Rapunzel
Jiang Xu was a bit bewildered.
He didn’t immediately grasp what Chi Yue meant, instinctively turning his head to look at him. But Chi Yue wasn’t looking back, his gaze fixed ahead as if he hadn’t spoken at all.
Jiang Xu snapped out of his daze, regaining his senses.
Before he arrived, Chi Yue had already ordered the pumpkin porridge. It wasn’t like he suddenly decided he didn’t want it after packing it up. He probably noticed Jiang Xu’s aversion to the mixed pork porridge and swapped it for him on the spot…
What was this guy’s deal?
Yesterday, he couldn’t be bothered to acknowledge me, and today he’s suddenly playing the Good Samaritan. Is he like an air conditioner, switching between hot and cold?
The stall owner noticed too, quickly packing up the pumpkin porridge and steamed dumplings, handing them to Jiang Xu. “Hey, this handsome guy let you have the porridge. Take it, it’s 16 in total.”
Jiang Xu had no choice but to accept it and scanned the code to pay.
With the pumpkin porridge now in Jiang Xu’s hands, the stall owner started repacking for Chi Yue. As a result, Jiang Xu, who came later, ended up ahead of Chi Yue.
Feeling a bit awkward about leaving after receiving such a favor, Jiang Xu hesitated for a moment. Instead of leaving immediately, he took out his phone and scrolled through his social media.
With the new school term approaching, everyone was making the most of their last bit of freedom, traveling far and wide. One friend was surfing in Sanya, another boating in Guilin, and his deskmate Qiao Heyi had posted a photo from Putuo Mountain, captioned, “May the Bodhisattva bless me to pass all exams and rank in the top ten next term.”
This post was wildly popular, with classmates flooding the comments with “Pray for me too.” Even the homeroom teacher joined in. Qiao Heyi cheekily replied, “Teacher, what do you wish for? I’ll pray for you!”
The teacher’s reply was, “I wish the Bodhisattva ensures you and everyone commenting have finished your summer homework.”
That comment ended the thread, leaving everyone silent.
Jiang Xu couldn’t help but laugh, giving Qiao Heyi’s post a like. Chi Yue, hearing the chuckle, glanced at him, then looked away, paying for his egg pancake and porridge before turning to leave.
Having long legs was an advantage; Chi Yue quickly strode a few steps ahead, leaving Jiang Xu behind.
Jiang Xu thought, …I just wasted a minute here.
Feeling a bit annoyed, he quickly caught up to walk alongside Chi Yue, his tone slightly stiff as he turned his head, “Why are you walking so fast?”
Chi Yue realized Jiang Xu was waiting for him but didn’t understand why.
To him, swapping porridge was just a casual return for the candy Jiang Xu gave Chi Ruirui last night, not a signal of wanting to be friends—this wasn’t kindergarten where a handshake made you best buddies.
With an impassive face, Chi Yue glanced at Jiang Xu. “Oh, I thought you liked playing on your phone in front of the breakfast stall.”
…What kind of person is this? Jiang Xu snorted, nodding. “Yeah, I think the signal’s great there.”
After that, Jiang Xu couldn’t be bothered to walk alongside him anymore. He sped up, walking ahead, the two of them returning to the neighborhood one after the other.
The early morning breeze eased the heat, rustling the leaves of the camphor trees. The varying shades of green swirled in the wind, looking quite refreshing. Chi Yue watched Jiang Xu from behind. Jiang Xu was tall, his loose white pullover draping over him, making him appear somewhat frail in the shade.
Chi Yue recalled last night’s conversation while tidying up, when Xu Chan mentioned that the upstairs neighbors were friendly and easy to get along with, and that they had a delicate-looking boy.
Chi Yue thought, delicate-looking, picky eater, and quite temperamental too.
Jiang Xu pretended to play on his phone as he walked, but his mind was on the person behind him. He wondered where Chi Yue came from, with that long scar on his arm, and whether he was still in school. If he was, he was probably in high school like Jiang Xu, but which year… Why am I worrying about this?
As they approached the building, they ran into Old Wang from the first floor, returning from his morning walk in the park. From a distance, he called out loudly to Jiang Xu, “Xiao Xu, just woke up?”
Old Wang was sixty-six this year and had lived here for nearly thirty years. He was around when Jiang Xu’s parents moved in after getting married. When Jiang Zhenghua and Ms. Xu had overlapping night shifts at the school and the community hospital, Jiang Xu often stayed with Old Wang, learning calligraphy.
“Old Wang.” Jiang Xu, having been taught by Ms. Xu to be polite to acquaintances, brushed off his earlier annoyance and smiled brightly. “Have you eaten?”
“I have, I have. Your aunt made osmanthus dumplings.”
In the time it took to exchange these few words, Chi Yue had already caught up. Old Wang, in his white tai chi outfit, strolled over, hands behind his back, sizing up Chi Yue.
“Whose kid is this? I haven’t seen him before.”
Chi Yue paused, and Jiang Xu, worried the air conditioner would switch back to cooling mode, quickly introduced him, “He just moved to the second floor.”
“Oh, the old Li’s place.” Old Wang chuckled, “What’s your name?”
Jiang Xu perked up his ears, hearing Chi Yue answer, “Chi Yue.”
Which Yue is it? The one for ‘leap,’ ‘joy,’ or ‘moon’?
Unfortunately, Old Wang didn’t share his curiosity. “Good kid. If you need anything, just call. Come over with Xiao Xu and play sometime.”
Chi Yue glanced at Jiang Xu, nodded at Old Wang, and replied politely, “Thank you.”
“No need to be so polite.” Old Wang continued his walk around the neighborhood, “Kids these days, each one more spirited than the last…”
His voice drifted away with the scent of osmanthus as Chi Yue entered the building, quickly reaching the second floor and unlocking the door.
As Jiang Xu passed by, he hesitated but decided to uphold basic decency and turned back to say, “Thanks.”
Chi Yue turned at the sound, “Thanks for what?”
“The porridge.” Jiang Xu thought for a moment and asked, “You can eat mixed pork, right? It’s pretty strong-flavored.”
Though he assumed Chi Yue wouldn’t choose something he couldn’t eat just for him, Jiang Xu still felt the need to be polite.
Chi Yue seemed to chuckle softly, glancing at Jiang Xu on the stairs. “If I can’t, do you want to swap back?”
Jiang Xu had already stepped up two stairs, and at this, he turned back to glare.
Chi Yue’s eyes weren’t as bright as Chi Ruirui’s last night, deep and shadowed by his lashes, like unpolished black jade. Now, Jiang Xu’s reflection was in those eyes, the tone carrying a hint of disdain, cutting through Jiang Xu’s politeness.
“If you can’t stomach it, turn right outside the neighborhood and walk fifteen minutes. There’s a beef noodle shop.” Jiang Xu enunciated each word, “You can make another trip.”
I really know how to get myself worked up, Jiang Xu thought. He looked at Chi Yue, thinking, I didn’t ask you to swap. If he says one more word, I’ll take the porridge back and eat all three bowls myself, not owing him anything.
But Chi Yue just looked at him for a few seconds, then turned away, opening his door and going inside.
Xu Chan and Chi Ruirui were already up. After breakfast, Xu Chan needed to visit a housekeeping agency.
“They said I need to register first, and there’s some induction training…” Xu Chan said as she changed her shoes at the door. “Take care of your sister. I won’t be back for lunch, so you two can eat out or order delivery.”
She paused, opening her small black crossbody bag. “Are you out of money? I can—”
“I have some.” Chi Yue interrupted her. “I still have money. You should go.”
Xu Chan’s hand paused for a few seconds, but ultimately, due to Chi Yue’s firm tone, she put the money back. “Alright, let me know when you need more.”
The front door closed, and Xu Chan’s footsteps faded away. Chi Ruirui sat on the sofa, looking expectantly at Chi Yue. “I want to watch Rapunzel.”
Chi Yue didn’t immediately understand. “What’s Rapunzel?”
“The one with long hair, living in a tower.” Chi Ruirui tried her best to describe it to her brother, using her hands to gesture in the air for clarity, repeating herself.
“From the cartoon, living in a tall tower. Her hair is so long it reaches the ground, and the prince climbs up using it.”
…That hair must be as strong and lush as the ivy outside the balcony.
The TV was brought from Shaojiang, but they hadn’t set up the internet yet. Chi Yue took out a sketchbook and watercolor pens from Chi Ruirui’s backpack, placing them on the coffee table, and filled her little duck cup halfway with water.
“The TV isn’t connected yet, so you can’t watch it now. How about drawing for a while?”
Chi Ruirui sighed, looking a bit disinterested, but obediently picked up a pen. “Can I watch it tonight?”
“Yes.”
Chi Yue searched on his phone for the nearest telecom office and called to schedule an afternoon installation. He checked the time Chi Ruirui started drawing, setting an alarm for an hour later. Just as he finished, a WeChat notification popped up.
Lin Ziyao: Is your hand better?
Lin Ziyao: There’s a bar opening near the university town tomorrow. They need some good-looking guys and girls to liven things up, from nine to two, four hundred.
Lin Ziyao sent an address.
Chi Yue opened the address and chose the driving option, capturing the 290-kilometer distance to the destination and sending it to Lin Ziyao, who replied with a question mark. Chi Yue responded: Moved.
The next second, Lin Ziyao called.
Lin Ziyao seemed to be holding a cigarette, his speech slightly muffled. “What’s going on, so sudden?”
“Family stuff, didn’t have time to say.” Chi Yue listened to the faint sound of billiard balls clacking and someone shouting in the distance, “Boss, two bottles of water!”
“You’ll have to find someone else for these gigs in the future, sorry, Brother Lin.”
“No big deal—hey, get two Cokes for table five!”
After yelling, Lin Ziyao asked, “Did your whole family move?”
“My mom, me, and my sister.”
Chi Yue felt like smoking too. He glanced at Chi Ruirui, who was focused on her drawing, and took a few steps toward the balcony.
“We left in a hurry, didn’t tell anyone else.” Chi Yue thought for a moment. “If anyone asks—”
“Don’t worry.” Lin Ziyao, having been around the block, understood immediately. “I know what to say and what not to say.”
Lin Ziyao’s lighter clicked twice, probably lighting another cigarette.
“That art school girl will be disappointed. She was asking about you the other day, wanted me to set up a dinner with you.”
Chi Yue chuckled, watching the vines sway in the wind without saying anything. Lin Ziyao’s tone turned more serious. “Is your family situation resolved now?”
Chi Yue’s smile vanished instantly. “Sort of. He’s in the hospital.”
Lin Ziyao was blunt. “Not dead, huh.”
“If he were, you’d have to visit me in prison.”
“Damn, say something auspicious.” Lin Ziyao cursed, then added, “Good, embrace the new life, don’t come back. I’ll keep an eye on things here for you.”
Chi Yue sincerely said, “Thanks.”
“Cut the crap.” Lin Ziyao sounded exasperated. “Later.”
After hanging up, Chi Yue glanced back. Chi Ruirui was still sitting at the coffee table, drawing.
He didn’t hurry back inside, pressing down on the wide cement ledge of the balcony. It was quite retro but sturdy. Chi Yue pushed himself up to sit on it.
The sunlight on him wasn’t hot, just comfortable. He looked out from the balcony.
This old neighborhood seemed quite simple and honest. Except for the first floor, few had installed burglar bars, but many had flowers on their balconies. The ground was covered in osmanthus flowers, the sunlight turning the courtyard a warm golden hue. A few elderly women were under the trees with bamboo sieves, catching flowers while chatting, though Chi Yue couldn’t hear their conversation. In the distance, there was a public fitness area where a few elderly men sat at a Go table… Chi Yue looked closely, oh, they were playing cards.
Well, it’s still a mental exercise.
He withdrew his gaze from the distance, focusing on what was in front of him. The ivy from the third floor was still thriving in autumn, reaching downwards. The tender green shoots swayed in the wind, back and forth, right in front of Chi Yue. He couldn’t resist reaching out to grab a branch, giving it a gentle tug.
Although his language grades were average, the scene suddenly brought a somewhat pretentious word to mind.
Rebirth.
Grasping rebirth.
Leaves would continuously regenerate, but would people? Like leaving an old place for a new one; leaving behind some unpleasant people to meet new ones.
What did Lin Ziyao say just now?
Embrace the new life.
Then let’s embrace it.
Chi Yue felt like a character in a novel who had suddenly unlocked their potential, feeling much more at ease. The tender vine wrapped around his fingers, and Chi Yue couldn’t resist tugging it again, twice—
“Hey, why are you pulling my vine?!”
The voice was loud and unexpected. Chi Yue instinctively let go, nearly losing his balance and falling, but he quickly grabbed the edge of the balcony.
He steadied himself and looked toward the source of the voice.
Jiang Xu was holding a watering can in one hand, the other gripping the balcony, peering through the lush greenery at him. He seemed startled by Chi Yue’s near fall, his eyes wide with shock.
One high, one low, their eyes met through the deep and shallow greens, the vines intertwining from the upper floor to the lower. The person upstairs started to say “I—” but stopped, seemingly unsure how to continue.
Chi Yue’s legs were still dangling mid-air from the momentum. He took a deep breath and interrupted.
“Sorry,” Chi Yue paused, then added coolly, “Rapunzel.”