CY – Chapter 26

Chapter Twenty-Six

Almost no one got out of the car properly; they were all supporting each other, staggering and trembling with every step, likely to throw up again by the time they reached the tree pit. Lu Bai looked like he was barely breathing, but his mouth was still sharp:

“Li An, hurry and kowtow to your Grandpa Lu,” he said, pausing to catch his breath between words. “Grandpa will waive the three kowtows and nine bows. Just one loud one will do.”

“I was the one who called out, weren’t you?” Li An was already thin, and now he looked like a matchstick swaying in the wind. “Everyone heard it, do you think I didn’t hear it?”

“Where’s the evidence? The witnesses?” Lu Bai was a little better, but he still propped himself up against the tree trunk with one hand, while the other hand massaged and pinched Zhang Xiaotian’s neck. Zhang Xiaotian sat on the bench, listless, letting Lu Bai do as he pleased.

“Everyone here is a witness!” Li An straightened his back. “Who didn’t hear you call out ‘Tian’er’ twice? Everyone heard it.”

Lu Bai seemed to just remember, and turned to look at the people standing beside him. Yin Li nodded at him with her eyes closed, Han Chengcheng also nodded. Lu Bai quickly glanced at Zhang Xiaotian, then argued again, “I only called out twice. Li An, do you even know how many times you called out? Yours was almost like reciting a menu.”

“Then let’s just call it even, it’s settled.” Li An patted his butt and was about to leave. “Everyone’s waiting to play, I don’t have time to play couple’s bowing with you here. Let’s go!”

“Who’s playing couple’s bowing with you! Hey, get back here, you!” Lu Bai tried to grab him, but then saw Zhang Xiaotian still sitting on the bench and returned.

“Tian’er, are you alright?” He took the water bottle from Zhang Xiaotian’s hand, unscrewed it, and put it back in his hand. “Drink some water, rest a bit more?”

Zhang Xiaotian shook his head and took a gulp of water. “Let’s go, I’m fine.”

Although it was a bit stimulating, they were all young people, so it wasn’t a big deal. The four of them rested briefly and were full of energy again. The two teams continued to play to their hearts’ content until night fell before gathering to return to the hotel.

Back at the hotel, after washing up and tidying themselves, Yin Li and Han Chengcheng came over, planning to play poker in Lu Bai and Zhang Xiaotian’s room.

“We bought some late-night snacks, and the address is for your room. We’ll eat together later.” Lu Bai blocked Yin Li, preventing her from entering. Yin Li insisted on squeezing in. “Let’s play for a while, don’t go to bed so early!”

“Do you want milk tea? I can buy it now?” Han Chengcheng was holding her phone, ready to place an order, when Lu Bai quickly stopped her. Yin Li seized the opportunity to slip into the room.

“Hey, you two!” Lu Bai turned to stop Yin Li, but Han Chengcheng also entered the room, smiling at Zhang Xiaotian inside. Zhang Xiaotian had a towel on his head and still had the dampness from the bathroom. He had heard the conversation outside while in the bathroom, and wasn’t surprised by the two extra people in the room. “Then I’ll buy some snacks too, we can all eat together?”

“Don’t buy for them!” Lu Bai, unable to stop anyone, was in a state of impotent rage.

“No need, Xiaotian, what I bought is enough,” Yin Li didn’t stand on ceremony, moved the table in the room, and took out the poker cards. “We’ll play 414, partners against each other. Yin Li and Chengcheng are a team, you two are a team. Whoever finishes first wins, and the losers have to do a dare!”

“Are there upgrades?”

“Of course!”

“Fine, don’t cry when you lose then!” Lu Bai came over to shuffle the cards.

“Lu Bai just likes to talk tough, right, Chengcheng?” Yin Li quickly came over and sat down. The four of them sat around the table, with teammates sitting opposite each other. Starting with Yin Li, they drew cards clockwise.

Zhang Xiaotian carefully thought about how to play his cards later. His father’s family rarely had such activities, and even if they did, he rarely participated. Therefore, he knew how to play but his skill level was average. However, Lu Bai seemed to be playing well. Although he appeared absent-minded, he could occasionally assist him. After several rounds, they not only didn’t fall behind but even had a slight advantage.

“Thank you for your indulgence!” Lu Bai played his last card, winning another round with Zhang Xiaotian. “We’ll finish them off in the next round.”

“We won’t let you have it so easy!” Yin Li gathered her cards and shuffled them three times before arranging them. “Again!”

If they lost this round, Yin Li and her partner would be even further behind. Zhang Xiaotian didn’t want to drag them down and couldn’t help but focus, but this time, his luck clearly wasn’t good, his cards were scattered and difficult to play. Zhang Xiaotian carefully considered, hesitating before playing each card.

It was Zhang Xiaotian’s turn to play again. He subconsciously looked at Lu Bai. Lu Bai quickly met his gaze, picked up his phone from the side, and tapped a few times. Zhang Xiaotian’s phone immediately vibrated twice.

Zhang Xiaotian picked it up and saw that Lu Bai had sent a “question” emoji. He replied: It’s fine. Then he sent another message: I’m not playing very well.

It’s fine, I’ll carry you. I play at home all the time. Lu Bai replied, sending a flexing little man emoji.

Zhang Xiaotian had just played his card. When he saw the message after picking up his phone, he replied with a cupped-hands gesture.

“I say,” Yin Li fanned herself with her cards, fanning her face twice. “Are you two hiding something from us?”

Han Chengcheng turned her head lightning-fast to look at her, the sudden movement startling Lu Bai. Lu Bai was confused: “What? Why the sudden shock? Who has secrets?”

“You two, Xiaotian, and you,” Yin Li threw out two cards. “As soon as you send a message, his phone vibrates. Are you two whispering secrets that even Chengcheng and I can’t hear?”

“Wait! Play!” Han Chengcheng quickly pulled out two cards and threw them on the table. “What if Xiaotian’s phone vibrated because of a group message? I saw the group chat was very lively.”

“Really? Let me see.” Lu Bai took out his phone again.

“Don’t just play with your phones, hurry up and play!” Yin Li threw out four fives, slapping them on the table. “Cover! Anyone? No one? I’m going!”

Zhang Xiaotian shook his head, Lu Bai glanced and said he didn’t want them, and continued to scroll through the group messages.

“One pair!” Yin Li threw out a red heart Ace. The others played two more rounds. Lu Bai was a bit distracted, constantly looking at his phone, fiddling with something. Yin Li couldn’t find an opportunity to play her remaining cards and could only watch the other three play. As she watched, she remembered something and asked, “Lu Bai, your kung fu was like a rollercoaster, why were you shouting ‘Tian’er’ so loudly?”

“Three circles!” Han Chengcheng startled, fumbling and playing three Queens. “It must have been an exclamation, you know, out of fear, so you used an exclamation, right, Lu Bai?”

Playing three circles just to cover a single card? Zhang Xiaotian didn’t understand. He turned to look at Yin Li, who was sitting next to him, feeling like she was about to jump up and ask Han Chengcheng to take back the three circles.

“Huh? What did you say?” Lu Bai snapped back to attention and asked, “What did everyone play?”

“Can you guys play properly?! Some are looking at their phones, and your conversation isn’t even lively. Besides, Chengcheng, what’s wrong with you? Why are you playing circles?” Yin Li slammed the table hard. “I called a pair, let me go first, ahhh!”

“…It’s fine, we can still win.” Han Chengcheng shrunk her neck, glanced at Zhang Xiaotian’s full hand, and played a card. “A nine?”

“A Jack.” Zhang Xiaotian followed with a Jack. Yin Li hummed and didn’t play. Lu Bai covered with a Queen, and the card rights fell to Han Chengcheng. Han Chengcheng pondered, played an Ace, and called a pair. Zhang Xiaotian was about to cover, but Yin Li stood up first, slamming her cards on the table.

“A pair, need one more!” Yin Li rubbed her hands. “I’m going!”

“Dead pair, anyone have four of a kind?” Han Chengcheng tidied her cards and said, “No one’s covering, I’m going.”

Zhang Xiaotian didn’t have four of a kind in his hand. Just as he was about to call Lu Bai, Han Chengcheng had already played all her cards. “Double dragons, I’m out.”

“Yes! We won!” Yin Li cheered. “If you hadn’t covered me a few times in the middle, Chengcheng, we would have won long ago!”

“My fault.” Han Chengcheng tidied up and shuffled the cards.

“What? I haven’t even played my cards yet!” Lu Bai’s attention only returned to the card table at this moment. “No, this doesn’t count!”

“Why shouldn’t it count? Who told you to play with your phone?” Yin Li sat back down.

Lu Bai explained, “You don’t know what was sent in the group chat just now. Li An had his clothes stripped by a few people in the class and their underwear photos were taken. I rushed to save one, and the rest were recalled!”

“I don’t believe you, unless you show me.”

Yin Li leaned over to look, but Lu Bai quickly blocked her. “Inappropriate behavior, inappropriate behavior! You’re a young lady, you need to be modest!”

“We haven’t even decided what dares Lu Bai and Xiaotian have to do yet,” Han Chengcheng reminded them from the side.

“Oh, right!” Yin Li waved her hand. “Then, Lu Bai has to go to the hotel lobby and sing ‘Qinghai-Tibet Plateau’ while dancing. Xiaotian will…” She paused for a moment, then said, “…Xiaotian will be in charge of filming.”

“I object!” Lu Bai protested. “Why does Tian’er just get to film?”

“Because you dragged Xiaotian down. If you had played properly and not looked at your phone, Xiaotian might have finished!”

“Um, actually, I’m not playing very well either…” Zhang Xiaotian tried to explain, but his voice was not as loud as Lu Bai’s.

“But if we miss this chance, we won’t have a chance to save Li An’s underwear photos anymore!” Lu Bai treasured his phone and put it away. “If I have to sing, I’ll sing. Am I afraid of you guys?” He then pulled Zhang Xiaotian and walked out of the room, with Han Chengcheng and Yin Li following closely behind.

As soon as they stepped into the elevator, Lu Bai chickened out. After much persuasion, he exchanged singing and dancing for just singing. Lu Bai arrived downstairs and, turning his grief into volume, had a strong presence, but he was completely off-key. After singing for only a few lines, he was asked back to his room by the security guard downstairs. His singing was not only recorded by Zhang Xiaotian, but also secretly recorded by passing students downstairs and posted in the class group chat, spreading faster than Li An’s underwear photos.

In the following days, they basically visited all the major attractions in B City, wasting not a single moment. Zhang Xiaotian felt very fulfilled every day in B City, so much so that he was reluctant to go home on the last day.

“Is there anywhere else you want to go?”

“I just messaged Yin Li, and she said Han Cheng and the others stayed up late watching dramas yesterday and couldn’t get up, so it’s just us two.” Lu Bai, wiping his face with a towel after washing up, asked Zhang Xiaotian, “If there is, we’ll go then. We’ll head back this afternoon.”

Anywhere else? Zhang Xiaotian suddenly remembered the temple called Baoguang Temple. Actually, his parents had no religious beliefs, and he had never been exposed to them since he was young. But for some reason, Zhang Xiaotian would always think of that mythical story in his spare time. Now that Lu Bai asked, he was indeed a little curious, but…

Zhang Xiaotian secretly looked at Lu Bai while changing clothes.

For the past two days, whether it was at the amusement park, museum, or park square, Lu Bai seemed very happy wherever they went.

But would he be willing to go to a temple…

There wasn’t much to see in a temple, and… there should be some do’s and don’ts, which might be very restrictive. Thinking about it this way, it probably wouldn’t be very interesting…

But Lu Bai was also quiet and well-behaved when visiting museums, so he probably…

Zhang Xiaotian put on his clothes and wanted to ask, but he didn’t dare. While he was hesitating, Lu Bai suddenly sat on his bed, leaned forward, and held his phone in front of him.

“Look here, are you interested?”

Zhang Xiaotian looked closely and saw it was Baoguang Temple, which he had just thought of.

“How did you…” Zhang Xiaotian was surprised.

“They said the scenery around here is quite nice, and there are murals inside. I thought you might be interested.” Lu Bai scratched his head. “You don’t like it? Should I look for something else?”

Zhang Xiaotian quickly said, “No, this is fine.”

Compared to other popular attractions, this place was much more secluded. Red walls, golden tiles, surrounded by green trees, and colorful prayer flags fluttering in the wind. There were few visitors, and the quiet footsteps were clearly audible. The two walked along the crisscrossing stone paths all the way to the main hall, where there were more people. Zhang Xiaotian showed Lu Bai the guide he had searched for in the car. They followed the guide to offer incense, then followed the monks to look at the murals. After walking around, they didn’t hear the monks talk about the story Zhang Xiaotian had seen online.

“Perhaps it was made up for traffic,” Zhang Xiaotian told Lu Bai the story. Lu Bai listened and said, “But it’s good if it can attract people.”

They wandered back to the main hall. A tall willow tree at the entrance, hung with prayer ribbons, was now surrounded by many people. The wind rustled through the leaves, brushing their faces. Monks swept the fallen leaves on the ground, and tourists prayed and made wishes under the tree. The warm sunlight of approaching noon poured down, and there was a small orange cat basking in the sun in the corner. Lu Bai quietly asked Zhang Xiaotian, “Should we also hang a prayer ribbon?”

Zhang Xiaotian nodded, and the two walked towards the tree.

Before writing, Zhang Xiaotian thought for a long time. He had decided on his wish a long time ago, and it hadn’t changed over the years. He wanted to have his own home, a home that belonged entirely to him, but if he wanted to be more specific, Zhang Xiaotian couldn’t say.

What kind of home would belong to him? This definition was too vague, and Zhang Xiaotian couldn’t imagine it. He remembered the day his mother said she would take him away and have him go back to his father’s house to pack his luggage. As soon as he entered the room, he saw a small cardboard box placed at the doorway of the bedroom. He walked over and opened the box. Inside were his broken toys from when he was little and some old clothes he often wore. Zhang Xiaotian didn’t see his books and thought he had forgotten to pack them, so he opened the door to get them himself. As soon as he entered, he saw his younger brother flipping through a book. This was his half-brother. He was lying on the bed he used to sleep in, and the bedsheets and pillowcases had also been changed to new ones. For a moment, Zhang Xiaotian couldn’t remember what the room used to look like.

“Xiaotian, you’re back? I put your luggage at the door…” His father’s wife appeared behind him and explained, “Isn’t your brother starting elementary school next year too? He’s a big boy now, he can’t always sleep with Mom and Dad. Since your mother is here to pick you up, I thought the room was empty anyway, so I cleaned it up for your brother.” She paused and then continued, “It’s okay, when you come back to this side occasionally, you can still stay in this room!”

“It’s okay, Auntie.” Zhang Xiaotian shook his head. “I didn’t mean anything else, I just wanted to take this book.”

“What book?” She walked into the room and saw her child flipping through a book in his hand. “Yangyang, give the book back to your brother, he’s taking it.”

“No!” The chubby boy lay on the bed. Upon hearing this, he quickly pressed the book under his belly. “Mom, didn’t you say Brother gave it to me!”

“You child, when did I say that?” The woman was a little embarrassed and tried to snatch it directly. “Give it back to your brother. If you want to buy one, tell Dad. When has your father ever not bought you anything? Come on, let go!” She then snatched it and placed it in Zhang Xiaotian’s hand.

Seeing this, the chubby boy pouted, and tears immediately streamed down his face. The woman said he was disobedient, but she still held him in her arms and comforted him. Zhang Xiaotian looked at the book in his hand, creased by the child’s accidental pressure. His father had bought it for him one day when he was drunk. He didn’t know what day it was, but his father came home drunk and crying, holding this book, and hugging him. But he was too young then to understand why his father was crying. He had read this book many times. In fact, it didn’t have any particularly memorable significance, but it had accompanied him for many years.

Zhang Xiaotian thought, what was he thinking at that time? He saw his stepmother carefully comforting her child, while his father, knowing he was leaving today, hadn’t shown up yet, and he couldn’t even take a book with him peacefully.

He remembered that he was actually a bit embarrassed at that moment, for his helplessness, and for his situation in this home for so many years. He didn’t take the book with him later, perhaps the book didn’t belong to him either, but had only stayed with him for a short time.

Zhang Xiaotian closed his eyes, not knowing how to write.

“Are you done writing?”

Lu Bai had already hung his wish. Seeing that Zhang Xiaotian hadn’t started writing, he walked over to him. He leaned down to look and saw that Zhang Xiaotian hadn’t written a single word.

“Too many wishes, don’t know which one to write?”

Zhang Xiaotian didn’t explain, just grunted vaguely.

“Then let’s just write the same as mine!” Lu Bai laughed when he heard this, put his arm around Zhang Xiaotian’s shoulder, and said, “Just write, get into a good university, and then… be brothers for life!”

“Write it like that?” Zhang Xiaotian looked at his profile. Seeing Lu Bai turn to look at him, he couldn’t help but smile too.

“Write it like that!” Lu Bai nodded. “Don’t be too greedy.”

“Okay, then.” Zhang Xiaotian turned his head and wrote what Lu Bai had just said, stroke by stroke, and hung it on the tree. The prayer ribbons on the tree complemented the green willow branches. Zhang Xiaotian clasped his hands together under the tree. It would be nice if it could come true as written on the ribbon.

“They say there’s a temple fair,” Lu Bai said, seeing that Zhang Xiaotian had already hung his ribbon and made his wish, and then walked towards him. “Do you want to stroll around before we leave?”

“Is there enough time?” Zhang Xiaotian asked.

“There’s enough time. Besides, we’ve already packed our luggage.” Lu Bai pulled him towards the temple fair.

Usually, the temple fair is most lively after dark. At this time, the temple fair didn’t have many more people than the temple itself, and there weren’t many open stalls. The two walked side-by-side on the stone path, and the wind blowing towards them carried the smell of skewers and egg waffles.

“Do you want to eat something?” Lu Bai walked towards the snack stalls. “Should we eat something here for lunch?”

“I’m not very hungry yet.” Zhang Xiaotian didn’t follow, but Lu Bai still bought two portions and brought them back.

As noon approached, people gradually increased. In the bright sunlight, you had to get closer to see people’s faces clearly. The two walked and ate, neither of them speaking. Zhang Xiaotian was indeed not hungry. After eating only a few bites, he put it down and carried it in his hand. Lu Bai finished his quickly, and then casually took Zhang Xiaotian’s.

“You…” Zhang Xiaotian wanted to say something but stopped.

“Ah, what?” Lu Bai’s words were muffled as he hadn’t swallowed his bite yet.

What ah? Looking at his silly appearance, Zhang Xiaotian almost wanted to put his hand to his forehead. You’re so naturally taking someone else’s leftovers?!

“It’s nothing.” Zhang Xiaotian looked to the side and casually pointed at a stall. “Let’s go look over there.”

This stall sold various figurines. The figurines on the table were diverse, including flowers, birds, fish, insects, flying beasts, as well as men and women of all ages. Before the two arrived, some people were already looking there. Zhang Xiaotian didn’t want to join the crowd and just planned to stand on the side and take a simple look, but he didn’t expect to actually see something that interested him with just a glance.

“…You came all this way just to look at this?” Lu Bai came over after throwing away the trash and saw Zhang Xiaotian playing with a ceramic figurine, a small dog that looked somewhat familiar.

Zhang Xiaotian held it in one hand, his fingertips rubbing the glaze of the small porcelain dog. It was a little uneven but felt very good. He held it up to show Lu Bai. “Look, it’s exactly the same as the one on your pajamas.”

“I didn’t expect you to remember so clearly.” Lu Bai walked over and reached out to take it. Zhang Xiaotian handed it over. The small dog figurine was palm-sized, with a yellow body and brown ears. It lay in his palm like a piece of butter. While Lu Bai was still looking, Zhang Xiaotian had already paid.

“You like it so much you want to buy it?” Lu Bai was surprised.

“It’s quite interesting.” Zhang Xiaotian put away his phone and reached out to get it back, but Lu Bai blocked him.

“I’ll make a mark for you, so you don’t lose it.” He picked up a marker pen from the stall and, without thinking, drew a flower on the dog’s belly.

“What is this?” Zhang Xiaotian looked at the small dog figurine with a “blooming belly” and was a little speechless.

“This way, the chubby dog will be different from other dog figurines.” Lu Bai dangled the small dog in front of Zhang Xiaotian’s eyes. “Little dog is blooming!”

“How childish.” Zhang Xiaotian grabbed Lu Bai’s hand and took the small dog, putting it in his pocket.

As they left, Zhang Xiaotian suddenly remembered, “You said we both spoke our wishes when we made them, so will they come true?”

“Damn it, Tian’er!” Lu Bai was also taken aback when he heard this. “What should we do? Should we go and kowtow again?”

“Forget it!” Zhang Xiaotian laughed at him.