After paying, Chen Yunqi put the fish into his basket and walked out of the seafood area with San San. Amidst the bustling crowd, San San suddenly took his hand. Chen Yunqi's heart warmed, and he tightly grasped her hand in return, enveloping all five of San San's fingers in his large palm. Using the crowd as cover, they walked forward like two children secretly tasting the forbidden fruit of love, their hearts filled with both nervousness and sweetness.
San San clung tightly to Chen Yunqi and whispered, "Brother, can we stay here tonight and not go back?"
They originally planned to buy New Year's goods and not rush back, but stay overnight in the county town. After settling Huang Yelin and Huang Xiaoya to bed, they went to a small cinema to watch a movie, and the next day they planned to go shopping at the mall to buy some new clothes, and also let Huang Xiaoya go to the amusement park.
Unfortunately, plans don't always go as expected. San San's mother refused to stay no matter what. Villagers always go down the mountain to buy things and return on the same day. Firstly, they can't afford the cost of accommodation, and secondly, they are used to living a secluded life and don't like to interact with outsiders. Moreover, it would be inconvenient for San San's mother, a woman, not to stay overnight.
As Chen Yunqi was pondering, San San continued, "I don't want to go back. I want to stay with you."
Chen Yunqi squeezed his fingers and whispered, "I know, I'll think of a way."
As soon as he finished speaking, someone suddenly grabbed his arm from behind and pulled him backward forcefully. Chen Yunqi was caught off guard and stumbled before regaining his balance and stopping.
He turned around in a panic and saw San San's mother standing behind him, carrying large and small bags. She was about to speak to him, but her eyes suddenly fell on Chen Yunqi and San San's hands, which were still tightly clasped together. Her expression was filled with doubt, and she couldn't bring herself to say anything.
San San finally snapped out of her daze, immediately let go of Chen Yunqi's hand, hurriedly put her hands in her pockets, and stammered, "Mom...where did you go..."
San San's mother seemed somewhat incredulous at what she had just witnessed, even wondering if she had seen it wrong. She simply thought it was a bit unusual for two boys to be holding hands, but she never imagined, nor could she have imagined, that there might be other hidden stories behind those intertwined hands.
"Where can I go?" San San's mother's tone sounded normal, but her eyes still held a puzzled look as she looked at them. "...The groceries are all bought, we need to hurry and buy some other things, let's go home early..."
After a moment of panic, Chen Yunqi quickly calmed down. He stepped forward, took the things from San San's mother's hands, took the basket from her back and put it on his own. He casually took San San's sleeve again and said to the mother and son in the midst of the noise, "Now that we've bought everything, let's go out. Hold on tight this time so we don't get separated again."
After saying that, he pulled San San up and walked out. San San's mother stared at their backs for a few seconds, then quickly followed, thinking with some doubt that maybe she was overthinking it and that Teacher Chen was just holding San San's hand to prevent her from getting lost.
After leaving the market and arriving at the agreed meeting point, they waited and waited, but Li Jun and his men did not return. The journey down the mountain and the car ride had already taken up a lot of time, and with the grocery shopping, the whole day was almost over. At this point, San San's mother couldn't think about anything else. She anxiously looked around, but there was no sign of him.
She stomped her feet in anger, cursing Sheng Xiaoyan for being disobedient and vowing never to take her out again. But no matter how anxious or angry she was, time continued to pass by, and if she didn't leave soon, there wouldn't be another bus back to Qinghe Town.
Chen Yunqi's heart skipped a beat, and he said to her very tactfully, "Auntie, don't be angry. She probably had a good time somewhere and forgot about the time. Let's wait a little longer. If it really doesn't work out, we can stay here tonight. Xiaoyan still wants to see a movie, right? Don't worry about the hotel money, I have it with me."
Without a second thought, San San's mother refused, saying, "No, no, we have to go back. It's not good to stay outside. With so many people, why spend that money?"
Chen Yunqi didn't want to persuade her further, so he could only reassure her again to calm down and that she might come back soon.
San San's mother paced back and forth with a sullen face and her arms crossed. Chen Yunqi and San San stood by, watching her agitation, pondering how to stay, unsure of what to do. The road was bustling with people buying New Year's goods, a constant flow of traffic. People pushing carts and pulling goods passed by on the narrow road, jostling and bumping into each other, forcing the three of them to dodge to the side of the road repeatedly. In their frustration, the once lively scene became chaotic, noisy, and annoying.
After what seemed like an eternity, San San's mother finally said, as if she had come to a realization, "Forget it, let's not wait anymore."
She bent down, picked up the basket, and slung it over her shoulder. She then picked up the bag from the ground and handed it to San San, gesturing for him to take it, and said firmly, "Let's go first."
She turned to Chen Yunqi and said, "Teacher Chen, could you please wait until Xiaoyan arrives and look after her for me? Make sure she buys what she needs and bring her back as soon as possible?"
Chapter Thirty-Two: Good People
No matter how much San San wanted to stay, she could only obediently accept the things, bit her lip, and look longingly at Chen Yunqi, slowly moving her feet.
Chen Yunqi's mind raced, but he couldn't find a single word to respond. He watched helplessly as San San turned and followed his mother away, and he was filled with anxiety.
His hand, which was in his shirt pocket, touched the jar of Vaseline. He thought of Tang Yutao, and suddenly an idea struck him. He called out to San San and her son, "Auntie! San San! Wait!"
San San stopped and turned around. He no longer hoped that things could turn around, and looked at Chen Yunqi with a puzzled expression.
“Auntie,” Chen Yunqi said to San San’s mother very seriously after sorting out his thoughts, “Teacher Tang has already helped San San with her schooling. Director Zhang from the Education Bureau has been a great help and has been saying that he wants to find an opportunity to meet San San on behalf of the sponsor. It’s almost Chinese New Year, and I would like to take this opportunity to take San San to Director Zhang’s house to deliver some gifts and express our gratitude.”
He hadn't told San San's parents beforehand that San San's sponsor was actually his mother; he only said that they had found a charitable company. Since San San's parents had already agreed to let San San return to school, Chen Yunqi's arrangement was perfectly reasonable and appropriate.
However, since San San's mother had never given gifts before and was short of money, she hesitated and said, "Oh, then we should go, but we don't have the money to buy anything nice. We're afraid that people who are too stingy won't even look at us."
Chen Yunqi smiled and said confidently, "Auntie, don't worry, leave this to me."
San San's mother looked troubled. Chen Yunqi saw what she was thinking and continued to comfort her, "Auntie, I've been eating and drinking at your house for the past few months. Even though your family isn't well-off, you've never complained about money. Don't be so polite about this little thing. I consider San San my own family, and it's only right that I do anything for him."
San San's mother was deeply moved by his words, but without thinking too deeply about them, and not being good at expressing herself, she could only smile shyly and say, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Teacher Chen."
She turned around, took the things from San San's hands, and said to him, "Sanwa, you're so lucky to have met such a good person as Teacher Chen."
San San was overjoyed, but dared not show it. He could only blush and lower his head to listen. He nodded and whispered, "Yes, Brother Xiao Qi is a good person."
Chen Yunqi, the "good guy," was feeling guilty. He wasn't good at lying, and saying those words had already taken a huge toll on his brain. Hearing this, he quickly rubbed his nose, chuckled sheepishly, and whispered, "No...no...no..."
"When you get there, listen to Teacher Chen's instructions and do your best. I'm going back now. Bring your sister back early tomorrow, and don't cause Teacher Chen any trouble while you're out."
After saying goodbye, San San's mother hurriedly carried her things and rushed off to catch the bus.
The situation finally turned around. After watching her mother leave, San San turned around and, ignoring the people coming and going around her, excitedly threw herself into Chen Yunqi's arms, cheering like a little bird, "Brother! That's great! You're so smart!"
Chen Yunqi was both amused and exasperated. He rubbed Chen Yunqi's head and said, "Stop praising me. My intelligence can only be used for sneaking around and being cunning now."
"He's so smart, the smartest person in the world!" San San rarely spoke so bluntly, praising Chen Yunqi endlessly. Chen Yunqi, flattered by his praise, momentarily forgot that he had just lied and done something wrong, and became somewhat smug.
Where are we going now?
Unlike their last trip to Qinghe Town, when San San was still one-sidedly in love with Chen Yunqi and doubted her own feelings, carefully restraining herself in every word and action, afraid to overstep any boundaries, this time, they had already confessed their feelings to each other and were no longer hesitant or distant in their interactions. It was their first love, and like all couples in love, they were filled with anticipation for their sweet time together.
Chen Yunqi looked at him with affection, recalling the last time they were together in Qinghe Town, and even earlier, the subtle admiration and unspoken love that San San had shown in so many small details. He had originally thought that he had actually fallen for San San a long time ago, but his feelings were slow to develop, and he was unclear about his true feelings, which was why it had taken so long. But now he suddenly realized that perhaps San San's feelings for him had started much earlier than his feelings for San San.
The shy and insecure boy had always secretly admired him, and every time he couldn't help but want to get closer, he didn't dare to get too close.
Only by remaining detached can one have a clear mind; no wonder Tang Yutao noticed the signs so early. Chen Yunqi then recalled how he had almost distanced himself from San San at Tang Yutao's urging, deliberately avoiding her with cold words. He must have been very sad at that time.
San San was so engrossed in planning the next part of the trip that she was completely unaware of the myriad thoughts in Chen Yunqi's mind. Just as she was about to suggest that they hurry up and go eat, Chen Yunqi suddenly pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly.
This time it was his turn to be dumbfounded. Feeling the curious gazes of the passersby around him, San San whispered to Chen Yunqi, "Brother, so many people are watching... Brother?"
Chen Yunqi remained silent, and San San tilted her head up slightly, only to suddenly notice that Chen Yunqi's eyes were red and filled with tears.
San San panicked and quickly broke free from his embrace, anxiously asking him what was wrong. Chen Yunqi collected his thoughts, rubbed his eyes, reached out and pinched San San's cheek, saying, "It's nothing, I just missed you too much."
San San looked at him with a mixture of disbelief and surprise, saying, "I'm right next to you."
“Yes,” Chen Yunqi smiled, “but I still miss you.”
My dearest San San, I think of you every single moment. I don't want you to suffer anymore; I'll do my best to give you the best love in the world.
Having finally gained half a day of leisure, Chen Yunqi didn't want to waste any more time. He wanted to first get San San a meal, and then find a hotel to settle down. But Li Jun was still missing with Sheng Xiaoyan and the Huang Yelin siblings. Although they hadn't eaten all day, they couldn't worry about that now and decided to find them first.
Remembering Li Hanqiang's earlier instructions, Chen Yunqi guessed that Li Jun might have taken the children to an internet cafe. So he asked the shop owners in the vicinity and followed their directions to find San San.
After wandering through the streets and alleys and entering three internet cafes, Chen Yunqi and San San finally found the person.
As expected, Li Jun didn't take Sheng Xiaoyan and Huang Yelin to the market. After parting ways with Chen Yunqi and the others, he led the children straight to an internet cafe. He set up a computer for Sheng Xiaoyan, randomly picked a Hong Kong gangster movie for her and Huang Yelin to watch, and then started playing games himself.
When Chen Yunqi and San San found them, Sheng Xiaoyan was sitting on a chair holding Huang Xiaoya, and Huang Yelin was standing to the side. The three of them were huddled together, staring intently at the fighting scene on the screen.
The small internet cafe was cramped and crowded, the air thick with the stale smoke that made San San cough as soon as she entered. Chen Yunqi, seeing this, immediately flew into a rage. He ripped off Li Jun's headphones and hissed, "Li Jun! Who told you to bring them here!"
Li Jun was startled when the man yanked his earphones. He turned around, about to lash out, when he realized it was Teacher Chen and San San who had come. He immediately said somewhat guiltily, "Teacher Chen? What brings you here..."
On the other side, San San had already picked up Huang Xiaoya, and Huang Yelin also consciously followed behind Chen Yunqi. Sheng Xiaoyan sat on the chair with her head down. Although San San did not scold her, just facing her brother's disappointed gaze, she felt ashamed and speechless.
Chen Yunqi remained silent. Seeing his stern expression, Li Jun, feeling uneasy, forced a smile and said, "Teacher Chen, I'm sorry, I was only planning to play for a little while and then leave, but I completely forgot the time..."
“You have absolutely no sense of time,” Chen Yunqi knew his character and blamed himself for being inconsiderate in entrusting the children to him so easily. Not wanting to make things difficult for Li Jun, he said, “We’re leaving now. Don’t forget the things your father asked you to do and the things you bought.”
After saying that, he turned around and was about to leave with San San and the children, but was unexpectedly blocked by a short and stocky figure.
The newcomer appeared to be in his early thirties, with a crew cut and wearing a navy blue jacket. A large gold chain adorned his short, thick neck. His face was incredibly ugly, covered in fleshy bulges. He was smoking a cigarette, squinting at Chen Yunqi with his hands in his pockets, sizing him up. Because he was so short, Chen Yunqi could clearly see a long, menacing scar running down the center of his head, resembling the claws of a centipede.
Behind him were two young men, dressed similarly to Li Jun, who also looked at them with ill intent. Scarface looked at Chen Yunqi, then at San San and the children, and said with a forced smile, "Tsk tsk tsk, Li Jun, I didn't know you had such respectable friends."
Seeing this, Li Jun quickly jumped up from in front of the computer, hid behind Chen Yunqi and poked his head out, saying, "Big Head Brother, this is Teacher Chen from our village. He was sent by the Education Bureau and has strong connections. We're going back now."
After saying that, he nudged Chen Yunqi, signaling him to hurry up and leave.
Big Head stepped forward, stretched out his arms, and blocked them, his eyes revealing a fierce look.
"What's the rush! I also want to ask when you plan to pay me back the money from last time? Now that you're gone, I can't go to your place anymore, and it'll be really hard to meet up with you again!" He said slowly to Li Jun, but his eyes were fixed on Chen Yunqi.
"Teachers, right? That's perfect. I'd like to ask you, how do you educate your students? Do you only teach them to have a sense of time, but not the principle of paying back debts?"
Chen Yunqi ignored him with a cold face, and instead turned to San San and said, "Take them out first and wait for me at the small shop where you asked for directions earlier. I'll come find you soon."
San San frowned, looking at him with worry and shaking her head, unwilling to leave first. Chen Yunqi turned around and blocked him completely so that the scarred man couldn't see him. He lowered his head slightly and said in a low and gentle voice, "Be good, you have to take good care of them. Wait for me there. I keep my word and will be back in a little while. Then we'll go eat and watch a movie, okay?"
Huang Xiaoya, nestled in San San's arms, reached out and tugged at Chen Yunqi's sleeve, saying in her childish voice, "Teacher Chen, I'm so hungry." Chen Yunqi smiled and ruffled Huang Xiaoya's hair, saying, "Xiaoya, why don't you go buy some candy with your older brothers and sisters?"
San San didn't want to leave him alone to deal with these thugs, but Chen Yunqi's consideration was correct. It was not a good place to stay for long. If a fight broke out, it would inevitably affect the children. It was too unsafe.
San San bit her lower lip, steeled her resolve, and whispered to Chen Yunqi, "Come back quickly, I'll be waiting for you," before leading Sheng Xiaoyan and Huang Yelin and their siblings past Scarface.
Scarface watched his retreating figure with interest, then taunted the two young men behind him, "See? These days, pretty boys and effeminate guys are the most popular. You guys have no market!"
Before he could finish speaking, Chen Yunqi grabbed his collar and lifted his short, stout body up with his strong arms, his toes almost off the ground.
Chen Yunqi's face turned ashen, his eyes fixed on him with a fierce, sharp gaze that sent chills down his spine. He instinctively dropped his lewd smile.
Chen Yunqi's clenched fists bulged with veins. He gritted his teeth and said to Scarface, "Watch your mouth. If you want money, just say so. I'm in a hurry."
Scarface looked like a dwarf next to the towering Chen Yunqi, his imposing presence alone making him seem much weaker. Chen Yunqi's dignified and authoritative demeanor was far more intimidating than their hollow bravado. Scarface swallowed hard, realizing this was a formidable opponent, and lowered his stance, saying, "Brother, you're an educated man. Of course I want money, but if I don't have any, then it's hard to say."
Chen Yunqi released his grip and turned to ask Li Jun, who was cowering to the side, "What money do you owe him? How much?"
Li Jun hung his head like a wilted eggplant, not daring to look at Chen Yunqi, and answered in a very soft voice, "I...I owe...I lost money gambling...two thousand..."
Two thousand yuan is almost all the income a family in the mountains has earned after a year of hard work. In addition to farming and raising pigs at home, Li Hanqiang also has to go down the mountain from time to time to work as a temporary worker on construction sites, hauling mud and sand and transporting stone to earn some hard-earned money to supplement the family income. Years of hard work have turned half of his hair gray before he was even fifty years old.
Seeing that he couldn't escape, Li Jun pulled out a few crumpled RMB bills from his pocket and handed them to Scarface. "Big Head, I only have three hundred left. It's the money my dad gave me to buy New Year's goods. As for the rest... I'll figure out how to make up for it later, okay?"
Scarface wasn't about to let him off the hook for just three hundred yuan, but even a fly is meat, so he decided to take it first. But as soon as he reached out his hand, Chen Yunqi slapped it away.
Chen Yunqi took out his wallet from his pocket, counted out a wad of cash and handed it over, saying coldly to Li Jun, "Keep the money your dad gave you safe. You don't celebrate the New Year, but your parents and sister do."
Li Jun immediately withdrew his hand in shame, clutched the banknotes tightly, and lowered his head in silence.
Chen Yunqi waved the money in his hand at Scarface, gesturing for him to take it, and said, "I don't have that much cash. I'm short five hundred. I'll go to a bank now to withdraw it for you."
Seeing that there was really money to be made, Scarface didn't care about anything else. He grabbed the money, licked his index finger, quickly counted it, and then said to Chen Yunqi with a smirk, "Brother, you're really generous. It's no problem. There's an ATM nearby. We'll take you there."
The group then left the internet cafe and found an ATM. Chen Yunqi bent down to get some money when he suddenly heard the two young men whispering behind him.
"He acted all fierce, but he still obediently handed over the money. I thought he could do something serious!"
"Haha, did you see that pretty boy who was with him just now? Smooth skin and delicate flesh, might be this one," another person held up a little finger and beckoned to their companion with a mysterious look, "He's a slut."②
The two men were gossiping lewdly and laughing in an extremely obscene way when suddenly someone grabbed their collars from behind and yanked them hard, causing them to fall backward to the ground.
Before anyone could react, Chen Yunqi swung his fist with lightning speed, hitting another person squarely in the nose. Just seconds later, the guy was bleeding profusely from his nose and squatted on the ground, clutching his nose.
"I told you to watch your mouths," Chen Yunqi said, rubbing the wrist he had used to hit someone, a cold glint flashing in his deep eyes.
"Is it because you can't understand human speech?"