Back To My Youth

figure, with two vertical lines for eyes, a curved mouth, and a particularly well-drawn round head, as if drawn with a compass.

Li Tongzhou, awkward and serious as he was, had did his utmost to make him happy.

 

Guo Jingyu laughed.
Just as the corners of his lips dropped, he heard the Chinese teacher call his name once again.
This time, the teacher almost cried angrily, thinking that Guo Jingyu, the leader of the problematic students, was purposefully acting against her, so she told him to go stand outside, tears in her eyes.

Guo Jingyu, at a loss, “Teacher, teacher, I was wrong.
I’ll apologize to you, okay….” 

The little teacher was close to crying in anger, her eyes red as she pointed to the door, choking, “A-Aren’t you gonna go out?”

“I’m going, I’m going!”

Guo Jingyu went out with the textbook.
He had just one foot forward when He Xiangyang and the others were about to go out with him.
They thought it was an act of loyalty, but as the adult, Guo Jingyu kicked the half-grown youngsters back one by one, urging them to go to class honestly.

When the Chinese teacher asked everyone in the classroom to read the text, he also held the book and read it aloud at the door.
He especially chose the back door so that when he looked at the classroom, he’d be able to catch a few more glances of Li Tongzhou. 

Li Tongzhou occasionally gave him a sidelong glance.
Their eyes would meet very briefly, and after a short moment, he’d lower his head to continue studying.
His face was as expressionless as before, as if he didn’t see anything.

After school, Guo Jingyu and Li Tongzhou went to have a barbecue together.

If he were to say the deepest impressions he had of his senior high school life aside from the overwhelming test papers, it would be Big Li’s barbeques near the school’s gate.

It was a small shop more than ten square meters with small square tables and few low stools set up everywhere, both inside and out. 

A plastic bag was placed over the metal tray, and high-piled meat and vegetable skewers dripping with oil were served.
The aroma of cumin and pepper was rich and pungent.
Old Boss Li’s bellowing was especially audible.
When he made a series of skewer-related cries, the others next to him couldn’t help but follow suit, adding extra skewers.
The greedy insects were all roused by him.

After they found a small table and sat down, Guo Jingyu ordered a lot in one go, as everything in his memories got more vivid.
He and Li Tongzhou have returned to eat at this shop quite a lot of times, so as soon as they walked in, there was a sense of familiarity.

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Li Tongzhou rinsed the tea leaves before pouring a cup and pushing it over to him.

For a moment, he stared dazedly at the cup of tea.
It had been a long time since Guo Jingyu experienced Li Tongzhou’s meticulous care.
“What’s wrong? Do you want soda? I saw some nearby.
I’ll buy it…” said Li Tongzhou. 

Guo Jingyu shook his head.
The light in the shop wasn’t great, but that’s why he could raise his head and stare at Li Tongzhou in an open and direct manner, unconcerned that he’d notice his unsightly red eyes.
“No need, I love drinking this,” he replied softly with a smile as he grasped the cup and sipped the tea.

 

Big Li’s shop was a small-scale business.
When delivering the food, the payment would usually be collected on the way.
Guo Jingyu’s hand reached out to touch his pocket, only to discover something embarrassing.
He had no money in his pocket.

Li Tongzhou was not surprised at all.
He grabbed money from his school bag to pay. 

They had quite a good relationship when they were students, sharing everything without distinction.

But right now, Guo Jingyu’s face reddened with slight shame.
He wanted to be good to Li Tongzhou, to see him, to eat with him, and take care of him, but he didn’t expect that the first meal after they met again would be paid by Li Tongzhou.

 

“The chicken gristles are here, why aren’t you eating them?” asked Li Tongzhou.

“Eating, eating.” 

Guo Jingyu picked up a skewer.
He’d had so many exotic delicacies from various places over the years.
After he ate the skewers once again from this off-campus little shop, he felt that the taste wasn’t as good as he recalled.
However, looking up at Li Tongzhou sitting beside him, he thought that the skewer had become fragrant and pleasant again.
When he took a bite, it was especially oily and savory.

Li Tongzhou ate with elegance, and wasn’t picky, but if he came across food he didn’t like, he’d eat it awfully slowly.

He didn’t like eating shiitake mushrooms, and also didn’t eat chicken gristle very much.
He chose only two skewers of chicken wing tips to eat slowly.

Guo Jingyu grabbed the shiitake mushrooms he was slowly gnawing and ate them himself. 

Li Tongzhou gave him a glance.

“What?”

Li Tongzhou shook his head, saying, “I ordered a lot, you don’t have to force yourself.”

“Hm?” 

“Don’t you dislike eating mushrooms, too?”

“What to do then~ the boss gave us these two skewers.
It’ll be a loss of money if we don’t eat it.
One person in our family must eat it ah, or else it’ll be a waste.” Guo Jingyu spoke half-jokingly with Li Tongzhou’s gaze still at him.
Moments later, Li Tongzhou smiled and lowered his head, resuming to devour the grilled skewers.

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Guo Jingyu’s heart fluttered as he was swept in by his smile.
He wished right then and there he could perform eating a hundred skewers of shiitake mushrooms.

How could this person be so good, ne? 

The mere sight of him prompted the side of his lips to unintentionally rise into a smile.

Guo Jingyu ate a little more, mesmerized by the person in front of him.

 

He and Li Tongzhou  did not live in the same neighborhood, but because the route is the same, they still rode the bus together.
On their way home, they were caught up in the rush hour. 

There was no seat, so Li Tongzhou carried both of their school bags on one shoulder while clutching the circular strap handle to support himself with one hand, all the while protecting Guo Jingyu, who was in front of him.

Guo Jingyu turned to him, wanting to hold his own school bag.

 

Li Tongzhou thought he couldn’t stand firmly, so as soon as he stretched out his hand, Li Tongzhou held it very naturally.

Guo Jingyu said, “I’ll just hold my bag myself.” 

Li Tongzhou didn’t give it to him, but he did stare at him languidly before saying, “I think you’re acting a bit… strange today.”

“How?”

“You’re treating me nicely.”

“Ah?” 

Li Tongzhou chuckled.
His half-drooped eyes looked at him as he spoke in a voice that only both of them could hear, “You helped me carry the homeworks, didn’t play soccer with the others to accompany me to eat skewers, and even wanted to carry your own school bag.
Guo Jingyu, do you…” Guo Jingyu’s pulse raced as he saw his lowered head approaching.
After Li Tongzhou got close, he asked him in a whisper, “Do you want to copy my homework?”

Guo Jingyu’s forehead suddenly bumped into his.
It just so happened that the brake had been stomped a bit hard, which caused the two of them to collide and cry out in pain.
They examined each other, and then burst out laughing.

The author has something to say:

When he was punished to stand outside the classroom door. 

Guo-Successful Figure-Jingyu: wHA? My image isn’t actually a top student, but a learning scum?!

Li Tongzhou, studying seriously in the classroom: He’s so cute.