OS - 18

Before the start of the school term, the library was filled with children flipping through picture books. The librarian, a retired teacher, had his dinner delivered by family members. He ate noodles while watching an African documentary, wearing reading glasses that constantly fogged up.

Zhou Yu had borrowed a book from here last month, and she needed to log it back in upon returning.

The library was quiet, shoes had to be removed upon entry, and its size was indeed small—only about 20 square meters. The shelves were clearly categorized, and three children reading picture books sat near the entrance. Cheng Yuzhou wasn’t here to read either; he picked up a random novel and sat on a cushion.

Zhou Yu grabbed a comic from the children’s section and sat next to Cheng Yuzhou. They leaned against the bookshelf at the edge of the room, leaving one person’s space between them.

The children occasionally burst into laughter. Zhou Yu flipped slowly, losing interest after just a few pages.

“Are you feeling down?”

Zhou Yu shook her head, and Cheng Yuzhou didn’t press further.

“This road leads to the riverside. They’re building a bridge now.”

Cheng Yuzhou said, “Let’s go once before school starts.”

He took out his earphones and handed one to Zhou Yu. She hesitated for a few seconds before slowly placing it in her ear—it was a Jay Chou song.

The lights in the library were soft and gentle.

Zhou Yu glanced at the red string bracelet on Cheng Yuzhou’s wrist. When he noticed her gaze and turned to look, she quickly asked to cover her awkwardness, “Where did you get this red string?”

Cheng Yuzhou recalled, “One Spring Festival, I came back for the holidays and met an old lady selling these on the street. She said they bring peace, so I bought one.”

He had worn it ever since, never removing it—even during showers.

“During the New Year, streets are full of vendors selling trinkets like these.”

“The other vendors were good at shouting to attract customers, but that old lady didn’t speak much. Still, she was the cleanest, and her braided strings were the prettiest.”

Pretending not to care, Zhou Yu casually asked, “I heard they’re sold in pairs. Did you only buy one?”

“Two.”

“What about the other one?”

It was already four years ago. Cheng Yuzhou had been growing rapidly at the time, always restless. Even in freezing weather, he would take his basketball to the court. That night, the area around the court was lined with various stalls. The old lady only had a small table neatly displaying hand-sewn cotton shoes and hats—all items for children. When Cheng Yuzhou first passed by, the scene remained unchanged even hours later. No one had bought anything, and seeing how frail the elderly woman looked made him feel pity. He decided to buy something.

As he approached, a girl was squatting in front of the small table. The old lady gestured with her hands, which he didn’t understand, but the girl explained that the red strings symbolized safety. Her face was swollen from having teeth pulled, making her speech unclear.

“I gave the second string to someone else who also wanted to buy one. The old lady couldn’t make change, and we each only wanted one.”

Zhou Yu opened her book and covered her face with it. “Oh…”

So he still remembered.

The rain grew heavier, splashing onto the steps.

They left before the library closed. With only one umbrella, Cheng Yuzhou said it didn’t matter if he got wet. Watching his retreating figure, Zhou Yu eventually called out to him.

“Why don’t you use my umbrella after I get home?”

“Alright,” Cheng Yuzhou took the umbrella handle from her once again.

The rain was heavier than before, and though they maintained some distance, Zhou Yu’s shoulder got wet. Cheng Yuzhou subtly tilted the umbrella toward her without showing any signs of doing so.

Passing by a small shop, Zhou Yu stopped. “I want to buy candy. Grandma likes it.”

Cheng Yuzhou accompanied her inside. A little girl around five or six years old sat in front of the TV eating spicy gluten. Zhou Yu purchased hard lollipops. Cheng Yuzhou remembered that Grandma didn’t have many teeth left.

“Can Grandma bite into them?”

“She’ll eat them slowly.”

Before paying, Zhou Yu remembered there were other things missing at home. Feeling embarrassed, she refrained from saying anything as Cheng Yuzhou stood beside her.

A minute later, Cheng Yuzhou sensed her hesitation. He opened the umbrella and stepped outside to wait. Vaguely, he heard her ask the shopkeeper for two packs of sanitary pads.

The wind blowing toward them was somewhat hot and dry.

Cheng Yuzhou first escorted Zhou Yu home. After she went inside, he used her umbrella to head back.

Zhou Yu cracked open the door and peeked out. He was already far away. Liu Fen called her, saying there was leftover rice in the pot. Zhou Yu retracted her gaze, closed the door, and returned inside.

Grandma was watching TV. After finishing her meal, Zhou Yu cleaned the dishes. From her backpack, she took out a lollipop, unwrapped the plastic, and handed it to Grandma.

“Grandma, remember to use the bathroom before sleeping.”

The elderly woman had forgotten about wetting the bed earlier. “Didn’t I already go?”

“Go again, please.” Zhou Yu coaxed her gently. “After this episode ends, okay?”

Grandma smiled. “Alright.”

After Grandma fell asleep, Zhou Yu washed up. Drying her hair halfway, she sat at her desk and flipped through exam papers. In the drawer lay a photo album—not many photos inside, most from when she was young. She no longer remembered those days. As she grew older, fewer pictures were taken.

In her second year of middle school, she developed two wisdom teeth that kept getting inflamed, causing unbearable pain. Her father took her to the hospital. After taking X-rays, the doctor said they needed extraction. Despite anesthesia, the procedure left her face swollen. By the next day, the swelling worsened, prompting everyone who saw her to laugh.

Embarrassed to see people, she still eagerly anticipated the annual lantern riddle festival. That evening, wearing a hat, she attended the square event, winning two large bags of laundry detergent. A neighbor snapped a photo of her.

In the picture, her swollen face was barely recognizable, even to family members. Yet she proudly held up the detergent.

This was Zhou Yu’s last photo with her father.

________________________________________

Cheng Yuzhou reviewed all the exam papers he borrowed from Zhou Yu. Their difficulty was slightly lower than what he faced at his own school.

Approaching the start of the semester, former classmates mentioned visiting for a couple of days, asking if there was a place to stay. The weather had cleared up, but the temperature remained warm. Cheng Yuzhou suggested they come during National Day instead.

With Cheng Yuzhou around, Cheng Wanyue visited Grandma’s house more frequently. No one nagged her to study here, and Cheng Yuzhou could even play games with her.

Early in the morning, before she woke up, Cheng Guo’an arrived. After discussing matters with Madam Qian for half an hour, he gathered everyone together.

Having stayed up all night, Cheng Yanqing sat drowsily on the sofa, barely able to keep his eyes open. “Dad, what’s going on? Is it really such a grand occasion? Are Uncle and Aunt actually getting divorced?”

Cheng Yuzhou sighed impatiently.

“Watch your tongue,” Cheng Wanyue slapped her brother on the head.

“Enough, stop quarreling. I have something important to announce,” Cheng Guo’an said solemnly. “Qing Hang is an excellent child—his academic performance has always been top-notch. You all know his family situation—it hasn’t been easy. Last month, his grandfather was diagnosed with late-stage stomach cancer…”

“What!” Cheng Yanqing suddenly became alert.

“It’s true. His grandfather doesn’t want Qing Hang to know. All of you must remember not to let it slip in front of him. Wanyue, Yanqing, your mother and I have discussed this, and Grandma agrees—we plan to adopt Qing Hang.”

“I object!” Cheng Wanyue was the first to protest.

Cheng Guo’an stroked his daughter’s hair, tears still lingering on her cheeks from learning about Qing Hang’s grandfather’s illness. “He won’t take away our love for you. Your standard of living won’t drop because of him. You’ll gain another older brother. Isn’t that great?”

“No way! I absolutely refuse! If you insist on adopting Qing Hang, then consider me no longer your daughter!”

Grandma quickly intervened to ease the tension. “Yueyue, don’t talk to your father like that.”

“I disagree, disagree, DISAGREE!” Cheng Wanyue shouted, running downstairs.

Qing Hang happened to walk into the courtyard. Still upset, Cheng Wanyue stood on the steps glaring at him. Madam Qian chased after her but refrained from saying anything in front of Qing Hang.

“Qing Hang is here. It’s sunny outside—come inside. Yueyue, stop throwing a tantrum. Grandma made breakfast for you.”

“Hmph! I’m not eating!” Cheng Wanyue stormed off with a cold expression.

Qing Hang lowered his head, showing no obvious emotions. He assumed she was still angry about what happened the other day.

After exposing his raw desires so openly in front of her, she would surely despise him now.

But perhaps this was better. She wouldn’t bother with him anymore.

Cheng Yuzhou emerged from the house. Qing Hang asked, “Why did you call me here?”

“You go inside first. Uncle is upstairs.” Cheng Yuzhou, relatively uninvolved in this matter, walked out of the courtyard. “Grandma, I’ll go check on Cheng Wanyue.”

“Tell Yueyue not to cry. This child’s temper is getting worse.”

“Mm.”

Cheng Wanyue hadn’t washed her face or brushed her teeth, still wearing slippers. She must have gone home. Knowing her stubbornness, especially when angry, Cheng Yuzhou confirmed she was safe at home and left.

Passing by the supermarket where Zhou Yu worked part-time, he went in to buy a drink. The cashier wasn’t Zhou Yu, so he texted her on the way, asking what time her shift was.

The morning air was fresh. Cheng Yuzhou crushed the empty soda can, tossing it high over his head. The can traced a graceful parabola in the air, landing perfectly in the trash bin.

His phone buzzed with a text notification. Zhou Yu’s reply read: I no longer work part-time at the supermarket.

Standing in the shade, Cheng Yuzhou typed: The weather’s nice. Want to stroll by the riverside tonight?

Looking at her phone, Zhou Yu remembered promising Cheng Yuzhou she would take him to the riverside once.

She replied: Okay. I’m free after six.

Cheng Yuzhou put away his phone and encountered Qing Hang at the alley entrance. A nod sufficed as their greeting. Given Cheng Wanyue’s strong resistance, Cheng Guo’an likely hadn’t informed Qing Hang yet about the adoption plans.