Fake Slackers

Chapter 111: I just want you to be safe and happy

After Dean Jiang gave his speech, several other school administrators went up to take their turn.

The sun grew hotter and hotter.

"Seems like they'll give out some things later." He Zhao was tall and he could see the paper box by Dean Jiang's side at a glance from where he stood. He said, guessing, "Looks like books?"

Other schools gave books at their coming-of-age ceremonies. The gift was simple and brutal: a copy of the Constitution. But looking at the size of the box it probably didn't contain such thick and heavy books.

Old Tang was busy maintaining order. Xie Yu leaned back quietly; he hadn't clearly heard what He Zhao said.

He Zhao bent over. If he lowered his head a little more he would touch the tips of Xie Yu's ears. He thought about it, then called, "Old Xie."

Xie Yu was uncomfortable under the sun and raised a hand to shield his face from the light.

"You're an adult now, you've grown up. There's one important thing you have to learn."

Behind him, He Zhao's voice was low, and when He Zhao spoke his breath touched Xie Yu's ear. His words were very similar to Mad Dog's from just now and for a moment Xie Yu didn't realize what exactly he meant. He paused, then asked, "What?"

He Zhao said, "Take responsibility."

"Mm."

Xie Yu's response was lukewarm. Based on his knowledge of He Zhao, this probably wasn't anything good.

As expected, the moment he said, 'Mm,' He Zhao immediately continued to say, "For example, take responsibility for your boyfriend."

"......"

So this was his goddamn ruse.

"Take responsibility my–" Xie Yu got halfway through his curse and didn't continue. He cut straight to the point. "If you have something to say, why don't you just say it? What's the point of beating around the bush?"

He Zhao had just wanted to tease him. Hearing this, he smiled and bent his head, putting his forehead to the crook of Xie Yu's neck.

At this time, the last leader had finished speaking on stage.

Looking at the time, it was about time to go into the memorial for the tour. But all the homeroom teachers were gathered by the box doing who knows what. About five minutes later, each of them carried a stack of things back.

—It was a thick bundle of envelopes.

Old Tang had not told them about this part beforehand. When Xie Yu received the letter, he was stunned for a moment.

On the envelope was written 'Xie Yu.'

The handwriting was proper and beautiful, and very familiar. At a glance he could tell it was Madam Gu's handwriting.

"Where's yours?" Xie Yu glanced backward. On the envelope in He Zhao's hands, right under the big words 'He Zhao' was another messy line: I'm your pa.

"......"

He Zhao saw it, too. He coughed lightly and said, "That's my Old He. He's a character."

Before, in the office, he had heard Old Tang phone He Zhao's dad. Xie Yu thought that he had a good understanding of this 'Old He,' but this went far beyond what he had imagined. "He is quite the character."

As they spoke, ambient music began playing from the speakers to the side. The song 'A Grateful Heart' flowed out alongside the sound of static.

The students who had received letters were all in a state of confusion and talked quietly amongst themselves: