Feeling guilty as a thief caught in the act, Ning Li ran off before Pei Ling could react.
His behavior was so suspicious that the girl immediately doubted his explanation and betrayed him without hesitation. “Ning Li just stuffed two notebooks into your schoolbag.”
Pei Ling said nothing. He reached out and opened the black backpack, and the two notebooks slid out.
He lowered his eyes to look at them, his thoughts inscrutable.
The girl asked him, “Are you two friends?”
Pei Ling paused, then replied blandly, “No.”
Maybe it was a girl’s innate sixth sense, but in any case, she felt that Pei Ling seemed unhappy, so she did not dare say anything else and left on her own.
Ning Li had left in such a hurry that it was only after he sat down at his desk that he gradually calmed down.
Their school assigned seats according to grades. Pei Ling’s grades were good, so he sat in the first row. They also changed seats every week, and this week Pei Ling happened to be sitting by the window. He must have heard what Ning Li said during the time it took him to walk in. He might even have seen what he did.
Awkward. Should he go explain?
Forget it. The more he explained, the more awkward it would be.
That was what Ning Li thought, but after school, when he rushed out of the classroom and passed Pei Ling’s classroom, he could not help stopping to glance inside. Their class was being held late, and the teacher had not dismissed them yet.
Pei Ling was tall, and sitting in the first row made him stand out especially prominently. His posture was exceptionally straight as well. His profile had a bloodless pallor to it, and his features were so sharply defined that even from the side, his high nose bridge and deep-set eyes were apparent.
He really did have a handsome, refined face. Though he looked somewhat frail, he had a large frame and naturally broad shoulders. Even in a school uniform that looked like a sack, he still appeared tall and straight.
Ning Li stared at him, gradually losing himself in thought.
After the college entrance examination, they had gone their separate ways. Ning Li had gone to a third-rate college, not even a proper third-tier university, just a junior college.
Pei Ling had gone to one of the top universities in the country, with a bright future ahead of him. Pei Ling’s mother had moved along with him. Ning Li had heard that she had bought a small villa near Pei Ling’s university, complete with a large garden where she planted flowers and grass and lived an especially leisurely life.
When Yang Guifang brought it up, Ning Li had felt sour and incredulous. “Was that really necessary? She even went with him to look after him? He still hasn’t been weaned. I’d never do something like that.”
Yang Guifang liked Pei Ling very much, and she always defended him at times like this. “What do you know? Pei Ling’s health is poor, and he gets sick all the time. How could his mother not take a little extra care of him?”
Pei Ling really was delicate. Dongling was quite close to their home, only about a twenty-minute walk, but Pei Ling still had to be driven back and forth in a small car. Ning Li looked down on him for that.
He had merely scoffed. “No matter how you put it, he still hasn’t been weaned. If he’s in poor health, he can exercise. Look at me. I’m as strong as an ox.”
As he spoke, Ning Li bent his arm and showed Yang Guifang his thin muscles, which were not particularly impressive.
Although he was not as tall as Pei Ling, he was definitely sturdier. His body looked slim, but because he had a small frame and loved exercising, a thin layer of muscle covered him. He was the kind of person who looked slender in clothes but muscular without them.
Because he was so healthy, his fair face was full of color, and his eyes were bright. He looked entirely different from Pei Ling. So, deep down, Ning Li sincerely believed that he was actually a little more handsome than Pei Ling.
But all that was secondary. Pei Ling had lived in Yang Guifang’s words for a long time. Her fondness for him, along with her habit of constantly comparing Ning Li to him, had made Ning Li harbor some hostility toward Pei Ling for quite some time.
Pei Ling would never know about it, because after the college entrance examination, they had not seen each other again until the day Ning Li died.
People’s fates were simply strange. The womb was one dividing line, the college entrance examination was another, and graduation created yet another.
So many dividing lines could lead two families that had lived directly across from each other since childhood toward entirely opposite circumstances.
In his previous life, Pei Ling had gone incredibly far, far too far. But the Pei Ling of the present was still just an ordinary high school senior like Ning Li. He had even repeated several years because of his illness.
He was two years older than Ning Li, yet had ended up at the same point in life.
Perhaps Ning Li had been staring at him for too long. Pei Ling sensed his gaze and turned his head, meeting Ning Li’s eyes. When he saw Ning Li, his gaze sharpened. He frowned slightly, then turned his face away.
Seeing that reaction, Ning Li was not surprised. Pei Ling had never looked him straight in the eye.
Just then, someone passed him on the way downstairs, so Ning Li stopped looking and hurried home.
After he left, Pei Ling tightened his grip on his pen and continued writing several meaningless characters in his notebook, pressing so hard that the strokes cut through the paper.
*
As soon as Ning Li got home, he hurried to look through Pei Ling’s notes.
Only then did he discover that they contained more than just the material covered in class. Pei Ling had also worked through all kinds of problems, with unusually detailed solution steps, and had even included written explanations.
It was like a verbal explanation of the solution steps for someone who had come to ask him a question.
Ning Li felt a little strange. Was Pei Ling really such a meticulous person?
No, this was beyond meticulous. This was practically nanny-level teaching. These were only his private study notes. Could they really be this detailed?
The Academic Overachievers in Ning Li’s class only wrote down simple steps and answers in their notes. They could work through the problems again on their own, so they would never write their notes in such painstaking detail.
Pei Ling’s notes made it seem as though he had done it deliberately, filling his study notes with this much idiot-level, hand-holding instruction.
Whatever had gotten into Pei Ling, Ning Li was the one benefiting now. Everything clicked the moment he read it, and it was far more convenient than gnawing his way through comprehensive science subjects by himself!
Ning Li became excited. He imagined himself crushing Pei Ling, making Yang Guifang see him in a new light, making Pei Ling see him in a new light, taking first place in the entire grade, using that as his starting point to become the top scorer in the city, enter a prestigious university, and enjoy a bright future.
However, as his excitement grew, Ning Li inevitably thought of certain things, and his mood suddenly turned foul.
Heavy anxiety surged up inside him. He forced himself to concentrate and began gnawing away at Pei Ling’s study notes again.
Yang Guifang pulled Ning He to the doorway to spy on him, whispering, “See? It’s been several days now.”
Ning He was happy too, and whispered back, “He’s really come to his senses.”
After gently closing the door and returning to their bedroom, Yang Guifang said to Ning He, “I used to mention Pei Ling to him, and he’d always get angry with me. Now he doesn’t get angry, and he even insisted that I ask Pei Ling for his calligraphy copybook. Tell me, what do you make of this change?”
Ning He said, “Isn’t that a good thing?”
He cleared his throat and recited a poem:
“Why should a man not carry a Wu hook, and reclaim the fifty provinces beyond the mountain passes? Please, my lord, ascend Lingyan Pavilion for a moment. Which scholar has ever been granted ten thousand households?”1
“……” Yang Guifang rolled her eyes. “I’m talking seriously to you. Stop randomly reciting poetry all the time. So what if you’re cultured? You still ended up hauling bricks at a construction site.”
Ning He blushed, his old face reddening. “What do you mean, hauling bricks at a construction site? I’m a foreman, at least. I have a position. Besides, I’m just trying to express how excited and delighted I am as a father that our son is eager to pursue an official career.”
Yang Guifang: “……”
Yang Guifang said, “I still don’t feel at ease. He’s my son. How could I not understand him? When something is this abnormal, there has to be a reason.”
Ning He said disapprovingly, “What reason could there be? Plenty of people come to a profound realization at a crucial moment. Don’t overthink it. He’s finally seen the light, so stop hitting him from now on.”
Yang Guifang snapped, “You make me sound like some shrew. If you hadn’t neglected our son, would I have had to discipline him with a stick? Now you’re treating me like the villain.”
Ning He hurriedly pleaded, “That’s not what I meant. I’ve just been busy. All right, all right, our son’s working so hard. I’ll make him a late-night snack. I’ll do it, you rest.”
With that, Ning He tied on an apron and went to make a late-night snack.
Yang Guifang still felt uneasy. She quietly left the house, took a plate of fruit, and went next door to knock.
Lin Lizhi opened the door. When she saw Yang Guifang, she smiled warmly. “What’s the matter, sis? Is something wrong?”
Lin Lizhi looked glamorous even at night. She wore silk pajamas of excellent quality, her figure was slender and graceful, and she was fragrant from head to toe. She practically radiated brilliance.
Yang Guifang could not help feeling a little embarrassed, though she did not show it. She smiled and said, “Well, Pei Ling’s mom, I wanted to talk to Pei Ling for a bit. Ning Li has really been worrying me, and since Pei Ling is close to him, I thought he might know something.”
Lin Lizhi was somewhat reluctant, but she did not show it either. Her expression unchanged, she said, “That child Pei Ling is asleep. You know his health is poor……”
Before she could finish, Pei Ling’s voice came from behind her. “Mom, who is it?”
His voice was cool and indifferent, neither hurried nor slow, yet carried a decisive certainty that left no room for argument.
Lin Lizhi stopped and glanced back. Pei Ling stood at the bedroom door in dark blue pajamas, holding a glass of water and looking at her calmly.
Lin Lizhi said somewhat reluctantly, “Your Auntie Yang wants to ask you about something.”
Then she noticed something else and hurried over, lowering her voice. “Why aren’t you wearing shoes? What if you catch a chill walking barefoot?”
Pei Ling lowered his eyes, then handed her the glass. “Have Auntie wait a moment. I’m going to change.”
Lin Lizhi was speechless. Before she could say anything, Pei Ling returned to his room, pulled the door shut behind him, and closed it.
Lin Lizhi had no choice but to return to the doorway and smile somewhat awkwardly. “Wait a moment. He’s changing.”
Yang Guifang let out a breath of relief and held out the fruit plate with a smile. “Sorry to trouble you. I’ll only bother Pei Ling for a little while.”
Lin Lizhi accepted the fruit plate. “Why are you being so polite? Oh, strawberries too. These are expensive. You shouldn’t have.”
Adult pleasantries could go back and forth for a very long time. But before the two of them could continue their endless exchange, Pei Ling had already changed into clothes suitable for going out.
Yang Guifang’s eyes and heart filled with admiration when she saw him.
Lin Lizhi noticed and felt secretly proud. In her good mood, she no longer minded Yang Guifang spending time with Pei Ling quite so much.
Pei Ling put on his shoes and left the house.
Yang Guifang followed him downstairs and found a secluded spot to speak with him. She deliberated for a while before asking, “Pei Ling, you’re in the class next to Ning Li’s. Have you heard anything about Ning Li dating someone?”
Pei Ling asked quietly, “Dating someone?”
Yang Guifang nodded. “Yes, yes. Do you know anything? Or have you seen him spending a lot of time with any girls?”
Pei Ling fell silent. The streetlamp cast a dim yellow light. With his back to it, his expression was hidden in shadow, making it impossible to see clearly. “I haven’t.”
Yang Guifang hesitated. “Really? Or has he been acting strangely at school lately? Getting into arguments with people or anything?”
Pei Ling answered, “No.”
Yang Guifang did not know what else to say for a moment. She felt somewhat frustrated and thought that perhaps she should not have asked Pei Ling after all. The two boys were only close because they lived nearby, and that did not necessarily mean he knew anything about Ning Li.
Still unwilling to give up, she continued questioning him. “Students are bound to gossip about things like this. Have you heard any gossip about him and a girl?”
Pei Ling paused as if thinking. After a while, he said softly, “No.”
Yang Guifang was disappointed. “I see.”
She gave a slightly self-deprecating laugh. Perhaps Ning He really was right. Maybe Ning Li had simply come to his senses.
After figuring things out for herself, Yang Guifang said apologetically to Pei Ling, “Sorry, I’ve kept you here so long. Go back and get some rest.”
Pei Ling replied, “It’s fine.”
Yang Guifang could not restrain her fondness for Pei Ling. Although Ning Li always said that Pei Ling never looked him straight in the eye, Yang Guifang knew that Pei Ling had always been polite to her. He normally did not talk much, but whenever they met on the road, he would nod at her. If he saw her carrying something heavy, he would lend a hand. Yang Guifang knew he was frail, however, and never actually dared let him help.
But the thought alone was more than enough.
It was rare for her to have such a chance to talk with him, and before she knew it, Yang Guifang had opened the floodgates. She said to Pei Ling, “Actually, our families live so close to each other. You and Ning Li could be friends. Ning Li often praises you at home. He even asked me to get your calligraphy copybook because he wants to learn your handwriting. He really admires you and sees you as a role model.”
She chattered on for quite a while. Only after finishing did she remember that Ning Li had told her not to say anything, and she could not help feeling guilty. She coughed lightly, her tone still carrying a hint of eagerness. “Ah, it would be wonderful if you two became good friends.”
Pei Ling answered, “That depends on him.”
Yang Guifang was an adult and naturally understood the implication. With those words, she returned home delighted. She went into Ning Li’s room and disturbed him while he was studying. “Listen, if there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask Pei Ling. You live so close. You should take advantage of that.”
Ning Li did not sneer at Pei Ling as he used to. After thinking for a moment, he said, “Why would I ask him? We’re competitors.”
Yang Guifang glanced at him. “You really intend to compete with him?”
Ning Li: “Mm-hmm.”
His hair was slightly curly. Once it grew a little longer, it stuck up, and it never lay flat no matter how he combed it. As a result, he had a fluffy head of hair that made him look soft and plush.
He lifted his face, the hair beside his forehead sticking up. The corners of his lips curled into a smile as he puffed out his chest and said solemnly, “Why shouldn’t I compete with him? I’ll climb to the summit and look down on all the lesser peaks.2 Only by reaching the top can you know how small the peaks you saw before really were.”
Yang Guifang: “……So now you’re reciting pretentious poetry all the time, just like your father?”
Ning Li said, “Doesn’t it show that I’m cultured?”
Yang Guifang said, “A little. But not very much.”
Ning Li: “.”
He said with great conviction, “Just wait. I’ll surpass him soon.”
Yang Guifang could not resist pouring cold water on him. “The only way you could surpass him is if he performs abnormally badly.”
Yang Guifang was the queen of raining on people’s parades, so Ning Li was not annoyed. He cheerfully said, “If he performs abnormally badly, that means his ability to perform under pressure is inferior to mine. Performing under pressure is part of his strength too, so I’m still one step ahead. Hahahaha.”
Yang Guifang was somewhat startled, as though she were meeting Ning Li for the first time. She murmured, “Your skin has gotten so thick it’s starting to scare me.”
*
When Pei Ling returned home, Lin Lizhi tried to find out what they had talked about. Pei Ling did not answer, so she said, “I know without you telling me. She must have come to ask whether that boy Ning Li has been dating someone at school.”
Pei Ling glanced at her without denying it.
For some reason, Lin Lizhi felt that Pei Ling seemed a little happy. She was slightly surprised by her own thought.
What was there to be happy about? It must have been her imagination.
Just as she thought that, Pei Ling walked over to the display cabinet in the living room and reached out to stroke the turtle in the fish tank.
This was a little habit Pei Ling only had when he was happy.
Lin Lizhi: “……”
All right, then.