RGL – Chapter 72

Xue Mian searched around the platform for a long time, but still couldn’t find them. He anxiously darted back and forth, scanning the crowds.

Meanwhile, Song Dapeng stood off to the side holding up a sign. He still hadn’t figured out how he went from enjoying his fan and popsicle at home to being dragged out as manual labor. Now he was following behind Xue Mian like an idiot, holding up a sign like a dope.

But to be fair, Xue Mian had made a good call in bringing him. Su Min hadn’t spotted Xue Mian, but she did notice Song Dapeng—his size and the sign he was holding were hard to miss. She followed the direction of the sign and, sure enough, saw Xue Mian standing next to him. She immediately called out, “Xue Mian! I’m over here!”

As she shouted, she tugged Sun Qiufang along and made her way toward them.

The train station was noisy, so even though Su Min shouted several times, Xue Mian didn’t hear her. He was already sweating from anxiety. It was getting dark, and Su Min had never been to this city before. Though she seemed smart enough, she hadn’t traveled on her own before. What if she ran into trouble? And he still hadn’t seen her!

“Xue Xiaobai!” Su Min finally reached out and grabbed his arm, calling loudly with a bright smile.

Hearing her voice, Xue Mian lit up and turned around. When he saw Su Min’s smiling face, he couldn’t hold back anymore—he beamed, showing off a row of bright white teeth. “Su Xiaomin!”

Song Dapeng, still stunned by Su Min’s ear-piercing call earlier, silently thought to himself that Xue Mian’s taste was seriously… unique. Where was the cuteness? Where was the beauty? Where was the sweetness?

Totally didn’t match up.

But according to Xue Mian, this girl had excellent grades. That alone made up for a lot. Song Dapeng smiled warmly and decided to show his friendly side. “Xue Mian, aren’t you going to introduce us?”

Only then did Su Min notice the guy in the military green T-shirt next to her. She glanced at the sign in his hand—it had her name on it. So he had to be Xue Mian’s friend. She smiled politely, “Hello, I’m Su Min. I’m Xue Mian’s high school classmate—and deskmate.”

Song Dapeng grinned. “I’m Song Yuanfang.”

Xue Mian didn’t like Su Min talking to other guys, so he instinctively reached to take her bag and tried to lead her away. But Su Min just smiled and said, “My mom’s here too.”

Turning back, she said, “Mom, you’ve met Xue Mian before. This is his friend, they came to pick us up.”

Sun Qiufang did recognize Xue Mian, so she wasn’t too uncomfortable. She smiled and said, “Sorry to trouble you both to come all this way. Minzi and I know the way.”

Xue Mian had thought Su Min would be coming alone. He’d even prepared a whole sightseeing plan. But before he could get excited, he realized her mom had come too. Seeing Sun Qiufang again caught him off guard.

Su Min patted his arm. “My parents didn’t feel safe letting me travel so far alone, so they decided to come too.”

Xue Mian finally responded with an “Mhm,” and forced a smile to greet Sun Qiufang, feeling as if all his plans had just gone up in smoke.

Song Dapeng was holding back laughter beside him. Xue Mian had planned to have fun alone with the girl, but now her mom had tagged along. This was going to be hilarious.

Xue Mian had originally planned to have Su Min stay at his place. Even with Sun Qiufang, his home could accommodate them. But Sun Qiufang felt uncomfortable staying with strangers, especially hearing that his family lived in a military compound. That made her even more reluctant. She’d never been to that kind of place, but she’d seen them on TV—and those people weren’t your average folks. She’d feel completely out of place.

Su Min didn’t want to stay at Xue Mian’s either. Though they were good friends, it still felt inappropriate to stay at his house.

So Xue Mian had no choice but to take them to a nearby hotel.

Sun Qiufang knew that her presence would cramp the kids’ style, so once they settled in, she told Su Min to go hang out with her friends while she rested in the room.

Su Min also wanted to chat with Xue Mian, so she led him and Song Dapeng to the hotel’s first floor, where they ordered some snacks and drinks.

Seeing Xue Mian looking all gloomy, Su Min teased, “What’s with you? Am I not welcome or something?”

Song Dapeng, munching on a chicken leg, chuckled, “He’s just upset his little scheme didn’t work out.”

“Huh?” Su Min raised her eyebrows, puzzled.

Xue Mian quickly slapped Song Dapeng’s arm. “He’s just spouting nonsense. I was just thinking about where I should take you sightseeing. Oh right, what kind of places does your mom like?”

No matter what, she was still Su Min’s mother—he couldn’t act annoyed. And who knows, maybe one day she’d be the one disapproving of him.

Su Min said, “My mom’s not feeling too well. She’ll probably rest at the hotel tomorrow. I’ll go out with you. I already checked the map before coming. I want to see the Forbidden City and the Great Wall.”

As soon as he heard they’d be going out alone, Xue Mian’s face lit up with a huge smile. “No problem, I’ve already made plans.”

After eating, seeing that it was getting dark and not wanting them to get home too late, Su Min urged the two boys to head back. She agreed to meet Xue Mian again at eight the next morning.

As he left the hotel, Xue Mian couldn’t help glancing back a few more times, reluctant to leave.

He and Su Min hadn’t seen each other for over a year. There were still so many things they hadn’t had a chance to talk about.

He noticed her hair had grown longer, and her skin had become noticeably fairer—probably because she hadn’t been going out for popsicles as much. Her eyes were bright and sparkling. She still looked like Su Min, yet somehow not quite the same. She felt unfamiliar, yet very familiar.

Seeing the conflicted look on his face, Song Dapeng chuckled. “What are you sulking about? Didn’t you just score a day out with her tomorrow?”

“It’s not that,” Xue Mian said. “It’s just… it’s been so long since we last saw each other. Do you think she might feel distant when she looks at me?”

Song Dapeng scoffed at his overly cautious tone. “If she really felt distant, would she be calling you Xue Xiaobai? I’ve known you for years and never even knew that was your name.”

“That’s because she’s the only one who calls me that,” Xue Mian mumbled awkwardly.

“Oh, come on. Don’t even try to deny it now—you clearly like her,” Song Dapeng said with a knowing look. Then, curiosity piqued, he added, “But seriously, what do you even see in her? If we’re talking looks, she’s not as pretty as our old class beauty. If it’s about cuteness, she doesn’t hold a candle to Han Lei’s girlfriend. Honestly, she doesn’t even look like a sixteen-year-old girl to me.”

Xue Mian’s expression changed the moment he heard him criticizing Su Min. “Don’t talk about her like that. You just don’t understand what makes her great. Anyway, you’re not allowed to talk about her like that,” he snapped, brows furrowed.

It was the first time Song Dapeng had seen Xue Mian get genuinely upset like this. Realizing he’d crossed a line, he covered his mouth and shook his head, waiting for Xue Mian to calm down. Once his expression softened a bit, Song Dapeng muttered with a hint of disdain, “Won’t even let me talk. She probably doesn’t even know how you feel about her. Usually you’re so bold, but when it really matters, you chicken out.”

He scratched his head. “Alright, I’m off. Gotta get back to my popsicles. Let’s hang out with Han Lei next time.”

Xue Mian nodded, watching him get into his car and drive off. Once he was gone, Xue Mian found a step on the side of the road and sat down.

He knew his feelings weren’t exactly appropriate—Su Min couldn’t know. If she ever found out, she might not even want to be friends anymore. She’d probably think he was messed up in the head.

But he just couldn’t help it—he liked her.

He liked the way Su Min was always so serious. He liked how she acted mature, like a little adult. He even liked when she lectured him. To him, she was different from other girls.

When Xue Mian got home, his grandparents had already finished dinner. His grandmother, whose health wasn’t great, had gone upstairs to rest. Only his grandfather was in the living room watching TV. When he saw his eldest grandson come in, he tilted his head to peek behind him, but didn’t see anyone.

He asked, puzzled, “That little girl didn’t come with you?”

Xue Mian changed his shoes at the entrance, flopped down on the couch, and replied, “Her mom came too. Said it wasn’t convenient to stay at our place, so they’re staying at a hotel.”

Upon hearing that even her parent had come, the old man said, “So what? If her parent came, it’s all the more reason for us adults to invite them over for a meal. Back when your dad’s friends came over, we met all of their parents. Every time someone came, your grandma would cook a big pot of cabbage and pork skin stew, the kind where the broth glistens with oil. Your dad felt like such a big shot. And your grandma—she’s the stingiest woman alive—imagine how much effort it took for her to splurge on pork skin. But your dad never appreciated it. Later on, he even got into fights with your grandma.”

The old man grew nostalgic talking about the past. His daughter-in-law had never gotten along with the old lady, and eventually, his son barely came home.

Xue Mian tilted his head and said, “Weren’t we talking about my situation? How did we end up on my dad?”

“Because your dad was ungrateful. Every time I look at you, I think of him—and I really want to smack you.”

“…” Xue Mian rolled over and lay beside the old man. “Grandpa, do you think I should invite Su Min’s mom over for a meal? They only know me here.”

“Of course you should. That’ll show that you and the girl are close. You’re still young, so her family won’t think too much about it.”

Xue Mian nodded in agreement. “That’s what I think too.” Then he suddenly sat up. “Oh right, I’m supposed to go out with Su Min tomorrow. I better go get ready.”

He gave his grandfather a hug and dashed upstairs.

Watching his grandson run up the stairs with a beaming smile, the old man chuckled to himself, eyes crinkling into slits.

The next morning, Xue Mian was up at the crack of dawn.

He threw on the clothes he had already laid out, his freshly washed buzz cut smelling clean and fragrant. Without even stopping for breakfast, he dashed out the door.

Sun Qiufang wasn’t used to unfamiliar places, and after all the traveling, she wasn’t feeling well. She hadn’t slept well all night. Su Min was worried about her and hadn’t slept much either.

It wasn’t until just before dawn that they both finally dozed off.

Seeing the time, Sun Qiufang gently patted her daughter. “Minzi, didn’t you and Xue Mian agree to head out at eight? Don’t be late—it’s not good to keep someone waiting.”

Hearing that, Su Min took a deep breath and forced herself out of bed. She splashed her face with cold water in the bathroom to wake herself up.

By the time she had gone downstairs to get breakfast ready for her mom and tidied herself up, it was already ten past eight.

She hurried out the door, and as soon as she stepped outside, she saw Xue Mian leaning against the wall, staring into space.

Seeing him like that, Su Min felt a bit guilty and uneasy. She wasn’t the type who liked to keep others waiting. Making someone wait on the very first day—it made her feel pretty bad.

“Xue Mian, you’ve been waiting a while, haven’t you?”

Xue Mian snapped out of his daze and glanced at his scratched-up watch—yeah, it had been a while. He’d gotten there around seven, and now it was over an hour later. He hadn’t even noticed.

Looking at Su Min’s slightly apologetic smile, something stirred in his heart. He deliberately put on a stern face and said, “Over an hour late. You tell me—how are you going to make it up to me?”

Getting cocky now.

Su Min grinned. “I haven’t had breakfast yet. Come on—let me treat you to something.”

Hearing her soften her tone, Xue Mian couldn’t keep up the act. He awkwardly turned his face away and muttered, “Fine, since it’s your first day, I’ll let it slide. I want wontons.”

“Sure! Even meat buns if you want!” Su Min quickly replied with a smile.

They found a small breakfast shop and had a hearty meal. By the end, they were both dripping with sweat. Su Min cooled off with a bowl of iced tofu pudding and felt so content she wanted to sigh out loud.

Now this was living. No need to earn money, no need to study. Just eat and play.

Too bad life wasn’t like this every day.

After breakfast, the two of them followed their plan and headed to climb the Great Wall.

Going early in the morning meant it wasn’t too hot. In the afternoon, they planned to stroll through part of the Forbidden City. People said the place was so big you couldn’t finish seeing it even in two days. Su Min wasn’t in a rush this trip, so she wasn’t too anxious.

On the way, Su Min asked Xue Mian about his exam results and what school he planned to attend.

The schools in City B were top-tier, but even among the best, some stood out. Back in their county, Xue Mian had been the top student. But it was unclear how he’d rank in a big city like this.

Su Min figured that, with Xue Mian’s proud personality, he probably wouldn’t let himself fall behind anyone.

Xue Mian had actually decided to skip grades and go straight to preparing for university entrance exams, but he didn’t mention that to Su Min. He just said he planned to attend the city’s No.1 High School.

“I might even come here for university,” Su Min said. “Not sure if I’ll make the cut, though.”

That had always been her dream—going to university in City B.

Of course, if she couldn’t get in, the provincial capital would do.

Hearing that Su Min wanted to come here for university made Xue Mian thrilled inside. He wanted to say something, but when he looked at her, he just couldn’t get the words out.

They spent the whole morning climbing the Great Wall and were completely exhausted. Su Min tried counting the steps like others, but halfway through she didn’t even have the energy to count anymore.

“Su Min, what do you want to major in when you go to university?” Xue Mian asked as they rested on the steps, handing her a water bottle.

Su Min took a big gulp of water and said with a smile, “I wasn’t sure at first, but after learning to draw with you, I really started to enjoy it. I want to study something like that. I’m not sure if schools offer fashion design programs, but that’s what I want to do. You know, every time I see a sketch turn into a real piece of clothing, I feel really happy. I hope one day I can design beautiful clothes with my own skills.”

—Not just rely on someone else’s inspiration.

“I don’t think there’s that kind of major here. If you really want to study it, you’d probably have to go abroad.”

“Abroad?” Su Min looked disappointed. She wanted to go to university, yes, but she had never thought about going overseas. Her family and friends were all in China, and she was their only daughter. There was no way she could go that far.

“Then I’ll just teach myself.”

Xue Mian gripped the water bottle nervously. “My uncle is really skilled in that field. If you really want to learn, once he comes back to China, I can ask him to teach you.”

Su Min didn’t take it too seriously. People who were truly skilled were usually very busy—she wouldn’t want to intrude on their time.

After resting for a while, they continued walking. When they finally reached a path that led down, they decided to head back. There was still a long stretch ahead, but Su Min didn’t want to push herself.

At noon, Su Min bought some food and brought it back to the hotel for Sun Qiufang. Seeing that her mom looked much better, she finally felt at ease.

Sun Qiufang sighed. “Look at me, totally useless. I said I was coming to keep you company, but now you’re the one taking care of me. Should’ve just let your dad come instead.” Her voice was full of frustration.

Su Min smiled. “It’s fine. Once you’ve had a good rest today, I’ll take you to eat roast duck tomorrow. They slice it so well here—it’s delicious!”

“Alright, alright, look at you, already drooling. Go on, go eat with Xue Mian. He’s been dragging you around all day—don’t leave him hanging now.”

“I know, I’m going to buy him an ice pop while I’m at it.” Su Min slung on her small backpack and headed out the door with a grin.