“I think...never mind. I'm not sure, and it's not good to talk about it now. Let's discuss it when school starts,” she said. As a witch, she probably understood Western concepts better, but she didn't know much about the thousands of years of Chinese tradition. She only knew how to read the calendar.
"Okay, I'll make a copy of the materials for you when the time comes," I said.
"Mm-hmm."
We chatted about other things, like Chu Yang's chickens and ducks. I also asked if that auntie had come to cause trouble again.
"She hasn't been back. She called that night to yell at us, so I immediately hung up and blocked her number. Didn't I tell you she wouldn't come back?"
"That's good then."
...
The next day, I brought some fruit to my parents' place. When I got inside, I was surprised to see my dad at home. "Dad, you're home?"
Chi Feng was packing his bags. Seeing his son, he was a bit startled. "You're back? Did you see your grandfather?" He thought I had been out and had just returned.
"I came back yesterday. I stayed at the old house last night before coming over. I brought some fruit over for you and mom to eat. Has mom come back?"
Chi Feng sighed. "No, I'm getting ready to go find her now."
"Huh? Leaving again?"
"Yeah, a work project. If anything comes up, go find your uncle and grandfather. Give me the fruit, I'll bring it for your mom and I to eat together."
...
For as long as I could remember, I had mostly stayed with Grandpa, Uncle, and the old house. My parents were often away, sometimes teaching. I didn't get to spend much time with them as I grew up, but I understood, so I didn't push it.
"Alright, you two be safe."
"I know."
Chi Feng finished packing his things and left, bag in hand. Before he turned to go, he asked, "Do you have enough money? I'll transfer some to you after. There's also cash under the cabinet, take what you need to buy things." Then he was gone.
...He wanted to say he was an adult now, not a child.
A while later, he received another 5-digit transfer from Dad into his bank account.
At Chu Yang's place after I had left, she felt a bit unaccustomed. She grabbed a cucumber and absentmindedly snapped it in half, suddenly remembering I wasn't there anymore. Oh right, I forgot. She used to always break a cucumber in half and give me one piece. She didn't need to do that anymore.
Walking back to her room, Chu Yang opened up her laptop to research things like fortune-telling, I Ching, plum blossom numerology, but she couldn't understand any of it. Without a guide into this kind of thing, it was very difficult.
She gave up for the time being, recalling the antique street she had visited before and the old man there. Perhaps when she returned to the city for school, she could ask around for more information.
For now, it was best to just rest well.
Time passed quickly, and the school term was about to start. I was counting down the days, because Chu Yang had said she would come back to school a couple days early. So a few days before the term began, I immediately said, "It'd be great if I could drive to your place and pick you up, stay over one night, then we could head back to the city together the next day."
Chu Yang figured she'd have a lot of things to bring back for Jin Yang and the others, so having a car would be convenient.
"Alright," she agreed.
"Yes!" I jumped up from my seat and pumped my fist, then hurriedly packed a set of clothes. I looked in the mirror and realized my hair had gotten a bit long—I should get it cut and styled tomorrow.
When I had gone out with some friends recently, they were all shocked, saying I had gotten tanner. I didn't know why they were making such a big deal out of it. A tan makes a guy look cooler!
Oh right, almost forgot. I should tidy up the apartment by school too. I was free today, so I could go clean up the place before Chu Yang came over. If she didn't stay in the dorms, she could stay at my place—I grinned thinking about my little plan.
After cleaning up when school got out, I hadn't gone back there. Walking in now, there was a moldy smell. I hurried to open all the doors and windows to air out the place, then threw all the sheets and bedding into the washing machine, mopped the floors, wiped down the windows...
When I had a chance, I snapped some photos to show Chu Yang my diligent housework.
Seeing her give me a thumbs up, I laughed and continued working cheerfully.
Three days before the term started, I set out early in the morning and managed to arrive in time for lunch at Chu Yang's family home. Knowing I was coming today, Chu Yang had her mom make food for me too.
I was no longer the somewhat apprehensive Chi Yan who had first visited. I casually got my own bowl and chopsticks to eat, not feeling out of place at all. I even talked about how delicious the fruit I had brought back was, and how Chu Yang's family had eaten all of the chicken and duck.
Chu Yang's mom warmly urged me to eat more, saying they could always send me more meat and produce if I ever wanted. Although her dad didn't say much, he didn't have any objections to my being there either.
Since we were planning to head back to the city early tomorrow morning, we started getting ready and packing our things today. There wasn't too much—one suitcase of clothes for Chu Yang, plus one backpack. The rest of the fruit, peanuts, and other local specialties went into a crate that we put in the back of the car.
Chu Luo was still working on his summer homework. That evening, I even tutored him for a good while. I didn't sneak over to Chu Yang's room that night because it would just be the two of us in our own world tomorrow, heh heh!
The next day, Chu Yang left home amidst her parents' doting reminders. Only when the car's rear lights disappeared in the distance did Chu Yang's parents and little brother Chu Luo finally go back inside. "I can't believe two months passed by so quickly. Now Chu Yang's going back to school already."
"Little Luo, you should prepare for school too. Did you finish all your summer homework?"
"I'll definitely finish it today!"
"If you have any questions, message your sister or Chi Yan. I saw Chi Yan tutoring you yesterday, right?"
Chu Luo replied, "I know, I know. I added him on WeChat." When Chi Yan had added him, he had even said specifically, "Contact me if you need anything. Asking me is the same as asking your sister."
At the time, Chu Luo had thought...yeah right, as if!
In the car, I asked Chu Yang, "Straight to campus, or my place first?" My place, my place!
Looking out at the scenery, Chu Yang said, "Of course campus first. I should tidy up the dorm room a bit."
...There went my fantasies.
"Alright," I said.
Chu Yang reached over and ruffled my hair. "Eyes on the road, no naughty thoughts."
We set off at 9 AM and arrived at school a little after 1 PM. Some others had also come back early.
I helped Chu Yang carry her things up to the girls' dorm—my first time seeing her room. One glance told me which bed was hers. Walking in, we were hit with a faceful of dust. Chu Yang covered her nose and went to open all the windows first before tidying up. Meanwhile, I sprang into action.
Once the room was clean, I took Chu Yang to get a meal; we were starving after all that.
