Mamihlapinatapai: A look shared by two people, each wishing that the other would initiate something that they both desire but are unwilling to start.
The sky was gloomy and overcast. They say spring rain is gentle, but the incessant drizzle of recent days inevitably made people feel gloomy and listless, unable to muster any enthusiasm for anything.
A minute before the bell rang to signal the end of class, a wave of restlessness swept through the classroom.
Hearing the subtle commotion below, Yan Shu paused mid-action as he reached for the chalk. He put it back, patted the dust off his hands, and flipped through his textbook casually, waiting for the bell to ring.
"Class dismissed."
Having taught two consecutive maths classes, both the teacher and the students were somewhat fatigued. After class, there was no expected uproar. When he looked up, he saw that more than half of the students had their heads down on their desks.
Having spoken for too long, Yan Shu's already hoarse voice from his cold seemed to worsen. He took a few sips of hot water from his thermos to soothe his throat, then casually picked up his textbook and walked out of the classroom.
The teachers’ office was at the end of the corridor on this floor. The office, occupied by four teachers, was busier than the classrooms. A few students were hunched over, working on their problems, while others were standing with their heads down, receiving criticism. Yan Shu’s throat ached terribly, and after sitting for a while, he decided to pack up and go home.
He had only taken a few steps when the door of the neighbouring office opened. Song Yu came out and looked Yan Shu up and down. “Wait for me, let’s go together,” he said.
After saying that, he turned back into the office, and Yan Shu waited for a while.
When they reached the school gate, the rain had stopped. A fresh scent filled the air, and the fallen leaves, soaked by the rain, covered the sidewalk, making a rustling sound when stepped on.
As they passed the gym, Song Yu began to nag Yan Shu incessantly about exercising more.
Yan Shu half-listened, half-ignored him. He hated exercising the most. The only way he would exercise voluntarily was if the sun started rising in the west.
Yan Shu wouldn't have known about the new gym if Song Yu hadn't mentioned it.
Though he wasn't interested, many others were. It was conveniently located, well-equipped, and had professional trainers. Many teachers from their school had purchased memberships and would stop by for a workout after work.
Yan Shu deliberately quickened his pace, afraid that Song Yu would drag him in if he was even a second slower.
Song Yu caught up with him, glanced at his pale face, and earnestly advised, "I mean, how many times have you caught a cold this month? You really need to improve your health."
Song Yu had been nagging Yan Shu about this since college, and Yan Shu was used to it. Whenever Song Yu brought it up, Yan Shu would come up with an excuse, whether it was being too busy with studies, the gym being too far away, or now, being too busy with work. He always had a variety of excuses.
Yan Shu tried to retort, "This cold was an accident."
Song Yu rolled his eyes mercilessly. “When was the last time you didn’t say it was an accident? And besides, who would want to get sick?”
“……”
He had a point, but there was no way he was going to exercise.
Yan Shu feigned discomfort, his voice hoarse. “I’m not going to talk anymore. My head is a bit dizzy. I’m going home to rest.”
It was only a few minutes' walk from the school to his residence. As they chatted, Yan Shu arrived home.
Seeing Yan Shu's condition, Song Yu didn't say anything more and let him off the hook for now. Finally, he reminded him, “It's the weekend tomorrow. If you're still not feeling well, go see a doctor.”
“I know,” Yan Shu replied without turning around.
Song Yu watched him walk into the residential complex and then continued on his own. His home was a street away from Yan Shu's.
Some things were better left unsaid. After returning home, Yan Shu felt his head really was starting to ache, so he casually flopped onto the sofa and quickly fell asleep.
The curtains were drawn, and the room was dark and silent.
After an unknown amount of time, Yan Shu woke up, startled by a chaotic noise.
Rubbing his temples, Yan Shu sat up irritably, feeling unwell. As his consciousness gradually cleared, the noise grew louder. It seemed to be coming from the next door.
The noise stopped for a moment, and Yan Shu put a pillow under his head and tossed and turned. Just as he was about to close his eyes, the annoying noise started again.
Yan Shu got up, put on his slippers, and opened the door, enduring his headache. He wanted to see what was going on next door.
As soon as he opened the door, the cacophony was especially sharp and piercing, and Yan Shu immediately frowned.
The door opposite was wide open, and there were miscellaneous items scattered in the hallway. Yan Shu looked up into the room and guessed they were doing some renovations.
Yan Shu liked peace and quiet. The apartment building he rented had only two units on each floor, and his neighbour had moved out two or three months ago. He had only heard recently that someone was moving in.
He suddenly remembered the note he had seen on the door when he returned home yesterday.
“Hello, I’m your new neighbour. I need to do some simple renovations to the room tomorrow during the day, and I may disturb you. I apologise in advance, and please don’t refuse my compensation later.”
The handwriting was neat and tidy, each character as if carefully outlined. It looked very pleasing.
As the saying goes, handwriting reveals one's character. Yan Shu imagined that the person who wrote this note must be polite, clean, gentle, and calm.
Sure enough, sick people can't control their emotions. Yan Shu realised that his anger was a bit unreasonable.
Just as he was about to look away, a tall figure suddenly caught his eye.
Their gazes locked, and in that instant, time seemed to slow down, and all noise ceased.
The man standing before him was tall, with nearly perfect proportions. His facial features were sharp, his eyebrows exuded a heroic spirit, and he appeared both steady and reliable. Those clear, dark eyes were fixed on him.
Yan Shu suddenly felt a warmth in his body. Only then did he realise he had a fever.
Xu Chi stared at Yan Shu without moving, his heart pounding faster and faster. His breath quickened.
Uncontrollably, he took a few steps forward, colliding with the dish rack. The stack of newly purchased bowls came crashing down to the floor.
The sharp sound of breaking porcelain was deafening, shattering the stillness between them.
Xu Chi stood up, averted his gaze, and looked at the broken bowls on the floor.
His head was lowered, and his long eyelashes cast a shadow on his face, revealing no emotion.
Yan Shu originally wanted to ask if he was okay, but when he tried to speak, he found his voice was small and hoarse, and he couldn't make himself heard. So he simply closed his mouth.
Xu Chi was stunned for a moment, then walked around the mess and stood in front of Yan Shu.
He rubbed his palms together and nervously asked, "Your face looks a bit pale. Are you feeling unwell?"
Yan Shu felt a little dizzy and lightheaded, and his thoughts were racing. Leaning against the door, he nodded.
Xu Chi raised his hand and then lowered it, repeatedly.
Yan Shu frowned and looked at him with confusion.
Xu Chi took a deep breath and placed his palm on Yan Shu's forehead.
The cool sensation made Yan Shu's body stiffen.
After feeling the temperature of his forehead, Xu Chi dropped his hand to his side and said solemnly, "You have a fever."
Yan Shu nodded blankly.
Xu Chi nervously twisted his fingers, hesitated for a moment, then mustered up the courage to help Yan Shu into the room and lay him down on the sofa.
Xu Chi squatted down beside Yan Shu and asked softly, "Do you have any medicine at home?"
Yan Shu finally understood this sentence, but he couldn't speak, so he raised his finger and pointed in a direction.
Xu Chi followed the direction of his finger and saw a white medicine cabinet on the shoe rack by the door.
It was in such an obvious place, but Xu Chi hadn't noticed it in his haste.
He quickly stood up, walked to the door, found a packet of cold medicine, and then turned around and went into the kitchen.
After Xu Chi helped Yan Shu finish his medicine, he waited until Yan Shu fell asleep before quietly closing the door and leaving.
The clock on the wall ticked twice. Yan Shu woke up and glanced to the side to see another blue sticky note on the coffee table.
"There's some porridge I cooked in the kitchen. Remember to drink some when you wake up. You can call me directly if you need anything (phone number on the back). I'll answer anytime. Good night."
The handwriting was the same, it was from that person.
Yan Shu picked up the sticky note and flipped it over. There was a string of numbers on the back. Recalling what happened before he fell asleep, he couldn't help but think, ‘What kind of fairy neighbour is this?’
