Chapter 8: Do you consider me as a Friend?

It seemed like, in the blink of an eye, the days at the kindergarten came to an end.

Since its establishment, Guorui Kindergarten had never bid farewell to a group of graduates with such heartfelt emotions.

The five teachers of the senior class were particularly teary-eyed. When taking photos, their eyes were redder one after another. The older life teacher even had a red nose from crying.

Xu Xiaoming, Fang Junqi, and the other mischievous kids were also teary-eyed, and deeply reluctant to part ways.

Qi Mu looked down at them, “Are you guys men at all? Is it necessary to cry like this?”

Xu Xiaoming considered himself quite manly, but ever since meeting Qi Mu, he couldn’t maintain that image. Fortunately, they were finally sending off this revered figure, which moved him to tears of joy.

Qi Mu sighed, “Teachers crying is one thing, but you guys, it’s really unacceptable.”

Xu Xiaoming thought to himself: Sad tears can be held back, but tears of joy are impossible to suppress!

Later, when taking the graduation photos, the entire senior class, except for Qi Mu who smiled brightly, had tears in their eyes and red noses, full of boundless anticipation and joy for the future!

When Qi Mu returned to get his photos, he immediately spotted Yin Xiuzhu standing by himself.

He pulled him aside and asked, “Why are you crying too?”

Yin Xiuzhu managed to hold back his tears, showing exceptional composure. He murmured, “I don’t want to leave.”

Qi Mu immediately pulled him into a hug and reassured, “It’s okay. If you miss them, we can go visit Guorui whenever we can.”

Upon hearing this, Yin Xiuzhu suddenly lifted his head. His dark eyes stared intensely at Qi Mu without blinking. “Will you really come visit Guorui?”

Qi Mu was taken aback by his gaze, blinked a few times, and said, “If you want to go, then we’ll go.” It wasn’t a big deal, even though it was a bit far. They could ask the driver to take them there without much trouble.

Yin Xiuzhu continued to look at him, filled with immense appreciation as if every glance might be one less. His voice choked with emotion as he added, “Please, you must go and visit.”

“What’s wrong?” Qi Mu was worried about him crying and felt a bit awkward. “Are you missing Cui Xiaoxiao and the others? It’s okay, we can visit them in the future.”

Normally, the boys would tease Yin Xiuzhu, but the girls treated him better. A few girls even sought him out to play, although Qi Mu felt that Yin Xiuzhu didn’t really enjoy playing with them.

Yin Xiuzhu shook his head and repeated, “You must go and visit.”

“Alright,” Qi Mu said, “I promise, I will go!”

Yin Xiuzhu hadn’t cried after all. His eyes were swollen with tears, but not a single drop fell as if they had been dried up.

Qi Mu patted his hand and said, “My dad’s here to pick me up. See you when school starts.”

Yin Xiuzhu grabbed his sleeve and urgently asked, “Can you give me your home phone number?”

Qi Mu replied, “Phone number? I can’t remember it…” Remembering even the simplest numbers was a challenge for Qi Mu, let alone remembering a phone number—it was like asking for the impossible.

Yin Xiuzhu said, “Could you ask Uncle Qi? He’s here.”

Qi Mu nodded, “Sure.” He took Yin Xiuzhu’s hand and went to find his dad.

Qi Dashan already knew Yin Xiuzhu’s true gender. Although it was a bit disappointing, the brotherly bond formed growing up together as boys was an important part of life. Having a loyal brother who would stand by you made the road ahead much easier.

Upon learning that Yin Xiuzhu wanted their home phone number, Qi Dashan immediately said, “I’ll write it down for you.”

After saying this, Qi Mu realized he hadn’t taken his bag. He added, “Wait for me a moment, I’ll go to the car to get paper and pen.”

Yin Xiuzhu replied, “Uncle Qi, it’s okay. I can remember.”

Qi Dashan was taken aback. “But the number is not easy to remember.”

“It’s okay, I can remember,” Yin Xiuzhu reassured him. This number was so important that he would remember it for the rest of his life.

Qi Dashan didn’t hesitate and recited an eight-digit number.
Yin Xiuzhu nodded. “Got it.”

Qi Dashan was quite surprised. “You really remembered?”

Yin Xiuzhu repeated it back without missing a beat.

Qi Mu chimed in enthusiastically, “Wow, Yin Xiuzhu, you’re amazing. I couldn’t remember it after practicing for so long.”

Qi Dashan teased his son, tapping his head, “You blockhead, can’t remember anything!”

Qi Mu shrugged it off and turned to Yin Xiuzhu with a joyful expression, “I have to go now. See you in elementary school!”

Yin Xiuzhu smiled awkwardly and nodded at him, “Qi Mu, goodbye.”

Qi Mu followed Qi Dashan out. Along the way, Qi Dashan was still quizzing his son on counting, and Qi Mu felt like stuffing cotton in his ears to block it out.

The next day, Qi Mu was in the toy room dismantling a robot when Qiao Jin said, “Mu Mu, your classmate called you.”

Qi Mu jumped with joy, “Coming!” Yin Xiuzhu actually called him, what a surprise!

Qi Mu answered the phone eagerly, “Hello.”

There was a pause on the other end of the phone, followed by Yin Xiuzhu’s barely audible voice, “I’m sorry.”

Qi Mu was completely puzzled. “Sorry for what?” What could Yin Xiuzhu possibly have to apologize to him for?

Yin Xiuzhu’s voice stiffened for a long moment before slowly saying, “I can’t go to Shiyan. I’m sorry.”

Qi Mu blinked, not quite understanding at first. “What?”

Yin Xiuzhu said, “I can’t go to Shiyan Elementary anymore. I enrolled in Guorui Elementary.”

Qi Mu paused, then realized, “But didn’t we agree…”

“I’m sorry,” Yin Xiuzhu apologized, “My dad doesn’t agree with me going to Shiyan, so I can’t go.”

Qi Mu held the phone dumbfounded for a while before he spoke, “Why are you telling me this now?”

Qi Mu was angry. Yin Xiuzhu could hear it in his voice—the disappearance of his smile, the stiffening of his expression. He knew Qi Mu was truly mad at him.

Yin Xiuzhu tightened his grip on the receiver, his voice strained like a taut string about to snap. “I wanted to cherish our last moments together. But what’s the use? I’m too weak to go to the same elementary school as you. I’m just useless.”

Qi Mu was furious. It was the first time he spoke to Yin Xiuzhu in such a tone. “Are you stupid? If you can’t come to Shiyan, then let’s go to Guorui together!”

He shouted, but Yin Xiuzhu seemed not to hear clearly—or perhaps he heard everything clearly but couldn’t believe it.

Qi Mu exploded with frustration, “You never wanted to go to the same school as me, did you? I thought we were good brothers!”

Yin Xiuzhu’s head buzzed with confusion. He hurriedly said, “No, it’s not like that. I want to be with you, but…”

“Then why didn’t you tell me? If you had told me you were going to Guorui, I would have gone with you!”

Yin Xiuzhu was stunned. He had never considered this possibility, not even a hint of such a thought had crossed his mind.

He had never asked, never demanded, never realized that while he couldn’t move forward, the other could come closer to him.

Yin Xiuzhu hardly knew what he was saying, “But your parents want you to…”

Qi Mu cut him off, “Do you even consider me a friend?”

Yin Xiuzhu quickly said, “You’re my best friend.” And my only one.

Qi Mu replied, “Then you better wait for me at Guorui!”