Childhood Affection - Chapter 8 - Keeping the Appointment

The week after the class reassignment was quite exhausting. Finally, Friday arrived, but Liu Jiangang still had a few words to say before dismissing the class. Once he finished, school was finally over. Yin Qianyang just packed two books and then walked to the window to wait for Nie Weishan.

Nie Weishan was leisurely organizing a stack of draft papers filled with drawings. Yin Qianyang picked one up and said, “You might as well study art. The academic subjects’ score requirements are lower.”

Nie Weishan took it back and put it away, “But it’s expensive. Besides, I’m only good at drawing these; I’m an amateur at anything else.”

After packing up, they left together. Yin Qianyang stretched, “Finally, it’s the weekend. Tomorrow, I’m sleeping until eleven.” As they reached the staircase, they bumped into their class teacher, who was about to leave.

“Mr. Liu, heading home?” Nie Weishan greeted first, “Take care on your way.”

Liu Jiangang said, “You two should head home right away too. No loitering or fooling around. You’re already in your sophomore year; you should be more focused. Don’t waste your days.”

Yin Qianyang, clutching his backpack straps, followed down the stairs and curiously asked, “Mr. Liu, why are you teaching Class Nine? I think you should be teaching the key class.”

After he finished, Nie Weishan pinched the back of his neck. Once Liu Jiangang headed towards the staff shed, Nie Weishan said, “Can you use your brain properly? If you can’t speak well, just keep quiet. Are you trying to upset Jiangang?”

“What did I do wrong?” Yin Qianyang was confused and felt wronged, “I was complimenting him. I think he’s at the level to teach the key class. Isn’t that a compliment?”

Nie Weishan stopped and said, “I think you should be as good-looking as Jie-Jie, but why do you look like this? How do you feel?”

“Damn! What’s wrong with how I look!” Yin Qianyang’s face turned red, and he was fuming. As they got their bikes and left the school, he didn’t say a word all the way, waiting at red lights and crossing intersections.

Nie Weishan also felt wronged. He was just giving an example to help the other understand the art of language, but who knew it would upset him.

When they stopped at the alley entrance, Yin Qianyang got off his bike and walked away without even saying goodbye. Nie Weishan grabbed his backpack strap and said, “Why are you mad? I just wanted you to put yourself in Jiangang’s shoes.”

Yin Qianyang kept his back turned, “My self-esteem is hurt. I don’t have time to put myself in anyone else’s shoes.”

Nie Weishan pulled Yin Qianyang back to stand in front of him, changing the subject. “The competition among teachers is fierce. Jiangang got reported for tutoring outside of school, so they took him off the key class.”

Yin Qianyang turned his head and asked, “Wasn’t that something from freshman year?”

“It was reported again. Apparently, it’s because Jiangang’s family is struggling-his elderly parents are sick or something,” Nie Weishan let go of him. “The school cut him some slack because of that. Plus, Jiangang’s a great teacher. They’re not going to fire him.”

Yin Qianyang nodded, then said, “Don’t try to distract me. The whole ‘hurting my self-esteem’ thing isn’t over.”

Nie Weishan’s patience was wearing thin, so he pushed Yin Qianyang away, but his words were soft. “Fine, I won’t go play basketball with Lei Zheng tomorrow. We’ll go out instead. Whatever you want to do, we’ll do it.”

Yin Qianyang hopped back a step, his back turned resolutely. “No, no, I was just kidding. Go play basketball. Don’t worry about me.”

After all, he had to go to the Sports School tomorrow to meet Qin Zhan.

Yin Qianyang ordered Nie Yingyu not to tell Nie Weishan about Qin Zhan. It already bothered him that Qin Zhan knew Nie Weishan’s name. What if Nie Weishan got dragged into this mess?

But going to the Sports School? That was like walking into the lion’s den.

Yin Qianyang shook his head and went home. He ate a big meal, then locked himself in his bedroom and went to bed before ten. He needed to rest up for the challenge ahead.

The next morning at eight, Nie Yingyu was brushing his teeth by the basin in the yard. He had a tutoring session that morning, and Nie Weishan had just woken up, leaning against the doorframe, still half-asleep. Not long after, Yin Qianyang ran in from outside and said, “I picked up breakfast for you guys too. Here!”

Nie Weishan opened his eyes and took it. “Did you go for a run?”

“Yeah, just stretching my legs,” Yin Qianyang was sweating profusely. He put down the deep-fried dough sticks and ran back, only to turn around and come back to Nie Yingyu. He didn’t say anything, just patted him on the shoulder.

Nie Yingyu nodded. “I won’t say a word. Don’t worry.”

Nie Weishan went back inside to eat the dough sticks, completely unaware of the exchange. After eating, he rested for a bit, then went to the shop to help the old man clean up. Later, he met up with Lei Zheng to play basketball. Yin Qianyang also went home to grab a quick bite, then took a shower and changed. After that, he rummaged through his closet, scattering shoe boxes all over the floor.

Bai Meixian smacked him on the back. “What are you messing around for?”

“Mom, I remember I had a pair of spike shoes. Where did you put them?” He’d been searching for a while but couldn’t find them. Last time he got beaten up so badly because of those shoes. This time, he needed to be fully prepared.

After searching for what felt like forever, he finally found them. He cleaned them off, put them on, and jumped around a few times to test them out. Yin Qianyang checked the time and got ready to head out for his appointment.

“Yin Qianyang, there’s someone here to see you!” Yin Qianjie called out from the yard.

“Who is it?” Yin Qianyang glanced out the window and saw Bingbing. “Bingbing, what brings you here?”

“Missed you, that’s all. Wanna go swimming? It’ll be too cold soon,” Bingbing walked in, holding a bag. “Here, these are the two packs of underwear you bought me. I’m returning them.”

Yin Qianyang was puzzled, “Why? Don’t you like them?”

“They’re squeezing my balls!” Bingbing punched him lightly. “You wear them yourself. They’re perfect for your tiny butt and little bird.”

Yin Qianyang tugged at his waistband, ready to prove a point, “Who’s tiny? Take a good look! It’s all the same 100 grams of meat, what’s so superior about yours? Do you have a whole kilo down there?”

Bingbing waved his hand, “Just kidding. So, are we going swimming or not?”

“Nah, I’ve got stuff to do,” Yin Qianyang said, then slung an arm over Bingbing’s shoulder. “Bingbing, wanna go to the Sports School with me? That Qin Zhan guy challenged me again. Let’s go together.”

Bingbing immediately pulled away, “Are you out of your mind? Didn’t you get beaten up enough last time? You’re going back for more?”

Yin Qianyang snapped out of it a little, realizing he couldn’t drag Bingbing into this. That would just be unfair, and he wasn’t that kind of person. So he said, “Just messing with you. Let’s go swimming next week. I’m gonna head to my grandma’s with my mom later.”

After Bingbing left, Yin Qianjie went shopping with her friends, while Bai Meixian and Yin Xiangdong headed to her grandma’s. Yin Qianyang grabbed nothing but his house keys and a hundred yuan, then took a taxi to the Sports School. He felt both cool and pathetic.

Weekends at the Sports School weren’t mandatory for training, and no one volunteered to stay late. Qin Zhan was leaning against the goalpost, listening to music. By the seventh song, he spotted Yin Qianyang approaching. He stood up, brushing grass off himself, and said, “Thought you’d chicken out.”

Yin Qianyang walked over and crossed his arms, “There’s nothing I’m scared of. By the way, your school’s pretty big. I passed three cafeterias and four supermarkets on the way here. Are you guys being raised like livestock?”

“Stop showing off,” Qin Zhan put his phone on the ground. “If you’re really that tough, why lie? Using someone else’s name? A real man doesn’t change his name or hide behind others. Only cowards do that.”

Yin Qianyang didn’t bother arguing further and asked, “How do you know Nie Weishan?”

Qin Zhan coughed and looked away. He didn’t want to know, okay?

“However you found out, let me make this clear: if you’ve got a problem, take it up with me. Leave him out of it,” Yin Qianyang placed his keys on the ground, signaling he was ready. “So, right here on the field? If things get bloody, don’t let your dean find out.”

Qin Zhan walked onto the track, “What blood? You think I’m here to fight you?”

“Wait, if we’re not fighting, why am I here?” Yin Qianyang was completely confused.

If I beat you up here, I’ll probably get beaten up by that Nie guy tonight. But I can’t just swallow being lied to, Qin Zhan thought, rotating his ankle. “We’re competing today. If I win, you admit defeat and apologize.”

Yin Qianyang, thinking Qin Zhan was intimidated by his skills, felt a little smug. “And if I win?”

Qin Zhan shouted, “If you win, I’ll quit the track and field team!”

The sun blazed overhead, making it unbearable to walk without an umbrella. Yet, the players on the University of Science and Technology basketball court seemed unfazed. During breaks, they drank half a bottle of water and poured the other half over their heads, letting it flow down their bodies, soaking their tank tops along with their sweat.

Nie Weishan glanced at his phone to check the time. It was almost noon. They planned to grab lunch at the university cafeteria and continue playing in the afternoon. As he walked, he called Yin Qianyang, thinking if Yin was bored at home, he could come over. But there was no answer.

Yin Qianyang’s phone lay on his bedroom bed while he sprinted across the Sports School track. Two steps ahead of him was Qin Zhan. They had already run five laps around the 400-meter track.

First event: a 3,500-meter long-distance run.

Sweat stung their eyes as they pushed each other, neither willing to give up. Yin Qianyang’s bangs were soaked, but the wind from running provided some relief. The final 100 meters-he gritted his teeth, accelerated, and charged forward with all his might!

Qin Zhan also sped up, shouting, “There’s-a-dog-chasing-me!”

“Damn you!” Yin Qianyang chased relentlessly but fell behind during a lane change. In mere seconds, they crossed the finish line. He lost.

Qin Zhan, more experienced, didn’t stop immediately but walked around to catch his breath. Yin Qianyang, however, collapsed to the ground, panting like a dog sticking out its tongue to cool down. He muttered, “Track and field is your strength. Why don’t you just compete in hurdles?”

Qin Zhan grinned, “Then let’s do hurdles next. You dare?”

“There’s nothing I don’t dare!” Yin Qianyang scrambled to his feet. “110-meter hurdles, like the Flying Man. I wore my spike shoes today just to nail you to the pillar of shame as a loser!”

It was noon, and the track was deserted. The two fools set up the hurdles themselves. After arranging them, they drank water, stretched, and crouched under the blazing sun, ready for the second round.

The phone lay nearby, and twenty seconds later, the starting bell rang. Yin Qianyang and Qin Zhan shot forward simultaneously, their calves tight, bodies slightly leaning forward, thighs lifting high. As they reached the first hurdle, they leaped!

Clang, clang, clang-Yin Qianyang knocked over a row of hurdles.

Having lost two events, Qin Zhan didn’t feel the slightest bit guilty about his victory. He picked up the phone and nudged Yin Qianyang, who was lying on the ground, “Still want to compete? If so, let’s eat first. I’ll treat you to cold noodles at our cafeteria.”

Yin Qianyang perked up at the mention of food, “You’re really that nice?”

“Moved by your sportsmanship,” Qin Zhan replied, heading toward the cafeteria. They ate cold noodles at Cafeteria No. 2. Yin Qianyang’s calves trembled uncontrollably, and his thighs quivered slightly as he mixed the noodles. He asked, “Can we add some fried skewers?”

They added a plate of fried skewers, and with fried skewers, drinks were a must, so they added a bottle of soda. After eating and drinking his fill, Yin Qianyang asked tentatively, “Can I crash at your dorm for a bit?”

Qin Zhan grabbed a steel spoon and swung it, “If you want to compete, let’s go. If not, get lost! You’re starting to take advantage of me!”

Five minutes later, the two of them arrived at the tennis court with their rackets slung over their shoulders. Yin Qianyang had reasoned that someone with strong lower body strength would have weaker upper body strength, so Qin Zhan’s weakness was bound to be exposed. It was the hottest part of the day, around two in the afternoon, and they were spinning and jumping on either side of the net. Their palms were so sweaty that the rackets kept slipping, and their knuckles turned white from gripping so tightly.

The score was tied, and the match was about to end. Yin Qianyang sprinted to the corner to return the ball but lost his balance and fell to the ground as he hit it.

There was no way he could return the next ball. He was going to lose again!

At the critical moment, Qin Zhan on the other side let out a roar, leaped into the air, and swung his racket with all his might for a powerful smash! The tennis ball soared high into the air, and the racket slammed to the ground.

Yin Qianyang, still lying on the ground, laughed, “You actually dropped your racket?”

Qin Zhan collapsed onto the court, “It’s a tie. I’m done. If we keep going, I’m going to get heatstroke.”

“This counts as you forfeiting, so I’m not apologizing,” Yin Qianyang said, his lower body completely numb and his arms too sore to move. “I should’ve gone swimming with Bingbing instead. At least it would’ve been cooler.”

Qin Zhan paused for a moment, “We have a swimming pool at our school. Wanna go?”

Nie Weishan had called Yin Qianyang five or six times that afternoon, but none of the calls went through. By four or five o’clock, everyone had finished playing and left. Nie Weishan rode his e-bike home, only to find that Yin Qianyang hadn’t taken his phone.

Bai Meixian said, “Weishan, go take a shower. We’re having spare ribs stew for dinner.”

Nie Weishan helped wash the vegetables first, “Aunt Xian, where’s Yang?”

“Who knows where he’s gone off to? He didn’t even take his phone. I wanted him to pick up some steamed buns on the way back, but I guess I can’t count on him,” Bai Meixian said as she took out the pressure cooker. Nie Weishan went to shower, saying, “I’ll go buy the steamed buns later. Maybe I’ll run into him on his way back.”

After showering and changing, Nie Weishan felt refreshed and headed to the supermarket at the intersection to buy steamed buns. By the time he came out, the sky was starting to darken. As he walked back, he noticed a taxi parked at the alley entrance. The road there was narrow, and taxis usually didn’t come in. Then he saw Yin Qianyang getting out of the car.

Yin Qianyang took a small step with his left leg, then a small step with his right. His neck, shoulders, and back were all aching terribly, his waist and hips felt like they were bound by iron hoops, and his legs were practically useless. Otherwise, he would’ve gotten out of the taxi at the intersection.

“Yang!” Nie Weishan called out first, then strode over. He stopped in front of Yin Qianyang, “I saw you dawdling from a distance. Let’s go, dinner’s ready.”

He reached out to pull him, but Yin Qianyang let out a wail and knelt down, practically kowtowing to him.

“What the hell? What’s going on?” Nie Weishan took two steps back in shock, “Should I get you crutches?”

Yin Qianyang looked up, “Today I ran 3,500 meters, did the 110-meter hurdles, played tennis, and swam a thousand meters. My legs are jelly.” The more he talked, the more miserable he felt. He raised his sore arm, wanting Nie Weishan to pull him up.

Nie Weishan stepped closer again, “Want me to carry you back?”

Yin Qianyang shook his head, on the verge of tears, “The hurdles messed up my legs. I can’t even spread them now.”

“Lucky it’s this time of day and there’s no one around. Put your arms around my neck,” Nie Weishan said, then lifted Yin Qianyang off the ground and carried him horizontally, a bag of steamed buns dangling from his finger.

In his current state of near-disability, Yin Qianyang was beyond embarrassment. He buried his face and stayed silent as Nie Weishan carried him into the alley, asking, “What exactly did you do today?”

“I had an appointment.”

“What kind of appointment?”

“I thought it was a fight, but it turned out to be a competition,” Yin Qianyang answered softly, obediently answering every question. He reached down to tug at his pants. Nie Weishan glared and scolded, “Stop moving around, or I’ll drop you.”

Yin Qianyang explained, “After swimming, I threw away my underwear. There’s nothing underneath now. I’m worried about flashing someone.”

Nie Weishan could only say one thing, “Yin Qianyang.”

“Yeah?”

“You’re the king of idiots. I’m honestly impressed.”