Chapter 24: Inept Rage

It had long passed lunchtime, and his stomach was indeed growling, but he didn’t go look for food—instead, he walked down the slope and sat by the river for a while.

Because this was a desolate place with no sign of life in any direction—where could he even find something to eat?

The creek water flowed gently, crystal clear; he even saw a small school of fish swimming upstream, lively and joyful.

After standing for about ten minutes, Li Heng could no longer bear the biting river wind, turned around, and climbed back up to the road, returning to the bus.

Since he hadn’t gotten any pastries, he’d eat some vegetables instead—he remembered his mother had stuffed a can of cured pork into his bag; he was starving now, so he didn’t care anymore and decided to eat first.

But as soon as he reached his seat, Li Heng, his stomach aching from hunger, froze, staring blankly at a package of lotus-leaf-wrapped pastries on the seat.

The pastries looked especially tempting—likely handmade by Wei Shiman; this Mrs. Wei was an enthusiast who not only cooked superb dishes but also excelled at pastries and sweets.

Li Heng turned to look out the window at Xiao Han; the girl was chatting merrily with Xiao Feng, who had just returned from the restroom, her expression perfectly composed, as if the pastries had nothing to do with her.

He sat down beside the seat, lifted the pastries with both hands, sniffed them, and in the next instant, driven by his craving, opened his mouth wide and began eating with relish.

Watching this from afar, she suddenly wanted to laugh, finding the scene strangely absurd.

A person he hadn’t interacted with in six years had now appeared repeatedly in his life these past few days—first selling rice at his home, today engaging him in two magical duels. He understood: it was surely the heavens, bored out of their minds, stirring up trouble again.

More than half an hour later, the driver returned with the new parts.

With him came Yang Ying, Zhang Zhiyong, and Yang Cheng.

Seeing this, Li Heng, Xiao Han, and Xiao Feng all rushed over to ask about his condition.

Yang Ying’s face was pale, but her spirits were decent; she grinned and said, “The doctor said nothing serious—I must’ve caught a chill. They fumigated my navel with mugwort smoke, gave me a few white pills, and stuck on two medicated patches. I feel much better now.”

Hearing this, the others finally relaxed completely.

To be honest, falling suddenly ill in this godforsaken place would scare anyone—but fortunately, good people are blessed by heaven, and in the end, nothing happened.

After four o’clock, the bus set off again, this time smoothly, arriving in Shaodong County before sunset.

During the ride, the ticket seller walked to the back and asked them, “You six are students at Shaodong No. 1 High School, right?”

The ticket seller asked because over the past three years, Li Heng and the others had nearly always taken this bus between school and home; over time, he’d grown familiar with them.

Li Heng nodded and asked, “Yes, it’s late now—can you drop us off at the school?”

The ticket seller was very accommodating: “We’ve delayed you today, so of course we can. Just pack your things—we’ll reach the school gate in about twelve or thirteen minutes.”

“Alright, thank you.”

After politely thanking him, Li Heng leaned against the window and watched the others pack up, but he didn’t move.

Because he only had one bag—nothing to pack.

Thirteen minutes meant thirteen minutes—exactly on time, the bus pulled up at the school gate.

After getting off, Zhang Zhiyong, the richest among them, waved his hand grandly and declared, “All of you students, give me, Zhang, some face—come have dinner with me.”

Unexpectedly, Xiao Feng was the first to decline: “Thanks for the offer, but I’ve been on the bus too long—I’m dizzy and have no appetite. I’m heading back to the dorm.”

Everyone knew Xiao Feng was frail and always got carsick, but no one expected that after all these years, she’d still be so independent—she left without giving Zhang Zhiyong a chance to speak again.

Yang Cheng, from the same hometown as Xiao Feng, quickly said, “Then I won’t eat with you—I’ll help her carry her things.”

As Zhang Zhiyong stared, still stunned, watching the two cross the road and enter the school gate, Xiao Han grabbed her luggage and walked off without even saying goodbye.

With her best friend gone, Yang Ying naturally followed suit.

Zhang Zhiyong exploded in rage: “Fine! Go! All of you go! I’ll save money then—like I couldn’t buy food with the cash in my own pocket!”

Li Heng asked, “So, are we still eating that big meal?”

Zhang Zhiyong, still fuming, stomped and cursed: “They don’t even give me, Zhang, any respect! Pfft! Think you’re great because you got good grades? Think you’re great because you’re pretty and elegant? I don’t need you!”

Li Heng, helpless, walked over to a nearby egg fried rice noodle stall, picked a seat, and called out: “Boss, one serving of egg fried rice noodles—extra spicy!”

Hearing he ordered only one serving, Zhang Zhiyong felt ignored again, angrier than ever—he turned, scowling: “You not calling me?”

Li Heng propped his chin on his hand and said with amusement, “Keep yelling. Eat after you’ve calmed down.”

At this, Zhang Zhiyong’s fury instantly drained; he slumped down beside him and asked, “If you’d invited us, would they have stayed?”

Li Heng touched his own face: “Possibly. Our looks are just not on the same planet.”

Zhang Zhiyong raised an eyebrow, deeply annoyed: “Try saying that again—I’ll make you pay for your own egg fried rice noodles!”

Li Heng said, “Then I won’t eat—I already had pastries from Xiao Han this afternoon, so I’m not that hungry.”

Zhang Zhiyong stared wide-eyed, incredulous: “You mean Xiao Han? Ha! Don’t pull a joke like that—Xiao Han gave you pastries?”

Li Heng said, “Ask Xiao Feng if you don’t believe me.”

“When? I didn’t see anything!”

“Of course you didn’t—you were with Yang Ying seeing the doctor.”

For some reason, Zhang Zhiyong suddenly believed him; after a long pause, he grumbled, “Xiao Han’s favoritism is too obvious.”

“You two are killing me and then stabbing me in the heart—I feel like a stray dog on the street, kicked for no reason. It’s unbearable.”

Li Heng nodded toward the opposite side of the road: “See that pair of dogs over there? Actually, being a dog isn’t so bad—free sex.”

Watching the male and female dogs copulating in the corner, Zhang Zhiyong nearly threw up:

“Li Heng, you bastard! That’s disgusting—we’re done as friends—I’m cutting you off!”

Li Heng replied, “I can accommodate that request—but let’s finish our egg fried rice noodles first.”

The egg fried rice noodles arrived; Li Heng asked the vendor, “How much for one serving?”

The vendor replied, “Fifty cents.”

The price was about the same as the wonton noodles back in town—acceptable.

After age thirty-five, the body begins to malfunction; Li Heng, with his poor digestion, had long lived on bland, watery meals—he couldn’t eat spicy, fried, or sour food, nothing was allowed, everything was forbidden.

Now, suddenly eating egg fried rice noodles again after so long, he found them utterly delicious—the finest thing on earth.

“Hey! Li Heng, you’re here too!”

As he slowly savored his meal, a female voice suddenly came from behind.

(End of chapter)