Chapter 46: A Morning with Lin Duo and Wang Linshu

At 9 AM, Lin Duo, dressed in a breezy sundress and wearing a sun hat, arrived at the bus stop outside the school gate. Wang Linshu was already waiting, enthusiastically waving, ‘Lin Duo, over here!’

Coincidentally, the bus arrived just then. Lin Duo hurriedly ran to the bus and swiped her card to board.

There weren’t many people on the bus, mostly just elderly people returning from their morning exercise. So, Lin Duo and Wang Linshu easily found seats together. During the ride, Lin Duo’s long, slender legs beneath her short skirt drew Wang Linshu’s gaze like a magnet. Though Lin Duo was flat-chested, she was proud of her alluring legs. She teased Wang Linshu, ‘Where are you looking, Wang?’

Wang Linshu awkwardly averted his gaze and tried to change the subject, ‘Girls do look good in short skirts, but aren’t you afraid of accidents, like when going up stairs?’

‘No way! I wear safety shorts underneath!’ Lin Duo replied.

Wang Linshu curiously glanced at the hem of Lin Duo’s skirt, but didn’t see anything. Lin Duo, smiling, gently pushed him away, ‘Stop peeking! Today, I’m wearing a regular-length skirt, so even with safety shorts, nothing is visible.’

In fact, Lin Duo always wore safety shorts, even with her school uniform skirt. Given her unique body, being seen in her underwear could cause trouble, so wide, loose safety shorts were a must.

As they chatted, the bus arrived at their stop. Wang Linshu didn’t rush home; instead, he accompanied Lin Duo to her family’s fruit store to help out. Her foster mother, Wu Bijuan, was familiar with him and occasionally teased Lin Duo.

Not until noon did Lin Duo’s foster father, Yue Renhui, yawn and come downstairs. Seeing Wang Linshu, he squinted, ‘Isn’t this Wang’s kid? Are you here to buy fruits or help out?’

‘I’m here to help, sir. I’ve always wanted to experience running a fruit store!’ Wang Linshu quickly stood up to greet him.

Yue Renhui walked over and patted Wang Linshu’s shoulder, ‘I think you’re a great kid, but these aren’t the days of arranged marriages. Whether you win Lin Duo’s heart depends on you.’

‘Dad, don’t say that!’ Lin Duo hugged her father’s burly arm and pouted.

Wang Linshu was delighted, as he had already gained Lin Duo’s parents’ approval. Though Lin Duo didn’t reciprocate his feelings, he hoped that with time, she might.

The four of them ate lunch delivered from a nearby restaurant. Then, Yue Renhui suggested, ‘It’s quiet now, so Wu and I can handle it. Why don’t you two go out and explore? Come back with anything interesting.’

Wang Linshu eagerly agreed, and Lin Duo, though reluctant, complied with her father’s wishes.

As they left the store, Lin Duo wasn’t sure where to go, ‘It’s so hot. Where should we go? I don’t want to get sunburned.’

Wang Linshu thought for a moment, ‘How about we visit our old middle school? I haven’t been back since the exams.’

Metang Middle School looked much the same, as only three months had passed since the exams. During lunch break, some students were hanging out near the gate, whispering and pointing at Lin Duo.

Lin Duo felt nostalgic, ‘It’s only been three months, but it feels like a lifetime ago.’

‘When we’re in college and pass by our high school, we’ll probably feel the same,’ Wang Linshu said, his voice calm. ‘Life is like that. We pass through many places and see different scenery. The scenery may not stay, but the people we share it with do.’

Lin Duo, immune to Wang Linshu’s frequent declarations, changed the subject, ‘I remember there’s a fountain nearby, but I can’t recall the way. Can you take me there?’

In the shade of a bench, Lin Duo closed her eyes, enjoying the cool mist from the fountain. Wang Linshu, watching her bare arms, mustered the courage to place his hand over hers.

Soon, Lin Duo gently withdrew her hand and spoke calmly, ‘Wang Linshu, we’re just friends.’

‘Friends… Yes, I was too forward,’ Wang Linshu said, looking down.

Lin Duo removed her hat and looked at him seriously, ‘Wang Linshu, I’m really not worth your affection. You’re thoughtful and caring, and you’ll find someone perfect for you, but it won’t be me.’

‘Why? Why do you always say that? What makes you different from other girls?’ Wang Linshu’s voice rose slightly.

Instead of answering, Lin Duo pointed to the sky, ‘Look, a beautiful rainbow.’

‘Rainbow? Where?’ Wang Linshu followed her finger but saw only a clear sky. ‘I don’t see any rainbow.’

‘The rainbow is beside you, even if you can’t see it,’ Lin Duo’s voice drifted softly.

Though Wang Linshu didn’t understand, he sensed her sadness. Knowing Lin Duo was adopted, he respected her past and the sadness it carried.

After a while, Wang Linshu changed the subject, ‘My birthday is coming up, in two days. Since we still have classes, I thought we could have a dinner with some friends after evening study. Will you come?’

Remembering that her current phone was a birthday gift from him, Lin Duo agreed, ‘Of course, we’re good friends. I wouldn’t miss your birthday.’

Wang Linshu was overjoyed, ‘Really? My friends will be so envious that I have a beautiful girl friend like you!’

‘Why do you always think like that?’ Lin Duo asked, already standing and adjusting her hat. Her petite face was framed perfectly. ‘It’s getting late. You should go home. See you later.’

Wang Linshu watched her leave, reaching out as if to catch her, but grasping only air.

****

[TL Note: Lin Duo’s foster father, Yue Renhui, is known in certain circles as ‘Fruit Little Yue.’]