Chen Zhuo took out the bedsheet and the summer sleeping mat.
"I’ll go up and make the bed."
"Why go to all that trouble?"
Wang Dayong snatched the sleeping mat.
He stepped onto the ladder and used his hands and feet to scramble onto the bed in a flash.
Kneeling on the bedframe, he quickly flattened the mattress pad. Then he unrolled the sleeping mat, pulling the four corners taut and smoothing it along the edge of the bed.
His movements were quick and efficient.
"Here, the pillow and the summer quilt."
Chen Zhuo passed them up from below.
"All set."
Wang Dayong folded the quilt into a square, placed it at the head of the bed, then jumped down from the ladder and dusted off his hands.
He pulled out the chair from under his desk, plopped down, and twisted open a bottle of mineral water, taking a huge gulp.
"Xiaozhuo, what was your score to get in?"
Chen Zhuo took out his clothes one by one and hung them in the wardrobe below his bunk.
"I didn’t take the exam."
"Didn’t take it?" Wang Dayong’s eyes widened. "Special admission?"
"I participated in the national math and physics competitions. A professor from the admissions office came to my house to have me sign."
Chen Zhuo slid the wardrobe door shut.
Wang Dayong was stunned.
He remembered some gossip he’d heard over at the admissions office.
"The one with two perfect scores?"
Chen Zhuo nodded.
"Holy shit, you’re something else."
Wang Dayong stood up and clapped Chen Zhuo on the shoulder.
"I’m counting on you for our advanced math homework from now on."
"No problem."
「At five-thirty in the afternoon.」
The sun was level with the rooftops, and the light in the dorm room grew dim.
The chirping of the cicadas outside had quieted a little.
Chen Jianguo looked at his watch.
He walked into the room.
"Brother, we’re getting ready to head back now."
Wang Hai, who was wiping the windowsill with a rag, threw it down when he heard this.
"What’s the rush? Let’s all go grab a bite to eat now that we’re done. It’ll be a good chance to show the boys around the area, too."
Wang Hai walked over and grabbed Chen Jianguo’s arm.
"Our boys are roommates, after all. Come on, the first meal is on me. Let’s eat off-campus."
Li Mei chimed in, trying to persuade them as well.
"That’s right," she said to Liu Xiuying. "Have a hot meal before you go. It’s such a long way."
Unable to refuse, Chen Jianguo nodded.
"Alright then. Thank you, brother."
The group locked the dorm room door and went downstairs.
They followed the tree-lined path toward the campus exit.
The sun was about to set, leaving the horizon a swath of crimson.
After leaving the campus gate, they walked east along Keda Road for a stretch.
There were many restaurants along the street, all of which seemed to cater to students.
Wang Hai chose a Huizhou-style restaurant that looked clean from the outside.
He pushed the door open, and they were greeted by a blast of strong air conditioning.
The proprietress greeted them enthusiastically, wiping a large round table again and again with a rag.
"What can I get for you folks? The menu’s on the wall."
Wang Hai pulled out chairs for everyone to sit, then told the proprietress to just bring them a good selection of dishes.
After that, Wang Hai turned to Chen Jianguo.
"Buddy, you’re driving, so I won’t offer you a drink. Let’s just have some tea."
The food arrived quickly.
Liu Xiuying picked up her chopsticks and continuously placed food into Chen Zhuo’s bowl.
"Eat up. The food in the school cafeteria probably isn’t as rich as this."
Wang Dayong shoveled down half a bowl of rice while watching Chen Zhuo eat.
Chen Zhuo had very proper table manners. He would take a bite of a dish, follow it with a mouthful of rice, and chew slowly and thoroughly. He ate everything and wasn’t a picky eater.
The adults chatted at the table.
They talked about the weather in Huizhou and about their livelihoods back home.
But most of all, they talked about the two boys sitting between them.
Li Mei placed a piece of pork rib in Wang Dayong’s bowl.
"Dayong, you’re used to being restless at home, but now that you’re at school, you need to settle down. Don’t spend all your time playing those computer games."
With his mouth full of meat, Wang Dayong mumbled an indistinct reply.
"I know, I know. Who am I even going to play with? It’s just me and Xiaozhuo in the room."
Li Mei turned to look at Chen Zhuo.
"Xiaozhuo seems like such a steady kid. Dayong, you should learn from him. If you dare bully anyone in the dorm, I’ll take a train all the way here just to whip you."
Wang Dayong rolled his eyes.
"Mom, don’t you know your own son? Am I the kind of person who bullies people?"
By the time they left the restaurant, the sky had turned completely dark.
The streetlights had come on, casting a dim yellow glow on the road. A night breeze blew past, carrying away some of the day’s lingering heat.
The group walked back toward the Keda campus gate.
They reached the parking lot outside the gate.
The black Santana 2000 was parked under a tree.
Chen Jianguo took out his car keys and pressed a button.
The car’s lights flashed twice.
Meanwhile, Wang Hai stood by the curb and flagged down a taxi with its "For Hire" light on.
The taxi pulled over, its hazard lights blinking.
Liu Xiuying opened the rear door of the Santana.
She turned and looked at Chen Zhuo.
Her eyes were a little red, and in the light of the streetlamp, you could see the moisture welling in them.
She reached out and straightened the collar of Chen Zhuo’s short-sleeved shirt.
"Xiaozhuo."
"Don’t be too frugal with your money. Eat well. If you run out, call home."
Chen Zhuo looked into Liu Xiuying’s eyes.
"Okay."
"Wash your clothes often. If you get cold at night, take the thin quilt out of the wardrobe and use it."
"I know."
Chen Jianguo walked over.
He stood in front of Chen Zhuo and watched him for a moment.
He didn’t say anything.
He just reached out his broad hand and squeezed Chen Zhuo’s shoulder firmly, twice.
The grip was strong.
"Study hard."
"Dad, drive safe on the way back."
Chen Jianguo nodded.
He turned, got into the car, and shut the door tightly.
Liu Xiuying also got into the passenger seat.
The headlights came on.
The engine gave a low rumble, and a puff of faint white smoke came from the tailpipe.
The Santana slowly reversed and turned around.
「Meanwhile.」
With red-rimmed eyes, Li Mei pressed a wad of crumpled bills into Wang Dayong’s hand.
"Dayong, this is some pocket money from Mom. Don’t waste it. If you run out of money on your meal card, go to the bank and withdraw some more."
Wang Dayong stuffed the money into his pocket.
"I know, Mom. You guys should get in the car, or you’ll miss your train."
Wang Hai patted the back of his son’s head.
"Stay out of trouble."
Wang Hai opened the car door, and he and Li Mei got into the back seat of the taxi.
The taxi started moving, heading toward the train station.
The Santana drove along Keda Road, heading toward the highway entrance.
The two cars drove off in opposite directions.
Chen Zhuo stood under the streetlight.
He watched the black Santana slowly drive farther and farther down the road.
Its taillights flashed once at the corner up ahead, and then it turned.
And was gone.
A few steps away, Wang Dayong watched the taxi disappear into the flow of traffic.
A gust of night wind blew past, swirling a few fallen leaves on the ground.
The streetlight stretched their shadows long.
Occasionally, a bicycle would ride by, its wheels making a soft sound as they rolled over the asphalt.
Wang Dayong took a deep breath.
He turned his head and looked at Chen Zhuo.
"They’re gone."
His voice had lost its usual boisterous energy, tinged with a hint of the emptiness that comes with leaving home for the first time.
Chen Zhuo gazed at the empty street.
He pulled his gaze back.
He turned around.
"Yeah."
Chen Zhuo’s voice was steady.
"Let’s go back to the dorm."

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