Chapter 32: Osmanthus Blooms and Falls (Part 3)
An Baili turned in her exam paper early and went home ahead of schedule. Lu Li suspected the silly girl hadn’t even finished the questions; the difficulty of this surprise exam was not insignificant. It was only when he was on the bus home that Lu Li suddenly remembered he hadn’t received the Silly Goose’s gift yet. This wasn’t a big deal; Lu Li didn’t care about so-called birthdays to begin with, and gifts were even more of a formality. Besides, what kind of gift could the Silly Goose give? It would be nothing more than the usual things a high school girl would give, like a fountain pen, a notebook, a pencil case, a plush doll, or a snow globe.
What Lu Li was most preoccupied with was the surprise Yameng had mentioned. Just thinking about a certain possibility made his mouth go dry and his heart eager to get home. Lu Li felt that he was probably becoming more and more vulgar in this life. In his previous life, he had been serious about his career; in this life, his mind was filled with thoughts of women. He rubbed his chin, pondering whether he should blame his vulgarity on the Price of Rebirth.
A row of osmanthus trees had been transplanted into the green belt in front of the Low-Rent District. It was precisely the season for them to bloom, their fragrance carrying for miles. Lu Li remembered making up with the Silly Goose under an osmanthus tree last year. Ah, Chu Jingyi, what a lovely girl—devoted, kind, pure, and considerate. If he really had to pick one person to marry, as his sister had said, he would definitely give Chu Jingyi a perfect resolution. Lu Li sometimes thought that in this perfect girl’s perfect life, this love named Lu Li was perhaps her only imperfection.
Arriving at his own door, Lu Li heard the faint sounds of women talking inside. Lu Li coughed a few times to signal that he was about to enter. He gripped the doorknob with some excitement, anticipating what kind of surprise his sister would give him. “Yameng, can I come in?”
“Mm… er… c-come in.” Zou Yameng was actually stuttering a little.
Lu Li pushed the door open and saw Yameng and An Baili sitting on his bed. Strangely, both were wearing wool coats, bundled up tightly. Lu Li had been wondering why An Baili had run home alone after turning in her exam paper early. Had she come to find Yameng? Was this surprise also related to An Baili?
Lu Li’s heart pounded. “What are you two doing?” He felt so hypocritical, clearly anticipating something yet still pretending to be innocent.
Zou Yameng’s face was as red as a floating peach blossom petal. An Baili’s smile was like a blooming flower, as if she were looking forward to something.
“Li, I know you’ve been thinking about this for a long time,” An Baili said, knowing Lu Li all too well. “That one time we only did half of it. You’ve been hoping for a multi-person scene, haven’t you? It’s a pity we couldn’t convince Wen Hupo. She refused no matter what, so it’s just the two of us.”
An Baili’s words were too explicit, and Zou Yameng was still a bit embarrassed. She clutched her coat and looked at Lu Li. “Lizi, I’m only doing this for you. Y-you better not misunderstand and think that I’m promiscuous…”
Zou Yameng gritted her teeth and threw open her coat. Underneath, she was unexpectedly wearing the team uniform from when she played in her first year of high school. However, there wasn’t a single thread underneath the uniform, and the two points on her chest were stretched particularly taut. The outfit was too small and tight for the current Yameng, and even the mound below was clearly outlined. Lu Li’s eyes stared straight ahead. Was this the so-called uniform fetish? The thought that Yameng had once worn this very uniform to dominate the sports arena made his breathing quicken.
Underneath her coat, An Baili was wearing a set of lace lingerie. She cupped Yameng’s ample breasts and said playfully, “Li, have you ever played a match with Zou Yameng?”
“N-no, I haven’t…”
“Want to have one now?” An Baili was truly a little vixen. With just a few words, Lu Li was stirred into a burning blaze of desire.
Zou Yameng suddenly knelt down with her back to Lu Li. Lu Li thought she was picking something up, but then An Baili also knelt on Yameng’s back, facing away from him. The two girls stacked up like a human pyramid, presenting their round, snowy buttocks to him. The intense visual impact made Lu Li’s eyes turn red.
Yameng added, “J-just for today… whatever you want to do today, we’ll agree to it…”
An Baili also said, “We made an agreement with Hupo. She’s coming back late today, so you don’t have to worry about being disturbed. And the little umbrellas, I’ve prepared a full five boxes for you…”
Lu Li didn’t want to hear any more. He felt he had already lost his senses. He dropped his schoolbag and slowly walked toward the two completely obedient girls…
…
Chu Jingyi trotted to the front of the Low-Rent District and stopped short when she saw the row of osmanthus trees. The first time she had cried for Lu Li was under an osmanthus tree. Back then, she had even thought about walking back fifty steps and never being friends with Lu Li again. Thinking back now, she felt that last year’s her was a bit childish, and there was a bit of relief in her heart; at least she hadn’t really broken things off with Lu Li.
The autumn wind rose, and pale yellow osmanthus petals brushed against the young girl’s flower-like face, making her features look exceptionally bright and beautiful, causing many passersby to stop and stare. When Chu Jingyi thought of the birthday present in her backpack, a sweetness welled up in her heart. Amidst the rain of flowers, she trotted toward Lu Li’s home.
What should I say later? Happy birthday? Too cliché. Wishing you all the best? Too polite. Then how about wishing you success in your studies? That’s a bit too formal… After thinking it over, the Silly Goose made a momentous decision. She decided to offer a maiden’s kiss in place of well wishes. Lu Li would surely be very happy, right?
Thinking about Lu Li’s reaction, the young girl suddenly began to giggle foolishly.
Arriving at Lu Li’s home, she was about to knock when she suddenly heard some unexpected sounds from within.
“Lizi… Lizi… Mmm…” Is Sister Zou Yameng back?
“Ah… Mmm…” Baili is here too.
Chu Jingyi’s hand froze in front of the door, hesitating to knock. She felt she might have misheard, so she stood quietly by the door and listened. She heard Lu Li’s panting, and a series of impact sounds. Midway through, someone inside even leaned against the door, and the moans of pleasure passed directly into the ears of Chu Jingyi, who was only a wall away.
Chu Jingyi was not stupid. She was just willing to be treated like a fool by Lu Li. She was also very clear about what was happening inside.
Her gaze unknowingly lost focus. She suddenly thought of last year, when she sent a message to Lu Li one night, only to be so devastated by his “girlfriend” that she couldn’t sleep all night. She must have had feelings for Lu Li back then, otherwise, she wouldn’t have been so heartbroken over him having a girlfriend. Thanks to Lu Li’s later explanation, that wasn’t his girlfriend, that was just his sister, Zou Yameng…
Just his sister, Zou Yameng…
Listening to the sounds from inside the door, the long-absent heartache flared up again. Lu Li was a liar. He had said during their date that he wouldn’t look for other girls. He had also said last year that she was just his sister… It was all a lie.
Her heart felt like it was being shredded. The boy who was supposed to be hers had a mouth full of lies and was reveling with another woman who had also deceived her.
She then remembered her gentleman’s agreement with Baili. They had promised not to get a head start, that everything would wait until after graduation. She had always abided by this agreement, never hoping for any more intimate actions with Lu Li. So what about Baili? What was she doing now? Had she forgotten their agreement?
Lu Li was lying to her, Baili was lying to her. Was she really that easy to fool?
Chu Jingyi silently placed the gift by the door and turned to flee from this pink land filled with soft cries and panting. Her heart felt like it was being cut by a knife, not only because of Lu Li’s philandering, but also because of the helplessness of being deceived by both her friend and her beloved.
Everyone treated her like a fool, and for Lu Li, she was willing to be a fool… but she was never a fool.
Never.
Chu Jingyi sat on the swaying bus, her thoughts drifting and swaying along with it. She suddenly felt utterly alone, as if there was no one left in the world to accompany her.
-Volume 8 – End-
Volume 9: The Acidity of the Setting Sun
Chapter 0:
They say youth is about being incomplete, about regret.
“Lu Li, can we talk?”
They say no first love leads to marriage.
“In the end, was there more happiness or more sadness?”
This year’s New Year’s address has already been prepared.
“Classmates, the third year of high school is coming to an end!”
And yet, I can no longer offer festive words to that person.
“This year… are we spending the New Year at our own homes?”
From the past.
“Wishing everyone a bright future… Wishing… you a happy birthday…”
To the present.
“I want to try and salvage this one more time.”
Until the future.
“Let’s break up, Lu Li. I don’t love you anymore.”
