Love Me in Another Universe

Chapter 6. My Father and Mother (Part 2)

October 22, 1993, Friday.

Early in the morning, Mr. Gao accompanied Gao Xinglang to the classroom door. He spotted Guan Xuchen resting his head on the desk, looking dispirited and lost in thought. Mr. Gao whispered a few words to his son and then left for work. Gao Xinglang, leaning on his crutch, approached Guan Xuchen's desk. Tapping gently on it, he smiled and asked, "Hey, Soupy, didn't you sleep well last night? You're dozing off so early!"

Guan Xuchen looked up, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Good morning, Lang, " he replied.

Gao Xinglang teased, "You didn't stay for dinner yesterday, so I ate all your food. I feel like I've gained much weight today!"

Guan Xuchen merely responded with an "Oh" and a forced smile, still looking troubled.

Sensing something was amiss, Gao Xinglang dropped the teasing tone and asked with concern, "Soupy, is everything okay? Nothing happened yesterday, did it?"

"I..." Guan Xuchen hesitated, his voice trailing off.

Just then, the morning reading bell rang, and the Chinese subject class representative, Wu Yixin, was already standing at the podium. Guan Xuchen shook his head gently and tried to smile reassuringly. "I'm fine, Lang. Let me help you get back to your seat first. Morning reading is about to start."

With that, he stood up, assisting Gao Xinglang back to his seat.

Throughout the day, Guan Xuchen helped Gao Xinglang to the restroom during breaks and fetched lunch for Gao, as he had done the day before. But he remained visibly upset.

Despite several inquiries from Gao Xinglang, Guan Xuchen stammered and refused to reveal the cause of his distress.

After school, Guan Xuchen offered to walk Gao Xinglang home, just like the day before. He supported Gao Xinglang carefully but remained silent, his gaze fixed on the ground.

After a few minutes of silence, Gao Xinglang broke the ice with a smile. "By the way, Soupy, did you watch the costume drama 'Justice Bao' on Channel Jade last night? That episode was fantastic."

Guan Xuchen glanced at Gao Xinglang, forced a smile, and continued to look ahead, almost muttering to himself, "My mom doesn't let me stay up too late..."

Gao Xinglang looked at Guan Xuchen beside him, finding the latter like a melancholy kitten. He asked with concern, "Soupy, what's really going on today? You haven't smiled all day. What on earth happened yesterday?"

Guan Xuchen shook his head and kept silent.

Recalling Guan Xuchen's interest in Michael Jordan posters and flashcards the day before, Gao Xinglang suggested, "Hey, Soupy, I've got some more Michael Jordan flashcards and basketball comics at home. Why don't you come over later and check them out?"

However, Guan Xuchen frantically shook his head, "Lang, I'm sorry. I'll just drop you off at the building entrance and head home right away."

Puzzled and concerned, Gao Xinglang pressed, "What's wrong, Soupy? Wasn't everything fine yesterday? Did your parents scold you for coming home late yesterday? Or did I say something wrong that upset you?"

Guan Xuchen nodded and then shook his head, his eyes reddening as he finally spoke, "My mom... She told me to come home right away after school from now on. I can't... I can't play basketball with you guys anymore..."

"What! Why?" Gao Xinglang exclaimed and then proposed, "How about I go with you home and explain things to your mom?"

Guan Xuchen simply shook his head, saying no more.