Although his mother had told him not to take other people's things without asking, once Sun Xiangxiang opened the book, Bai Congming couldn't tear his eyes away.
The pages were thick and filled with colorful pictures. A light press on the words beside them even made sounds play.
Bai Congming really loved it, and he couldn't resist Sun Xiangxiang's enthusiasm. In the end, he gave in and emptied the little wallet he carried with him.
There wasn't actually much money in the wallet, only a hundred yuan or so altogether.
Sun Xiangxiang refused to take it at first, but Bai Congming was so insistent that she stopped turning him down.
"Oh, right," Sun Xiangxiang asked him. "Have you been downtown? Do you know how to get there?"
Bai Congming held on to the comic book, unwilling to let go. "I've been."
"Shop Nine in Dragon City Plaza is my flower shop. Come find me if you have any problems!"
Bai Congming obediently agreed. "Thank you, big sister."
As he spoke, he picked up a fallen flower from the ground that was still fully intact and handed it to her, saying again, "Thank you, big sister."
"You're welcome." Sun Xiangxiang tucked the fallen flower behind her ear. "Does it look pretty?"
Bai Congming nodded hard. "Pretty!"
"Can I come play with you sometime?"
"Yes, play!"
"Great." Having gotten an affirmative answer, Sun Xiangxiang was perfectly satisfied. "Bye, then!"
"Bye!"
"Make sure we see each other again!"
Bai Congming smiled. "We will!"
Their elementary-school-style conversation made Auntie Zhou, who was listening nearby, chuckle despite herself. Every so often, she cast a grateful look at Sun Xiangxiang.
There were few people at the flower nursery around Little Bai's age, and even those who were rarely had the patience to talk to him properly.
Auntie Zhou was truly happy that he had made a friend.
But when she went over to thank her, Auntie Zhou received a strange look.
"What's there to thank me for? I really do like him!"
"..."
That day, Bai Congming went home with a very thick comic book.
Although he didn't know many characters, he had attended school properly when he was little.
It was only when he reached the high school entrance examination that his grades proved too poor, leaving him no choice but to leave school.
Unlike the books from back then, densely packed with text, the simple, easy-to-understand pictures in the comic book didn't leave him dizzy.
On top of that, the audio feature included not only mechanical readings but also ambient sounds recorded to match the scenes. The wind and rain sounded so lifelike that it made the book even harder to put down.
Only after eating some potato rice, washing his clothes, and taking a shower did Bai Congming wrap himself in his quilt and open the comic book with something close to reverence.
It opened on a rainy night.
In the picture were two men, one standing and one kneeling, with a heavy atmosphere hanging over them.
Bai Congming immediately liked the man who was standing, because he had a lovely name.
Xiao Hua.
He pressed the small words beside the picture. The patter of rain began, and the man named Xiao Hua slowly spoke.
"Go back. I don't love you anymore."
"Please forgive me..."
The kneeling man was named Xiao Hu, and his voice sounded very sad.
"I only made a mistake any man would make. I've already gone this far. Why won't you forgive me?"
Xiao Hua sighed, his voice taking on a tearful edge.
"Get up first. The floor's cold."
"I won't!" Xiao Hu said. "I swear I'll never see him again. Really, believe me!"
Xiao Hua remained silent for a long time. The rain kept falling until a muffled rumble of thunder sounded.
"Get up first," Xiao Hua said. "Go buy me a bouquet of my favorite flowers, and I'll forgive you."
The next day, Xiao Hu brought back a bouquet of Pink Lily of the Valley. Xiao Hua was delighted and smiled as he slipped his arms around Xiao Hu's neck. The two embraced and kissed.
Under his quilt, Bai Congming let out a little "wow." So giving flowers could get you kisses!
He turned another page, but Sun Xiangxiang had covered the next page completely with tape. He couldn't see anything.
Bai Congming tried to peel it open, but the slightest tug tore a corner of the page, so he stopped.
Things you treasured should be cherished. That went for people and books alike.
He poked around the page, and faint sounds of water came through, barely covering the embarrassing sounds the two characters were making.
Bai Congming blushed a little as he listened, rolled over in bed, and turned to the next page.
"..."
Bai Congming stayed awake all night and still only read a little under half the comic book, including several covered-up pages.
When daylight came, Bai Congming felt that some of the fog in his head had cleared.
At first, Xiao Hua had really liked Xiao Hu.
But Xiao Hu was bad and always made fun of Xiao Hua in front of other people.
He even did... things that got covered up with other people while Xiao Hua was asleep!
Later, Xiao Hua came to his senses and refused to stay with Xiao Hu. Xiao Hu regretted it terribly and swore to make Xiao Hua like him again.
Bai Congming thought he could do all the things Xiao Hu had done to win Xiao Hua back, and do them even better.
Then his wife would like him and never leave again.
With enormous dark circles under his eyes, Bai Congming got up, washed, and went to the flower nursery to put in a day's work.
Pink Lily of the Valley was probably expensive. He had to work hard to earn money!
"..."
Bai Congming seemed a little more alert today, but his face looked haggard, as though he had stayed up all night hauling three mountains on his back.
Granny Sun kept sighing at the sight. After tossing him two eggs, she went to find Auntie Zhou.
"What's going on with him this time?"
Auntie Zhou pulled Granny Sun aside and lowered her voice as though afraid someone might overhear. "He's seeing someone!"
"Really?"
"He said so himself," Auntie Zhou said. "But apparently the girl left. I don't know what happened."
Granny Sun grew a little anxious. "Then go ask him! Don't let him get scammed!"
"He won't tell me anything when I ask!"
"How about this?" Granny Sun thought for a moment. "Take him out for something nice at lunchtime. I'll reimburse you. Find out what's going on."
Auntie Zhou was torn. "What if he won't come with me?"
"I have an idea!"
"..."
Bai Congming's assigned job that day was fertilizing. He had to carry a heavy load of fertilizer through the greenhouses, bending down with every step to scatter it around the roots of the plants.
Fertilizing was exhausting. Before noon even arrived, Bai Congming felt as if he were starving flat.
When it was time to eat, Bai Congming washed his hands several times before taking his tray over to where the food was served.
"Little Bai, how about coming out to lunch with me, then taking a nap at my place?"
Looking at the large dishes of bright-red food in front of him, Bai Congming nodded gently.
"Little Bai has money. Auntie Zhou doesn't need to pay."
"All right." Auntie Zhou led him outside. "What would you like to eat, Little Bai?"
"Eat..."
"A large pot of pickled mustard greens and pork hock. A fattier one! No need to cut it up!"
Ding Ding walked into a small restaurant and sat down at a greasy table.
"And a cup of bayberry wine. Hurry up with the food!"
A mouthful of bayberry wine made Ding Ding feel comfortable all over. He leaned against the back of his chair and let out a long breath.
After dragging on for so long, it was finally over...
Before you continue