It feels as if you’re still the way you were when I first met you.
Your radiant smile,
In that moment, lit up the entirety of my youth.
When I handed the 2,000 yuan I had earned from my part-time job to Chen Qiao Luo, he pushed it back toward me. The look in his eyes was filled with confusion, and he asked:
“Zhu Yun Hao, what do you mean by this?”
“Chen Qiao Luo, we’re friends, aren’t we?” I met his deep gaze and spoke seriously:
“The reason I took on that part-time job was to experience life. I know that if I gave you money from my father, you wouldn’t accept it. But this money is different—I earned it myself. I know you need it right now, so I hope you’ll take it.”
He looked at me for a long moment before finally speaking:
“I understand what you mean. But, Zhu Yun Hao, I hope you understand that this is my own issue. Even if you are my friend, I can’t accept such a significant favor without reason.”
“How can you say it’s ‘without reason’?” I frowned slightly and continued,
“Chen Qiao Luo, we’ve known each other for nearly a year now. I know exactly what kind of person you are. Since I know why you’re working so hard to make money, why shouldn’t I help you? I’m your friend, not some stranger passing by.”
“Even so, I still can’t accept it.” Chen Qiao Luo turned his back to me and said,
“Let it go, Zhu Yun Hao.”
In the end, I didn’t give the money to Chen Qiao Luo. I understood his pride and self-respect, so I secretly added it to the medical expenses for Gu Yu’s mother. I thought that might be the only way I could help Chen Qiao Luo.
* * *
Before I knew it, we had entered our final year of high school. Li Zi had often complained to me about how quickly time was passing. She said she was afraid of graduating so soon.
To be honest, I felt the same way. Looking back on the past two years, they were filled with so many memories. I realized I, too, was scared to bid farewell to high school and face an even more uncertain future.
When Xiao Hei called me, I had already changed into my pajamas and was ready for bed. But the moment I saw his name flash on my phone screen, a wave of unease quickly washed over me. I picked up the call almost immediately and asked,
“Xiao Hei, has something happened to Chen Qiao Luo?”
On the other end of the line, the noise of a bar’s bustling crowd blurred his voice. Still, I could make out his words:
“Yun Hao, you’d better come here quickly. A-Luo… he’s lost it.”
Chen Qiao Luo had lost it?
My heart skipped a beat. I didn’t even have time to ask for details before hanging up, changing my clothes, and rushing out the door. On the way, I kept urging the driver to go faster. Finally, we arrived at the bar. I tossed a hundred-yuan bill to the driver and got out without waiting for change.
As soon as I entered the bar, the deafening music hit me like a wall. I pushed through the crowd, inching forward, but it took over a minute to cover just a few meters. Finally, I spotted Xiao Hei near the bar counter and hurried toward him. The worry I felt for Chen Qiao Luo was suffocating.
When Xiao Hei saw me, he immediately grabbed my hand and pulled me further inside. His voice was filled with concern as he said,
“Yun Hao, you’re finally here. A-Luo’s been drinking for more than half an hour.”
“More than half an hour?” I exclaimed, horrified. “Does he think he’s a bottomless barrel? What on earth happened?”
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