Autumn Breeze

The cool autumn breeze carried the faint aroma of camphor leaves as the golden rays of the setting sun danced across the wooden grain of the desks. The classroom seemed to be filled with honey, glowing with a golden hue.

The school’s PA system began playing a soft, melodious piece of instrumental music, aptly titled ‘Drunk on the Wind.’ As the music played, Bai An An felt a gentle breeze brush past her, stirring something deep within her soul.

In this mellow, melancholic twilight, Bai An An caught a sweet, honey-like scent wafting through the air.

She propped her chin on her hand, staring blankly at the girl sitting next to her.

In the classroom bathed in golden light, Ling Jiu sat cross-legged on her chair, completely absorbed in reading her copy of ‘The City Gate Opens.’ Her small, delicate feet, encased in white tights, rested on the edge of the chair, her long, slender legs swaying gently. Her pleated skirt threatened to reveal more with each movement, yet somehow managed to maintain a tantalizing modesty. This fleeting, ethereal beauty was utterly captivating.

Such a pose was hardly becoming for a lady, but Bai An An had no intention of reminding Ling Jiu. After all, she was quite looking forward to any ‘perks’ Ling Jiu might unintentionally reveal. Besides, there was no one else in the classroom to witness it.

Of course, if anything unexpected happened, Bai An An would make sure those lechers understood what ‘physical amnesia’ truly meant.

Ling Jiu rested her pale cheek on her bent knee, her arms wrapped around her legs, carefully turning the pages with her slender fingers. Her golden bangs fell over her snow-white forehead, and her long hair cascaded from her shoulders to her waist. Her porcelain skin made her hair, eyelashes, and pupils shine even brighter. Bai An An found herself mesmerized by Ling Jiu’s focused expression.

Ling Jiu softly recited the words from the book, her voice cold yet tinged with gentleness, like a wind sprite singing an unfamiliar, melancholic song.

‘When a small person charges into a grand era, how much harm lies in wait?’

When Ling Jiu fell silent, her delicate, literary demeanor was utterly endearing, inspiring a desire to do anything for her. But when she spoke, her voice held a coldness that made her seem almost inhuman, like an emotionless machine.

Still, Bai An An had grown accustomed to Ling Jiu’s troublesome personality. Ling Jiu simply didn’t know how to interact with others, and over time, she had become distant. But beneath her cold exterior, she was a kind and gentle soul.

Bai An An suddenly recalled her visit to Ling Jiu’s home, an experience that left a deep impression on her.

‘This child never had any friends, so when she told us she made one, my wife and I were shocked. You know how difficult her personality is, right? Finding a friend was practically impossible for her, so we thought she might have been deceived. We decided that if she brought home a questionable man, we’d call the police. Seeing you, we instantly felt at ease.’

‘Intriguing, so this was a setup?’

‘Sigh, our daughter has finally grown up… I thought she’d be a NEET for life, good for nothing but mooching off us. Bai, you’ve saved our useless daughter. Please take care of her and don’t let her down.’

‘Hey, Mom, your daughter is giving you a killer glare! And are we already at the arranged marriage stage?’

Faced with the overly enthusiastic parents, Bai An An could only maintain a polite, awkward smile throughout the visit.

Ling Jiu’s younger brother, Ling Chen, didn’t join the conversation. Instead, he sat quietly on the sofa, playing games with Ling Jiu.

When Ling Jiu got up to make tea for Bai An An, Bai An An saw an opportunity to connect with Ling Chen. She approached him, but Ling Chen gave her a harmless smile and said something chilling.

‘It’s great that you’re a girl, sister. If my sister had brought home a man, I don’t know what I might do.’

‘They’re hopeless, this whole family. Ling Jiu, I suddenly understand why you struggle with social interactions. Growing up in this dysfunctional family, it’s a miracle you’re as normal as you are.’

Seemingly finished with her book, Ling Jiu closed it, her eyes closed as she savored the words, her fingers gently caressing the cover. She began to recite a poem.

‘In the cold morning of February
The oak has a sad measure
Father, before your photograph
The eight winds keep the round table calm
From the direction of my childhood
I always see your back
Along the road to the monarch
You pasture clouds and sheep
The eloquent wind brings floods
The logic of the alley penetrates the heart
You summon me to be your son
I follow you to be your father
The destiny in the palm flows
Driving the sun, moon, and stars to turn
Under the lonely lamp of manhood
All things cast double shadows
The struggle of the clock brothers constitutes
Acute angles, becoming one
The sick thunder rolls into the night hospital
Knocking on your door
Dawn appears as a clown
The flame changes your bedsheet
Where the clock stops
Time’s dart whistles past
Quickly catch up with that death carriage
A thief’s path in spring
Investigating the wealth of the mountains
The river encircles the song’s sadness
Slogans are hidden on the wall
This world hasn’t changed much:
Women turn and merge into the night
From the morning, men emerge.’

Bai An An tried to discern Ling Jiu’s thoughts and emotions from the poem, but modern poetry was notoriously difficult to understand. After listening, she commented vaguely, ‘What a beautiful poem.’

Ling Jiu nodded slightly. ‘Yes, I love Bei Dao’s ‘To My Father.”

‘Bei Dao? I thought his views were different from yours.’

Ling Jiu looked surprised. ‘Is it necessary to distinguish the ideology of literary works? I agree with one of his lines: ‘Opposition is a powerful force, but it also hides a danger—you might end up resembling your enemy.”

‘Enough, we’re just high school students. Let’s not delve too deep into adult topics. Ling Jiu, sometimes I think you’re really strange. Most sentimental girls only pay attention to cute, artsy works, but your taste is heavy. You actually enjoy books like ‘1984,’ ‘Lord of the Flies,’ and ‘Dead Souls,’ which are usually only popular with boys.’

Ling Jiu looked down, her voice barely audible. ‘I want to understand humans…’

‘Understand humans?’

‘No, nothing.’ Ling Jiu shook her head, her expression blank. ‘I’ve always been a strange person, haven’t I?’

‘True, but that’s what I like about you. By the way, Ling Jiu, will you marry me?’

‘?’

Bai An An’s sudden confession didn’t seem to faze Ling Jiu at all. She tilted her head, looking at Bai An An with no change in expression, and replied without hesitation.

‘Of course not.’

‘Why not? You’ve said you like me the most.’

‘In which parallel universe did I say something so cheesy? And I’m straight, so give up on that idea.’

‘Damn, have you fallen for some guy? Tell me, and I’ll chop him up today.’

‘Yes, I have someone I like.’

‘Who?’

‘My brother.’

‘Sibling love is terrifying.’

Bai An An sighed, leaning on the desk, pouting. ‘Sometimes I really envy your perfect family. Look at my dad, he has several women on the side, even my aunt. He’s a complete scumbag.’

‘He’s made you the heir to the family.’

‘That’s true. Last time he cheated, my mom caught him and drugged him. She cut off his… you know. If I hadn’t found him in time and rushed him to the hospital, he’d have said goodbye to his happy life. But this incident shook him up, and he finally gave up on having a son to inherit the family business. He officially started grooming me as the heir…’

Bai An An mimed her mother’s actions in the air. If any boy heard their conversation, he might flee, clutching his crotch.

‘But to be honest, I have no interest in being the family heir. My dad and my aunt have a daughter named Bai Yu. I’ve met her a few times, and I think she’s more suited to be the heir.’

‘Why? Don’t you like the feeling of power?’

‘I prefer spending time with you to that boring, intangible power.’

‘Is that so…’

Ling Jiu looked down, her fair cheeks flushed with a hint of red, her fingers nervously playing with her hair.

‘There’s hope!’

Just as Bai An An was ready to press her advantage with a ‘make her blush, ask her out, steal a kiss’ plan, an unexpected visitor entered the empty classroom.

A handsome black-haired youth carried a plastic bag into the room. He glanced at Bai An An and the blushing Ling Jiu, seeming to sense something, and smiled.

‘Maybe I came at a bad time?’

‘Should I leave?’ Ling Jiu, always perceptive, asked reflexively.

‘No need, he’s just a hopeless romantic.’

‘Who’s a hopeless romantic? You’re hurting my feelings,’ said the black-haired youth with a smile, placing the plastic bag on Bai An An’s desk.

‘Here, I got you some bread and milk. Don’t go hungry.’

Bai An An rubbed her temples, confused. ‘Long Shaotian, I can’t understand you. You’re still pursuing me even after I dumped you and you transferred schools. How thick is your face?’

‘To be a successful entrepreneur, a thick skin is a valuable asset. Lying with your eyes open is an art.’

Bai An An rolled her eyes at Long Shaotian, snatching the plastic bag from him. She then spoke softly to Ling Jiu.

‘Ling Jiu, are you hungry?’

‘I am.’

‘Long Shaotian is only useful for this. You, make sure to get us some fancy sushi tomorrow.’

‘Okay.’

Long Shaotian agreed readily, his eyes on Ling Jiu as she slowly nibbled on the bread. Suddenly, he asked, ‘An An, do you know what ‘love at first sight’ is?’

‘I don’t know, and I’m not interested. We’re over, got it?’

‘I understand. But An An, because of you, I finally found my destined woman.’

‘Oh? Who?’

‘Ling Jiu.’

‘…’

Bai An An was stunned for a moment, then looked shocked.

‘What?’

Long Shaotian shrugged. ‘Haven’t you noticed? My feelings for Ling Jiu are obvious.’

Bai An An hugged Ling Jiu, giving Long Shaotian a disgusted look.

‘God, Long Shaotian, who would’ve thought you had feelings for Ling Jiu. Are you even human?’

‘You’re no better…’

‘Shut up, Ling Jiu and I are meant to be. You don’t get a say.’

‘Hmm…’

Bai An An and Long Shaotian exchanged meaningful smiles, their eyes locked in a fierce stare, sparks flying. The melancholic twilight was instantly overwhelmed by a thick tension.

Ling Jiu, held by Bai An An, kept her head down, eating her bread like a little mouse, seemingly unaware of the drama unfolding around her.

Her mind was focused on one thing.

‘Gu Jinshang said that tofu and peanuts taste like ham when eaten together. I wonder if that’s true. Maybe I’ll try it sometime.’

In this world, many pleasures, including poetry, wine, philosophy, and love, are often useless. Reciting useless poetry, drinking useless wine, reading useless books, and loving uselessly, one becomes a useless person, yet lives a flavorful life.

For Ling Jiu, to become a useless person was a precious form of happiness.