Chapter Eight: Where to Go from Here

“Piggy Bei, come with me to the night market.” Restlessly, Chuchu perched on the back rack of my bike, suddenly scratching at my side with surprising force, a mischievous grin on her face.

Just this afternoon, I had spent hours shopping with Lele; by now, my legs felt heavy as lead. Yet when it came to Chuchu’s request, I simply couldn’t find it in myself to refuse. Left with no choice, I could only steel myself and play along. With a sigh, I turned my bike around and headed toward the night market.

I parked at a bike stand not far from the bustling market. Before I could even lock up, Chuchu had already slipped into the throng.

“Chuchu, wait for me…” Worried I’d lose her in the crowd, I hurriedly paid the parking fee and rushed after her. I wandered aimlessly through a sea of people for what felt like ages before finally catching sight of her at a small stall selling trinkets. Afraid of losing her again, I mustered all my strength and squeezed my way to her side.

“Chuchu, slow down…” I panted as I stood behind her.

“Piggy Bei, do you think this bracelet is pretty?” Without turning around, Chuchu found my position with a glance from the corner of her eye, then dangled a silver, sparkling bracelet in front of me.

“It’s… not bad,” I replied, scratching my head.

“Not bad means it’s not pretty, huh.” Disappointed, Chuchu prepared to return the bracelet to the stall.

“No, no! It’s beautiful! Chuchu, you look good in anything!” Realizing she’d misunderstood, I hurried to explain.

“You and your flattery, you silly pig.” Chuchu pouted, but a trace of happiness flickered across her face. “Boss, how much for this bracelet?”

Busy tidying up the disarrayed goods, the stall owner, a man in his early forties, barely glanced up when Chuchu spoke. “Twenty-five,” he replied absentmindedly.

“Twenty, please, boss.” Chuchu put on her best pitiful look.

The owner gave her a longer look this time, saying nothing. Chuchu quickly added in a wheedling tone, “Come on, boss, I’m a regular! Give me a student discount, please…”

Apparently, the boss couldn’t withstand the charm of a delicate girl; with a reluctant wave, he capitulated, “Fine, twenty it is…”

Satisfied, Chuchu reached for her wallet to pay.

“I’ll get it.” I beat her to it, pulling twenty yuan from my pocket and handing it over.

“Hmm?” Chuchu glanced back at me, then tucked away her wallet with a grin. “Well, thanks, I won’t stand on ceremony then.” As she spoke, she stretched out her hand, signaling for me to help her put on the bracelet.

I fumbled awkwardly with the clasp, only to look up and find Chuchu gazing at me with a bright, teasing smile. Her look made me feel completely at a loss, unsure even where to put my hands. Sensing my embarrassment, Chuchu stepped closer and slipped her arm effortlessly through mine. “Piggy Bei, let’s go! Big sister’s treating you to milk tea!”

“Sure…” How could I let such an opportunity slip by? I nodded without hesitation.

We headed straight for a nearby café named Grand Lisboa Corner and took a seat in a quiet spot toward the back. Not long after, our milk teas arrived, and the two of us sat quietly across from each other, sipping our drinks in silence. Outside, the city bustled with life, but in here, a strange tranquility filled the air—so quiet, in fact, that it was almost awkward.

Chuchu propped her chin on one hand, idly twirling her straw as she drank. Perhaps my dull company was boring her.

I rolled the cloyingly sweet milk tea on my tongue, gazing dreamily at the girl before me—a girl more familiar than anyone else. Yet, whenever our eyes met, we’d look away with silent understanding. I wanted to say something, anything, but when the words reached my lips, they vanished.

It was late by the time we finished our drinks, but neither of us seemed eager to go home. I pushed my bike, walking slowly beside Chuchu as she kept her head down, kicking at the pebbles on the ground. Watching her slender figure in the streetlight’s glow, my thoughts unexpectedly drifted to Lele.

“Damn it!” I smacked my own head in frustration. What a mess of thoughts.

“Careful!” In the midst of my confusion, Chuchu suddenly yanked me sharply to the side. Carried by the momentum, I stumbled several steps to the right, nearly losing my balance, just as a taxi sped past, missing me by a hair.

“That was close!” Cold sweat broke out all over me.

“You idiot! Watch where you’re going…” Chuchu scolded me furiously.

“I didn’t expect you’d care about me so much, Miss Chuchu.” I couldn’t help teasing.

“Hmph! As if I care whether you live or die. If you want to get yourself killed, go ahead—just don’t drag me down with you! The world’s a fine place, and I plan on sticking around a while longer…” With a huff, Chuchu gave my bike’s back wheel a fierce kick, her reaction betraying just how shaken she’d been.

By the time I got home, it was nearly eleven. After a blissful hot shower, I sat back down at my desk, bored out of my mind, and half-heartedly opened my textbooks under the pretense of studying.

Staring out at the streetlights flickering in and out beneath the window’s yellow glow, I soon found myself dozing off. Just as I drifted into a haze, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I reached for it, but it seemed to be snagged on something. By the time I managed to free it, the vibration had stopped. Peering blearily at the screen, I saw five missed calls from Lele.

Worried she might need me for something urgent, I quickly sat up and dialed her back.

The phone rang for a long while. Just as I was about to hang up, Lele’s voice finally came through. “Hello?”

“Lele, is something wrong?” I glanced toward my parents’ room, lowered my voice, and asked softly.

“I missed you…” Lele replied with a sly laugh. “Piggy Bei, come on, be honest! Who did you sneak out with tonight for a date, hmm?”

“Chuchu.” The answer slipped out before I could think.

There was a long silence.

“Le… Lele! I’m just kidding! I only went with Chuchu to extra classes at Number One High tonight… Hello? Lele?” I scrambled to explain.

After another long moment, Lele finally replied, “I know… You don’t have to explain…”

“Yeah…” I forced a laugh, not knowing what else to say. “It’s late, Lele, you should get some rest. Remember to wait for me at the corner tomorrow morning.”

“Okay. See you tomorrow, good night!” Lele answered softly. I could tell her mood had shifted.

“Good night.” I waited until she hung up before putting down my phone. Rubbing my aching forehead, I couldn’t help but mutter to myself, “Lele, Chuchu, can either of you tell me where I’m supposed to go from here?”