Chapter 288: The Lively Atmosphere of Life

(1)

Friday always meant early dismissal, and today it was especially early.

Since the last class scheduled for Friday was canceled, the entire third year of junior high was let out early.

As An Jing walked out of school, she unconsciously looked up and saw many second- and first-year students standing in the hallway, casting envious glances their way.

Time seemed to shift at that moment. It wasn’t someone else standing in the hallway looking at the school gate—it was her.

Back then, she was only in her first year, and she never imagined that the long three years would pass in the blink of an eye. The her who once watched the third-year students leave early with envy had now become the one being envied.

The brilliant sun hung high in the sky, seeming even brighter than at noon. The hot wind carried dust, along with the sounds of insects and birds.

“Come to think of it—has it been half a month since it last rained?”

“Really? Hmm—yeah, it’s been about half a month, hasn’t it?” Zhu Ying tilted her head and murmured softly. “That’s right, it feels like the weather’s getting drier and drier.”

“Is it going to rain tomorrow?”

“Doesn’t look like it?”

“Wow, we’re heading for a drought.”

“Pfft, how can that be? It’ll probably rain by next week.”

“Don’t jinx it—what if it doesn’t rain for half a month, then when it does, it pours for half a month…”

“That could actually happen. Isn’t the rainy season coming up?”

“Rainy season… probably after the high school entrance exam.” An Jing obediently opened her mouth and accepted the mint-flavored soft candy Zhu Ying stuffed in. It tasted almost like gum, the only difference being that it dissolved on its own as you chewed, and any remaining bits could be swallowed.

“How about today? You want to head back early to study?”

“I don’t know. It feels like school ended way too early today. I don’t think I’ll have the motivation to study when I get home. Maybe I’ll just walk back slowly.”

“That works. Oh, by the way, what if I crash at Xiao Jing’s place tonight?”

“What about your parents?”

“They’re not home these few days!”

“They sure travel a lot for work…”

“Well, my dad’s getting transferred to the provincial capital as a department chief this summer, so he’ll probably be on business trips more often. He says he has to attend all kinds of study conferences and stuff.”

“What about your mom? It feels like she always goes with him.”

“She sometimes goes to the provincial capital on business too. If she’s not on a business trip, she’ll occasionally take leave to go with him, to drive for him and all.”

“Huh? Your mom’s the one who drives in your family?”

“Yeah. My dad can drive, but he doesn’t do it much. Whenever my mom’s free, she’s the one behind the wheel.”

“Oh~ That’s rare.” An Jing nodded. “My mom still doesn’t know how to drive.”

“Why doesn’t she learn?”

“She’s probably always busy with work and doesn’t have much time to get a driver’s license. Plus, the provincial capital is prone to traffic jams, so there’s no real need to drive for commuting. Riding an electric scooter is convenient enough.”

Zhu Ying smiled sweetly, her eyes crinkling, and gently took hold of An Jing’s hand. “Xiao Jing’s hands are still ice cold—perfect for cooling off in the summer~”

“Your hands are so hot…”

“I’m dying from the heat.”

“Then why are you still wearing a jacket? It’s not like you have to keep it on like me.”

“No way, no way. The short-sleeved uniform is way too see-through, and I’m wearing red underneath these days—the outline shows clearly!”

“Why are you wearing red…”

“It’s pretty, I like it. What’s it to you? Next time I’ll make Xiao Jing wear it too!”

“Hey, hey, no way!”

“Hehe—” Zhu Ying leaned in close to An Jing, gently wrapping an arm around hers. “When the time comes, you’ll have to wear it whether you want to or not~ Once you’re in high school, you’ll really be a girl, you know.”

“It’s not my zodiac year…”

“Then how about trying purple?”

“Th-then I’ll stick with red…”

“What’s wrong? You don’t like purple that much?”

“Purple… it just feels like… like one of those middle-aged aunties…”

“No way! There are plenty of shades of purple. The one I picked is really pretty. I’ll show you tonight!”

“Huh?!”

—

(2)

It sounded like a lot of students from the entire grade, but once they walked out of school, they vanished like a bucket of water poured into the sea—gone without a trace.

It wasn’t rush hour, nor the usual time for students to be let out. The streets were almost empty, with only the shadows of leaves gently swaying in the hot wind.

A few dusty cars were parked by the roadside. Since An Jing walked this way every day after school, she had nearly memorized their license plates.

These cars looked abandoned, sitting there completely ignored. But in reality, they would disappear during long holidays. Some would return to the same spot after the holiday ended, while others would never reappear, as if they had vanished into thin air.

“The tires on this car are practically cracking from the sun…” An Jing glanced sideways at a silver van next to her. Its tires were visibly deflated, and the whole vehicle was dirty and battered, covered in all kinds of ads—some of which had even faded, proving it had been sitting there for a long time.

“It’s been parked here since last year, right?”

“Yeah, it didn’t even move during Chinese New Year.” An Jing slowed her pace. “Does anyone still want it?”

“Maybe the owner themselves forgot they even had a car here.”

“Could be… Remember that old red sedan near the school? The window was broken and no one ever bothered with it. I think it was already there when I started first year.”

“There are plenty of people in the world who don’t worry about money.”

“Or maybe something happened to them… like hiding from debt.” An Jing was pulled along by Zhu Ying, who quickened her pace, and then she saw a vaguely familiar motorcycle approaching. After recognizing the face, she waved excitedly. “Qiang!”

“Yo! You guys just coming out now?”

“You’re driving back?”

“Yeah, heading back to the strawberry garden in the countryside.” Fang Qiang nodded. “School ended early today, so I’m heading back soon. My dad even chilled a big watermelon for me.”

“Can watermelons this early in the season even taste good?”

“There are early-ripening varieties too. Oh, right, how about I bring one for you two on Monday?”

“Sure! I want mine pre-cut!” Zhu Ying wasn’t shy at all.

“Uh… eating watermelon first thing in the morning—aren’t you afraid of getting an upset stomach?”

“It’s fine. You can eat breakfast first and then have the watermelon as dessert. Perfect.”

“Would be better if you had strawberries.” Zhu Ying winked.

“Ha—no strawberries to be had now!” Fang Qiang put his foot back on the motorcycle pedal. “I’m off!”

“Yeah, don’t forget the watermelon!”

“You sure don’t hold back…” An Jing shook her head helplessly.

“Xiao Jing’s friends are my friends too. No need to be so polite with friends, right?”

“If you put it that way… I guess you’re right…”

—

(3)

Once they crossed the traffic light and arrived in front of Dapeng Shopping Street, the atmosphere around them became noticeably livelier. The roadside was no longer desolate, with small stalls set up every few meters.

In summer, these stalls usually sold freshly made ice cream and cut fruit, along with refreshing snacks like cold noodles and cold mixed vegetables.

“Xiao Jing, they’re selling pineapple!”

“You want some?”

“Yeah, do you?”

“Ah… I’m not really into that. It always feels like it stings my tongue.” An Jing unconsciously licked her teeth.

“Then how about a slice of cantaloupe?”

“Sure… but if it’s too expensive, don’t buy it. Sometimes these roadside stalls can really overcharge.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not stupid.” Zhu Ying let go of An Jing’s hand and walked lightly over to the fruit stall.

It was a mobile bicycle stall, with a glass case on the back seat. The cut fruit was neatly stacked inside. There weren’t many varieties—only watermelon, pineapple, and cantaloupe—but the mix of yellow and red looked beautiful and appetizing.

“Boss, how much for the pineapple and cantaloupe?”

“One yuan per slice, freshly cut. Want some?”

“Xiao Jing, it’s one yuan a slice?”

“Uh… how much does a whole pineapple cost anyway…”

“But we can’t finish a whole pineapple.” Zhu Ying grabbed her arm and pulled her closer. “Then let’s get one slice of pineapple and one slice of cantaloupe!”

“I’ll pay.” An Jing quickly fished out two coins from her pocket. “I have exact change.”

“Here you go, girls. Your pineapple and cantaloupe.”

“Give me the pineapple, and give her the cantaloupe.”

“Here’s the cantaloupe.”

“Oh, thanks.” An Jing carefully took the cantaloupe skewered on a stick. The rind had been peeled off, leaving only the edible part, and since it was on a stick, it wouldn’t dirty her hands. That was probably the biggest selling point of this kind of cut fruit.

After all, if you really thought about it, the unit price was pretty steep.

“Mmm—full of juice, definitely fresh!”

“Want two more sticks?” the boss quickly asked.

“No thanks, one slice is enough to cool off.” Zhu Ying waved her hand and tilted her head to look at An Jing. “Xiao Jing, want to stroll around the shopping street?”

“Hmm… let’s just go straight back. I’m all sticky and sweaty. I want to take a shower as soon as possible…” Out on the street, An Jing could finally unzip her jacket a bit, but even so, she was dripping with sweat. “What about you? Are you really going to stay at my place tonight?”

“Of course! Let’s go home first to grab a change of clothes.”

“Mm… Oh, right. Sister Huihui and Sister Fei aren’t home today. Should we eat out for dinner?”

“Huh? Neither of them is home? What a rare opportunity—” Zhu Ying stuck out her soft pink tongue and gently licked the juice dripping from the pineapple slice. “Of course we’re cooking ourselves!”

“The kitchen in summer is scorching hot. Even Sister Huihui has started complaining… Are you sure you can handle it? Stir-frying and all.”

“Then let’s make something that won’t make us feel too hot?”

“Something that won’t make us feel too hot? That’s probably only cold dishes…”