Abril

Turning wood

This year, Shi Nan's birthday coincided with his return to China.

I met up with classmates in the afternoon and with my family in the evening.

My classmates are my closest friends from high school. Shi Nan said I'll just pay for it.

Having been away from China for several years, he had absolutely no idea which restaurants were currently the most popular. After a round of discussion, everyone still had different opinions. Finally, Wang Fan asked Shi Nan, "What do you miss eating the most?"

Nostalgic for many? There are countless, none more than one. But there is one place he hates the most, and Shi Nan thinks of Da Dong Roast Duck Restaurant.

About three years ago, Shi Nan was separating the skin and flesh of a duck on the table when Lan Di unexpectedly said, "Shi Nan, I might stay in Japan after graduation."

It was April. Lan Di was about to graduate from Dongda University, while Shi Nan had already changed jobs three times in China. At that time, she still couldn't define herself—for whom?

"Let's go eat roast duck," Shi Nan said to Wang Fan. "Let's go to Da Dong at Tuanjiehu."

During the gathering, everyone followed the usual routine of their annual get-together: first, they chatted about their current situations, whether they were at the table or not; then, they reminisced about their high school days; and finally, they drank until they were drunk, sharing their camaraderie.

As usual, Shi Nan mostly listened and ate quietly. When she heard the boy blushing and singing about his past glories, she also fell into the memories and laughed.

Back then, when the boys went out to eat, sing karaoke, play games, play cards, or play pool, they would always bring Shi Nan along. Shi Nan only knew how to eat and sing; she couldn't do anything else, so bringing her along was actually pointless. But she was always taken along, like a pet, and they wouldn't feel at ease until she was safely brought home. She wasn't any of their girlfriends, but bringing her along became a routine, and no one questioned why.

However, Lan Di was never among these people.

People who are popular with the opposite sex are often isolated by their own sex. Even though people care about his situation as much as they do about the outcome of a sports game.

Leaving aside the current situation, Zhang Miao said, "Hey, I heard that Lan Di has recently returned. Has anyone seen him?"

The pancake that Shi Nan had rolled almost fell apart, so he remained silent and waited for someone else to take over.

Tang Beibei said, "Yes, he's back. I ran into him in Dongfang the day before yesterday. He was having dinner with a girl."

Shi Nan couldn't help but ask, "What's he coming back for?" After saying that, she stuffed the whole pancake into her mouth, chewing it with her lips pursed, not caring how incongruous it looked with her image, and not trying to hide anything.

Shi Nan wasn't afraid of arousing suspicion; everyone always assumed she was just like them and didn't have much of a relationship with him.

"It seems he's back in Beijing. The Japanese side has assigned him to be stationed in China. I didn't ask too many questions, but he hasn't changed much. By the way, the girl he was with looked like a high school student. Sigh, do you think he might be trying to seduce a minor?"

Zhang Miao continued, "Lan Di has the looks, so it's not surprising that both adults and minors are willing to fawn over him."

Shi Nan was still chewing when he added, "What does he have to offer? It's just his face!" He almost choked on his words.

Seeing this, Wang Fan quickly patted her on the back, and Shi Nan thanked him.

Zhang Miao said, "Hey Shi Nan, don't say that. Don't assume someone is a pretty boy just because they're good-looking. If Lan Di was the object of attention for girls in both grades back then, it could be attributed to his good looks. But now he's a senior manager at a prestigious university and a multinational corporation. Putting aside his looks, just that alone is enough to make countless girls throw themselves at him."

Shi Nan persisted, "Yes, he only picks underage girls." There was a hint of resentment in her words, but fortunately, no one could understand her point. Instead, they thought she was just fixated on gigolos.

Gao Yuan said, "Oh my, our little leopard has been abroad for several years, and her personality hasn't changed at all, nor has her temper. It seems she hasn't suffered much. Shi Nan, it's fine if you're clear about your likes and dislikes, but do you have to be so straightforward? You'll suffer when you come back to China. Also, you're a grown woman now, don't be as unrestrained as before. You should have some manners when you eat, and don't make noise while chewing." Back then, the boys called Shi Nan "little leopard," and those who knew Shi Nan would say it was quite fitting.

After hearing Gao Yuan's words, Shi Nan wanted to say something, but couldn't utter a word. She could only gasp for breath. Gao Yuan laughed even more heartily, "Shi Nan, when you came today, you gave me quite a shock. You're such a graceful lady. I've been looking for an opportunity to check you out during this meal, hahaha, you haven't changed at all."

Although Tang Beibei was also smiling, she quickly changed the subject, "Nannan, you didn't see my Jin Shao's 'Perhaps Love' over there last year, did you? It was so good. I know a cinema in the east of the city is showing it these two weeks, how about tomorrow?"

Zhang Miao said, "Oh, I want to see that too, I'll go too."

Gao Yuan also rushed over, saying, "Oh dear, I didn't see it either."

Tang Beibei and Shi Nan looked at Wang Fan simultaneously. He raised his hands in surrender, "I've seen it. But I'll go with you, I'll go with you. You tell me, what time?"

After finishing lunch, we went home, and my parents entertained some relatives. During the meal, my aunt remembered my mother's advice and said to Shi Nan, "Nan Nan, if you have a boyfriend outside, you must report it to the family in time."

Shi Nan said, "Auntie, no, if I did, would I not tell you? If I told my mom the second one, she would definitely tell you the first one. But I really don't have one."

My aunt then asked, "What about your former classmates?"

Shi Nan picked up a piece of his father's best steamed sea bass and asked, "What classmate?"

My aunt said, "It's that blue one, the one who always calls you internationally."

Shi Nan was surprised. "What boss? We only fought once."

"It's not just once, ask your mom."

“Oh, him? Yes, Shi Nan. He’s called many times over the years, asking for your address and phone number, but I didn’t give them to him. Didn’t you say back then that you two weren’t related? I didn’t particularly remember to tell you when you came back.”

"Oh, it's okay. He's not my boyfriend. Ugh, I really don't have a boyfriend." Shi Nan finally managed to dodge the question and remembered that phone call.

She remembered how unexpected it was; she never imagined he would call from Japan, going straight to Shi Nan's house. Shi Nan was taking a shower and asked his mother to tell him to wait a moment. His mother immediately began questioning him: name, age, relationship, where he was, what he was studying... she asked everything clearly. Lan Di didn't mince words; he answered every question honestly and calmly, as was his usual style. After Shi Nan hung up, his mother came in and asked, "What's your relationship? Calling you from so far away, you're not just an ordinary classmate, are you?!" Shi Nan said, "You really are just an ordinary classmate. Maybe his phone card is about to expire, so he just called randomly." Shi Nan wasn't lying. During that call, Lan Di didn't say anything special, just like in the letter; even after what happened later, he didn't say anything special—perhaps he never had anything special he wanted to say to her.

Letters. Yes, letters. In the first few years of college, Shi Nan and Lan Di corresponded regularly, using paper, pen, envelopes, and stamps.

After the meal, the relatives left, and Shi Nan returned to her room. She opened the bottom drawer of her desk and took out an exquisite

……