Chapter 128: Returning to the Capital

The brief winter break had finally come to an end, signaling that the vast number of diligent students would soon be returning to school.

"Mom, why did you pack so many thick coats for me? It’s inconvenient to carry so many," Xiao Lin said, looking at his suitcase stuffed to the brim, touching his nose with a hint of helplessness.

"The weather in Kyoto is unpredictable; you have to bring several changes of clothes," Xu Qiaoling replied as she busily organized the clothes, glancing at Xiao Lin.

"Alright, I don’t mind you packing my clothes, but look at this huge bag of fruits and snacks. Why do I need all these in Kyoto?" Xiao Lin pointed at the plastic bag beside his suitcase.

"Those are for you to eat on the trip. Don’t buy food at the train station; it's unhygienic there," Xu Qiaoling explained.

“Son, I’ve got the tickets—two high-speed rail tickets,” Xiao’s father burst in hurriedly from outside, waving the two tickets in his hand.

“You’re making such a fuss over tickets, shouting like a child. What if the neighbors hear and laugh at us?” Xu Qiaoling rolled her eyes at him.

“You don’t understand. Tickets are hard to come by now. I pulled a lot of strings to get these. By the way, son, why do you need two tickets?” Xiao’s father boasted about his accomplishment, then asked Xiao Lin.

“I’m going with a friend,” Xiao Lin replied casually, not mentioning the friend’s name.

The day after tomorrow was the first day of school, so Xiao Lin started packing today for the noon high-speed train tomorrow. He was going with Ma Yunrou, and once in Kyoto, he would accompany her to the Film Academy registration.

Yesterday, Xiao Lin had called Wang Yuqing, rambling on about trivial things without revealing that he couldn’t return to school with her. But perceptive and understanding Wang Yuqing grasped the meaning behind his hesitant words. She told Xiao Lin that her father would be going to Kyoto to visit her uncle and could accompany her, so she wouldn’t be traveling with him this time.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Lin finally breathed a sigh of relief. He had been worried about Wang Yuqing traveling alone, but because Ma Yunrou had told him something in advance, he had been conflicted. Now that Wang Yuqing said her father would accompany her, he could relax. However, Xiao Lin had no idea Wang Yuqing was deceiving him—her father was not going to Kyoto at all, so he couldn’t possibly be escorting her. Wang Yuqing said this only to spare him from feeling awkward.

If Shangguan Xue’er knew Wang Yuqing’s true intentions, she would surely scold her. Unfortunately, Shangguan Xue’er had returned to Mingzhu City two days ago. Before leaving, she had repeatedly warned Wang Yuqing not to indulge Xiao Lin and Ma Yunrou blindly and not to always yield. Yet, Wang Yuqing’s nature was hard to change with just a few words from Shangguan Xue’er.

At this moment, Wang Yuqing was also packing at home. She wasn’t bringing much—just a few essential clothes and some books. Liu Mei had stuffed her suitcase with many items, but Wang Yuqing took them all out and repacked it herself. Seeing this, Liu Mei could only comply. Thanks to Wang Yuqing’s father’s connections, she also bought a high-speed rail ticket for tomorrow, though not on the same train as Xiao Lin.

Wang Yuqing looked worriedly at the “lovebirds” in their cage. She pondered whether to leave them at home for her parents to care for or to bring them to her uncle’s place in Kyoto and take care of them herself. After much thought, she decided to bring them to her uncle’s house, fearing her parents wouldn’t take good care of them.

“Qingqing, when you get to your uncle’s house, you must listen to him, understand?” Wang Yuan said to his daughter in a gruff voice.

“Old Wang, what kind of words are those? When has my daughter ever been anything but obedient? Didn’t her uncle praise her on New Year’s Day? Honestly, if you’re so bored, go clean the toilet,” Liu Mei scolded Wang Yuan for speaking ill of their daughter.

“What? Clean the toilet? I’m a deputy mayor! You want me to scrub the toilet? How could you even think of that?” Wang Yuan’s mustache bristled in anger.

“Oh, you’re mad now? Outside you’re a deputy mayor, but at home, you’re just an ordinary man. If you don’t clean the toilet properly, don’t expect to eat today,” Liu Mei retorted, glaring fiercely without fear.

After a minute of staring each other down, Wang Yuan finally relented. Liu Mei was right—at home, he was just an ordinary man and had to do household chores.

“Mom, isn’t it too much to make Dad clean the toilet?” Wang Yuqing said, noticing that her father was actually scrubbing the toilet.

“Don’t mind him, daughter. You must take care of yourself there. If anything happens, be sure to call home and let us know. Also…” Liu Mei launched into a long list of instructions, her concern overflowing in her words.

Meanwhile, Ma Yunrou was not at home packing. She was in a private room of a small restaurant, listening to Uncle Xiang.

“This is your admission letter to the Kyoto Film Academy. Madam has already taken care of everything. When you arrive, find the dean of the Acting Department, Chen Hongyan. Just mention your name, and she’ll know. Since you’re transferring mid-term, you’ll study with this year’s students. If they ask, say you’re a special enrollee, understand?” Uncle Xiang handed over the letter. Although Lin Yuemei could have directly gotten Ma Yunrou into the film school, some formalities still had to be followed.

Ma Yunrou took the letter excitedly. Kyoto Film Academy, here I come. She felt like she was holding not just an admission letter but a certificate of her stardom. She believed that graduating from the film school meant her path to fame was guaranteed.

“Also, you must visit Innovation High School often to find Xiao Lin. Make sure the whole school knows Xiao Lin is your boyfriend now,” Uncle Xiang continued to issue orders, ignoring Ma Yunrou’s excitement.

“But Madam said to hurt Xiao Lin as much as possible. Why should I purposely look for him?” Ma Yunrou was puzzled.

“Don’t ask too much. Madam said you can’t break up with Xiao Lin yet. When the time is right, I’ll notify you. For now, your job is to hold on tight to Xiao Lin.”

“Also, don’t provoke him at Innovation High. No matter what happens—even if he hits you—you mustn’t fight back,” Uncle Xiang said, showing Ma Yunrou a photo. The person in the picture was Gao Zheng. Though confused, Ma Yunrou nodded, committing Gao Zheng’s face to memory as someone not to provoke.

“Although Xiao Lin is with you now, my investigation shows he’s still entangled with his ex. So you need to stir up trouble between them as much as possible,” Uncle Xiang added.

“I understand. Don’t worry, I’ll handle it,” Ma Yunrou’s eyes flashed with a hint of cruelty. Sowing discord was her specialty.

“That’s all. You may leave now,” Uncle Xiang waved her off.

“Understood,” Ma Yunrou said respectfully and exited the room.

Around four in the afternoon, Xiao Lin arrived at a small eatery. As soon as he entered, Zhang Zhenghao, who had been waiting for some time, dragged him into a private room. No girls were there—only guys Xiao Lin knew, like Ye Hao, Jin Hai, and Haozi.

“Come on, no girls today, so we’re getting drunk until we drop!” Zhang Zhenghao shoved Xiao Lin into a chair and handed him a bottle of beer.

“Brothers, to our brotherhood and the dark days ahead, let’s have one last wild celebration,” Zhang Zhenghao declared, taking a swig straight from the bottle. The others followed suit, including Xiao Lin.

They gathered for this drink for two reasons: first, because school would start the day after tomorrow, so they wanted one last get-together. Second, they were all seniors now, and after this break, the college entrance exams were coming, meaning they’d have to study hard next semester. Before that, they wanted one final spree. No girls were invited this time because when girls were around, the boys couldn’t let loose.

Everyone got drunk that night, and Xiao Lin barely remembered how he got home.

***

The next morning, Xiao Lin rubbed his still aching head and checked the clock by his bed. It was already 8:30 a.m. He hurriedly dressed. His train was at 11 a.m.

After leaving his room, washing up, and having a quick breakfast, it was already 9:30. He called Ma Yunrou and asked her to wait downstairs. Then he had his father drive him to pick her up. Under Xu Qiaoling’s repeated reminders, Xiao Lin grabbed his luggage and got into his father’s car, heading toward Ma Yunrou’s neighborhood.

About ten minutes later, the car stopped at Ma Yunrou’s home. Xiao Lin waved to her and helped load her luggage into the trunk before getting back in and driving to the train station.

Four hours later, Wang Yuqing also got into her father Wang Yuan’s car, heading toward the train station. Upon arrival, she pulled her suitcase alone into the station, carrying a small box in her left hand containing the pair of “lovebirds.” Though enclosed, the birds chirped joyfully, comforted by each other’s presence. But Wang Yuqing was all alone. The sunlight shone on her frail frame, casting a solitary shadow on the ground.

***

Note:

Volume Two ends here. The first chapter of Volume Three will be uploaded tomorrow at the usual time.