I Love You, My Amiable Senior! 我爱你，我和蔼可亲的前辈

Chapter 3 📃🖊️

<Xiuying's Mother>

Currently alone at home, waiting for both my husband and my daughter from her School. I was immediately interrupted from cooking the mapo tofu when I heard the doorbell. It's my husband.

The door creaked open as he stepped inside, travel-weary but invigorated by the week's events. I looked up from my stove, a welcoming smile playing on my lips.

"The trip was intense, but really productive. The marketing strategies we discussed were fascinating."

He set his suitcase down and walked over to the couch, sinking into the cushions beside the wooden drawer.

"That sounds intriguing. What new strategies did you learn about?"

I turned off the stove, preparing the plates and the bowls, giving him my full attention.

"We focused a lot on data-driven marketing. One of the key points was leveraging Artificial Intelligence to personalize customer experiences on a much deeper level."

"Artificial Intelligence? How does that change the way you approach marketing?"

His eyes lit up as he began to explain, the fatigue of travel momentarily forgotten.

"It's all about predictive analytics now. We can analyze customer behavior patterns to predict what they might want next, and tailor our campaigns to meet those expectations precisely."

"That sounds sophisticated. Did you see any real-world examples of this in action?"

He nodded enthusiastically, recalling the presentations he had attended.

"Yes, a few companies presented case studies. One example was a retailer who increased their conversion rates by 30% just by implementing these techno-driven recommendations."

"Wow, that's impressive. How did the workshops go?"

He leaned back, reflecting on the hands-on sessions that had pushed his skills to the limit.

"The workshops were great. We had hands-on sessions where we could apply these concepts to our own projects. It was challenging but incredibly insightful."

"Did you make any valuable connections?"

He smiled, thinking of the business cards now nestled in his suitcase.

"Definitely. I met a few industry leaders and potential clients who seemed really interested in our work. One of them even invited us to collaborate on a future project."

"That sounds like a successful trip. I'm glad it went well."

He squirmed out of the couch, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. Steering me towards the act of sitting right next to him.

"Me too. It was exhausting, but worth it. And now, I can't wait to start integrating these new strategies into our campaigns."

We sat together in comfortable silence, the excitement of new opportunities blending seamlessly with the familiar comfort of home.

I told him, as he sat down at the dining table and prepared his chopsticks diagonally, "I actually paid Mon a trivial visit yesterday."

"Don't tell me you left our daughter by herself!", he exclaimed, his eyes widening, his jaw disconcerting as he gently pointed his hand at me while chewing his food.

I titled my head sideways, bristling, "Before our daughter went to bed last night, I actually gave her a call. Ask her directly. Besides, she is old enough to conduct homework independently and purchase food on the go. I even gave her a loan of about 50 yuan so she could buy school supplies in addition to food." Grasping my waist, I added, "It seems that you are unaware that your once little girl is already a Senior in High School."

I stared at him in silence as he paused his tracks of eating. Up until... The telephone rang.

<Yiu Xiuying>

It's free activity time. In other words, I could do anything I wanted as long as it didn't violate any policies of the School. Mian Achi and Cao Ruomei were with me at the running track. Besides having done all sorts of warmup stretches, we were playing catch with each other around the space as if we were still locked in the mindset of a five-year-old.

While Cao Ruomei was the target, Mian Achi and I were the ITs.

As we ran around the space prevailing with our laughter and our smiles, I noticed an abrupt pause in Cao Ruomei's running. Leading me to call Mian Achi's attention.

"Mian Achi...", I uttered. Giving her a tap on the shoulder with my index finger.

"What happened? What happened?", Mian Achi asks, her head's movements disconcerted.

There was Cao Ruomei caressing his chest in the center, seemingly frozen in thought. Mian Achi and I hurried over to him, our eyes widening with worry.

I swiftly grabbed my water bottle from the benches and caressed his back. "A-are you okay? D-do you need something to quench your thirst? Would you like us to bring you to the infirmary? Please, don't hesitate to tell us."

My best friend nodded at my statement. "Let's go, let's go."

Our feet perturbed, we brought him to the nearest seat. 

"No.", He rebuffs. His voice trembled.

"But..."

With him slightly pushing away Mian Achi's interjection, he pleads... "Allow me to explain myself first. There's just something I've been meaning to tell you..." Cao Ruomei turns to face us slowly, tears running down his cheeks.

"What is it?", we queried with a pang of rush and blanch coursing through our voices.

"From about 6 years ago... When I was in Elementary School, I once tried to play the same game of catch with someone who I believed to be a friend. I eventually grew tired of the game and started panting due to my bronchial ailment. As his other pals joined him to play, he humiliated me. I sobbed in terror and rage as I tried to defend myself, my voice quavering. Only for me to get beaten in the chest in the process by them altogether. From then on, I passed out and was brought to the hospital afterwards. Look ... I know that the story I may have told sounded miniscule and perhaps even a little bit childish, but... I just felt like it was time that I share this with you, guys."

Us wiping our tears with the sleeves of our uniforms, we gave him a hug.

I became so attuned to his suffering that I began to forget my own.

As the weight of Cao Ruomei's confession hung in the air, Mian Achi stepped closer, her voice steady but filled with heartfelt and fierce conviction.

"Cao Ruomei...! Don't ever think your pain or your story is not valid enough to be seen and heard. Both you and those mistaken friends weren't deserving of such a precious gem as you. Similar to Wu Cheng'en's Journey to The West, there's value to companionship and teamwork. Sun Wukong's journey from a rebellious, prideful monkey to a disciplined and enlightened being must have resonated with your own struggles and aspirations. It reminded me that personal growth often requires guidance, humility, and perseverance. Thus, to us, you are a friend beyond compare."

Her words seemed to fill the silence that had settled around us, a gentle reminder of his intrinsic value and the strength it took to share such a personal experience. In that moment, she hoped to convey not just empathy, but a deep-seated respect for his bravery and resilience.

He slouched his posture, in worries that other people may find us weird for crying in the corner. I said to comfort him, "Those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind. Always bear that in mind, Brother. Also, feel free to establish boundaries when you need it. We see you and we hear you."