainment area on the north side, where they saw an indoor shooting range from a distance. Many young couples were gathered around—boys showing off their skills and girls cheering loudly. Even if they won just a small prize, they were as thrilled as if they had won a five-million-dollar lottery.

Qi Mu watched with envy and said to Yin Xiuzhu, “Wait here. I’m going to win that first prize!” The first prize was a 98K rifle, which was placed at the top and drew hopeful participants one after another.

Aside from studying, Qi Mu was skilled in various other things, and although he had never played at this shooting range before, he was confident it wouldn’t be a challenge for him.

He paid for the bullets and started shooting.

Three minutes later…

Qi Mu’s face darkened. “This isn’t scientific!” How could it be? How could he not even win the lowest prize? He had been aiming carefully!

Yin Xiuzhu said gently, “Try again.”

Qi Mu, feeling unwilling and a bit embarrassed, replied, “Alright, I’ll give it another shot!” He convinced himself that his previous failure was just due to being unfamiliar with the equipment.

To Qi Mu’s surprise, the second attempt was even worse than the first, with lower scores.

Qi Mu: “……”

Yin Xiuzhu bought more bullets for him, but after Qi Mu had spent a total of three hundred yuan, he gave up. “With that much money, I could have bought three of those crappy guns!”

Yin Xiuzhu paused for a moment and asked, “Should I give it a try?”

Qi Mu was taken aback and quickly said, “Yes, go ahead!” He had always thought Yin Xiuzhu wasn’t interested in these things, so he had wanted to win a prize for him.

Yin Xiuzhu took the gun and checked the sights.

Qi Mu said, “I think the store must be cheating. I was aiming properly, but I still didn’t hit anything!” As he spoke, he shot a glare at the store owner, who was a good-natured uncle. The owner cheerfully replied, “There are always little tricks. How else would we make money?”

Qi Mu: “……” Since the owner was being so straightforward, he felt embarrassed to complain further.

Bang, bang, bang…

After the shooting ended, Qi Mu glanced over without much expectation, and then his eyes widened in shock.

The first shot scored sixty points, the second shot eighty points, and the third dropped back to fifty. However, starting from the fourth shot and continuing through to the twentieth shot, every single one was a perfect score!

Not only Qi Mu but also the store owner and other players were stunned. What kind of sorcery was this?

When Yin Xiuzhu set down the gun, his score was high enough to win the first prize.

The store owner, looking dazed, handed the 98K rifle to them. Yin Xiuzhu passed it to Qi Mu, saying, “You did quite well.”

Qi Mu, stunned, asked, “Have you played this before?”

Yin Xiuzhu had been to a real shooting range with Yin Zhenggong and had used competition-grade guns, but those were completely different from this. Moreover, this type of game had modified targets with deliberate misalignment, so it wasn’t just about having good aim; one had to understand the underlying patterns.

Qi Mu was skilled, but he couldn’t see through the tricks set up by the store, so the more precise he was, the lower his score became.

Yin Xiuzhu didn’t reveal these tricks publicly and simply said, “I’ve played a few times. Is there anything else you want?”

Qi Mu didn’t have anything specific in mind, but then he had an idea. Pointing at the prize display, he said, “I want that one, that one, and that one… all of them!” He pointed at almost everything.

Yin Xiuzhu smiled and said, “Okay.”

Ten minutes later, the store owner was almost in tears. “Young man, I run a small business here. Can you spare me?”

Qi Mu, struggling to carry all the prizes, cheerfully said, “Business is business. If you’re making money, there’s room for credit. Stay calm, stay calm.”

The store owner could barely keep his composure and was on the verge of tears!

Yin Xiuzhu clearly figured out the patterns, hitting perfect scores on every shot, just like his exam results. His precision was like that of a machine, never missing even half a point.

His impressive performance quickly attracted a crowd of onlookers, who were gasping and staring in awe.

A girl even turned to her boyfriend and said, “Look at that guy’s boyfriend. He’s so amazing!”

Her comment happened to drift into Yin Xiuzhu’s ear, and he, momentarily distracted, scored only thirty points on the next shot.

Seeing this, Qi Mu thought he might be tired and hurriedly said, “Alright, let’s stop. We’ve won enough prizes already.”

Yin Xiuzhu put down the gun, his ears slightly flushed. “Okay.”

They left with a car full of toys. Qi Mu looked at Yin Xiuzhu and carefully said, “Even though I’m usually good with the gun, there are times when I miss as well. Success and failure are common in any endeavor. You mustn’t be discouraged by a single mistake.”

He rambled on for quite a while, going in circles with his advice, and it took Yin Xiuzhu a moment to fully understand.

Qi Mu then added, “Although you didn’t get a perfect score on your exam, you’ve already scored countless perfects today!”

Qi Mu didn’t care about any prizes; he just wanted to see Yin Xiuzhu play and hoped that he would get a perfect score. It was as if achieving that might somehow compensate for his own disappointing results.

Yin Xiuzhu understood and felt incredibly comforted as if he had eaten honey.

He said, “I’m not upset.”

Qi Mu’s heart tightened, worried that Yin Xiuzhu was just putting on a brave face. He said, “Yeah, that’s right. There’s no need to be upset. If it doesn’t work out this time, there’s always next time. Yin Xiuzhu will definitely be first!”

Yin Xiuzhu replied, “Actually, I’m very happy.”

“Eh?” Qi Mu was taken aback, thinking the child might be so sad that he was acting strangely.

Yin Xiuzhu looked at him and said softly, “In our final year, we can be in the same class.”

Qi Mu: “!”

Yin Xiuzhu averted his gaze, looking out the window to distract himself from the overflowing emotions. “I don’t want to go to Class 1; I want to be in the same class as you.”

Qi Mu: “!!!” Damn, he had been so focused on comforting Yin Xiuzhu that he had completely forgotten about this!

If Yin Xiuzhu didn’t go to Class 1, they would be in the same class!

Qi Mu’s worried expression vanished. He grabbed Yin Xiuzhu’s arm and said, “Right, right, right! To hell with Class 1. It’s our final year, we have to be in the same class!”

Yin Xiuzhu nodded solemnly and said, “Mm.”

As they ate ice together, Qi Mu suddenly realized, “You purposely did poorly on the exam, did you?”

Yin Xiuzhu remained silent.

Qi Mu was overjoyed, “Wow, that’s impressive! You’re such a great buddy, really loyal!”

Ecstatic, Qi Mu gave Yin Xiuzhu the chocolate from his snow ice, “Here, you can have it!”

Yin Xiuzhu replied, “I’ve got some here; you eat it…”

Qi Mu cheerfully said, “Being in the same class with you is worth not having chocolate for a whole year!”

Yin Xiuzhu was so touched by these words that he almost dropped his spoon.

After the summer break, Xu Xiaoming would be alone. Having been seated next to Qi Mu for two years, now that Yin Xiuzhu was here, he was being kicked out like a discarded wife!

Xu Xiaoming had no idea that his days of eating dog food had just begun…

The third year of middle school is supposed to be an extremely tense year. While the high school entrance exam isn’t as serious as the college entrance exam, it’s still closely tied to their future. Many students who struggle might find their path ending here and have to enter the workforce.

Qi Mu and Xu Xiaoming didn’t have to worry about such things. Xu Xiaoming asked Qi Mu, “Are you not planning to study abroad for high school?”

Qi Mu replied, “Why go abroad?”

Xu Xiaoming said, “My brother suggested I go…”

Qi Mu replied, “If you want to go, then go. It’s good to see the world.”

Xu Xiaoming sighed deeply, “Brother Mu, what do you think I should do in the future?”

Qi Mu answered straightforwardly, “Do whatever you want.”

Xu Xiaoming looked at him and asked, “What about you? What do you want to do in the future?”

Qi Mu replied candidly, “I want to spend time with my mom, help my dad, and when I have the chance, hang out with you guys.”

Xu Xiaoming slumped onto the table, “You’re really happy.”

Qi Mu laughed at him, “Come on, who could be happier than you?”

Xu Xiaoming pouted, “My dad and my brother are almost at the point of severing their father-son relationship. I’m scared to go home.”

Qi Mu gave him a look and said, “That’s all the more reason for you to go home more often.”

Xu Xiaoming was taken aback.

Qi Mu didn’t say much more and even urged him, “Go back to your seat quickly; Yin Xiuzhu is coming back.”

Xu Xiaoming became like a little rooster again, indignantly saying, “You’ve forgotten the old love for the new one. After diligently serving you for two years, I’m cast aside to the cold palace!” At this time, “Palace Heart Schemes” was airing hotly, and Xu Xiaoming was completely absorbed in it.

Qi Mu’s skin crawled at the thought, “What nonsense are you talking about!”

As graduation approached, whether the grades were good or bad, everyone felt quite sentimental.

After spending three years at the same school, memories were filled in every nook and cranny, and as the time to part ways drew near, every place seemed to evoke reluctance.

Pang Liang was placed in the same class as Qi Mu in the third year of middle school. He and Xu Xiaoming sat together at the desk in front of Qi Mu and had already been downcast for half a month.

Xu Xiaoming sighed, “Luckily, I didn’t fall in love early.”

Qi Mu said, “Even if you had, it would have been a fleeting romance. You’d have broken up after three and a half minutes.”

Xu Xiaoming wanted to refute it but after reflecting on it, found it quite reasonable and couldn’t argue back.

Pang Liang returned looking as lost as ever. Xu Xiaoming said, “It’s just not being in the same school… It’s no big deal.”

Pang Liang and Jiang Manman, this couple, couldn’t attend the same high school. Jiang Manman’s academic performance was average and could only go to the Third Middle School, while Pang Liang, despite his poor academic record, was a special recruit for sports and thus could enter the best high school in City B.

Pang Liang looked pained and said, “Do you think… that I’ve delayed her studies?”

Xu Xiaoming reassured him, “No way. Look at Qi Mu; his grades are also poor, but it didn’t affect Yin Xiuzhu’s performance.”

Qi Mu: “…” He was giving advice, not trying to bring others down!

Xu Xiaoming continued with his insights, “This shows that whether your studies are good or bad isn’t related to having a boyfriend; it really depends on oneself.”

Qi Mu and Pang Liang couldn’t listen any longer. Pang Liang interjected, “My Manman is just an ordinary girl; how can she be compared to Yin Shen?”

Qi Mu remained silent for a moment and couldn’t help but ask, “Is that really the point?”

Xu Xiaoming and Pang Liang looked at him as if it were obvious, “What else could it be?”

Shouldn’t the issue be the improper use of the term “boyfriend”? Qi Mu didn’t want to say it out loud, feeling that their normalcy made his question seem out of place.

At that moment, Yin Xiuzhu returned. Having been classmates with Pang Liang for two years, he was no longer intimidated and only lamented, “You two are so lucky. No matter the results, you’ll be in the same high school.”

Yin Xiuzhu understood his concern, “Shouldn’t such matters be planned for in advance?”

Pang Liang replied, “We did plan. Manman has worked hard this past year, but…” The results haven’t been significant.

Yin Xiuzhu said, “Since she can’t go to Class 1, you could go and be with her.”

Pang Liang was stunned.

Qi Mu quickly interjected, realizing the problem, “No, no, that’s not possible. There are no special sports students at the Third Middle School; even if Pang Liang wants to, he can’t go.”

Yin Xiuzhu poured water into Qi Mu’s cup and didn’t say anything more.

Xu Xiaoming suddenly had an idea and asked Yin Xiuzhu, “If the person you like has poor grades and can only go to a different high school, what would you do?”

Yin Xiuzhu answered without hesitation, “I’d go wherever they go.”

Xu Xiaoming pressed further, “What if the other high school has a very low college admission rate and they can’t get into a good university? Would you give up your future for them?”

Yin Xiuzhu looked at him and said, “If they’re not there, what future is there to speak of?”

His words left the three young men speechless.

Qi Mu glanced at Yin Xiuzhu, thinking to himself—what a devoted soul. I wonder which girl will become the one he speaks of so dearly.

Xu Xiaoming felt like he was going crazy. He kept thinking that the “she” Yin Xiuzhu was referring to was him, and that “him” was his Brother Mu! Damn, that’s impossible, it’s too shocking!

Seeing Pang Liang becoming even more distressed, Qi Mu comforted him, “Yin Xiuzhu hasn’t even been in a relationship before; he doesn’t understand these things. Don’t overthink it. You still need to go to Class 1. Without a good future, how will you take care of Jiang Manman?”

Pang Liang felt somewhat comforted, but it was only temporary; his mind was soon filled with a new wave of worries.

Early love is youthful and beautiful, but it’s also destined to have countless thorns and obstacles.

When parting becomes inevitable, how many people are willing to give up their own future for the other? Even if they do, reality is much harsher than fairy tales, and teenagers can’t control their own lives.

Of course, there are exceptions like Yin Xiuzhu, but who knows how much he has sacrificed, endured, and experienced for this?

The name Qi Mu had almost become his obsession. It’s not something that carefree, oblivious youths can easily understand.

With only three to five days left before the midterm exams, Xu Xiaoming’s casual remark reminded Yin Xiuzhu.

At lunchtime, the four of them were eating together. Fang Junqi was joking with Xu Xiaoming when a pale little girl suddenly approached.

The girl looked somewhat small for her age but was in the third year of middle school. She kept her head down, her bangs hiding her eyes, only her pert little nose and trembling lips visible due to nervousness.

“F-Fang Junqi…” The girl’s voice was so soft it was almost like a mosquito buzzing.

Fang Junqi was taken aback and turned to look at her, “What’s the matter?”

The girl, extremely shy with a redneck, extended her hand and handed over a light blue envelope, saying, “This, this is for you!”

Fang Junqi instinctively took the envelope but was a bit puzzled.

Seeing that he accepted it, the girl quickly left, never daring to look at him even once.

Qi Mu, realizing what had happened, said, “Is this… a love letter, perhaps?”

Xu Xiaoming jumped up three feet high and reached out to grab it, “Awesome, Fatty! You’ve been confessed to by a cute girl!”

Fang Junqi, speechless, said, “Stop grabbing, give it here.”

Xu Xiaoming, holding the envelope, stared at it for a long time but didn’t have the nerve to open it. He asked with a sly grin, “Do you know that girl?”

Fang Junqi took back the envelope and put it in his pocket, saying, “Never seen her before.”

“Then why did she write you a love letter?”

Fang Junqi glanced at him and said, “Who knows?” He then lowered his head and started eating.

After inspecting him up and down, Xu Xiaoming said, “By the way… Fatty, you’ve lost quite a bit of weight this year.”

Qi Mu also looked over and thought to himself: It’s not just a bit of weight loss—he looks like a completely different person.

Fang Junqi had always been a chubby kid, white and round, always trailing behind Xu Xiaoming and hardly noticeable.

But since starting middle school, he began to slim down. The first couple of years, it was just noticeable that he was growing taller and stronger, but this year was even more dramatic. He had slimmed down by three or four sizes and had become a handsome young man.

Xu Xiaoming looked at him for a while before saying, “They say girls change a lot as they grow up, but Fatty’s transformation is nothing short of Asian magic.”

Fang Junqi gave him a sideways glance.

Xu Xiaoming pretended to be sincere, “No wonder you got confessed to. Fatty, you’re so handsome, I’d want to confess to you too.” Unfortunately, his tone was so full of envy that it was clear he was lamenting his own lack of confessions, despite being a big handsome guy himself.

Qi Mu was puzzled, “It’s almost graduation. Why confess now?”

Xu Xiaoming, the expert, immediately explained, “It’s precisely because graduation is near that they dare to confess. Knowing that there’s no chance, they want to express their feelings so they won’t regret it later.”

Qi Mu, looking enlightened, replied, “Oh, I see.”

“Yeah.” Xu Xiaoming’s eyes twinkled as he added, “Brother Mu, just wait. I have a feeling you’ll receive a wave of confession letters too.”

Qi Mu was baffled, “Why’s that?”

Xu Xiaoming said, “You really don’t know? A lot of girls at our school have a secret crush on you but don’t dare to approach you. Now that graduation is near, they don’t have to be afraid anymore, so they’re simply expressing their feelings to you!”

Qi Mu replied, “I don’t believe your nonsense.”

Xu Xiaoming’s authority was challenged, and he was quite displeased: “If you don’t believe it, just wait. Your record of never having been confessed to will definitely be shattered into pieces!”

Hearing this, Qi Mu felt a bit melancholic. He touched his nose and said, “Yeah, I’ve never been confessed to before.”

On the side, Yin Xiuzhu couldn’t help but tighten his grip on his chopsticks.

Qi Mu had never been confessed to before, and if this continued, the opportunity might be snatched away by someone else.

The thought of someone confessing to Qi Mu, especially being the first person in Qi Mu’s life, made Yin Xiuzhu feel a rush of unease like fifteen buckets of old vinegar had been overturned in his heart.

What to do? Yin Xiuzhu’s mind raced, and he came up with a plan.

The next day, there was a pink envelope on Qi Mu’s desk.

Xu Xiaoming exclaimed, “I must be a prophet; I was so accurate!”

Qi Mu, stunned, thought, “Someone really does like me?”