Ren Wei Gan drove the car. None dared to break the deadly silence. Yi Ling wanted was so scared, her eyes began watery. An Ran had her head hang down, clasping her trembling fingers together.
Since it was July, the sky had been azure and clear, birds were happily chirping above, the scent of summer printed the nostrils, and if was a normal happy day without Yi Ling getting herself into trouble, it would be a perfect day to enjoy such weather. Instead of exhaling the joyful scent of summer, Yi Ling began to worry how her third uncle would react to the incident. She began to wonder if An Ran's little uncle would cover up for them like he usually does. Yi Ling was not confident, since this time, both of her and An Ran had went out of boundary. Yi Ling was engulfed with guilt and fear. She was pondering how An Ran's little uncle had found out them in such place, then again, the town is not as big as Beijing or Shanghai, there is probability they could run into someone whom they know.
Ren Wei Gan lightened his cigarettes as he drove the car. Jin Hao was sitting beside him. ''Yi Ling right?'' Jin Hao spoke for the first time.
Yi Ling looked up and met Jin Hao's gaze as she heard him spoke. She nodded, ''yes, Brother Jin Hao.''
Jin Hao stared at her through the rearview mirror. ''You, how did the both of you end up in such place? I sometimes heard about you getting troubles with An Ran, but i never thought you would be so daring to come to that kind of place,'' Jin Hao scolded.
''It is been awhile since they receive a good beating, that's why they have that guts!'' An Ran's little uncle muttered with his cigarettes on his mouth.
Hearing this, An Ran, couldn't help but to defend herself or more like talking back to her little uncle. ''Little uncle, just now you heard Su Juan. He invited us to go there and we didn't know that the place was a bar. We thought we are going there to play pool only.''
As An Ran finished talking, the car came to an abrupt halt in front of the traffic light. Yi Ling noticed the traffic light was red, and few people started to cross the pedestrian crosswalk, taking advantage before the light turn green. The July weather was sunny and fill with lightness. Yi Ling particularly like to watch the scene of people passing by, especially in a big city. Whenever she came to Shanghai for a visit, she would make sure to drop by her favorite coffee shop across the street that connect with the view of Shanghai's central of heart. Since Shanghai is a big city, and most people are not local, probably coming from a small town to a such big city to create a better opportunity, Yi Ling often wondered where those passerby heading to and what kind of life they are living in such a big city. However, that day, she didn't have any mood to leisure and reflect as her mind pondering with how was she going to explain to third uncle and her aunt once they found out the trouble she got into.
Ren Wei Gan hearing An Ran talking back to him, he gave her a glare. ''Now you really thought you are all grown up huh? Talk back and got into trouble, you are really itchy for a good beating!''
An Ran didn't dare to say anything else hearing this. When the red light turned green, Ren Wei Gan step on his pedal after he pulled down the hand break. Instead of sending them home straightaway, Ren Wei Gan and Jin Hao brought the girls to a nearby restaurant after finding out that both Yi Ling and An Ran hadn't had anything for their lunch beside the popcorns and coca cola. The restaurant had a familiar taste, since Yi Ling often eat in that place. She particularly like the restaurant's mala noodles. Yi Ling ordered the usual mala noodles she likes to eat, while An Ran ordered something lighter since she didn't really like to eat spicy food. After they had their fill, both the girls received a good lectures from Jin Hao and Ren Wei Gan. Ren Wei Gan wanted to keep scolding the girls, but looking at their pitiful gaze despite getting themselves into trouble, he decided to stop lecturing.
''Yi Ling, An Ran,'' Brother Jin Hao called their name softly at the end of his scolding. ''It is not because we like to scold you girls. But we are worry for you girls. Fortunately, nothing big happen with you girls. However, as a young girls, you shouldn't casually follow any men especially to that kind of place. They might take advantage of you. If that happen, who is going to be resposible for you?''
After Jin Hao finished speaking then only both An Ran and Yi Ling reflected their actions. Previously, they had been filled with worry of getting scolded and how to explain to the elders. They never thought about the consequences of their action to themselves until Jin Hao mentioned this. Both Yi Ling and An Ran became scared and relieved at the same time. Fortunately nobody taking advantage of them. The thought of that made Yi Ling think she should really think twice before repeating the same incident. At the end of that day, both Jin Hao and Ren Wei Gan did not tell Yi Ling's third uncle and An Ran's parents about the incident. Yi Ling felt a huge relieved at that. The same day, after eating their lunch and getting lectured, Ren Wei Gan send Yi Ling back to her grandparents house.
''Little uncle, brother Jin Hao, thank you for sending me back.'' Yi Ling told them politely before she got off from the car.
That evening, Yi Ling didn't take her grandfather for a walk like she used to because his conditions was getting weaker each day. The next Monday early afternoon when the school was having their lunch break, Yi Ling and An Ran queued in the long line to take their lunch. Since early morning, none of the girl dare to mention what happen to them when Ren Wei Gan caught them inside the pub. The feel terrible enough with the incident, and both girls decided to let pass the incident. After taking their lunch from the Ah yi, Yi Ling and An Ran found a corner table nearby the window.
''Let's sit there,'' An Ran and Yi Ling headed to the table. Once they seated, two familiar figure and one unfamiliar figure joined their table. Both An Ran looked up and found Jin Sing, Chen Yang and one boy who seemed to be the same age as them. Yi Ling had never seen the boy before, so she didn't know his name. She wondered if they were a classmate before. She remebered the incident with Su Juan, after meeting him and a few recalling, then only she remembered Su Juan had been their classmate for a short period of time. But this time, when Yi Ling try to recall the same way as she did with Su Juan, Yi Ling couldn't remember of seeing the boy before.
''Yi Ling, An Ran, you two really got my respect!'' suddenly Jin Sing said this to both girls as he made himself sitting comfortably beside Yi Ling. For a moment, Yi Ling was a little confuse then only she knew where his conversation was leading to.
''Why?'' An Ran was slow on this.
Jin Sing gave them a thumb up as he put down his tray. ''You both are really awesome! How is it, I've never been to a bar myself? Was it fun?'' Jin Sing was enthusiastic when he asked them this. Both Yi Ling and An Ran eyes became wide, then only the suspected that Jin Sing must know about this incident from his brother who had been there to caught them in the act with An Ran's little uncle.
''You two went to a bar?'' The unfamiliar boy who was sitting with them suddenly ask. Even Chen Yang became interested after hearing this. He tilted his eyebrow as he looked at Yi Ling and met her gaze. Yi Ling didn't dare to look further so she slowly pulled out her gaze and looking down at her food.
''They both went. My brother and her little uncle caught them in the act, unfortunately.'' Jin Sing pointed at An Ran as he mentioned about Ren Wei Gan. All morning, the had been trying to avoid mentioning about that Sunday incident. When Jin Sing burst out their little secret, Yi Ling folded with embarrassment. Especially when Chen Yang had been sitting in front of her and found out about this. Yi Ling gave Jin Sing a frustrating kick.
''Why did you kick me?'' Jin Sing looked at Yi Ling when he felt pain on his leg after getting a kick from Yi Ling. Yi Ling glared at him and Jin Sing just grinned at her when he caught on what she was trying to tell him.
''Who is this new boy?'' An Ran asked as she noticed the unfamiliar boy who was sitting along with them. ''I don't think I've seen him before.''
''Oh, I'm Chu Ying. I just transferred to this school.'' The boy answered. Later, Yi Ling learned that Chu Ying transferred to their school from Shenzhen because of his father's work. Unlike Jin Sing, An Ran and Yi Ling, both Chen Yang and Cu Ying were good with their studies. Among the three boys, only Jin Sing studying art class while the other two study Science. Yi Ling often wondered, how those boys could get along and hang out together despite their different characters. Only as she grow older she began to understand, childhood friends hard to replace.
''So you two really went to a bar?'' Chu Ying decided to bring up the matter again. Yi Ling didn't answer and just eat her rice while An Ran drink her milk. It was Jin Sing who answered him.
''They really went.'' Jin Sing muttered as he took out some meat from his tray using his chopsticks. ''What really awesome about them is that they even ordered beers.'' Jin Sing continued as he chewed his meat. Chu Ying's eyes became wide.
''We didn't!'' both An Ran and Yi Ling said spontaneously. Yi Ling really wanted to give Jin Sing another strong kick at that moment.
''You didn't? Why my brother said there were beers on your table,'' Jin Sing became confused and thought he was mishearing what his brother had told him for a moment.
An Ran put down her milk and begin to eat her rice as she finally told him the truth. ''We didn't order them. At least, those beers not ours but those boys. We really only drink juice!'' An Ran swear as she put up her right hand.
''Ahhh,'' Jin Sing remembered his brother mentioning about Yi Ling and An Ran hanging with a group of young boys whom were high schoolers like them. ''Those boys, my ge said you were invited by them. How did you meet them?'' Jin Sing became curious.
Chu Ying was listening to the conversation intently as he became interested with the girls' answer. At first he was unfamiliar to them, then at that moment he felt that these friends easy to get along with. On the other hand, Chen Yang who was eating his rice and meat slowly, seemed to be listening as well. He often threw a glance at Yi Ling but Yi Ling didn't dare to meet his direct gaze.
''Hmm, we met them on theater while watching movie. We happen to be watching the same movie together.'' An Ran mumbled.
Yi Ling looked up and said. ''No, we didn't. We met them on the bus!'' Yi Ling exposed An Ran's lie.
Jin Sing widened his eyes again as if it was unbelievable to hear this from them. ''Woah, both of you really awesome! Trusting stranger that fast and followed them to a bar, really awesome! No wonder little uncle wanted to strangle you both alive!'' Jin Sing finally found out why his brother had came to lecture him that night after caught the girls in the bar. His brother had told him if he have the guts to make such trouble and become so daring, his brother will not be so polite and beat him with his bare hands on the spot.
''So two high schoolers like you both went to a bar with stranger? How do they allow you in?'' It was Chen Yang who asked while he gave Yi Ling a side glare as he spoke.
"Not exactly stranger. He used to be our classmate," An Ran said. Yi Ling on the other side didn't speak much as she eat her rice. She was so embarrassed that her friends knew what had happened, especially Chen Yang. Ren Wei Gan and Jin Hao have her long lectures, Yi Ling pondered if Chen Yang would do the same. Then Yi Ling remembered, she had evening study session with Chen Yang. the thought made her dreadful instead of excitement. "Su Juan knew the bar owner. That's why they let us in."
Hearing a familiar name, Jin Sing put down his coca cola drink on the table. "Su who? Why do I find this name familiar." Jin Sing looked at An Ran.
"Su Juan. You know him? he used to be our classmate for a short while before he transferred during our junior year." Right then, An Ran wanted to know if Jin Sing was familiar with Su Juan as the boy left her with an impression. They had exchanged contact number, but Su Juan hadn't send her any text after the incident.
Jin Sing was thinking for a while as if he was recalling something from the past. Then only he remembered. "Ah, that boy! How can I forget his name. Last time before he left our school, I got into fight with him. Bald Gu caught us and I had to scrap the school's toilet with Su Juan when everyone left school."
Yi Ling couldn't recall such incident happened before to Jin Sing. Then again, since Jin Sing has always been the troublemaker in her class, there were just too many incidents and punishments, at a point sometimes she couldn't recall some of them. She wasn't surprised hearing this, since Su Juan seemed to be troublemaker himself.
An Ran nodded. "But Su Juan very handsome now. He even give me his contact number," An Ran was giggling as she said this.
Jin Sing stared at her in speechless. " He dragged you into trouble and you still think that way of him?" he paused, "now I understand why you both got into trouble."
"She is the one who accepted Su Juan invitation first. I told her I don't want to go but she drag me along," Yi Ling pointed her chopsticks accusingly at An Ran who just grinned at her in return.
"Why are you looking at that," An Ran said cheerfully, "at least now, you also got a little secret admirer."
Chen Yang who hadn't speak much went still as he heard An Ran. Chu Ying who hadn't known them for a long time continued eating his lunch without any concern. Jin Sing who took a bit on his vegetables spilled out from surprised. Yi Ling gave An Ran a confusing look. "Secret admirer? I don't have any, don't simply gossip!"
An Ran gave her a look. "You really have a secret admirer. Remember the Jun Jun boy? He asked me your number and told me he want to court you."
Chu Ying who didn't seems to care much about the conversation suddenly coughed and stifled his laughter. He didn't know why but couldn't help to find this situation was amusing.
"Our classmate Ling finally grown up, not only she visited a bar but she even caught herself a man." Jin Sing teased her and Yi Ling gave him a hard kick for the second time. Yi Ling suddenly lost her appetite. She found Chen Yang had been staring at her and raised his eyebrows. She wasn't sure how to explain the situation with him. Then again, they were just friend. Thus, Yi Ling didn't know if he was bothered with what An Ran said. At the end, she decided to keep her silence and didn't say anything.
"Shouldn't you all be focusing on improving your grade instead of chasing puppy love? Even Old Zhao worried for your future," Chen Yang spoke. Then he looked at Yi Ling and said, "later, come to my house earlier. Make sure you have done all the homework I give you."
When Chen Yang said this, they didn't continue their conversation and proceed with their lunch. That evening when Yi Ling came to Chen Yang's house, he didn't speak much and asked for her homework as soon as she entered the house. Chen Yang's mother who had been busy in the kitchen, smiled at Yi Ling as soon as she noticed the girl. Yi Ling greeted her and uncle Su before following Chen Yang to his father's study room. Yi Ling found the atmosphere around them were different that day. She was pondering what has changed.
"Focus. Do you even understand what I was explaining just now?" Chen Yang asked her when he noticed she was not focusing. Yi Ling looked guilty and Chen Yang stifled a sigh as he began to explain again. The lesson took them longer than usually. Yi Ling managed to do all Old Zhao homeworks, although there were chapters and questions she didn't exactly understand, Chen Yang's explanation was helpful. When Yi Ling was packing her books to her bag, she noticed her nokia vibrated. Even Chen Yang noticed this too. Yi Ling took a look and she was getting a text from unfamiliar number. Then Yi Ling read the text, it was from Feng Jun.
'Hi Yi Ling, this is Feng Jun. I hope we didn't get you into trouble with your parents that day. This is my contact number.'
Chen Yang was staring at her before he look away and get up from his seat. That day, Yi Ling had dinner with Chen Yang's family. Chen Yang send her back home to her third uncle house since the sky was getting darker. They didn't speak much as they walk along the night street.
"Do you like the boy?" Chen Yang suddenly asked out of blue.
"Who?" Yi Ling was confused when he ask this.
"That Jun Jun boy An Ran was talking." Chen Yang mentioned Feng Jun then only Yi Ling knew what whom he was referring.
Yi Ling shook her head. "I only met him that day. How can I like him when I like you?" Yi Ling blurted out and when she conscious what she was saying her cheeks became red.
"Good!" Chen Yang voice became affirmative. "Focus on your study. If that Jun Jun boy call or text you, ignore him."