Chapter 24: Impotent Rage

It was well past lunchtime, and his stomach was growling incessantly. However, instead of looking for food, he walked down the slope to the riverside and lingered for a while.

After all, this was the middle of nowhere, with no signs of civilization for miles in any direction—where could he possibly find something to eat?

The stream gurgled, crystal clear, and he even spotted a small school of fish swimming joyfully against the current.

After standing there for about ten minutes, Li Heng could no longer endure the biting chill of the river breeze. He turned back, climbed up to the road, and returned to the bus.

Since he hadn't managed to get any pastries, he would have to settle for the side dishes. He remembered his mother had tucked a can of cured meat into his bag. He was ravenous and decided to just dig in.

But as soon as he reached his seat, Li Heng, lightheaded from hunger, froze. He stared down at a bag of lotus-leaf pastries sitting on his seat.

The pastries looked incredibly tempting; they must have been handmade by Wei Shiman. This lady was fond of culinary research; not only was she an excellent cook, but she was also highly skilled at making pastries and various desserts.

Li Heng turned his head to look at Xiao Han outside the window. She was chatting and laughing with Xiao Feng, who had just returned from the restroom. Her face showed no sign of anything amiss, as if the pastries had absolutely nothing to do with her.

He sat down, lifted the pastries with both hands, and took a sniff. The next second, spurred by his hunger, he opened his mouth wide and began to eat with great relish.

Watching this scene from afar, she suddenly felt like laughing; the situation felt absurd in a way she couldn't quite describe.

Someone who had barely had any meaningful interaction with her for six years had appeared in her world time and again over the past few days. First, he had come to her home to sell rice, and today, they had sparred twice. She understood that the almighty heavens above must be bored and were starting to stir up trouble.

...

More than half an hour later, the driver returned with the new parts.

Yang Yingwen, Zhang Zhiyong, and Yang Cheng returned with him.

Seeing this, Li Heng, Xiao Han, and Xiao Feng crowded around to ask how she was feeling.

Although Yang Yingwen’s face was still a bit pale, her spirit seemed good. She grinned and said, "The doctor said it was nothing serious. I must have caught a chill. He used mugwort smoke to treat my navel, gave me a few white Western pills, and applied two medicinal plasters. I feel much better now."

Hearing this, the others finally felt relieved.

To be honest, falling ill in such a godforsaken place would make anyone panic. Fortunately, they were blessed with good luck, and everything turned out fine.

Past four in the afternoon, the bus set off again. This time, the journey was smooth, and they reached Shao City before sunset.

During the trip, the conductor walked to the back of the bus and asked, "You six are students at Shao City No. 1 High School, right?"

The conductor asked because, over the past three years, Li Heng and his group had almost exclusively taken this bus between school and home. After so long, she had slowly become familiar with them.

Li Heng nodded and took the initiative to ask, "Yes, it’s quite late—could you drop us off at the school?"

The conductor was very accommodating. "Since you were delayed today, of course we can. Gather your luggage; we’ll be at the gates of No. 1 High School in about twelve or thirteen minutes."

"Great, thank you."

After Li Heng politely expressed his gratitude, he leaned against the window and watched the others pack up. He didn't move himself, simply because he only had one bag and nothing much to organize.

Thirteen minutes meant thirteen minutes. Right on time, the bus pulled up to the school gate.

After getting off, Zhang Zhiyong, the wealthiest in the group, waved his hand grandly and said, "Do me a favor, fellow students, and join me for a meal at a restaurant."

To his surprise, Xiao Feng politely declined first. "Thanks for the offer, but I’ve been on the bus for so long that I’m dizzy and have no appetite. I’m going back to the dormitory."

Xiao Feng had a frail constitution, and everyone knew she was prone to motion sickness. But they hadn't expected that even after all these years, she remained just as resolute; she walked away without giving Zhang Zhiyong a chance to insist.

Yang Cheng, who was from the same hometown as Xiao Feng, quickly said, "Then I won't eat with you either. She has a lot of things to carry, so I’ll go help her."

Watching the two cross the road and enter the school gates, Zhang Zhiyong was still stunned when Xiao Han picked up her luggage and left as well, without even a word of farewell.

With her best friend gone, Yang Yingwen naturally had to follow.

Zhang Zhiyong was so angry he started cursing. "Fine, leave! It’s better if you all go! I’ll save money. Did you think this money in my pocket wouldn’t be able to buy anything else?"

Li Heng asked, "So, are we still going to have a feast?"

Zhang Zhiyong was still seething, hopping mad. "They showed me no respect! Bah! So what if they have good grades? So what if they’re pretty and elegant? I’m not begging them for anything."

Li Heng sighed, walked over to a nearby egg-fried noodle stall, sat down, and called out, "Boss, one portion of egg-fried noodles, extra spicy!"

Hearing that he only ordered one portion, Zhang Zhiyong felt ignored again and grew even angrier. He turned his head, glaring with wide eyes. "Didn't you order one for me?"

Li Heng propped his chin on his right hand and said with a smirk, "You keep cursing. We’ll eat once you’ve finished venting."

At these words, Zhang Zhiyong’s pent-up rage instantly dissipated. He slumped into a seat and asked, "If you had been the one to invite them, would they have stayed?"

Li Heng touched his face. "It’s possible. Our looks are clearly from different worlds."

Zhang Zhiyong arched an eyebrow, clearly displeased. "Try insulting me one more time! You’re paying for your own noodles!!!"

Li Heng said, "Then I won’t eat. Xiao Han gave me pastries this afternoon, so I’m not that hungry anyway."

Zhang Zhiyong’s eyes widened in disbelief. "You said Xiao Han? Get out of here! This isn't even a funny joke. Xiao Han would give you pastries?"

Li Heng replied, "If you don't believe me, just ask Xiao Feng."

"When? How did I miss that?"

"Of course you missed it; you were with Yingwen at the doctor’s."

For some reason, Zhang Zhiyong suddenly believed him. After a long while, he complained, "Isn't Xiao Han’s differential treatment a bit too obvious? You two are killing me here. I feel like a stray dog on the side of the road that got kicked for no reason. It’s miserable."

Li Heng gestured toward the other side of the road. "See that pair of dogs over there? Actually, being a dog isn't so bad. They have sexual freedom."

Looking at the male and female dogs mating in the corner across the street, Zhang Zhiyong felt like he was going to throw up. "Li Heng, you bastard! That’s disgusting. We’re through; I’m breaking off our friendship!"

Li Heng agreed, "I can satisfy that request, but let’s finish our noodles first."

The fried noodles arrived. Li Heng asked the owner, "How much for a portion?"

"Fifty cents," the owner replied.

The price was about the same as the wontons and noodles back in town; it was acceptable.

After the age of thirty-five, the body’s functions start to decline in various ways. Li Heng, having a sensitive stomach, had lived a life of plain, bland food—no spice, no fried items, no acidic foods; basically, he couldn't eat this or that.

Now, finally eating the egg-fried noodles he had missed for so long, he felt they were absolutely delicious—a true delicacy.

"Hey! Li Heng, you're here too!"

Just as he was lowering his head to slowly savor the meal, a woman’s voice came from behind him, catching him off guard.