She happily rolled up the large cuffs of her jeans several times, and barefooted, she padded back to the classroom.
Not wanting to disturb his work anymore, she quietly sat back in her chair and started tapping at her keyboard just like him. Occasionally, she would sneak a glance at him, including his backpack, his computer, and his camera.
So, was he in the same profession as her?
She looked closely at the words on his camera bag: Nan County TV.
So he was from Nan County TV Station!
"Xiao Xu, turns out you're at Nan County TV Station!" She struck up a conversation when it seemed like he was almost done.
Xiao Xu ignored her.
"Later, I never saw you again. Where did you go?" The last time she saw him was in the little forest behind the school. He picked up a stick and wrote "Xiao Xu" all over the dirt. At that time, she was in second grade, and he was in fourth grade. She hid behind a tree, secretly watching him. When he left, he didn't take his backpack.
Suddenly, she remembered something and pulled out her keychain from her bag. Attached to it was a little soccer ball ornament. She dangled the keys in front of him, the keys chiming crisply, "Look, do you still recognize this?" It was from his backpack's keychain; she'd been wearing it for twenty years, and the plastic soccer ball had already faded.
He closed his eyes, looking annoyed beyond measure, "As a journalist, you must remember to complete your interview tasks immediately, and submit your articles at once. Time is your lifeline! Didn't any teacher teach you that?"
Still holding the little soccer ball, she felt a bit wronged, being inexplicably scolded, "I... I already finished..." Afraid he'd blame her for interrupting, she quickly added, "I see you're almost done too..."
He was choked by her words, pressed his lips together, closed his notebook, and ignored her again.
The rain outside poured harder and harder. Tu Hengsha picked up her dirty shoes, ready to put them on.
He glared at her, "What are you doing?"
Tu Hengsha sniffed but didn't smell anything unusual, then said, "I'm going out! The rain isn't just not stopping; it's getting heavier. The command center said there's a good chance the water level will rise tonight. I need to go check it out!"
He frowned, "You?"
"What?" Tu Hengsha put on her shoes, feeling the cold and dampness creeping up from her feet. The shoes were better left on; at least, they retained body heat. Taking them off again made them even colder.
"For someone like you, who doesn't even have the basic qualities of a so-called photojournalist..." His words carried a cold sneer, "Just don't go causing trouble! I really don't know how they sent someone like you here!"
"How do I lack basic qualities?" She was quite angry at being belittled for her professional competence, but because this person was Xiao Xu, she suppressed her anger. While packing her gear, she decided to prove herself with action. So she changed the topic, "Our newspaper didn't just send me; there's also someone named Su Ronggui, but I've not been able to find him. By the way, have you seen him?" Being in the same field, perhaps he knew him.
She thought Xiao Xu wouldn't respond again, but unexpectedly, he said stiffly, "Seen him."
"Ah? Really?" This time she was surprised and even forgot to be angry, "Where is he?" At last, she could regroup with Su Ronggui!
"..." Xiao Xu once again played it cool and ignored her.