Chapter 3: Your Elder Will Always Be Your Elder (Please Add to Favorites)

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At dawn, the shrill ring of the alarm clock burst forth like a death knell, mercilessly shattering the early morning tranquility. Li Ping’an struggled beneath his duvet for a long while before finally, and most reluctantly, abandoning his warm and cozy little nest.

Still bleary-eyed, he drew back the curtains just after getting up, and a familiar figure caught his gaze.

There was Grandpa Er, clad in a somewhat worn green cotton coat, leaning on a bamboo cane, slowly making his way toward Li Ping’an’s house.

“Grandpa Er!” Li Ping’an called out as he opened the window.

“Well now, you’re up early!” Grandpa Er replied with a broad smile.

“Good timing—come have breakfast! Your aunt and the others have already gone out to work,” Grandpa Er called to him warmly.

“Alright!”

After breakfast, Li Ping’an told himself that he mustn’t have lunch at Grandpa Er’s house again today. Though his aunt was always kind, never uttering a word of complaint or minding his presence at the table, he knew he ought to be considerate and not impose on them all the time.

So, he hopped onto the family’s little electric scooter, fully charged the day before, and set off toward town.

He hadn’t forgotten his important task for the day—visiting his sister at school.

His sister attended the town’s only junior high, which was also Li Ping’an’s alma mater. The bustling life of the town’s main street revolved entirely around this school; nearly every shop and stall depended on its existence.

It was no exaggeration to say that the students kept the street thriving; without the school, this place would hardly be so lively.

The journey from home to town was short—barely a ten-minute ride by scooter.

When it came to his sister, Li Ping’an had always been generous. Even when their parents were alive, he spent half his pocket money on her. To him, she was the apple of his eye.

Perhaps, he mused, all elder brothers adore their younger sisters like this.

It’s said, on the other hand, that older sisters treat their younger brothers quite differently. Whether or not that’s true, Li Ping’an couldn’t say—he had no older sister.

Arriving on the bustling street, Li Ping’an carefully selected some fresh fruit and delicious snacks, and even bought two warm down jackets before heading to the school gate, his heart full of joy.

These days, most schools are under strict closed-campus management. In such a system, students are kept inside, unable to leave, and outsiders can scarcely set foot within the campus.

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Even parents bringing things for their children must follow a rigorous procedure. They can only leave the items at the security office, then call the student’s homeroom teacher, who will notify the student to collect the items during a break.

Carrying his bags and packages, Li Ping’an slowly approached the security office. Through the window, he immediately spotted the familiar old guard.

Back in his days as a student here, that same old man had been standing watch at the gate. All these years later, he looked just the same, as hale and hearty as ever.

Li Ping’an knocked gently on the door and called out, “Sir, do you remember me?”

Inside, the old guard was warming himself by a brazier. He slowly looked up, squinting at the door, his expression saying, “And who might you be?”

But the next moment, the old man’s eyes widened in recognition, and he slapped his thighs in delight, exclaiming, “Aren’t you that one who scored first place in the whole county on the high school entrance exam, and was always the first to dash to the cafeteria at break—what’s his name?”

“Li Ping’an,” Li Ping’an replied, laughing.

“Yes, yes, Li Ping’an!”

The old guard’s face lit up, as if old memories had come flooding back.

Seeing that he was remembered, Li Ping’an quickly seized the moment, beaming as he said, “Sir, I’d like to visit my sister, Li Ya, in Grade Nine, Class One. I’ve just come back from university for the holidays.”

As he spoke, he lifted the fruit, snacks, and jackets he’d brought.

The old guard glanced at the things in Li Ping’an’s hands and nodded. “Leave them here and sign in. I’ll call her homeroom teacher in a little while.”

Li Ping’an paused, thinking, “Wait, sir, that’s quite a quick change in attitude!”

When he saw the old man nod, he’d thought maybe he’d be allowed inside, just this once.

“Please, sir, can’t you let me in to see her?” Li Ping’an pleaded, hope in his eyes.

But the old guard shook his head firmly. “No can do. Doesn’t matter who you are. If anything happened, I couldn’t bear that responsibility.”

Li Ping’an smiled wryly, understanding. After all these years, the old man’s dedication to his post was no accident.

Clearly, he would not let anyone in, not even a former student.

Back then, as a student, Li Ping’an had always dreamed of escaping the school walls, certain that the world outside was more exciting. Now, wanting to step back inside that familiar campus, he found it even harder than leaving.

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Left with no choice, Li Ping’an dutifully filled out the log and smiled. “Thank you, sir, for your trouble.”

The old guard, hugging his electric heater, replied earnestly, “As long as you stay out there, it’s no trouble at all.”

Back on the town’s main street, Li Ping’an began shopping for daily necessities. As he browsed, he imagined how happy his sister would be receiving the warmth he’d sent, and a faint smile played on his lips.

Anyway, it was already Wednesday—just two days left before the school holiday. After such a long separation, what were two more days? With that thought, Li Ping’an felt at ease.

Once he’d finished stocking up, he prepared to head home on his little electric scooter.

Mounting the scooter as usual, he twisted the throttle, but what happened next took him completely by surprise.

Though he’d charged it all day yesterday, the scooter had run out of power after only ten minutes.

“Seriously? The battery’s dead?” Li Ping’an frowned in exasperation.

He had no choice but to push the scooter to a battery store on the street.

Once inside, he gritted his teeth and spent a small fortune on four brand-new batteries.

With the new batteries installed, the scooter seemed to spring to life, fully revitalized. As for the old batteries, under the shopkeeper’s mournful gaze—as though he’d lost a treasure—Li Ping’an took them away.

Meanwhile, in the classroom, spring warmth filled the air and the heater hummed with cozy heat.

Li Ya was completely absorbed in the lesson, her bright eyes focused with intent.

Catching a glimpse of the homeroom teacher standing outside the window, she understood at once. Without a word, she nudged her drowsy desk mate with her foot.

Startled awake, her desk mate sat up straight, instantly alert, and feigned attentiveness.

PS: Time to invest—the contract is about to be signed.