During the third afternoon class, Jiang Qiang noticed her desk mate hadn’t returned. She merely glanced at the empty seat before continuing to focus on the lesson.
Xu Si had just finished a group fight, his face marked with injuries though he hadn’t lost. He put a bandage on his face without any expression. On his way back, he saw a blonde-haired guy slapping a small, skinny boy, yelling, “Damn it, I told you to bring me money. Are you deaf?”
“I don’t have any money.”
“Can’t you get it from home? I don’t care, you better bring the money tomorrow.”
Xu Si frowned, grabbed the blonde guy, and punched him in the face. The blonde guy winced in pain and was about to curse, but when he saw who it was, he stammered, “Brother Si, you’re here.”
“Don’t call me brother. We’re not close.” Xu Si’s voice was low and hoarse. “Don’t let me catch you bullying anyone at school again.”
The blonde guy huddled in the corner, knowing this person wasn’t someone to mess with. He nodded repeatedly, “I understand. I promise – no, I swear I won’t bully anyone again.”
Xu Si sneered, saying coldly, “You better not.”
The blonde guy tried to grab his leg, “I really won’t, brother.”
“Don’t call me that. Apologize to him.”
The blonde guy turned to the skinny boy, “I’m sorry. Please ask him to let me go.”
“I don’t forgive you.”
Xu Si kicked him again and helped the boy up. “Go home.”
Jiang Qiang was taking notes when she saw the boy stumble into the classroom, his face covered in crooked bandages, and sit down beside her. The teacher at the front seemed used to this, not even sparing Xu Si a glance as she continued teaching. Half the class was asleep, including her newly returned desk mate who dozed off immediately.
When class ended, everyone rushed out for dinner. A new girl friend asked Jiang Qiang if she wanted to go to the cafeteria together, but Jiang Qiang waved them off, “You go ahead.”
She went to the entrance where Liu Ma would arrive on time with her food. Jiang Qiang needed to be careful with her diet, mainly eating bland food. The school’s food was either too oily, too salty, or too spicy – none of which she could eat. Plus, she needed to take medicine after meals.
Jiang Qiang sat at the entrance eating small bites from her lunchbox. Liu Ma handed her a glass of water, and she smiled, “Thank you, Liu Ma.”
Liu Ma looked at her lovingly, “Qiang Qiang, does the food taste alright today?”
“It’s delicious,” Jiang Qiang gave Liu Ma a sweet smile.
After eating, Liu Ma gave her medicine and a thermos, watching as she took the pills. Xu Si, passing by, witnessed this scene.
“Brother Si, what are you looking at?”
Xu Si looked away, saying flatly, “None of your business.”
Yang Shikun added, “Did you hear that? None of your business.”
“Old Yang, want me to punch you?” Hao Ming gave him a threatening look.
“Come on then, hit me.” Yang Shikun said, then noticed Xu Si walking away quickly. He hurried to catch up, “Brother Si, Brother Si, don’t walk so fast!”
After evening self-study, Jiang Qiang was reading when someone knocked on the window. She looked up to see a small, skinny boy outside.
She opened the window, “Who are you looking for?”
The boy licked his lips and handed her a milk carton, “Please give this to Xu Si and tell him thank you.”
He had asked around and quickly learned Xu Si’s class and name. When he told others that Xu Si had saved him, they laughed, saying he was lucky not to get beaten up himself.
Jiang Qiang nodded, “Okay, I will.”
When Xu Si returned, Jiang Qiang put the milk on his desk, “Someone brought this during break.”
Seeing his look, Jiang Qiang quickly explained, “It was a boy. He wanted me to say thank you. Not a girl.”
Xu Si picked up the milk and glanced at it, “Mm, got it.” It was from the boy he’d helped earlier.
After delivering the message, Jiang Qiang returned to her work, gripping her pen and focusing intently on the problems in her book.
Notes flew around the classroom as students chatted, with no real study atmosphere. Xu Si kept his head down, playing games on his phone.
“Brother Si, Brother Si, want to play games?” Yang Shikun turned to ask.
Jiang Qiang looked up briefly, hearing Xu Si reply, “No, get lost.”
Yang Shikun turned back around – if Brother Si wouldn’t play, he’d ask Hao Ming instead.
Xu Si glanced at Jiang Qiang doing her homework, then kicked Yang Shikun’s chair as he kept shaking his leg.
Yang Shikun turned around, “Brother Si, want to play a round?”
“Stop shaking your leg or get out.”
“Yes, Brother Si.” Yang Shikun promptly turned back.
He’s so fierce, Jiang Qiang thought silently, though at least the desk had stopped shaking.
That evening at home:
“How was your first day of school, Qiang Qiang?”
Jiang Qiang thought for a moment before answering, “Everything was good. The teachers are nice, the students are nice, new classmates are nice, and my new desk mate… is nice too.”
Tian Ling nodded, “That’s good. If anything makes you unhappy or uncomfortable, tell mom and I’ll call your teachers.”
Jiang Qiang shook her head gently, “No need, everything’s fine.”
Tian Ling patted her head, “Good, sweet child. I won’t disturb you then. Your medicine is on the table – take it and go to bed soon.”
Jiang Qiang made a sound of agreement and took her medicine with some warm water.
Tian Ling closed her door, saying softly, “Goodnight, Qiang Qiang.”
“Goodnight, Mom.”
That night, Jiang Qiang couldn’t sleep, tossing and turning as her stomach cramped painfully. She was sweating, her blanket crumpled in her grip. Shaking, she found pain medication in her drawer and took one pill. It wasn’t until late that she finally fell into a deep sleep.
Before Jiang Qiang came to Sixth High School, Fang Zixin had learned about her condition from Tian Ling. He had seen Jiang Qiang’s report cards – she had excellent grades, always in the top ten at B City’s Seventh High School. When he first met Jiang Qiang, he found this little girl to be very well-behaved. Yet such a sweet and lovely young girl might not live past this year.
Heaven, do you see what you’re doing?
Jiang Qiang didn’t want others to know about her health condition. When she went to the hospital for treatment, she had Fang Zixin tell other teachers she was at tutoring classes.
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