It all started with a transfer student.
The newcomer clearly hadn't heard of Pei Cangyu’s reputation. After a verbal spat, a grudge formed, which eventually boiled over during a PE class dispute regarding the distribution of ping-pong balls. The two finally came to blows. Pei Cangyu made full use of the skills he had honed through his many experiences on Peace Road; the other boy didn't stand a chance.
In the end, it was Fei Zuohua who stepped in to pull Pei Cangyu away.
Though the transfer student lost the fight, he brought his parents into it. Even Fei Zuohua, who had only tried to break it up, was summoned to the office.
The boy's mother was furious, her voice trembling with rage. Every three sentences, she would interject, "Just look at this! What kind of behavior is this?!"
The teacher nodded, pushing a cup of tea toward her. "Please, try to calm down."
"I can calm down, but where are his parents? Why aren't they here yet? Was he not raised by anyone?" The woman smoothed her permed hair and glared at Pei Cangyu.
The teacher, unsure of what to say, explained softly, "His parents are indeed... not around..."
The woman let out a sharp "Ha!" and clapped her hands together. "I thought as much. No wonder." She shot a venomous look at Pei Cangyu. "A thing born but never raised."
Even Fei Zuohua was stunned by those words. Hearing such a phrase come from a woman adorned in pearl earrings, jade necklaces, and expensive perfume made the stench of money feel truly repulsive.
Pei Cangyu, however, showed no reaction. He simply leaned against the wall, staring listlessly at the door. His indifferent attitude only served to further incense the woman.
Giving up on her verbal assault from a distance, she stood up and approached Pei Cangyu. Her sharp nails, painted with roses against a black-and-gold base, jabbed toward him.
Fei Zuohua stepped in front of Pei Cangyu. "Ma'am, Pei Cangyu didn't hit him that hard. If you want compensation for medical bills, just leave a note."
Only then did the woman notice him. "You little—"
Pei Cangyu rolled his eyes, turned around, pulled the door open, and walked out.
The woman nearly jumped out of her skin. "He... he... you come back here! Come back!"
Fei Zuohua grabbed his backpack and ran after him, snagging Pei Cangyu’s bag on the way out.
As they walked toward home, Pei Cangyu remained silent, but Fei Zuohua could tell he was in a foul mood. It was only natural; no one could feel good after being spoken to like that.
They walked in silence. The more Pei Cangyu thought about it, the angrier he became. He resentfully picked up a stone and hurled it at the ground, his face flushed with rage. Fei Zuohua patted his shoulder. "Forget it."
Pei Cangyu huffed but said nothing.
A horn honked behind them. They turned to see the woman’s car catching up. She rolled down the window, revealing her refined face and contemptuous eyes. She trailed the two elementary students, slowing her car to a crawl as she continued to scold them.
Pei Cangyu and Fei Zuohua shared a look and sped up simultaneously. The woman’s car adjusted its speed accordingly, maintaining a close distance as she vented her dissatisfaction.
Fei Zuohua kept his head forward, pretending not to hear. But Pei Cangyu, provoked by some particular remark, snapped. Just as he turned to do something, the woman shrieked. Fei Zuohua pulled Pei Cangyu away, urging him not to look back.
Pei Cangyu had no intention of hiding his home. He kept walking briskly. As they neared his apartment complex, Fei Zuohua noticed and tugged at his sleeve, asking if he wanted to grab something to eat first. Pei Cangyu looked at him with confusion. "Eat what? I'm not hungry."
When they reached the complex, the woman stopped her car, put on her oversized sunglasses, and stepped out. Her slender finger pointed at Pei Cangyu’s shoulder. "Where is your family? I want to speak with your guardians so no one says I’m bullying a child."
Pei Cangyu brushed her hand away. "None of your damn business."
The woman persisted, poking Pei Cangyu’s shoulder. "I’m asking you a question. What kind of attitude is this?"
Pei Cangyu turned to leave, but the woman grabbed his collar and yanked it. "Go call your grandmother down. Your teacher said you have a grandmother, right?"
Pei Cangyu slowly turned his head, his eyes wide and round. He gritted his teeth. "I told you to let go."
"Oh, really?" the woman chirped, using her finger to poke Pei Cangyu’s forehead, making his head bob back with each jab. "Acting tough with me? Who are you trying to scare? Are you going to hit me too...?"
Pei Cangyu shoved her hard. The woman stumbled back several steps and slammed into the wall behind her. Her foot twisted, and the thin heel of her shoe snapped with a loud *crack*. Her pale hand reached out to steady herself against the wall, but the rough surface scraped her skin, drawing blood instantly. She took off her glasses, staring at the blood in disbelief. "You—!!"
Pei Cangyu didn't move.
The woman was about to lung forward like a fighter when a young woman suddenly rushed over, shielding Pei Cangyu. Fei Zuohua recognized her; she was Pei Cangyu’s neighbor, a recent college graduate.
The neighbor grabbed the woman’s wrist. "What do you think you're doing?"
The woman tried to shake her off, but the grip held firm. "What's it to you?"
"I saw everything from upstairs. You’re looking for his guardian, right? I’m his guardian. If you have something to say, say it. If you keep causing a scene, I’m calling the police." The neighbor was surprisingly strong, and the woman couldn't break free.
"You’re calling the police? Go ahead! I’d love for the police to come! Where are they? Bring them here! I want the police to settle this!"
"Then please, speak your mind."
A male voice rang out from the entrance of the complex. Everyone turned to look. Fei Zuohua was stunned. His father, whom he hadn't seen in years, was walking toward them in a police uniform.
Fei Qisheng gave a formal salute to the neighbor and the woman. "What’s the situation? Please, tell me."
The neighbor released the woman’s hand. The woman looked him up and down. "This uniform... is it real?"
***
After leaving the police station, a dejected Pei Cangyu left with the neighbor, while Fei Zuohua followed reluctantly behind his father. Fei Qisheng had gone to the school to pick him up today, but after failing to find him and hearing he had headed this way, he had followed them all the way here.
Fei Zuohua watched his father’s straight back as he walked ahead, pursing his lips in silence.
The neighbor rubbed Pei Cangyu’s cheek, which had swollen on one side—the woman must have landed a blow at some point during the scuffle.
"Does it hurt?"
Pei Cangyu lowered his head and muttered, "Of course it does."
"That’s what you get for fighting." She pointed toward her door. "Come to my place, I’ll patch you up."
Pei Cangyu followed her inside. Her room was a mess, completely unorganized. "Your place is a disaster. Are girls really this messy?"
She rolled her eyes at him. "Girls can be as messy as they want."
Pei Cangyu said nothing and sat down.
She applied some medicinal liniment to his face. Pei Cangyu didn't want a bandage, and she didn't force him. Finally, she ruffled his messy hair. "Pei Cangyu, which middle school are you planning to go to?"
Pei Cangyu looked up and thought for a moment. "I don't know."
She pulled up a chair and sat across from him. "Go to No. 3 Middle School. It’s close to your house, and the teaching quality is good."
Pei Cangyu scratched his head. "It’s a good school, but I can't pass the entrance exam."
She frowned immediately. "How do you know you can't pass? Have you even tried?"
Pei Cangyu went silent. His mood always soured whenever studying was mentioned. He began picking at the frayed edge of the tablecloth.
Her tone softened. "How about this? You try for No. 3 Middle School. If you get in, I’ll be your homeroom teacher. I’ll never let a parent bully my students."
Pei Cangyu burst out laughing. "Didn't you fail to find a job?"
She tapped him on the head, her voice rising. "Nonsense! I’m just 'between jobs.' This year, I’m going to pass the exam and become a teacher at No. 3 Middle School!"
Pei Cangyu grinned, rocking his chair. "Then we’ll both take the exams."
She nodded. "Then I’ll see you at No. 3 Middle School."
After Fei Qisheng’s return, Fei Zuohua and Pei Cangyu drifted apart for reasons unknown.
Perhaps it was because Pei Cangyu started studying hard and no longer had time to wander Peace Road, or perhaps it was because Fei Qisheng, fearing Fei Zuohua was falling in with the wrong crowd, began picking him up from the school gates every day. Regardless, they grew distant. Pei Cangyu began studying with immense endurance. Though he never said it, Fei Zuohua, watching from afar, knew why. It was because the neighbor who had stood up for him had asked it of him; Pei Cangyu had been given hope, and so he worked for it.
Fei Zuohua had always wanted to find a chance to explain things to Pei Cangyu. Otherwise, parting ways as soon as his father returned made it seem like he had only used Pei Cangyu out of fear of being targeted. But that wasn't the truth—or at least, not all of it. Fei Zuohua believed they were equals. Pei Cangyu had indeed provided him with protection, and in return, Fei Zuohua had helped him study and tutored him on his homework. It was a mutual exchange.
In the beginning, Fei Zuohua tried to create opportunities to talk to Pei Cangyu, just like they used to. But things were hard to explain, and for reasons unclear, they simply drifted away. Pei Cangyu didn't make new friends, while Fei Zuohua became much closer to the student sitting in front of him, whom he’d never had the chance to know before.
By the time Fei Zuohua realized what had happened, they were about to graduate.
When the neighbor’s written exam results came out, her family was overjoyed. With such a high score, it was a pity not to apply to No. 1 Middle School. But she ignored them, insisting on No. 3 Middle School. The argument they had that day could be heard throughout the entire building.
Refusing all advice, she applied to No. 3, aced the interview, and finally secured the position.
To keep him under close supervision, Fei Zuohua applied to No. 3 Middle School at Fei Qisheng’s request. On the day of registration, he saw Pei Cangyu at the classroom door.
Pei Cangyu stood at the front entrance, looking into the classroom without a word. Seeing him gave Fei Zuohua a profound sense of nostalgia. He guessed that Pei Cangyu felt the same fear he did—the fear that in this new class, people would bring up their families again, and they would have to go through it all over again.
He wanted to walk toward Pei Cangyu, but the neighbor, now wearing a white shirt and carrying a folder, walked past Pei Cangyu and slapped him on the back. "Stand up straight!"
Pei Cangyu snapped to attention and turned around with a grin. " I won! You didn't get to be the homeroom teacher!"
She pushed up her glasses. "If not this year, then next. One day, I’ll be your homeroom teacher."
Pei Cangyu laughed brightly, and she smiled too. They went their separate ways, their respective fears swept away.
Pei Cangyu stepped into the classroom and walked straight to his seat. A boy sitting on the teacher’s podium looked at him and held out a handful of chalk. "Hey man, pick a lucky number."
Pei Cangyu drew an "8."
The boy jumped down. "Awesome, a lucky number. I’m Yang Feiji."
Fei Zuohua, who had been about to step forward from the doorway, only watched from a distance. Afterward, he often watched from a distance like that.
Belatedly, he realized that his father had once again disrupted his life because of his associations. Perhaps to adults, his day-to-day existence didn't even qualify as a "life."
Though Fei Zuohua was introverted, he was ultimately a person with high self-esteem. He wished he still had a friend like Pei Cangyu, but he couldn't bring himself to demand that a friend enter his life. More often than not, he felt that making friends was a matter of fate.
Pei Cangyu was no longer his friend; it was merely a slight regret. If they had once been connected by shared suffering, they were no longer "suffering the same," so naturally, they were no longer connected.
Yet sometimes, as Fei Zuohua watched Bai Shi, he wondered: could "making friends" be something one worked so hard at? Bai Shi worked at being Pei Cangyu’s friend with an effort that bordered on stubbornness. Sometimes, Fei Zuohua found it incomprehensible. But it certainly worked.
And so, just once—just this one time—Fei Zuohua, who had forgotten his umbrella, thought for a long time as the rain fell. Then, he dialed the number of his long-lost former friend, Pei Cangyu.
