At that time of the year, I must have suffered from heatstroke.
Groggy, I had sprawled across the desk in the classroom and slept for a long while, and I had no recollection of what happened afterward.
After that, Lou Yu seemed to vanish from my sight.
No sound from her in sophomore year, none in junior year, and even less news after we graduated.
She disappeared from this class.
Yes.
After that summer, she disappeared from everyone's conversations!
"Have you heard about that thing?"
At this moment, a ponytailed girl in front of Ji Yun whispered.
As she said this, the ponytailed girl glanced back and noticed that a few desks away, only the Ji Yun suffering from heatstroke lay sprawled out.
Ji Yun's ears perked up instantly.
Just because he was laying down to think didn't mean he was really sick!
There was juicy gossip!
And it was only when the fair-skinned girls passed by them that they started talking about Lou Yu.
Why didn't I notice before?
Oh, it was because Wu Kai, that goofball, dragged me outside to play soccer!
"The other day, I saw her dad picking her up in a Mercedes; her dad is quite handsome, like a handsome uncle," a girl joked.
"What are you talking about, her real dad left for abroad a long time ago, the one you saw is her stepfather," the ponytailed girl said.
"Ah, when did that happen?"
"It's old news, her mom remarried a rather wealthy, handsome uncle from my neighborhood," the ponytailed girl said.
"Isn't your neighborhood Henguang Garden, definite rich people's houses there, she became a phoenix overnight," a girl with an off-shoulder top said enviously.
"That's not right, I went looking for her a few days ago, and she was still living alone in that old house on Craftsman Street," another girl said.
"So she's not really a phoenix at all, more likely just a little fox. I heard someone say she..." As the ponytailed girl said this, she cautiously looked around again to ensure no one else could overhear, then whispered very softly, "And then... she was kicked out by her mom. What kind of thing could cause a daughter to be kicked out by her mom, huh? You guys figure it out!"
"That can't be right, Lou Yu doesn't seem like that... it's unlikely..."
"Who knows, after all, she's been fatherless since she was little; that's bound to be lacking something, and the next thing you know... Didn't you observe carefully? She's developed better and better, her skin is also glowing; she's nearly turned into a little swan compared to before. Who would believe she hasn't been pampered?"
Listening to these conversations shocked Ji Yun!
Now that I think about it, I do remember a time in high school when Lou Yu pathetically lived alone in that old house.
I even asked her about it once.
She told me it was closer to school and more convenient, so naturally, I didn't think much about it.
She was kicked out by her mother??
And from what these girls were implying in their conversation, she seduced her stepfather?
"It seems there really were such rumors back then..." Ji Yun suddenly remembered.
At that time, I didn't believe them at all, so I certainly didn't take them seriously.
But now that I think about it, any girl at this budding age who is associated with such twisted rumors must suffer immense trauma!
"I'm such a beast; back then, my eyes were only for Qiu Mo, even when my childhood friend was being gossiped about like that, I didn't bother to care!" Ji Yun felt enormously remorseful inside.
Probably, the rumor spread more and more wildly until everyone knew, and that's why Lou Yu completely disappeared from our classmates' view.
I don't know the other girls very well.
But I do know everything about Lou Yu.
She's definitely not like what the rumors say.
However, this matter is too sensitive, and asking directly isn't really an option.
I'll have to find out from others first.
"Ji Yun, you seem okay now, let's go play soccer," said Wu Kai, smacking me with his giant palm.
"I'll forego avenging my previous disgrace today; there's something more important," Ji Yun said gravely as he pulled Wu Kai aside.
"What's more important than avenging your disgrace?"
"Do you know what kind of rumors are spreading about our girl from Craftsman Street!" Ji Yun exclaimed indignantly.
"That rumor? Yeah, I've heard about it; I didn't expect her to turn out like this. We'll just stay away from her in the future," Wu Kai said.
Ji Yun's eyes widened in disbelief.
Has the situation really gotten this bad?
"You live close by, hasn't your mom said anything to you?" Ji Yun asked.
"At first, I would bring over some extra vegetables I picked, but later my mom told me to stay away from her to avoid idle gossip, what could I say," Wu Kai said.
"Do you believe what those people are saying? Lou Yu grew up with us, do you really believe she would do such a thing?" Ji Yun asked.
"I just do whatever my mom says. Besides, you are the one with the most say in this!" Wu Kai said, clearly irritated.
"Me??" Ji Yun asked, puzzled.
"After all these years, we kids from Craftsman Street could see it clearly; Lou Yu likes you. When I hear them getting their tongues wagging, claiming Lou Yu lacked love as a child and got too close to her stepfather by accident, it makes me want to laugh. Does she see anyone as her real or stepdad in her eyes? It's all about Ji Yun brother, right!" Wu Kai said.
"If you don't believe it, why don't you help then?" Ji Yun said.
"How can I help? The community people have been asking, and she says nothing. You need to come forward, but all you think about is Qiu Mo. What can I do? You're also afraid that Qiu Mo might misunderstand your childhood friendship with Lou Yu, or perhaps, you also believe it's true and purposely keep your distance," Wu Kai grumbled on.
"Bullshit, I'm going to tear those bastards' mouths apart!" Ji Yun was furious.
Such a good girl, slandered like this!
I must find the one who started all this!
Although time is short, Ji Yun has many seven-minute intervals.
In the end, he still must start with the matter concerning Lou Yu.
Mmm, coming here a few more times, there will always be a reward!
"Bang!"
A kick sent the soccer ball flying, eliciting a chorus of "wow" from the classroom.
This time Ji Yun didn't rush but decided to have a heart-to-heart instead.
"What's wrong, Brother Ji Yun?" Lou Yu thought she might have chalk on her face and hurriedly wiped her face with her sleeve.
"It's nothing, it's nothing. I just saw you reading a medical book and suddenly remembered your aspiration is to become a doctor," Ji Yun said with a smile.
"Yes, I really want to…" Lou Yu whispered softly.
"Why do you want to be a doctor?" Ji Yun asked.
Lou Yu's expression changed noticeably, as if this was a topic too sensitive for her to discuss.
At this moment, Ji Yun also started to try hard to recall their childhood, to remember anything about Lou Yu and her family.
Ji Yun had a vague memory of Lou Yu's biological father; there was always a hint of medicinal herb brewing in the air of their old house...
Oh, right.
Her father used to be sick all the time!
"Is it because of your dad? I remember he was always taking Chinese medicine," Ji Yun asked tentatively.
Upon hearing this, Lou Yu's cheeks involuntarily lifted.
Hidden beneath that fluffy mushroom haircut, her cheeks were beautifully crafted, with delicate noses and moist lips, not instantly stunning like the faces of those goddesses but definitely a naturally withstandable beauty!
A bit dirty, a bit messy, her exquisite figure was hidden under an oversized, ill-fitting school uniform. Perhaps due to lack of nutrition, her skin was a bit pale. With no trace of makeup, one could still sense the beauty of a little swan hidden beneath all the mediocrity!
Even Lou Yu's current appearance gave Ji Yun the illusion that she was doing it on purpose.
If only she'd comb her hair, wash her face, and wear clothes that fit her...
The boys in the class wouldn't only be talking about Qiu Mo.
"Yeah, my dad was very sick, and it cost a lot of money to see doctors... they would often argue about it," Lou Yu said, though she was reluctant to talk about her family with others, she knew the boy in front of her was not a stranger.
"I remember getting up to pee in the middle of the night when I was little, and it seemed like I heard your parents throwing things. After that, I never saw your dad again," Ji Yun said.
"He went abroad, to work and seek treatment," Lou Yu said.
"Ah? But how come I heard people say that your dad ran away, and left you two behind?" Ji Yun asked, somewhat surprised.
Neighbors had been saying that Lou Yu's dad had run off and abandoned her and her mother.
"No, he didn't… it's just…" Lou Yu immediately wanted to defend her father, but she couldn't seem to speak, even starting to stutter.
Just then, a fair-skinned girl came over, looking angry, "Why are you picking on Lou Yu too!"
"No, Ji Yun isn't picking on me; we were just talking about old times," Lou Yu immediately spoke up for Ji Yun.
"Hmph, the goddess Qiu Mo is still waiting for you under the tree; there's no need to get too close to our Lou Yu and cause her any trouble, Brother Ji Yun!!" The fair-skinned girl was clearly indignant on behalf of Lou Yu.
"Hey, who are you to speak so rudely?"
"My name's not 'Hey,' it's Lü Jing! Come on, let's not talk to this guy and go practice!"