Sweet Nostalgia of the 80s

”What strange thing?” Ning Chenguang glanced at him and asked.

”I found bruises on Jiang Wanwan’s arms and legs.” Pangdi stared at Ning Chenguang, his expression somewhat frightening.

”What kind of look is that? Are you suspecting that I hit her?” Ning Chenguang moved back a bit, avoiding Pangdi’s unsettling gaze.

”Where is your mind going?” Pangdi retreated to his original position, muttering, ”I feel like Jiang Wanwan’s mood has been off lately. Should we investigate? To be honest, she has some connection with me. It’s all my mom’s fault, not letting me play with Jiang Wanwan. She says her family is too poor, and if we get entangled it’ll be borrowing money and food, too troublesome... But, I feel like we haven’t done anything lately. Should we...”

”If you want to, go ahead. I don’t feel like it right now...” Ning Chenguang was avoiding the subject. He looked up at the setting sun and said, ”Let’s go back, I’m feeling a bit cold.”

”Oh... alright. But remember, don’t forget when you’re in a better mood!” Pangdi advised.

”Got it.” Ning Chenguang gave a light hum and slid down from the tree.

When he returned from the village entrance, school had already ended, and the lock on the main gate was about to be closed.

”Oh no, I need to get my bag. Otherwise, my mom will kill me.” Pangdi darted like a mouse, sprinting at top speed to rush into the school before the gates closed.

It didn’t matter to Ning Chenguang whether he took his bag or not, so he simply started walking home.

When he turned around, he saw He Yue running from afar. Her small face was flushed as she stopped in front of him, panting: ”Big brother, school’s out, right? Let’s go home!”

”Yueyue, why are you here?” Ning Chenguang asked.

”I came to walk you home!” Yueyue, twisting her fingers around her skirt, said. She was a year younger than Ning Chenguang and not yet school-aged.

”I can go home by myself. Why did you come for nothing?” Seeing beads of sweat on her forehead, Ning Chenguang wiped them away.

”No, I want to walk you home, and I want to come every day to pick you up from school.” He Yue said.

She wouldn’t give the big brother a chance to be with that Jiang Wanwan again.

Hmph!

It’s been a few times now; her big brother was always going home with Jiang Wanwan. She had seen Ning Chenguang wiping Jiang Wanwan’s tears more than once.

Big brother is her big brother alone!

No one can take him away!

”Alright. Let’s go home then.” Ning Chenguang knew he couldn’t stop what Yueyue wanted to do, so he let her be.

”Big brother, I’m tired from running. Hold my hand.” Yueyue sweetly smiled at him, reaching out her little hand.

Ning Chenguang said nothing and just held Yueyue’s hand.

Yueyue’s face was full of happiness.

Ning Chenguang didn’t notice. Boys mature late, both physically and emotionally, and he always regarded Yueyue as a sister, never realizing that her feelings for him were different.

But both Yueyue and Chenguang were still young, and neither understood these feelings yet.

Ning Chenguang took He Yueyue’s hand and slowly walked towards home. When passing by the village shop, he stopped, eyes fixed on the shelf inside, a complex expression in his gaze.

”Big brother, why did you stop?” He Yueyue asked.

”Yueyue, do you want some chocolate?”

”Chocolate! Yes, yes!” Yueyue’s eyes lit up, forming a line of joy. It had been a long time since she last ate chocolate, and she really missed it.

”Wait, I’ll buy it for you.”