DBTHDCAR Chapter 75

Ever since returning from Chongming that day, Fan Xia had noticed something off about his boss.

That day on the backseat of the car, he and Xiaobei had hugged and eventually fallen asleep. After the previous night’s heart-stopping events, they hadn’t slept at all.

But when Xiaobei woke up, he was listless, low on energy, barely speaking. Both Fan Xia and Uncle Ning thought maybe he was having another allergic reaction, or had caught a chill from the rain, and suggested he take a day off. Xiaobei insisted he was fine and, after dinner, returned to school with him.

Once in the dorm, Fan Xia circled around him a few times, but Xiaobei hardly responded, leaving him feeling lost. On top of that, Ding Zheyang had turned into a quiet, stitched-up gourd; utterly silent.

In a three-person dorm, two people not talking made him feel like he was performing a one-man show.

On Monday morning, after discussion, the school gave a verbal reprimand to Ning Xiaobei, Fan Xia, and Ding Zheyang for staying out late. They were also required to write individual self-criticism reports and submit them to their homeroom teacher, Mr. Gu, within the week.

Teacher Gu and Teacher Peng also had to write self-criticism reports, to be presented at the full-staff meeting on Friday.

In short, Class 4 was notorious from top to bottom this time.

Fan Xia thought it was over, but over the next month a series of incidents almost drove him insane.

First, Ding Zheyang’s qualification to represent the school in the Science and Technology Innovation Competition was revoked. Then, Ning Xiaobei’s spot for the city’s Outstanding Youth League Cadre selection was replaced by the deputy branch secretary, Tan Ruirui.

Those positions had gone through multiple rounds of selection to finalize the nominees. To be replaced at the very last moment was clearly fallout from what happened on Chongming Island.

Even though the school promised to keep it secret, the incident had still spread.

In recent days, Fan Xia felt people pointing and whispering as he walked around campus. A few days ago, he grabbed a first-year middle school and asked why they were acting so weird. The student nervously emptied all his belongings in his hands, begging Fan Xia to let him go, leaving Fan Xia half laughing, half exasperated.

It was then that he learned that the Class 4 Trio in Year Two had been given an infamous nickname: [Deserted Island Casanovas.]

No wonder the girls in class now looked at them sideways. No wonder the girls who used to watch him and Xiaobei play basketball or football after class had disappeared. With a nickname like that, how could they behave normally?

The school must have quietly received complaints from students and parents and erased the honors that should have gone to Xiaobei and Yangyang without a word.

“Don’t tell me this won’t be pursued, don’t say it won’t affect their future—what a load of lies! It’s all a scam!”

Things had escalated far beyond what Fan Xia could bear.

He’d just hesitated once, used a little clever trick, and exploited a loophole. How did that end up costing so much? And why did it have to drag in Ning Xiaobei and Ding Zheyang?

“No way. I’m going to beg Brother Kai, I’m going to beg the grade leader and the principal. They can’t do this.”

In Room 316 of the apartment building, Fan Xia paced anxiously. “If it comes down to it, expel me. A man takes responsibility for his actions. If I drop out, at least I won’t drag you guys down.”

Ning Xiaobei sat on the sofa, hugging a pillow and saying nothing.

Ever since coming back from the real world, he had felt especially lost. He couldn’t think of any gaps left to fill, had no clear goal or motivation, and simply couldn’t summon the energy to do anything.

Unfortunately, Fan Xia didn’t know this and thought Xiaobei was mad at him.

“Uncle, say something already,” he muttered.

Seeing both Zhao Jingwen and Ning Jianguo remain silent, and Ning Xiaobei looking utterly listless, Fan Xia couldn’t help but slap himself sharply across the face.

“It’s all my fault, all my fault!”

“Hey, what’s gotten into you now? Jingwen, say something to calm him down.”

Ning Jianguo couldn’t stand it any longer and quickly grabbed Fan Xia’s arm.

“He does need to learn a lesson. But slapping yourself won’t help, and dropping out is absolutely out of the question.”

Zhao Jingwen tapped Fan Xia on the temple with his finger. “Learn from your mistakes. Think carefully. Don’t assume that every mistake comes with a parent covering for you. Next year you turn eighteen; if you break the law, you could go to jail. Ning Xiaobei and I still have to go handle Grandma Ning’s new store opening in Pudong. You two just stay home and reflect properly.”

Zhao Jingwen had actually considered going to the school to smooth things over, given his connections in Shanghai, he knew people in the education department. But since Xiaobei himself wasn’t speaking up, he didn’t want to interfere unnecessarily.

As for Ding Zheyang’s family, his parents still seemed to be in Japan. Zhao Jingwen decided to wait until they returned, buy a proper gift, and personally go apologize.

Grandma Ning’s little storefront had been renovated last month, and the tobacco and alcohol license had been approved. It should have opened long ago, but the fire escape inspection had held things up for a while. Fortunately, that issue was now resolved.

Since getting into business, Zhao Jingwen had grown increasingly superstitious and had hired a so-called Taiwanese feng shui master to pick an auspicious opening date. The grand opening was set for the 15th of next month. The master claimed it was a day favorable for both wealth and people, with the elements of metal and water in harmony; a perfect and lucky day. And conveniently, it was a Sunday, so the two kids could also join the fun.

After the adults left, Fan Xia could no longer hold it in. He buried his face in his hands and let out a choked sob.

Ning Xiaobei hadn’t expected him to cry and was startled— this tough black pig was usually the type who wouldn’t even make a sound if he broke a leg.

“Xiaobei, I’m sorry… it’s all my fault,” Fan Xia whispered.

Fan Xia had always been fearless. He didn’t mind hardship, didn’t mind being scolded or embarrassed; his father and uncle had taught him that a real man shouldn’t sweat the small stuff.

But this time, he had dragged others into trouble, including Xiaobei and Ding Zheyang.

He’d learned that if Ding Zheyang had won the award, or Xiaobei had been selected for the honor, they could have gained an extra ten points on the college entrance exam.

Ten points! What did that even mean?

Brother Kai had explained: the Gaokao¹China’s national college entrance examination was like a thousand soldiers crossing a single-log bridge; just one point off could make the difference between standing on the field or passing. Ten points were equivalent to filling the entire Hongkou Football Stadium.

At seventeen, Fan Xia felt shame and rage for the first time over his own recklessness and immaturity. He was utterly mortified; if Xiaobei told him to die right then, he would have jumped off the third floor without hesitation.

“Xiaobei, what do we do? Ding Zheyang isn’t answering my calls or texts. He must hate me to death, right?”

Squatting by the sofa, Fan Xia looked at Ning Xiaobei pitifully, his guilty expression identical to Brother Kai’s Bush.

“Just now, I saw Chang Leyun and her mom coming downstairs. I wanted to talk to her, but she ignored me and even glared at me. Do you think Lele hates me too?”

The more Fan Xia thought about it, the more likely it seemed.

“You’re overthinking it. Lele isn’t that kind of person. Today was her last violin exam of high school. Once she reaches senior year, she’ll barely have time to practice. She was silently memorizing in her head; you going up to talk to her was just asking for trouble.”

Since returning from Chongming Island, this was the first time Ning Xiaobei had spoken so much to Fan Xia in a single stretch. Fan Xia was so happy he hugged his legs like a little dog, wishing he had a wagging tail.

“Boss, you finally decided to talk to me.”

Fan Xia rubbed his head against Ning Xiaobei’s knee, blinking pitifully. “None of you were paying attention to me. I was going crazy! I know I messed up, really. I swear I won’t screw up like that again. I swear!”

As he spoke, he raised three fingers on his right hand.

He was the type who could not stand being ignored. He needed everyone together, lively and noisy, to feel okay. He loved spectacles—dramatic, chaotic scenes, sweet-and-spicy dishes, flowers everywhere, oil sizzling in a hot pan, all blazing and intense.

Ning Xiaobei bent down and patted his dog head magnanimously. “It’s fine. Your Boss don’t need that ten points anyway, I’ll still get into J University.”

That’s right. Xiaobei had already made up his mind: this time, he would switch to engineering and aim for Shanghai’s best technical university, J University, majoring in Mechanical Automation.

He had discussed it with Ning Jianguo, who was delighted. He said it was a technical job, far more solid than vague things like finance, marketing, or international trade.

Of course, the most reliable path would still be taking a government job; graduating and landing a civil service position would be ideal.

“So, Boss, do you forgive me?”

Fan Xia jumped up.

“I wasn’t blaming you… I was just in a bad mood these past few days.”

“That’s great! Then put your shoes on, we’re going out together.”

Fan Xia started heading to the door, and this time Ning Xiaobei was surprised. “Where are we going?”

“To Ding Zheyang’s place.”

Fan Xia opened the door. “I’m going to apologize to him.”

……………… 

After many years, the two of them arrived at Ding Zheyang’s apartment building again and were shocked.

The century-old building was wrapped in bamboo scaffolding and green dust netting. The original front door was being repainted and sealed off, leaving only a small gate at the back leading to the trash area. The building was under major renovation—pipes were being relaid, the façade redone, dust and dirt flying everywhere.

As they walked further inside, the hallway had been repainted and the wallpaper replaced. The rotting wainscoting had been removed, but the new panels hadn’t arrived yet, leaving a patch of stark white that looked like a plaster peeled from skin, clashing with the surrounding color.

The century-old manually operated grille elevator was gone, replaced by a metal-paneled automatic lift. The long-haired girl who used to press the buttons was naturally gone as well.

Half-new, half-old, everything has changed.

Ning Xiaobei and Fan Xia took the elevator up to the third floor. Before they even reached the Ding family’s door, they saw it wide open, and Ding Zheyang was dragging a large suitcase out.

“Why are you here?”

“Where are you going?”

They both asked at the same time.

After accompanying Ding Zheyang to the post office and helping him send an international package, the three of them sat down at a nearby bubble tea shop.

Bubble tea was just starting to trend in Shanghai’s city center, especially near schools, and most of the shop staff were university students.

They ordered three cups of pearl milk tea, and Ding Zheyang let out a long sigh.

“What am I supposed to do? I’m getting so stressed.”

He lifted his head, worry written all over his face.

“My parents are planning to sell this apartment.”

Ah?

Ning Xiaobei was taken aback.

This building was a protected heritage site, one that would be nearly impossible to buy even with money. Were his parents planning to move to the suburbs and live in a big villa?

“And… I might have to become Japanese…”

“What?”

Fan Xia had just taken a big sip of his bubble tea when he heard that, and immediately choked.

Ning Xiaobei patted and smacked his back for a while before Fan Xia could finally spit out the slippery pearls with a wuuuah! He lay back in his seat, gasping for breath, tears and snot running down half his face.

“Why would you say that?”

Ning Xiaobei rested both hands on the table, eyes wide.

“What’s going on here…”

The two left the bubble tea shop and got on a bus.

The summer weekend bus was nearly empty, with only a few scattered passengers. The two teenagers felt their hearts sway along with the lonely, gliding vehicle, floating through the flashy city.

After the recent major setback, Fan Xia once again felt the unpredictability of life.

The old Japanese shop owner had unfortunately passed away. Ding Zheyang’s parents, who had only planned to stay a few days, had to remain in Japan to handle the funeral. The old man had left a will, wishing to adopt Father Ding, Ding Kai, as his son to inherit the century-old restaurant.

These past few days, Ding Zheyang had been handling everything alone—preparing for final exams, faxing recent travel agency orders and receipts to his parents so they could direct remotely, and packing clothes to ship because he didn’t know how long his parents would be delayed. Life was far harder than Fan Xia’s, who simply enjoyed ready-made meals at home.

“What’s the point of bonus points if he’s actually going to naturalize? I might not even be able to take the college entrance exam in China…”

Ding Zheyang muttered.

“No way… we all agreed to struggle together for a year, and this guy just zoomed ahead on his own. That’s not being a friend.”

After summer break at the end of second year, everyone would enter the third-year sprint toward the Gaokao.

In the class, except for a few who were definitely going abroad or aiming for direct admission to X University, everyone else was gearing up, preparing to study intensely for one year, aiming to shine spectacularly on the exam.

Although the school’s undergraduate admission rate was a high 90%, nobody wanted to be in the remaining 10%.

Fan Xia’s grades had been erratic lately, with a particularly weak performance in liberal arts. His goal was the criminal investigation program at H University of Political Science and Law—a program whose admission score was at least 10–20 points higher than the regular first-tier cut-off. With his current results, it was a stretch.

So lately, Fan Xia had been feeling anxious too, which made him especially envious whenever he heard about anyone who didn’t have to take the Gaokao. He was starting to get a bit of an ostrich mentality; burying his head in the sand.

Could that be the reason…?

Staring at the city scenery flashing past the window, Ning Xiaobei quietly clenched his fists.

………………

Author’s note:

Just a heads-up: Ding Zheyang’s three million yuan issue isn’t the real reason his dad can’t come back. The real reason will be written in a much harsher, more tear-jerking way.

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  China’s national college entrance examination