Chapter 4

I slung my bag over my shoulder and started the walk back, my shoes crunching against the dirt path that led out of the grove. The forest was quiet now, the bustle of school fading behind me. I passed familiar trees, little cleared paths in the grass, and the small creek that trickled near the edge of the property. I almost imagined that if I kept walking long enough, I could leave all the noise of school behind forever. Almost.

By the time I reached the edge of the forest, the campus was already bathed in the golden glow of late evening. Students were heading home too, some chatting in small groups, others rushing to catch buses or ride their bikes. I moved along the sidewalks, stepping around people, my mind still half-lost in the quiet of the cottage. The chatter of the campus felt loud after the serene calm I had just left.

The bus stop came into view, and I dropped my bag on the bench, letting out a small sigh, tired of walking. The familiar sound of bus engines approaching, the hiss of brakes, the smell of exhaust mixed with the faint aroma of late snacks, these were the small things I always noticed when I was alone like this. I was finally allowed to just exist without notes, without lectures, without expectations.

When my bus pulled up, I climbed aboard and found my usual spot by the window. It was perfect. The light catching the glass at just the right angle. I let the weight of my bag settle on my lap and rested my elbows on the window, gazing outside as the bus drove forward.

And then I saw him.

Not fully, not yet. Just a flash, a movement along the road. I squinted, and there he was: a figure on a bike, moving steadily along the lane. The helmet covered his face, of course, but I could see the shape of his shoulders, the line of his back, the easy way he balanced on the bike. His eyes, well, the bike's mirrors reflected the light just enough that I could catch the glint of them as he looked ahead. He was still completely unbothered by anything else.

For a second, I felt curious about his life, the same thing that always got to my mind when I thought about him. But the bus kept moving, the city passing by in slow frames, and I leaned back against the window, letting the sight settle in my mind like a quiet note at the end of a song.

I watched him drive steadily, his figure moving with that same effortless calmness I’d seen before. The girls, the cafeteria, all of that didn’t matter here. He was just… there. A shape on the street, on his way home, just like me.

I let my eyes wander from him to the passing trees, the cars, the sidewalks, letting the moment linger in a quiet, almost meditative way. The bus rumbled beneath me, and I leaned my head back, tracing the outline of the horizon, thinking about the cottage, about home, about how strangely my day had flown by.

By the time I got home, the sky outside my window had deepened to a dark navy, the city lights beginning to flicker on. I kicked off my shoes at the entrance and put them back in the shoe cabinet, before heading upstairs to my bedroom. My bag hit the floor of my room with no sound. SIKE. I had a carpet in my room. I sat down on my chair and placed my phone on the desk, letting out a long sigh.

My phone buzzed on the desk all of a sudden. The group chat, of course. I picked it up.

...STUDYING IS GAY🍑👋💋🗣...

Ruxin:

Yo! Yiren! Get on Insta rn 😂 you won’t believe the cafeteria chaos today!

^^^Yiren: ^^^

^^^Nah, not on social media 😅^^^

Haoran:

Brooo come on, it’s hilarious. You’re literally missing out 😭

Xumeng:

He’s always missing out 😂 You need to see this, Yiren

^^^Yiren: ^^^

^^^I told you, I’m good. Don’t have an account^^^

Ruxin:

Bruh, you’re so old-school it hurts. I can’t even stay a day without scrolling memes.

Haoran:

Lmao, seriously. Okay, fine. No pressure. Just don’t blame us when you miss the memes of the century 😎

Xumeng:

Also… weekend plans? Friday tomorrow! We should hang out before Saturday & Sunday get boring 😏

Ruxin:

Facts. How about the new cafe near the river? Then maybe snacks at the park?

Haoran:

And if anyone wants, the amusement park rollercoaster challenge. Who can survive the most rides without screaming?

^^^Yiren: ^^^

^^^Sounds good. I’m in. Just don’t pick anything too crazy 😂^^^

Xumeng:

Perfect, it’s settled then! Friday’s gonna be fun 🙌

Ruxin:

Finally! Yiren’s approval! We’re moving up in the world, boys 🤣

Haoran:

Don’t get used to it though, he’s a tough critic 😏

I set my phone down and stretched my arms, feeling the tension of the day slowly melt away from my body. It was only disturbed by a call.

"YIREN- BABY COME DOWN TO EAT!!"

My mom, she was calling me down for dinner. I quickly changed into something more comfortable, a pair of tshirt and sweatpants. I had forgotten to change after getting back from school. The group chat discussion distracted me from my usual routine. I made my way downstairs. "I'm here, ma."

The soft clatter of dishes came from the dining room, and I made my way over to the dining table. My parents were already seated, smiling warmly as I slid into my chair. The smell of momma-cooked food was comforting, steamed rice, stir-fried vegetables, and a small plate of my favorite dumplings.

“Eat properly, Yiren,” my mom said, sliding a bowl of vegetables toward me. “You’ve been running around all day. Don’t just touch food like a robot.”

I grinned. “I promise, Mom. I’ll enjoy it.”

My dad leaned back, ruffling my hair. “Enjoy it, huh? Don’t tell me you’ve turned into a food critic overnight.”

“Not yet,” I said, laughing. “Maybe after I try the dumplings.”

Mom smiled. “You’ve got your priorities straight, at least.”

I took a bite and winced dramatically. “Oof, too hot!”

Dad chuckled. “I told you to let it cool, genius.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I said, fanning my mouth with my hand. “I’m fine, really.”

“You’re our only kid,” Mom said softly. “We're allowed to be worried about you. Don’t act like it’s a crime.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “Fine, fine. I’ll enjoy it while it lasts.”

We talked as we ate, my parents sharing little stories about work, neighbors, and random office happenings. Dad tried to make me laugh with a ridiculous impression of his coworker, which earned a playful eye-roll from Mom. I laughed with both of them, feeling the familiar warmth of our home wrap around me.

After dinner, I cleared my plate. “Thanks for the food, really. Everything was amazing,” I said, sliding my chair back.

“You’re welcome, Yiren,” Mom said, smiling. “Now, homework before you collapse into bed, alright?”

“Don’t worry,” I said, grabbing my textbooks. “I’ve got this.”

Dad chuckled, ruffling my hair again. “That’s my boy. Smart, responsible… but don’t forget to rest too.”

I smiled at both of them, the calm of home settling over me as I moved to my desk. Safe. Loved. And ready to tackle the night’s homework before sleep.

~ Min

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