Chapter Eleven: Fleeting Beauty

  After the Spring Festival, I started my tense high school life. Actually, I really hope to go to college. Because I have experienced it once, so I understand the beauty of university life. But my grades are not very good because there are too many "social activities".

  "May I sit here?" While leaning on the table and daydreaming, a female voice asked beside my ear "Li Hui, aren't you coming tonight?"

  I looked at her, drowsily saying: "You sit down, Li Hui is not coming." She nodded and sat in the seat next to me, starting to recite her textbook. The girl's name was Ren Han, who had been assigned to our class from the liberal arts department over a year ago. Having been classmates with her for more than a year, this was my first time speaking to her.

  High school life is like this, Yu Xiuzhuo once wrote in "Flower Season Rain Season": "Primary school students are in groups; middle school students are in clusters; high school students are in pairs." This saying is really classic. Students are divided by gender and form their own cliques in threes and fives. Except for a very small number of early romances, the rest of the boys and girls almost never interact with each other. I can't even remember all the names of the girls in our class because there's no place for us to interact. Although I've been to high school before, this rigid barrier still can't be broken.

  I was lost in thought when Ren Huan asked me softly, "I see that Li Hui is not coming to evening self-study. Can I sit here in the evenings from now on? It's much quieter here than in front." I came back to my senses and casually replied, "It's fine, as long as you don't disturb my sleep, I have no opinion even if you come every evening." She looked at me, seemingly wanting to say something but hesitating, then asked, "The mock exam is the day after tomorrow, aren't you going to review?"

  I pouted and said, "What's the hurry? In my experience, cramming for two months before the college entrance exam is more effective than studying for two years. Of course, math is an exception. But anyway, I won't be able to learn math, so forget it."

  "With your experience" Ren Han asked strangely: "You seem to be a freshman too?" "This is what the seniors say, I'm just quoting." I quickly explained: "But I think it makes sense."

  She gave me a weird look and continued to recite her book. I, on the other hand, continued sleeping, I was so sleepy, having woken up at 3 am this morning to send Yang Can off. At the end of class, Ren Han kindly woke me up, I thanked her and packed my things before leaving the classroom.

  As I walked to the school gate, I saw a strange scene: people didn't rush out of the school gate like they used to after school, but instead carefully divided into two groups, one on the left and one on the right, walking out along the gate pillars. "Strange, why are the students so orderly today?" I wondered as I followed the crowd, but couldn't help looking curiously outside the school gate.

  Only after walking out of the school gate did I realize that it wasn't because the students' quality was high, but because there were a few motorcycles parked horizontally and vertically at the school gate, with several young people sitting and standing looking towards the school gate. From time to time, some students would pass by and nod their heads in greeting.

  I was just lamenting the current state of affairs when I heard someone from the crowd shouting, "Have you all gone around in circles? You're still holding on to it, my Russian friend, do you understand? Maybe the government will even give me an award."

  "Alright, alright, you've caused enough trouble for the Moscow girls, and you're still being friendly!" Liangzi took over his words and said: "Come on, don't bother explaining to us, just get to the point."

  Cui Lei also realized that he had gone off topic, and after a pause said: "These two years have been tough for us peddlers. I discussed it with Liang Ge and Bao Cheng Ge, and we slowly withdrew from Russia. Our steel materials are selling well, so we thought of opening a company to specialize in this business."

  Liangzi nodded and continued: "Leizi's idea is that we all pool our resources, first set up a trading company with goods and materials, let Baocheng take the lead. Leizi and I will continue to raise scattered funds. We'll leave 20% of the shares for you."

  I hastily shook my head and said: "No, you guys work hard for your money, I appreciate the sentiment. If there's anything I can help with, just let me know. But I won't take any shares."

  Bao Cheng hastily advised me: "Be careful, watch out for your waist." Cui Lei laughed and scolded, then strode away.

  Having dinner, Lian Ge wanted to send me back, I refused him. This is not far from my old house, and I just went to see my grandfather. Walking to the Flower Square, I saw a sky full of kites flying, a group of old men and children competing for whose kite was higher. I stopped watching with great interest. It seems that since my sister went to Hong Kong, I haven't come here to fly a kite again.

  Suddenly, a fiery red figure ran past me, and I heard a little boy shouting: "Sister, run fast, it's going to fly!" I listened to the little boy's words and curiously looked at the already distant red figure.

  "Yuan Han!" I blurted out. She didn't hear my shout, running far away to fly the kite, lifting her head and focusing all her attention on the sky. Her focused expression was just like my sister's many years ago...