AAWOMAHI Chapter76

The weather was getting warmer, and it was finally possible to shed the heavy down jackets.

 

After class, Jiang Ran told Lu Xingmian that there was a friendly badminton match today for the graduating seniors of the finance department.

 

With no more classes in the afternoon, Lu Xingmian and Jiang Ran went to the indoor gymnasium to support their classmates and seniors from the same department.

 

When they entered the gym, they were surprised to find so many students there. All the good seats were already occupied, and a lot of students had even brought homemade signs, giving the whole scene the atmosphere of a celebrity match.

 

Lu Xingmian and Jiang Ran found a spot in a corner to sit down.

 

There were students in front and behind them who were very excited about the match. From their conversation, Lu Xingmian finally understood why so many people had shown up.

 

There was a senior in the graduating class who was exceptionally handsome and had outstanding academic achievements. He was a legendary figure at the school and was rarely seen on campus. The handsome senior was going to be at today’s friendly match, so everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of this legend.

 

After all, the senior was about to graduate, and after that, the chances of seeing him again would be close to zero.

 

Curious, Jiang Ran turned around and asked the girl behind him, “What’s the senior’s name?”

 

The girl looked at him in surprise, astonished that someone didn’t know the senior’s name. “Aren’t you in the finance department?”

 

She noted that many people from other departments had also come today.

 

Jiang Ran replied that he was a freshman.

 

The girl immediately understood. He was a new student, so it was no wonder he didn’t know the senior. By the time the freshmen arrived, that senior had already stopped coming to school regularly.

 

With a face full of admiration, the girl introduced the senior: “His name is Meng Sun. He’s a legend in our finance department. He’s not just handsome, but he’s also incredibly accomplished. He started his own company in his senior year, and it’s already ranked in the top 200 nationwide.”

 

Jiang Ran let out a sound of awe. It seemed the senior was truly impressive, having achieved something most people his age couldn’t.

 

As soon as the senior was mentioned, the girl’s friend joined the conversation, sharing various stories about him: he was the student council president for three consecutive years, scored a near-perfect score on the CET-4 and CET-6 exams, and so on.

 

The girls mentioned that the senior was outstanding in every way, but he was never seen dating anyone. Many people at school had tried to pursue him, yet none had succeeded.

 

The two girls chattered on happily. Jiang Ran then turned back around and noticed that Lu Xingmian seemed to be deep in thought.

 

Jiang Ran asked him, “What’s wrong?”

 

Lu Xingmian shook his head. “Nothing.”

 

He had heard the conversation between the girls and Jiang Ran. The senior’s name was Meng Sun. Could it be the Meng Sun he knew?

 

Could they just have the same name? However, the Meng Sun he knew would have found it easy to get into Yancheng University.

 

Suddenly, the gymnasium stirred with excitement. Amidst the cheers, Lu Xingmian saw a few boys walk in.

 

They must be the senior students.

 

In the crowd, he spotted a familiar face. Though a long time had passed, Lu Xingmian still remembered it clearly.

 

So it turned out not to be just someone with the same name, it really was the Meng Sun he knew.

 

He was much taller than Lu Xingmian remembered, dressed in a light gray suit that accentuated his tall, straight posture. He exuded a mix of youthful innocence and mature confidence.

 

The instant he entered the gymnasium, the younger students erupted into cheers, with many holding up signs and calling out loudly. “You’re so handsome, senior!” and “I love you, senior!” It was like a mini fan meet-and-greet.

 

Even when they were kids, Lu Xingmian knew Meng Sun was popular, but now he was even more so. Half the audience was there just for him.

 

While Meng Sun was talking with his friends, he seemed to feel something from the crowded stands. He lifted his head, and his eyes finally settled on a corner.

 

Lu Xingmian didn’t expect Meng Sun to suddenly look toward the audience. When their eyes met, Meng Sun seemed to smile at him.

 

Lu Xingmian was surprised. Could Meng Sun still remember him? Was that smile for him? He must have been mistaken; surely Meng Sun didn’t recognize him.

 

Jiang Ran, however, was certain. “Do you guys know each other?” He asked while pointing out that Meng Sun had definitely been looking at Lu Xingmian.

 

Lu Xingmian mumbled a reply. Of course, they knew each other.

 

A long, long time ago, they were neighbors. Meng Sun’s family lived on the floor above his. Back then, Lu Xingmian’s last name was Song, and Meng Sun, who was four years older, looked after him like a big brother.

 

When Lu Xingmian was in elementary school, he would often go to Meng Sun for help with his homework, and Meng Sun would patiently explain everything.

 

Sometimes, when Lu Xingmian got home early from school and no one was there, he’d sit on the floor in the hallway, doing his homework while waiting for an adult to come home. Meng Sun would find him there and take him inside his own home.

 

Meng Sun would even drive the young Lu Xingmian to school before heading to his own. But then, when Lu Xingmian was in middle school, Meng Sun’s family moved away. He hadn’t seen him since. He never expected to run into him here today.

 

Meng Sun returned to the court, now in a tracksuit, transforming from a successful professional into a charming, sunny senior. He looked handsome no matter what he wore.

 

The match was a thrilling one.

 

After the game ended, Lu Xingmian was about to leave with the others when a tall figure blocked his path. “Lu Xingmian,” Meng Sun said.

 

He had spotted Lu Xingmian earlier and thought he would come over after the game. But when he saw him getting ready to leave with his classmate, he quickly put down his things and hurried over.

 

Lu Xingmian hadn’t expected Meng Sun to approach him directly. “Meng Sun Ge,” he said.

 

“You’re still a kid,” Meng Sun said with a hint of regret. “You used to call me ‘Meng Sun Gege.’ We haven’t seen each other in a few years, and you’ve suddenly become so formal.”

 

“I’m not a kid anymore,” Lu Xingmian replied, a bit shy. A question suddenly popped into his mind. “Meng Sun Ge, how did you know…?”

 

How did he know his name wasn’t Song Xingmian anymore?

 

“I went back to Suzhou a while ago,” Meng Sun said while looking at him. “I saw Uncle and Auntie Song. They were holding a new baby.”

 

Meng Sun found out about Lu Xingmian from his parents, Father and Mother Song.

 

Meng Sun originally had no intention of coming to today’s game, but his good friend kept pestering him to come. He was glad he did, because he got to see Lu Xingmian. Lu Xingmian had grown up and grown tall. He was no longer the little boy who used to do his homework on the hallway floor; he had become a handsome young man.

 

Meng Sun asked him, “Did you see me just now?”

 

Lu Xingmian nodded. “I did.”

 

“If you saw me, why were you about to leave?”

 

“I thought you wouldn’t remember me.”

 

“It’s true, you’ve seen me as a stranger now,” Meng Sun said. “How could I not remember you? By the way, do you have time later?”

 

Lu Xingmian replied, “Yes, I don’t have class this afternoon.”

 

Meng Sun smiled. “Lu Xingmian, it’s been a long time. Let’s find a place to catch up. I’ll treat you to a meal. Your friend can come along too.”

 

Seeing that this was a long-awaited reunion for Lu Xingmian and his friend, Jiang Ran tactfully said he had something to do and left.

 

Watching Jiang Ran walk away, Meng Sun looked thoughtful. “Is that your boyfriend?”

 

Lu Xingmian quickly waved his hands. “No, no, he’s a classmate. We came to watch the game together.”

 

“Okay,” Meng Sun said. “Wait for me, I’ll change and come back for you. Don’t go anywhere.”

 

Worried that Lu Xingmian would leave, Meng Sun went back, showered quickly, changed, and then hurried back.

 

The two of them left the gym in silence, and it wasn’t until later that Meng Sun finally broke the quiet.

 

Meng Sun asked him, “What do you want to eat?”

 

Lu Xingmian thought for a moment. “Anything is fine.”

 

Meng Sun let out a wry laugh. “You’ve really changed. You don’t even call me ‘Meng Sun Gege’ anymore. You used to follow me around and call me that all the time. Now you have nothing to say to me.”

 

Lu Xingmian felt a bit embarrassed. “I was a kid back then.”

 

Meng Sun suddenly turned to him. “Are you still angry?”

 

“Huh?” Lu Xingmian looked at him in confusion. He didn’t understand where that came from.

 

Lu Xingmian did feel much more distant this time, unlike when he was a child, when he would enthusiastically follow him around and call him “Meng Sun Gege.”

 

Meng Sun explained, “Are you mad because I didn’t tell you we were moving?”

 

Lu Xingmian only found out Meng Sun’s family had moved a few days later, from an old lady in the neighborhood. He wasn’t upset. When no one was home, he would just sit in the hallway and do his homework like before. So, there was no way he could have been angry.

 

The two of them had hotpot. Meng Sun asked how Lu Xingmian was doing, and Lu Xingmian said he was doing well.

 

Meng Sun mentioned that he was living in Yancheng now and that Lu Xingmian could come to him if he ever needed anything. He then added Lu Xingmian’s contact information.

 

At 9 p.m., after dinner, they parted ways. Meng Sun offered to drive him back, but Lu Xingmian said it wasn’t necessary, that he would just take a taxi. He told Meng Sun to drive carefully.

 

Watching Lu Xingmian walk away, Meng Sun smiled. The little boy had grown up, and he had met him again.

 

As soon as Lu Xingmian entered his home, he saw Lu Shirun sitting on the sofa. He was completely still, like a fine sculpture, as if he had been sitting there for a long time.

 

After Lu Xingmian walked in, the beautiful sculpture finally moved. Lu Shirun stood up, lifted him, placed him on the cabinet, and skillfully helped him change his shoes.

 

Lu Xingmian was eager to share what had happened that afternoon. “Ge, guess who I met today?”

 

Lu Shirun had already taken off his sneakers and was putting on his slippers. “Who did you meet?”

 

Lu Xingmian said excitedly, “I met a senior, a neighbor from when I was a kid who lived on the floor above me. He used to play with me all the time. We had hotpot together tonight.”

 

Lu Shirun replied, “You seem so happy.”

 

Lu Xingmian explained, “It’s just that I hadn’t seen him for years, and then I suddenly ran into him, so it feels a little unbelievable.”

 

Sitting on the sofa, Lu Xingmian told Lu Shirun about his childhood with Meng Sun.

 

As he was talking, Lu Xingmian received a WeChat message. It was from Meng Sun, who said he had arrived home safely and asked if Lu Xingmian had as well.

 

After Lu Xingmian replied, he got up to get a Yakult to drink.

 

The phone on the sofa lit up again.

 

[Meng Sun: I was very happy to see you today. If you ever need anything, you can always come to me. I’ll take care of you just like I did when we were kids.]

 

Lu Xingmian hadn’t set his phone to hide notifications on the lock screen, and it was right next to Lu Shirun, who saw the message.