Chapter 160: Chapter 159: Your Home is Here (1)
During the break after Wednesday’s second class, Robber Hao announced the school’s temporary decision in class: Since the teachers need to attend a meeting at the city education bureau this afternoon, all first-year classes are canceled for today, and the evening tutorial classes are also called off.
Robber Hao stood on the podium and spoke at length about the reasons and requirements for the holiday, but the students sitting below had already tuned out.
Since the tutorial classes started, the word "holiday" had really become just a noun for all students. A rare chance to relax, causing everyone to instantly burst with excitement.
After Robber Hao left, the third physics class was practically ignored, with small and large notes flying everywhere.
Finally, as the class dismissal bell rang, Wang Jiayue approached Zhao Meimei’s seat and enthusiastically invited her: "Meimei, there’s no one at my house this afternoon, why don’t you and Xu Xu come over to play? How about it? I have a new gaming console and chocolate imported from the United States, oh, and there’s a pizza place downstairs, we can get fried chicken if you want."
Zhao Meimei thought about how Shi Yang’s mother often goes shopping or to beauty parlors in the afternoon, leaving no one at home, and readily agreed: "Sure!"
Upon hearing that Zhao Meimei was also going, Xu Xu agreed even more straightforwardly. When school dismissed at noon, the three of them took a cab together to Wang Jiayue’s house.
Wang Jiayue lived in the southern part of the city, in a newly-built high-end housing complex. As the taxi entered the gate of the compound, a security guard came over to register the license plate number. Upon entering the building, Zhao Meimei and Xu Xu were astonished to find that the building actually had an elevator, and Wang Jiayue lived in a high-rise. High-rises back then were usually only about thirteen or fourteen floors, and Wang Jiayue’s home was a top-floor duplex.
Seated in the elevator, Zhao Meimei playfully teased Wang Jiayue: "I guess you really are one of those rich kids, huh?"
Wang Jiayue had gotten familiar with her long ago and wasn’t annoyed, laughing: "It’s alright!"
Zhao Meimei playfully smacked her, and the two started fooling around.
Xu Xu, remaining silent, stood on the side watching them fool around. As the elevator was nearing its stop, he finally spoke up to remind them.
Wang Jiayue’s home was exceptionally large, with luxurious and high-end decor upstairs and downstairs.
Zhao Meimei dragged Xu Xu around for a tour, finally lounging on the balcony and gazing at the broad landscape, feeling her mood lift as well.
Wang Jiayue skillfully made a phone call to order fast food, with all three gathered around the coffee table, eating while watching the big television mounted on the wall, feeling just like they were in a cinema.
Zhao Meimei had never been curious about Wang Jiayue’s family before, but today she was momentarily intrigued and asked: "Is your dad a big boss? So wealthy?"
Wang Jiayue for once showed a hint of disdain: "Kind of. He’s in real estate development, the one who built this housing complex."
Zhao Meimei widened her eyes, and she and Xu Xu exchanged glances, realizing how wealthy one must be to build a housing complex!
Thinking it over, Zhao Meimei said: "With your dad’s big business, he must be busy with work and lacks time to care for you."
Wang Jiayue, whether stimulated by Zhao Meimei and Xu Xu’s surprised expressions or comforted by being back home in her familiar surroundings, spoke with a slight hint of disdain mixed with some sarcasm in her tone.
Wang Jiayue wiped her mouth with a napkin: "Even if he has time, he wouldn’t spend it on caring for me, all he sees is money."
Hearing this, Zhao Meimei was momentarily unsure of how to continue, looking to Xu Xu.
Xu Xu attempted to change the subject, casually asking: "So what does your mom do?"
Wang Jiayue replied: "My mom divorced my dad when I was little. I don’t know what she’s doing now, she hasn’t contacted me since."
Xu Xu: "....."
Seeing Zhao Meimei and Xu Xu fall silent, Wang Jiayue realized her reaction might have been awkward, quickly apologizing with a smile: "Sorry, whenever I talk about my parents, I can’t quite control my emotions."
Zhao Meimei quickly dismissed it: "It’s okay, no problem."
Xu Xu followed up: "It’s similar for me too; I don’t have a dad, I live with my mom."
Wang Jiayue hadn’t felt much before, but upon hearing Xu Xu talk about his background, although she already knew, hearing him say it himself stirred an inexplicable emotional wave, akin to finding a kindred spirit in their strange camaraderie.
Wang Jiayue had money but lacked love, whereas Xu Xu didn’t lack love but lacked money.
Many children from divorced or single-parent families experience this. They are relatively fortunate; at least Wang Jiayue’s father is focused on his career and, despite any external romantic pursuits, hasn’t formally welcomed someone as a stepmother, sparing Wang Jiayue the trouble of dealing with a stepmother. Her life is thus somewhat easier. Xu Xu’s mother tirelessly hustling alone makes their tight and impoverished life still not overly miserable, as they rely on each other for survival.
As these thoughts swirled, Xu Xu and Wang Jiayue glanced at Zhao Meimei beside them, who was earnestly munching on fried chicken without a care. They couldn’t help but smile at each other, wondering how lucky one must be to live like Zhao Meimei, and how fortunate they are to have met someone so genuine, who never looked down or nitpicked at them.
Zhao Meimei and Xu Xu nestled in Wang Jiayue’s house in the afternoon, watching two movie discs together — one comedy and one suspense.
Just as they reached an exciting part, Zhao Meimei’s phone rang. When she saw that it was Shi Yang calling, she suddenly remembered she was so happy about the holiday that she forgot to update Shi Yang.
Answering the call, Zhao Meimei, upon hearing that Shi Yang wanted to come pick her up, quickly asked for Wang Jiayue’s address and reported it clearly.
Shi Yang hung up the phone, feeling somewhat amused.
He had learned in Robber Hao’s office that all senior year teachers had gone to a meeting at the city education bureau this afternoon. Robber Hao happened to have left his home key at the office, so he had to make a special return to pick it up. If it weren’t for a parent delivering gifts blocking him earlier, Shi Yang would definitely be facing a closed door.
With no outsiders in the office, Shi Yang and Robber Hao were both more relaxed when speaking.
Robber Hao detailed Zhao Meimei’s performance in class with praise, making Shi Yang beam with joy. As he left, he courteously handed a shopping card to Robber Hao, who accepted it after a polite exchange.
After leaving the teaching building, Shi Yang called Zhao Meimei, and upon hearing she’d gone to play at Wang Jiayue’s, and learning of Wang Jiayue’s home address, he was momentarily stunned. He had visited this housing complex before, as a new kindergarten was under construction there, and he intended to help Qu Chaozong contact them for business.