Chapter 77: Meeting
Mi Yang had arranged a time with Wang Bing on the way and had repeatedly reminded him. Although Wang Bing was not very willing, he would do what he had promised. Even so, Mi Yang was still not at ease. Thinking about what had happened today, although the way the young master Bai had given him the gift had made him feel uncomfortable, it was still a kind gesture. After being angry for a while, he felt a little soft again.
Bai Luochuan had only had him by his side for so many years. He would always save a portion of whatever was good to eat or fun to play with for him first. This phone, and the small pomegranate on his desk, were actually the same in the end.
Thinking of this, the last little flame in his heart was completely extinguished.
After Mi Yang got home, he told the old Mrs. Cheng, then went to ask for leave from Mi Hong, saying that he would not be coming to learn the craft for the next two days.
Mi Hong said, “Are you going to the Bai’s house? I’ll give you a few more days off. You can also play with your friends.” He gave Mi Yang a bamboo flute and said in a gentle tone, “The boy from the Bai family used to come and find you all the time. He’s been much better these past two years and doesn’t bother you when you’re learning. He doesn’t know many people here. You can take this and play with him.”
Mi Yang took the bamboo flute, rubbed it, and agreed.
Mi Hong said again, “The one of yours is still being polished. When I find good materials next time, I’ll make a better one for you.”
Mi Yang said, “Okay, thank you, Grandpa!”
Mi Yang took the bamboo flute and rode his bicycle to the Bai family’s old residence. The twenty-minute journey made him break out in a light sweat. When he arrived and asked, he found out that Bai Luochuan was not there.
An auntie who was cleaning the courtyard said, “He just went to the city with the old Mr. Bai. I heard they have something to do. They’ll probably be back tomorrow!”
Mi Yang was a little disappointed, but there was nothing he could do. He could only say, “Then please tell Bai Luochuan that I’ll come and find him in two days.”
The auntie smiled and agreed. Seeing him about to leave with his bicycle, she asked again, “Are you also a child from the town?”
Mi Yang nodded. “Yes. Is there anything I can help you with?”
The auntie put the bamboo broom aside and asked Mi Yang to wait for her for a bit. After a short while, she came back with a small bag and smiled. “Do you know Zhao Haisheng’s family? The one who is very tall and strong, about the same age as you… Or Wang Bing’s family? His house is just at the corner of the street, opposite a small shop with a lantern hanging.”
Mi Yang nodded. “I know Wang Bing’s family.”
The auntie said, “Then could I trouble you to help me take this to Wang Bing’s family and have Wang Bing give it to Zhao Haisheng for me?” She said as she opened the bag. Inside were two bags of White Rabbit creamy candies. She opened one bag and, ignoring Mi Yang’s protests, stuffed a handful into his pocket, smiling. “You probably haven’t seen me. I’m Zhao Haisheng’s little aunt. I just moved back to the town this year. It wasn’t easy to find a job, so I can’t go home often. I just miss the child a lot… My child’s name is Fu Qisheng. Do you know him?”
Mi Yang only kept one milk candy and put the rest back in the bag, shaking his head. “I’m also just staying at my grandma’s for the summer vacation. I only know Wang Bing and the others.”
The auntie sighed, then smiled again. “Ai, my child is more introverted.”
Mi Yang had a very good impression of this enthusiastic auntie. He hung the bag on the handlebars and, after saying goodbye to her, went back to the town.
As he rode, he thought that the name Fu Qisheng was too unfamiliar. He had no impression of it at all.
The memories of the past were becoming more and more faint. He could remember very little. Occasionally, some events would appear in his dreams, but now he even had very few dreams about his previous life.
Mi Yang sighed. Looking at the familiar small path in front of him, he felt that everything in front of him was more real and vivid.
It was just that some things he couldn’t remember clearly, while some he remembered clearly.
On the way, Mi Yang, for some reason, thought of the time he had come to give Bai Luochuan a cash gift. Thinking of that scene, the most dazzling was still the girl in a white dress standing beside him. Even in a dream, he couldn’t forget her with just a glance… But in the dream, Bai Luochuan had also kissed him.
Mi Yang’s heart was very sour, and for a moment, he couldn’t tell what he was feeling.
When he arrived in the town, Mi Yang delivered the bag of candy to Wang Bing’s. It just so happened that a few boys at Wang Bing’s were playing army chess. Mi Yang recognized the few on the left. On the right was Zhao Haisheng and a boy with an unfamiliar face. He was probably also fourteen or fifteen, but he was much darker and thinner. He stood to the side and didn’t take the initiative to talk about the chess, habitually pursing his lips and being very silent.
Mi Yang went over and put the things down. “Zhao Haisheng, you’re here too. That’s great. I just went to the Bai family’s old residence and met your aunt. She asked me to bring these over for your cousin.”
Zhao Haisheng took it and gave it directly to the dark and thin boy beside him, chuckling. “Thanks, thanks.”
Mi Yang smiled, his gaze falling on the boy. “This is your cousin, right? Fu Qisheng. I just have something to…” Before he could say the word “ask,” he saw Wang Bing throw down his chess piece and shout, “Qisheng, you take over for a bit!” He said as he pulled Mi Yang out and whispered in his ear, “Mi Yang, brother, you’re my brother, okay? Don’t ask yet. I haven’t mentioned this to Haisheng yet!”
Mi Yang narrowed his eyes and looked at him. Wang Bing pleaded, “Just give me a little more time. At least let me tell them.”
Mi Yang held up one finger. “Just one day. If you don’t say it today, I’ll come and talk to him myself tomorrow morning.”
Wang Bing said, “Alright.”
Mi Yang said again, “Why couldn’t you say it just now? Weren’t you the ones who were fighting?”
Wang Bing pouted. “Isn’t Qisheng’s mom working at the Bai’s house? You should at least consider his pride. In your heart, that young master…”
Mi Yang shook off his arm, dissatisfied. “You’re still biased against him! Besides, work is not divided into high and low. When I gave Fu Qisheng the candy just now, he didn’t have any reaction. I think you’re just overthinking it.”
Wang Bing held up his hands in surrender. “Alright, alright, I’m overthinking it. Is that okay?”
Mi Yang said, “Just one day. I’ll come and find you first thing tomorrow morning.”
Wang Bing said, “I know.”
Only then did Mi Yang leave Wang Bing’s house. As he was leaving, he couldn’t help but look at Fu Qisheng again. He really had no impression of this boy at all. He couldn’t help but frown and think seriously for a while, but he still couldn’t remember anything. He could still remember some of what had happened to Wang Bing and Zhao Haisheng and the others in the future, but only this person was like he had appeared out of thin air, without any impression at all.
Mi Yang thought for a while but had no clue, so he could only go back to his own house first.
In the evening, the old Mrs. Cheng made her best dish, chestnut stewed chicken. The taste from the iron pot and firewood was particularly rich. It had been stewed for a good hour before it was served. The chestnuts were glistening with oil, and the chicken was stewed until it was tender and fell off the bone with a touch of the chopsticks. It was particularly fragrant in the mouth. There were many people in the Cheng family, but this one iron pot was enough to eat. Two small pots of chestnut chicken were served. The old Mrs. Cheng had picked out the meatier parts for the children, but the little girls preferred the sweet and soft chestnuts inside.
With more people, the meal was also more fragrant. Mi Xue even had a second helping, eating half a small bowl more of rice. The little girl liked to mix the sauce with her rice the most. When Mi Yang saw this, he whispered to her to chew a few more times before swallowing. Mi Xue then slowly finished the rice in her small bowl and even picked up some green vegetables to eat, much more obedient than when she was at home.
There were no entertainment activities in the town at night. Mi Yang sat under the tree with the old Mrs. Cheng and looked at the moon. There was an old elm tree in the Cheng family’s courtyard, which was tall and large, with lush branches and leaves. The grandmother and grandson sat there, fanning themselves and chatting. The old Mrs. Cheng had not had much education, but she knew many myths and legends. She started from the Three Pure Ones and could even connect Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism a little. Mi Yang sat on a small stool and listened, thinking about his own thoughts on one hand, and chatting with her on the other.
After a few sentences, Mi Yang took out his phone to have a look. He had sent a message to the young master Bai in the afternoon, but there was no reply. He had just sent another one. By now, he probably wouldn’t reply.
The old Mrs. Cheng smiled. “Waiting for a friend’s call?”
Mi Yang said, “No, I’m just texting Bai Luochuan for fun.”
The old Mrs. Cheng said, “Luochuan, huh? He came to the house today. He’s very polite. He asked where you went. After I told him you went to the street, he even seriously asked if I wanted to go, saying that there was a car to take me. Aiyo, my old arms and legs can’t go. And I’m not at ease leaving your little sisters at home. Yangyang, I think Luochuan is very good. He’s really a good child.”
Mi Yang: “…”
Mi Yang touched the tip of his nose. “He’s, he’s alright, I guess.” He was always very particular in front of elders. He was not like this when he was alone with him.
As they were chatting, his phone rang. He answered it and heard the voice of the good child the old Mrs. Cheng had been praising nonstop, “Where are you?”
Mi Yang said, “I’m at my grandma’s. Did you see my text?”
Bai Luochuan said, “Wait for me for five minutes. I’ll be there soon.”
Mi Yang: “?? ”
Mi Yang quickly got up and ran to the courtyard gate. The old Mrs. Cheng was startled. “Yangyang, what’s wrong?”
Mi Yang said, “It’s nothing. You can rest here for a bit. I’ll go and see… Bai Luochuan is here!”
His heart was beating fast. He felt that it was not enough to wait at the courtyard gate. He thought for a moment, took a flashlight, and went out. The old Mrs. Cheng’s house was just two turns from the main road, which was wider. The young master Bai would usually come this way.
Not long after Mi Yang got there, he heard the sound of a car. The Bai family’s car soon appeared in his sight.
The person in the car also saw Mi Yang waiting on the side of the road and quickly pulled over. Bai Luochuan got out with a paper bag and whispered something to the driver, who then left first.
Bai Luochuan walked over, looked at Mi Yang, and didn’t speak first, his face tense.
Mi Yang looked him up and down and smiled. “Where did the young master go? You’re dressed so nicely.”
