An Old Acquaintance

"At least she knew you had been unwell, if not she really would have given you a good scolding." Even if her teacher didn't scold her, Lu Yang did it in her stead.

"Are you sure you don't need a few days more to rest?" Shan Shan asked as she carassed her friend on the head. Even Jiang Chen stood silently observing her.

They were at the rooftop only the four of them during recess, Zhao Xing sat on the floor with her arms round her knees, she was the center of discussion as her three friends surrounded her, she could see they were all worried about her. Maybe a little too much?

"Aiya, it's not like it's the first time, what rest do I need? I'm fine." She had only been lost in her thoughts for a minute, and look at their reaction.

"Actually you might not have noticed, but today you weren't yourself, in the past you might be like this but not when you spent time with us, today you kept zoning out. I think you should return to the hospital for another checkup." Shan Shan said, even earning a nod of approval from the other two.

Zhao Xing: "..." It couldn't be that bad could it? No wait that wasn't the point.

"Are you guys suspecting that I might be sick in the head?"

Silence.

"Actually it was your mother that told us to look after you and make sure you weren't stressed." Jiang Chen said in a low voice.

"Huh?"

Seeing the matter had already been brought to light, Shan Shan didn't hold back any longer, "Well, it's true that exams are stressful, especially for us in the third year, but life and good health is more important right."

"Um." Lu Yang said.

"Right." Jiang Chen added.

"So you have to pay attention to this more, alright?"

"..." It turns it was her mother's doing. Now they really think she's having a mental breakdown.

"Touch wood ah! I'm perfectly fine, if there's anyone to be worried about shouldn't it be Lu Yang?" She turned to the boy who sat next to her. "I've always been worried about him, look at his face, does it ever change expression? I tell you he's the one who needs to be checked."

Pfft.

"Zhao Xing." His voice sounded a bit cold making a shiver cross her spine, even successfully shutting up two unfaithful friends who were about to laugh.

After school, both Lu Yang and Shan Shan who lived nearest to her proposed to accompany her to her house, to which she quickly declined.

How could she trouble them with this, besides, she just had other worries in mind unlike before when she used to be so carefree.

In the end she managed to walk home herself. She felt it was too inconvenient to sit at school and think. It was either the teachers or her classmates that kept bugging her. But how could they know what was really happening?

"Isn't it Xiao Zhao?" A gentle voice sounded from the other side of the street.

Zhao Xing looked in this direction, wondering if the person the voice addressed was herself.

"Grandpa?"

How could she forget? Wasn't he the old man she'd helped before, that turned out to be the husband of Grandma Wang.

The Old Man smiled and beckoned her to come.

As if attracted by his gentle smile she didn't hesitate and crossed the streets to meet him.

"Grandpa still remembers me." She said with a grin upon her arrival. She remembers having only met with him once before. She had seen him a few times after, but they didn't have time to communicate.

"How can I forget you? I could even forget myself, but there's no way I'll forget you."

"..." 'Indeed, he didn't change much from the last time..'

Zhao Xing feigned laughter.

"Grandpa, is there anything...?" She asked.

The old man seemed to have recalled something and nodded, "Yes, last time you kindly helped me, I've been looking for an opportunity to repay this kindness, but this old man didn't get a chance."

Zhao Xing quickly cut in "... Grandpa it wasn't anything, how can I see you like that and not help..."

But the old man didn't let her have it, and kept insisting on showing his gratitude. In the end Zhao Xing was dragged to Old man Wang's house.

If she didn't know she would have thought he had ulterior motives.

"My wife bought a lot of walnuts, so I had her leave some just for you."

As he spoke, he opened the door and lead her in.

Zhao Xing was really speechless, she thought to herself that in the future she'd better avoid the old man.

"Xiao Xing is here." Grandma Wang was surprised when she saw her. "Still in your uniform? You just came back from school? Is there anything?"

Grandma Wang bombarded her with questions. She wasn't overwhelmed in the least though, because these were questions she would ask herself, she only just came back from school, she's supposed to be at home now, if not won't her mother give her a call to talk endlessly, especially considering what happened a few days ago.

Zhao Xing smiled and greeted her, she could only shake her head to indicate that nothing was wrong. The only thing that could be wrong was...

She discreetly turned to the old man that had hurriedly gone to bring a bag full of walnuts, he even had a big smile on his face.

Grandma Wang noticed her line of sight and followed it, "Ah yes, see how forgetful I am! I was going to send this to your house this afternoon but it escaped my mind."

Zhao Xing quickly took the bag from Grandpa Wang's hands and thanked the couple.

"Bye Xiao Xing ah, be a good girl and take good care of your mother alright?"

"Yes."

But before she could leave Grandpa Wang called out to her, after verifying that his wife had entered the kitchen, he leaned in, and with a serious face told Zhao Xing.

"Don't forget to read the note I left in the bag, it's very important."

He put it so seriously, Zhao Xing was naturally intrigued. Although she really didn't understand what was up with him, she was still curious.