Chapter 30: At Yumeng’s House

　　I was taken aback. His words made me reflect on everything that had happened. Had I really changed? Maybe I was just now realizing that I truly had.

　　“You’ve become... softer,” he said, popping open the can of cola with a loud pssh, his hand shaking as he took a few gulps like he was downing a shot of liquor.

　　The old me would’ve burst out laughing at how ridiculous he looked, but now I couldn’t even muster a smile. I turned my head to gaze out at the passing scenery outside the window.

　　There are still five days left. For these five days, I won’t think about anything. I’ll just try to enjoy myself. If I keep dwelling on everything that’s happened, I’m afraid I really might lose it.

　　Or maybe... maybe I already have.

　　“Xia Ning?” Zhang Yang called out, snapping me out of my thoughts.

　　I turned back to him, giving a sheepish smile. “Sorry, I got lost in my thoughts for a moment.”

　　“No, no problem,” he stammered, flashing that awkward grin of his. I still couldn’t figure out how this guy, who could barely string together a sentence in front of me, managed to write me a love letter.

　　“So, where are you headed?” he asked.

　　I straightened up, leaning back against the seat. “I’m going to Yumeng’s place to hang out. Just trying to relax a bit during the break.”

　　“I’m here in the city for some business. My dad’s factory needs a new partner, so I’m here to sign a contract,” he said, clearly trying to impress me. His family owned a noodle factory, but I couldn’t help but wonder if they had a hand in making those stinky pickled mustard greens with that awful foot odor.

　　The thought made me snicker, and when he saw me laugh, he joined in with that goofy smile of his.

　　I quickly cleared my throat and wiped the smile off my face. I didn’t want him to get the wrong idea.

　　He fell silent, fidgeting with the can of cola in his hand, occasionally glancing at me like he wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words.Ring, ring, ring!

　　My phone was ringing. It was Yumeng calling.

　　I picked up and held the phone to my ear. “Xia Ning, where are you? How much longer until you get here?” Yumeng’s soft voice came through, though this time it carried a hint of impatience. Even though she usually sounded like this, I could tell she was a bit annoyed that I was taking so long.

　　I glanced at the time and chuckled, replying, “Can’t wait any longer, huh? Alright, alright, I’ll be there in just over ten minutes!”

　　I had spent a bit too much time at Professor Li’s place, so I needed to smooth things over with this little cutie.

　　“I’ll wait for you at the exit of the train station!” she said, and with that, I ended the call.

　　Time ticked by, and soon enough, the train began to slow down. I checked the time again—we had arrived in S City.

　　Zhang Yang, who was sitting across from me, seemed to be getting anxious as I prepared to get off. Just as I picked up my backpack and stood up, he stammered, “Xia Ning, if you have time, you should come to my place sometime.”

　　The woman holding her child shifted slightly, and I smiled at him, nodding before walking past.

　　I slung my backpack over one shoulder and got off the train, following the crowd out of the station.

　　Outside the train station, Yumeng spotted me and came running over with a big smile, her two pigtails bouncing up and down as she ran.

　　She was wearing a pink Korean-style dress, nude stockings, and white sneakers. Seeing her cute, slightly chubby face, I felt an irresistible urge to pinch her cheeks.

　　And that’s exactly what I did. I reached out with two fingers and gave her cheek a playful pinch, smiling.

　　“Ouch!” She yelped in pain, immediately covering the spot where I’d pinched her, looking at me with a pout. “Xia Ning, why did you pinch me...”

　　I chuckled and said, “Looks like my little Yumeng hasn’t been skimping on the good food lately.”

　　She grabbed my hand in mock annoyance and said, “Oh, so you’re saying I’ve gotten fat? Just for that, I’m not getting you any treats later...” Even though she said that, her eyes were smiling like crescent moons.“Alright, alright, I’ll get you something. Happy now?” I said with a grin.

　　“That’s more like it!” Yumeng laughed, covering her mouth.

　　“Hang on, let me call home and let them know I’m safe,” I said as I took out my phone and dialed my mom’s number.

　　After checking in with her, I hung up and looked around. Sure enough, I spotted an ice cream stand nearby. Grabbing Yumeng’s hand, I led her over, and we bought two mixed-flavor ice creams.

　　“How much for the ice creams?” I asked the vendor.

　　“Three yuan each,” he replied.

　　“Alright, we’ll take two!”

　　“Got it!”

　　As we walked back, chatting and laughing, we caught the attention of a few passersby.

　　By the time we arrived at her apartment complex, we’d just finished our ice creams. The name of the complex, ‘Mayflower Apartments,’ was displayed above the entrance.

　　I couldn’t help but be impressed. The whole place was filled with high-rise buildings, greenery, and even an artificial fountain.

　　When Yumeng led me to her front door, I started feeling a bit nervous. It was my first time visiting her home, after all.

　　She knocked on the door, and it was opened by a middle-aged woman with curly hair and a slightly fuller figure. I figured this must be her mom.

　　“Mom, this is my classmate Xia Ning,” Yumeng introduced us.

　　“Xia Ning, this is my mom.”

　　“Hello, Auntie!” I greeted her with a smile.

　　“Oh my, what a beautiful girl! Come in, come in! Let me wash some fruit for you. Yumeng’s always talking about you, saying how great you are. I’m so glad to finally meet you,” her mom said enthusiastically as she headed to the kitchen.

　　“Auntie, that’s really not necessary,” I tried to protest.

　　“You’re in my house now, so just listen to me!” she said with a warm smile before bustling off to get the fruit ready.I stepped into the house, and Yumeng handed me a pair of slippers to change into. Her home was spacious, with a large TV—at least 50 inches—playing some drama in the background. I hung my backpack on the cabinet by the door, and Yumeng pulled me over to the sofa to sit down. Then, she went off to help her mom with the fruit.

　　Before long, Yumeng and her mom returned, carrying a tray of fruit and juice. They sat down beside me and started chatting about everyday things. But soon enough, the conversation shifted to Yumeng.

　　“Xia Ning, we really owe you a huge thank you. If it weren’t for you, I don’t know what would have happened to our Yumeng…” Her mom sat down and held onto my hand, her voice trembling as her eyes welled up with tears.

　　“Auntie, please, you don’t have to thank me. I’m sure if it had been me in trouble, Yumeng would’ve done the same to help me!” I said, trying to comfort her.

　　Her mom patted the back of my hand and continued, “We wanted to visit your family and thank you in person, but when Yumeng told us you insisted on not letting your parents know, we respected your wishes. I’m just so grateful to you, really, thank you!” As she spoke, tears began streaming down her face.

　　Seeing her like that made me feel a lump in my throat, and I struggled to hold back my own emotions.

　　“Yumeng is everything to me. When I found out something had happened to her, if it hadn’t been for her father being there, I don’t know what I would have done,” her mom said as she pulled out a tissue from the box to wipe her nose.

　　What parent doesn’t love their child? Seeing her like this only strengthened my resolve to keep my own family in the dark about what had happened.

　　“Mom, that’s enough,” Yumeng said softly, her eyes also red from holding back tears.

　　“Alright, alright, I’ll stop. Xia Ning, just know that you’re always welcome here. Consider this your home, and come visit anytime,” her mom said, dabbing at her eyes with another tissue.

　　I nodded seriously, deeply touched by her words. It’s something that’s stayed with me since—who else, besides your own family, would care this much?

　　We chatted a bit more, and somehow the conversation drifted to the incident and to Wu Jing.

　　“That girl, Wu Jing—you both need to stay away from her, understand? She’s not someone you should be friends with.”

　　Yumeng and I nodded in agreement, which seemed to satisfy her mom as she headed off to the kitchen to start cooking.

　　I understood why Yumeng’s mom resented Wu Jing. If my own mom found out that we got into trouble because of Wu Jing’s idea to explore a haunted house at night, she’d be angry with her too. And it’s not just our moms—any parent would feel the same way.