Pei Cangyu brushed his teeth with squinted eyes, his hair a messy bird’s nest. He wasn’t fully awake yet. Last night, on a sudden whim, he had tried to finish his entire winter break's worth of homework in two days. He had failed the challenge and was now exhausted. He had fallen asleep facedown on his desk, woken up briefly in the middle of the night, and scrambled back into the covers where he truly belonged.
He was going mountain climbing with his friends this afternoon. They were meeting at one o'clock, two hours from now.
His grandmother was mopping the floor while humming a soft, gentle tune. She had been this happy ever since she received news about her son. She had visited him in prison last week; he would be released soon, and she marked every passing day on the calendar.
Sometimes, one couldn't help but admire how a person’s willpower could improve their physical health. It had been a long time since his grandmother had suffered a relapse of her illness.
As Pei Cangyu rinsed his mouth, his grandmother mopped her way into the bathroom. She glanced at him and said, "This is what happens when you don't sleep at night. Look at you, just getting up now. Don't you know how much staying up late hurts your body? Just yesterday, I saw a news report about a kid who stayed up late looking at his phone, and then..."
Pei Cangyu sped up his rinsing, gave a couple of quick laughs, and darted out. His grandmother followed him out, abandoning her mop. "Listen to me! He went blind! Did you hear me?"
Pei Cangyu nodded as he scooped some food. "Mhm, mhm. Blind, deaf, got it."
His grandmother patted his back twice. Pei Cangyu laughed and ducked away, carrying his bowl to the table outside.
She sat down with him, watching him eat. "Do you want some sugar in that?"
"No, no, don't trouble yourself." Pei Cangyu took a sip and, seeing that she wasn't leaving, quickly swallowed. "Alright, Grandma, don't worry about me. I'll just eat here. I can handle it myself, really. Surprised? The school taught us."
His grandmother reached out and patted him twice more, half-smiling and half-exasperated. "No sense of propriety at all. I really don't know who you take after."
Pei Cangyu smiled. Remembering something, he put down his chopsticks and dashed back to his room. He flew back out a moment later, showing his grandmother the music box he had bought before the holidays.
His grandmother’s eyes lit up. "Is this for your father?"
Pei Cangyu nodded.
Her eyes grew a bit red. "Shan-shan will definitely love it. He dotes on you the most..." She quickly wiped her face, a flush of color momentarily returning to her withered, sallow cheeks. "Oh, that’s right. You don't even know what your father looks like, do you?"
Pei Cangyu smiled and reminded her, "I do. There are photos. Did you forget?"
"Oh, right, right." She thought for a moment. "Let me tell you a few more things about him. When father and son finally meet, you can't act like strangers."
Pei Cangyu smiled, but in truth, he felt absolutely nothing toward this "father."
His grandmother took it very seriously and continued, "Your father’s name is Pei Yueshan. He took my surname. His birthday is March 19th. You mustn't forget it. If you remember, he’ll be so happy. He dotes on you the most."
She paused and sighed, stroking Pei Cangyu’s head. "You don't blame him for leaving you, do you? He hasn't had an easy life..."
Pei Cangyu shook his head. "I know."
His grandmother beamed. "Our Yu-yu is the most sensible."
Pei Cangyu took the opportunity to stand up. "Then I'm off to climb the mountain!"
He washed his bowl in a flash, grabbed his backpack, and put on his shoes with frantic energy. "Do you want me to buy anything on my way back?"
His grandmother followed him to the door of his room again. "No need. Just stay safe. I heard a news report a few days ago about some kids who went mountain climbing..."
Pei Cangyu laughed as he ran out. "Tell me when I get back!"
His grandmother followed him to the front door, shouting after the fast-receding boy, "What’s the use of telling you after you're back...?" She watched him vanish down the stairwell like a darting speck, then shook her head with a smile and closed the door.
***
Pei Cangyu rode his bike to the park. They had agreed to meet there and then ride together to North Mo Mountain. By the time he arrived, Piggy had been there for ages, playing with a battered yo-yo.
Pei Cangyu stopped his bike, planting his feet on the ground, and waved. Piggy walked over. "What's this?" Pei Cangyu reached for the yo-yo, and Piggy handed it over.
"Dunno. Found it on the road."
"...You're picking up random things from the road now?"
Piggy waved a hand dismissively. "Just around here. Worst case, I'll put it back when we leave. Do you know how to use it? Show me a 'Windmill'."
Pei Cangyu’s interest was piqued. He hopped off his bike and rolled up his sleeves. "Now you're talking. Let me show you a secret technique of the martial world."
Airplane arrived just then, circling the two of them on his bike while ringing his bell. "Ladies and gentlemen, audience members, do not change the channel! You are witnessing the Global Juggling Championship..."
Because Airplane was making such a racket, Pei Cangyu lost his grip on the string and failed to make the yo-yo spin. He turned and kicked the tire of Airplane’s bike, and Airplane hopped off, chuckling.
"Who are we missing?"
Piggy counted with mock seriousness. "Missing..." He looked toward the distance where Monkey and Apple were riding toward them. "Bai Shi, right?"
Airplane turned to Pei Cangyu. "Did you invite Bai Shi?"
Pei Cangyu shook his head. "He’s busy."
Airplane clapped his hands and stood up. "Great, let's go then."
This year's winter wasn't particularly cold. It hadn't even snowed yet. Today was far from frigid; the sun was even out. The group wore windbreakers, but after riding for over an hour, they all took off their jackets and tied them to their handlebars or waists, shouting at each other as they raced. By the time they reached the foot of the mountain, they were covered in sweat.
They parked their bikes in the lot. As they went through the ticket gate, the guard blew on his hands and rubbed them together. "Coming here today? Aren't you cold?"
Piggy patted his chest. "The vigor of young men."
Airplane looked around. "Holy crap, it really isn't crowded today. We lucked out."
Apple hadn't slept enough and was now sweating. He quickly put his jacket back on and kicked Pei Cangyu for good measure. Pei Cangyu was flushed and panting but still hadn't put his jacket on; he was bound to catch a cold. After being kicked, Pei Cangyu untied the jacket from his waist and put it on.
They checked their watches at the base. Pei Cangyu turned to them. "I bet we can reach the summit in two hours."
Apple crouched down. "I have a question. Is it just me, or does anyone else feel exhausted?"
Airplane kicked him. "Just you."
Monkey glanced at him. "Just stay here and crouch then. You can watch our bags." He made a move to take off his backpack, and Apple immediately stood up.
Piggy unfolded a map with a flourish, frowning with feigned depth. "Hmm..."
Apple rolled his eyes. "Can you even read that, bro?"
Piggy handed it to Apple. Apple handed it to Monkey. Monkey handed it to Airplane. Airplane handed it to Pei Cangyu. Pei Cangyu wanted to hand it to Bai Shi—the only reliable person—but Bai Shi wasn't there.
So, he crumpled the map and stuffed it into his bag. "Friends, the path of life is walked step by step, not read off a page. Come, follow my lead."
He tugged his backpack straps and stepped forward with determination. The others followed, laughing and joking.
Piggy was truly bursting with energy. When they reached a high point on the stairs, they turned to see the rows of steps below and the swaying branches. Piggy raised one hand and put the other on his hip. "How are the fans in the back row doing? Let me hear you scream!"
Airplane pushed him. "That’s not right. You have to do it with a Taiwanese accent."
Piggy bowed. "After you, after you."
Airplane stood where Piggy had just performed, pinching his throat to pitch his voice higher. "Hello to the friends in the back—huh?—I can't hear you—! I'm doing great too—follow my tempo!"
Pei Cangyu joined in from the side: "Yo, yo, check it out!"
Piggy: "Let me see your arms in the air!"
Apple: "Throw your bras up here!..."
Everyone: "..."
Apple: "What?! Those are song lyrics!"
A few girls passed by, looking at Apple with disdain.
Apple’s voice dropped as he muttered a defense, "They really are lyrics."
Tossing and turning like this, it took them three hours to reach the summit. Even Piggy was so tired he collapsed onto his backside. Pei Cangyu pulled out the map.
Airplane started asking everyone for food. "Got anything to eat? Share some, share some."
Monkey unzipped his backpack. "You didn't bring anything?"
Airplane quickly squeezed in next to Monkey. "I brought my cheerful personality to keep you company."
Pei Cangyu’s eyes lit up as he looked at the map. "Hey, there’s a lake here. Can we go fishing?"
Piggy sat up. "In this weather? Isn't it frozen?"
Apple rolled his eyes. "Frozen my ass. Has it been cold enough to freeze lately?"
Pei Cangyu folded the map. "Are we going? Are we going?"
The others stood up with him.
They wandered along the winding mountain paths for a long time until everyone began to regret it. Only Pei Cangyu, the one who had suggested it, desperately tried to soothe them, constantly telling them it was only another hundred meters.
"Speaking of which, I don't know if you've heard the story of 'Watching Plums to Quench Thirst,'" Monkey said, putting an arm around Pei Cangyu’s shoulder. "Want me to tell it to you?"
Pei Cangyu ignored him and dragged him forward.
"Pei Cangyu, damn it, this is the last hundred meters. If we aren't there this time, you have to carry me back down," Airplane said, exhausted, leaning on Piggy as he walked. "And you have to call me 'Big Brother' for a week."
Pei Cangyu reached out to pull him. "Forget next week, I'll call you 'Big Brother' right now."
"Watch your pronunciation. It’s 'Ge-ge,' the double word. Can't miss a single syllable," Apple added, fanning the flames.
But just as he finished speaking, they arrived at the lakeshore.
Pei Cangyu cheered, shaking off Airplane and Monkey who were hanging on him. He ran ahead and waved at them. "Quick, quick, quick!"
Airplane grumbled, "I'm going to beat him up sooner or later."
Monkey agreed, "Let's make it tonight."
Piggy leaned over the water’s edge. "There... there aren't any damn fish..."
"No way," Pei Cangyu ran over to look. "It’s not frozen, is it?"
Apple crouched down too. "My lords, even if there were fish, were you planning to stomp on them or catch them with your bare hands?"
Pei Cangyu didn't even look at him, reaching out to swirl the water. "We were planning to use Monkey as bait."
Airplane shook his head. "Monkey must be salty."
Monkey couldn't be bothered to argue and sat on the ground. "I'm hungry."
Apple crawled over to him. "What a coincidence. Me too."
Airplane stopped fooling around and sat with them. "Me too."
Then the three of them looked in unison at Pei Cangyu.
"...What are you looking at me for?"
Piggy put an arm around him. "You have to take responsibility for us."
"I have no food, only my life. Eat me if you want." Pei Cangyu couldn't be bothered with them and sat down as well.
"You? You think you can compare to pork?" Airplane glared at him. Pei Cangyu jumped up to ruffle his hair, and the two of them tumbled over in a scuffle. Airplane kicked at him while trying to stifle his laughter, and Piggy stood up to cheer Pei Cangyu on.
"Quite a lively bunch."
They stopped immediately and looked toward the source of the voice. It was a tall man with a flush of alcohol on his face. He was wearing light clothing, likely having just come from some heated room, and was unzipping his pants. He unzipped them and comfortably began to urinate into the lake.
Pei Cangyu looked at his hand and whispered, "I just touched that water..."
"Are you boys looking for a place to eat?" The man could talk even while relieving himself.
Everyone looked at Pei Cangyu, so he answered the man, "Why?"
"There’s a restaurant around that rock. That’s where we’re eating." The man turned his head and jerked his chin toward a certain boulder. As he turned his body, his "water-spouting organ" swung in front of everyone. Everyone except Pei Cangyu looked away.
Still, it was a lead. Pei Cangyu and the others thanked him and headed toward the restaurant the man had mentioned.
The restaurant was quite small, with only a few long tables inside, but it was clean. There was only one man in his fifties, short and quiet, selling simple lunches.
"What do you want?" The owner’s voice was low and raspy, carrying a sense of introversion and suppression.
They ordered a few things from the menu and sat at a long table facing a television that was broadcasting an interview. They were laughing and joking, but Pei Cangyu suddenly stopped and stared at the screen.
The interview was about the Bai family donating a playground. Today was the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Bai Yilong looked dignified and spoke eloquently, talking about contributing his "modest efforts" in hopes of creating a beautiful world for children. He was handsome and tall, his every gesture radiating a charm he was well aware of. He had his arm around his son, an equally striking young man, though there was an irrepressible wildness in the youth’s eyes; he hadn't yet mastered the balance between confidence and arrogance that Bai Yilong possessed.
The reason Pei Cangyu stopped was because he saw Bai Shi.
The camera didn't specifically focus on Bai Shi. He was off to the side in the shots of his father and brother speaking. After they both finished their speeches, they prepared to leave the stage.
Seeing Pei Cangyu stop to watch the TV, the others looked too, and they all noticed Bai Shi.
On the screen, as they left the stage, Bai Yilong and Bai Jiang walked to the left, maintaining smiles for the camera. The interview team followed them, which left Bai Shi following behind, looking solitary. However, some reporters noticed Bai Shi and began to drift toward him. At that moment, Bai Yilong, who was walking ahead, seemed to suddenly realize Bai Shi was still behind when a reporter asked a question about him. He turned his head, saw Bai Shi, and yanked him over, answering the reporter’s question with polite grace.
What Pei Cangyu noticed was the way Bai Yilong yanked Bai Shi. His breath hitched for a sensitive, fleeting second at that rough, utterly indifferent movement. Then there was Bai Shi’s expressionless face. He wasn't looking at the camera; he wasn't looking at anything. His face was somber, completely different from the two high-spirited men.
But even so, Pei Cangyu had to admit that Bai Shi was better looking than the other two. If Bai Shi could have that kind of triumphant glow, he would surely carry the title of "talented youth" better than they did.
Pei Cangyu stared at the TV and murmured to himself, "That’s too much..."
Piggy heard him. "...What?"
Pei Cangyu pointed at the TV. "Did you notice?"
He told them about Bai Yilong yanking Bai Shi, but no one else had seen anything wrong. They thought Pei Cangyu was overthinking it.
Apple squinted. "You have too much sympathy for him. You probably see that kind of thing in everything he does."
Pei Cangyu didn't answer. He knew what he saw.
If he had to explain it, he thought, perhaps it was because he, like Bai Shi, wasn't quite "whole" either?
***
Even as he lay in bed that night, Pei Cangyu was still thinking about that yank. How could someone pull their own child like that?
He sat up and took out his phone.
In their class, Bai Shi didn't really have any friends besides him. Although girls often showed interest, Bai Shi was so gloomy that he was actually quite difficult to get along with.
Pei Cangyu turned his phone screen off and then on again. Finally, he called Bai Shi.
He waited for a while, listening to his own breathing and watching his watch. He decided that if the second hand moved five more times without an answer, he would hang up.
It connected.
"What is it?"
Pei Cangyu heard Bai Shi’s voice, which sounded a bit tired.
"...You knew it was me?"
Bai Shi didn't answer. Only Pei Cangyu had this phone number. Who else would it be?
"What is it?"
Pei Cangyu lay back on the bed. "Have you done the homework yet?"
"No." Bai Shi pulled open his door and looked outside. His parents both had social gatherings tonight, and his three older brothers were hitting several parties in a row. There was no one home; even the butler had been told to leave.
Bai Shi lay back on his bed. He had just taken a sleeping pill. "I don't want to do it."
Pei Cangyu rolled over to lie on his stomach. "Hey, you should do it. I'm doing mine, but there’s so much I don't know how to do."
"If you don't know how, then forget it. Winter break homework isn't worth doing." Bai Shi pulled up the covers and closed his eyes. He had a fever today.
Pei Cangyu pursed his lips. "Hey, do it. Let me see it when you're done. How about this: call me when you finish, and I'll come over to get it? Please? Good student?"
Bai Shi opened his eyes. No matter how he heard it, Pei Cangyu’s voice sounded like he was acting spoiled.
Pei Cangyu heard the silence on the other end. "Did you hear me...?"
"Mhm."
"So, will you do it? Do it, and I'll buy you food when I come to borrow the homework."
*Meet Pei Cangyu?*
"I know."
"Ha!" Pei Cangyu sat up. "Then it’s a deal. Call me when you're done, and I'll come find you!"
"...Okay," Bai Shi agreed.
Pei Cangyu hung up, satisfied. He whistled happily and turned off the light.
Bai Shi looked at his phone for a moment, then threw back the covers and sat up. He found his homework and began to work in the pitch-black, empty house.
"Pei Cangyu, you really are a lot of trouble," Bai Shi muttered to himself as he worked diligently. He paused to twirl his pen. "Should I get a few questions wrong? It might look more realistic..."
