Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
At six in the afternoon, I returned to my family's clinic, where the lights were on and my dad was attending to a patient.
“Dad, I'm back!” I called out as I set my luggage aside. It was strange; my dad rarely paid much attention to me, treating me more like a free-range kid. As long as I wasn't causing trouble outside or attracting unwanted attention, he wouldn't punish me.
“Jiang Ling, you went out for your graduation photo and took so long! Where have you been messing around?” My dad asked casually while examining the patient.
I scratched my ear, feeling a bit guilty. “Uh, well, I went to the city to look for a summer job! But after searching for a week without luck, I came back!”
My dad shot me a glare, clearly annoyed. “Keep making excuses! I know what kind of person you are. You looking for a summer job? Who are you trying to fool? If you don't want to do it, just say so!”
He didn't press further, so I playfully walked behind him and started massaging his shoulders. “Dad, tomorrow our dorm is having a gathering. Can you approve some funds?”
Even though I still had the three thousand yuan Wang Xinyu gave me, money always seemed insufficient; it was better to ask for more.
My dad ignored me at first. After finishing with the patient and sending them off, he leisurely said, “No money right now. So now you're sweet-talking me! How much do you need?”
Although my dad usually didn't interfere much in my life, he was still quite generous when it came to giving me money whenever I asked.
I pondered for a moment before tentatively saying, “Dad, around three hundred thousand would be about right!”
Just as my dad took a sip of water, he spat it out upon hearing my request. He smacked my forehead with his hand and exclaimed, “Jiang Ling, have you been possessed? Three hundred thousand? You might as well sell your dad!”
He set down his cup and pulled out one thousand yuan from his wallet, shoving it into my hand. “Take this one thousand. No more! And don’t hang around here being a nuisance; I still have patients to see!”
With that, he waved me off impatiently and called in the next patient.
“Thanks, Dad!” I stuffed the money into my pocket and headed toward my bedroom with my luggage.
The next morning after washing up and having breakfast, I set off for school. Although I had arranged to meet Hu Yalong and the others for lunch in the afternoon, I wanted to arrive early at the dorm so we could hang out for a bit.
I walked into the school and saw many senior students dragging their suitcases out, filling the once lively campus with an atmosphere of farewell. Unconsciously, a hint of melancholy crept into my heart.
"Hey, I'm here!" I entered the dormitory and found Hu Yalong and the others busy packing their bags. The once well-equipped dorm was now left with only three empty beds and a pile of discarded items on the floor. My belongings were the only ones still unorganized.
" Brother Jiang Ling, we can't stay in the dorm anymore. We need to pack our things quickly, or the Dormitory Supervisor will throw them away!" Hu Yalong said as he stuffed his computer into his backpack. Lan Yue and Li Hongze merely nodded at me while continuing to pack.
I looked at the three of them and shook my head in silence. Today was the day we would part ways, yet no one seemed sentimental or tearful; everyone was just as usual.
"Sigh, am I the only one who is overly sentimental?" I sighed, took down my suitcase from the shelf, and began to organize my belongings.
We worked hard until noon, finally finishing packing all our luggage and cleaning up the dorm. The four of us sat on the bed boards, quietly looking at each other, unsure of what to say.
" Brother Jiang Ling, Lan Yue, Li Hongze, don’t look so glum! We’re all brothers; even if we part ways, we’ll still be brothers for life! It’s not like we won’t see each other again!" Hu Yalong said as he pulled our hands together with a smile. Despite his carefree demeanor, the tears glistening in his eyes betrayed his true feelings.
"That's right! We are brothers, brothers for life!" Our hands stacked together as we all laughed and shouted in unison. In truth, all three of us noticed the tears in Fatty's eyes, but no one called him out on it because our own eyes were also shimmering with emotion; we all felt the same way.
"Come on! Since we're about to part ways, let’s play one last round of Truth or Dare!" Hu Yalong suddenly suggested.
"Sure! This time I won’t hold back! Fatty, just wait to suffer!"
"Haha, Fatty, you're digging your own grave!"
It had been a long time since we played Truth or Dare together. This might be our last chance to enjoy this game as a group, so no one refused the proposal.
"Let’s get started!" Hu Yalong brought a bottle of soda and placed it in the center of us four. He spun the bottle vigorously; the game had begun.
We played for quite a while, laughing and having fun, which eased some of the melancholy in our hearts.
At three in the afternoon, we left the dormitory and dragged our suitcases toward the hotel we had booked. Qu Liang was already waiting for us outside the hotel, and Li Hongze had come along with his girlfriend.
We six sat together, feasting on meat and drinking from large bowls, the atmosphere warm and friendly. Each of us shared embarrassing stories from high school and discussed our future plans, devoid of sadness, only the bittersweetness of parting. This was our farewell dinner.
We continued eating until six o'clock. Hu Yalong and his group still had to take a bus back. Standing at the restaurant entrance, we began to say our goodbyes.
"Goodbye, Brothers!" The four of us embraced tightly, voices overlapping as we spoke. My eyes turned red, tears welling up at the corners, nearly spilling over.
Dragging my suitcase, I was the first to leave. I didn’t want them to see me cry; I told myself that farewells should be done with style.
"I'm leaving too; take care, everyone!" Qu Liang smiled and waved at Hu Yalong's group. She walked over to me, taking my hand tightly in hers.
"Jiang Ling, if you want to cry, just let it out! I won’t go anywhere!" Qu Liang leaned against me gently.
"Thank you, Qu Liang!" I squeezed her hand tightly before sending her off to catch her ride. After that, I returned to my dad's clinic. My head was spinning from the drinks, and before I even reached my bedroom, I collapsed onto the floor and fell asleep.
My dad looked at me, reeking of alcohol. He shook his head and moved me to the bed, enviously saying, "Ah, being young is great! I really envy this kid!"
With that, my dad left the room and closed the door behind him.
(End of Chapter)
Comment 0 Comment Count