Su Jingming felt like he was being toyed with. He finally understood what it meant to be a wolf in sheep's clothing!
Wen Yan looked harmless, but only he knew just how many wicked ideas were hidden in that head of his.
Su Jingming didn't reply. He tossed his phone aside—couldn't a man just focus on class?
The temperature in November plummeted rapidly. Before they could even catch the tail end of autumn, the bitter chill of winter arrived.
The sports meet at No. 2 High School was never held in the autumn, a fact that remained one of the great mysteries to the student body.
Ren Wei signed up for the 3,000-meter long-distance run, while Su Jingming participated as a mere spectator. He wasn't the type of person who enjoyed moving around much.
After the previous incident blew over, Old Tu from the training camp called Su Jingming. Old Tu was full of regret, apologizing countless times over the phone. Su Jingming remained unmoved.
Old Tu asked him, "If I had listened when you tried to explain back then, perhaps things wouldn't have turned out this way."
Su Jingming curled his lips. "Teacher, like you said—that was 'back then'." Besides, he hadn't actually planned on explaining himself.
In all his years of teaching, this was the first time Old Tu had been rebuffed so sharply. Before hanging up, he offered one last heavy apology: "If there is an opportunity next year, I hope we can meet at the training camp again. I'd like to express my apologies properly then."
Su Jingming simply let out a long sigh after hanging up. Next year's business could wait until next year.
The sports meet was a lively affair. During this rare break from the usual grind, Su Jingming chose to do what he did every year: maintain a low profile and stay silent.
That way, no one would notice him.
On the morning the sports meet kicked off, Su Jingming sat in his usual spot in a corner of the bleachers, head down, scrolling through his phone with a weary expression.
Ren Wei had called him early that morning. "I have the 100-meter sprint this morning. Remember to come cheer for me."
"Weren't you doing the 3,000-meter this afternoon? How did it turn into a 100-meter sprint?" Su Jingming hadn't fully woken up yet. His voice was raspy, though his mind was clear enough.
"The hundred meters is just a warm-up!"
The whistle blew on the field, and the men's 100-meter sprint began. Su Jingming lazily put his phone away and scanned the bleachers. Because it was so early, there weren't many students around.
There were quite a few like Su Jingming, though—people who had been dragged out of bed early to watch the events.
Su Jingming thought to himself that he really was a remarkably good friend to Ren Wei.
The 100-meter sprint started fast and ended even faster.
Ren Wei was like a little motor, charging forward with everything he had to take first place easily.
This result was exactly what Su Jingming had expected.
The moment Ren Wei won, he began searching the stands for Su Jingming, eventually spotting him in an inconspicuous corner.
He flashed a peace sign in that direction. Su Jingming merely gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.
Still not quite over his morning grogginess, Su Jingming looked up at the overcast sky. His contemplations were interrupted by a call from Su Qicheng.
He wasn't surprised to hear from him again.
Su Jingming stood up and found a quiet spot. As soon as he picked up, Su Qicheng’s tone of concern made him feel uneasy.
"Jingming? I heard from the neighbors that No. 2 High is having its sports meet. Are you participating in any events?"
Su Jingming leaned against a tree, his gaze fixed on the crowds moving across the field. "No. I'm here to watch Ren Wei's race."
Hearing Su Jingming's cold voice, Su Qicheng was at least relieved that his son was willing to tell him why he was at school. He suppressed the joy in his heart. "Then... are you coming home for lunch? I made your favorite dishes." He paused for a moment. "By the way, Dad’s been discharged from the hospital."
Su Jingming’s eyes lowered. He swallowed hard and let out a simple sound from his throat.
"Mhm."
He didn't want to say anything more.
Su Qicheng understood in his heart that the things he had done over the years were lower than those of a beast. He had harbored a small, selfish hope that Su Jingming would forgive him.
But it was too difficult.
Su Qicheng had already forgotten how to interact with his own son.
He vaguely remembered that his son liked Ultraman Tiga, but he couldn't recall much else.
Su Jingming declined Ren Wei's enthusiastic invitation and returned home right on time.
The moment he opened the door, the aroma of home-cooked food wafted toward him. Su Jingming didn't feel much of a stir in his heart, but unlike before, Su Qicheng poked his head out from the kitchen without a cigarette dangling from his lips and without an aggressive edge to his voice.
"Go wash your hands and get ready to eat. The last dish is just coming out of the pan."
Su Jingming stood by the dining table, momentarily dazed. After washing his hands, he came out to find that Su Qicheng had already set out the bowls and chopsticks.
He glanced over the table. They were indeed dishes he liked—or rather, dishes he *used* to like.
Su Qicheng didn't realize that Su Jingming’s tastes had changed drastically over the last few years.
Su Qicheng wiped his hands as he came out of the kitchen. "What are you standing there for? Sit down and eat."
Su Jingming felt like he was being masochistic; now that Su Qicheng was treating him like a normal person, he felt like there was something wrong with his own head.
Su Qicheng placed some food in his bowl and asked expectantly, "Is it good?"
Su Jingming chewed expressionlessly and gave a small nod.
"Then eat more. If it's not enough, I'll go fry up another dish in a bit."
If this had been the old Su Qicheng, there was no way he would have been so humble and eager to please.
Throughout the meal, Su Qicheng kept trying to bridge the gap, carefully measuring his tone so it wouldn't seem too forced to Su Jingming.
By the end of the meal, Su Jingming had hardly opened his mouth to speak; his jaws were sore just from chewing.
Seeing that he was mostly finished, Su Qicheng prepared to stand up and clear the table.
Su Jingming beat him to it. Just as Su Qicheng stood up excitedly, opening his mouth to say something, Su Jingming spoke with his back turned to him. "By the way... I don't really like Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs."
Su Qicheng slumped back into his chair. A numbing sensation washed over him from head to toe. He had just served Su Jingming a lot of Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs, and the boy had finished them all without a word.
Su Jingming thought saying this would give him a massive sense of vengeful satisfaction, but after speaking, he didn't feel as relieved as he had imagined. The cloying sweetness in his mouth turned bitter. He rinsed his mouth directly at the kitchen sink.
By the time he finished tidying up and walked out of the kitchen, Su Qicheng was nowhere to be found. Left on the dining table, as usual, was a stack of red bills.
Su Jingming curled his lips into a silent, mocking smile. This was the "correct" way for him and Su Qicheng to interact.
A benevolent father and a filial son—that was something he couldn't manage.
If Su Qicheng had been diagnosed with schizophrenia a few years earlier, perhaps Su Jingming could have accepted him again.
But those nine long years had left no physical scars; instead, they were carved into the depths of his soul.
Those nine years were something Su Jingming didn't want to forget, and didn't dare to forget.
Returning to school in the afternoon, Su Jingming sat in the same spot as that morning. Ren Wei sat beside him. "Ming-ge, do me a favor and record my vigorous, athletic figure later."
Su Jingming raised an eyebrow. "How much are you paying me?"
"Since when did we start talking about money for a little favor between brothers?" Ren Wei patted Su Jingming on the shoulder.
Su Jingming had only been teasing him. "Then run faster. Recording is tiring."
"You got it, brother! As long as you capture my heroic and handsome form, I'll edit it later and post it to my Moments. Everyone will see how dashing I am."
Su Jingming gave a few perfunctory replies. As he sat with his head slightly lowered, Ren Wei suddenly scrutinized him for a few moments, tugging at his school uniform sleeve. "This jacket fits you now."
"..." Of course it fit. He had swapped back with Wen Yan after that day. He only now realized just how simple-minded and physically driven Ren Wei was.
"Though wearing a size up didn't hurt your handsome looks either."
Su Jingming thought that if Ren Wei didn't go into sales in the future, that mouth of his would truly go to waste.
Su Jingming kept one hand in his pocket, his thumb and index finger rubbing together, while his other hand held his phone. He gave Ren Wei a flat look, pursing his lips. Just as he was about to ask what time the 3,000-meter run started, he saw a familiar figure walking toward them.
Su Jingming instinctively cursed under his breath, "Fuck."
Ren Wei looked confused. "Who are you cursing at?"
"Cursing..."
"What are you guys chatting about?" Before Su Jingming could finish, Wen Yan naturally sat down in front of them. He turned his head slightly, a beaming smile on his face. His gaze lingered on Su Jingming for a moment before drifting elsewhere.
Ren Wei said, "Wen Yan, I remember you're also in the 3,000-meter."
Hearing this, Su Jingming’s eyelids flickered upward.
Ren Wei was suddenly fired up. "Even if I can't beat you in exams, I can definitely crush you when it comes to sports."
As soon as he finished speaking, Ren Wei stood up and ran toward the field to start his pre-race warm-up.
There were more students in the afternoon than in the morning. After Ren Wei left, Su Jingming and Wen Yan sat one behind the other in the bleachers, attracting the gazes of many students.
Wen Yan was a highlight in himself; no matter where he went, he drew attention.
Su Jingming had been through a lot lately, so being stared at wasn't new. However, among those stares was Wen Yan’s burning gaze.
Wen Yan was silent for a moment before asking in a low voice, "Are you angry?"
Su Jingming twirled a stray hair near his ear with his finger and asked dryly, "What are you talking about?"
"About last time... forcing you to call me something nice..." Wen Yan paused. "Was I being a bit too much?"
Su Jingming’s head dropped lower and lower until his chin was almost buried in the collar of his uniform.
Before he could figure out how to respond, Wen Yan continued, "Actually, these things are awkward the first time but easy the second. Look at me—calling you 'Little Hero' comes quite naturally now, and you seem happy enough to hear it."
"..."
"I went back and reflected on it later. I shouldn't have forced you." Wen Yan chuckled softly. "I should make it so you do it voluntarily."
Su Jingming looked up, his ears turning a faint red without him realizing it. The November air was chilly; Su Jingming would rather believe his ears were red from the biting wind than admit Wen Yan’s words had reminded him of the shame from a few days ago.
Wen Yan also knew he had teased the boy too hard this time. Su Jingming had basically been avoiding him for the past few days—not replying to WeChat messages and not even sparing him a glance at school.
Even Song Yifei from the neighboring class could tell that these two seemed to be at odds lately.
Driven by curiosity, Song Yifei had risked his life to step forward and ask, "May I ask, brother, how exactly did you offend the rank-two student?"
Wen Yan replied, "I asked him to call me 'Brother'."
***
