CY – Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen

Li An, as expected, was up to no good.

“He said he’s too busy as the Class Monitor to rehearse the program, so he dumped the whole thing on me,” Lu Bai flipped through the list of participants in his hand, scratching his head. “This is going to be difficult.”

Zhang Xiaotian leaned over and whispered, “Poetry recitation. Have you guys found the script?”

“We can just find one online,” Lu Bai said. “Actually, I don’t have high expectations. As long as it doesn’t embarrass the class, and it’s better than last year, that’s enough.”

Last year’s chorus was pretty embarrassing. Zhang Xiaotian watched him pore over the list and couldn’t help but lean in again.

“What are you looking at?” Lu Bai asked him. “You don’t know anyone.”

“Can you handle it?”

“More or less,” Lu Bai said. “I might not have eaten pork, but I’ve seen pigs run, right? Just watch, I’ll make it brilliant!” Soon, Lu Bai arranged a time with five other classmates to rehearse in the classroom every evening after dinner.

After school in the afternoon, Lu Bai waited for Zhang Xiaotian to leave together.

“I saw the others go buy food. Can you still get something to eat this late?” Zhang Xiaotian had to speed up as he saw Lu Bai waiting for him.

“I’ll just buy something simple, I don’t have much of an appetite.” Lu Bai watched Zhang Xiaotian meticulously arrange his things. “Deskmate, are you a perfectionist? Your books are stacked so neatly.”

“Mind your own business,” Zhang Xiaotian stood up and gestured for Lu Bai to follow him. “As for you, this whole ‘no appetite’ thing, is the rehearsal difficult?”

“It’s not that,” Lu Bai said expressionlessly. “It’s just that this whole thing is a bit disgusting. If it doesn’t go well, it’ll look like I did it on purpose.”

“Didn’t you say you could make it brilliant?” Zhang Xiaotian said. “If you do well, you’ll slap his face then.”

“Deal. Then you give one slap, I give one slap. Li An’s face won’t stop swelling for days,” Lu Bai laughed so hard he couldn’t stand up straight. “Deskmate, you’re really wicked.”

“Likewise,” Zhang Xiaotian saw his mother standing at the school gate and quickly walked away from Lu Bai. Lu Bai followed Zhang Xiaotian out, said hello to his mother, and left. Little Tian’s mother stared at Lu Bai’s retreating figure and suddenly said, “Isn’t that the student I saw last time? I see him with you often.”

“Mm,” Zhang Xiaotian nodded.

Little Tian’s mother put the lunchbox in Zhang Xiaotian’s hand and asked, “Then it looks like you two have a good relationship.”

“Average, like with everyone else,” Zhang Xiaotian fiddled with the lunchbox. “If there’s nothing else, Mom, I’m going back.”

“What was his name again?”

“Lu Bai,” Zhang Xiaotian said again. “I really have to go, Mom. There’s a test paper I haven’t finished.”

Little Tian’s mother nodded, reached out, and straightened Zhang Xiaotian’s collar. “That’s right, focus on your studies. Having a decent relationship with classmates is enough.”

Zhang Xiaotian didn’t say anything and turned to walk back into the school gate.

He looked at a problem repeatedly, but had no clue. His fingertip twirled the ballpoint pen round and round, and Zhang Xiaotian kept pondering his mother’s words today. She usually only cared about his grades and not his school life. Why did she specifically ask Lu Bai’s name this time?

He looked up at the front of the classroom, where Lu Bai was leading a few people in rehearsal.

“Charge forward, wash away a century of filth, surging waves crash against the canyons, bringing forth… how many destinies have been tossed and turned.”

“I still feel like we’re missing something,” Lu Bai frowned, holding the script, and said.

Someone was unhappy. “You keep saying we’re missing something. You’re really taking this little performance seriously!”

“Hey, hey, hey, don’t argue!” A boy familiar with Lu Bai came out to mediate. “Old Lu, don’t be so demanding. We’re all just amateurs thrown in to fill the spots. This is already pretty good.”

“Exactly, the class advisor doesn’t have any requirements!”

The five people bickered back and forth, creating a scene like the snack street outside the school gate. Zhang Xiaotian, who couldn’t focus on his work anyway, rested his chin on his hand and watched them gesture. As the argument escalated, Lu Bai sat among them in silence, appearing to be a picture of silent wisdom. Perhaps he was tired of listening to them argue these past few days. He had it tough too.

At this point, more and more students returned to the classroom. Those few people lost interest in rehearsing and returned to their seats. Zhang Xiaotian also put away his lunchbox and took his water cup, planning to get some water. Lu Bai, who had been standing still, suddenly put his arm around someone’s shoulder and walked out of the classroom. Zhang Xiaotian, also going to get water, followed them. He heard Lu Bai say to the boy, “Never mind the others, Zhang Yang, you definitely weren’t putting your heart into it just now.”

The boy named Zhang Yang seemed to be the one who was initially unhappy. Hearing this, his voice rose sharply. “What do you mean, Lu Bai?”

“I don’t mean anything,” Lu Bai said. “Last year, when our class performed the chorus, you weren’t this uncooperative.”

“It’s already great that I can come to rehearsals every day. What more do you want?” Zhang Yang’s eyes were practically bulging.

“Don’t be angry, I might not have explained it clearly.” Lu Bai held his shoulder tightly, and Zhang Yang tried to break free but couldn’t. “What I mean is, you shouldn’t be limited to this much ability.”

“You…” Zhang Yang seemed surprised by Lu Bai’s words, his own words catching in his throat. “Of course, I don’t need you to tell me.”

“Then what’s with today’s rehearsal? Are you in a bad mood?”

“If it were up to my mood, I wouldn’t even be in this program.” Zhang Yang showed some impatience on his face, but still said, “I think we should just rehearse it casually. Li An agreed to just read the script, and the class advisor didn’t say anything. You insist on memorizing it. Exams are coming up soon. If you’re not worried, I am!”

“Oh, oh,” Lu Bai said thoughtfully. “Is that so.”

“It’s not me saying this, Old Lu,” Zhang Yang continued, seeing that Lu Bai wasn’t reacting much. “You know this program is just to appease the school. Otherwise, why wouldn’t they let the students who always stand out participate? Isn’t it because they think participating in activities wastes time, and they don’t want those few people to waste their time?”

“I know, what you’re saying makes sense,” Lu Bai sighed. “But now this has fallen on us, and we can’t avoid it. Let’s just do it to save face, and put on a good show.”

Lu Bai patted Zhang Yang’s arm as if coaxing a child. “Why do you think I agreed to Li An so readily?”

Zhang Yang remained silent.

“It’s because you’re participating that I agreed! I know you’re much better than me when it comes to arts and performance. Otherwise, I alone couldn’t pull this off.” Lu Bai lowered his voice, like a cult leader trying to recruit someone. “With you here, setting an example for the others, everyone will cooperate with me. Then our efficiency will increase, and that’s what truly saves time.”

After speaking, he looked around and saw Zhang Xiaotian, who had come out to get water, and motioned him over. Zhang Xiaotian walked over, and Lu Bai quickly grabbed him and asked, “Deskmate, tell me, was our classmate Zhang Yang’s recitation the most heartfelt during rehearsal just now!” He winked at him.

Zhang Xiaotian felt a bit speechless but still cooperated with Lu Bai and nodded. “Yes, his was good.”

“You two, that’s enough,” Zhang Yang said, looking displeased, but his tone was less stiff than before.

“Just bear with it for a few days. Since we’ve started, let’s do our best,” Lu Bai continued. “When the time comes, we’ll stand up straight on stage, and we won’t lose face. Right, Xiaotian?” He then threw a charming glance at Zhang Xiaotian beside him.

“Fine,” Zhang Yang didn’t know if he had heard him, but his tone had improved considerably. “It’s only because it’s you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t rehearse.”

With their agreement reached, Zhang Yang turned and went back to the classroom.

“You’re really good at deceiving people,” Zhang Xiaotian clicked his tongue.

“I just want to finish early,” Lu Bai smiled. “Listening to them argue every day is tiring.”

Seeing him smile, Zhang Xiaotian couldn’t help but ask, “It’s not impossible to just muddle through, is it? They said this program isn’t important.”

“Then we’ll embarrass ourselves in front of the whole school? I won’t do that,” Lu Bai stretched his arms, put his hands on his hips, and said to Zhang Xiaotian. “Besides, since we can do it well, why shouldn’t we do it well? Right, our Xiaotian?”

“Then good luck,” Zhang Xiaotian squinted at him and added, “Don’t call me Xiaotian.”

“Why?” Lu Bai asked. “I heard your mom call you that too?”

“Don’t call me that,” Zhang Xiaotian couldn’t explain it clearly. “Just use a different one.”

“Then what should I call you?” Lu Bai thought for a moment. “Zhang Xiaotian… Tian’er? Does anyone call you Tian’er?”

It was worse than Xiaotian. Zhang Xiaotian suppressed the urge to roll his eyes and walked towards the water room with his water cup. Lu Bai quickly followed him.

“No one calls you that, so I’ll call you Tian’er,” Lu Bai put his arm around Zhang Xiaotian’s shoulder. “My Tian’er and I have such great chemistry. I just blink, and you understand what I mean.”

Zhang Xiaotian looked at him strutting as if he were about to wag his tail, and found it amusing. He put down his hand, which had been about to push Lu Bai’s arm away.

Perhaps because he didn’t want to study, Lu Bai seemed to be fully focused on the poetry recitation. Occasionally, when Zhang Xiaotian zoned out in class, he would see Lu Bai, while listening to the lecture and flipping through his book, pressing the list and recitation script under his arm. He would sometimes write and draw on it, and occasionally ask for Zhang Xiaotian’s opinion.

“Tian’er, I paired Zhang Yang and Li Yuxin together yesterday,” Lu Bai pushed a piece of scratch paper towards Zhang Xiaotian with his fingertip. “But I thought about it when I got home, and I don’t think it worked well. You watched us rehearse yesterday, what did you think?”

“I wasn’t watching,” Zhang Xiaotian propped his face with his hand and stared at the blackboard, not looking at the paper.

“Impossible,” Lu Bai pushed the paper towards him again. “Every time I look back, I make eye contact with you. You were definitely watching us the whole time.”

“Illusion,” Zhang Xiaotian didn’t look at him and pushed the paper back.

“Hey, just look…”

“Lu Bai, have you learned everything and don’t need anyone to teach you anymore?” the chemistry teacher’s almond-shaped eyes narrowed. “Since you’re so willing to explain, then you tell me how you did the next question?”

“Damn it,” Lu Bai gritted out two words between his teeth, slowly stood up, tapped the test paper on the desk with his finger, and whispered to Zhang Xiaotian, “Which question, Tian’er?”

“12,” Zhang Xiaotian whispered back, covering his mouth with his hand. Seeing his pained expression, he was about to give him a hint about the method when Lu Bai had already answered it successfully.

“With such a smart brain, you don’t use it in the right place. I’ll wait for your chemistry grades to drop, and then I’ll give you a good scolding!” The chemistry teacher chided him a few times and let him sit down. As soon as Lu Bai sat down, he picked up the list again.

“Listen to the lecture a bit,” Zhang Xiaotian watched him for a while and tapped his notebook with his pen.

“I am listening,” Lu Bai raised an eyebrow at him. “I’m multitasking!”

“You’re amazing,” Zhang Xiaotian imitated him and raised an eyebrow.

“Then quickly let me see,” Lu Bai pushed the paper towards him again. “Do you think the formation will look good if I put him and her together?”

“Who is Li Yuxin?” Zhang Xiaotian asked.

“Oh, I forgot. You don’t know her,” Lu Bai pointed at the name “Li Yuxin” with his pen tip and then pointed to the side. “That girl by the window with short hair and fair skin is Li Yuxin.” He then muttered to himself, “No, the height difference between her and Zhang Yang is too much. It won’t look good together.”

“There are only six people in total, what kind of arrangement do you want to make?” Zhang Xiaotian looked at the list again. “Who are the other few?”

“That boy sitting next to the podium, my former deskmate, Jiang Lei.” Lu Bai pointed at Jiang Lei with his chin, and then continued, “The fourth person from the back, wearing glasses, is Li Wenbo.” He then pointed out the positions of two other girls to Zhang Xiaotian.

As they were talking, Jiang Lei, who was sitting in the front, turned around to do something and happened to make eye contact with Lu Bai. The two of them tacitly gave each other the middle finger. Lu Bai chuckled for a moment, then leaned in to talk to Zhang Xiaotian.

“Do you know why Jiang Lei moved to the front?”

“No,” Zhang Xiaotian shook his head.

“He and the girl behind him,” Lu Bai winked at Zhang Xiaotian at this point, “started dating last semester. He thought they were sitting too far apart, so he told the class advisor that he couldn’t see the blackboard from the back row and moved his desk there himself. Look at them, they’re still so lovey-dovey.”

Zhang Xiaotian also looked towards Jiang Lei’s side. Jiang Lei was looking at the blackboard, but his hand was behind his back, secretly passing a note to the girl behind him. The two of them were acting mischievously under the teacher’s nose, but perhaps because it was a blind spot, the teacher didn’t notice.

“Let me tell you, they were always so clingy even before they started dating…” Lu Bai was about to elaborate when the bell rang for the end of class. Jiang Lei, sitting in front, jumped up and called out to Lu Bai, “Lu Bai, let’s go to the restroom!”

“I’m going to the restroom first,” Lu Bai also stood up. “Wait for me to come back and I’ll tell you, Tian’er!”

With that, he ran out the back door like a gust of wind.