OS - 17

After Zhou Yu got home, she first wiped the rainwater off the umbrella with a towel and then left it in her room to dry.

It had been raining constantly since the start of autumn. The temperature was already cooling in the mornings and evenings. She decided she would tell the supermarket owner that she couldn’t continue her part-time job next week.

Something moved on the ceiling above her mosquito net—it might be a rat. Zhou Yu turned over and lay on her side. She stared at the umbrella on the floor, not realizing when she fell asleep.

Grandma needed to take her medicine in the morning, but she often forgot. Normally, she would wake up before dawn. Today, however, even after Zhou Yu finished washing up, there was still no sound from her room. Knocking and entering, Zhou Yu immediately smelled a strong ammonia odor as soon as she opened the door.

Grandma had wet the bed.

The doctor had warned Zhou Yu long ago that Grandma’s cognitive abilities might gradually decline. Not only would she forget family members, but she would also forget basic things like whether she had eaten or used the bathroom.

Grandma must have wet the bed during the night. She clutched the blanket tightly, refusing to let Zhou Yu change it. When she finally lifted her head, tears welled up in her eyes. Like a guilty child, she hid under the blanket, silently crying.

“It’s okay, Grandma. When I was little and wet the bed, you and Mom always helped me wash my pants,” Zhou Yu turned away to wipe her tears, her voice trembling slightly as she forced a smile. “It’s okay. We’ll wash it, and everything will be fine.”

Grandma sobbed, “Nuan Nuan, I didn’t mean to wet the bed.”

“I know. Grandma has always been so clean. Once we wash it, the smell will go away,” Zhou Yu gently pulled back the blanket. There was a yellowish stain on the sheet.

Zhou Yu first fetched a basin of water to clean Grandma’s body. Then she took out a set of clean clothes from the wardrobe and helped her change. After making sure Grandma had taken her medicine, she began cleaning the wet bedding.

There were several layers of mattresses on the bed, along with the sheets, quilt covers, and a few pieces of clothing. Zhou Yu spent almost the entire morning washing them.

It was still drizzling outside, so she could only hang them indoors to dry.

Liu Fen brought back a few green papayas. Seeing that it was still early, Zhou Yu went to the kitchen and made a small jar of pickled papaya strips. She packed it into her backpack along with the umbrella and headed to the supermarket.

At 5:30 PM, after finishing her shift, Zhou Yu prepared to return the umbrella. She was used to taking shortcuts and had walked through this narrow alley countless times since childhood.

Zhou Yu stopped at the corner.

The sky was hazy, and the sound of the rain completely masked her footsteps.

Zhou Yu stood there in a daze, watching Cheng Wanyue and Qing Hang kissing not far away. They hadn’t noticed anyone approaching. Zhou Yu quietly retreated to the corner and turned to take another route.

Cheng Wanyue had close relationships with many boys. In school, playful actions like putting arms around each other’s shoulders were common between male and female students. Zhou Yu knew Cheng Wanyue felt differently about Qing Hang, but she had never mentioned liking him because she always said she wanted to like many people.

Even in those few seconds Zhou Yu had frozen, it was clear that Qing Hang had been the one to initiate the kiss.

She hadn’t known Qing Hang for long—they were classmates in their first year of high school. Back then, everyone knew he was a student specially sponsored by the county mayor. After ranking first in the entrance exam for Baicheng No. 1 High School, the school arranged for him to give a speech. His speech was short, less than 200 words, recounting his life—from birth, to the successive deaths of his parents due to illness, to the flood that destroyed the family’s only house.

Some disliked his reserved personality, thinking he acted superior because of his grades. Others looked down on his impoverished family, especially after learning that his grandfather supported them by collecting scrap—making snide remarks behind his back. But even when provoked directly, Qing Hang never retorted.

The usually quiet and reserved youth displayed such intensity. Cheng Wanyue was pressed against the wall, her limbs restrained, their bodies hidden yet fiercely entangled. Even from afar, Zhou Yu felt a flush of embarrassment creep over her face.

Zhou Yu took a detour, walking along the main road.

Raindrops fell on her. Thinking the jar of pickled papaya might be leaking, she unzipped her backpack while walking to check.

Cheng Wanyue, who had been with Qing Hang just ten minutes prior, suddenly appeared ahead. Zhou Yu noticed her lips were red—not from lipstick. One button on her coat was missing, and her clothes were wrinkled, but she seemed to be in a good mood.

“Ah Yu, where are you going?” Cheng Wanyue approached. Zhou Yu’s hands were full, and she held an umbrella under her arm. Cheng Wanyue took it, glancing casually at it. “Whose ugly umbrella is this?”

Zhou Yu replied, “I borrowed your brother’s umbrella yesterday and was planning to return it to him. Do you think it’s ugly?”

Cheng Wanyue gave the plain black umbrella another glance, disdainfully remarking, “Typical guy’s taste—ugly.”

“…Oh.”

“I’m going home, so I won’t go with you.”

“Alright.”

Zhou Yu headed toward Grandma Qian’s house. As she turned the corner, she saw a white figure near the large red door.

Cheng Yuzhou leaned against the door, looking down at his phone.

Zhou Yu had sent him a text earlier that morning, saying she’d return the umbrella around 5:40 PM.

She was ten minutes late.

Hearing footsteps, Cheng Yuzhou glanced up. Watching her approach slowly, he straightened himself.

“Done with work?”

“Yes, thank you for the umbrella.” Zhou Yu handed it over. Feeling the glass jar in her bag, she hesitated for a moment before pulling it out. “This is pickled papaya strips—the kind served at Dr. Wang’s family banquet. It tastes similar.”

Last time, he said it was too sour, so she reduced the amount of vinegar.

Cheng Yuzhou accepted the jar. “You made this?”

Her head was lowered, her bangs falling to hide her reddening ears.

“Yes, it’s been pickling for several hours. You can eat it tonight.”

Her backpack seemed like Doraemon’s pocket, producing another bottle of Bingfeng soda. “Fewer people buy it when it’s cooler. The boss said he won’t restock after selling this batch.”

A local drink, rarely seen in other cities.

“Thank you. Come inside and sit for a bit.”

He had his hands full, so Zhou Yu held the umbrella for him. “I just ran into Wanyue. She said she doesn’t like this umbrella.”

Cheng Yuzhou: “….”

“She says one thing but means another. She secretly loves it.” Changing the subject, Cheng Yuzhou asked, “Have you eaten?”

“Not really hungry.” Zhou Yu placed the umbrella on the chair. “I won’t go in.”

“Are you heading home or somewhere else?”

“Not anywhere special. Just going to the library.”

The county library was open until 8 PM. Occasionally, she needed a space to relax. That morning, Grandma wetting the bed had upset both her and Grandma.

After putting away his things, Cheng Yuzhou came out of the house. “I’ve never been there. Might as well tag along and take a look.”

“The library isn’t big. There aren’t many books.”

“Just browsing. This weather isn’t suitable for playing basketball, and staying at home is boring.”

It was still drizzling. Zhou Yu raised the umbrella to shield him, but standing farther away, neither of them was fully covered.

“The rain might get heavier. You should take the umbrella.”

Cheng Yuzhou: “Nah, too lazy to go back. Men don’t mind getting a little wet.”

Though he said that, Zhou Yu still felt awkward letting him get soaked while she stayed dry. She edged half a step closer to him.

Cheng Yuzhou naturally took the umbrella handle from her. She tilted her head slightly, able to see the bluish veins on the back of his hand.