After passing me a small piece of gauze that I pressed on the wound, he tore me a piece of tape that I pasted on.
Its crooked, he finally said something.
Its fine. Just give me another strip. I reached my hand toward him.
It was strange. Even though we had only met twice, even though he was the type of guy I would never become close to. I was even questioning whether he had kicked the ball at me. Yet, the two of us could sit here calmly doing these things without feeling awkward. It was as if we were old friends.
Instead of passing me a strip of tape, he got up and came in front of me. I looked up at him and saw his focused gaze. With a gentle touch, he carefully pasted the tape he held on my leg.
I did not move.
His face had no expression, and only his rough finger gently grazed my skin, causing a slight tickle and warmth.
I too put on a poker face.
As though it was not my leg that he was putting a strip of tape on, and it was not me who he was helping.
After he placed the tape, I felt his fingers gently straightening the sides of the gauze before he stood up and asked, "Will that do?"
I held my leg with both hands and looked at the ground. "Oh sure."
"I'll head back to play football then."
"Oh, thank you."
Yet after saying that, I did not see him move as he remained standing there. I looked up and saw his eyes. Suddenly, I realized that behind his brazen, muscular body, inside those black pupils of his, there seemed to be another world hiding.
"Oh, your hat." I took the hat off and handed it to him. After taking it, he wore it and went back to the football field.
I had a dinner appointment with Zhuang Yu, so I left the library for the restaurant. As I drove there, I could not help it when my mind became filled with thoughts about Wu Yuthe way he looked, the first time I met him at that auto-repair shop that night, his fingers that touched my car, the way he chuckled when that ball rebounded and hit my head, and when he pressed the tape onto my skin while kneeling before me.
Suddenly, I noticed that my breath felt short. What's his intention? Is he teasing me? Or elsewhy else would he be so gentle with the only lady at that auto-repair shop?
I raised my head to see the floating clouds and the buildings passing by me. I must admit that this was my second time having such feelings for a man.
These feelings were like the gentle wavering leaves blowing in the wind. I have never had these feelings for anyone, except that time on the shipmy first time.
Could it be because they look similar?
No, it can't be.
I admit I did shamelessly and specifically ask for him to wash my car for this reason. But of course, I will have my evil thoughts from time to time. He looks so much like that man on that ship as if he's his version 2.0. That man on the ship was not only arrogant, but he even trampled on my book. Of course, I'll be pleased with the fact that I can get him to wash my car every time.
However, with only these two brief encounters, I can feel that Wu Yu and that man are like night and day. That man on the ship, even though he was annoying, was glowing and clear-cut. Wu Yu, on the other hand, is like a man that has gone through hardship. Even though our encounters were brief, I can feel a sense of mystery and vastness from him.
Immediately after entering the restaurant, I saw Zhuang Yu and Xiaohao staring down at each other. For some reason, they were having another tiff. I rushed over at the perfect time, sitting right across from the two of them. Xiaohao, did you anger your mom again?
Xiaohao quivered and cried, Mom! Can you order french fries for me? I dont want to eat fried onion rings!
This was a family-friendly restaurant, so several parents turned their gaze onto us.
However, Zhuang Yu was not the shy type. With her hand squeezing Xiaohaos chin, Zhuang Yu said, Zip it, you! Call me your aunt, your aunt! If you call me your mother again, I will leave you here!
Xiaohao giggled with a brazen look along with me. Then the two of us high fived. Zhuang Yu looked up helplessly and grumbled, Geez, can you two stop being so childish!