Chapter 3

Only Girls Carry Umbrellas

After lunch, Wei Lai followed his usual routine. He stepped out of his house with empty hands, waiting by the utility pole at the street corner for Qing Ting to join him on their way to school.

As he waited, noticing no one around yet, someone tapped him gently on the back.

Turning around, he found himself faced with a pink floral umbrella.

The umbrella featured the classic Tom and Jerry cartoon characters. Tom was holding a ukulele, while Jerry held a triangle. They were playing together near a beach.

His father, Wei Zikang, was a music enthusiast, and Wei Lai had heard about these instruments from him before. But he’d also watched “Tom and Jerry” before.

“Do you like my umbrella? Want to share it with me?”

“Nope, only girls would use a pink umbrella.”

Having already spotted her, Wei Lai turned away and began walking towards school.

With delicate fingers gripping the umbrella handle, Qing Ting quickly caught up to Wei Lai. 

Leaning closer, her steps light, she tilted her head and asked,”You’re really not sharing with me? My umbrella is quite large; it can easily cover both of us.”

Wei Lai shook his head vigorously like a rattle drum. He could already imagine how many classmates would ridicule him if he shared an umbrella with a girl on their way to school.

“No way, not even if you beat me to death.”

(It’d be too embarrassing if someone sees us.)

Hearing Wei Lai’s thoughts, Qing Ting blinked and came up with an idea.

“Wanna make a bet?”

“A bet?”

“Yes, let’s bet that it will rain before school ends today.”

Wei Lai looked up at the sky. Just as earlier, it was clear blue with a few scattered clouds.

(How can it possibly rain with this weather?)

“I bet it will definitely rain before school ends today. If I win, you have to share your umbrella with me until we reach your home.”

Wei Lai eyed Qing Ting suspiciously. Based on his three years of experience, she must be planning another prank.

“Even though you won’t win, what’s in it for me to escort you home?” 

“If you lose, seeing your expression will be rewarding enough. I don’t need anything else.” Qing Ting twirled her umbrella over her shoulder, taking small steps, almost dancing across the concrete lines on the ground like a little fairy.

Suddenly realizing something, she swiftly turned and said, “Right, I haven’t seen your room yet. If I win, you have to show me your bedroom.”

“What’s there to see? It’s just a mess,” Wei Lai muttered to himself but nodded nonetheless, responding, “Fine, it’s a deal. But if it doesn’t rain before school ends this afternoon, you must return my eraser from this morning.”

Qing Ting blinked in surprise, not expecting Wei Lai to make such a condition.

“It has my name on it, and you still want it?”

When did she do that?! While I wasn’t paying attention, she managed to write her name on it.

Wei Lai silently fumed but gritted his teeth and replied, “Yes, I do.”

Qing Ting,hearing Wei Lai’s thoughts, couldn’t help but smile and think, he didn’t even realize I’d already written my name on it. What a fool. 

She extended her pinky finger, saying, “Well, what can I say? Let’s seal our bet with a pinky promise.”

“Pinky promise.” Wei Lai hooked his pinky twice around hers, then quickly withdrew, fearing Qing Ting might play another trick.

***

September’s weather was unpredictable.

At noon, the sky was clear and sunny. Yet as the afternoon wore on, dark clouds gathered and continued to gather, swiftly obscuring the entirety of the heavens.

Inside the classroom, Wei Lai listened half-heartedly to Qiong Shaoshao’s lecture from the podium, while his gaze drifted towards the window outside.

(Please don’t rain; if it does, I’ll lose.)

Qing Ting furtivelypoked Wei Lai’s arm with the tip of her pencil when the teacher wasn’t looking, mischief gleaming in her eyes. “What’s wrong? Worried about losing if it rains?”

We’re already in third grade, and you still don’t check the weather forecast? How adorable your naivety is.

“I haven’t lost yet. Just because the clouds are thick doesn’t mean it will definitely rain.” 

Wei Lai glanced out the window again; in the future scenes he foresaw, there was no rainfall. If they could hold on for a little longer until school ends, and if it hasn’t rained by then, he would win.

“Wei Lai, please read the next paragraph aloud.”

Qiong Shaoshao, noticing Wei Lai’s distracted state, called on him from the podium.

“Huh?!”

“This paragraph.”

Qing Ting pointed to the last paragraph of the lesson text and whispered softly to Wei Lai.

Knowing which section it was made things much easier. Wei Lai picked up his textbook and began reading aloud.

After finishing the paragraph, Qiong Shaoshao gestured for him to sit down.

“Next time, pay closer attention in class and avoid distractions.”

Just as she finished speaking, the dismissal bell rang.

Wei Lai sighed with relief and glanced outside again. Thick rain clouds loomed overhead, looking ready to burst at any moment. But so far, no rain had fallen.

(Phew, I won!)

Hearing Wei Lai’s thoughts, Qing Ting remained unperturbed, casually swinging her feet back and forth.

“It might start raining soon. Students whose names were called will stay behind for cleaning duty; others should hurry home.”

“Qing Ting, Wei Lai… the students mentioned above, please remain for cleaning duty. The rest may leave now.”

As their names were called by the teacher, Wei Lai’s expression instantly fell, realizing he had completely forgotten that today was his turn for cleaning duty with Qing Ting.

The rain clouds reached their breaking point. After strong gusts began tugging at the school grounds’ foliage, raindrops streaked through the air like clockwork, signaling the arrival of precipitation.

After completing their cleaning duties, Wei Lai stood on the classroom steps, gazing at the rain falling from the sky, his mood as gloomy as the overcast clouds above.

Qing Ting slung her backpack over her shoulder, opened her floral umbrella, and gracefully descended the stairs. 

Noticing Wei Lai hadn’t followed, she turned with a puzzled look and asked,”Not leaving yet? Let’s go home together.”

“I…”

Wei Lai struggled internally. He really didn’t want to huddle under that small umbrella, feeling like the cartoon cat Tom on her umbrella, constantly outwitted by Jerry the mouse.

(Every time I see how adorable she is, I let my guard down… I’m such an idiot.)

Hearing Wei Lai’s thoughts, Qing Ting’s smile grew even more charming.

“Come on, let’s walk home together. It’s your neighborhood anyway, what are you afraid of?”

“I’m not scared– fine, let’s go.”

Mustering courage, Wei Lai rushed down the steps and slipped under Qing Ting’s floral umbrella, occasionally glancing around to check for any observers.

It had been some time since school ended, so the campus was mostly empty.

As they approached the school gate, Wei Lai couldn’t breathe easy yet, suddenly noticing the security guard eyeing them.

(So embarrassing!)

With a flushed face, Wei Lai instinctively gripped Qing Ting’s hand holding the umbrella, briskly pulling her along.

The gentle rain drifted through the streets, carried by the wind.

Only after leaving the school premises did Wei Lai let out a slight sigh of relief. 

Suddenly, Qing Ting’s voice burst out from beside him. 

“Do you enjoy holding my hand?”

Realizing he still held Qing Ting’s hand, Wei Lai hastily withdrew his arm and stepped away from under her umbrella.

“I’m not; it wasn’t intentional. Don’t make things up.”

“I know it wasn’t on purpose. Come on, let’s go.”

Seeing Wei Lai’s flustered state made Qing Ting want to laugh. With the rain still falling, she didn’t want him to catch a cold. She extended the umbrella to cover both of them, gently pushing at his back as they walked ahead together.

Feeling Qing Ting’s hand on his back, Wei Lai couldn’t help but recall the sensation of holding her hand earlier. He quickly shook those thoughts away.

(What am I thinking? If she knew how soft and comfortable her hand felt, she’d definitely tease me again.)

“Pfft.”

Hearing Wei Lai’s inner monologue, Qing Ting couldn’t suppress a chuckle.

Feeling guilty, Wei Lai glanced at her, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, nothing.” Qing Ting shook her head.

“Let’s hurry to your place. I’m genuinely curious about what your room looks like.”

*****

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