Chapter 12

After the broadcast on the radio station, Lin Miaomiao expressed her time to Deng Xiaoqi poetically.

"Every time I sit on the microphone, my voice follows the electromagnetic waves, flying up and down and then reaching every corner of the school," Lin Miaomiao explained to Deng Xiaoqi. "This is how I pamper you." 

Deng Xiaoqi also cooperated: "Ms. Miaomiao, do you really want to pamper?" and she put some snacks on Lin Miaomiao's nose. 

Lin Miaomiao tries to bite the food: "Of course, of course." Deng Xiaoqi put it in her mouth, "You should only pamper me alright!" and she hugged Miaomiao, "Only me, only me!"

Then Lin Miaomiao takes a deep sigh. Deng Xiaoqi checks on Miaomiao: "What's wrong, Miaomiao?"

"Actually, it's just a 20-minute break, but it's such a rare freedom," she says, staring at Deng Xiaoqi. "Too bad it's only once a week; it will be awesome if it's every day."

Deng Xiaoqi reminisced about the reaction of Teacher Zhang when Lin Miaomiao and Ye Bai left the classroom. "I remember the look on Teacher Zhang's face – he seemed so helpless and defeated. But alas, even he must abide by the school rules."

Lin Miaomiao chuckled. "Ha, it's our school rules; even Teacher Zhang is strict; he can only follow the school."

...

"Time flies; it's already Thursday. Are you going home tomorrow, Ye Bai? Miaomiao said that your parent is in the States," Jiang Tianhao asks.

"Of course, it's much more comfortable in the house than here, and most of the students are going home," Ye Bai answered.

"Then, if you want, you can hitch a ride with me," Jiang Tianhao suggests.

"Thank you, but no need. My house is near here, and when my parents return, I will apply for day students." 

...

Lin Miaomiao is calling her mother in a coquettish manner: "Mom, I've been craving pork stew, steamed fish, fried shrimp, and chicken soup. The food here is a bit bland, and the staff's hands are always shaking. I miss your delicious cooking."

"Oh, my poor baby, don't worry. I'll make everything you want. Tomorrow, have your father come pick you up; the house is quite far from the school."

"No need; my friend and I will take the bus. Deng Xiaoqi lives near us." 

"Do you know the way? You must let your dad pick you up; it's your first time traveling, or else your dad will pick you up with the car."

Lin Miaomiao reluctantly agrees.

...

Lin Dawei found it unnecessary. "How could such a big child get lost in Jiangzhou?"

"The city's constantly under construction and development. Who knows which roads are closed or which bus routes have changed?" Wang Shengnan stopped arguing, her usual sassiness returning as she grabbed her bag and prepared to leave.

"Where are you off to?" Lin Dawei inquired.

"I'm off to buy groceries for our daughter. She wants me to cook for her, says she misses my cooking, and finds the school food bland," Wang Shengnan replied, slipping on her sandals.

"But you don't buy for me?"

"Our daughter is the flesh and blood of my body," she side-eyes Lin Dawei. "And you are not," she said, trotting away.

...

One by one, students line up at the front desk of the dormitory to take their phones. 

Ye Bai excitedly takes his phone. And it was really his old phone when he was on Earth. While looking at his phone, Jiang Tianhao patted him on the back: Come on, let's go. Lin Miaomiao is waiting for you."

He looked up and saw Lin Miaomiao standing outside. She is wearing a striped red shirt with jumper jeans. When she saw Ye Bai look, she waved at him.

Putting his phone in his pocket, Ye Bai thought, 'I've waited a whole week for this phone; a few more hours won't hurt.'

"Xiaobai, why are you so slow? Aren't you excited?" Lin Miaomiao jumped toward him. 

"Why should I be excited? I'm alone at the house. I will just play games and order takeout when I get home," Ye Bai said. 

'Alone, games, takeout foods' Lin Miaomiao's eyes shone when she heard the word Ye Bai said. "If it's okay with you, why don't we hang out this weekend?"

Ye Bai had already read Miaomiao's thoughts she wanted to eacape Wang Shengnan grasp, but he did not mind.

Deng Xiaoqi also ran towards them. 

At this time, Lin Miaomiao, Deng Xiaoqi, Jiang Tianhao, and Ye Bai are walking out together. "How is my suggestion, Xiaobai?" 

Deng Xiaoqi asked, "What suggestion?"

Jiang Tianhao explained, "Lin Miaomiao suggested we hang out together this weekend."

Deng Xiaoqi looked a little disappointed. "Too bad, I have a dance practice this weekend. Maybe next time." She also wanted to hang out, especially since her mother was out of town.

Jiang Tianhao is a little disappointed too, because Deng Xiaoqi can't come. But he realized that there was a basketball competition coming, and he needed to practice. "I need to practice too; there's an upcoming basketball competition, and as captain, I need to be there."

Lin Miaomiao is hopeless right now; the hangout that she suggested will be buried. She looked at Ye Bai pitifully.

Knowing she wanted to escape Wang Shengnan's clutches this weekend, Ye Bai decided he had nothing else to do. "I'm free, so count me in," he said, glancing at Jiang Tianhao and Deng Xiaoqi. "Let's plan a better time to hang out next time."

They both agree to join next time.

...

Lin Dawei was taken aback when he arrived at the campus entrance. A line of luxury cars was parked along the side, giving the impression of a car show in progress. "Are these parents taking a break on a Friday?" he wondered, thinking that picking up his daughter was quite special. However, he soon realized his mistake as he observed many parents, grandparents, and relatives waiting for the students to come out.

Just then, his phone buzzed with a notification: Lin Miaomiao was exiting the school gate.

Meanwhile, Wang Shengnan also received the notification. She quickly tied on her apron, switched on the rice cooker, and began preparing a delicious meal for Lin Miaomiao.

...

"By the way, just a heads-up, we've got an upcoming exam next week," Ye Bai kindly reminded them.

Lin Miaomiao's expression soured. "We just stepped out of school, and you're already talking about studying?"

Deng Xiaoqi interjected, "Ye Bai's just trying to help."

Jiang Tianhao chimed in, "I'm not worried about the exam; it's easy for me. But if you need any help, especially you, Xiaoqi, just let me know."

But Xiaoqi seemed uninterested in Jiang Tianhao's offer.

"You should review Lin Miaomiao if your grades are not satisfactory; Auntie might not be so lenient next time we plan an outing," Ye Bai advised.

"Alright, alright, I hear you. Enough with the nagging; you're starting to sound like my mom," Lin Miaomiao said, attempting to cover her ears.

"Hey, isn't that Uncle Lin over there?" Ye Bai pointed out Lin Miaomiao's father standing near the wishing tree.

...

"Dad!" Lin Miaomiao ran towards her father and hugged him tightly.

Lin Dawei warmly embraced his daughter. "How have you been? You look like you've lost weight," he remarked as he inspected her condition.

Holding onto her father's arm, Miaomiao complained, "The food at school is terrible."

"Ye Bai, how are you?" Lin Dawei greeted. "Are these your classmates?"

"Ah, yes, yes, Dad. This is Jiang Tianhao; remember, at Ye Bai's dorm, he is also my classmate and Deng Xiaoqi is my best friend." Lin Miaomiao introduced her companions.

"Hello, Uncle," Jiang Tianhao and Deng Xiaoqi greeted at the same time.

"Hello, I hope Miaomiao hasn't caused any trouble for you at school." Lin Dawei looks at these very polite kids.

"No, Miaomiao is a very lively and nice person. We all like her," Jiang Tianhao said.

Deng Xiaoqi chimed in "She is very helpful to her classmates."

Lin Miaomiao beamed at their praise, giving them a subtle thumbs-up. She shot a playful glare at Ye Bai. 'Why aren't you saying anything?'

"Well, Miaomiao has always been carefree. I'm glad she has friends like you at school to look out for her," Lin Dawei remarked, pleased with the positive feedback about his daughter. Whose parents didn't want their child to be praised?

Jiang Tianhao asks, "Uncle, how are you going back?" 

Lin Dawei: "By bus."

"How about I take you? My family car is right over there."

"No, thank you. I will also teach Miaomiao to commute." Lin Dawei declined. He looked at Ye Bai and asked, "Where do you live?" 

"I lived near here, Uncle; I can just walk it out," Ye Bai replied.

"Miaomiao, I'm heading off. My mom's waving at me. Let me know if you need anything," Deng Xiaoqi hugged Miaomiao and bid farewell to Lin Dawei.

"Uncle, Miaomiao I'm going too," Jiang Tianhao said to the father-daughter duo. "Ye Bai, see you next week." 

"Uncle, I'm heading out too. Please say hello to Auntie Shengnan." Ye Bai added. "Bye-bye, Miaomiao."

Lin Miaomiao waved goodbye to her friends as they left.

...