As the World Cup frenzy gradually subsided with the sound of cicadas, in the scorching summer of Baimei County, the streets and alleys were filled with the sound of music playing from clothing stores. It slowly started to sing a popular song composed by Allen last year—

【I want to hold your hand and never let go】

【Can love be forever pure without sorrow】

【I want to ride a bicycle with you】

【I want to watch baseball with you】

【Just like this, singing without worries, walking all the way】

Just like the popularity of “The Lone Swimmer”[1] during Mei Fang’s era, this song “Easy Love”[2] was something even kindergarten and elementary school students in Baimei County could hum a few lines of.

At this moment, just like back then, a chubby boy sitting next to Mei Fang, was singing a song in front of a girl, showcasing his “Prince of Love Songs” style. The girl rested her chin on her hand and looked out the window, appearing absent-minded.

“How was it? Did I sing well?”

A boy next to them immediately retorted, “Deng Zhuo, it’s shameless for you to sing love songs to girls.”

“Hmph… You immature brat, do you even know what a love song is?”

“You call me an immature brat? You little fatty!”

“Dare you call me fatty? Liang Chao, I’ll make sure you can’t walk straight!”

“Ah, ah, ah, don’t pin me down, I was wrong, I was wrong! I won’t dare anymore, spare me, spare me, big brother!”

The tone and manner of speech of these children were somewhat different from that of normal people, as they had learned these lines from animated films and TV dramas.

And this poor imitation was often the first step towards growth for these children.

Towards… becoming elementary school students.

Mei Fang had been staying in this place filled with generational gaps for almost a month. Every day, he had to avoid getting involved in disputes with the children. It could be said that after the bedwetting incident, Mei Fang had become invisible in the class.

Xia Yuan, who had a friendly personality and good upbringing, rarely had conflicts with the students. She had always been seen as a good student and well-behaved child by the teachers, so she always had many friends around her.

Whenever Xia Yuan was surrounded by a crowd, Lin You Xi would play alone and wouldn’t join in.

But this situation also changed after Mei Fang brought Lin You Xi home.

Because she started to approach Mei Fang from time to time.

She went from being silent to being willing to talk to Mei Fang, but always in a low voice, whispering in Mei Fang’s ear.

This was actually a very intimate gesture, but the children seemed to not notice or care about it.

As a result, Mei Fang gradually became the one responsible for wiping Lin Youxi’s runny nose.

“Come and wipe it… Aren’t you afraid of getting dirty? You’re a girl, you know?”

“Mm.”

Lin Youxi nodded as if she understood but didn’t really understand, and then waited for Mei Fang to help her wipe her nose.

“Don’t sniff your snot, it’s so dirty!”

“The relationship between you two has become so good now…”

Xia Yuan’s voice came from behind Mei Fang, who had just finished helping Lin Youxi tidy up.

Xia Yuan didn’t feel jealous, she was happy to see Mei Fang and Lin Youxi becoming friends.

“You play with Lin Youxi, I want to rest.”

Mei Fang had been passing time by sleeping since kindergarten.

“Why do you love sleeping so much, don’t sleep, lazy bug.”

Xia Yuan pulled Mei Fang’s arm, “We haven’t played house together today.”

“Why do you always want to play with me, you have so many friends…”

“Of course, it’s because only you are willing to play with Lin Youxi!”

“…”

Is it appropriate to say this directly in front of her?

Mei Fang sighed silently as he looked at Lin Youxi, who was hanging her head and looking blank.

“Let’s play, anyway, we’ll graduate in a few days.”

Xia Yuan had a passion for playing house games, no matter how Mei Fang and Lin Youxi switched roles, she always wanted to be the mother. Usually, Mei Fang played the father and Lin Youxi played the daughter.

“Daddy, why haven’t you gone to work yet? The sun is shining on your butt.”

“Youyou, it’s time to wake up. Mommy made breakfast for you. There are fried eggs, milk, bacon, jam on bread, and sausages… You need a balanced diet.”

“Eating so much in the morning won’t make me bloated?”

“Daddy, why haven’t you gone to work yet! You are the head of the family, you should be more responsible!”

The three of them played with their dolls, Mei Fang just needed to say a few words to cooperate, because the “father” had to go to work every day, Mei Fang could just hang around. Unless he was idle for too long, Xia Yuan would complain that he “came home too late”.

“Hahaha, hahaha, they are still playing house even though they are so grown up, how childish.”

A few boys holding Transformers and Train Heroes[3] passed by, the leader of the boys was called Du Zihan, he had an exaggerated tooth decay and was notorious for causing trouble in the class. He swaggered over to mock Xia Yuan and others.

“Mei Fang, why do you like playing with girls so much recently? You’re so girly, no wonder you wet the bed all the time, hahaha, hahaha!”

“…”

“Du Zihan, this is not okay!” Xia Yuan looked angry, “Children should get along friendly with each other and not say bad things about each other.”

Mei Fang shrugged casually to dissuade Xia Yuan, “If they want to laugh, let them laugh. They will be the ones crying when they grow up.”

“Grrr… I’m so angry!”

Du Zihan swung his toy back and forth, saying, “It’s time for this bed-wetting boy to taste my power. I am the captain of the Star Team of the Divine Beast Transformers, capable of super transformations. Take this, Divine Beast Flying Kick! Biu—Chi—Pa—”

Du Zihan’s Transformers was about to collide with the doll in Mei Fang’s hand. At this moment, Mei Fang took the initiative and snatched his Transformers away. Du Zihan cried out to snatch the toy back from Mei Fang’s hand, but Mei Fang held the toy high in the air, taking advantage of his height.

“What is 9 plus 3? Since you are the captain, this should not be difficult for you. If you answer correctly, I will give it back to you.”

“9 plus 3? Damn it… It’s a double digit addition and subtraction…”

“Give up, Captain! Mei Fang is a math genius, you can’t beat him!”

“No, I must figure it out… 1, 2, 3… 4…”

“Captain! Don’t torture yourself!”

“Stop talking! You’ve confused me! Shut up!”

While Du Zihan was racking his brains to do the math, Teacher Li hurriedly walked in, followed by a group of young men and women holding cameras and microphones.

“Children, quiet down, put down your toys and sit in your seats. Uncle and Auntie from Baimei County TV Station heard that you will be graduating soon, so they specially came to interview you and answer some questions. It will be on TV, so pay attention…”

At this moment, Du Zihan was still struggling with the math problem, while Xia Yuan kept pulling Mei Fang’s clothes, asking him to sit down.

“Du Zihan, Mei Fang, why aren’t you in your seats yet?”

“Teacher, Mei Fang bullied me!”

Du Zihan complained to the teacher with a grievance.

“Mei Fang, how did you bully him?”

One of Du Zihan’s little followers said, “Mei Fang is so mean. He made Du Zihan do two-digit addition!”

“Yes, he’s so mean!”

“These children seem interesting…”

The beautiful lady with the microphone asked the cameraman to follow her, “Hello, everyone. We are reporters from Baimei TV Station. We would like to interview you. I will ask some questions, and I hope interested children will actively participate. It will be broadcasted on TV!”

Translator’s Notes:

  1. “The Lonely Warrior (孤勇者) by Eason Chan (陳奕迅) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hlp8XD0R5qo↩︎
  2. “Simple Love” (簡單愛) by Jay Chou https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4xCVlyCvX4↩︎
  3. Train Heroes: https://hikarian.fandom.com/wiki/Train_Heroes↩︎

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