The restaurant closed at 10pm, and it was always 11:30pm when Ye Xiang finished cleaning up. Usually, Ye Xiang would take Li Ziye home first, even though he only took her to the bus stop near her home, but Li Ziye was already satisfied.
She liked the feeling of walking with Ye Xiang, although they didn't talk much on the way. They often discussed the topic, or Ye Xiang made a few derogatory remarks about her. They really never talked about other topics.
They both built a wall in their hearts and it was not easy for them to confide in others. If Ye Xiang suddenly pulled her over to complain to her about his family affairs, she would probably be shocked.
For Li Ziye, being able to see Ye Xiang from such a close distance was already a blessing.
Tonight, she only memorized five pages of the key points in her political textbook. Ye Xiang once again sneered at her "underdeveloped" brain: "You memorize things so slowly. I guess at this rate, you will probably still be standing still in the midterm exam."
Li Ziye retorted indignantly: "How is that possible? I have made a lot of progress, okay?"
Ye Xiang was totally unimpressed: "Progress, how come I didn't notice it? Are you a snail? It takes you so long to make one step forward..."
Li Ziye rolled his eyes: "I ranked 20th in the class in the math test."
"20th? How did you do so badly in the exam? Don't tell others that I taught you." Ye Xiang's sharp tongue was so powerful that every time he said that, Li Ziye would lose his temper.
Li Ziye knew that she couldn't win the argument with Ye Xiang, so she just stopped talking. After a short silence, she thought of something and looked up at Ye Xiang hesitantly: "Ye Xiang... I have a question for you."
Ye Xiang continued walking forward without taking it seriously, and simply replied to her lightly: "Haven't you asked enough questions these days?"
"It's not about study..." Li Ziye clenched his fists, his palms sweating, and he struggled for a while before asking, "Ye Xiang, do you have someone you like?"
Ye Xiang was stunned for a moment, and stopped walking. After a moment, he turned around and glanced at Li Ziye with contempt: "I thought you wouldn't ask such a boring question."
Li Ziye bit her lip. She knew that Ye Xiang must have always been annoyed by these rumors. Before, they had tacitly avoided some sensitive topics.
In fact, she didn't want to expose the truth. She thought she could just continue to have a crush on him. If she confessed her feelings to Ye Xiang, they might not even be able to be friends.
But regarding this rumor, she really couldn't hold it in anymore.
She really wanted to know what kind of feelings he had towards her? Sympathy? Friends? Or... did he like her a little bit?
After all, he was much more familiar with her now, so she chose to continue asking: "I heard them say that you like a girl named Luo Yun, is it true?"
Li Ziye didn't expect that as soon as she asked this question, Ye Xiang's face fell and his eyes were so sharp that they could almost peel off a layer of her skin.
Her heart was pierced deeply by such a look, and suddenly all the questions in her mind seemed to be answered, and an indescribable pain spread from the depths of her heart .
"I just..." Li Ziye knew that she had said something she shouldn't have said. She wanted to explain, but the words were stuck in her throat.
"Li Ziye, who do you think you are?" Ye Xiang's voice was as cold as an ice arrow, piercing his chest, as if even the blood could be frozen. "Who gave you the right to ask about my affairs?"
After leaving these two sentences, Ye Xiang turned around and left without looking back at her again.
Li Ziye stood there frozen, unable to speak.
In fact, she really didn't expect it to end like this... She just wanted an answer. She was even prepared to listen to Ye Xiang telling her his story with Luo Yun. She was prepared for him to say that he still liked Luo Yun, and she was prepared that she was destined to be just an ordinary friend.
But she didn't expect that this was a name she couldn't even mention.
Li Ziye suddenly felt a tightness in his chest and was very sad.
Maybe she was really too stupid.
She was just a spice for Ye Xiang's boring life, right? She was completely insignificant. As long as she accidentally touched the pain point in his heart, he would leave without mercy.
On the way home, the night was frighteningly dark. The moonlight seemed so dim at that moment, and the whole world seemed to be covered by the thick darkness.
Li Ziye fell down hard because she was in a trance, and her knees were bleeding. She felt a pain welling up in her chest...
From that day on, Li Ziye never went to that restaurant again, and never went to see Ye Xiang again. She returned to her lonely life, and she seemed to be shrouded in a layer of low pressure, which made people around her feel depressed.
Because Song's father has been in the hospital for a month and Li Ziye has not visited him once, Song's mother also issued an ultimatum that he must go to the hospital after school today, and she will come to the school to pick up Li Ziye.
Li Ziye felt exhausted physically and mentally, but she had no way to refuse. Every time she went to Ye Xiang for tutoring, she actually went there under the guise of going to the teacher's house for tutoring. Now she had no reason to avoid it.
On the way to the hospital, Mother Song still had a lot to say: "Ziye, I know grandma said you were a little too much, but she was just worried because dad was sick. As a junior, you should be more considerate."
Li Ziye turned his head tiredly towards the car window without answering, his expression somewhat gloomy.
Mother Song frowned slightly: "Zi Ye, Dad's condition is very unstable, you should know... We don't know what will happen next, I don't want Dad to leave with regrets. So, can you stop being angry? We all sincerely hope that you can integrate into this family, you should also feel it..."
Li Ziye was silent for a long time, and then he spoke with a hint of sarcasm: "You all know how to talk about a lot of truths, and I can't argue with you. But I'll say it one last time, I'm not a tool for you to fulfill your wishes. You should have thought of this situation when you gave me away."
Mother Song wanted to say something, but finally held back. After a long while, she could only say to Li Ziye in a trembling voice: "I'm sorry."
Would saying sorry be useful? Li Ziye didn't know. Perhaps it was better than them blaming her in return?
After arriving at the hospital, Mother Song went to park the car and asked Li Ziye to go find Father Song first.
When Li Ziye walked into the ward, he saw Father Song reading a book. He was the kind of person who could not put down his book. Whenever he had a little energy, he liked to read. That was why he was so knowledgeable.
During this month, he lost more weight. The illness had tortured him so much that he had lost his former vigor and became weaker and weaker.
Li Ziye stood at the door for a while and didn't move forward.
Father Song felt her gaze, withdrew his eyes from the book, looked up, and when he saw it was her, a smile finally appeared at the corner of his mouth. When he smiled, there were slight wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, making him look very kind.
"Ziye, what are you doing standing there like an idiot? Come in."
Li Ziye nodded without saying anything, just walked in and found a chair to sit down.
Father Song stood up and took out a box of chocolates from the drawer next to him: "This is what your aunt brought back from abroad. You little girls should all like sweets. I wanted to ask your mother to bring it back to you tonight, but I didn't expect you to come."
Li Ziye hesitated for a moment, but still took it. Song's father's expectant eyes really made it impossible for her to refuse...
In fact, Song's father didn't know about her rebellious behavior these days. Song's mother had been trying hard to hide it from him, saying that Li Ziye went to cram school and was busy with homework, so she didn't come to see him. Song's mother didn't mention that she was angry and didn't talk or eat with her family, probably because she was afraid that Song's father would be even more upset after knowing it.
Father Song saw a slightly depressed look on Li Ziye's face and sighed softly: "Ziye, I know you can't forgive mom and dad right now, and I don't expect you to forgive me, but I hope you can live happily. To be honest, now I regret bringing you home... Maybe I was too selfish and didn't consider your feelings. At that time, I just thought that you could get a better education and have a better future, so that I could leave with peace of mind..."
Li Ziye couldn't describe the feeling in his heart, a bit sad and a bit uncomfortable.
The feeling of love and hate was so heart-wrenching. If she could choose, she hoped that she could let go of everything and accept their kindness to her now.
But why couldn't she do it?
"Dad may not be able to accompany you for much longer, so you must study hard and work hard. You may not forgive me, but you must cherish your future. You are still young and there are still many possibilities... cough cough..." At this point, Father Song couldn't stop coughing, and every cough hit Li Ziye's heart.
At this time, Song's mother happened to walk into the ward. Seeing that Song's father was coughing so badly, she quickly pressed the emergency bell. At the same time, she couldn't help but look back at Li Ziye and said, "Didn't I tell you on the way here not to make Dad anxious and angry again..."
Li Ziye sighed deeply, clenched his fists, and didn't speak for a long time.
Every time, when her position was about to waver, she was stabbed again, so after such a long time , she was back to the starting point and didn't get any closer.
During class the next day, Meng Xiazi suddenly touched Li Ziye's arm and handed her a note.
Li Ziye was a little surprised and took a look at the note: I heard your father is sick? Is it serious?
Li Ziye frowned slightly. Although she didn't know who told Meng Xiazi, she knew that there were basically no secrets in school. Maybe someone knew about it and spread it. She really didn't want everyone around her to know. She probably thought that many people would say she was pretending to be pitiful.
But it didn’t matter if Meng Xiazi knew, after all, they were friends, so she replied: Yes, why do you suddenly ask this?
Meng Xia Zi sent back another note: Zi Ye, we have been desk mates for such a long time and I just found out about this. I will go with you to see him some other day.
Because it felt strange to bring classmates to see Song’s father, Li Ziye just said: Let’s talk about it later when we have a chance.
Meng Xiazi replied: Ziye, are you so distant? I have always considered you a friend... and drew a crying face at the end.
Li Ziye had no choice but to surrender: I might go to the hospital in the evening. If you have time, we can go together.
Meng Xia Zi replied with a big smile: Okay, I have time.
After Li Ziye didn't go to "tutoring" these days, Song's mother always said that she had to work overtime and asked Li Ziye to go to the hospital to look after Song's father. Li Ziye knew that Song's mother was trying to make her get along with Song's father in various ways, hoping that she could spend more time with Song's father to resolve the estrangement.
She had no way to refuse, but she hardly spoke when she was with Father Song.
Ever since Ye Xiang left her alone that day, she became more and more numb to everything around her.
No matter what people around her said, she no longer refuted, and turned from a thorn in her side into the "arrogant and indifferent" Li Ziye again.
Maybe because they were tired of fighting against her, or because she didn't fight back, the classmates gradually stopped picking on her and kept their distance from her.
For Li Ziyelai, there is certainly nothing wrong with this, but her life now is more like a stagnant pool, without goals, troubles, or any waves.
Living a routine life every day, perhaps this is the norm of life.
After school, Li Ziye took Meng Xiazi to the hospital. Meng Xiazi also bought a fruit basket. Although Li Ziye refused again and again, Meng Xiazi said, "I should bring it. It's polite."
Li Ziye could only sigh faintly: "I'll treat you to a meal next time."
Meng Xiazi shook his head and said, "Ziye, don't be so distant with me. We are friends. I am only doing what I should do."
Li Ziye could only smile and didn't answer. Meng Xiazi treated her as a friend so wholeheartedly, and she really felt guilty.
When Father Song saw Meng Xiazi, he became very energetic and smiled happily: "Our Ziye actually brought his friends to see me. I am really relieved!"
Meng Xiazi bowed obediently : "Hello uncle! My name is Meng Xiazi, and I'm Ziye's deskmate." It seemed that Meng Xiazi had been with Bai Yuwang for a long time, and she didn't seem to be afraid of strangers anymore.
"Sit down, sit down. Ziye, take out the candy from the drawer to treat us." Father Song smiled with narrowed eyes. "Xia Zi, it's a nice name."
Meng Xiazi smiled sweetly: "Thank you, uncle."
Li Ziye took out a candy from the drawer and handed it to Meng Xiazi, then sat aside. Father Song, on the other hand, kept chatting with Meng Xiazi, asking her about Li Ziye's homework, whether he got along well with his classmates in class, and whether he often made the teacher angry.
Meng Xiazi said all the good things , even though it was not true, but Li Ziye still looked at Meng Xiazi with some gratitude. If Meng Xiazi told the truth, Father Song would probably be sad again.
For the first time in a while, Li Ziye felt that having a friend was a good thing.
Meng Xiazi stayed in the hospital for a while and then left. Although it was only for a while, it was obvious that Father Song was very happy. Hearing that Li Ziye was fine and had such a good friend, he was of course sincerely happy. But Li Ziye knew very well that what Meng Xiazi said was not true, but just to make Father Song feel better.
It was already late at night when Li Ziye came out of the hospital, and Mother Song had not yet finished work and could not come to pick her up.
He originally planned to take a taxi back, but after walking a few steps on the street and enjoying the breeze for a while, Li Ziye decided to walk back.
When a person walks, his mind is particularly clear, especially in such a quiet night.
The sky was dark, but the stars were bright. Thin clouds floated by gently, and the air was filled with the faint smell of earth after the dust settled. The roadside trees stretched out their branches and leaves, and the breeze blew past, making a rustling sound like whispers.
Every time she came to this point, she would especially miss the days in the countryside. There were mountains on all sides, and fields at the foot of the mountains. There were no street lights on summer nights, but there were many fireflies flying on the ridges of the fields, twinkling and beautiful.
There are also more stars there than in the city, because there are not so many bright lights to cover the stars' brilliance, so every star can freely shine its own light.
It was very free there. She was a girl who grew up running in the fields and flying freely in the air. But now she seemed as if someone had broken her wings and thrown her into a cage.
The funny thing is, this cage was woven by her biological parents themselves.
When she was almost home, the corner that was usually lit by street lights was dark today. She was not very scared, she was not afraid of the dark, and she had never met any bad people, so she walked past calmly.
As a result, a dark shadow suddenly jumped out from the darkness and quickly came to her.
Li Ziye's reaction speed was also amazing. The moment the black shadow jumped in front of her, she quickly dodged it and then ran desperately towards the light.
But the other party was sure that she was alone, so he kept chasing her.
She didn't know if she was destined to be unlucky recently, but she accidentally stepped on a stone and fell to the ground, with her knees and palms all scratched.
By the time she saw that the person coming was a gangster, he had already rushed over and grabbed the backpack behind her: "Humph, you're still running? Hand over your money and phone, or don't blame me for being rude!"
Li Ziye struggled for a while, grabbed the bag with all his strength, and kicked the gangster hard: "If you don't let go, I'll call the police!"
"You are quite brave, little girl!" The gangster still held the bag tightly, as if he didn't expect Li Ziye to refuse to give in. He couldn't think of what to do for a moment, so he could only free up one hand to pull her hair.
Li Ziye is no pushover either. She grew up playing with a group of boys in the village, so she is confident .
So she struggled to break free from his grip and slapped him in the face.
The gangster felt pain and spat on the ground: "I see you are not willing to accept my toast, so you have to drink a penalty!" Then he reached into his waist and took out a dagger.
Li Ziye was startled. The gangster swung the dagger and a bloody mark appeared on her arm.
Seeing that she finally showed fear on her face, the gangster smiled with satisfaction and approached her with a dagger in his hand: "Give me the thing quickly and I will let you go, otherwise... hehe..."
At this moment, another figure suddenly rushed out in front of Li Ziye and kicked the dagger out of the gangster's hand with lightning speed. The gangster felt the pain and fell to the ground with a cry.
The man kicked him again, and his kick was absolutely ruthless. The gangster's screams echoed throughout the alley. Then Li Ziye heard a familiar voice: "Get lost!"
The gangster hurriedly got up from the ground, not even daring to pick up the dagger, and ran away in shame.
When Li Ziye came to her senses, she found Ye Xiang looking at her with a frown. At this moment, because of the fight, her hair was messy and looked like a chicken coop, and her clothes were torn, she was really in a mess.
It seems that whenever she meets Ye Xiang, she always looks miserable.
Ye Xiang took off his school uniform and threw it on her, then looked at her like she was crazy: "Li Ziye, do you have any brains? Money is more important than life? If it weren't for me, would you be on the headlines of the newspaper tomorrow?"
Li Ziye didn't say anything... She hated Ye Xiang for being like this, always slapping her and then giving her a candy, which made her feel like his pet.
Seeing that she didn't answer, Ye Xiang wanted to say something, but in the end he remained silent.
Maybe he wanted to ask her why she hadn't come to him for tutoring during this period, or maybe he felt a little uncomfortable during the time she was gone.
But Li Ziye didn't know so many of his thoughts. She just stood up from the ground, took off her coat, returned it to Ye Xiang, and said softly, "Thank you." Her attitude was sincere, but revealed an inexplicable alienation.
Then, Li Ziye turned and walked away in front of him, leaving behind her back, just like he had done to her countless times. But she walked away in such an uncool way, with an injury on her leg, limping.
But in Ye Xiang's eyes, the scene at this moment was even more hurtful. The girl in front of him was obviously injured and clearly needed help, but she returned his coat to him as if she didn't want him to care.
Li Ziye really didn't want to fall into her previous emotions again. She hated that feeling of worrying about gains and losses.
What she didn't see was that after she left, Ye Xiang fiercely threw the clothes in his hands, became as violent as a wild beast, punched the wall several times, and blood oozed from the back of his hands.