I Make the Decisions at Home

"Ring ring ring~"

As the dismissal bell rang, the previously quiet County No. 1 Middle School suddenly erupted in lively chaos.

It was Saturday, and except for the graduating and retaking classes, all students, whether boarding or day students, would rush home to eat and reunite with their families.

Lu Zixue slung his army-green satchel over his shoulder, left the classroom, crossed the sports field, and headed towards the school's bicycle shed.

It had rained for half the night yesterday, and there were some puddles on the sports field. Lu Zixue carefully avoided them, not wanting to get his Warrior sneakers muddy.

He cherished these sneakers; white shoes looked bad once stained.

"Let's go together, Zixue! My mom said she's making dumplings tonight, why don't you come eat at my place!"

A familiar classmate caught up to Lu Zixue and enthusiastically invited him home.

They had been junior high classmates, both admitted to County No. 1 Middle School from Liuqiao Township. Their homes were also close, and they had always gotten along well.

However, Lu Zixue refused, "No, thanks. My dad said the back seat of my bike is flimsy and can't carry too much weight, or it'll break. You should ask your dad to buy you a bicycle. The Qianlima brand is pretty good."

"."

The back seat of a 26 Phoenix bicycle was indeed not as sturdy as that of a 28 Big Bar, but this classmate was thin and small, lighter than most girls. How could he be considered "too much weight"?

The enthusiastic classmate froze for a long time, then lowered his head and walked away sheepishly.

Lu Zixue, however, paid it no mind.

County No. 1 Middle School was the best middle school in the entire county, naturally attracting many diligent and intelligent students from township junior high schools. They studied together, talked, and laughed, but there was always a subtle, almost imperceptible barrier that divided them into different circles.

Lu Zixue had a military satchel, Warrior sneakers, and a bicycle. Let alone the town kids, even the teachers at County No. 1 Middle School might not have had his "style."

Therefore, he felt he shouldn't associate with these country kids in coarse cloth clothes, thousand-layer sole cloth shoes, and handmade cloth bags anymore.

Those well-dressed, confident, and arrogant city kids were the "kindred spirits" Lu Zixue identified with.

Passing through the sports field, Lu Zixue entered the bicycle shed and pulled out his outstanding 26 Phoenix bicycle.

Since Lu Zixue had quietly wiped it down with water the previous night, the brand-new Phoenix bike, as expected, drew envious glances from his classmates.

Lu Zixue slowly pushed the bike towards the school gate, his eyes constantly scanning the crowd.

Then his eyes lit up, and he quickened his pace towards a few female classmates.

"Gao Xiaoyan, I can give you a ride home! My mom added a cushion to the back seat of my bike, it's fast and stable."

The female classmate named Gao Xiaoyan was a lively and pretty girl. She also had Warrior sneakers and a military satchel, but no bicycle.

She looked at Lu Zixue, who had gathered his courage to invite her, and was a little surprised.

Lu Zixue's home was in Liuqiao Township, southwest of the county town, while her home was at the Meat Processing Plant Dormitory, northwest of the county town. By no stretch of the imagination was it on the way.

However, Gao Xiaoyan was polite and smiled, "We're going to watch a movie, not going home yet!"

Lu Zixue was a bit embarrassed, "You're going to watch a movie..."

The girls with Gao Xiaoyan liked to joke around and said to Lu Zixue with a smile, "Hey, do you want to go with our Xiaoyan?"

"."

"I... I won't go. My family is waiting for me to eat!"

Lu Zixue forced a smile, lowered his head, and pushed his bike away.

As he walked, he seemed to realize something. He looked up and saw his country classmate looking at him and smiling.

A scornful smile.

Resentful anger immediately ignited in Lu Zixue's heart.

He resented why he only had a few cents in his pocket, not even enough to buy a movie ticket.

He hated his stubborn sister. Why was she so eager to break off the engagement with the Li family? Couldn't she have waited another year until he got into college?

Thinking back to the past, that silly Li Ye used to visit Liuqiao Township eight times a month. He always had change in his pocket and new clothes every season. How could he be so destitute and embarrassed now?

What a fool, didn't you know to come and beg me to put in a good word for you with my father? Didn't you know I have the final say at home?

Lu Zixue cursed inwardly, but then he heard someone ahead cheer.

"The malt candy vendor is here! I knew he'd come today."

"Malt candy?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Zixue immediately pushed his bike forward to squeeze through the crowd.

He still had five cents in his pocket, enough to buy an ounce. He wouldn't share it with anyone, he'd eat it himself and make that classmate who laughed at him envious.

But after pushing forward only a dozen meters, Lu Zixue froze.

Li Ye, the person he had just been thinking about, was standing in front of him, looking at him.

Lu Zixue's heart was filled with turmoil.

He must be here to curry favor with me. Is he here to give me money? Or gifts? It's probably money. Sister said I absolutely cannot accept any more favors from the Li family. She'll slowly repay what we owe the Li family. But now I'm being humiliated.

Father said if this guy gets into college... then if I don't oppose them getting back together, it would be a great help to Li Ye. I have the final say at home.

Lu Zixue came up with a perfect solution in less than two seconds, one that would allow him to benefit from Li Ye without owing him anything.

Li Ye stood at the entrance of the County No. 1 Middle School, also drawing the attention of the crowd.

Tall and lanky, with an imposing handsomeness, coupled with a calm demeanor, even the shyest girl would steal a glance at him.

Fortunately, girls in this era were very reserved. If he had these looks in a later generation, it would truly be a case of "boys, you need to protect yourselves when you're out."

"Brother, he's out."

"Mhm, I see him."

Actually, Li Ye had spotted Lu Zixue from a distance without Li Dayong needing to point him out.

There weren't many bicycles in the crowd of students leaving school, and a 26 Phoenix was even more eye-catching.

Li Ye saw Lu Zixue and noticed that after a brief moment of surprise, he pushed his bicycle over and stopped in front of Li Ye, tilting his chin slightly as they met each other's cold gaze.

Li Ye was very puzzled, because in that instant, he felt as if he were seeing that intern supervisor from his past life whom he intensely disliked.

Someone who was completely clueless and didn't understand anything, yet always acted superior in front of a group of interns.

Even though everyone was cursing his ancestors in their hearts, he still felt good about himself, believing everyone wanted to curry favor with him and cater to him.

The Lu Zixue before him was performing this act of "acting superior."

His acting was clumsy, but he was performing it with seriousness.

He's probably waiting for me to speak to him first!

Li Ye had no interest in playing games with a kid who hadn't even fully grown up. He reached out and grabbed the handlebars of the 26 Phoenix, intending to pull it over and be done with it.

Lu Zixue was caught off guard. Seeing his beloved Phoenix bicycle about to be pulled away, he instinctively grabbed the rear rack at the back of the seat.

Then, cold sweat soaked through his back.

Is he here to give me money? Or to steal my bike?