CHAPTER 03

The day is at its peak. The lukewarm light turns into a scorching glare. Hundreds of clouds march in the vast blue sky like a platoon of soldiers heading to war. Shadows sway left to right rhythmically as the wind blows from east to west.

It is noon.

The bell rang. Students leave their rooms one after another. Conversing about what to eat on their way to the cafeteria. Discordance of shoe-tapping reverberates in the hallway as they walk or run.

" ZhengYu. " JunHie called.

No response.

" ZhengYu. " Again, he called.

Still no response.

" Xiao ZhengYu! " He exclaimed.

ZhengYu flinched as he was snapped back to reality by his friend. He blinks twice before he glances at the other who is standing by his side.

JunHie's brows frowned a little. His gazes display concern and worry. He stood there for almost five minutes calling ZhengYu again and again.

He has noticed his friend in a trance since earlier when he arrived in the classroom. At first, he didn't mind it, believing he might be thinking of lyrics to write or searching for inspiration for his next song. But, as the lecture started, he was still dazed, not paying attention to the lesson. This is unusual for him. ZhengYu always listens to the professor. He always prioritizes his studies over his hobbies. Writing lyrics is just one of his amusements to avoid boredom, but as he witnesses right now, his friend seems like he has been drowned in the depths of his daydream.

ZhengYu sighed. He brushed his hair, then smiled. " I'm sorry. Are you saying something? "

JunHie stared at him for a while. After pondering, he let out a soft sough. " You know I'm always here if you're troubled. Just tell me and I'll lend a hand. "

Hearing his friend's words, ZhengYu felt blessed. Having hundreds of friends is cordial, but having a shoulder to cry on is sacrosanct.

ZhengYu smiles at him. His eyes reveal genuine emotions from the profoundness of his heart. Though he rarely expresses it in phrases, his actions speak louder than his words.

" Thank you for always listening to my problems and worries. I might bother you somehow. "

" What bothers are you talking about? We're friends and like brothers, so it's normal to share what's on our minds. Furthermore, no need to say 'thank you' or 'sorry', you can't also refuse what others give to you, isn't that what chums are? "

ZhengYu's eyes opened wide. He was surprised by JunHie's remarks. Shortly after, he giggles. " You're right. I'm sorry. "

" Ah! You said 'I'm sorry' just now. " JunHie pointed.

ZhengYu paused, then chuckled. " I'm sorry, I forgot. "

" Ah! You said it again. "

The two young men look at each other and then burst out laughing till tears appear at the corner of their eyes and till their stomach hurts.

They chatted and chuckled on the way to the cafeteria. When they arrived, the queue was already long. The two young men sigh, looking at the long line. They don't have another choice but to stand there, waiting patiently for their turn.

The food varies from the main dish to the dessert, from spicy to sweet, from meat to vegetables. To get food, one must have a meal card. Without the card, you can't eat at the campus cafeteria.

The school director is strict with the student's health. He wishes for everyone to have a nourishing meal for them to be able to focus on their class. Though it is quite expensive, he makes sure that each learner can eat.

If one can't afford dinner, one can do small part-time jobs within the university. For instance, washing dishes in the cafeteria, organizing books in the library, and taking care of the plants and flowers in the garden. The money they earn by doing this little work will go on their meal card. Enough for them to have nutritious food for three days.

" Excuse me. You look familiar. Have we met before? " A male voice interrupted the two young men's conversation.

ZhengYu turned his head to look at the speaker whilst JunHie peeked at his friend's back.

Glacier-gray wavy hair, hazel eyes, pointy nose, thin pinkish lips, and cornsilk skin, he's a handsome young man. His height is similar to JunHie and emits an outgoing aura. His voice seems to have matured just recently as it still has a little bit of a childish tone in it. He looks troublous yet sincere.

" You got the wrong person. I don't think we've met before, " ZhengYu answered.

" Really? " The young man stared at him intently and interestingly. His lips curved upward. There's a hint of naughtiness in those smiles. " I guess you're right. Maybe I got the wrong person. Anyway, I'm Wang Zi Han. " The young man named ZiHan extended his hand in front of ZhengYu.

ZhengYu accepted the stretched arm in front of him. " I'm Xiao Zheng Yu. And he is my friend, Yu Jun Hie. " He introduced.

JunHie bowed his head, and so did ZiHan.

" At all events, you caught my attention earlier in class. So, if you don't mind, can we be friends? " His smile is as bright as the daylight, as cheerful as a dandelion in summer. " In any case, I'm new here and I don't know anyone. "

ZhengYu and JunHie glanced at each other. Then, look back at ZiHan. The two youths smiled at him.

A welcoming smile.

" We'll be happy to be your friend, " ZhengYu answered.

The three of them ordered their food. ZhengYu has three dishes on his tray - fried rice, sweet and sour pork, barbecued pork bun, and water. JunHie has three dishes as well - chicken fried rice, peking roast duck, scallion pancake, and cola. While ZiHan has five dishes - white rice, noodle soup, braised pork belly, stir-fried tomato and scrambled egg, little-basket bun, and cola.

Standing next to the counter, they looked around to find an unoccupied table. They settled into the right-side corner. ZhengYu and JunHie sit next to each other whilst ZiHan sits opposite them.

" You said you're new here. So, where did you come from? Did you study abroad before? " JunHie asks out of curiosity.

ZiHan picked up his chopsticks. He put rice in his mouth, then a piece of pork. " Yes, I have lived in Switzerland since I was a kid. I decided to stay here after I met my cousin. "

" Why? " JunHie inquires, chewing a chunk of roasted duck. ZhengYu just listened to them talk whilst eating his food.

" You see, my cousin is so awesome. I want to be like him. " ZiHan vaguely explains with a proud smile on his face.

The three youths chat while eating. Mostly, it is JunHie asking ZiHan about his life in Switzerland, and what the place looked like. ZiHan, on the other hand, explains enthusiastically his experiences when living there. They talk and laugh, and sometimes they show an awed expression.