Chapter 18: Expulsion
1974 Words
This week, I've been staying at school and attending classes every day, trying to leave a good impression on my advisor. I can't afford to lose any more credits; otherwise, I really won't be able to graduate.
"Zhao Fei, are you free?" Xuan Ling walked up to me and said.
I looked at Xuanling; she was feeling much better, her complexion had become more radiant, and the clothes she was wearing were very tight. She was the kind of petite woman whose figure was even more accentuated by tight-fitting clothes.
I said, "Is there something?"
"Oh, the student council has nothing to do with me anymore. I don't have to rush to meetings or check this and that. I want to go shopping, can you accompany me?" Xuan Ling said.
I looked at Cheng Na beside me and said, "She can keep you company..."
Xuanling glanced at Cheng Na and said, "But I want to go with you..."
Xuanling seems to have become bolder and bolder. In the past, she had many reservations when talking to me, but ever since she confessed her feelings, she seems to boldly ask me for things she wants.
I just happened to want to go to Rui Li Avenue as well. I heard from Zeng Hong that my mom sells purple rice there, so I said, "Alright, I'll go with you."
Xuanling was very happy and left the school with me. We waited for the bus at the station near the school. When the bus arrived, we got on. The bus was quite empty because Kunming University is almost in the suburbs, so there were very few people at the last stop.
Sitting in the car, I watched the scenery outside whizzing by. Suddenly, I felt a head resting on my shoulder. I turned to look and saw Xuan Ling with her eyes closed, the fine hairs on her face clearly visible. Her skin was very delicate, her features as refined as her figure. Compared to Zeng Hong, she seemed more approachable.
"I used to always fantasize about having someone on the bus who could be my pillow, and this wish has finally come true," Xuan Ling said.
The way she speaks is beautiful and very sweet. Xuanling is the type of girl who is sweet and gentle, but I don't know if she is clingy. I don't like clingy women.
She said, "Do you know why you used to have so many friends, but now you don't have anyone around you?"
I find it very curious to listen to. I don't know, I always feel that even if I borrowed money, I still paid it back. Although it took a bit long, it shouldn't be to the extent that they all avoid me, right? So there must be other reasons.
"You were very outstanding before; you were the top student in the county who got into Kunming University. In your freshman year, you had straight A's, and your professors liked you very much. You were charismatic, and many people wanted to be your friends. You also had a good relationship with Zeng Hong, so those who hung out with you thought you must be from a wealthy family. College students had already lost the innocence of high school, and everyone made friends with ulterior motives. But when yourXuanling said.
Xuanling's words were very right. I looked at Xuanling and said, "What about you?"
Xuan Ling said, "I've always focused on your strengths as a person. The rest, I don't care about..."
"You care, otherwise, why didn't you confess before? You were afraid that the radiant me would reject you, so you only appeared in front of me when I had nothing left..." I said.
Xuanling's hand was tightly gripping my arm, and I could feel her tension. I looked out the window; Xuanling meant well, but it also hurt my pride. However, I didn't mind. At least, true feelings are revealed in times of trouble.
The car arrived at Ruili Avenue, and we got out. I walked ahead. My previous words seemed to have made the atmosphere between us a bit cold. Xuanling followed behind. I could hear the sound of her high heels hitting the ground, very hurriedly. Her legs were short, so the distance she could cover was limited. To keep up with my pace, she had to walk a bit faster.
I turned back to look at Xuanling. She was very anxious, a bit of sweat forming on her forehead. Finally, she caught up with me, looking a bit apologetic, holding her bag with both hands and lowering her head. Her small and cute appearance made me reluctant to continue our cold war. I reached out my hand, and she smiled, took my hand, and walked beside me.
Neither of us spoke, only using our feelings to convey our emotions at that moment. Her hand was sweating, and I was also enjoying the simplicity of the moment.
Kunming Avenue is the most bustling pedestrian street in Kunming, with a dazzling array of shops and many luxury boutiques. As we walked outside the brand-name stores and looked at the clothes in the windows, the prices on the tags were shocking, often reaching hundreds of thousands. I really find it hard to imagine who would buy such things.
Xuanling stopped in front of a hat store, looking at a knitted Chanel hat, a very cute wide-brimmed beret. She stood there unwilling to leave. I saw it was knitted and said, "Yunnan doesn't have winter, you won't need a hat like this."
"But there will be other places. I've always dreamed of walking hand in hand with the man I love in a snowy world, and this hat is perfect for that atmosphere," Xuan Ling said with longing.
Yunnan doesn't have winter, so it's hard to see snow, and it's even harder in Kunming. Perhaps because snow is so rare, every Kunming girl probably dreams of having a romantic snowy night walking with her boyfriend on a romantic snow-covered path.
I looked at the hat, it was very expensive, costing thirty-eight thousand...
"Do you want it?" I said.
She looked at the hat, wanting it very much, and remained silent for a long time, but then she suddenly said, "I'll come back to buy it when it snows, not now..."
After she finished speaking, she pulled me away. I was very grateful to Xuanling. I really wanted to buy it, but I couldn't afford it. Even though I had two hundred thousand in my card, spending thirty-eight thousand on a hat was something I just couldn't bring myself to do. Luckily, Xuanling was very smart and pulled me away.
I said, "What if someone else buys it? Won't you be disappointed?"
"Hehe, the hat is secondary. The main thing is having someone to hold hands with. This hand will definitely be very warm in winter," Xuan Ling said.
She held my hand tightly, I looked at her face, and felt very content...
Suddenly, I stopped in my tracks. I looked at the main road, where a middle-aged woman was pushing a cart and shouting, "Bamboo tube purple rice, five yuan each..."
Looking at her, my eyes became moist. It was my mother. The weather was very hot. She was pushing a cart, her face tanned from the sun, sweat trickling down her neck, soaking her clothes. I choked up a bit. My mother is only fifty, but she made me feel the weight of many more years.
I walked over, and my mom looked at me a bit surprised. I said, "Mom..."
"Xiao Fei, don't you have class? Is this little girl your classmate?"
I listened to my mom, watching Xuan Ling. She took out a wet wipe from her bag and, with a bit of tenderness, wiped the sweat off my mom's forehead. My mom smiled, a sweet smile, and looked at me with eyes full of satisfaction.
Xuanling took my mom to a shady spot and even bought her some water. I stood by the side with my cart, feeling very frustrated. On such a hot day, my mom had to come out to sell purple rice. I could have made her life a bit better.
"Auntie, I'm Zhao Fei's... girlfriend... just call me Xuanling..." Xuanling said shyly.
My mom listened and looked at me. Although she didn't say anything, the joy in her eyes was impossible to hide.
Xuanling's presumptuous words made me a bit unhappy, but I didn't deny it. I saw my mom happy and didn't want to disappoint her, and Xuanling didn't mean any harm either.
"Have you eaten yet? Come on, have some purple rice..."
My mother hurriedly stood up, took a bamboo tube from the box on the cart, split it open, and handed it to Xuan Ling. My mother's hands were covered in cracks, which hadn't been there before but had appeared recently. I knew it was from cutting bamboo. Those hands, which used to be delicate, had now become weathered.
Xuanling gratefully accepted the purple rice, took a bite, and said it was delicious. My mom was very happy, and I was also very pleased. Xuanling didn't show any disdain for my mom, and this respect made me very grateful to Xuanling.
"Wife, bring me two servings of purple rice..."
I saw someone standing at the door, waving at my mom, shaking a ten-dollar bill in their hand. I was very angry; why did they call my mom "old lady"? I really wanted to curse at them, but my mom hurriedly pulled me down and said, "Stay with Xuanling..."
She quickly grabbed two servings of purple rice after finishing her sentence and handed them to that person.
"Wife, don't set up a stall at our doorstep, hurry up and leave..."
"Alright, I'll leave right away..."
My mom ran back again, still smiling at Xuan Ling. She wasn't angry, but I was really upset. I said, "Mom, don't come out to sell purple rice anymore. Can I make money?"
"What's wrong with selling purple rice? You're making your own living. Have you been attending classes properly lately? Did you go gamble on stones again?" Mom asked me angrily.
I looked at my mom's expression, not knowing how to respond. I didn't want to lie to her, but if I didn't, I definitely wouldn't pass. I said, "No... I'm just attending class properly."
"Is Xuanling doing well? Is he attending classes properly?" my mom asked Xuanling.
Xuanling was very embarrassed. She looked at me, stood up, and I gave her a pleading look. After a while, Xuanling said, "Yes, Auntie, she has classes every day. We are in the same department..."
"That's good. Xiao Fei used to be very sensible and I didn't have to worry about his studies. But ever since his father passed away, he's been going down the wrong path a bit. You should keep an eye on him, okay? Come over to our house when you have time," Mom said.
"Got it, Auntie. If Xiao Fei is willing to take me there..." Xuan Ling said while looking at me.
"Willing, willing..."
Mom said with a happy smile.
"Old hag, you can't set up a stall here. Can't you see the notice? Hurry up and leave, or I'll take your stuff..."
I saw a middle-aged man pointing a stick at my mom, looking very fierce. I was a bit angry, but my mom quickly pulled me away to leave.
I feel very frustrated inside. My mom is just setting up a stall, why does she have to be chased around? But I can't blame others, I can only blame myself for not being successful.
But I told myself that in the future, I must buy a shop here for my mom, selling nothing but purple rice!
- Writer
