Lin Xigu’s father kept his word and came home as promised. He stayed with Lin Xigu for a week and they even camped at a farm for the weekend.
Despite being raised as a latchkey kid, often without anyone around to keep him company, Lin Xigu was not one to hold a grudge. What his parents lacked in physical presence, they made up for in care. Lin Xigu’s transgressions were received with understanding, perhaps because they thought him lonely.
When Lin Xigu’s school first notified his parents of his situation, his former homeroom teacher divulged that his students had labelled Lin Xigu a homosexual, that the school was wary of “interpersonal conflicts” creating mental distress for Lin Xigu. Lin Xigu’s father, Lin Qiurong, had then spent the whole night sitting with his son and talking, and he immediately started making arrangements for his transfer the next morning.
Lin Xigu did not look like his dad. His dad was very masculine, with strong brows and wide eyes, all solid lines.
On the day of Lin Qiurong’s departure, Lin Xigu reassured his dad, saying, “Don’t worry, I’m doing just fine here on my own. No need to keep thinking about me. You just focus on running your company. If you need to take a business trip, then go — we talk on the phone every day anyway. You have nothing to worry about.”
Lin Qiurong ruffled his hair playfully, smiling as he said, “Other kids usually shed a tear or two when saying goodbye to their parents. And then there’s you! You’re just eager to see me go, aren’t you?”
“Not at all,” Lin Xigu bumped his dad’s shoulder, grinning. “I don’t need you worrying about me, that’s all. I’m fine.”
Looking at his son’s young face, Lin Qiurong sighed and said, “Try to stay out of trouble while living on your own. You’re still a child, after all.”
Lin Xigu glared with feigned indignation. “What do you mean? Dad, what kind of person do you take me for? Do I look like someone who would get in trouble just for the heck of it?”
His dad was tickled by his reaction and tugged his ear. “Alright, pretend I didn’t say anything. If you say there’s no trouble, then there’s no trouble.”
“There was none to begin with.”
Lin Xigu had school later that morning and his dad’s flight was in an hour so the two of them shared a hurried breakfast before parting.
Lin Xigu’s devil-may-care attitude dropped as soon as his dad left. No matter how accepting he appeared, he was still a child, not yet an adult. Spending one or two months alone was one thing, but he could not help but feel crestfallen at having to say goodbye to his dad so soon after only a short visit.
However, this routine was nothing new. After taking a day to adjust, he quickly returned to his usual cheery self.
“Have some chocolate. From my dad,” Lin Xigu tossed two boxes of chocolates into Li Balei’s lap. “He still thinks I’m a kid.”
“Damn, this is all for me?” Li Balei hugged the chocolates to herself like she was holding the world against her chest. Although she didn’t recognize the brand, the chocolates looked expensive. Her eyes lit up as she beamed at Lin Xigu.
“All for you. I had a piece earlier. After all, I couldn’t just regift something from my dad without at least trying it first.” Lin Xigu didn’t even bat an eye at the thought of giving away hundreds of dollars; he didn’t need it anyway.
“Y-y-you really are smooth. What would you do if I started crushing on you for real?’ Li Balei stroked the box, feeling as though Lin Xigu had maxed out the charm metre.
Lin Xigu laughed and held out his hand, “I’d ask for my chocolates back. Don’t you start liking me.”
Li Balei dodged him, shielding her chocolates from view. “Don’t, I was just kidding! Who would like you anyway? I prefer basketball players!”
To be fair, Lin Xigu was the type many girls found attractive. He was clean-cut and handsome, with a kind of sweetness to him that projected a sense of warmth and kindness. He had received more than a few love letters from girls at his previous school, not that he ever responded to any of them.
No sense in batting for the wrong team.
He used to think he was out of the game for good. True, he wasn’t attracted to girls, but there were never any boys that met his standards either.
Thinking this, Lin Xigu could not help but sneak a look in She Xiao’s direction. He was the first boy Lin Xigu ever fantasized about who did not immediately repulse him. His eyes were exquisite. Granted, he was also aggressive, but it was in a different way than other boys his age.
But his personality did leave something to be desired.
Lin Xigu sighed. He supposed this was fate; he was destined to be alone forever.
Just then, Li Balei slipped him a note.
— Could it be that you already have a gf???
— No. And I don’t want one either. Will you please pay attention?
Lin Xigu tossed the crumpled note back onto Li Balei’s desk. Looking back at She Xiao, he heaved another sigh.
She Xiao’s cheekbones looked more swollen than ever, and a dark bruise was starting to bloom. There was no doubt he had been fighting again.
As expected, She Xiao was called away by the dean in the middle of their last class.
A surprised expression crossed the dean’s face when he saw Lin Xigu and She Xiao sitting together, but he said nothing, and simply smiled at Lin Xigu before leaving with She Xiao.
When She Xiao had not returned by the end of class, Lin Xigu arranged everything left on his desk into a neat pile: homework handouts and a workbook that needed to be completed that night. He then penned a note, copying down the assignments from the blackboard, and placed this on top of the pile.
Seeing as this would be the first note he would ever write to She Xiao, Lin Xigu made sure his handwriting was neat and tidy:
— One essay for Chinese Lit, due tomorrow morning. No other homework assigned.
— Finish yesterday’s math sheet
— Complete Ch. 6 questions in the English workbook. Will be reviewed in class tomorrow.
— Starting new unit in physics tomorrow, pre-study required.
— See you tomorrow.