128. How about I come over to your place?-Back to 2003(Rain, snow, and purple frost at dawn.)

The day after the biology exam, we returned to the classroom. Cheng Mengfei announced that we should return on the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth lunar month to collect our report cards. After offering a few standard reminders about staying safe during the holidays, she dismissed us.

Amidst the sound of desks and chairs scraping against the floor, the students, eager for the break, swarmed out of the room. Wang Ke was also in a hurry to get home. Seeing Fang Chang'an sitting still, she puffed out her cheeks and said, "I'm leaving now!"

Shen Mo turned back and waved at her, saying, "See you next year!"

Wang Ke smiled and replied, "See you next year!"

Noticing that Fang Chang'an was also waving at her, she lifted her chin, deliberately ignoring him, and walked out of the classroom with Zheng Lili.

Shen Mo looked at Fang Chang'an. "Aren't you leaving?"

Fang Chang'an smiled. "No rush. I'll wait until the crowd thins out. There are too many people right now."

Shen Mo nodded. Seeing that her aunt was still standing at the podium watching the students leave, she didn't rush either. Once the first wave of students had passed, she stood up with her small backpack. Just as she was about to say goodbye to Fang Chang'an, he stood up as well.

Seeing her standing there, he asked curiously, "Are you coming?"

"Are you going home with me?" The little girl opened her eyes wide in surprise. "Aren't you going home?"

"I have to leave the classroom to go home, don't I?"

Fang Chang'an gave her a look that suggested he thought she had lost her mind. Realizing she had misunderstood, Shen Mo pouted in dissatisfaction and walked to the podium with her backpack. Seeing this, Cheng Mengfei stepped down from the platform.

Fang Chang'an walked to the door and unlocked it. He called out to Zhang Lu, who was still sitting in her seat, "Zhang Lu, I’ve unlocked the door. You can leave whenever you’re ready. Whoever leaves last, please just lock up."

Zhang Lu, who was still doing homework even after the exams, looked up at Fang Chang'an, then at Cheng Mengfei, and nodded. "Oh, right, I understand."

Cheng Mengfei seemed preoccupied, staring at Zhang Lu for quite a while. It wasn't until Shen Mo tugged on her sleeve that she snapped out of it. She gently patted Shen Mo’s hair and turned to the students in the classroom. "Everyone, head home early."

She then walked out of the classroom. Seeing Fang Chang'an still waiting, she asked curiously, "What’s this? Not in a hurry to go home after all?"

Fang Chang'an smiled. "If you aren't in a hurry to leave, I’d like to discuss something with you."

Cheng Mengfei smiled. "That works out perfectly. Let's head to the office."

Shen Mo looked at her aunt with curiosity, feeling that she had been acting a bit strange today. She then looked at Fang Chang'an, who also noticed that Cheng Mengfei seemed to have something on her mind, though he didn't press her for an answer.

The office was empty. Cheng Mengfei unlocked the door, sat down at her desk, and asked, "Go ahead, what is it?"

Fang Chang'an hesitated for a moment before asking, "When we collect our report cards, will we be receiving awards as well?"

Cheng Mengfei was surprised by the question and chuckled. "Yes, don't worry. You'll get yours."

"That's not what I meant." Fang Chang'an didn't beat around the bush. "I wanted to ask if there are any awards like 'Outstanding Class Cadre'?"

Seeing Cheng Mengfei nod, Fang Chang'an asked, "Are you planning to give that to me?"

Cheng Mengfei smiled. "Yes. What's wrong? You don't want it?"

Including music and physical education, there were nine subjects, but only four class representatives. Most other duties were handled by Shen Mo, who was the study committee member. The main class cadres were just her, Fang Chang'an, and Zhang Lu.

In terms of their performance, there was no doubt that the "Outstanding Class Cadre" award was meant for Fang Chang'an.

Fang Chang'an smiled and said, "Teacher Cheng, if you weren't planning on giving this award to Shen Mo, I think it would be better to give it to Zhang Lu instead of me."

Cheng Mengfei was taken aback and asked, "Why?"

Although Zhang Lu was the deputy class monitor, she had very little presence in class. While it was true that she studied hard, her grades weren't good. Cheng Mengfei had a positive impression of her, but she didn't feel that giving Zhang Lu the "Outstanding Class Cadre" award would be convincing to the rest of the class.

Fang Chang'an explained, "Although I am the class monitor, I haven't really done much for the class. You know the situation with the breakfast arrangement as well as I do."

"In comparison, Zhang Lu is the one who opens and closes the door every single day. She does a much better job than I do. This semester, I haven't opened or locked the door even once. Zhang Lu has done it every time; I almost forgot I even had a key."

At the last remark, both Cheng Mengfei and Shen Mo couldn't help but laugh. Fang Chang'an joined in and continued, "Besides, the purpose of school awards is to encourage everyone to study. You’ve seen how hard Zhang Lu works. Perhaps she just lacks the right methods or aptitude, as her grades aren't that high."

"Neither Shen Mo nor I are in need of this particular award. If you give it to Zhang Lu, I think it would be a real encouragement for her."

Cheng Mengfei had indeed overlooked the "door opening" aspect. Hearing Fang Chang'an’s perspective, she realized that Zhang Lu’s dedication in coming early and leaving late every day was truly commendable. She was also impressed by Fang Chang'an’s maturity, the way he viewed things, and his generosity. She didn't even notice that he had changed how he addressed Shen Mo in his final sentence.

After all, she and Shen Chengyan called her "Mo Mo" all the time, so it sounded familiar and she hadn't paid it any mind.

Shen Mo, however, had caught it. She looked at him with her bright, sparkling eyes. Then, seeing that both Fang Chang'an and her aunt treated it as something normal and unworthy of attention, she began to doubt herself. Was she being too sensitive? Was this not something worth noting?

As the young girl secretly reflected on this, Cheng Mengfei had already made up her mind. She nodded and said, "I really did overlook that. However, I have to consider Zhang Lu’s feelings—whether she would even want such an award... I'll think about it."

She laughed again. "Why does it sound like nobody wants the award?"

Shen Mo giggled. "If Zhang Lu doesn't want it, you can give it to me! I never said I didn't want it. Having an extra award would be something I could show off to my mom and dad. But the other classmates would definitely think you're being biased, Auntie."

Cheng Mengfei tapped her on the head. "Extra award, indeed! If you don't do well on your exams, you won't get any awards at all. Let's see how your parents scold you when they come."

"That's impossible!" Shen Mo pouted, her expression full of confidence. "I knew I would get an award the moment I finished the exams."

Cheng Mengfei was left speechless, though she clearly looked happy. She looked at Fang Chang'an, seemingly wanting to say something, but hesitated and stopped. She stood up and said, "Is that all? Let's go."

Fang Chang'an asked, "Is there something you wanted to tell me?"

Cheng Mengfei patted his head and smiled. "No, it's just that you’ve been coming to my house every week lately, and now that the holidays are starting, you won't be able to make it. I’m just not quite used to it yet."

Fang Chang'an laughed. "Then after I finish my books, I’ll come over to your place to borrow more."

"Sure, come anytime. You're always welcome."

Fang Chang'an knew Cheng Mengfei wasn't telling the whole truth, but since she didn't want to elaborate, he didn't press her. He couldn't help but wonder what was truly on her mind.

Leaving the office, the three of them went downstairs together. Fang Chang'an headed to the dormitory, while Cheng Mengfei and Shen Mo walked toward the back of the teaching building to get their electric scooter.

Fang Chang'an walked a few steps, then turned back to watch Shen Mo follow Cheng Mengfei into the distance. The little girl, dressed in a white down jacket, would occasionally hop a little, looking very happy. The hood of her jacket hung behind her neck, and a white fluffy ball on the tip of the hood bounced along with her joyful mood. Under the sunlight, it swayed back and forth.

The not-so-warm sunlight seemed to cause some kind of reaction on that fluffy ball, or perhaps it was just a visual effect from watching for too long, but Fang Chang'an saw her figure slowly being swallowed by a hazy, brilliant halo.

Amidst the swirling light and shadow, she seemed to turn back and wave her little hand at him. Her delicate, jade-like face was still exquisite and beautiful, showing a hint of childishness but already beginning to reveal the look of a young maiden. She looked bright and charming, and her clear, sparkling eyes shone with genuine joy, as if it were a scene of reunion. Even the shape of her lips seemed to be calling out, "Fang Chang'an!"

...

"The next time we meet, won't it be in high school?"

Fang Chang'an shook his head vigorously, and his vision cleared. Shen Mo had already walked to the east end of the teaching building with Cheng Mengfei and was no longer visible.

He stopped dwelling on aimless emotions, took a deep breath, and turned toward the dormitory.

To borrow a phrase from martial arts novels, the mountains are high and the rivers are long; there will always be a day to meet again. Compared to Shen Mo, the more pressing matters were his own family's affairs—he couldn't let his father continue to work like this...

Thinking this, Fang Chang'an walked through the moon-shaped gate of the living area and saw Fang Lujun waiting outside the cafeteria shed. He paused, and Fang Lujun spotted him immediately. "Why did you just get here? Qiuqiu and Yingying have been here for a while."

Fang Chang'an said, "I had something to take care of. Why are you here?"

Two boys rode past on bicycles and greeted him:

"Brother Chang'an!"

Fang Chang'an nodded in acknowledgment. Fang Lujun looked at the two boys and said, "I was worried that you wouldn't be able to carry your bedding home on your bike, so I came to help you carry it."

"Oh, right."

Fang Chang'an had actually been worried about how to get it home and smiled. "Dad, your timing is perfect. I was just stressing about that."

Before he could finish, a few more boys greeted him from the front: "Brother Chang'an!"

"Brother Chang'an!"

...

Fang Chang'an tried his best to maintain a natural smile. Seeing his father looking over, he explained sheepishly, "They are all my classmates. That’s how they usually call me."

Fang Lujun nodded and said nothing.

As they walked to the dormitory, Wang Ke pushed her bicycle out of the girls' dormitory. Seeing Fang Chang'an, she was about to call out to him, but the moment she saw Fang Lujun, the smile on her face vanished, replaced by a well-behaved, cute expression. She walked up and greeted him softly, "Hello, Uncle."

"Oh, hello!"

Fang Lujun finally felt acknowledged by someone he considered a potential "daughter-in-law." He responded with a warm, kindly smile and added with concern, "Are you heading home? Take it slow on the road."

"Yes, thank you, Uncle."

Wang Ke replied sweetly, passing the father and son. Then, she turned her head back and glared at Fang Chang'an with a huff, lifting her chin in a "don't want to talk to you" manner before turning and walking away.

"Brother Chang'an!"

Walking into the boys' dormitory, there was another series of greetings. One of the boys, a second-year student who looked quite mature with a scruffy beard—one who could easily pass for a high schooler—made Fang Lujun suspicious. "Is he in your class, too?"

"Uh... he just looks a bit older, but he's about the same age as me. He was held back a year."

Fang Chang'an was worried that if his dad stayed at the school any longer, he might go home and tell his mom that he was the leader of the school's delinquents. He quickly returned to his room, gave his packed bedding to Fang Lujun, and grabbed his own backpack and bicycle.

Then, amidst the calls of "Brother Chang'an!", he left.

Since it was the start of the holiday, the school gates were effectively open. Fang Lujun parked the tricycle on the playground, placed Fang Chang'an's bedding inside, and Fang Chang'an pushed his bicycle over. Fang Dianqiu and Fang Ying had already put their things in as well.

Fang Lujun drove in front, and they followed. In town, Fang Chang'an and the others were faster, but once they left the town, they were left eating his dust.

It wasn't even eleven o'clock when they arrived home. Fang Changming and Fang Yanran were already on holiday and were playing outside with the local children. Occasionally, one could hear the sound of scattered firecrackers.

Although it wasn't even the "Little New Year" yet, the festive atmosphere of the New Year was already clearly palpable.

Fang Lujun had only been away from home for three months, which didn't sound like a long time, but when you're a child, time always feels longer. Even the time Fang Lujun had been away felt magnified. At lunch, the whole family gathered together, and there was a strong sense of "reunion."

However, this atmosphere lasted less than two minutes. Once Fang Lujun turned on the new big color TV, only Fang Chang'an and Cong Rong were left at the table; the other three were busy passing dishes back and forth.

Just as Fang Chang'an was about to complain, the phone inside started to ring. Fang Changming and Fang Yanran scrambled to answer it, and since Fang Yanran was closer, she won. Her childish voice could be heard:

"Hello?"

"Yes, yes, we're eating... Big Brother... Sister Mo Mo is looking for you!"

Fang Chang'an found it a bit strange. He hadn't expected that after his emotional moment at school—thinking the next time they met would be in high school—she would call the moment he got home.

He put down his steamed bun and chopsticks and went to answer the phone. Fang Yanran was still talking to Shen Mo, chatting enthusiastically about how they were on holiday.

Fortunately, she was sensible. Seeing Fang Chang'an approach, she said, "My big brother is here. Sister Mo Mo, we'll talk later."

Fang Chang'an took the phone and said, "Hello." He heard Shen Mo ask, "Fang Chang'an, are you free this afternoon?"

"Yes, what's up?"

"Can I come over to your house then?"