November 1, 2025 — 12:23 pm

Chapter Three

“You’re actually spending time with us today, Lu Bai?” Xu Yan spat out his toothpaste foam and turned to Lu Bai. “Usually, besides class and sleeping in the dorm at night, you’re like a bodyguard, always following Xiao Tian.”

“I can’t always cling to Tian’er, or he’ll get annoyed,” Lu Bai replied.

“Yes, yes, your Tian’er, you call him so affectionately,” Xu Yan teased him.

“What’s wrong, jealous of our friendship? It’s no use being jealous!” Lu Bai boasted, hooking his arm around Xu Yan’s neck. The two of them started playfully tussling.

Zhou Bin, who was folding his quilt upstairs, became interested when he heard them. “How did you and Xiao Tian meet? Have you been this close since your first year of high school?”

“Me and Tian’er?” Lu Bai’s hand was still gripping Xu Yan’s fist. “We met in our second year of high school. He transferred into our class.”

“Second year, so you’ve been classmates for two years then?” Zhou Bin said.

“Not two years. Tian’er transferred schools again in our third year,” Lu Bai replied.

“Transferred again? So you were only classmates for one year?” Xu Yan broke free from his arm and asked.

“Mm.”

“Just one year as classmates, and you’re still this close? That’s quite a coincidence,” Zhou Bin clicked his tongue.

Lu Bai didn’t say anything.

“Lu Bai?” Xu Yan nudged him when he seemed lost in thought.

“Huh?” Lu Bai seemed to snap back to reality. “Yeah, it’s quite a coincidence.”

“I’m done tidying up, let’s go!” Zhou Bin announced. The three of them left the dorm together.

“Tian’er!” As soon as they entered the restaurant, Lu Bai darted over to Zhang Xiaotian.

“You’re here.” Zhang Xiaotian held Lu Bai back and led him to a private room further inside. “I saved seats for you guys.”

“Are these all your roommates?” A burly man emerged from the kitchen, standing next to Lu Bai and Zhang Xiaotian, about half a head taller than them.

“Brother Liu,” Zhang Xiaotian greeted him.

“Alright, I’ll take good care of Xiao Tian’s friends. Just tell me what you want to eat or drink, and I’ll give you a discount!” Brother Liu’s laugh was hearty. After a brief chat with them, he returned to the kitchen to busy himself.

After ordering their food, Zhang Xiaotian glanced around the restaurant and said, “I should get back to work. I’ll come back later if it’s not too busy.”

“Why don’t you eat your fill first before you get busy?” Lu Bai grabbed him, stopping him from leaving.

“Lu Bai, let Xiao Tian go first. We’ll eat slowly and leave some good stuff for him,” Zhou Bin said.

“Then you go ahead.” Lu Bai released his grip and watched Zhang Xiaotian disappear into the kitchen.

“Are we just going to eat here? Shouldn’t we help Xiao Tian out?” Zhou Bin turned to the other two.

“I don’t think so. We’d just be in the way,” Xu Yan said, reaching for hot water to warm their bowls. He patted Lu Bai, who was still staring in the direction of the kitchen. “Lu Bai, stop looking. Hand me your chopsticks and bowl.”

Lu Bai finally turned and handed them over.

“He’ll be back soon. Look a little less, Xiao Tian won’t fall into a pot,” Zhou Bin teased, handing his own chopsticks and bowl to Xu Yan. “If you would, please warm mine too.”

Xu Yan accepted them all.

“Look at you two, my Tian’er looks quite handsome when he’s busy working,” Lu Bai clicked his tongue.

“Hurry up and eat, fanboy,” Xu Yan said, placing the warmed bowl in front of him.

“It looks like his eyes are practically glued to Xiao Tian,” Zhou Bin said, then received a tap on the head with chopsticks from Lu Bai, quieting him for a moment before he continued, “Are you and Xiao Tian really not neighbors or relatives or something?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Nothing, I just feel like you two seem like you’ve known each other for a long time.”

“Maybe you just hit it off and get along well,” Xu Yan said, refilling Zhou Bin’s and Lu Bai’s cups with tea.

“We,” Lu Bai chuckled, looking down, “we get along very well. When we were deskmates, we’d always chat, eat together, and go out for walks. Thinking back now, I did so many things with him.”

“And after Xiao Tian transferred schools? Didn’t you miss him terribly, shedding tears of longing?” Zhou Bin put a mouthful of food in his mouth, sucking in air because it was hot, “And then you guys planned to get into the same university to rekindle your romance? Like in the novels?”

“Cough, after he transferred…” Lu Bai cleared his throat and took a sip of water from his cup. “We lost contact after he transferred.”

“Ah!” Zhou Bin exclaimed. “Why?”

“He changed his phone number,” Lu Bai looked down, idly drawing on his plate with his chopsticks. “And… didn’t tell me.”

“Why not?” Zhou Bin couldn’t help but ask.

“Eat your vegetables, Zhou Bin,” Xu Yan tossed a piece of vegetable stem onto Zhou Bin’s plate. “Why are you so curious about everything?”

“My apologies, my apologies,” Zhou Bin obediently put the vegetable stem in his mouth. After swallowing, he glanced at Lu Bai, then added, “Perhaps he left in too much of a hurry and didn’t have time to give it to you.”

“Anyway, you’re classmates again now, and in the same dorm,” Xu Yan chimed in.

Lu Bai just lowered his head and drank water. The atmosphere became a bit awkward.

“Brother Liu sent us a fruit platter.” Zhang Xiaotian came in, lifting the curtain with the platter, and met Zhou Bin’s pleading gaze, only then noticing the strange atmosphere in the room.

“You three… what’s going on?”

“Nothing much,” Xu Yan reached out and took the fruit platter. “We were just talking about some old things.”

“Old things? When did this happen?” Zhang Xiaotian asked.

“Nothing,” Lu Bai asked him, “When will you be done?”

“Hard to say.” Zhang Xiaotian wiped his hands on his apron. “You guys eat first, don’t wait for me.”

“We’re saving some for you,” Zhou Bin added. “Hurry up and come when you’re done.”

“Okay,” Zhang Xiaotian nodded, then turned and left the room.

Zhang Xiaotian was busy until very late before he had some free time. When he went to find the three of them again, only Lu Bai was sitting there.

“Where are the other two?” Zhang Xiaotian asked.

“Xu Yan took Zhou Bin to the restroom. Don’t ask for now, just eat quickly.” Lu Bai quickly handed him a pair of new chopsticks. “Eat this quickly, I saved it for you.”

Zhang Xiaotian was indeed starving. He picked up his chopsticks and ate without looking up.

“You’re working too hard. Why don’t you quit this job and find something else?” Lu Bai looked at him and finally said it after some hesitation.

“I haven’t found anything suitable yet, and our school is too far from the city,” Zhang Xiaotian replied.

“That’s true,” Lu Bai nodded. “I’ll keep an ear out for you too. After all, if our classes get heavier, working here won’t be convenient.”

“Xiao Tian, are you done with work?” Xu Yan returned with Zhou Bin. “What were you two talking about? I saw Lu Bai shaking his head.”

“We were talking about whether I should change my part-time job.”

“Then I’ll help you ask around,” Xu Yan offered.

Xu Yan’s family was local, so he’d definitely have more reliable information. Zhang Xiaotian figured it was a good idea and didn’t refuse.

“In the next class, we’ll have group presentations. Those who perform well will get extra points for participation,” the teacher said as he packed up his things and walked out. Lu Bai was about to drag Zhang Xiaotian to the cafeteria again, but the Class Monitor, sitting behind them, pressed him back into his seat.

“Everyone, stay put. We’re having a class meeting. Lu Bai, you can take some pictures for everyone.”

“My photos aren’t good, Class Monitor,” Lu Bai tried to refuse, but to no avail. He had no choice but to stand at the back of the classroom with his phone, waiting for the Class Monitor’s instructions.

“Tian’er, Tian’er?” Xu Yan, sitting on Zhang Xiaotian’s other side, leaned over and whispered, “Do you want to be a tutor?”

“A tutor?”

Tutoring offered more flexible hours, making it a very suitable part-time job for Zhang Xiaotian. He was tempted and asked Xu Yan, “Why did you suddenly think of finding me a tutoring job?”

“Ah, I live around here, you know. My neighbor’s child is in junior high, and he dislikes crowded cram schools. His family was thinking of hiring a tutor,” Xu Yan explained. “Besides, our Medical School will start evening classes after National Day. Will you still be able to go to the restaurant?”

He had been worried about this, and now he had a solution. Zhang Xiaotian felt much relieved. “Thanks, I’ll treat you to a meal another day!”

“Oh, don’t mention it, it’s just a casual thing,” Xu Yan waved his hand.

“Everyone, please be quiet. After we take the photos, we can go eat!” The Class Monitor displayed a PPT on the multimedia projector, signaling Lu Bai to take pictures. Lu Bai took two shots. After the Class Monitor nodded, he immediately pulled Zhang Xiaotian, who was chatting with Xu Yan, up from his seat.

“Wait a minute, I need to pack my things,” Zhang Xiaotian broke free and said while putting his things into his bag. “Eating, eating, why are you so eager when it’s time to eat?”

“If we’re late, there won’t be any good seats. Besides…” Lu Bai stood there like a little wife, muttering.

“Let’s go,” Zhang Xiaotian stood up. “What did you say in the second half? I didn’t hear clearly.”

“Nothing, I said I’m starving, let’s go.” Lu Bai slung an arm around Zhang Xiaotian’s shoulder and headed towards the back door.

September weather always seemed clear, a gentle breeze weaving through the crowds, everything full of youthful vigor. Lu Bai skipped along as he walked, restless.

“Can you act like a university student?” Zhang Xiaotian reached out and tugged at his shirt hem.

Lu Bai grinned from ear to ear. “What should a university student look like? And aren’t you happy? We’re going on a trip this weekend, going out to play!”

This weekend? Busy from dawn till dusk every day, Zhang Xiaotian only then realized that the month was almost over.

He needed to tell Brother Liu in advance that he was quitting, and he also needed to check out that tutoring job Xu Yan mentioned.

“Are you unhappy? Why, aren’t you happy going out with me?” Lu Bai asked when Zhang Xiaotian didn’t reply immediately.

“No, no,” Zhang Xiaotian said.

Once he changed his part-time job, Lu Bai wouldn’t have to accompany him to the restaurant every day. He felt both happy and a little sad. But Lu Bai needed to have his own life. Now that they had just reconnected, over time, Lu Bai would surely make new friends. He needed to get used to it quickly.

Once he settled things with the tutoring job, he would tell Lu Bai, and Lu Bai would surely be happy for him.

“Okay,” Brother Liu readily agreed. “You’re quick and capable, I’ll really hate to see you go. You can work normally until the end of the month, and I’ll pay you at the end of the month.”

“Thank you, Brother Liu,” Zhang Xiaotian bowed to him.

“Oh, oh, don’t do that. My wife went home to recuperate after childbirth, and the restaurant was short-handed. You came to fill my spot. Otherwise, this month is right at the start of the semester, it would have been so busy. I should be thanking you,” Brother Liu patted Zhang Xiaotian’s shoulder. “Bring your friends to my restaurant to eat again!”

“Mm.”

As he walked out of the restaurant, Zhang Xiaotian looked at the message from Xu Yan on his phone.

They’re quite satisfied with you, Xiao Tian. They said the salary will be as you discussed. You can go straight there after class after the holiday.

Xu Yan was truly a kind-hearted person. Zhang Xiaotian pondered it and sent a thank-you message.

Xu Yan must have been holding his phone, as he replied quickly: What thanks, you’re too polite!

Zhang Xiaotian put his phone back in his pocket and let out a long sigh. Everything was going smoothly. It seemed like heaven had opened its eyes and started to show some care for his life. Once he had some free time, he started to worry about his mother. He wondered how she was doing over there.

She must have been completely disappointed in him, as there had been no news for so long. Zhang Xiaotian took out his phone again, tapped his mother’s profile picture, and stared for a long time without sending a single message. Just as he was about to put it away, his phone suddenly vibrated twice. He tapped it and saw it was Lu Bai.

Are you at the restaurant? I’m coming to find you now.

Seeing his message, Zhang Xiaotian’s mood improved considerably. He typed back: I’ve left the restaurant, don’t come.

Before he could send it, he heard someone call his name. He looked up and was met by a running Lu Bai, who embraced him tightly.

“Why are you here?” Zhang Xiaotian was startled. How did he appear so suddenly, like a magician?

“We agreed that I’d accompany you every day you worked, and I couldn’t today, but I still have to come pick you up.” Zhang Xiaotian’s head was pressed against his chest, and Lu Bai’s laughter, tinged with tremors, reached Zhang Xiaotian’s ears.

“Alright, alright, stop hugging,” Zhang Xiaotian pushed Lu Bai away. Being held like this, right in front of his workplace, was too embarrassing. Lu Bai released him with the force of his push. The two walked side-by-side towards the dorm.

“You said you were eating with high school classmates today, which classmate was it?” Zhang Xiaotian asked.

“Li An. He was the Class Monitor from our class in high school, do you remember him?” Lu Bai asked.

“I have some impression,” Zhang Xiaotian thought for a moment, and a figure seemed to appear in his mind.

“He remembers you. Last time I helped him out, he asked how you were doing. He actually wanted to invite you to dinner today, but I said you had to work. He also said he didn’t expect our relationship was still this good!” Lu Bai seemed very happy. “See, everyone in the class knows we have the best relationship!”

“That’s because you’re always clinging to me,” Zhang Xiaotian also smiled.

“But you’re willing to let me cling to you!” Lu Bai bumped into Zhang Xiaotian. “Isn’t that right, tell me, isn’t that right?”

“Yes, yes, I’m willing,” Zhang Xiaotian couldn’t refute him. He looked at the lively Lu Bai before him, and the image before him gradually overlapped with the Lu Bai from their second year of high school. Still a chatterbox, still clingy, as if nothing had changed.

It’s good that I can forget. Zhang Xiaotian exclaimed sincerely once more.