Chapter 13

Another Use for My Ability

Qing Ting loved reading picture books with single illustrations accompanied by text. She mentioned once that these were her parents’ childhood collection, now passed down to her, and would likely be considered antiques in a few years.

Sometimes, Wei Lai would peek over her shoulder while she read. He preferred comic books with sequential art, finding them more engaging than the simple picture-story format.

However, picture books were thinner and smaller, making them easier to bring to school. They could be discreetly pulled out when desired, tucked away in a drawer or pocket when not in use – a convenience lacking with larger comic books.

His preference leaned towards thicker comics, often bigger than textbooks. Storing them in his desk drawer felt conspicuous, constantly worrying about discovery, and hiding them in pockets was practically impossible.

As a result, he typically only enjoyed reading comics at home after school.

After gym class, Qing Ting held a dandelion and upon returning to the classroom, she placed it between the pages of her pocket-sized book.

Wei Lai sat next to Qing Ting. “Are you planning to press it as a specimen?” 

Last semester, their art teacher had taught them how to make leaf specimens that could be used as bookmarks.

“No, I intend to plant its seeds.” After tucking away the dandelion, Qing Ting gently patted her pocket-sized book, her eyes filled with anticipation.

“What’s the use of planting dandelions? It’d be better to grow peanuts. At least they’re edible,” Wei Lai muttered while retrieving his language arts textbook from his desk drawer for the upcoming class.

“If I plant these seeds today, when do you think they’ll start sprouting?”

“I don’t know.”

“Well, once they do sprout, I’ll let you know.”

Why would such a tiny dandelion evoke so much excitement in Qing Ting? Even by the time class began, Wei Lai couldn’t quite understand it.

***

As the weather gradually cooled down, everyone started wearing long sleeves.

The onset of chillier days not only signaled the arrival of autumn but also indicated an approaching festival – Mid-Autumn Festival, which would occur in just over half a month.

This year’s Mid-Autumn Festival was slightly different from previous years; it was immediately followed by the National Day holiday. Consequently, the school granted an extra half-day off, dismissing all students at noon on that day.

Upon reaching home, Wei Lai lay bored on his bed, reading comic books while envisioning Qing Ting calling from downstairs within fifteen minutes to invite him out.

Just as he reached an exciting part in the comic, Wei Lai flipped onto his side, speeding up his reading pace. After finishing the thrilling section, he marked the page corner and climbed off the bed.

As he left his room and approached the phone, it began to ring precisely on time.

“Hello, Xiao Ting, what do you need?”

“Hmm? How did you know it was me calling?”

“Because there’s caller ID.”

“Oh, so you remember my home number then? Or were you waiting by the phone for my call?”

“…”

From one perspective, he did anticipate her call and was waiting by the phone, but it wasn’t as if he had been standing there indefinitely!

“If you’re so eager to hang out, why don’t you come over to my place?”

“No way! You always try to prank me.”

“Alright, I promise not to this time. Remember, we agreed that once the dandelion sprouts, you’d come see it with me?”

It was only you who said you’d inform me; you never mentioned needing me to visit, Wei Lai silently grumbled, glancing around his quiet home.

Xu Xiang and Wei Zikang hadn’t returned from work yet, leaving the house silent except for the afternoon sunlight streaming through the windows onto the floor, occasionally accompanied by the rustling of leaves outside in the breeze.

“If you don’t want to come here, I can visit your place instead. Like last time, remember the game of Ludo…?”

“I get it, I’ll come to your place.”

Being alone at home was boring enough. Last time Qing Ting visited, she took his Pikachu plushie, and who knew what she might bring this time? Wei Lai didn’t dare risk having her over again.

Agreeing to reach Qing Ting’s home within fifteen minutes, Wei Lai grabbed his keys, changed his shoes, and left the house.

With autumn well underway, walking along the street near his home, occasional fallen leaves were swept up by the wind, passing by Wei Lai’s feet.

Feeling idle, Wei Lai strolled while observing his surroundings. Most adults were still at work, leaving few people on the streets. Occasionally, runaway dogs or cats would cross his path.

Autumn is the season for fruits to ripen. Along his way, Wei Lai spotted a small white cat nibbling something amidst the grass, seemingly either eating grass itself or its berry-like fruit.

As he watched briefly, the white cat noticed Wei Lai, glanced at him, and swiftly disappeared with a leap.

Unbothered, Wei Lai turned to continue towards Qing Ting’s house. However, before taking another step, he paused and looked back in the direction where the white cat vanished.

Suddenly, an image flashed in his mind – one hour later, the white cat was seeking food from an elderly lady nearby.

This unexpected occurrence felt strange to Wei Lai.

Was it a new aspect of his ability that he hadn’t experienced before?

Still pondering what just occurred, Wei Lai reached Qing Ting’s front door. Wei Lai decided not to dwell on it further and pressed the doorbell.

Let’s discuss it later.

“Coming!” 

From inside, Qing Ting’s hurried footsteps echoed as she descended the stairs.

As the door opened, Qing Ting appeared wearing the same white blouse with pink floral embroidery and blue pleated skirt from earlier. However, her long white socks were missing, revealing her bare legs before Wei Lai’s eyes.

Wei Lai felt his obsessive-compulsive tendencies stirring; she had already donned a long-sleeved shirt but no socks. In this weather, aren’t her legs cold?

“Aren’t you coming in? Why are you standing outside the door?” 

Qing Ting looked at Wei Lai, puzzled. With more than a meter between them, she couldn’t read his thoughts.

“No worries, I should take off my shoes first.”

Holding back his concern, Wei Lai ultimately didn’t voice it. Instead, he glanced at the shoe cabinet near Qing Ting’s entrance and began removing his shoes.

His action seemed to remind Qing Ting, who, clad in pink plush slippers, retrieved a pair of yellow plush slippers from the cabinet and placed them in front of Wei Lai.

(Aren’t these sort of like the Pikachu plush I gave her?)

As Qing Ting moved closer, hearing his thoughts, a familiar smile reappeared on her face.

“Does it look familiar? These slippers match the plush toy you gifted me. Since no other guys visit my home, consider them your exclusive pair here.”

(Exclusive slippers? That’s embarrassingly cheesy! You promised not to tease me.)

Already having removed his shoes, Wei Lai glanced at the plush slippers beside him and felt as if time had reversed back to that excessively hot August day. His entire body, including his face, began to flush with warmth.

“Huh? Why is your face red again?” Qing Ting leaned in, blinking playfully at Wei Lai. “Don’t tell me you think I’m teasing you again. It’s just a token of appreciation for the plush toy you gave me. Although they’re meant only for use here, there’s no hidden meaning; I simply hope you’ll visit often. Or are you imagining something strange?”

“No…no, it’s just slippers. I’ll wear them.” 

Mustering courage, Wei Lai slipped into the slippers.

Through his socks, Wei Lai could feel the soft and fluffy footbed of the slippers, providing both comfort and a slight tickling sensation.

(Giving me these slippers that can only be worn at your house? And claiming it’s not a prank on me? Seriously.)

“Put on the slippers and come with me,” Qing Ting said. “Xiao Ying is in my room.”

“Xiao Ying?”

“It’s the dandelion seed you gave me.”

“I didn’t give it to you; you won it yourself!”

“Well, after you lost, you still gifted it to me. Is there something wrong with that?”

“…”

As Qing Ting pulled Wei Lai upstairs, he trailed behind her, noticing her cheerful strides beneath her skirt. Suddenly, Wei Lai regretted coming to Qing Ting’s house.

From every perspective, this was turning out terribly.

(It feels like walking straight into a witch’s lair.)

*****

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