When he's not in front of me, I get scared.
I'm afraid there might be another girl around him right now.
Maybe someone else is clinging to him shamelessly, just like I do.
What if he ends up getting attached to her?
This kind of fear and insecurity leaves me anxious and restless.
-From *Su Zai Zai, the Little Fairy's Diary*
Looking at the message on the screen, Su Zai Zai said without hesitation, "Okay."
The air outside was damp and cold, with a chill that seemed to pierce through to the bone.
The swing swayed as if it had invited the wind.
Her breath turned into white mist, spreading in front of her eyes.
Almost simultaneously, Zhang Lu Rang sent a voice message.
Shivering, Su Zai Zai tapped on the voice message.
She felt so cold that all she wanted was to listen quickly and then head back inside.
She held her phone close to her ear.
His voice was warm and smooth, like a gentle stream.
Each word was clear and distinct as it reached her ears.
-"Let's apply to Z University together."
But Su Zai Zai didn't react immediately.
She sniffed, her expression a bit dazed, and played it again.
This time she understood.
Zhang Lu Rang said, "Together."
Suddenly, she felt that this year was going to be a great one.
There probably wouldn't be a more joyful moment than this.
So, she decided not to make any wishes this year.
Because she had already received everything she wanted.
No need to be greedy anymore.
Zhang Lu Rang returned to his room.
He walked over to his desk, picked up his phone, and unplugged his earphones.
Su Zai Zai had sent a few more voice messages.
Zhang Lu Rang played the one he hadn't listened to yet.
-"Okay."
Before he could react, the next voice message automatically played.
On the other end, there was the sound of wind, and the girl's soft voice still carried a hint of a nasal tone.
-"It's settled then, we'll apply together, don't back out."
-"I think this year is going to be great, so I'm not making any wishes."
-"Is there anything you want? You can tell Zai Zai the little fairy, and she'll make your wish come true."
Zhang Lu Rang lay down on his bed, holding his phone in his right hand, his arm covering his eyes, blocking out the light.
He suddenly chuckled softly.
Then he moved his hand away and sent two messages.
-No need.
-Don't stay outside too long, go home.
Su Zai Zai didn't reply immediately, leaving Zhang Lu Rang unsure of what she was doing.
He stood up, walked over to his desk, and sat down.
He placed his phone in the most visible spot and, after confirming that she hadn't sent any more messages, he shifted his gaze away and reached for his pen.
Before he could start writing, the door opened again.
Zhang Lu Li walked in and sat down on his bed.
The room remained as quiet as it always was when Zhang Lu Rang was alone.
After a while, Zhang Lu Li, seeming to have hesitated for a long time, finally made up his mind and spoke.
"Brother, don't pay attention to what Uncle and the others said."
"Mm," Zhang Lu Rang responded.
"I think they're really annoying too, they're just sick."
There was a brief silence.
Zhang Lu Li licked his lips and changed the subject. "Brother, is Z City fun?"
Zhang Lu Rang didn't answer.
"Just now, Dad said that starting next semester, you'll be going back to study at home. The high school exams in Z City and B City are different, the question types are different too..."
Zhang Lu Rang's pen paused, and he replied softly, "Got it."
"And for local students, the admission score for B University is a bit lower. I feel like this way, you'll have it a bit easier."
""
"Brother, let me tell you, B University..."
Zhang Lu Rang interrupted him, "Let's not talk about this."
"Oh... okay."
Seeing that he wasn't going to say anything more, Zhang Lu Rang sighed and spoke up.
"Z City is great."
Zhang Lu Rang's initiative to talk made Zhang Lu Li's interest perk up again.
"I have a classmate whose family is from there, every time I hear him describe it, I want to go see it."
"Mm."
"Brother, can I visit you in Z City after the semester starts?"
"Are you staying in a dorm? I could come over on the weekend, and you could show me around."
Hearing this, Zhang Lu Rang was momentarily distracted.
In his mind, he pictured Su Zai Zai's smiling face, carefree and silly.
She was always laughing, like a fool.
He pressed his lips together and softly refused, "No."
Zhang Lu Li groaned in disappointment and asked, "Why not?"
"I won't have time."
Zhang Lu Rang knocked on the study door.
After hearing a response, he pushed the door open and walked in.
His father was sitting at the large desk, looking over some documents.
He didn't lift his head, nor did he speak.
Zhang Lu Rang didn't say anything either, standing quietly where he was, waiting.
After a while, his father looked up at him, his voice low and stern, tinged with frustration.
"Have you been studying properly over there?"
Zhang Lu Rang stood straight and didn't say anything.
"You're not just playing around, are you?"
"Don't go back next semester. Your uncle is busy, he doesn't have time to look after you."
Hearing this, Zhang Lu Rang finally spoke, "I live in a dorm, I don't need Uncle to watch over me."
"And do you think you can keep up with the progress when you return for the second year?"
His father pulled out his report card from the drawer and sighed.
"22nd in your grade. I don't even know what to say."
Zhang Lu Rang wanted to say:
His first monthly exam, he ranked 32nd.
For the midterms, he was 25th.
This time, he ranked 22nd.
He was improving every time.
But what good was that if no one noticed?
"Don't go back to Z City. If no one is watching over you, I can't feel at ease." His father tossed the report card into the trash can next tohim. "Get up early tomorrow. Your mom has found an English tutor for you."
"Can't I take the college entrance exam in Z City?" he asked softly.
His father ignored him, simply saying, "Go read a book and get some sleep."
Zhang Lu Rang returned to his room.
He didn't even bother turning on the lights, heading straight to his bed and lying down.
He lit up his phone and opened the chat with Su Zai Zai.
She had just replied: I'm home.
Su Zai Zai: Today we had dinner at my grandparents' house. Sigh, the elders keep bringing up grades...
**Su Zai Zai:** But luckily, I'm the top student among them, hehe.
Zhang Lu Rang suddenly really wanted to hear her voice.
He lowered his gaze and slowly typed: **Su Zai Zai.**
**Zhang Lu Rang:** Weren't you going to help me make a wish come true?
**Su Zai Zai:** What do you want?
**Su Zai Zai:** If I have it, it's yours.
Zhang Lu Rang felt a tightness in his chest, his eyes stinging slightly.
He swallowed hard and said hoarsely, "Tell me a joke."
Seeing that he sent a voice message, Su Zai Zai immediately initiated a voice call.
Zhang Lu Rang was startled for a moment, but instinctively accepted.
When the call connected, Su Zai Zai's voice came through the line.
Her tone sounded a bit different from usual, but her words were exactly the same.
"Rang Rang, can you hear me?"
Zhang Lu Rang pulled over his earphones and put them on: "Mm."
Su Zai Zai seemed a bit troubled and hesitated before speaking.
"You want to hear a joke, huh? But I haven't come across anything funny lately."
"Then never mind." He really just wanted to hear her voice.
There was a brief silence.
Su Zai Zai cautiously asked, "Are you feeling down?"
"Why? It's New Year's Eve; you should be happily receiving red envelopes."
Zhang Lu Rang didn't respond.
Her tone turned gloomy, sounding a bit discouraged: "You never say anything."
Zhang Lu Rang's fingers tapped lightly on the blanket, as if he was contemplating how to respond.
Before he could say anything, Su Zai Zai continued, "Sigh, now I'm feeling sad too."
"Your mood is contagious, even over the phone."
"Ι..."
"Why are you unhappy?"
Zhang Lu Rang thought for a moment and decided to share one of the lesser reasons for his bad mood.
"I ranked 22nd in my grade for the final exams."
Upon hearing that, Su Zai Zai immediately shared her own results.
"I ranked 823rd."
"We both improved! Isn't that great?"
Hearing that, Zhang Lu Rang chuckled.
His mood lifted a little.
Hearing him laugh, Su Zai Zai continued, showering him with praise.
"But you're more impressive than me. You moved up three spots! A whole three spots! I only moved up two!"
"Alright." There was a smile in his voice now, sounding much less downcast than before.
But Su Zai Zai still felt that wasn't the real reason for his sadness.
After some internal debate, she decided to ask again, "So why are you unhappy?"
Zhang Lu Rang hesitated for a moment, then decided to be honest.
"My dad wants me to go back to B City for school."
The other end of the line went silent.
Zhang Lu Rang didn't even hear her breathing.
He took off one of his earphones and lit up the screen to check.
The call hadn't been disconnected.
Zhang Lu Rang hesitantly said, "Hello?"
The call immediately ended.
Zhang Lu Rang: "..."
Su Zai Zai's mood right now felt like...
A perfectly sunny day, suddenly struck by lightning, and she was the one struck, even though she'd been safely at home.
Her phone buzzed a few times as Zhang Lu Rang sent messages.
Su Zai Zai sat cross-legged on her bed and set his messages to "Do Not Disturb."
She didn't have the courage to block him.
She didn't even check what Zhang Lu Rang had sent.
Instead, she opened the chat window with Jiang Jia.
Su Zai Zai: My mood right now... is indescribable.
Jiang Jia replied instantly: Together at last?
Su Zai Zai: Haha.
Su Zai Zai: Dumped.
Jiang Jia:... You weren't even together, so how could you bedumped?
Su Zai Zai: He just told me we'd apply to Z University together, and now he says he's going back to B City for high school. Do you think he's messing with me?
Jiang Jia: Those two things aren't contradictory...
Jiang Jia: He can still apply to Z University with you even if he's in B City.
Su Zai Zai: No.
Su Zai Zai: If I'm not around to remind him of my existence, he'll definitely forget about me soon.
Su Zai Zai suddenly felt like crying.
He's in another province, another city, and she felt helpless.
That sense of attachment could be so easily defeated by distance.
Su Zai Zai buried her face in her blanket, her tears soaking into it, leaving dark spots.
Soon, she lifted her head.
She went online and checked flight tickets from Z City to B City.
But it was pointless.
A few days ago, it might have worked, but now, with the New Year approaching, her parents definitely wouldn't let her go.
Feeling frustrated, Su Zai Zai opened the chat window with Zhang Lu Rang.
-What's wrong?
-Say something.
-Su Zai Zai.
-I'll come back to Z City.
Su Zai Zai licked her lips and slowly typed: **Really?**
**Zhang Lu Rang:** Mm.
**Su Zai Zai:** You scared me by not saying the whole thing.
**Zhang Lu Rang:**...
**Su Zai Zai:** You should have said, "My dad wants me to go back to B City for school, but I don't agree." That's how you should've said it. You definitely did it on purpose to scare me.
**Su Zai Zai:** I'm so shaken, I feel weak...
**Su Zai Zai:** I'm going to sleep now.
**Zhang Lu Rang:** "..."
Despite what his father said, Zhang Lu Rang secretly booked a flight ticket.
On the morning of the seventh day of the New Year, he returned to Z City.
Zhang Lu Rang entered the house, unlocking the door with the code.
Su Su, the dog, jumped up, placing its front paws on him, wagging its tail.
He smiled and rubbed its head.
His uncle, Lin Mao, walked out of the kitchen, sipping on a glass of milk.
Seeing that Zhang Lu Rang was back, he didn't seem surprised.
He lazily nodded toward him and said, "After you unpack, give Su Su a bath. It smells awful."
Su Su stuck out its tongue and barked once.
Zhang Lu Rang silently nodded.
"I'll take you to school tomorrow, remember to wake me up."
"...Mm."
"Don't listen to your dad; he's got issues."
"Your mom too."
Zhang Lu Rang didn't bring much back, just a backpack.
He placed it in his room.
Then he went downstairs to give Su Su a bath and blow-dry its fur.
After finishing everything.
Zhang Lu Rang returned to his room, and Su Su followed him, lying down next to his bed.
The room was quiet.
The person was quiet, and the dog was quiet too.
Zhang Lu Rang smiled again and sent a message to Su Zai Zai.
-I'm back in Z City.