Zheng Hua from Sunshine Elementary School knew about it.
The first time he knew about this school was when he was in high school. He and Xu Yao had known each other since they were very young. They had grown up together and knew everything about Xu Yao.
When Xu Yao was admitted to Fenghan with excellent results, relatives at home gave him a reward. When Zheng Hua found out about it, he even made a fuss about letting him treat him as a guest.
At that time, Zheng Hua had a sworn enemy who didn't like it. He bought a game console and showed it off in class. Zheng Hua got interested in comparing it to others, but he didn't have enough money on hand, so he persuaded Xu Yao to buy it. Xu Yao has had the right to freely use money for a long time. He just bought a game console. Zheng Hua didn't think this was a big deal for Xu Yao. He happily ran to discuss it with Xu Yao, but Xu Yao told him that he had sponsored a boy online with one thousand yuan.
Zheng Hua was confused. The game console was no longer important. He was more worried about Xu Yao being cheated.
Later, Xu Yao showed him the information about the funding platform, and Zheng Hua learned about the existence of Sunshine Elementary School. He sympathized with the little boy Xu Yao was sponsoring, and never mentioned the game console again.
During his high school years, Xu Yao and this boy wrote letters, but the funding was not much.
During the vacation after graduating from high school, Xu Yao suddenly ran away to Yunnan. Zheng Hua was traveling abroad at the time and was not with her. During the chat with Xu Yao, he also curiously asked several questions about the little boy Xu Yao sponsored and the small mountain village.
Xu Yao went there for the first time and was extremely uncomfortable. The answer he gave to his question about the little boy was: very thin, very pitiful, very strong, and I hope he grows up well.
As for the small mountain village, Xu Yao's reply seemed very helpless: it's very remote, the road is difficult to walk, the new pair of sneakers I bought are probably useless, I can't sleep well, and the signal is poor.
In Zheng Hua's memory, Xu Yao initially gave the small mountain village only two advantages: one was the beautiful scenery, and the other was that the locals were very welcoming.
Zheng Hua was curious at first about how remote it was and how hard it was to walk. After college, during a long vacation, Xu Yao once again decided to go to Yunnan. Zheng Hua then thought of going with him, and Xu Yao decided to go to Yunnan. When buying tickets, Zheng Hua looked at the distance and heard that there were several transfers. He silently calculated the duration of the bus ride, got cold feet, and never mentioned going there again.
Gradually, because he had his own things to do, he was no longer curious about the small mountain village, and he no longer asked about the stories there when chatting with Xu Yao.
For most people like Zheng Hua who live in peace and contentment, that small mountain village in Yunnan is too far away from their lives. They could not imagine that in this era there would be people who would never leave the mountains, nor could they imagine that there would be people living in leaky and dark houses.
Their childhood was filled with toys, and they were cared for by their families. Therefore, it is unimaginable that there are children in this era who wear old clothes that are a little too short and carry schoolbags that are sewn and mended because of their impoverished families.
Because the environment they live in is rich and beautiful, they sometimes think that the whole world is like this.
But it's no one's fault.
It is just because they have no contact or relevant experience that people cannot feel the suffering in the corner.
What is really helpless is that when you see it one day, you feel pity, sympathy or intolerance for it, but your eyes can only stay for a moment and you can't do more.
You won't always worry about whether other people's lives are happy or difficult. After all, everyone has to be busy with their own lives.
In Zheng Hua's perception, Xu Yao was already a "weirdo" around him, a bit idealistic and full of compassion. Unexpectedly, Meng Yao was also like this.
Zheng Hua sighed: "This is such a coincidence."
His eyes flickered back and forth between Xu Yao and Meng Yao with unclear meaning.
He could feel that Xu Yao had a special attitude towards Meng Yao, precisely because he was so familiar with Xu Yao and understood Xu Yao so well. It was rare to see Xu Yao treat a girl with such an attitude, which could be called proactive, and even more strange.
Zheng Hua suddenly remembered Xu Yao's strange circle of friends, and remembered that a friend came to ask him if Xu Yao was in love. He relied on the fact that he and Xu Yao lived and worked together and did not see Xu Yao getting close to any woman. He had always denied it, but the moment he saw Meng Yao, Zheng Hua keenly noticed the difference.
Among the people present, only Gao Yang knew nothing about these things and asked in confusion: "What Sunshine Elementary School? Where is that?"
Xu Yao's sponsorship has not been publicized. Only Zheng Hua knows about it among his friends, and even Xu Yao's parents don't know about it.
Zheng Hua briefly explained to Gao Yang. Gao Yang was surprised, but when he realized that it was Xu Yao who wanted to do these things, he no longer felt strange.
However, Meng Yao is different. Xu Yao's support was only for an occasional trip to Yunnan, while Meng Yao's teaching support was to stay there for a long time.
And Meng Yao is a girl.
It's not that I'm being sexist, it's just that teaching doesn't sound easy.
Gao Yang subconsciously asked: "Meng Yao, which university did you go to?"
Only then did Meng Yao look away from Xu Yao, looked at Gao Yang, and said the name of the school.
Gao Yang was even more unbelievable. A famous college student went to teach in the mountains of Yunnan?
"I have a pursuit." After a while, Gao Yang said.
Because of curiosity, Gao Yang and Zheng Hua kept asking questions at the dinner table. Meng Yao could still answer questions about Sunshine Elementary School, but she gradually found that Gao Yang and Zheng Hua were obviously more curious about her, and gradually became a little overwhelmed.
Song Siqi, who had always been protective of Meng Yao, said "tsk" to Zheng Hua, "Are you so curious that you want to chase Meng Yao?"
Zheng Hua reacted greatly and immediately replied: "Don't talk nonsense."
Then go and see Xu Yao.
Xu Yao hadn't spoken much. Now he turned the turntable with his fingers. He didn't seem to care about other people. He just said to Meng Yao: "Would you like to try this chicken soup? It's the same as the steam pot chicken that Aunt Yu made last time." It’s different, but it’s also quite fresh.”
Meng Yao didn't react. She looked at him. It took her a while to realize that Xu Yao might be trying to save her. He said "Oh" and took a spoonful of chicken soup.
She took a bite, compared it in her mind, and found that the steam pot chicken made by Yu Yuan was more delicious.
Yu Yuan has only cooked steam pot chicken once. During the summer vacation, Meng Yao ate it for the first time and liked it quite a lot.
There is something indescribably strange about this scene.
As soon as Xu Yao opened his mouth, he attracted Meng Yao's attention, and a barrier was instantly formed between the two people, making it impossible for anyone else to walk in.
Zheng Hua:......
For the first time, he felt that Xu Yao was actually quite pretentious and had some tricks up his sleeve.
He and Gao Yang looked at each other, both of them had a certain idea, and smiled tacitly.
It was still early after dinner and it was rare for everyone to get together, so Zheng Hua suggested where to go.
Song Siqi could only think of one activity: "Singing?"
Zheng Hua glanced at Xu Yao, thought about it, and said, "Not really feasible."
Song Siqi remembered: "Yes, I forgot, you sang out of tune."
Zheng Hua:......
He was not convinced: "Xu Yao is also tone-deaf."
Xu Yao was innocently implicated and looked at him with raised eyebrows.
Song Siqi almost died laughing. She had heard that Xu Yao was tone-deaf when she was in high school, but she always thought that was an excuse. It was difficult for her to imagine Xu Yao being tone-deaf.
After all, he is so handsome.
Now Zheng Hua mentioned this joke again, Song Siqi asked with a smile: "Is it true or false?"
Zheng Hua originally wanted to build a good image for Xu Yao, but he accidentally let it slip. He glanced at Xu Yao guiltily and didn't dare to say anything.
Song Siqi refused to let him go.
Xu Yao sighed helplessly, nodded proactively, and said honestly: "I'm really tone-deaf."
Song Siqi was surprised to get the answer from her own mouth, and even felt a little disillusioned.
Meng Yao remembered that in Yunnan, Xu Yao was criticized by children for his ugly paintings. She recalled that Xu Yao was criticized mercilessly that day, but she didn't mind, just bowed her head and smiled helplessly.
Meng Yao also smiled.
Xu Yao is tone-deaf and cannot draw, but she is still very beautiful in her heart.
This is the boy who is closest to the word "perfect" in her heart.
Meng Yao's smile was completely unconscious, because she made no sound and no one noticed her.
Except Xu Yao.
Meng Yao's smile was still there when she raised her head. She didn't expect Xu Yao to look at her. Just like that, he met Xu Yao's eyes.
What she didn't know was that Xu Yao had been looking at her for a long time.
He still used that unabashed look.
Meng Yao likes stars.
Xu Yao watched her smile and wondered if Meng Yao knew that her eyes were as bright and beautiful as the stars when she smiled.
Meng Yao didn't expect to meet Xu Yao's eyes. She was stunned for a moment. She looked at Xu Yao and suddenly saw Xu Yao smiling at her.
Suddenly the world lit up.
The suggestion to go singing was rejected, and Zheng Hua finally chose a place.
"Video game city, okay?"
he asked everyone.
Gao Yang had no objection. Song Siqi had not been to this kind of entertainment venue for several years. She missed it very much and did not vote against it.
There were only two people left.
Zheng Hua looked over and asked, "What do you think?"
Meng Yao looked away from Xu Yao, but she didn't pay much attention and said, "I can do either."
Xu Yao slowly turned away his eyes and nodded indifferently: "Okay."
Zheng Hua didn't notice the undercurrent between them. He was very satisfied with his proposal and said, "Then let's settle the bill and set off."
The video game city was a bit far away from their current location. For convenience, a few people took two taxis in front of the restaurant. Zheng Hua originally wanted to find an excuse to let Song Siqi sit with him and Gao Yang, but felt it was inappropriate, so he finally arranged for three boys Take a car, Song Siqi and Meng Yao take a car.
This arrangement was the same as when they went to have a barbecue in his memory. Meng Yao actually had the illusion that he was back to that summer again.
The difference is that at that time, Meng Yao was sitting in the taxi and looking at Xu Yao through the window. Xu Yao was standing on the roadside listening to Gao Yang's words without her in his eyes. But now, when Zheng Hua and Song Siqi were talking, Xu Yao naturally stood for her. Opened the back seat door of the taxi.
Meng Yao's heartbeat speeded up unconsciously.
Zheng Hua sent the address of the arcade to Song Siqi's mobile phone and made an appointment to meet at the entrance of the arcade.
After getting in the car, Song Siqi and Meng Yao were right next to each other. She looked back and saw that Xu Yao's car was following them.
Song Siqi lowered her voice and said to Meng Yao: "I observed carefully when we were eating just now. I am sure Xu Yao has feelings for you, otherwise I would write your name backwards."
This was said so confidently that Meng Yao's first reaction was not joy, but laughter.
She had liked Xu Yao for many years and had peeked at him countless times as a shadow. Although she didn't know Xu Yao very well, she was quite clear about some of Xu Yao's ways of dealing with others. From the reunion at the high-speed rail station to now, Meng Yao had to say that she had not noticed any changes in Xu Yao's treatment of her. It was false, but she didn't think Xu Yao's actions could mean anything, at least not enough to support the start of a new relationship between them. So in response to Song Siqi's words, Meng Yao just smiled and said nothing.
Song Siqi hissed softly, and continued: "When I saw Xu Yao today, I finally understood why you are obsessed with him. He really hasn't changed at all, he is still the same as in high school, every move is particularly eye-catching. "
"No." Song Siqi touched it and said, "I think this stage is more powerful than in high school. I was still a teenager in high school, but now I'm starting to mature. I haven't lost that high-spiritedness, and I'm a little more calm."
"What do you think?"
Meng Yao said "Yeah". In short, Xu Yao was very good at every stage, whether he was a teenager or now a mature person.
In another taxi, Zheng Hua squeezed Gao Yang into the passenger seat and sat in the back seat, gazing at Xu Yao.
"Tell me about it."
Xu Yao raised his eyelids and looked at him casually: "What did you say?"
"You and Meng Yao."
Zheng Hua could only pretend for a while. He was destined not to be the presiding judge. He put down his scrutiny and gossiped with great interest: "Why haven't I heard that you have new stories in Yunnan?"
Without waiting for Xu Yao to speak, he added: "Don't deny it. We have known each other for so many years. I don't know what you are like. No wonder everyone comes to me and asks me if you are in love. Your thoughts are too obvious."
Xu Yao smiled: "What am I thinking?"
"You know it in your heart." Zheng Hua said, "Don't like it? Stop denying it. When did you become so dishonest."
Xu Yao still looked calm and composed and said, "I didn't deny it."
This was equivalent to admission, and Gao Yang also turned his head.
The driver listened to the young man's story and looked at them several times in the rearview mirror with a smile.
Zheng Hua and Gao Yang looked at each other and said, "How long have you been together in Yunnan and you have stories? Is this considered true fate?"
Zheng Hua thought it was unbelievable: "Xing Ying didn't change you even after so long. How could Meng Yao be so capable and change your attitude towards relationships so much in just over two months?"
Zheng Hua meant no harm, but these few words were not respectful enough.
Xu Yao frowned.
Gao Yang saw Xu Yao's expression and misunderstood him. He was afraid that Xu Yao would be unhappy, so he quickly interrupted: "How long has it been since Xing Ying's incident? Why are you bringing this up?"
"Why can't we mention it?" Zheng Hua hadn't realized it yet and was still surprised, "Isn't it nice to break up peacefully and wish each other the best?"
Gao Yangxin asked, "Do you know what past tense is?" and sighed tiredly.
Xu Yao never likes to talk about his personal affairs, not to mention that there is a stranger in the car, the driver. Relationships are a very personal matter. Even if they are friends, he does not need to explain anything. He only said: "It's not as good as you said." exaggerate."
Xu Yao is actually a very casual person most of the time. He has never thought about the "emotional attitude" Zheng Hua mentioned.
He has always felt that people's thoughts and states of expression are different at each stage.
He didn't know if he and Meng Yao were truly destined, he just thought it was strange.
Xu Yao has a good memory, but he doesn't have a photographic memory either. Meng Yao and he had very few interactions in the past. Miraculously, a few years later, even though Meng Yao had changed a lot, Xu Yao could recognize her at a glance.
No matter how gentle Xu Yao appears, he is still proud in his bones and has a distant look in his eyes. It is a rare thing for a person like him to remember a girl with whom he has nothing to do for so long.
Xu Yao later thought that a big reason why he could remember Meng Yao was that Meng Yao gave him a very special feeling, both tough and fragile.
After the reunion, Xu Yao found that Meng Yao's sense of vulnerability had become very weak. If he hadn't heard Meng Yao arguing with his family on the phone that day, he would have felt that Meng Yao's sense of vulnerability had disappeared.
She is much stronger than before, but not invincible. There is a very delicate part of her heart that cannot be indifferent to suffering.
Emotion is something that is difficult to explain clearly. It can be very complex or very simple.
Xu Yao admitted that at first he was mostly curious about Meng Yao, curious about her changes, and curious about the reason why she came to teach. Slowly, curiosity turned into appreciation, and a little admiration.
He remembered what Meng Yao said to Feng Xiao in the office, and he agreed with some of her views. He discovered that Meng Yao was actually a very sincere and sober person.
As for the admiration part, it was Meng Yao's courage.
Like many people, Xu Yao was once surprised that Meng Yao came to teach in a remote mountainous area.
On the night when Meng Yao had an argument with his family on the phone, Xu Yao remembered that the night wind was very strong and blew Meng Yao's hair into his face. She no longer shed tears as fragilely as she did that rainy night a few years ago, and her eyes were even calm.
But strangely, her calm eyes touched Xu Yao more than the look in her eyes when she shed tears a few years ago.
Maybe the moonlight added a little sadness to the scene, but Xu Yao just felt that she was very depressed.
He wanted to do something.
On a rainy night a few years ago, he handed over an umbrella, and on a night a few years later, he gave out a bottle of milk.
An act that also contains comforting elements.
The difference was that when he saw Meng Yao lowering her head, her hair covering the side of her face, and felt her emotions, the thought that came to his mind was -
He wants her to be happy.
This was a wish he had never had on that rainy night a few years ago.
Xu Yao would not deny that he had a crush on Meng Yao, but he also knew that he had not reached the level of love yet.
Love is rare and elusive.
It gives people strength and makes them softer.
It can be pinched into various shapes and presented in different ways.
It's beautiful.
Xu Yao is groping.
Love has a cumulative process, and he enjoys this process and can nourish it with unprecedented patience.
He looks forward to the moment when love truly comes.
