Shen Moyu glanced at what he was holding but didn't say anything.
Gu Junxiao quickly added, "I remember you like grapes, so I bought a lot. As for the fish balls, I didn't add any chili, so don't worry."
"Put it on the table," Shen Moyu said, pointing to the table next to him.
"Okay." Gu Junxiao walked over, and just as he was about to put his things down, he found that there was no room for him anymore.
These things were all given to me before I arrived, and there was a pile of all kinds of grapes on the table.
Gu Junxiao frowned, squeezed into a space, and put his things down. He knew that Shen Moyu no longer needed his concern, and would no longer only tell him what she liked to eat.
He has Su Jinning, and so many friends. He doesn't need me anymore.
Gu Junxiao sat down stiffly, organized his thoughts, and looked up to say, "The Education Bureau has already taken care of Guan Cheng and the others. Don't worry, no one can get it done by using connections."
Shen Moyu remembered what Chen Hang and the others had just said and nodded, "I know." After a pause, he added, "Chen Hang and the others told me."
Gu Junxiao gripped the hem of his clothes tightly, and looking at him like this, he really didn't know what to say.
Shen Moyu pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked, "How are Uncle and Aunt doing lately?"
Gu Junxiao's hand, which was gripping the hem of her clothes, trembled slightly. Before she could react, she hurriedly replied, "Okay, they're all fine!"
He hadn't expected Shen Moyu to suddenly ask about his parents. Actually, his parents liked Shen Moyu very much; during their best times, they had visited his home quite often. Even after they went their separate ways, his parents still frequently mentioned Shen Moyu.
How could someone who is constantly nagged by his family possibly let go of something?
Seeing how nervous he was, Shen Moyu sighed helplessly, looking like a complete stranger who didn't care about his colleague: "What are you so nervous about?"
In fact, several days ago, Gu Junxiao had already planned what to buy, when to visit him, and what to say. She had even considered what Shen Moyu might say.
But he never expected Shen Moyu to say these things.
Gu Junxiao paused, then said, "I... I don't know what to say..."
A cool breeze suddenly drifted in through the window. It wasn't summer yet, and Shen Moyu was a little cold. He bent down and straightened the blanket, pulling it over himself. "Just say what you want to say."
"Mm." Gu Junxiao nodded, his mood suddenly improving.
"I actually didn't expect things to develop to this extent." As his emotions calmed down, he slowly looked up and met Shen Moyu's gaze.
Shen Moyu simply leaned lazily against the headboard and said slowly, "I'm listening to you."
The simple words, "I'm listening to you," gave Gu Junxiao a lot of courage. He didn't reply to that, but continued: "After I left, did they stop giving you trouble?"
Perhaps it was Gu Junxiao's eager gaze that prompted Shen Moyu to carefully recall the series of events that had occurred.
That autumn in his first year of high school, after he spilled the last bowl of fish balls Gu Junxiao had given him, the two never spoke again, like complete strangers. The news eventually reached the teachers' ears. Although the rumors didn't stop, and the local thugs still caused trouble from time to time, things didn't get too serious. The matter gradually faded away. But for Shen Moyu, all of this was long gone; he was numb to it all.
He constantly forced himself to stay focused, not to be distracted, and not to think about others or the absurd and painful events of that day.
He was afraid that if he continued like this, he would develop depression, and he was also afraid that if he continued to be so negative, his grades would plummet.
This was all he could do: numb himself with studying every day and soothe his depression by listening to music.
Then, without warning or any news, when the second semester started, Gu Junxiao's seat was suddenly empty.
It would be a lie to say I wasn't surprised, and it would also be a lie to say I didn't miss it.
After replaying fragmented thoughts in his mind, he sat back down in that spot against the wall, where he received no sunlight.
The rumors at school gradually faded away; even when they did, they only mentioned that the two of them had broken up. Even stranger, those thugs never bothered him again, as if they had suddenly forgotten him.
He didn't think about anything else; he just felt that God had eyes.
The following year was uneventful and boring. But that tumultuous period was forever etched into his memory.
And then what happened?
A good friend of his helped him with the transfer procedures. The friend's family had strong connections, and he himself had excellent grades and passed the exam, so he easily got him into Zhengde No.1 Middle School.
Recalling those events, Shen Moyu still felt a slight tightness in his chest. He pursed his lips and answered as calmly as possible, "Indeed, they haven't bothered me again."
When Gu Junxiao heard him say that, the biggest stone hanging over her heart suddenly disappeared.
With a sudden thud, his palms were sweaty.
After hesitating for a moment, he said, "I know it's no use saying it, not only no use, but you won't believe me anyway."
Shen Moyu knew what he was worried about. He rubbed his throbbing temples and said, "Go ahead and tell me, I believe you."
"I..." Gu Junxiao still hesitated. When he heard him say "I believe," his heart couldn't help but be stirred.
"I didn't desert my post, nor did I leave because I was afraid of rumors." Gu Junxiao raised her head slightly and looked at him.
Shen Moyu paused for a moment, then suddenly laughed: "Isn't that right?"
Isn't that right? Because school matters would interfere with studies, because these things would damage one's reputation. And also because you can't face me, can't face the friendship between us.
Noticing that something was wrong with her emotions, Shen Moyu turned her head to adjust herself: "It doesn't matter anymore."
It doesn't matter anymore. Anyway, you've left, and that's not wrong. I don't necessarily need to find an answer.
"I know, I know everything." Gu Junxiao suddenly panicked, his hands twisting the hem of his clothes incessantly. He always did this when he was nervous; he couldn't change it.
"But I'm really afraid of you..." His voice was weak, like tears about to well up in his eyes, caught in a dilemma.
But having held it in for so long, a single, provocative remark became the reason it burst forth: "I didn't ignore this, I didn't run away! I bought cigarettes for those people, pleaded for them, and prayed they wouldn't hurt you again..."
He knew that what he had done and what he had said were like water spilled on the ground. The water stains on his hands could be wiped away, but the watermarks would still seep in and get stuck in the cracks in the stone, impossible to dry or clean.
Shen Moyu was somewhat surprised, and didn't even know how to say it. He really wouldn't have believed it before. But this time, Gu Junxiao looked into his eyes, and the emotion in them was something even he couldn't discern. He only knew that he was trembling, that he was terrified.
What are you afraid of? Shen Moyu sighed: "Are you afraid I won't believe you?"
"No!" Gu Junxiao exclaimed, standing up abruptly. "I'm afraid all I'm doing will be in vain, that they'll still bully you, that the rumors will still spread..." He sniffed, trying to hold back the tears welling in his eyes. "I'm afraid that if I leave, I won't be able to protect you..."
He was afraid that kneeling on the ground, clutching the hems and sleeves of those people in the alley where he had made his mistake, begging them not to bother Shen Moyu anymore, would be useless. He was also afraid that if he left without hesitation, he wouldn't be able to help at all, and would only give them an opportunity to take advantage of his vulnerability.
By then, he had disregarded all pride and ridicule. He felt that nothing could compare to the unforgettable pain caused by the harm done to Shen Moyu, compared to the disgusting faces and insults of these people.
Gu Junxiao had held back her tears for two years, but at this moment, she could no longer hold them back.
He met Shen Moyu's surprised and confused gaze, slumped down, buried his face in his hands, and choked out, "I'm cowardly, I'm weak, I'm untrustworthy, I'm not worthy of your affection... These..." He sighed deeply, "These are all inexplicable facts."
Shen Moyu lowered her eyes, listening to his suppressed sobs, and gently comforted him, "Don't cry..."