Riding an old bicycle that made a sound with every part except its bell, Li Yang was feeling a bit gloomy and reflective. Gazing at the willow branches cheerfully dancing in the wind to one side, Li Yang couldn't help sighing.
The lessons of the second year of high school had come to an end. Today was a holiday, marking an end to his year of toiling, and for once, he could relax and take a breather.
School was finally out, but, unfortunately, the vacation was just a little over a week, not even ten days. It essentially meant the students could go home to enjoy some good food, relax a little before returning to school for a struggle akin to hell in senior year.
The reason for Li Yang's sighs lay in his academic performance. During middle school, he stood head and shoulders above his peers and was extremely popular amongst the girls who admired him. He didn't even spare them a second look. He was also successfully admitted to Shi Yi Zhong, a prestigious high school in Jiangdong City.
However, what was sad was that Shi Yi Zhong was a haven for high achievers. The school selected the best students from Jiangdong City, a city with a population well over five million, inching closer to ten million. In a school filled with excellent and even genius students, the once-glorious Li Yang plummeted.
He became an average high school student who — due to his affinity for computers and the time spent learning about programming and hacking — hovered around the 15th rank in his class with fluctuating grades.
Such performance, unless a miracle improvement would happen, would only lead him to an average second-tier university. Especially when he thought of the saddening subjects like physics, chemistry, and math, he felt even more like sighing.
Alas, his brain seemed to be made not for these logical subjects. He did not have a clue about theorems, simplifying equations, forces, electricity, functions, and whatnot.
It was majorly because of these subjects dragging him down that he, who was always a top performer with humanities, embarrassingly fell from grace and became an average student.
If it was just about humanities, Li Yang could boldly claim that he feared no one. But as soon as the science and math came up, he would shrink away, embarrassed to show his face.
Especially when he saw others being sweet and affectionate to each other as soon as they entered high school, clinging and embracing, his frustration was beyond words.
The summer vacation was already short, which increased the frustration of Li Yang who wanted to take the opportunity to indulge in computers. Furthermore, thinking about his dad possibly hiring some tutors to cram him with knowledge, his fate seemed even more pitiful.
His mood sank lower with every step he took; he was so lost in self-loathing that he didn't watch his path and almost rode into the Bai River on the side. This caused him to kick the old bicycle out of anger.
However, the pain made him involuntarily take in a cold breath. Damn, he was already frustrated to death, and now even this old bike seemed to be making a mockery of him.
The summer sun was extremely fierce, giving off a feeling of blazing hotness that made one sleepy. With Panda-like eyes, Li Yang absent-mindedly pedaled his bicycle, lost in his thoughts and totally unaware that he had reached a very familiar neighborhood.
He was almost home.
Just then, a figure flashed out from one side, blocking his way. Lee Yang was startled and hastily slammed on the brakes. Unfortunately, his bicycle was barely functional and if he had not reacted swiftly, using his foot as an emergency brake, he could have collided with the figure.
"Huh... Xiao Ran, is that you? You scared me when you suddenly appeared. If I hadn't reacted in time, I could have hurt your arms and legs!" Lee Yang raised his head to see the figure clearly, his eyes lighting up in surprise.
It was the girl next door, Zhou Ran, who he had known since they were children. She was going to be a ninth grader this year, and soon, it would be time for her to take the high school entrance exam.
He never really noticed before now, but today he saw for the first time that little Miss Zhou Ran was no longer a child. She had the grace of a young maiden, her body slender and her chest slightly full. Her appearance had matured beautifully, and like the poem phrase "twining, slender like a thirteen, green cardamom at the tip of a branch, spring in February", she exuded the fragrance of blooming maidenhood.
The stunning transformation of Zhou Ran made Lee Yang believe the saying, "a woman changes eighteen times between childhood and womanhood". He never paid much attention to it before. After all, she was a mere girl then, and unless one had unusual preferences, who would look at a child in a different light?
But now, Lee Yang was suddenly touched. However, he knew this was just temporary. Given his current pathetic performance and capabilities, he had no confidence to chase after the beautiful girl next door.
But others didn't think so. In Zhou Ran's memory, Lee was that dashing and dazzling middle school boy who was good with computers, played decent basketball, and even knew a thing or two about playing the guitar and calligraphy. Although his skills were not expert, they shone brightly in Zhou Ran's eyes.
Just like his exceptional academic score in middle school, it was enough to make her admire him.
"Brother Lee Yang, are you on your holidays?" Zhou Ran asked, her eyes twinkling as she intently stared at him.
Lee Yang blushed slightly. Little did she know, this Lee Yang is not the same as before. If she was to ask him some high school questions, he would be brought to tears. If she knew that he was now just an ordinary high school student, she would be disappointed and would not look at him with such admiration anymore.
"Yes, I am on my holidays but sadly it's only for eight days." Lee Yang got off his bike, pushed it, and walked with Zhou Ran.
Zhou Ran comes from a single parent household, growing up alongside her mother, Qiu Li who runs a snack cart and earns less than 20,000 a year. Life was tough in the city, especially when she had to support a dedicated daughter.
Thus their family was poor, quickly evidencing itself in the worn clothes on Zhou Ran's back. However, Lee Yang's situation wasn't much better. His mother, Jin Mei was employed at a barely functioning factory, and his father Lee Dong Ming was a deputy director of a science department in a large factory, with a slightly higher income, just enough to get by.
"But it's certainly better off than Zhaoran's family.
Because the factory run by my mother was not doing well, constantly facing difficulties in paying salaries, my mother Jinmei began to dabble in stock trading. She was often running between the exchange and home, clearly shifting her work focus.
All these situations were heart-wrenching for Li Yang. Alas, why wasn't there a dad awesome enough to let me idle around comfortably?
"What are your short vacation plans?" Zhaoran obviously didn't know the chaotic thoughts in Li Yang's mind, or else she would be shocked, her petite chin dropping to the floor. She still followed Li Yang, her pretty ponytail bouncing from side to side, her youthful vibe rendering Li Yang a little dazed.
"I've no plans. I guess my dad has already planned everything for me!" Li Yang rolled his eyes listlessly.
"Hehe, it seems like it. I heard from your mother that your father is looking for tutors for you. It looks like your holiday will be gloomy again." This girl didn't sympathize, instead appeared to be gloating, which caused Li Yang to feel depressed.
"What about your holidays, brat?" Li Yang questioned, somewhat disgruntled.
"Did Aunt Qiu also arrange endless tutors and interest classes for you?"
The girl didn't feel depressed at all, on the contrary, she laughed amusedly, her charming dimples suddenly appeared. She white-eyed Li Yang and said, "Brother Li Yang, are you really distressed? Do you want to feel less distressed?"
"Yes." Li Yang replied weakly.
"How about you tutor me then? We can save a fortune on tutoring fees and keep each other company to cheer things up?" Her suggestion startled Li Yang, making him instantly alert.
Damn it, now I've lost confidence in myself, especially in those natural science subjects. It's the start of learning physics and chemistry in ninth grade. Moreover, after two years, junior high school is very different from before, tutoring with my current level is actually an overwhelming task.
Especially now, seeing mathematics and physics gives me a headache. How can I patiently tutor her?
Oh god, please spare Li Yang!
"Zhaoran, I'm not skilled enough, nor can I compete with professional tutors. Not that I don't have confidence in myself, but I'm afraid I might hinder your future! Ahem, we're at the front door now, I'm getting in first huh." Li Yang quickly refused and needed to leave in haste.
"Brother Li Yang, it's been a long time since you visited. I deeply miss our meals together. How about we have lunch at my place today?" The longing and eagerness expressed by the young girl warmed Li Yang's heart; however, he shook his head and fervently declined.
"Little Ran, I haven't informed my family. I'm certain my mother has prepared my lunch. If I don't return, it would certainly be a waste. Waste is a shameful action. So, how about next time?" Li Yang reasoned with the young girl, using eloquent words to sweet-talk her.
Zhao Ran's family was not well-off, hence she had naturally grown up being thrifty. Hearing Li Yang's words, even though Little Nizi was disappointed, she still smiled and said: "Brother Li Yang is right, wasting is indeed not good. But remember what you have promised, make sure you visit our house for a meal when you are free.”
"Of course. Has Li Yang ever deceived adorable little Ran?" Li Yang couldn't help but teased her.
Zhao Ran, looking adorable, wrinkled her little nose and confidently replied: "Of course. Brother Li Yang always keeps his word, so I'll be awaiting you."
Li Yang was somewhat embarrassed at the trust and admiration the young girl showed him, which added on to his pressure.
"No problem." Li Yang bid farewell to the girl next door.
However, just as he reached his doorstep, he saw a vendor setting up his stall under his building. What a sight! Li Yang wasn't mistaken, it was an antique vendor, shabbily dressed in old-style clothes, his hair neatly combed, exuding a sense of charm. Moreover, the expression on his face clearly screams, 'I am an expert and everything I sell is genuine.'
Seeing Li Yang appearing listless as he wheeled his bicycle over, the vendor's eyes immediately lit up. He started to shout: "Antiques, real antiques, family inheritance antiques…"
