Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
When I saw Song Xiaoning at the police station, he had his head down and wouldn't look me in the eye.
I whispered his name, and tears started to flow uncontrollably. I said, "Why are you so foolish?"
Song Xiaoning had indeed gone to confront his father's attending physician, the cold-hearted man who cruelly refused to prescribe medication, no matter how much he begged or pleaded.
Although that man was injured, his life was not in danger. Song Xiaoning didn't want him dead; he just wanted to scare him.
But now he was going to be locked up. For the charge of intentional injury, Song Xiaoning was sentenced to three years in prison.
In such a small town, this kind of incident could be turned into various versions of stories, spreading through the winding streets and alleys.
I was afraid to hear any snippets about Song Xiaoning, yet I couldn't help but think of him.
I often had the same dream at night: Song Xiaoning, particularly calm and expressionless, told me, "Chi Xiaoting, after I'm gone, just pretend you don't know me."
In front of so many people, I slapped him hard across the face: "Song Xiaoning, you jerk!"
The slap left my palm tingling with pain; his face slowly flushed red, but he lowered his head and turned to get into the police car.
That was the last time I saw him, and that scene kept replaying in my dreams.
After Song Xiaoning left, I wrote him several letters.
I still often visited the repair shop to see Song Xiaoning's master. He would occasionally mention Song Xiaoning with a look of regret: "What a pity for such a delicate good kid. If only he had realized sooner and been advised, things might have turned out better."
After the New Year, the master turned sixty-four. He still looked like a sturdy old man and liked to sit outside the repair shop soaking up the sun when he had nothing to do.
He had no family; Song Xiaoning was considered his apprentice. He liked him very much.
The master said that when Song Xiaoning returned, he would still be his master, teaching him skills and helping him become a good person.
In my letters to Song Xiaoning, I wrote that he shouldn't think the world had abandoned him; both the master and I were waiting for his return.
This time, Song Xiaoning replied with a large sheet of white paper on which he wrote just one line: "Chi Xiaoting, will you still wait for me?"
How could I not? Silly boy.
If only I could walk to the ends of the earth, how beautiful that would be.
In the summer of 2007, Song Xiaoning returned.
I helped my master find the nut, and as I stepped outside, I bumped right into someone standing at the door.
"Xiaoning is back," my master said softly, rubbing his palms together.
I looked up and stared at the boy in front of me. He had grown much taller, so much so that I had to look up at him. He also seemed thinner, like a frail stick, and he walked with a slight hunch.
My arm slowly reached up just enough to touch his cheek. "Song Xiaoning, is that you?"
"Yes, it's me... Why are you crying? Look, I'm fine, aren't I?"
He put down what he was holding and pulled me into his embrace. "Chi Xiaoting, have you gained weight again?"
With the college entrance examination over, I had plenty of free time. Every day, I would hang out with Song Xiaoning in my master's repair shop. While he worked, I squatted beside him just like before.
At closing time, Song Xiaoning would ride a creaky bicycle with me on it, taking us around the moat and then cycling back home.
The wind rushed past my ears as we felt like a pair of down-and-out young lovers, as if we were about to run off to the ends of the earth. I kept urging Song Xiaoning, "Hurry up!"
The wind blew stray hairs into my mouth, but I was oblivious to it. When we finally stopped the bike, we both burst into laughter.
"Chi Xiaoting."
Song Xiaoning suddenly adjusted my shoulders and looked intently at me before gently brushing a strand of hair from the corner of my mouth.
I smiled slightly and then slowly rose onto my tiptoes to ask him, "Do you like me?"
After the holiday ended, I would be going to university in a neighboring city.
University turned out to be much more boring than I had imagined. Occasionally, Song Xiaoning would call me to say that business at the repair shop was busier and that his skills had improved quite a bit.
He also mentioned that once this season's work was done, he would take a train to visit me.
I replied that sounded great; when he came, I would take him out for grilled fish outside the school—it was really delicious.
I went to that little shop with a guy named Cheng Yusen.
In the library, he accidentally damaged my book. Even though I repeatedly insisted it was no big deal, he insisted on treating me to dinner.
I have to say, the grilled fish at that place challenged my taste buds; I absolutely loved it.
The only downside is that ever since Cheng Yusen treated me to dinner, he has become like an unshakeable piece of chewing gum stuck to my side.
I told him I really have a boyfriend, but he didn't believe me: "I've never seen you with anyone else."
"Come on, do you have any common sense?"
I was completely frustrated. Is it only a couple if they are glued together like conjoined twins?
I told him my boyfriend's name is Song Xiaoning, and we grew up together, making promises to each other. He is a really kind person, and I love him very much.
However, when Cheng Yusen stared into my eyes again and seriously asked if Song Xiaoning felt the same way about me, I suddenly fell silent for a moment.
That night, just as my lips were about to touch Song Xiaoning's cheek, he seemed to instinctively take a step back, leaving me awkwardly paused there.
He didn't answer my question; he just remained silent.
Comment 0 Comment Count