October 9, 1995, Monday.
"Soaring to the sky to battle for this world / The red sun emerges against the night / Casting a lifeline, I wave my sword in the fog / When demons flash in the stars..." (Author's note: The lyrics are taken from the Cantonese version on Hong Kong's TVB in 1994).
As Guan Xuchen strolled to school, he couldn't help but dance and hum the tune.
Gao Xinglang, walking beside him, couldn't suppress a chuckle as he teased, "Soupy, are you trying to mimic your idol Aaron Kwok's dance moves? Don't be angry when I say this, but you're still a long way off from Aaron Kwok."
"Lang, do you have to be so blunt?" Guan Xuchen feigned annoyance, but soon broke into a grin, saying, "But this isn't a song by Aaron Kwok. It's the theme song from Sailor Moon, actually."
"Sailor Moon?" Gao Xinglang replied thoughtfully, "Is it the anime you recommended to me?"
"Yes, yes," Guan Xuchen nodded vigorously, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Don't you think it's amazing, Lang?"
"Well..." Gao Xinglang gave an awkward smile, then stammered, "I've only watched a couple of episodes. The girls in it are indeed pretty. But I prefer Red Baron; the robots in it are so cool."
"Oh, I like Red Baron, too. But I like Sailor Moon a little more," Guan Xuchen replied with a gentle smile. Then his expression lit up with fervor as he continued, "Last night's episode was so touching. Sailor Moon was ready to sacrifice herself to protect her boyfriend Tuxedo Mask; so was Sailor Mercury to protect hers. I think love is truly the most magnificent and beautiful treasure on Earth. It can give us strength and courage..."
"Soupy, you are so sentimental," Gao Xinglang jested, "but you should only say these things to me. Don't let Miss Wang hear it. Otherwise, she'll think you're having puppy love and give you a lecture, hee-hee."
"I'm not afraid," Guan Xuchen appeared fearless, then laughed and said, "Besides, Miss Wang has a boyfriend herself. So she should have a personal understanding of this."
"I think Miss Wang can't compare to Sailor Moon. Sailor Moon is much more beautiful," Gao Xinglang laughed heartily.
"Don't let Miss Wang hear those words of yours," Guan Xuchen placed his right index finger over his lips, shushing. He then laughed and said, "Otherwise, you don't expect to pass any Chinese exam or moral assessment in future."
Gao Xinglang stuck out his tongue, then said with a grin, "Then those words should stay between just you and me."
Guan Xuchen was about to reply when he suddenly heard someone shouting behind him, "'Ghosts', 'ghosts', run, run!"
The unlicensed hawkers on the sidewalk all looked nervous when they heard this. They all hastily gathered their things, some pushing carts laden with fruits, others clutching canvas bags filled with daily essentials, as they scattered in a panic.
Meanwhile, several uniformed city administration (CA) officers were chasing after the hawkers and shouting, "Stop, stop, freeze!"
It was the morning rush hour, and there were many passers-by on the sidewalk. Seeing this chaotic scene, they all walked to the side to avoid it. Guan Xuchen and Gao Xinglang were no exception.
Guan Xuchen had seen many such a scene of illegal hawkers escaping from CA officers, which is called "ghost running" in Cantonese, but his parents had always been by his side. It was the first time he had encountered "ghost running" on the way to school. Although Gao Xinglang was with him, his heart still raced with fear. He instinctively moved closer to Gao Xinglang, clutching his schoolbag and anxiously scanning the surroundings.
YOU ARE READING
Love Me in Another Universe
General FictionIt was such a long time ago that you don't even remember why you fell for that person in the first place. You just remember stubbornly that you were once deeply in love with someone with that name... It's a story about the bond between two Chinese b...
