Just as the two stretched, Yan hope's clear voice rang out from the courtyard, like a refreshing breeze—"Little Shrimp, Wen Heng, come out quickly!"
Ah Heng led the child into the courtyard, only to be completely overwhelmed by the white expanse and the intoxicating fragrance.
In the courtyard, there was a locust tree with a very thick trunk, so thick that it would take three people holding hands to encircle it. The locust blossoms on the branches were in full bloom.
Yan hope, having found a bamboo rake somewhere, stood under the tree, stretched out his arm, and swung the rake back and forth to knock down the locust flowers.
The locust blossoms fell one after another, from the top of the boy's head, following the wind's trajectory, gently sliding down and returning to dust.
White, pure, beautiful, warm, and vivid.
Within the petals, the boy, with a bright smile, waved to them, full of life. Ah Heng took a sniff; the air was filled with a rich, accumulated scent called comfort.
Little Shrimp ran to the kitchen, grabbed a winnowing basket, gathered up the fallen locust blossoms at the boy's feet, looked up, and smiled contentedly—"Brother Yanxi, that's enough, that's enough."
"Achoo!" Yan hope put away the rake, a petal drifted to his nose, tickled him, and he sneezed.
Little Shrimp, holding a winnowing basket, smiled at Ah Heng and said, "Sister, do you like the locust flowers I steamed for you?"
Do you want to steam locust flowers?
She nodded, and the child dashed off into the kitchen.
"Wen Heng, thank you for today." Yan hope gently rubbed his nose with his index finger, his tone a little unnatural, his dark, bright eyes darting around.
"You're welcome." Ah Heng accepted Yan hope's thanks, feeling surprised but maintaining a calm and gentle demeanor.
"Oh, it's been a long time since I thanked anyone, I'm really not used to it..." Yan hope felt embarrassed, laughed, shrugged, and made a self-deprecating joke.
You'd better get used to it.
Aheng Khan.
When Xiaoxia ran out again, she carried an aluminum basin to Aheng Yanxi's side, her forehead covered in sweat and her little face flushed—"Sister, Brother Yanxi, you eat."
Ah Heng gazed at the snow-white, crystal-clear petals in the pot, pinched a handful, and put it in her mouth. It tasted like the memories of years past, sweet and mellow.
"It's delicious." Ah Heng pursed her lips, her eyes filled with a gentle smile.
The little shrimp was pleased with itself, its arms wrapped around the back of its head, its smile reflecting the innocent joy of the fish swimming leisurely in the stream.
Ah Heng reached out and wiped the dust off the child's face with her fingers.
Unexpectedly, the child rushed over and hugged her.
"Sister, I like you. You're a good person."
Aheng was startled. She wasn't used to such sudden, intense warmth, but what followed was a surge of emotion coursing through her body.
Her stiff fingers slowly softened, and she gently embraced the young boy. A blush rose on her clear and gentle face, and she said in a soft, sweet voice, "Thank you."
Yan hope chuckled, leaned against the tree, stretched, and looked up at the sky, which was filled with golden clouds.
"Wen Heng, let's go back."
*************************************Divider****************************
When leaving, Yan hope did not take the same route. He led Aheng to another entrance of the alley, facing the main street. As soon as they entered, they saw a continuous stream of people.
“Little Shrimp’s grandfather is right there,” Yan hope said gently, pointing to the entrance of the alley.
Ah Heng stared intently. At the entrance of the alley was a bicycle repair stall. An old man with a full head of white hair, wearing a blue cloth shirt, was hunched over in front of the bicycle. His calloused hands raised one end, turning the wheel as if checking something, looking earnest and aged.
She even saw the age spots on the old man's arms and the deep wrinkles etched on his face.
How many bicycle tires must this old man have pumped up, how many broken tires must he have repaired, to make enough to support two people?
"So, Xiaoxia, that's why you stole?" A long time ago, she remembered hearing Officer Fu say that Xiaoxia was a habitual thief.
Yan hope's voice was flat and indifferent: "There's nothing we can do. Growing children are always hungry."
"Little Shrimp, where are your mom and dad?" She felt her voice was incredibly dry.
"Xiaoxia was an orphan. If Grandpa He hadn't taken her home, it would have been difficult for her to even be alive." Yan hope spoke softly, his voice calm and indifferent.
Why, tell me?
Yan hope smiled faintly, his dark eyes shrouded in a vibrant color like peach blossoms, faint yet unfathomable.
"I was thinking that if you knew, you would cherish Xiaoxia's hug even more."
“He would never do this to strangers. You are the first.”
Chapter 26
Chapter 26
When Ah Heng saw Si Er again, it was already May, when the weather was starting to get hot.
The girl was still beautiful and elegant, but she was no longer gentle and timid, nor delicate and fragile.
Ah Heng was walking home from school alone when Si Er, laughing and making a somewhat rough gesture, patted her on the shoulder.
"Ah Heng, did you bring any money? Can I borrow some?"
She no longer had long, soft hair; it was much shorter, and she looked thinner and darker.
The mouth opened and closed, painted very red, as if it had drunk blood.
When she spoke to her, her gentle, lowered brows were replaced by raised ones, full of sharpness.
"Er'er?" She wasn't sure; was this Si'er?
“Don’t call me by that name.” The girl waved her hand dismissively.
The fingertips were a dazzling purple.
Ah Heng stared blankly at her hands. She remembered her mother saying countless times that Er'er was the most talented piano student she had ever seen. Those jade-like hands were naturally flawless; any further adornment would be a desecration.
Ah Heng lowered her eyes slightly and awkwardly asked, "Er'er, how have you been these days?"
Si'er laughed heartily—"And you?"
Ah Heng pondered whether to say yes or no. After hesitating for a long time, she nodded and said seriously, "So-so."
Si'er scoffed, "It's been so long, and you're still the same as before, hopelessly dull."
Ah Heng chuckled.
"I'm not going to talk to you anymore, I have something urgent to do. You should have some money in your pocket, right? Lend me some first." Si'er was getting a little impatient.
"How much do you need? What do you need it for?" Ah Heng asked while rummaging through his schoolbag.
"Thanks!" As soon as Aheng took out his wallet, Si'er snatched it away.
"What you do is none of your business, and of course, it's none of your concern."
She waved her hand, turned around, and left cleanly.
**********************************Divider************************
After that, I never saw Si'er again.
As expected, Xilin made it to the semifinals of the basketball league. The game was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Sunday at the B University Gymnasium.
Siwan Dayi practices basketball enthusiastically every day in the courtyard, while Aheng and Yanxi sit on the sidelines watching them, handing them towels or throwing them bottles of water, but they can't really help much.
Da Yi looked at the two sitting under the shade of the tree and was really jealous. When he was sweating, he mischievously grabbed their arms to wipe his sweat. Aheng always pulled out his arm and handed the towel to the boy with a gentle smile; but Yan hope had no manners. He grabbed the boy's cheek and threw him aside, and then kicked him twice.
"Yanxi, a man shouldn't be so petty." Xin Dayi grimaced as he got up from the ground, supporting himself with his hands, sweat dripping down his vest.
Yan hope ignored him, grabbed a towel, threw it at the boy, and said in a low voice, "Wipe yourself off, you've already sweated all that, but you still have so much saliva."
He squinted at the basket, while Siwan continued to practice shooting repeatedly.
"Is it really that fun?" He couldn't understand it. Being sticky and sweaty all day, just for something that's not worth much money—something you could probably buy a sack of with just one of your family's antiques—is it really that good?
"Pshaw! This is a man's honor, not just a joke, it's an honor!" Xin Dayi chattered excitedly.
Yan hope picked at his ear, neither confirming nor denying.
"Da Yi, how long are you planning to slack off!" Si Wan said, his handsome face long and he looked at Da Yi with annoyance.
"Here I am!" The boy sprang to his feet and ran over with a smile.
Passing, dribbling, layup, shooting—the two boys cooperated perfectly.
"Hehe, a perfect pair." Ah Heng concluded.
Ah. Yan hope smiled and nodded.
Suddenly, I felt a little lost.
“Look, it’s been so many years, but your brother and Dayi haven’t changed at all.” Yan hope gestured with his hand as if he were using a camera, capturing the two boys’ joyful, sweaty faces.
He smiled casually, turned his head, saw Ah Heng, and his smile became somewhat stiff.
This sentence is out of habit, but who is she saying it to out of habit? Who could give her such a powerful ability to see two young boys so dashing in the small town of Wushui many years ago, and now, many years later, make her echo, "Yes, yes, nothing has changed."
Ah Heng pretended not to hear, not realizing that the words were directed at Si Er.
It's rare to be confused, but difficult to be clear-headed.
*********************************Divider*********************************
The competition on Sunday was scheduled for the morning, followed by a practice match against last year's champion school in the afternoon. As a result, Siwan Dayi had little time to eat lunch. After discussing it with his mother and grandfather, Aheng decided to cook lunch and deliver it to them at noon.
Siwan subtly expressed that she wanted to eat braised beef brisket with tomatoes, while Xin Dayi was shouting that she wouldn't marry anyone but stir-fried lamb with scallions—well, no, she wouldn't eat it at all.
Ah Heng chuckled and went to the market on Saturday. After wandering around for a long time, he finally bought all the ingredients.
When I returned home, the setting sun had already fallen on the red tiles, making it exceptionally gentle and warm.
When I passed by Mao'er Hutong, I saw Xiaoxia helping Grandpa He pack up his stall. The little boy rushed over and looked at her with bright, sparkling eyes.
"Sister, sister, what delicious food are you going to make for Siwan and Dayi? I want to go on Sunday and I want to eat too!" The child was very quick-witted.
Ah Heng smiled and kept nodding and saying yes.
"Grandpa, this is Sister Aheng who taught me to read. She's so kind to me." He held the old man's hand, his eyes smiling as clear as a stream.
The old man smiled kindly, his wrinkles etched with embarrassment, and thanked him repeatedly, saying, "Good girl, thank you for your trouble. Our Xia is playful and doesn't know any better. We've troubled you with your care."
Ah Heng blushed and said, "I'm so sorry, Grandpa, you're too kind. Don't mention it."