Daydreaming about Me

Chapter 13

Lin Yujing gave Shen Juan a lollipop that was left over from the batch she bought for Xiao Mianhua. She had bought a bunch, one of each flavor, and still had quite a few left in her pocket. She brought them to school and would chew on one during self-study periods when she had nothing to do.

Wang Yiyang, a naturally friendly person, considered Lin Yujing a “very fateful lucky friend” after meeting her twice and encountering her at school. His seat was right in front of Lin Yujing’s, and for an entire afternoon, he treated the desk behind him as his own, spending half the class time turned around chatting with her.

Eventually, Shen Juan lost his patience with Wang Yiyang’s incessant chatter. He threw down his pen and looked at him expressionlessly. “Wang Yiyang, shut up and get lost.”

Wang Yiyang mimicked zipping his mouth shut and promptly turned around, obediently closing his mouth.

He was very obedient to authority.

It was Friday afternoon, and with the weekend approaching, everyone’s thoughts were already wandering. The last period was self-study, and since it was still early in the term, teachers hadn’t yet started competing for the self-study periods. Lin Yujing, who had

woken up too early that morning, planned to take a nap after finishing two English worksheets.

She ended up sleeping until the bell rang, waking to a noisy classroom as everyone rushed out. Lin Yujing sighed, wishing this self-study period could last until Monday, so she wouldn’t have to wake up for school.

Reluctantly, she began packing her bag, neatly organizing her assignments. She noticed her deskmate’s worksheets were still blank on the desk; they hadn’t even bothered to take them.

Lin Yujing was meticulous and believed in repaying kindness. Since Shen Juan had helped her, a single lollipop wasn’t enough to return the favor. She paused her packing, grabbed a pen, and started answering the questions on Shen Juan’s worksheet.

But then she hesitated.

What are you doing, Lin Yujing?

This is someone else’s worksheet. What do you think you’re doing?

She put the worksheet back. Just then, it was Li Lin’s turn to do classroom duty. A few boys were sitting at the back, pretending to work while actually playing games. One of them looked up and saw Lin Yujing stand up.

“See you Monday, new classmate,” he called out. Lin Yujing waved without looking back.

Li Lin watched her leave and remarked, “I don’t know why, but I think our new classmate is really cool.”

“Of course she’s cool,” another boy said without looking up from his game. “Who else would dare to sit next to Shen Juan and make it through a whole week safely?” The boy’s screen went dark; he had lost.

“She’s pretty too. Someone from Class 3 asked me for her phone number the other day. I told them I didn’t have it. Our new classmate is like she’s isolated from the world. I’d like to talk to her, but with that Buddha next to her, who dares?” He looked up at Li Lin. “Hey, you’re right behind her. Do you have her number?”

Lin Yujing left the school, crossed the street, and saw Old Li’s car parked in the distance.

Old Li knew she didn’t like the car parked directly at the school gate, so he always waited here for her. Lin Yujing paused and then walked over.

“Hello, Uncle Li.” “Hello, Miss Lin.”

The first time Lin Yujing met Old Li, he called her “Second Miss,” which made her skin crawl. He was considerate and never called her that again.

Old Li drove steadily, and Lin Yujing, already sleepy, leaned her head against the seat and dozed off. “Uncle Li, I’ve applied for boarding at the school,” she said.

Old Li was startled and glanced at her in the rearview mirror. “Boarding?”

“Yes, the dormitory should be ready next week. I’ll let you know in advance so I don’t waste time commuting every day.”

Old Li nodded with a smile. “Alright. Have you told Mr. Meng?”

Lin Yujing remained silent.

Old Li sighed.

He really felt sorry for this little girl. She was a good kid, obedient on the surface, but stubborn. She kept everything to herself, never sharing her burdens.

Just sixteen or seventeen, she was at the best age, a time to laugh and cry freely.

Old Li had driven for the Fu family for decades, usually keeping his thoughts to himself. But he couldn’t hold back this time. “You can’t hide it forever. You should talk to Mr. Meng. If there’s a problem, you can resolve it. Mr. Meng cares about you. What parent doesn’t love their child?”

Lin Yujing smiled faintly. “Yes, what parent doesn’t love their child?”

When Lin Yujing got home, Fu Mingxiu was rarely not in his room but sitting on the sofa playing with his phone.

If it were any other time, Lin Yujing would have greeted him and exchanged a few words to show friendliness. But she had overheard some things last night and now had no interest in talking. A simple greeting was the extent of her courtesy.

Fu Mingxiu, seeing her come in, put down his phone, looking like he wanted to say something.

Lin Yujing looked at him calmly.

After a few seconds, as she was about to turn and go upstairs, Fu Mingxiu spoke. “Monday.”

Lin Yujing paused.

“Monday, I have to return to school too. I’ll take you.”

“…”

Lin Yujing almost thought she had traveled through time or that Fu Mingxiu had been possessed. “What?”

Fu Mingxiu looked at her impatiently. “I want to talk to you. Don’t think that I—”

“Alright,” Lin Yujing interrupted, bowing slightly. “Thank you, brother. Sorry for the trouble. I’m going upstairs now.”

She had no interest or patience for what he had to say next.

Fu Mingxiu had only talked to Lin Yujing alone twice. Both times were awkward, leaving him frustrated.

He frowned, watching her walk up the stairs, feeling stifled and muttering a curse. —

Lin Yujing had nothing to do over the weekend. She didn’t know anyone in the city and stayed in her room. Besides coming down for meals with Fu Mingxiu, she spent the rest of the time isolated.

She felt that if this continued, she would develop a social phobia. On Saturday night, she received a call from Lin Zhi.

It was the first call from her mother since Lin Zhi and Mr. Meng divorced. Usually, money arrived on her card on time, and Lin Yujing was surprised to see the caller ID.

Lin Zhi’s style hadn’t changed; her questions were like a teacher’s home visit, devoid of emotion. How was her study? What was her last exam score? Did she have enough money?

“The money I give you is for you to spend. Don’t give a cent to your dad,” Lin Zhi said finally.

Her hatred for Meng Weiguo was so intense that she directly transferred all allowance and living expenses to Lin Yujing’s card, fearing he would take any of it.

Lin Yujing found it amusing that a marriage could end this way. She nodded, then remembered her mother couldn’t see her and added, “Yes.”

After a few more formulaic questions, they fell silent.

Finally, Lin Zhi broke the awkward silence, her tone unusually soft. “Xiaoyu, it’s not that Mom doesn’t want to take you with her. It’s just—”

“I understand,” Lin Yujing quickly interrupted, staring at the ornate wallpaper. “I understand. I get it.”

Lin Yujing always felt closer to Lin Zhi than to Meng Weiguo. Compared to her father, she had always preferred her mother.

Maybe there was a difference between mothers and fathers. Meng Weiguo was almost indifferent to her, while Lin Zhi, though cold, still cared about her.

She would ask about her grades, her studies. Lin Yujing never thought Lin Zhi would abandon her.

It’s not that Mom doesn’t want you, but why?

Because I have more important things to handle. I’m too busy. Many things take precedence over you.

Because you’re not important. Because I don’t love you.

Lin Yujing didn’t want to know what came next. One “because” was enough.