My Soulmate is A Libero
July in Guangzhou was already very hot. Qin Chunxiao scratched his head, thinking that in two more months, the heat wouldn’t be as intense. After all, in September, the typhoon king “Mangkhut” would make landfall, and the reporters would need to weigh less than 300 pounds to venture out and report the weather.
But weather changes were beyond even scientists’ control, let alone Qin Chunxiao’s. So, he could only mutter a few words and quickly immerse himself in his studies.
Don’t think that the heaviest workload was in the final year of high school. In the second semester of the second year of high school, the atmosphere was already tense! Qin Chunxiao’s homeroom teacher, to ensure that this student who was often away competing internationally wouldn’t fall behind his classmates, worked together with a classmate in the same neighbors to record videos of all the content from the final year and sent them to Qin Chunxiao.
To be precise, all the teachers in Class 12 of the Sixth High School participated in this video recording.
Qin Chunxiao had already studied the material for the final year, and he was prepared to review it on his own. When he received this generous gift from the teachers, he felt a mix of gratitude and sadness. He was undoubtedly touched, but as a student, no matter how much he had experienced, he still felt that he had to work hard in his studies to live up to everyone’s expectations.
His sister comforted him during a phone call, “It’s okay. After all, you are an athlete. Everyone just hopes you can get into a key university. Your target university is in the Top 985, so as long as you can get into the center’s school, you’ve already exceeded the teacher’s goal.”
Qin Chunxiao replied, “Yeah, that’s true.”
Qin Chunfeng added, “So, you have to focus on the exam today. Your sister supports you spiritually.”
“Okay, thanks.”
Qin’s parents were away on a business trip again.
In this era of the rise of new energy vehicles, Qin’s father, as a researcher in the field of batteries, had only recently been promoted to associate professor in the first half of this year. However, the specific focus of his research, sorry to say, even if he told it to little Qin, he wouldn’t understand.
The Qin family only knew that his father’s workplace had moved to a technology park in the Shanghai. When he went out, he had to give lectures, and at home, the family only vaguely knew that he was no longer working on electric car batteries, but they had no idea what kind of equipment his batteries would be used on.
As for his mother, she was also one of the first groups to ride the wave of new energy vehicles. Currently, she mainly sold small and medium-sized electric cars. To expand her business, she frequently traveled and was often not at home. But it was said that she frequently went on business trips to the Shanghai and then stayed in Qin’s father’s dormitory…
Qin Chunxiao pondered for a moment and felt that his mother’s intentions were not in business trips but rather aimed at his father. She had just posted on WeChat two days ago, saying that her frequent business trips had finally come to an end. Now, she was running off to the Shanghai again. There must be a reason for it.
Poor 17-year-old little Qin had inadvertently eaten dog food from Chang Xiaole and Kristian in foreign countries. When he returned to China and waited for his flight, he saw Fu Xiaoji’s sweet smile when sending a message to Wang Chuntian. Now that he finally returned home, he still had to eat his parents’ dog food over the phone.
Compared to dog food, he would rather eat rice noodle rolls.
Coincidentally, Lu Xuandong had just bought a rice noodle roll machine and decided to prepare a rich breakfast for Qin Chunxiao on the day of the final exams.
After his morning run, Qin Chunxiao returned home and talked with his sister on the phone, only to find that Lu Xuandong was still busy in the kitchen.
To set the mood, Qin Chunxiao took out his phone and played some background music.
Lu Xuandong, being a retired top star in the entertainment industry and specializing in music before his retirement, immediately recognized that it was the classic opening music from the movie “Eat Drink Man Woman.”
The song was called “Pa’s Kitchen 1.”
Lu Xuandong looked at his own kitchen, a blend of Eastern and Western cuisines with an oven and a steamer, and the kitchen utensils hanging full on the shelf. In the sink, there was a basin of water with two live fish in it, which was meant to be used for stewing soup for the examinee Qin Chunxiao.
After all, Guangdong people liked to drink soup for good health. Qin Chunxiao said that when he was in the national team, the cafeteria would use expensive ingredients worth thousands of yuan to stew soup for the athletes. Lu Xuandong felt that at this critical moment of the final exams, he must stew good soup for Xiaoxi.
He quietly opened the rice noodle roll machine and took out the shrimp rice noodle rolls that were already done, drenched them with sauce, and let Qin Chunxiao start eating while he continued to work in the kitchen.
After a while, Lu Xuandong took out a basket of xiaolongbao from the steamer, along with a seasoned dish. He handed it to Qin Chunxiao and said, “There are also some dishes like steamed chicken feet, beef tripe, and shrimp dumplings for lunch.”
He didn’t make too much, afraid that Qin Chunxiao couldn’t finish it all. Chicken, duck, fish, and other ingredients would be used for lunch.
After eating a full breakfast, Qin Chunxiao gulped down a large glass of milk, carried his school bag, and held a box of egg tarts as he got into the Land Rover. The ex-superstar and current philosophical crown prince drove him to Sixth High School.
After eating to 90% full, the egg tarts were eaten slowly. When Qin Chunxiao got off the car, there were still three left. Lu Xuandong picked up his phone and put it in front of him.
“I’ll bring you lunch at noon.”
Qin Chunxiao nodded.
The guards at the school were very kind. At this time, as long as you told them, “Brother, I’m sending lunch to my own child,” they would remind you to stay on this side of the school gate and not go far.
Lu Xuandong wore sunglasses and a mask, wrapped up tightly even in this hot weather. He held a large box and stood out in the crowd.
This guy, who stands at one meter ninety-seven with shoes on, was easily two meters tall. Qin Chunxiao led him to sit under the shade of a tree.
Lu Xuandong cleared his throat and raised his phone.
[Time is tight, so I didn’t make anything too complicated.]
Qin Chunxiao gestured that it’s fine.
Having someone bring fresh cooked meals was already great, and Qin Chunxiao didn’t want to be picky. Besides, with Lu Xuandong’s cooking skills, no matter what he makes, Qin Chunxiao would enjoy it.
Then, he saw Lu Xuandong solemnly spread out a picnic mat and opened the four-layer lunch boxes one by one.
Crab meat with Chinese cabbage.
Stir-fried calamari.
Soy sauce chicken.
Tender beef with scrambled eggs.
And a clear fish soup.
The rice was mixed grains, white rice, black rice, and quinoa, all mixed together. As he opened the lunchbox, the aroma of the food wafted into his nostrils.
There were also double-skinned milk and black sesame paste for dessert after the meal.
Feeling his own abdominal muscles, Qin Chunxiao thought about his low body fat among his team members. He felt calm; he could continue to eat and not be afraid of gaining weight. After returning to training, he could lose weight with his teammates. Each time they had a break, the coach would plan a weight loss program for the players.
With the assistance of the top-level exam accompany, Lu Xuandong, Qin Chunxiao’s final exams were completed with extraordinary performance. Based on the post-exam estimation, he believed he would be among the top twenty in his grade.
At this point, they only had 60 hours left. Qin Chunxiao carried a volleyball signed by the entire Chinese men’s volleyball team and asked Lu Xuandong to drive him to see Uncle Gao.
Uncle Gao held the volleyball. Although he knew the volleyball itself wasn’t expensive, the signatures on it made him feel excited and unsure how to hold it properly.
“This is too precious, this gift is too precious,” Uncle Gao muttered, then asked, “Can you get Roman’s signature too?”
Qin Chunxiao put his hands on his hips and replied, “What’s difficult about that? I’m still playing in the Russian Super League this year. I can get his signature when we meet in a game. Or, maybe I should bring a T-shirt for him to sign?”
Uncle Gao immediately handed him a shirt, saying, “This is my size. Remember to take it with you when you go to Russia!”
“Sure, sure.”
The two chatted for a while, and when Qin Chunxiao left, he still had a happy smile on his face. But at that moment, Gao Depi sent him a message.
When Qin Chunxiao saw the message, his pupils constricted. He immediately asked Lu Xuandong to take him to Guangzhou Hospital.
The coach Yang Yun, who discovered Qin Chunxiao and gave him the opportunity to enter the Guangdong Provincial Team, finally returned to Guangzhou after a long journey with his grandson, who also had Marfan syndrome. The two entered the hospital, and by the way, Coach Yang had been the coach for Gao De Pi, Ding Rong, Tong Shulan, and the other athletes who participated in the 2007 World Youth Championship. Many players in the Chinese men’s volleyball national team today have a teacher-student relationship with Coach Yang Yun.
When Qin Chunxiao went to visit Coach Yang with a fruit basket, the coach was already in the dying stages. Gao Depi’s parents were busy and only quickly thanked Qin Chunxiao without extra energy to take care of him.
Gao Depi was there, and he sat on the ground in the corridor with red eyes. When he saw Qin Chunxiao coming, he looked up and forced a smile. “Are you done with the exams?”
“Yeah, I think I did okay,” Qin Chunxiao replied as he sat next to him.
“If you think you did okay, you must have done very well,” Gao Depi said.
They sat for a while, and Lu Xuandong quietly leaned aside, waiting for the right time. When the time came, he sent Qin Chunxiao a message, quickly went back to make food, and brought it over.
When Coach Yang was still conscious, he specifically told his family and Chen Aiguo not to tell the boys about his critical condition. He didn’t want to delay their volleyball and training, especially when some of them were still in high school, which was a crucial period and couldn’t be disturbed.
If Gao Depi and Yang Lan hadn’t known each other for a long time, they wouldn’t even know about Coach Yang’s condition. Qin Chunxiao also got the news from Gao Depi.
While eating the noodle dish with added shrimp and vegetables, Gao Depi choked up, and in the hospital, people cried every day. Doctors, nurses, and patients were used to it, but when Qin Chunxiao gave him a tissue, he fell asleep. Qin Chunxiao then covered him with his jacket and got up to call his other teammates.
At midnight, Yang Yun suddenly woke up and saw that many years ago, the players who fought with him in the World Youth Championship had come. A group of young tall players crowded outside the ward, looking at him through the glass window with concern.
They all came.
Coach Yang’s mouth moved, and he wanted to say something, but he couldn’t make a sound. But he thought that perhaps these kids had already understood what he wanted to say a long time ago.
“The moment I won the championship with you in the World Youth Championship was the most glorious moment of my coaching career. Take care of your health in the future.”
Coach Yang closed his eyes.
This was a miracle. In his final moments, Yang Yun opened his eyes and saw his family, beloved grandson, and the young men he was proud of. At 2 a.m., Yang Yun’s heartbeat stopped. According to his wishes, his corneas could be donated, and the rest of his body was cremated and scattered into the ocean. The ceremony was kept simple, without disturbing too many people. Everyone respected the old man’s will. On the day his ashes were scattered into the sea, many prominent volleyball coaches from China, including Newton and Chen Aiguo, as well as the players he had coached, attended the ceremony.
Yang Yun had led a diligent life, excelling in various roles such as player, coach, father, grandfather, and friend. Everyone cherished his goodness and wanted to keep this tall old man in their hearts. Now he had become a small box, and his favorite grandson, Yang Lan, stood at the bow of the boat, scattering his ashes into the deep blue sea.
For Qin Chunxiao, who won against many strong opponents in the VNL finals in July, he also lost two friends. Even though he ranked 15th in his grade after the final exams, it didn’t make him happy. Whenever he felt the most sorrowful, Qin Chunxiao wanted to see his sister. Without his sister, he would go to his grandparents. He messaged his grandparents and embarked on a journey to Foshan.
There was a direct subway between Guangzhou and Foshan, and the fare was cheap. Qin Chunjiao, dressed in black, and Li Ling, helped Guo Depi, who was crying on his knees, feel uneasy. They boarded and exited the subway. During the security check, they were looked at a few times by the security personnel, but they remained calm and didn’t cause any commotion. Once they passed the security check, Li Ling handed Qin Chunxiao’s backpack back to him.
As they walked away, the security officer was puzzled and pulled out a walkie-talkie, appearing as though she was going to call the station’s police comrades.
The security officer with the online name “Green and Oily” shook her head and smiled. She thought that maybe what Yomi had said was correct. The real people are different from the ones she wrote about in her fan fiction—they had a life even more wonderful than the story.
Qin Chunxiao and Lu Xuandong took the subway to the vicinity of the Green Leaf Children’s Heart Elementary School. They walked to the backyard of the Delicious Cake Shop. As they approached, the excited barks of a dog rang out. Qin Chunxiao took out the key and opened the door. A Bernese Mountain Dog jumped out of the backyard, standing upright on its hind legs. It placed its front paws on Qin Chunjiao’s waist and wagged its large tail like a propeller.
Qin Chunxiao smiled and said, “Cuihua, did you miss me?”
He bent down and picked up this over 100-pound dog like a child. After walking a few steps, he shook it before setting it down again. The backyard was filled with the scent of jasmine. Qin Chunxxiao crouched down, rubbing Cuihua’s ears, and the dog licked him several times.
Then he seemed to recall something and turned back to say, “My parents are busy with work. From my earliest memories until I went to kindergarten, I spent those years here. Isn’t it beautiful?”
Lu Xuandong crouched down beside him and tentatively reached out to stroke Cuihua’s head. The dog affectionately bumped its forehead against his hand.
He replied, “Yes, the flowers smell great. Just by smelling them, you can tell that this is a place where happiness spreads.”
My Soulmate is A Libero
July in Guangzhou was already very hot. Qin Chunxiao scratched his head, thinking that in two more months, the heat wouldn’t be as intense. After all, in September, the typhoon king “Mangkhut” would make landfall, and the reporters would need to weigh less than 300 pounds to venture out and report the weather.
But weather changes were beyond even scientists’ control, let alone Qin Chunxiao’s. So, he could only mutter a few words and quickly immerse himself in his studies.
Don’t think that the heaviest workload was in the final year of high school. In the second semester of the second year of high school, the atmosphere was already tense! Qin Chunxiao’s homeroom teacher, to ensure that this student who was often away competing internationally wouldn’t fall behind his classmates, worked together with a classmate in the same neighbors to record videos of all the content from the final year and sent them to Qin Chunxiao.
To be precise, all the teachers in Class 12 of the Sixth High School participated in this video recording.
Qin Chunxiao had already studied the material for the final year, and he was prepared to review it on his own. When he received this generous gift from the teachers, he felt a mix of gratitude and sadness. He was undoubtedly touched, but as a student, no matter how much he had experienced, he still felt that he had to work hard in his studies to live up to everyone’s expectations.
His sister comforted him during a phone call, “It’s okay. After all, you are an athlete. Everyone just hopes you can get into a key university. Your target university is in the Top 985, so as long as you can get into the center’s school, you’ve already exceeded the teacher’s goal.”
Qin Chunxiao replied, “Yeah, that’s true.”
Qin Chunfeng added, “So, you have to focus on the exam today. Your sister supports you spiritually.”
“Okay, thanks.”
Qin’s parents were away on a business trip again.
In this era of the rise of new energy vehicles, Qin’s father, as a researcher in the field of batteries, had only recently been promoted to associate professor in the first half of this year. However, the specific focus of his research, sorry to say, even if he told it to little Qin, he wouldn’t understand.
The Qin family only knew that his father’s workplace had moved to a technology park in the Shanghai. When he went out, he had to give lectures, and at home, the family only vaguely knew that he was no longer working on electric car batteries, but they had no idea what kind of equipment his batteries would be used on.
As for his mother, she was also one of the first groups to ride the wave of new energy vehicles. Currently, she mainly sold small and medium-sized electric cars. To expand her business, she frequently traveled and was often not at home. But it was said that she frequently went on business trips to the Shanghai and then stayed in Qin’s father’s dormitory…
Qin Chunxiao pondered for a moment and felt that his mother’s intentions were not in business trips but rather aimed at his father. She had just posted on WeChat two days ago, saying that her frequent business trips had finally come to an end. Now, she was running off to the Shanghai again. There must be a reason for it.
Poor 17-year-old little Qin had inadvertently eaten dog food from Chang Xiaole and Kristian in foreign countries. When he returned to China and waited for his flight, he saw Fu Xiaoji’s sweet smile when sending a message to Wang Chuntian. Now that he finally returned home, he still had to eat his parents’ dog food over the phone.
Compared to dog food, he would rather eat rice noodle rolls.
Coincidentally, Lu Xuandong had just bought a rice noodle roll machine and decided to prepare a rich breakfast for Qin Chunxiao on the day of the final exams.
After his morning run, Qin Chunxiao returned home and talked with his sister on the phone, only to find that Lu Xuandong was still busy in the kitchen.
To set the mood, Qin Chunxiao took out his phone and played some background music.
Lu Xuandong, being a retired top star in the entertainment industry and specializing in music before his retirement, immediately recognized that it was the classic opening music from the movie “Eat Drink Man Woman.”
The song was called “Pa’s Kitchen 1.”
Lu Xuandong looked at his own kitchen, a blend of Eastern and Western cuisines with an oven and a steamer, and the kitchen utensils hanging full on the shelf. In the sink, there was a basin of water with two live fish in it, which was meant to be used for stewing soup for the examinee Qin Chunxiao.
After all, Guangdong people liked to drink soup for good health. Qin Chunxiao said that when he was in the national team, the cafeteria would use expensive ingredients worth thousands of yuan to stew soup for the athletes. Lu Xuandong felt that at this critical moment of the final exams, he must stew good soup for Xiaoxi.
He quietly opened the rice noodle roll machine and took out the shrimp rice noodle rolls that were already done, drenched them with sauce, and let Qin Chunxiao start eating while he continued to work in the kitchen.
After a while, Lu Xuandong took out a basket of xiaolongbao from the steamer, along with a seasoned dish. He handed it to Qin Chunxiao and said, “There are also some dishes like steamed chicken feet, beef tripe, and shrimp dumplings for lunch.”
He didn’t make too much, afraid that Qin Chunxiao couldn’t finish it all. Chicken, duck, fish, and other ingredients would be used for lunch.
After eating a full breakfast, Qin Chunxiao gulped down a large glass of milk, carried his school bag, and held a box of egg tarts as he got into the Land Rover. The ex-superstar and current philosophical crown prince drove him to Sixth High School.
After eating to 90% full, the egg tarts were eaten slowly. When Qin Chunxiao got off the car, there were still three left. Lu Xuandong picked up his phone and put it in front of him.
“I’ll bring you lunch at noon.”
Qin Chunxiao nodded.
The guards at the school were very kind. At this time, as long as you told them, “Brother, I’m sending lunch to my own child,” they would remind you to stay on this side of the school gate and not go far.
Lu Xuandong wore sunglasses and a mask, wrapped up tightly even in this hot weather. He held a large box and stood out in the crowd.
This guy, who stands at one meter ninety-seven with shoes on, was easily two meters tall. Qin Chunxiao led him to sit under the shade of a tree.
Lu Xuandong cleared his throat and raised his phone.
[Time is tight, so I didn’t make anything too complicated.]
Qin Chunxiao gestured that it’s fine.
Having someone bring fresh cooked meals was already great, and Qin Chunxiao didn’t want to be picky. Besides, with Lu Xuandong’s cooking skills, no matter what he makes, Qin Chunxiao would enjoy it.
Then, he saw Lu Xuandong solemnly spread out a picnic mat and opened the four-layer lunch boxes one by one.
Crab meat with Chinese cabbage.
Stir-fried calamari.
Soy sauce chicken.
Tender beef with scrambled eggs.
And a clear fish soup.
The rice was mixed grains, white rice, black rice, and quinoa, all mixed together. As he opened the lunchbox, the aroma of the food wafted into his nostrils.
There were also double-skinned milk and black sesame paste for dessert after the meal.
Feeling his own abdominal muscles, Qin Chunxiao thought about his low body fat among his team members. He felt calm; he could continue to eat and not be afraid of gaining weight. After returning to training, he could lose weight with his teammates. Each time they had a break, the coach would plan a weight loss program for the players.
With the assistance of the top-level exam accompany, Lu Xuandong, Qin Chunxiao’s final exams were completed with extraordinary performance. Based on the post-exam estimation, he believed he would be among the top twenty in his grade.
At this point, they only had 60 hours left. Qin Chunxiao carried a volleyball signed by the entire Chinese men’s volleyball team and asked Lu Xuandong to drive him to see Uncle Gao.
Uncle Gao held the volleyball. Although he knew the volleyball itself wasn’t expensive, the signatures on it made him feel excited and unsure how to hold it properly.
“This is too precious, this gift is too precious,” Uncle Gao muttered, then asked, “Can you get Roman’s signature too?”
Qin Chunxiao put his hands on his hips and replied, “What’s difficult about that? I’m still playing in the Russian Super League this year. I can get his signature when we meet in a game. Or, maybe I should bring a T-shirt for him to sign?”
Uncle Gao immediately handed him a shirt, saying, “This is my size. Remember to take it with you when you go to Russia!”
“Sure, sure.”
The two chatted for a while, and when Qin Chunxiao left, he still had a happy smile on his face. But at that moment, Gao Depi sent him a message.
When Qin Chunxiao saw the message, his pupils constricted. He immediately asked Lu Xuandong to take him to Guangzhou Hospital.
The coach Yang Yun, who discovered Qin Chunxiao and gave him the opportunity to enter the Guangdong Provincial Team, finally returned to Guangzhou after a long journey with his grandson, who also had Marfan syndrome. The two entered the hospital, and by the way, Coach Yang had been the coach for Gao De Pi, Ding Rong, Tong Shulan, and the other athletes who participated in the 2007 World Youth Championship. Many players in the Chinese men’s volleyball national team today have a teacher-student relationship with Coach Yang Yun.
When Qin Chunxiao went to visit Coach Yang with a fruit basket, the coach was already in the dying stages. Gao Depi’s parents were busy and only quickly thanked Qin Chunxiao without extra energy to take care of him.
Gao Depi was there, and he sat on the ground in the corridor with red eyes. When he saw Qin Chunxiao coming, he looked up and forced a smile. “Are you done with the exams?”
“Yeah, I think I did okay,” Qin Chunxiao replied as he sat next to him.
“If you think you did okay, you must have done very well,” Gao Depi said.
They sat for a while, and Lu Xuandong quietly leaned aside, waiting for the right time. When the time came, he sent Qin Chunxiao a message, quickly went back to make food, and brought it over.
When Coach Yang was still conscious, he specifically told his family and Chen Aiguo not to tell the boys about his critical condition. He didn’t want to delay their volleyball and training, especially when some of them were still in high school, which was a crucial period and couldn’t be disturbed.
If Gao Depi and Yang Lan hadn’t known each other for a long time, they wouldn’t even know about Coach Yang’s condition. Qin Chunxiao also got the news from Gao Depi.
While eating the noodle dish with added shrimp and vegetables, Gao Depi choked up, and in the hospital, people cried every day. Doctors, nurses, and patients were used to it, but when Qin Chunxiao gave him a tissue, he fell asleep. Qin Chunxiao then covered him with his jacket and got up to call his other teammates.
At midnight, Yang Yun suddenly woke up and saw that many years ago, the players who fought with him in the World Youth Championship had come. A group of young tall players crowded outside the ward, looking at him through the glass window with concern.
They all came.
Coach Yang’s mouth moved, and he wanted to say something, but he couldn’t make a sound. But he thought that perhaps these kids had already understood what he wanted to say a long time ago.
“The moment I won the championship with you in the World Youth Championship was the most glorious moment of my coaching career. Take care of your health in the future.”
Coach Yang closed his eyes.
This was a miracle. In his final moments, Yang Yun opened his eyes and saw his family, beloved grandson, and the young men he was proud of. At 2 a.m., Yang Yun’s heartbeat stopped. According to his wishes, his corneas could be donated, and the rest of his body was cremated and scattered into the ocean. The ceremony was kept simple, without disturbing too many people. Everyone respected the old man’s will. On the day his ashes were scattered into the sea, many prominent volleyball coaches from China, including Newton and Chen Aiguo, as well as the players he had coached, attended the ceremony.
Yang Yun had led a diligent life, excelling in various roles such as player, coach, father, grandfather, and friend. Everyone cherished his goodness and wanted to keep this tall old man in their hearts. Now he had become a small box, and his favorite grandson, Yang Lan, stood at the bow of the boat, scattering his ashes into the deep blue sea.
For Qin Chunxiao, who won against many strong opponents in the VNL finals in July, he also lost two friends. Even though he ranked 15th in his grade after the final exams, it didn’t make him happy. Whenever he felt the most sorrowful, Qin Chunxiao wanted to see his sister. Without his sister, he would go to his grandparents. He messaged his grandparents and embarked on a journey to Foshan.
There was a direct subway between Guangzhou and Foshan, and the fare was cheap. Qin Chunjiao, dressed in black, and Li Ling, helped Guo Depi, who was crying on his knees, feel uneasy. They boarded and exited the subway. During the security check, they were looked at a few times by the security personnel, but they remained calm and didn’t cause any commotion. Once they passed the security check, Li Ling handed Qin Chunxiao’s backpack back to him.
As they walked away, the security officer was puzzled and pulled out a walkie-talkie, appearing as though she was going to call the station’s police comrades.
The security officer with the online name “Green and Oily” shook her head and smiled. She thought that maybe what Yomi had said was correct. The real people are different from the ones she wrote about in her fan fiction—they had a life even more wonderful than the story.
Qin Chunxiao and Lu Xuandong took the subway to the vicinity of the Green Leaf Children’s Heart Elementary School. They walked to the backyard of the Delicious Cake Shop. As they approached, the excited barks of a dog rang out. Qin Chunxiao took out the key and opened the door. A Bernese Mountain Dog jumped out of the backyard, standing upright on its hind legs. It placed its front paws on Qin Chunjiao’s waist and wagged its large tail like a propeller.
Qin Chunxiao smiled and said, “Cuihua, did you miss me?”
He bent down and picked up this over 100-pound dog like a child. After walking a few steps, he shook it before setting it down again. The backyard was filled with the scent of jasmine. Qin Chunxxiao crouched down, rubbing Cuihua’s ears, and the dog licked him several times.
Then he seemed to recall something and turned back to say, “My parents are busy with work. From my earliest memories until I went to kindergarten, I spent those years here. Isn’t it beautiful?”
Lu Xuandong crouched down beside him and tentatively reached out to stroke Cuihua’s head. The dog affectionately bumped its forehead against his hand.
He replied, “Yes, the flowers smell great. Just by smelling them, you can tell that this is a place where happiness spreads.”
