Bai Sha stirred from sleep, her senses still clouded.
Hazy morning light filtered through the silvery-white glass, illuminating the room.
The window, not quite latched, allowed a biting cold wind to seep in, whistling softly through the narrow gaps.
The little one beside her, still nestled in bed, wriggled restlessly.
The unheated bedroom felt distinctly chilly.
Bai Sha rose, secured the window against the cold, then dressed herself before settling onto the sofa in the living room.
The early morning hours always afforded a profound quiet, a time that felt uniquely hers.
When Bai Sha exhaled, a plume of misty breath escaped her lips.
Such was the chill in S City; back in her hometown, people would likely only be needing a light jacket at this hour.
She brewed a cup of tea, the leaves a thoughtful gift from her uncle.
The boiling water swirled vigorously within the mug, sending delicate wisps of white steam curling into the air.
Yet, Bai Sha made no move to drink.
Instead, she simply clutched the warm mug, her gaze distant as she sat lost in thought on the sofa.
Last night’s dream lingered stubbornly in her mind…
The memory was far too vivid to dismiss.
‘Could that girl have been me?’ she mused, a frown creasing her brow.
‘But why would I be in such a dire state, confined to a wheelchair?’
‘And that man… could he have been Zhou Haochen?’
‘Wasn’t he a computer science student?’
‘Why would he be rushing about everywhere in a formal suit?’
Even after fully awakening, Bai Sha couldn’t shake a persistent, heavy feeling in her chest, as though a vital piece of her was inexplicably missing.
She unlocked her phone, noting it was just past six o’clock.
He had mentioned having class this morning.
‘Is he awake yet?’ she wondered.
[Bai Shazi: Hey, are you awake?]
A long silence followed, devoid of any reply.
Though she had anticipated it, a subtle wave of disappointment still washed over Bai Sha.
Bai Sha took a cautious sip of the tea.
It tasted somewhat bitter, a flavor she distinctly disliked, despite what others claimed about its supposed ‘sweet aftertaste’.
Unwilling to concede, she took another drink.
It wasn’t that she disliked it entirely; she wasn’t particularly fond of overly sweet things, but she absolutely abhorred bitterness.
The minutes ticked by, marked only by the soft hum of the clock.
Bai Sha remained slumped against the sofa, lost in thought, afraid to engage in any activity that might disturb her fragile peace.
“Ding—” The sudden chime echoed, amplified in the otherwise silent room.
Bai Sha jolted, her heart giving a sharp, rapid beat.
[Child’s Father: Just woke up. What’s wrong?]
Bai Sha chewed on her finger, her hesitation palpable, before finally posing her question.
[Bai Shazi: Didn’t you say your mother owns a candy store? I wanted to ask if there are any lollipops with words printed on the inside of the wrapper?]
[Child’s Father: I’m not entirely sure. Hold on while I ask my mother.]
[Bai Shazi: Okay.]
****
Shortly after seven, Ms. Qin, in the midst of her breakfast, was interrupted by a phone call from her son.
–Hello! Mom, do you sell lollipops at your shop?
Ms. Qin sounded puzzled. –Which kind? The ones for children?
–You know, the kind of lollipops that have words printed inside the wrapper.
–What in the world are you talking about? Who would print words on such a trivial spot? That wrapper gets torn off and tossed the moment it’s opened. It’s like winking at a blind man!
–Oh, then I’m hanging up.
–Hey! Hey! Did you really hang up?! You called your mother just for this?!
Zhou’s father emerged from the bedroom, and, seeing his wife shouting, inquired, –Was that Xiao Hao on the phone? What’s the matter?
Ms. Qin shook her head, a sigh escaping her lips. –God only knows, she muttered. –He called me first thing this morning, asking about lollipops. I have no idea what’s gotten into him.
Having received his mother’s answer, Zhou Haochen promptly replied to Bai Sha via WeChat.
[One Rider Against a Thousand: My mom said they don’t have them. Should I try looking elsewhere?]
[Bai Shazi: If not, then don’t worry about it. No need for trouble.]
In the living room, Bai Sha felt a pang of disappointment.
Yet, before long, Zhou Haochen’s name popped up on her screen again with another message.
[One Rider Against a Thousand: I have something to do this afternoon, so you’ll be accompanying Xiao Yu. Please let her know.]
[Bai Shazi: Okay.]
Bai Sha dropped her phone, burying her face into the soft cushions of the sofa.
This news only deepened her gloom.
‘Why is nothing going right today?’ she despaired.
****
At noon, as Zhou Haochen’s mandatory class concluded, Li Qingyu, walking alongside him, noticed his friend fiddling with train tickets.
–No, second brother, what are you up to?
–Something came up. I’m heading home for a bit.
Li Qingyu asked, a puzzled expression on his face. –Did you get permission to leave? Do you need any help?
–No need, I’ll be back tonight.
With that, Zhou Haochen slung his bag over his shoulder and strode purposefully out of the campus.
Li Qingyu stood rooted to the spot, utterly bewildered, the wind rustling around him.
–No way! It’s a two-hour train ride home, costing over a hundred yuan in fare, and you just decide to go back like that? Do you have money to burn?
[Li Qingyu @ the other two in their dorm group chat: Is Fourth Brother a bit unhinged lately? Maybe we should drag him to the hospital for a check-up.]
[Eldest and Third also replied instantly: You cover the cost, and we’ll even carry him to the crematorium ourselves.]
That afternoon in X City, Ms. Qin was minding her shop when, from a distance, she spotted a young man.
‘Hey!’ she thought, ‘He’s really handsome! He looks just like my son.’
As the young man drew closer, entering the shop and finally standing before Ms. Qin, her eyes widened in surprise.
‘Well, I’ll be!’ she exclaimed internally. ‘It really is my son!’
Ms. Qin hurried over to Zhou Haochen. –Oh, my dear, did you miss your mother so much? You just called this morning, and now you’ve rushed home this afternoon! Did something happen at school?
Zhou Haochen, however, asked earnestly, –Mom, when you were involved in e-commerce previously, did you happen to set up a workshop for your operations?
Ms. Qin, looking bewildered, replied, –Yes, I did!
–Can it still be used now?
–Of course!
–Can trademarks be printed on candy wrappers?
–No problem at all!
Zhou Haochen gripped his mother’s shoulders, his expression grave. –I have a very important use for it!
Inside the workshop, Ms. Qin watched in astonishment as her son — the very same one who once wouldn’t lift a finger, paid no mind to the outside world, and never touched a piece of candy — now worked with fervent enthusiasm.
–My son, are you done with computers now? Do you intend to inherit your mother’s business?
The ambient noise was too overwhelming for Zhou Haochen to hear her.
He merely turned his head, looking at Ms. Qin with a puzzled expression.
Stepping outside, Ms. Qin pulled out her phone and called Zhou’s father. –Old Zhou, your son came all the way back just to inherit my shop! Has he gone mad?!
Zhou’s father, who had just stepped off the operating table, responded, –Huh? [w(°ｏ°)w (TL Note: An emoticon expressing surprise or confusion.)]
Several hours later, Zhou Haochen, carrying several bags of candy, returned to the shop with Ms. Qin.
Zhou’s father, having finished work, also hurried over.
The two elders stared at Zhou Haochen. –So, you came all the way back just to make these things?
–Mm. He nodded, his expression earnest.
–And you’re going to rush back to school after this?
–Mm.
Zhou’s father leaned back, pressing a hand to his forehead.
‘Am I hallucinating from too many surgeries?’ he wondered.
‘Has the world truly been turned on its head like this?’
–Sigh, since you’re already back, come home and have a meal before you leave.
Zhou’s father sighed, resigned.
What else could he do for his own child?
As long as he was happy, that was all that mattered.
****
That evening in S City, Bai Sha was engrossed in building blocks with the little one when suddenly, her phone emitted a distinctive notification chime.
[Child’s Father: Look downstairs.]
Bai Sha walked to the balcony and peered down, her eyes immediately finding Zhou Haochen standing beneath the streetlamp, clad in a striking, pitch-black overcoat.
The sight brought a soft smile to her lips.
[Bai Shazi: What are you doing standing there?]
Zhou Haochen simply waved back at her.
[Child’s Father: Come down.]
Bai Sha turned to the little one, who was still absorbed in her blocks, and said, –Mommy’s going downstairs for a moment. Will you be a good girl and play with your blocks by yourself, okay?
Zhou Yuying nodded eagerly.
She was determined to construct Elsa’s castle and was currently engrossed in the challenging task.
Bai Sha wrapped herself snugly in the scarf Zhou Haochen had given her and headed downstairs.
As she saw his silhouette beneath the streetlamp, an irrepressible smile bloomed across her face.
Bai Sha jogged lightly all the way to Zhou Haochen, asking with a bright smile, –Why are you here?
Zhou Haochen extended his hand, palm open, and offered with a gentle smile, –A treat for you.
Bai Sha gasped in surprise. –Wow! Didn’t you say they didn’t have any?
Zhou Haochen scratched his nose, a hint of shyness coloring his cheeks. –I had my mom rush them out this afternoon. See if it’s the one you were thinking of.
Bai Sha nervously peeled back the candy wrapper, revealing the pink lollipop within.
As she fully unfurled the paper, her eyes landed on the inscription: “天天开心つ♡⊂ (TL Note: ‘Tiāntiān kāixīn,’ meaning ‘Happy every day.’)”
Zhou Haochen offered a soft, heartfelt blessing, –I wish you happiness every single day.
The girl held the candy on her tongue.
It was incredibly sweet.
Truly, wonderfully sweet.
****
Upstairs, Zhou Yuying, noticing her mother’s prolonged absence, had not only finished building her castle but had also begun to search for her.
The little one toddled to the balcony, and through the narrow gaps in the railing, she saw her mommy and daddy embracing beneath the glow of the streetlamp.
‘Oh!’ The little one playfully covered her eyes with her hands, peeking through the gaps between her fingers.
‘Mommy and Daddy are being shy!’