CY – Chapter 6

Chapter Six

Along the way, Zhang Xiaotian organized his thoughts and finally couldn’t help but ask, “So, what have you been up to these past two days?”

“You finally asked me,” Lu Bai said, as if expecting praise. “I listened to you and found something to do.”

Zhang Xiaotian couldn’t help but laugh at his smug look, thinking he was even more childish than in high school.

“What did you do?”

“I joined the department’s basketball team,” Lu Bai replied. “From now on, I’ll have training on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and sometimes we’ll play matches against other departments. You should come watch!”

“Okay,” Zhang Xiaotian agreed.

“Can I pick you up after class when I have time?” Lu Bai asked again.

“Why would you pick me up? I’m not going to get lost?”

“Otherwise, I’ll be bored. Can’t I just go to the self-study session with you?” Lu Bai snatched Zhang Xiaotian’s bag and slung it over his shoulder. “Promise me, or I won’t give your bag back!”

“Whatever, come if you want,” Zhang Xiaotian said.

Five minutes before the evening self-study session ended, the Class Monitor started a brief class meeting.

“Given how poor our class’s participation in activities has been, we’ll be assigning roles for events like lectures and knowledge competitions sequentially based on student ID numbers.”

The students below grumbled.

“I have no choice,” the Class Monitor said, with his arms crossed on the podium. “Some of the school and department activities, while not offering academic credits, still require a few students from each class to act as atmosphere builders. But no one from our class ever signs up, and we can’t always rely on the same few accommodating people to be the scapegoats. Please be considerate of each other.”

“This time there are two activities: one is a fire safety awareness event, and the other is a Red Ribbon lecture. Two people per event, each worth 0.5 academic credits. There’s also a campus safety skit, with no limit on the number of participants but a minimum of five. If we place in the top three at the university level, there’s a reward of 0.5 to 1 academic credit. We’ll start with student ID numbers ending in 1.” The Class Monitor quickly assigned the tasks and ended the meeting before the bell rang.

“Tian’er, I remember our student IDs are quite close,” Lu Bai said, walking beside Zhang Xiaotian with his bag. “I’m number 4, what about you?”

“Number 5,” Zhang Xiaotian replied.

“Number 5, let me calculate…” Lu Bai did a quick count. “That means it’s the skit.”

Since there was no limit on participants but a minimum of five, number 5 was a definite must. Zhang Xiaotian nodded.

“It’s fine, they say it’s easy, we can just act it out casually,” Lu Bai said.

“We should still be a bit serious, there are academic credits involved.” Since Zhang Xiaotian switched his part-time job to tutoring, he had more free time, and with nothing else to do, he decided to find something to occupy himself. Besides, no university student could resist the allure of academic credits.

“That’s only if we get to the university level,” Lu Bai said. “And it’s not that easy to get into university-level competitions. I’d rather accompany you to more lectures later.”

“How will we know if we don’t try?”

So, for the next few days, Zhang Xiaotian would take out the script whenever he had free time and memorize a couple of pages, his seriousness second only to preparing for a pop quiz.

“I really admire people like Xiaotian who just do it when they decide,” Zhou Bin, whose student ID was 7 and was also participating in the skit, said. “I looked at the script and my head started to hurt. With such short notice, can we really remember all these lines?”

“I understand, Bin. For you, whose brain cells have been fried from your irregular schedule, memorizing these few pages is a bit too much,” Xu Yan said, comfortably lounging on his bed playing on his phone after a shower.

“Ah, Mom Xu, do you not care about your Bin anymore?” Zhou Bin feigned wiping away tears. “Xiaotian, look at Mom Xu, she doesn’t pity us at all!”

“Huh?” Zhang Xiaotian, who had been memorizing, turned to Zhou Bin. “What were you two just saying? I wasn’t listening closely.”

“Damn, it’s nothing,” Zhou Bin walked over and flipped through his script, looking greatly surprised. “I didn’t expect you to be so serious, Xiaotian. With you here, I think my academic credits are secured.”

“Don’t get your hopes too high,” Zhang Xiaotian turned back to his book. “I just hope we don’t embarrass ourselves too much on stage.”

“What were you talking about just now?” Lu Bai asked, pushing open the shower room door and emerging with a damp aura. “I just heard Zhou Bin wailing, did he get beaten up?”

“This script is bullying me,” Zhou Bin covered his face in mock agony.

“Don’t drag my Tian down,” Lu Bai walked over to Zhang Xiaotian and rested his chin on Zhang Xiaotian’s head. “Memorizing so diligently, little disciple?”

“Stop messing around, wipe yourself dry,” Zhang Xiaotian was busy with his lines and didn’t have time to deal with him.

“Alright, you’re really dedicated,” Lu Bai stood up, tidied Zhang Xiaotian’s messy hair, and asked, “When do you go on stage?”

“Next Monday,” Zhang Xiaotian said. “Seven-thirty in the evening.”

“Then I won’t be able to watch your competition, I have to go to a lecture,” Lu Bai said.

“I’ll record our Tian’er’s heroic performance for you,” Zhou Bin said, gesturing a few times in front of his eyes. “With these sharp eyes of mine.”

“Whose Tian’er?” Lu Bai swung a fist at Zhou Bin. “He’s my Tian’er, you have no part in him.”

“Okay, okay, your Tian’er,” Zhou Bin rolled his eyes at him, only to be flicked on the forehead by Lu Bai.

As it turned out, Zhang Xiaotian’s last-minute cramming was not in vain; their class actually won first place in the department and would represent the School of Medicine in the university-level competition. On Tuesday evening, before the self-study session, Zhou Bin eagerly shared the good news with everyone.

“You have no idea how amazing we were on stage, we were like this!” Zhou Bin spoke passionately, giving a thumbs-up to show around. “Our acting skills alone conquered everyone from the adjacent film department!”

Zhang Xiaotian tried to stop his exaggerations, but it was too late.

“So you’ll be participating in the university-level competition too?” a classmate asked.

“Don’t even talk about university level, we wouldn’t be afraid even if people from the city came!” Zhou Bin was still ecstatic. He looked up and saw Lu Bai entering through the back door.

“Lu Bai, Xiaotian made it to the university level!” Zhou Bin quickly went to greet him. “You didn’t see Xiaotian’s performance yesterday, he almost won an Oscar!”

Zhang Xiaotian couldn’t stand it anymore. “Zhou Bin, stop it, I just memorized the lines well…”

“Don’t be modest, Xiaotian. Compared to everyone who couldn’t even memorize their lines, our class was exceptionally outstanding!”

“I just didn’t want to embarrass myself, so I memorized it a few more times,” Zhang Xiaotian said. “I didn’t expect that even this would be considered outstanding.”

“Getting into the university level is indeed great news, but our current level won’t rank high in university-level competitions,” the Class Monitor said, scrolling through his phone and showing the list of classes that made it to the university level. “Let’s go for it, turn a bicycle into a motorcycle! Brothers, it seems we need to practice more.”

“More practice, Class Monitor!” Zhou Bin said with a mournful face. “Please let me go…”

Lu Bai bypassed Zhou Bin, who was arguing with the Class Monitor about reducing practice sessions, and walked directly to Zhang Xiaotian’s side.

“Made it to university level, Actor Zhang?”

Zhang Xiaotian tried to nudge him with his elbow, but Lu Bai caught it and wouldn’t let go. He let Lu Bai hold it and used his other hand to scroll through his phone, seeing a new message from the Class Monitor in the skit group chat.

Tomorrow afternoon during the empty class, let’s find an empty classroom in the annex building for rehearsal. Everyone be there early!

“You guys have a lot of practicing to do,” Lu Bai’s voice came from above. “The Class Monitor seems very motivated.”

“Perhaps he didn’t expect our class to get this far, and he’s a bit excited now,” Zhang Xiaotian replied without looking up, sending a “Received.”

“So when’s the next competition?”

“In two weeks,” Zhang Xiaotian said.

“I’ll skip self-study the day after tomorrow to watch,” Lu Bai said.

“Just don’t get caught,” Zhang Xiaotian reminded him.

“Then I’ll accompany you for the rehearsals these two days too!” Lu Bai slung an arm over Zhang Xiaotian’s shoulder.

“No need, don’t come,” Zhang Xiaotian said. “Just come on the day of the competition.”

After self-study ended, almost as soon as the bell rang, more than half of the students left the study room. Zhang Xiaotian wasn’t in a hurry. While packing up, he spoke to Lu Bai. “When we get back to the dorm, you shower first, I…”

Before he could finish, Lu Bai received a call. He held up his phone to Zhang Xiaotian and turned to go outside to answer it.

Zhang Xiaotian finished packing and went out, looking in a few places before finally finding him in the pantry. Lu Bai was still speaking quietly on the phone. Seeing Zhang Xiaotian standing at the doorway, he covered the receiver and said, “Wait for me.”

Zhang Xiaotian didn’t make a sound, forming the words with his lips: “No rush.” He then stood by the door and took out the script to memorize.

Fewer and fewer people were in the building, and gradually only Lu Bai’s quiet phone conversation could be heard. Zhang Xiaotian didn’t know when he stopped memorizing the lines, but he maintained the posture of looking at his phone, his attention actually focused on Lu Bai.

“…It’s only been a few days since school started. Over a month? I didn’t even notice,” Lu Bai said softly. The other person on the line seemed angry that Lu Bai hadn’t contacted them in a while. “Okay, I’ll call you every week from now on.”

“The school food is good, I can eat it.”

“…I’m adapting well. I have old classmates here, so don’t worry about me.”

Old classmates? Zhang Xiaotian guessed Lu Bai was referring to himself and couldn’t help but look up at him. Lu Bai also happened to look at him and smiled, “Mom, I’ll hang up now. My classmate is waiting for me to go back to the dorm. I’ll definitely call you next week.”

After hanging up, Zhang Xiaotian walked over to him. “Was that Auntie calling?”

“Mm,” Lu Bai walked with Zhang Xiaotian towards the stairs, looking down at the script in his hand.

“How’s the memorization going?” Lu Bai asked him. “Need me to run lines with you?”

Zhang Xiaotian handed him the script. “You read.”

Lu Bai took it, flipped to a page, and read aloud: “I’m a bit short on cash lately, can I borrow some money from you… Damn, I can’t take it, it’s so awkward to say it out loud!”

“You can’t take it? Then thankfully it’s not you on stage.” Zhang Xiaotian reached out to take the script back, but Lu Bai dodged.

“What’s this plot about?”

“It’s about campus loans.” Zhang Xiaotian tried to snatch it again. “Are you going to practice or not? If not, I’m going back to memorizing.”

“Wait, wait, let me see.” Lu Bai dodged while looking, and asked, “This person asking to borrow money from you, Zhang Ting, is she your girlfriend?”

“In the script!” Zhang Xiaotian hit him. “Give it back!”

“Hey, easy!” Lu Bai flipped through the pages. “Is she the only girl?”

“Look for yourself,” Zhang Xiaotian said.

“I still haven’t recognized everyone in our class,” Lu Bai hummed softly.

Zhang Xiaotian felt something was strange, but couldn’t quite figure out what it was.

“Really amazing,” Lu Bai nodded as he read. “You memorized so many lines. Why didn’t I see you get this serious before?”

I get serious plenty of times. Zhang Xiaotian wanted to glare at Lu Bai, but when their eyes met, he couldn’t help but look away. “I just didn’t want to embarrass myself too much on stage.”

“A serious man is the most charming,” Lu Bai said. “You’ve captured my heart, I’m completely devoted to you now.”

“You’re something else,” Zhang Xiaotian waved his hand at him.

“Lu Bai!”

As training ended, Lu Bai was walking towards the locker room when the captain jogged up from behind, calling out to him.

“How was it? Tired from training? A few of us are going out for dinner later, want to join?”

“No thanks, Captain,” Lu Bai slowed his pace to walk alongside him. “I have evening self-study later.”

“Oh, oh, evening self-study…” The captain paused, then continued, “Next week, we have a match against the School of Chemical Engineering. Some of the senior students have classes that day and can’t play. I think you’re doing pretty well, can you fill in?”

“What day is it?” Lu Bai asked.

“It’s not set yet, we’re still coordinating,” the captain said. “Are you playing? Give me a definitive answer.”

“Not sure yet,” Lu Bai said. “I’ll give you a definite answer once the specific time is confirmed, Captain.”

“Hey, you kid?” The captain frowned. “Seize the opportunity when it arises! Our School of Medicine doesn’t have many activities, and you won’t have a chance to participate if your classes increase later.”

“Mm,” Lu Bai didn’t look up, pressing his phone to check the time.

“Our School of Medicine’s basketball team isn’t like other schools; it used to be just for show. Since your year arrived, it’s actually started to look like a team. If you could show a bit more enthusiasm, I’m even considering making you the next captain.” The captain mused aloud, lamenting the lack of an audience. “I joined the team with dreams of a vibrant university life. Although I haven’t experienced much youthfulness yet, since I’m doing it, I have to do it seriously. You should be a bit more serious too!”

“I know,” Lu Bai said, neither yielding nor pushing. “I’ll think about it.”

“Decide in the next couple of days!” the captain said with a pout.

Lu Bai nodded, seeing the time on his phone strike the hour. He hastily bid farewell to the captain and turned to leave, opening Zhang Xiaotian’s profile as he walked and sending him a message.

Where are you? I’ll pick you up for self-study.

Zhang Xiaotian replied a while later: We’re rehearsing, probably one more round. Don’t come, I’ll see you directly at the self-study room later.

Lu Bai didn’t agree and still asked for his location, immediately rushing over. When he reached the door, on impulse, he didn’t go in directly but went to the back door and looked through the window.

The annex building was usually deserted. Even with a crack in the double-paned glass, no one had repaired it. Looking from outside, the crack divided the people rehearsing inside into two groups. Zhang Xiaotian stood alone on the left, holding a prop, while the others were on the right, laughing and joking. Lu Bai found Zhang Xiaotian amusing and wanted to take a photo, so he zoomed in on him with his phone. Just then, he saw Zhang Xiaotian smile faintly and was stunned. He saw Zhang Xiaotian smile and, crossing the crack, stand with the others. Zhou Bin saw Zhang Xiaotian walk over and said something that made everyone laugh even harder. The laughter could be faintly heard through the door.

On the left side of the crack, there was now no one.

Lu Bai felt a sense of unease for no reason. Zhang Xiaotian looked the same as before, just as quiet, just as diligent in his work. His eating habits, preferences, temper, habits, and tone of voice were all exactly the same as before, yet something was different. Lu Bai stared at Zhang Xiaotian for a while, then turned and left.

Zhang Xiaotian had expected Lu Bai to come find him soon, but to his surprise, Lu Bai hadn’t appeared even after they finished. He kept thinking about it, feeling that the clock on the wall was ticking slower than usual.

“That’s it for today,” the Class Monitor said after another run-through. “If we stay any later, the cafeteria will be closed.”

“I’m too tired, Class Monitor!” Zhou Bin said unceremoniously. “I’m not coming tomorrow.”

“Whether you come or not is up to you. But if you drag everyone down on the competition day, I’ll deal with you properly,” the Class Monitor said, rolling up the script and pointing at him. Zhou Bin quickly raised his hands in surrender.

“I was wrong, Class Monitor, I’ll definitely come tomorrow!” He quickly packed his things and hurried out the door. “I’m leaving!”

The rest of them also started to leave one by one, leaving only Zhang Xiaotian lagging behind. Zhang Xiaotian was still wondering whether to call Lu Bai when Lu Bai’s message arrived:

I’m waiting for you in the self-study room, I brought you dinner.

Zhang Xiaotian arrived at the self-study room and easily found Lu Bai sitting in the back row. He tapped the desk, and Lu Bai looked up, smiling at him. “I brought you some fried rice, you definitely didn’t have time to eat.” Lu Bai pushed the food over. “Eat up.”

Zhang Xiaotian didn’t take it and instead asked, “What about you, did you eat?”

Lu Bai blinked. “Guess?”

“I’m not very hungry, you eat first,” Zhang Xiaotian pushed the food back again. “Didn’t you have training today?”

Lu Bai shook his head. “You never finish your food, I’ll just eat your leftovers.”

What was the deal with always eating his leftovers? Zhang Xiaotian really didn’t understand why Lu Bai insisted on this. It had already caused him enough misunderstandings before, and he couldn’t let it continue like this. He took off the lid of the fried rice container, scooped out a small portion onto it, and pushed the rest back.

“Is that enough? If not, we can go eat something after self-study.”

Lu Bai hadn’t expected this and paused for a moment.

“Why do you always pick at my leftovers?” Zhang Xiaotian said. “Isn’t it better to eat our own?”

Lu Bai looked at him without speaking.

“Eat up, it’s almost time,” Zhang Xiaotian handed him the chopsticks. “When you have a girlfriend, go pick at her leftovers.”