Chapter 411

The son who had been by her side for over ten years suddenly left, and they won't see each other for half a year; just thinking about it keeps Jiao Ma's spirits low.

At mealtime, with one person gone, Jiao Ma eats less.

"If in three years Xiao Youzi also leaves, what will you do?" Jiao Ba said.

Jiao Ma: ……

She sets down her chopsticks, not eating! How could she possibly have an appetite?!

Just thinking that the house will be even emptier in the future makes Jiao Ma feel heartbroken.

"I won't leave." Xiao Youzi said.

Jiao Ma, who was about to go to the bathroom to cry hard, froze in her action. Jiao Ba and Zheng Tan also looked at Xiao Youzi.

Generally speaking, children who grew up inside the university, after the college entrance exam, tend more toward other schools; perhaps they want to go farther to see the outside world and break free from parental control; maybe they have seen some problems in the school from within, so they want to go to another school; or like Su An, their families have already arranged things. With Xiao Youzi's grades, she might also, like Jiao Yuan, get a recommendation or score high on the exam to leave, then maybe go abroad; Xiao Youzi lived abroad as a child, so she adapts more easily than others.

But now hearing Xiao Youzi say this, it means she will apply to a local school, or directly to the main campus of Chu Hua Da Xue.

"Hmm, I'll apply here." After a pause, Xiao Youzi emphasized her tone, saying, "I won't leave."

"The main campus is fine too." Jiao Ba nodded.

"Of course it's good; it's definitely ranked among the top ten nationwide! You can still go home every day to eat and sleep! How many people envy that but can't get it—only those little brats look down on it. High aspirations!" Hearing Xiao Youzi's words, Jiao Ma's mood improved a bit.

No matter Xiao Youzi's choice, it's still three years away. But three years is actually short, just like Zheng Tan felt not long ago when Xiong Xiong's little brats knocked on the door, rummaged the fridge for popsicles; now they've all grown that big and gone their separate ways.

After school started in September, Xiao Youzi packed up and went to the affiliated middle school, where boarding is basically required; she had already made plans with Xie Xin and the others from Xiqu Dayuan. The family also gave notice. They're all in the same dorm, which makes it easier to look out for each other, so she won't feel out of place.

Looking at the empty house, Jiao Ma sniffled. It won't be like this even in three years; three years from now it won't be like this either. At least if Xiao Youzi gets into Chu Hua Da Xue she can still eat and sleep at home. Now attending high school so far from home, she can only return once a week. Although Jiao Ma, as a teacher at the affiliated middle school, sees Xiao Youzi every day at school, not being at home still feels uncomfortable.

The strongest feeling is Zheng Tan's. He has to sleep alone at night.

Jiao Yuan can only be seen in half a year, Xiao Youzi once a week; the seventy-square-meter house used to feel cramped, but now it feels much emptier.

During the day, Jiao Ba is at the Life Science Institute, Jiao Ma goes to the affiliated middle school, and Zheng Tan is alone at home; this sense of emptiness is stronger than before—he never felt this way when alone at home previously.

He rode the bicycle Zhuo Xiao Mao gave him around the house, then went online for a while on the computer; really bored, Zheng Tan rummaged through Xiao Youzi's unlocked drawer. In the corner was a palm-sized notebook similar to an address book, which hadn't been used in a long time—nowadays people record phone numbers on their phones, so the address book sees little use.

Zheng Tan took out the address book, flipped through it; aside from a few numbers he'd noted earlier, there was nothing special—most of the address book was blank.

Taking out the address book, he laid it flat on the desk, flipped two pages from back to front, then grabbed a ballpoint pen from the pen holder, adjusted his claw, got used to it, and wrote a diary entry character by character in the small notebook.

If this were before, Zheng Tan would definitely not have this leisure and patience. Now it's purely boredom, a pain, a sudden whim—so he writes for fun.

2010, September 2: Jiao Yuan rushed off to university, Xiao Youzi hasn't been home all week, annoying.

After writing, Zheng Tan glanced at the short diary entry, tsk, the characters are really damn ugly.

Putting the pen back into the holder, Zheng Tan wondered if he'd have to keep writing with a pen from now on—it's a hassle, and the handwriting is still ugly.

Putting the notebook back, Zheng Tan went to the master bedroom, opened the computer again, and registered a Weibo account named Zheng Tan. For the avatar, he browsed the computer and remembered there was a disk folder with many of his photos, which Jiao Ba and Jiao Ma had specially stored there; even the fashion magazine he'd brought back was scanned, each clear picture placed inside for preservation.

He picked the photo he thought looked the most handsome, set it as his avatar, and after finishing, Zheng Tan posted his first Weibo as a cat.

Of course, when posting the Weibo, Zheng Tan didn't mention Jiao Yuan or Xiao Youzi's names, simply typing: 'Alone at home, annoying.'

After posting, Zheng Tan shut down the computer and didn't go online again.

Recalling what Hou Junyi said about the treasure box, Zheng Tan crawled under the bed and dragged the box out.

It wasn't covered in the thick layer of dust he'd imagined; it was fairly clean. Probably Xiao Youzi also helped wipe it down sometimes.

Recalling the password, Zheng Tan opened the box and began studying the little things inside.

When the time was about right, he went to eat, then strolled around and came back to continue researching.

One week later.

Zheng Tan had basically finished studying the items in the treasure box; in the morning he went out for a stroll, arrived at the small grove at the edge of the campus, pulled out the pencil hidden in the tree hole, and went to the section of wall where he had previously written.

The characters were still there, slightly blurred; Zheng Tan retraced them, then added another line below: '2010 September 9.'

After writing, Zheng Tan wrapped the pencil again and put it back in the tree hole, then went to the Life Science Institute, climbed through the window into Jiao Ba's office.

In the office, Yi Xin was discussing some recent research with Jiao Ba; although he's now a teacher, he still comes over to discuss whenever he has questions.

Seeing Zheng Tan climb through the window, Yi Xin couldn't help but laugh.

Yo, Hei Tan, long time no see.

Zheng Tan glanced at Yi Xin, then jumped onto his dedicated chair, letting the master and disciple continue their chat; Zheng Tan decided to catch some sleep here. He hadn't slept well the previous night and had dreamed again. He dreamed of some familiar-feeling scenes; when he woke in the middle of the night he was still a bit dazed, then he stayed in a daze until morning, so now he's not feeling very sharp.

When Zheng Tan woke up again, it was already noon. Yi Xin had already left, and Jiao Wei brought over a lunchbox.

Jiao Wei is currently in a master's-to-PhD program; his family's situation is decent now, the small restaurant has earned some money, so he doesn't have to worry about livelihood. Jiao Wei's parents never really went to school, especially his father. He always hopes Jiao Wei will become a university professor like Professor Jiao now, and since university professors, especially those at prestigious schools, have high requirements, he still needs to pursue further studies.

Domestic graduate students. Most of the subsidies they receive aren't much. Graduated classmates often talk about how much money they've made buying houses and cars. This puts unavoidable pressure on those still in school, especially those from poorer families, who may be swayed by some commentary. Moreover, many discover after starting graduate school that the life isn't as they imagined, and quite a few drop out midway.

Jiao Wei's father told him: 'Study with peace of mind; don't worry about anything else. My wife and I will stay healthy for a few more years. When we can no longer work, you'll already have made your mark, and then we'll wait to enjoy our blessings.'

Society has become complex, but many of the older generation still firmly believe in the saying 'All professions are lowly, only scholarship is exalted.' Regardless of whether this is absolutely correct, or whether the 'scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants' hierarchy has changed, the deep-rooted mindset formed from past experiences is hard to change.

However, Zheng Tan sees that Jiao Wei isn't stubborn; if he doesn't want to, no amount of urging from his father will make him study. Everyone has their own path; once you choose it, you must see it through seriously. Zheng Tan just wants to see how far they can go.

The lunchbox contained food prepared by Jiao Wei's mother; after eating his own lunch at noon, Jiao Wei conveniently brought it over for Jiao Ba and Zheng Tan.

After eating, Zheng Tan had planned to go out for a stroll, but Jiao Ba called him to stop.

Hei Tan, I have something to tell you. Er Mao called this morning. Jiao Ba said.

Zheng Tan's ears perked up. Er Mao called—could it be to arrange a meal, or is he planning to go out and play again?

It must be said, over these years Zheng Tan has come to understand Er Mao to some extent.

Er Mao indeed wants to go out and play; he's made plans with Wei Leng to, after the National Day holiday, bring their families to visit their master's elderly home, naturally also inviting Zheng Tan.

Although Jiao Ba and Jiao Ma don't want Zheng Tan to go far away, now that the two children aren't at home, if Zheng Tan leaves, only they'll remain. Moreover, Zheng Tan's illness last year always leaves the Jiao couple feeling uneasy.

However, during this period Jiao Ba saw Zheng Tan listless and lethargic, with no physical ailment; it was clear his mood was poor, so going out to clear his head would be fine.

If you're willing, you can go along with them to have some fun. Jiao Ba said.

Zheng Tan has been feeling annoyed lately; hearing he could go out and play, he also felt tempted.

Still the old saying: don't go stirring up trouble.

Since Er Mao's mentioned time is still early, Jiao Ba had someone make a cat tag, which he obtained when the National Day holiday arrived.

The cat tag with positioning function can also monitor the wearer's health condition.

Zheng Tan had no objection to it; anyway, he had worn similar ones before.

Because they had planned it early, Wei Leng arranged time off via adjusted shifts, working overtime during the National Day holiday and then resting. When they go out, they usually choose to avoid the National Day holiday.

Wei Leng's family of three, Er Mao's family of three, plus Zheng Tan. Hei Mi isn't keen on going far these days, wasn't left at a pet center, and was entrusted to Er Mao's mother for care.

When Jiao Ma was packing Zheng Tan's luggage, Zheng Tan also pulled out that treasure box, with his phone and money hidden inside; since the box was locked, Jiao Ma didn't open it, just asked a few curious questions without expecting an answer, and after packing the luggage, she had Jiao Ba carry it downstairs and place it in Er Mao's car trunk.

"What are you carrying? It's really heavy." Er Mao lifted the big bag a bit, said casually, without opening it.

Jiao Ma gave Zheng Tan a few instructions, then told Er Mao to remember to call, and Er Mao repeatedly promised.

Gong Qin and Er Yuan sat in the back seat, while Zheng Tan sat in the front passenger seat.

According to Er Mao's plan, they will first go to Qi Dada's place, tour along the way, then meet up with Peiliang's side before proceeding together to the elderly person's place.

Er Yuan had never been to Qi Dada's home; Wei Leng also took his wife and kids on this opportunity to travel first, as Qi Dada's place is indeed a great tourist spot.

Zheng Tan calculated that this leg would likely take half a month to a month, or even longer. No wonder Jiao Ma looked reluctant when she was at home.

Over there, Er Mao, Gong Qin, and Er Yuan were talking about Qi Dada's affairs, while Zheng Tan was thinking about the orchids, wondering whether those orchids from back then had grown more, bloomed more, or been discovered by anyone. (To be continued…)

ps: The next chapter will probably be late, so everyone go to sleep first.