Chapter Seven: An Unexpected Encounter with the Delightful Beauty

As noon approached, we left the neighborhood and found a small roadside restaurant, grabbing a quick lunch. At the checkout, I glanced up at the clock on the wall out of habit and blurted out, "It's still early, why don't we go shopping..." The words had barely left my mouth before I regretted them.

Ah! Truly, one brings misfortune upon oneself.

With no other choice, I accompanied Lele as we aimlessly wandered the streets for a full four hours, until my back ached and my legs were sore. It took all my effort to coax Lele home, and by then, evening was already drawing near.

After a hasty dinner at home, I followed my father to the teachers' apartments at First High.

Feeling nervous, I climbed the stairs. The door was opened by an old man in his early sixties, with graying hair and a face etched with deep wrinkles beneath a pair of antique reading glasses.

"Mr. Li, this is my son," my father announced, giving me a gentle push from behind.

"Good... good evening, sir," I greeted him, a necessary politeness, mingling my nervousness with a trace of reluctance, bowing slightly.

The old man nodded in acknowledgment, stepped aside to let me in, and gestured for me to enter. At the entrance to the living room, more than a dozen pairs of shoes of all kinds were scattered about, as if hosting a world expo of footwear, and a pungent, sour odor hung heavily in the air, nearly suffocating.

"Xiao Bei, I'll be heading back now. Remember to pay attention in class and take good notes!" my father reminded me, as he always did.

"Yeah, yeah, I know, I know..." I replied impatiently, holding my breath as I hurried through the living room under the old man's direction, arriving at his dining room.

"Find yourself a seat," the old man said, handing me a worksheet before turning and retreating to the living room.

It was only then that I noticed two large round folding tables had been set up in the small dining room. Around them, a dozen or so students were busily whispering to each other. What struck me as odd was that, despite my arrival, not a single person looked up at me.

Scanning the room, a figure all too familiar suddenly caught my eye. "No way, what are the odds?" I rubbed my eyes in disbelief, feeling a wave of anxiety tighten my chest.

I forced myself to take a deep breath to calm my nerves, then strode over and sat down beside a girl who was bent over her worksheet. "Chuchu," I called softly.

Chuchu, surprised to see me there, exclaimed, "Piggy Bei, what are you doing here?"

"I missed you, so I came," I joked without restraint.

Chuchu didn't hesitate; she immediately stomped hard on my foot. "Are you looking for trouble?"

Her annoyance was clearly feigned. Putting on an innocent face, I continued to tease her. "Heartless Chuchu, can't you show a little pity for beauty?"

Chuchu turned away, pretending not to hear, twirling her pen and returning to her exercises.

Left to myself, I was about to open my textbook when Chuchu suddenly asked, "Piggy Bei, did you watch yesterday's match?"

"Uh, I did." That question struck a raw nerve; the images of Chuchu and Lin Wei together yesterday replayed in my mind, scene after scene.

"What are you thinking about, Piggy Bei?" Seeing me lost in thought, Chuchu nudged me hard.

"Nothing..." I forced a bitter smile, no longer able to focus on anything she was saying, merely nodding mechanically in reply.

"I have a girlfriend now," I blurted suddenly, taking advantage of a lull in her chatter.

"Really? Who is it? Do I know her?" Chuchu sounded genuinely interested in this 'breaking news.'

Avoiding her curious gaze, I felt an unexpected tightness in my chest. "It's Lele," I murmured.

Chuchu was briefly stunned, but quickly recovered, bursting into laughter. "Wow, congratulations! Not bad, Piggy Bei, you even managed to win over the beautiful Lele..."

"Chuchu... I..." My chest felt painfully tight.

"Hmm?" Chuchu looked at me wide-eyed, puzzled. "Pighead, if you have something to say, just say it." Her excitement suggested she'd sensed something new in my tone. She shook my arm eagerly.

"It's nothing..." I spun the pen in my hand over and over, trying to hide the sadness I felt.

"You’re always like this..." Chuchu shot me a disappointed look, made a mock-threatening gesture, then turned away, leaning back against me as she gazed silently at the temporary blackboard the old man had hung on the wall.

The old man, meanwhile, was energetically explaining the steps to solve a problem, waving a half-broken piece of chalk. He spoke with passion, spittle flying, but to me time dragged on endlessly, and I fought off sleep, glancing repeatedly at the clock in hopes this torment would end soon.

I don't know when Chuchu fell asleep, but as I glanced at her tranquil face, I couldn't resist gently nudging her shoulder. Her eyes remained tightly shut, and she merely shifted slightly. Confronted with such captivating beauty, I was paralyzed, daring not to move at all.

"Pig, wake up!" In the haze of sleep, I thought I heard someone calling me. I opened my eyes to find Chuchu glaring at me fiercely. "You pig, it's bad enough you sleep in class, but you even grabbed my hand and wouldn't let go. I couldn't move at all..."

"Hey! Chuchu..." That wretched Chuchu always managed to blame me first. I felt like a wronged heroine from a tragic opera, or a pitiful character from an ancient tale of injustice.

Chuchu gave me no chance to explain. She got up and yanked my arm hard. "Class is over. What are you still sitting there for? Hurry up and walk me home!"

"Ouch! Stop!" At her tug, a wave of pins and needles shot through me. I'd been leaning against Chuchu for so long I was completely numb.

"Chuchu, my arm's asleep, stop—wait..."

Chuchu grunted and reluctantly let go, tossing her backpack at me. "Piggy Bei, I'm going to the restroom. Wait for me at the door. If you dare sneak off, you're dead meat tomorrow!" With that, she was off before I could respond.

I had no choice but to agree and sat for a while longer until the feeling returned to my body. I picked up Chuchu's bag and slowly made my way to the bathroom door.

At that moment, the door creaked open and Chuchu, head down, barreled straight into me. Her face flushed scarlet, she hurriedly shoved me away, snatched her bag, and pinched my arm viciously. "You pighead! I told you to wait outside, not here!"

"Uh... uh..." I scratched my head and grinned sheepishly, at a loss for what to do next.

"What are you standing there for? Let's go!" Seeing me hesitate, Chuchu gave me another shove. My senses finally returned, and, like a chastened child, I meekly followed Chuchu out of the old man's apartment.