As the weather began to warm up, a line of food stalls appeared at the entrance of the residential building. They sold fried skewers, barbecue, and some elderly folks would push a gas cylinder with a shallow pot, selling spicy hotpot skewers.
Every evening after school, Zhao Meimei would stop by the food stalls on her way home and always buy a couple of skewers to eat while walking.
Liu Xiue thought it was unsanitary and scolded her several times, but to no avail. She had no choice but to start controlling Zhao Meimei’s pocket money, leaving her just enough to buy some paper and pens at school, with nothing extra on hand.
At this time, the money Shi Yang left for Zhao Meimei came in handy.
Zhao Meimei was always generous with her friends. Although she was now busy with studies and didn’t have time to hang out with Da Bao and other friends like before, the bond between them remained deep.
Since starting middle school, Da Bao’s body began to grow sideways. The chubby, cute face of his childhood started to change. His heavy eyelids drooped, and when he looked at people, his gaze slid out through the slits, with a hint of ferocity.
Da Bao came from a single-parent family. His mom worked as a storage clerk at a factory, earning a meager wage with no connections. He went directly to the kindergarten where Zhao Meimei studied because it was close to home, and most students there were kids from the residential building, who all knew each other.
Separated from Zhao Meimei, Da Bao, under her imperceptible childhood influence, gradually picked up many leader-like mannerisms and qualities.
In just two years, he had quietly become a respected figure from school to the residential area. Wherever he met someone from another class, they would surely call him Brother Bao.
Da Bao would always give a side-eye, glance at the person. In a good mood, he’d slightly nod in response; in a bad mood, he’d act as if he hadn’t heard, unwilling to bother.
This Brother Bao would only turn back into little follower Da Bao when he saw Zhao Meimei.
Da Bao was always obedient to Zhao Meimei, following her every command. As a child, he admired Zhao Meimei, treating her as his boss, worshipping her. As he grew up, he began to take care of Zhao Meimei, treating her as his sister, liking and cherishing her.
The childhood friendship between them had already deeply rooted in their hearts, embedded in their bones.
Zhao Meimei was standing with her backpack at the food stall at the entrance of the residential building, picking out spicy skewers with plenty of soup and thoroughly cooked beancurd puffs.
Da Bao rode his bike back from school and rang the bell at her: "Meimei!"
Zhao Meimei turned around, saw Da Bao, and waved with a smile: "Come here!"
Da Bao pushed his bike over, parked it beside him, and nudged his way to Zhao Meimei: "What do you want me for?"
Zhao Meimei gave a carefree wave: "Get a couple of skewers, it’s on me."
Da Bao didn’t stand on ceremony with Zhao Meimei. He’s recently been tight on money. With poor factory performance, his mom hasn’t been able to draw her wages, and the family was living hand-to-mouth, which directly affected his severely reduced pocket money.
Since it was Zhao Meimei spending money, Da Bao didn’t have the nerve to eat too much. He ate just a couple of skewers to be polite and then claimed he was full.
Zhao Meimei wiped her mouth and walked home alongside him.
Da Bao habitually put his hand on Zhao Meimei’s shoulder, speaking so close it almost touched her face: "Hey, Meimei, didn’t you say you ran out of money a few days ago?"
Zhao Meimei shrugged: "Yeah, I’m out of money. My mom doesn’t let me buy these things because she says they’re filthy. Now I only get three yuan for pocket money each day."
Da Bao was taken aback: "But you still treated me just now."
Zhao Meimei laughed: "No worries, Brother Yangyang slipped me some pocket money before he went back to school."
Da Bao looked envious: "Your brother’s really good to you."
Zhao Meimei chuckled twice and asked Da Bao: "Didn’t your school let out early? Why are you back so late?"
Da Bao scratched his head and grinned: "I’m chasing a girl."
Zhao Meimei’s eyes widened instantly: "Oh?! Really? What’s she like?"
Da Bao whispered to her: "She’s not particularly pretty, but she has really big eyes. I heard she’s always first in her class exams."
Zhao Meimei: "Really? Did you start courting her?"
Da Bao: "Yes, it’s been almost two months now."
Zhao Meimei playfully punched Da Bao: "Way to go! Does she like you?"
Da Bao rolled his eyes: "Who knows? When I ask her, she either says she’s too busy with studies or only wants to be friends. I’m stumped! Girls are such a hassle! You’d think if she liked me, she’d say something, and we’d hit it off. If she doesn’t, she could tell me, and I’d keep pursuing her. I’m full of thoughts about her, she’s totally stringing me along!"
Zhao Meimei burst into laughter.
Da Bao wrapped his arm around Zhao Meimei’s shoulder and tapped twice: "You’re still the best, frank and straightforward. The only thing is, you were too ugly as a kid. Now you’ve become a bit prettier, but when I look at you, I still remember how you looked back then. Otherwise, I might have liked you long ago."
Zhao Meimei was annoyed: "Go to hell! You were the ugly one when you were little!"
Da Bao grinned: "Yeah, I was pretty ugly when I was a kid. Don’t you remember, the old ladies in our building used to say we were two peas in a pod?"
Zhao Meimei gave in: "Da Bao, I’ve noticed you’ve changed as you grew up."
Da Bao gave Zhao Meimei a sidelong glance, raising an eyebrow: "Have I?"
Zhao Meimei nodded seriously: "Yes, you’ve become even cheekier!!!"
As the midterm exams approached, Zhao Meimei almost didn’t bother eating or sleeping, not for anything else but to maintain her excellent student image in front of their teacher.
When her exam results came out, Zhao Meimei glanced at the ranking on the blackboard, her eyes nearly popping out.
She ranked third, which was good, maintaining her stable top-five performance. What left her speechless was that Xu Xu actually ranked first. And to top it off, his total score was seventeen points higher than hers. This guy only lost three steps on the math problem and five ritual points on the language essay, acing all other subjects, even English.
After school, Xu Xu approached Zhao Meimei. It was a half-day, and he was going to Zhao Meimei’s house in the afternoon.
Xu Xu carried his backpack and Zhao Meimei’s as they walked side by side.
Zhao Meimei marveled: "Xu Xu, do you really have to be so ruthless with your exams? How did you study? I thought I did pretty well, but compared to you, I’m completely crushed!"
Xu Xu looked at Zhao Meimei’s admiring gaze, a satisfied smile spreading across his handsome face: "Your results aren’t bad; it’s just your English that’s pulling you down. Your grammar isn’t up to par, and you don’t memorize your vocabulary well."
Zhao Meimei frowned: "What should I do then?"
Xu Xu’s eyes flashed: "Do you really want high scores?"
Zhao Meimei nodded: "No kidding!"