Chapter 47: Mid-Autumn Festival Diversions

“Oh, by the way, tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival. Linxi, aren’t you going home to celebrate with your family?”

Su Linxi shook her head.

“I see…”

“What about you?”

“Me?” Zhong Tian, still on his bicycle, replied, “…My parents haven’t contacted my sister or me, so it seems they don’t plan to gather this year…”

“Our family isn’t really one to place much importance on traditional festivals.”

“Right.”

“Should we buy some mooncakes to take back?” Zhong Tian suggested. “We should at least eat some tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

****

The next day dawned, bringing with it the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Despite it being the Mid-Autumn Festival, Zhong Tian spent the entire day at home, engrossed in his drawings.

He barely left his room except for meals, and the mooncakes he and Su Linxi had bought the previous night were entirely consumed as snacks.

It was as if he had reverted to his summer vacation routine.

On Sunday morning, Zhong Tian realized this couldn’t continue; if he fell back into his previous state of being a drawing machine, he wouldn’t be able to adjust for school tomorrow.

‘Hmm, I should go out and have some fun, get away from drawing for a bit…’

The thought of going out immediately brought Li Jianren to Zhong Tian’s mind, and from Li Jianren, his thoughts drifted to Bai Ruijin’s situation.

Zhong Tian slapped his palm.

‘Oh right, I could invite Bai Ruijin and her friends out, and we could all go exploring with Li Jianren, maybe grab a meal or something.’

‘Yes, this would solve the problem of them not having connected yet and make their participation in the later beach party more natural.’

‘Perfect, absolutely perfect.’

As soon as Zhong Tian made up his mind, he acted, arranging to meet Li Jianren, Bai Ruijin, and Zheng Qiao at Taisugi Commercial Street.

Bai Ruijin deliberated for a long time before agreeing to Zhong Tian’s invitation.

‘It’s the Mid-Autumn Festival today… I don’t know if my parents will allow me to go out…’ Moreover, Bai Ruijin felt the pace was perhaps a little too fast.

‘We haven’t even gotten to know each other, and we’re already going on a date? Is this okay? This isn’t okay…’

Then Bai Ruijin was criticized by Zheng Qiao.

[I don’t think this is a date; it’s more akin to a blind date.]

[If you’re too scared to even go to this, how do you expect to ever fall in love?]

Zheng Qiao, who had originally not intended to get involved, worried about Bai Ruijin’s performance and proactively suggested joining them to Zhong Tian.

At 1:30 PM, Zhong Tian met Li Jianren at Taisugi Commercial Street.

“What made you suddenly decide to come out and have fun?”

“Don’t ask; if you ask, the answer is boredom.”

“? You’re not a ruthless drawing machine? You can get bored?”

“Tsk, even a ruthless drawing machine is still a person!”

“Alright, as a person, I won’t deny your human rights,” Li Jianren said, pushing up his gold-rimmed glasses that had no lenses. “So, why are you wearing a skirt out today…?”

“And what’s with wearing this?” He gestured vaguely towards the subtle swell on Zhong Tian’s chest. “You’re all dolled up like a maiden, making me think you’ve truly decided to become a pure ‘beautiful girl’ from now on.”

“Your words don’t seem very friendly, friend.”

Zhong Tian reached out, ready to flick Li Jianren’s glasses, but Li Jianren swiftly stepped back, evading his hand.

‘Oh, he’s gotten clever?’

Zhong Tian darted forward, relentlessly continuing to reach for his glasses frame.

“Hey, hey, hey, that’s enough!”

One retreating, the other in hot pursuit, they turned their playful banter into a full-blown chase.

The farce finally concluded with Zhong Tian flicking Li Jianren’s glasses frame off his face.

“I’m not going to lie, sometimes I genuinely think there’s something off about you,” Li Jianren said, picking up his glasses frame, wiping it, and putting it back on. “If your old man here weren’t so benevolent, I might have already arranged for someone to snatch you up, air-freight you to some country, and have you surgically transformed into a real beautiful girl.”

His gestures and expression at that moment perfectly mimicked the pointing finger meme of Wang [redacted character, likely a celebrity or internet personality whose name is partially censored].

Zhong Tian feigned another attempt to flick his glasses frame, but Li Jianren immediately recoiled, craning his neck back and striking a pose reminiscent of a “tug-of-war grandma.”

This utterly cracked Zhong Tian up.

Li Jianren also began to laugh.

Bai Ruijin and Zheng Qiao, who had approached them unnoticed and witnessed their chase and hearty laughter, now looked as if question marks were about to fill the space around them.

‘Is that Li Jianren and Zhong Tian?’

It was then that Zhong Tian also noticed the two girls in front of him, and his smile instantly vanished, performing a ‘Sichuan opera face-change.’

He then extended his leg and lightly kicked the still-laughing Li Jianren.

Li Jianren slowly suppressed his laughter, looking at the two girls before them with a half-smile.

“Hm? Are these the friends you mentioned?”

“Yes.”

Zhong Tian immediately reverted to his “aloof” persona from school.

However, the playful antics he’d just engaged in with Li Jianren in front of the two girls had likely shattered that persona to pieces.

Observing their world-doubting gazes, Zhong Tian forced himself to accept the reality that his “aloof image” was utterly ruined.

Yet, the silver lining in this unfortunate situation was that they hadn’t overheard him being a man disguised as a woman.

‘Well, probably…’

“Good afternoon, ladies.”

Zhong Tian gave a slight, somewhat unconfident nod as a greeting.

The two girls hadn’t quite recovered from the scene they’d just witnessed, especially Zheng Qiao.

‘How can these two act like elementary school kids…?’

‘She could somewhat understand Li Jianren, but what was up with Zhong Tian? That block of ice actually plays around with others???’

‘Could this be the bond between childhood sweethearts…?’

At that moment, Zheng Qiao and Bai Ruijin both, to varying degrees, grasped the colorful diversity of human personalities.

“Um…”

Bai Ruijin was the first to react, asking Zhong Tian, “So, where should we go shopping first?”

“You two can decide.”

‘Oh, this…’

Bai Ruijin, who was as indecisive as Zhong Tian, was suddenly at a loss for words.

“Didn’t you invite us out…?” Li Jianren grumbled, staying true to his nature. “And now you don’t know where to go?”

“Then you decide.”

“Me to decide? Then let’s just go see a movie.” Li Jianren pulled out his phone and opened a WeChat ticketing app. “Isn’t there a pretty interesting family-friendly comedy movie out recently? We can watch it, finish around five, and then grab dinner. A perfect plan.”

“That works too,” Zhong Tian said.

Bai Ruijin raised her hand. “Um… my parents told me I need to go home for a reunion dinner…”

Zheng Qiao looked at Bai Ruijin, then also shook her head. “If Xiao Bai isn’t going, then I’m not going either.”

“I see…”

It was a bit of a pity to miss an opportunity to build goodwill, but given it was an unavoidable circumstance, there was nothing to be done.

So, after Li Jianren booked the tickets, the four of them set off towards the shopping center at the end of the commercial street.

Along the way, Li Jianren’s gaze kept flitting between Bai Ruijin and Zheng Qiao.

As the four prepared to enter the shopping center, Li Jianren leaned towards Zhong Tian and whispered, “Who are these two? I feel like I’ve seen them both before.”

“Both are from the class next to ours… and one of them is even in your literature club. It’d be strange if you *haven’t* seen her,” Zhong Tian whispered back.

“What are their names?”

“…” Zhong Tian lowered his gaze, deliberating for a moment, then said, “The one with long hair and a long dress is Bai Ruijin, and the one with short hair and shorts is Zheng Qiao.”

“Bai Ruijin?” Li Jianren questioned, “Isn’t that the one from the literature club who tried to add me as a friend before?”

“It’s her.”

“Huh? How do *you* know her? And you even invited her out, what for?”

“…”

Seeing Zhong Tian’s reluctance to answer, Li Jianren directed his questioning gaze towards the two girls walking ahead.

Zhong Tian knew in his heart that Li Jianren was actually very clever; if he thought about it a little more, he’d probably realize Bai Ruijin was interested in him.

No, he probably wouldn’t even need to think too hard; it was already far too obvious!

If the current “not interested in dating” Li Jianren discovered Bai Ruijin’s intentions, then adhering to his principles of being direct, letting go, and preferring a short sharp pain over prolonged suffering, he would immediately reject her, and Bai Ruijin’s unrequited love would be over.

‘I need to come up with an excuse to get him off the scent.’

“Actually… they’re fans of my manga.”

Seeing Zhong Tian speak, Li Jianren turned his gaze back to him.

“Bai Ruijin added you before because she knew you and I were close, hoping to add me as a friend through you,” Zhong Tian lied without batting an eye. “After you rejected her, she found me directly after school started.”

“I see,” Li Jianren nodded, indicating his understanding.

As they chatted, the four of them entered the elevator.

Inside the elevator, Bai Ruijin quietly approached Li Jianren and softly asked, “Um, can I add you on WeChat? I’d like to send you the money for the movie ticket.”

‘Excellent! She finally dared to make a move!’

“No, no need. Consider it my treat.”

‘Damn it! He blocked her!’

“This… I don’t think that’s right. How about we just… add each other as friends?”

She opened the WeChat QR code for adding friends and held it out to Li Jianren.

‘Yes, from her expression, it was clear Bai Ruijin was trying very hard.’

“…Alright,” Li Jianren also took out his phone and scanned Bai Ruijin’s QR code.

‘She did it!’

Zhong Tian and Zheng Qiao both silently cheered in their minds.

‘Adding a WeChat contact was certainly not easy!’

After adding WeChat, Bai Ruijin offered a subtle, almost imperceptible smile, then naturally followed Li Jianren out of the elevator.

Zhong Tian also took a step back, walking alongside Zheng Qiao.

Li Jianren collected the tickets, bought some popcorn, and then, each carrying a bucket, he and Bai Ruijin entered the screening room.

For a fleeting moment, Zhong Tian and Zheng Qiao wanted to just slip away and let the other two enjoy the movie alone.

Ultimately, it was just a thought, and the four of them entered the screening room together.

It was a domestic family-friendly comedy film, offering plenty of laughs throughout, and the plot was decent, making it a fine example of the genre.

Bai Ruijin appeared especially happy, and both Zhong Tian and Zheng Qiao could tell it wasn’t just because of the movie.

“Alright, the movie’s over. So, where should we go for dinner now?”

As they exited the cinema, Li Jianren immediately asked.

“You still decide.”

Zhong Tian replied.

“Still me? You have no ideas at all?” Li Jianren gave Zhong Tian a look reminiscent of the ‘old man on the subway with a phone’ meme. “How about Hai[redacted] Lao?”

“…One might think I was the one who organized this outing,” he muttered, glancing at Zhong Tian. “Old Zhong, do you have any ideas?”

“…”

Zhong Tian chose not to answer.

Zheng Qiao observed their words and actions, then pondered to herself.

‘Zhong Tian must be the cold-on-the-outside, warm-on-the-inside type, cold to outsiders but warm to those he’s close to.’

‘Hmm, quite a charming contrast, isn’t it?’

“Ahem, well, Zhong Tian, Xiao Bai and I will be leaving first.”

“Okay.”

Watching the two depart, Zhong Tian also returned to his usual expression, turning to Li Jianren. “Hai[redacted] Lao for just two of us?”

“Why not?”

“It’s not impossible, it’s just that it feels expensive and not very filling…”

“Then you pick somewhere else.”

“…Never mind, Hai[redacted] Lao it is then…”

****

At dinner time, Zhong Jing emerged from her room, dressed in pajamas.

Zhong Tian seemed to have gone out, and now it was Su Linxi cooking in the kitchen.

Perhaps because it was the Mid-Autumn Festival, the dishes appeared more elaborate than usual.

“Zhong Tian won’t be back for dinner tonight,” Su Linxi said, stirring the dishes. “I bought some long-tailed snails and plan to eat them while moon-gazing…”

“Suit yourself.”

Zhong Jing sat at the dining table, engrossed in her phone.

“…Alright.”

****

“I’m home.”

Bai Ruijin hurried back to her house.

The moment she stepped through the door, she was greeted by the aroma of home-cooked food, and a glance revealed the small dining table practically overflowing with dishes.

“So many dishes… we’re definitely not going to finish it all again.”

“It doesn’t matter if we can’t finish it all; it’s a Mid-Autumn reunion dinner, the main thing is abundance,” Bai Ruijin’s mother replied while cooking. “Besides, if we don’t finish it, we can always eat the rest later while we’re moon-gazing.”

Bai Ruijin changed her shoes and took her seat.

“Where did you go with your friends today?”

Bai Ruijin’s father asked with a smile.

“We went to see a movie.”

“With a few classmates?”

“Yes, with a few classmates.”

Bai Ruijin’s father nodded. “Alright, go bring over the last dish, wash your hands, get some rice, and prepare to eat.”

“Okay.”

****

“Hello! Check, please.”

Zhong Tian and Li Jianren, seated at Hai[redacted] Lao, had already eaten their fill by about eighty percent in less than an hour. They planned to finish the remaining ingredients after paying.

“How much was it altogether…?”

“No worries, it’s my treat.” Li Jianren gave Zhong Tian a thumbs-up. “It’s Mid-Autumn Festival, after all.”

“Then thank you.”

Li Jianren paid, then picked up the last slice of watermelon, devouring it in two bites.

“Ren, speaking of which, aren’t you going back to celebrate the festival with your family?”

“My mom’s on a business trip, and Auntie Wang isn’t free today either.”

“I see…”

“Old Zhong, aren’t you going back to celebrate with your family?”

“My parents don’t have that intention, so I’ll skip it,” Zhong Tian said, scooping up the last of the ingredients and placing them in Li Jianren’s bowl. “Finish up quickly and go home to rest early.”

“Alright, alright.”

****

At Zhong Tian’s home.

Zhong Jing and Su Linxi silently finished their Mid-Autumn Festival dinner. After Su Linxi tidied the dishes, she carried a small table onto the balcony.

Zhong Tian’s balcony offered only a faint glimpse of the moon in the sky.

Su Linxi adjusted the angle, placed the pomelo and mooncakes they had bought last night on the table, then returned inside to bring out two chairs.

Zhong Jing had no intention of moon-gazing and had already returned to her room.

The chairs Su Linxi brought out were, of course, for Zhong Tian.

She went into the kitchen to prepare the long-tailed snails.

*Click—*

The front door opened, and Zhong Tian entered the entryway, asking Su Linxi in the kitchen, “Getting ready for moon-gazing?”

“Yes, stir-frying long-tailed snails.”

“Oh?” Zhong Tian also entered the kitchen, put on an apron, and began to assist Su Linxi. “Aren’t you buying river snails?”

“I don’t like eating river snails.”

Zhong Tian nodded, helping her chop perilla leaves and a few chilies.

Once everything was prepared, Zhong Tian told Su Linxi, “Linxi, you go ahead and sit down. I’ll take care of the rest.”

“…Alright.”

Su Linxi took off her apron and went to sit on the balcony.

A moment later, Zhong Tian carried a steaming plate of long-tailed snails and placed it on the small folding table on the balcony.

“Chopsticks.”

“Hm.”

Zhong Tian sat down at the table, looking up at the sky, where he could faintly discern a full moon.

“It’s been a long time since I last moon-gazed.”

The last time was… in middle school, perhaps?

He had no clear memory of it.

Su Linxi ate a mooncake, silently gazing at the full moon in the sky.

Indeed, it had been a long time since she had moon-gazed like this…

She shifted her gaze from the moon to Zhong Tian, still without a word.

‘I hope that in the future, we can continue to moon-gaze like this, peacefully and simply.’