Chapter 37: April Fool’s Day (1)

“I don’t even know what to do for fun,” Qiao Xi said. In the past, she would simply go wherever Gu Heng went; she never really had her own opinion, or perhaps she never bothered to think about it. Her father used to say she was a child who never wanted anything, and, in truth, that was accurate. There was nothing she particularly wanted to play, nothing she was interested in, and nothing she truly desired. It was strange, really.

“You, child,” her grandmother said, reaching out to pat her gently, “is it because you just transferred and aren’t familiar with your classmates yet?”

“Maybe,” Qiao Xi replied.

“You could invite your old classmates out, or Gu Heng. It’s not like the distance is too far.”

“I know.”

“Alright then, Grandma’s going to take a nap.”

“Okay.”

Watching her grandmother head back inside, Qiao Xi turned her gaze up to the sky.

She wondered what Gu Heng was doing at that moment. Did he go straight home last night? Then again, he always took her words to heart—he probably wouldn’t do anything reckless.

Lost in thought, she soon dozed off, lulled by the gentle, comfortable warmth of the day.

That evening, she had dinner with her grandmother, and afterward, they sat in the living room watching television together.

“Xi, since you don’t have school tomorrow, why not ask your mother out for a meal?” her grandmother suggested suddenly.

“She’s very busy,” Qiao Xi answered.

“No matter how busy, she still has to eat. How long has it been since you last saw her?” her grandmother asked.

Qiao Xi couldn’t remember—it had truly been so long. Even her mother’s face was starting to blur in her memory. After her mother remarried, she hadn’t had any more children, but the man already had a son and a daughter. Qiao Xi didn’t know their ages, had never met them, didn’t even know the man’s name—only that he was very wealthy.

“I’ll call her tomorrow,” Qiao Xi said, not wanting her grandmother to worry.

“That’s right. Even if your mother can’t make it, just talking can bring you closer. I only hope you and your mother don’t drift further apart,” her grandmother said.

But they had already grown apart. From the time she could remember until now, the number of times she’d seen her mother was pitifully few, even if she’d never bothered to count.

Qiao Xi kept these thoughts to herself.

After chatting a while longer, her grandmother went to bed. Qiao Xi switched through several channels with the remote but found nothing she wanted to watch, so she too went back to her room.

The next morning, she got a distress call from Dan Qiuqiu, who said she’d gone out, forgotten her money, and was being held by a shop owner after eating without paying. Qiao Xi hurried out without even a jacket, but when she arrived, there was no sign of her friend. She quickly called Qiuqiu.

“I’m here. Where are you?”

Laughter erupted at the other end. “No way—you actually believed me?”

“…You tricked me?”

“Ah, boss, don’t be mad. It’s April Fool’s Day! Just trying to lighten the mood. I didn’t think you’d fall for it. Sorry!”

“April Fool’s Day?”

“You didn’t know? Today’s April 1st!”

“…”

“Looks like you really didn’t know. No wonder you were fooled. Happy April Fool’s Day, boss—don’t be mad, okay?”

“It’s fine,” Qiao Xi replied helplessly.

After hanging up, she realized she was cold; today’s temperature was much lower than yesterday’s.

She bought a hot drink from the milk tea shop across the street, and as she turned around, a jacket was draped over her shoulders.

Looking up, she saw Ouya standing before her and was momentarily stunned.

“It’s cold today. You might catch a cold,” Ouya said softly.

“Thank you,” Qiao Xi replied, then asked, “Why are you here?”

“I live nearby.”

“…Oh.”

“Are you in a hurry to get back?” Ouya asked.

“?”

“If you’re not, why don’t we go see a movie together?” Ouya suggested.