Lin Youxi, who came from an ordinary family, failed to realize her wish of studying in the same class with them three years ago. Of course, the friendship between the three did not end because their homes were close and it was convenient to visit each other. Lin Youxi would still go to Xia Yuanmei's place to hang out on weekends.
According to the promise Mei Fang made to Xia Yuan a while ago, he will accompany Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi to the Cultural Square to play roller skating this week.
Children in 2005 did not have mobile phones or tablets, and computers were rare. Internet cafes and game halls were exclusively for bad kids, and more mainstream entertainment was more outdoors-oriented.
With the gradual establishment of roller skating rinks in Baimei County, roller skates have a huge market. Both big and small children, and even some college students, will choose roller skating as a weekend pastime.
Mei Fang came to the Cultural Square on her father Mei Lijun's motorcycle.
This motorcycle has been with Mei Fang as the most important vehicle in his family since he was reborn. Obviously, Mei Lijun's own living standard has not improved because of Mei Fang's winning the lottery.
After all, my mother left the system early, which reduced the family's stable source of income by a small amount, and the burden on Meilijun's shoulders became much heavier.
However, his concern for Mei Fang did not diminish because of the existence of his daughter.
In particular, they expressed deep concern about Mei Fang's interpersonal relationships.
"Well, Mei Fang, I'm not saying anything bad about you, but you should play with boys once in a while, right? I see that apart from playing with Xia Yuanlin and Youxi, you're also taking care of your sister Xiaoya at home. How come you don't have any male friends?"
"Boys are all too childish. I just can't get along with them."
Mei Fang's words were indeed sincere. After all, no matter how childish a girl is, at least it won't affect him too much. For example, when you are walking, she may suddenly jump up behind you and give you a thousand-year killing blow, putting on a good show of withered chrysanthemums.
"You are a child yourself, aren't you? Although sometimes I think you are a little too old-fashioned."
Meilijun scratched his head. "If the three of you go home together, does that mean I don't have to pick you up?"
"No need, you should go back and play with Xiaoya."
"It's hard to keep a child when he grows up... It turns out that a little girl is the best!"
Mei Lijun hurriedly rode his bike home to pick up his daughter. Mei Fang smiled and said nothing, waiting to see how long his father could live happily.
The Cultural Square is the largest park square in Baimei County. It is always bustling during weekends, with people flying kites, setting up stalls, having picnics, and setting off fireworks. It is a place where you can feel the cultural atmosphere of your hometown. It makes people feel that this place is very prosperous and has great room for development in the future.
However, people at that time probably did not expect that this place would continue to maintain the title of the largest park square in the entire Baimei County for the next 20 years, and the development of the hometown would remain stagnant.
Mei Fang strolled around the square for a while, and suddenly someone tapped him on the shoulder from behind. When Mei Fang looked from behind on the left, he was tapped on the shoulder from the right. Mei Fang turned around and looked back, only to see Lin Youxi looking at him with a smile.
"Xia Yuan finally invited you out today. It was not easy."
Perhaps because they were together day and night, Mei Fang did not see much change in Xia Yuan over the years. The little angel just became a slightly older little angel.
But Lin Youxi's change can be said to be earth-shaking.
She abandoned her previous bad habit of unhygienic living and began to pay attention to her appearance. Her clothes were clean and tidy. Her messy hair had become black and shiny and was tied into a high ponytail. The snot that always hung from her nose had also disappeared. At first glance, she looked like a cool sporty girl.
As for the biggest difference, she used to be like a little kid hiding behind Xia Yuan, but now she is taller than Xia Yuan and her temperament has become completely different.
Although she hasn't grown up yet and looks immature, she already has some of the qualities of the top female student she used to be.
"Why do you look so silly? Is there something on me?" Lin Youxi looked down at what she was wearing, then pushed Mei Fang.
"Haha, it reminds me of your childhood, like when you had a runny nose—"
"Don't even think about it!"
Lin Youxi kicked Mei Fang lightly in annoyance, "If you dare to mention the past, I will expose your history as a bed-wetting king."
"Who are you going to tell this to? You don't have many friends at school."
"Mei Fang, you are a dog!"
Lin Youxi, whose soft spot was hit, chased Mei Fang and beat him up, forcing Mei Fang to run away.
Although her image is somewhat similar to that of her previous life, she will be exposed as soon as they start to communicate. Lin Youxi is still a tomboy. Not only is she rude in her words, but she also does not know how to control her strength when she strikes.
While the two were chasing and playing, Xia Yuan came running over.
"You two always make a scene every time you meet. Stop it."
Lin Youxi still listened to Xia Yuan as usual. She stopped as soon as Xia Yuan got angry and explained her behavior after stopping, "Why do I need so many friends? I don't need so many friends. It's too tiring to communicate with them. Just a few are enough..."
Apart from the quarrel with Xia Yuanmei, Lin Youxi was always seen alone in school. Occasionally he was seen chatting with girls, but he seemed quite ordinary and calm, which made him seem quite aloof.
It seemed that only when she was with Xia Yuanmei could she show her true self.
"We can finally play roller skating together today. Did you bring your own shoes?"
Lin Youxi and Mei Fang shook their heads. Mei Fang asked in confusion, "You can rent shoes here for 10 yuan a pair. You can play with them all day long. Why would you buy them?"
"But the shoes rented here don't have protective gear, which I think is quite dangerous, especially for beginners..."
"It doesn't matter. How can you learn without falling a few times?" Mei Fang glanced at the big bag Xia Yuan was carrying and immediately showed a look of disdain: "You didn't bring a full set of equipment, did you?"
"Yes! My dad heard that I was roller skating, so he bought it for me because he was afraid I would fall!"
Xia Yuan always looked very proud when she mentioned the things her father bought. Seeing her childish look, Mei Fang couldn't help but tease her:
"Xia Yuan, have you ever heard of the saying, 'Poor students have more stationery'?"
Lin Youxi and Xia Yuan were both stunned for a while after hearing Mei Fang's words. Xia Yuan frowned and fell into thought. Lin Youxi, who reacted first, punched Mei Fang.
"You bad guy, you always bully Xia Yuan!"
The group came to a stall renting roller skates. After choosing the skates, the three of them sat down on a bench nearby to change into their protective gear.
Because the roller skates here do not need to be taken off, they can be put directly on the existing shoes. Mei Fang quickly changed the equipment. Seeing Lin Youxi still tangling with the shoelaces in confusion, he couldn't help but complain:
"Why are you still the same? I've taught you so many times, you should be able to do it now!"
"Of course I know how to do it. I don't need you to teach me..."
Lin Youxi was still being stubborn at this moment, but Mei Fang had already come closer.
Because it was inconvenient to wear roller skates, he half-knelt in front of her and wanted to help her tie her shoelaces. Lin Youxi just pushed for a while and then stopped insisting, letting Mei Fang help her tie her shoelaces. At this time, Lin Youxi suddenly muttered:
"I remember when I was in primary school, I had no idea how to tie my shoelaces. They always came undone... Especially in physical education class, the teacher required us to wear sneakers. I stuffed the shoelaces into my shoes, but they would come undone after just a few steps. I even tripped once."
"I was crying and thinking, if only I could be in the same class with you guys, because you and Xia Yuan would definitely help me tie my shoelaces."
"He's good at studying and playing games, but his ability to take care of himself is disappointing."
Mei Fang looked up at Lin Youxi and teased, "Besides, it's okay for you to ask your classmates for help, right? It's just that you are shy."
"Hmph... that's not your fault."
"Blame us?"
Mei Fang frowned and said, "Hey, hey, are you blaming Xia Yuan and I for being too good to you and taking care of you until you became a useless person?"
Lin Youxi did not respond directly, but just kept her mouth shut and looked away.
At the same time, Xia Yuan sat aside and changed into protective gear. He was about to greet Lin Youxi and Mei Fang when he saw Mei Fang half-kneeling on the ground, holding Lin Youxi's shoes and chatting and laughing with her. Suddenly, the fairy-tale dream scene in the Cinderella story where the prince put on the crystal shoes for Cinderella emerged in his mind.
"Um… "
Xia Yuan pursed her lips and let out a low hum. For the first time, an indescribable complex emotion arose in her heart.
You can leave comments in the comments section tomorrow! Please be active in the discussion! I will also post all my illustrations!
(End of this chapter)