By the time the party broke up, everyone was tipsy. Yu Qianyi, her tongue thick with drink, was helped into a ride-share by Zhou Xuan and Li Xi. Shen Hao, still uneasy, made a phone call to Yu Qianyi’s older cousin.
“Her cousin’s place isn't far from here. I sent him the license plate number,” Shen Hao said. He had drunk a lot, yet his face showed no hint of a flush. He turned to Lin Murun. “You’ve probably met her cousin. He’s in Class One, name’s Yu Wenbo. He’s on pretty good terms with Si Bin.”
“I’ve seen him,” Lin Murun replied.
“What about you? Do you need a taxi?” Shen Hao waved his phone. “Maybe you can split a ride with someone.”
Lin Murun checked the time and shook his head. “No need. I can still catch the last bus.”
“Then get going.” Shen Hao, taking advantage of his height, gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder. “Your parents will worry if it’s too late. Menglai’s dad already called her several times.”
“Alright.” Lin Murun picked up his violin case and bid his classmates farewell. “See you at school.”
“Get home safe!” Li Menglai waved to him.
“Yeah, you too.”
The bus had already pulled into the stop. Lin Murun broke into a light jog to catch it.
As the bus started up, the unfamiliar faces and the streetlights were left behind, blurring into shimmering fragments of various colors. The holiday had only just begun, and the city’s nightlife was only just starting to stir.
***
“You’re distracted.” Across the room, the elderly man set down his book and looked at Si Bin.
Si Bin looked up from a pile of test papers. “I’m a little tired.”
The old man handed him a cup of hot tea. “Then take a break.”
The fragrance of Kinam permeated the room as curls of grey smoke from the incense burner gathered and dispersed.
“Any plans for the break?” the old man asked, removing his glasses.
“Nothing much.” Si Bin took a sip of tea, his eyes downcast. “Homework, parties, gaming.”
The old man smiled and refilled his cup with freshly brewed tea. “Anything else?”
“That’s it,” he answered decisively.
The old man nodded. “No plans to go see your father?”
Si Bin stared at the amber tea in his cup. After a long silence, he said, “Not for now.”
“His time is running out,” the old man said slowly. “Find some time to visit him. All these years, he has been trying every way he knows to make it up to you.”
Si Bin’s index finger traced the rim of the cup. “He used to be a good father.”
The old man said nothing, merely taking a small sip from his own tea bowl. “Good tea.”
“Grandfather.” Si Bin set down his cup and looked at the elder. “He has a new family and a new child now. I would only be an intrusion.”
“You are his child too,” the old man said in a level tone. “Find time to see him. You’re grown now; you should know that running away doesn't solve anything.”
“I will.” Si Bin stood up. “It’s late. You should get some rest.”
***
Lin Murun was jolted awake by a bump in the road. Perhaps because of the alcohol, he had drifted off without realizing it. Before he was fully conscious, his head gave the window pane a dull thud.
He was two stops away from his uncle’s house. He sat up straight and rubbed the spot where he’d hit his head.
The phone in his jeans pocket vibrated twice. Lin Murun pulled it out to find a WeChat message from Lin Qingqing.
*“Brother, are you back yet? Dad’s ink is completely gone, he just borrowed my red pen.”*
He had almost forgotten about buying the red ink.
Lin Murun typed a reply: *“Almost home. I’ll stop by the stationery store to get some ink in a bit.”*
*“Then I’ll wait for you! I want to show you the new greeting card I made!”*
He could feel the little girl’s excitement even through the screen.
*“Okay,”* Lin Murun replied, then tucked his phone away and prepared to get off.
It was quite late, and most of the stationery stores near the residential area had already closed. Lin Murun searched along the street and finally found the ink his uncle needed in a small convenience store.
*Ding-dong.* The greeting bell chimed at the door.
Lin Murun took the ink to the checkout counter. While he was paying, a strange child grabbed onto his pant leg.
The child wasn't afraid of strangers; he looked up and gave Lin Murun a wide grin.
Lin Murun looked around but saw no sign of the child’s parents. He asked the clerk, “Is this your child?”
The two clerks looked a bit flustered.
“He just ran in from outside,” a young clerk with glasses replied. “His parents are probably nearby.”
Just as he finished speaking, a young mother dressed in athletic wear rushed into the store.
“Wenwen, how can you just run off like that?” She anxiously took the child’s hand and whispered, “Mommy told you, you can’t leave my sight.”
“Why won't you listen?” Her voice carried a hint of a sob.
Seeing the child still stubbornly clutching Lin Murun’s leg, the young mother grew even more frantic. She apologized to Lin Murun while trying to pry the child’s hand loose.
“Here, this is for you.” Lin Murun picked up a milk candy from the counter and handed it to him.
The child’s bright black eyes stared at Lin Murun for a moment before he reached out to take the candy.
“I’m so sorry, truly sorry.” The mother apologized again, then fumbled in her bag for her phone, telling the clerk, “Let me pay for this student’s items as well.”
“Thank you, but I’ve already paid,” Lin Murun said. “You should take him home.”
The young mother gave an embarrassed smile. When her eyes fell on Lin Murun’s face, she froze for a moment. “Young man... have we met somewhere before?”
“On the bus,” Lin Murun replied. “Your child grabbed onto me then, too.”
An infant’s face changes by the day; Lin Murun hadn't recognized the child at first glance, but he recognized the mother—the young woman he had encountered briefly on the bus.
“I am so sorry.” The woman seemed to recall that crowded bus carriage and the sweltering afternoon.
“He’s not usually like this; he’s actually quite shy,” she said after they stepped out of the convenience store. “Maybe he just really likes you.”
Lin Murun glanced at the child nestled in his mother’s arms. “He’s very likable.”
The woman smiled, tears shimmering in her eyes. Under the streetlights, she looked young, yet she carried heavy dark circles under her eyes. Her features were naturally fine, but her brow was permanently furrowed in a look of hardship.
“Do you go to No. 16 High nearby?” the woman asked.
“No, I’m at No. 1 High,” Lin Murun answered. “My home is just a bit far, so I only come back on weekends.”
“No. 1 High...” The woman looked ahead, her gaze distant. “I was a student there once, too. I suppose that makes us alumni.”
“Hello, Senior,” Lin Murun said.
The woman smiled and asked, “Are you in the liberal arts or science track? Who is your homeroom teacher? I might even know them.” Mentioning her school days seemed to give her a flicker of vitality.
“Liberal arts. My homeroom teacher is Ms. Li, a math teacher,” Lin Murun replied.
“A math teacher?” The woman thought for a moment. “Is she very strict? Always wearing a stern face, but actually very caring toward her students in private?”
Seeing Lin Murun nod, she smiled and asked, “Is her name Li Hua?”
“Yes,” Lin Murun replied.
“She’s a good teacher,” the woman murmured. “Back then, I was very good at math. I was the class math representative. She liked me a lot and always said I was the most gifted student she’d ever taught.” As she spoke, her tears began to fall.
She did not seem to be doing well.
Lin Murun took a tissue from his bag and handed it to her. “Are you alright?”
The woman waved her hand, hurriedly wiping away her tears. “I’m fine,” she choked out. “I just feel a bit sad thinking about the past.”
“You probably can’t tell,” she said softly, shifting the child in her arms. “Ten years ago, when I was still in high school, I was a very cheerful, outgoing person.”
“Back then, life was like a kaleidoscope under the sun, vibrant and colorful. I used to fantasize that once I got into university, I would surely have a beautiful future.” The child in her arms squeezed the candy but made no move to eat it, simply leaning against his mother, unnervingly quiet.
“Until...” She didn't finish, but Lin Murun could vaguely guess.
Perhaps things hadn't gone well with her studies or career, or perhaps she had met the wrong person. Whatever it was, the peace of this woman’s life had been shattered. The kaleidoscope had fallen to the ground, splintering into a spray of colorful fragments.
“Where do you live?” he asked, taking the initiative to change the subject. “If you don't mind, I can walk you home.”
“Just ahead at Nanshan Community,” the woman replied, wiping her eyes. “No need to walk me. I’m an adult. You, on the other hand, should get home quickly, or your parents will worry.”
“I live in Nanshan Community too,” Lin Murun replied.
“Really?” the woman said in surprise. “What a coincidence.”
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 余文博 | Yu Wenbo | Yu Qianyi's cousin, a student in Class 1. |
| 奇楠 | Kinam | Also known as Kyara; a very rare and high-quality grade of agarwood/aloeswood incense. |
| 十六中 | No. 16 High School | A local high school mentioned in the conversation. |
| 一中 | No. 1 High School | The prestigious school Lin Murun and Si Bin attend. |
| 李桦 | Li Hua | Lin Murun's homeroom and math teacher. |
| 南山小区 | Nanshan Community | The residential complex where Lin Murun's uncle lives. |
| 文文 | Wenwen | The young child's nickname. |
