The black screen lit up with the caller’s name: Xu Zirong.
Suddenly, the image of him appeared vividly in my mind: gripping the railing for support, staggering step by step, trying hard to keep his balance.
Snowflakes landed on my fingertips, the chill making my hands shiver unconsciously.
I hadn’t visited Qiu Lu or Xu Zirong during this time—not because I didn’t care, but because I didn’t know how to face them.
Especially knowing that they had suffered so much while I stood here unharmed, I was filled with guilt.
Ultimately, it was Shen Jianqing who had caused trouble for Qiu Lu and Xu Zirong. If we hadn’t been so curious, if we hadn’t followed Shen Jianqing, if we hadn’t gone into the Shidi Miao Village… perhaps none of this would have happened.
But the world doesn’t work in “ifs.”
I drew a deep breath and pressed the call button.
The voice on the other end was steady, with less of the frivolity of youth.
“Hey, Aze?”
“It’s me,” I said softly. “Xu Zirong… are you feeling better?”
“Much better, don’t worry. Aze, are you free today? I’ve already called Xiao Wen. Let’s go eat together.”
“You… you’re already well?” I thought of Shen Jianqing’s promise from that day and felt a flicker of hope. Could Xu Zirong really be recovering?
The voice on the other end sounded lighter now. “You’ll see for yourself. At the restaurant by the school gate—you know the one with home-style cooking!”
The place he mentioned was famous for its good, affordable food. Every student in Yanda knew it. I couldn’t believe he had left the rehabilitation center. I answered quickly and made my way toward the school gate.
Snow fell continuously along the way. I didn’t carry an umbrella. My steps were light, and the delicate snowflakes settled on my shoulders and head, soon soaking parts of my clothes.
I didn’t care about getting wet. I just wanted to reach the place, to see Xu Zirong as soon as possible.
I arrived before mealtime. The restaurant had only the owner, drowsily dozing, and a few scattered staff. As soon as I walked in, one of them approached enthusiastically and led me to a private room.
The room wasn’t large but very private. Inside, Xu Zirong was sitting at the table, drinking tea.
Wen Lingyu sat quietly beside him, and they seemed to be talking.
When Xu Zirong saw me, he immediately pulled a smile. “Ah, I thought you’d come later! Come, come, have some tea!” He stood and poured tea into a disposable cup for me.
His movements were seamless, smooth and precise. Brown tea flowed steadily from the kettle in his right hand into the cup in his left, without spilling a drop.
My heart, which had been suspended, finally settled.
He handed me the tea. “The doctor told me no alcohol or cigarettes, so no drinking with you today!”
I took the tea and sat down. “I’m not drinking. Xu Zirong… you’ve really recovered?”
“Recovered? Not completely, but getting better,” Xu Zirong said, his face showing no trace of defeat, only a calm relief. “A few days ago I had a brain scan. The doctor said the mysterious shadow in my cerebellum is shrinking. At this rate, I should recover soon.”
He stood and walked a few steps between me and Wen Lingyu, like he was demonstrating his progress. “See? No handrails, no cane needed!”
I exhaled in relief. “That’s great. As long as you’re getting better.”
Xu Zirong said, “I might not fully return to my previous state, but I’m lucky. I heard some people even died from parasite infections before. I’ve dodged that.”
He had become steadier, more composed; the wild energy he once had joking around with Qiu Lu was gone. Perhaps enduring hardships truly matures a person.
The Xu Zirong who used to shout, “Isn’t drinking fun?” was gone for good.
I quickly asked, “And Qiu Lu? Is she doing better?”
Xu Zirong’s eyes dimmed briefly. He looked down. “Lu Lu is improving too.”
Wen Lingyu spoke softly, “The shadow in her head is shrinking, but her condition is still unstable. She can’t go out yet.”
I asked, “Unstable? What does that mean?”
Xu Zirong said, “She’s not recovering quickly. Her mind is sometimes clear, sometimes back to her previous state. The doctor says long-term lack of oxygen caused by the mysterious shadow has killed brain cells.”
Qiu Lu’s situation remained worrisome.
But Xu Zirong continued, “Still, there are moments of clarity. She can even banter with me. Maybe tomorrow she’ll be better… maybe. But I’ll wait for her, no matter what.”
His words didn’t make me feel much better.
Back then, Shen Jianqing had promised to remove the insects—I didn’t know whether their improvements were because the worms in their bodies had been eliminated. But the damage had already been done. Even if it were repaired, it was still too little, too late.
“Don’t look so glum, like we all died or something!” Xu Zirong suddenly raised his voice and patted my back. “We’re getting better. Even if I never reach my peak again and can’t compete in track and field, I won’t starve, right? I plan to pursue a graduate degree in sports theory—it’s fine, it’s really fine.”
For once, it was Xu Zirong comforting me.
The atmosphere in the room was too heavy, so Xu Zirong changed the topic. “We’re all seniors now. I heard neither of you is going to grad school. What are your plans after graduation? Maybe next year, Lu Lu and I will finish our leave and come back to school, and we could all get together again!”
I shook my head. “I don’t know. I haven’t planned anything yet.”
Most of my classmates were either preparing for grad school or job hunting, busy chasing their futures. I, however, had no clue what I should do.
With my current state, I knew I wasn’t suited for graduate-level academic research. And as for work, I wasn’t ready either.
“No plans? That’s okay. These things require careful consideration,” Xu Zirong said, then turned to Wen Lingyu. “What about you, Xiao Wen?”
Wen Lingyu sipped her tea. “I’ve already found a job—a middle school history teacher. I’ll start after graduation.”
Xu Zirong slapped the table. “Great! A middle school teacher! Where? In Yancheng?”
Wen Lingyu paused, then lifted her eyes to look directly at Xu Zirong and me, calm and resolute. “Tongjiang.”
I caught my breath.