He Will Come Back Before Dawn

58

With Pei Chuan's promise, Bei Yao was very happy.

Everyone wanted to see what universities looked like before enrollment, and she, too, wanted to see B University.

Bei Yao thought for a while. "You rarely return home, so come in and take a look at the neighborhood. It has changed a lot this year."

Pei Chuan followed her in.

"The old seesaw over there has been torn down. There’s a park not far from here and the children love to play there."

"The plum tree was blown down by the wind before, but it was replanted, and blossomed especially beautifully last winter."

He listened earnestly. Looking at her smiling eyes, his heart could not help but be overjoyed.

Bei Yao thought for a while, then stood on tiptoe and whispered in his ear, "Would you like to come to my house?"

Pei Chuan froze.

He said, "Don't make trouble, go home."

Bei Yao insisted, “Pei Chuan, even Chen Yingqi has visited my house, but never once did you come and visit for so many years. Aren’t you curious or regretful?”

He couldn’t help but think about that summer day. The young girl had been in front of the window filled with vigorous ivy flowers. She hadn’t lost her baby fat and was in the middle of aerobic dance exercise, revealing her slim waist.

Pei Chuan pursed his lips.

How could he… not be curious about her room. Moreover, how could he not regret never visiting even once?

Her almond eyes were shining. “My mom is out to pick up my brother. Just come and visit. By the way, the present I was going to give you is still in my room; the air plant is still alive. There’s also your scarf and gloves, I keep on forgetting to return them to you.”

With a very hospitable manner.

And a perfect reason.

He obviously should have left. She could choose to not comply with his two conditions, but he had to.

However, there was a voice in his heart. Just go, there might not be another opportunity in your life to see the place where she grew up.

He silently followed her upstairs.

Bei Yao took out the key and unlocked the door. As she had said, both of her parents weren’t home. They had about 20 minutes. There were two goldfish swimming freely in the living room, one red and one black.

He looked away from the two goldfish and scanned the house.

The layout of the Beis’ apartment was very similar to his previous one. After all, it was in the same neighborhood. However, this home was obviously much cozier.

The house was more than ten years old, and from its roof beams, one could see traces of old age. It was true that Bei Yao's family wasn’t very well off. If the owner was changed to a sensitive person, they might feel inferior and uncomfortable when showing people such a house. Yet Bei Yao wasn’t. She was happy and content to the bone.

Bei Yao asked, "Do you want to come and take a look at my room? It’s a bit messy and my mom said it's like a kitten’s nest. It's definitely not as clean as your room."

He lowered his eyes and followed her.

Pei Chuan told himself to just have a look and then leave.

Bei Yao pushed the door open.

The sunlight tilted down and leaped into the room through the window. The rosebuds swayed with the wind.

Her "kitten’s nest" was a small bed with pink linens and a bear doll on top.