Rise

Lin Feng stopped a few steps short of the intersection and turned to look at Tang Bingyao. What’s got her all shivering? It’s not that cold… Well, it’s cold. It’s almost winter! Wait. No. Don’t tell me this is about the food. Does she want me to pay? I offered her half! I only ate it all when she said that she didn’t want any! He looked at Tang Bingyao and probed, “What’s up?”

Tang Bingyao stared at Lin Feng, clenching her fists in her mittens. Then she glanced at the stoplight at the intersection. Still red. I need to say it. It’ll turn green soon. If I keep making excuses, I won’t say it at all. Mhm! I’ll say it! She bit on her lips and looked down at her feet. “Uhm, Lin Feng?” she repeated. “Uhm…” She glanced up at the stoplight again, waiting for it to turn green. Go to green! Go! Now! … Now! It jumped to green a few seconds later, which was her cue. She looked up at Lin Feng and said, “It’s my birthday next month… Oh! The light is green. You can’t miss it, go! See you tomorrow! Bye!” Then she turned the corner and ran home.

Lin Feng stared after Tang Bingyao, dazed. What? Then he shook his head and shrugged. That was probably nothing. Oh, I should go home! He crossed the street at the intersection and then walked the last bit home. Su Xue called out to him from the kitchen when he opened the front door, saying something about dinner. He wasn’t entirely sure, his mind playing the scene with Tang Bingyao on repeat. I missed something. There was something there. Right? Was there? Maybe I’m just imagining things. But that was a hint, right? I think so… But what was she hinting at… Her birthday… Birthday… Then he shrugged. I don’t know. I’ll think about it later. He went to his room and played a game of League of Legends, waiting for Su Xue to call him for dinner. But still, something didn’t feel quite right. He just couldn’t put his finger on what that was.

✹

Su Xue looked at the feast she had prepared, proud of herself. That came out better than expected! Lin Feng is going to love it! Talking about that kid… “LIN FENG! DINNER’S READY!” she shouted through the apartment.

Lin Feng dashed out of his room and sat down at the dining table. His eyes went wide when he saw all the food and he said, “This looks delicious! Can I? Can I?” He didn’t even wait for Su Xue’s nod. He put a chicken cutlet in his bowl and grabbed it with his chopsticks. Then he paused. Tang Tang… What did she want? Birthday… He put his chopsticks down and mumbled, “I’m not really hungry. Tang Tang bought me some chicken cutlet on the way home…”

“WHAT? AGAIN?” Su Xue blurted out. Then she threw her own chopsticks on the table and shouted, “It’s the same thing every day lately! Wasn’t I clear to you about this just the other day? I spend hours in the kitchen to prepare dinner for you! HOURS! What am I doing all that hard work for if you’re not even eating it? I could’ve spent that time streaming!” She clenched her fists and breathed in, trying to hold back the tears. She waved at the food and yelled, “IS MY FOOD NOT GOOD ENOUGH? DO YOU NOT LIKE IT? IS THAT IT?”

Lin Feng scratched the back of his head in embarrassment and explained, “Of course I like your food! It’s really good! But I can’t help it that Tang Tang bought me milk tea and chicken cutlet on the way home. It was really filling. Maybe I’ll be hungry again in a few hours. I’ll just eat your food then!”

Su Xue glowered at Lin Feng, a vein throbbing on her temple. “You knew I was making dinner. You could’ve told Tang Tang that I was making dinner. Or you could’ve called me and told me you were having chicken cutlet. OR YOU COULD’VE SAID SOMETHING WHEN YOU GOT HOME!”