CH 72.3

The Same Group of People (3)

“Endure it for a while. You can surely withstand it.” Gong Sinian’s eyes were calm and sharp. “Barging headlong into the world of adults foolishly and meeting a random scumbag is enough to really ruin your life, understand?”

Fang Li was dumbfounded and let him wipe his head, without saying a word.

“I know it must’ve been hard for you and you certainly have reason to feel that I am only standing and talking without a back pain*.” Gong Sinian didn’t give up and still insisted on talking. “If I say I understand your hesitation and helplessness, you also won’t believe it. And you’re right about that, there’s no real sympathy in this world.”

*T/N: standing and talking without a back pain (proverb): refers to a person who does not put himself or herself in the shoes of another person but speaks in a high-sounding manner.

Fang Li’s thin body leaned against the backseat and lowered his head, forcing himself to stifle his sobs.

Gong Sinian did not wipe his tears but looked at him and handed over a piece of tissue. “Remember that no matter what, you must use all your strength to withstand it. Once all of this is over, things will stop looking so dire. You can take it from me.”

***

The taxi drove back to the entrance of Experimental No. 3 and Gong Sinian and Fang Li got out of the car.

The heavy rain had lessened a bit, but both were mostly drenched. Gong Sinian held up his umbrella and personally walked him to the front of the dormitory building before stopping in his tracks.

“Go back and take a nice hot shower. After that, go to bed early.” Gong Sinian carefully looked at his still cowering expression and said in a rare, gentle tone, “I’m usually in the infirmary. You’re welcome to come and tell your grievance any time and I’ll definitely listen with an undiscerning ear.”

Fang Li finally raised his head, the rims of his eyes red. “Thank you, Dr. Gong…”

Gong Sinian smiled. “You’re welcome. If it doesn’t bother you, you can take me either as a teacher or a doctor. Of course, you can also take me as a friend.”

Waving his hand, he just wanted to turn around and leave, but Fang Li suddenly asked softly with a trembling voice from behind him. “D-Dr, Gong… you said we’re people of the same group?”

Gong Sinian turned his head and was silent before reaching out and lightly patting his head, voice extremely soft. “Yes, ah. There are many people like us.”

It was almost time for lights out in the dormitory building and with the heavy rain, most students had long since returned to their dormitories on time. The front steps into the building were empty.

This slightly gentle gesture by Dr. Gong was hidden in the night and no one heard his whisper.

However, a tall figure suddenly rushed out of the dorm building at that moment.

Fu Songhua grabbed Fang Li’s arm and panted heavily, pulling him from Gong Sinian’s side.

“What are you doing? Is Fang Li feverish or sick? Why are you touching his head?!”

Gong Sinian was caught off guard and startled. After looking closely at Fu Songhua, he squinted his eyes.

Fu Songhua was a sports enthusiast and naturally not immune to bruises and scrapes. He was a frequent visitor in the infirmary, so Gong Sinian knew him and even remembered his name.

“Student Fu?” He looked at Fu Songhua’s bloodshot eyes and the pale Fang Li, thoughtfully waving his hand. “Hurry up and bring your friend back. Tell him to take a hot bath to avoid catching a cold.”

***

The two stood tensely by the stairs. Fang Li wanted to grind his teeth and go upstairs, but a faint question suddenly sounded in his ear, “I’ve looked for you everywhere these last few nights. You were not in the classroom or the dorm. Were you in the infirmary?”

Fang Li abruptly raised his head and looked at him in shock. “W-What nonsense are you talking about?”

Fu Songhua’s body was also fully drenched and an umbrella was at his feet, collecting a large puddle of water.

“I’m talking nonsense? Weren’t you in the classroom these few days? Were you sick, so you were looking for the doctor?” Fu Songhua asked hoarsely, knowing he shouldn’t say something like this, but he was just so stuffed up inside that he wanted to explode.

He had even wanted to rush out and hit people when he saw Dr. Gong’s action.

Why did he deliver Fang Li back? Why did he touch Fang Li’s head gently like that?

Fang Li’s lips trembled. He suddenly threw his hand away and ran fiercely upstairs. Just as he ran a few steps, Fu Songhua already chased after him from behind.

He was tall and had long legs, so he stopped Fang Li at the corner in three or two steps and reached out to keep him there.

Fang Li fiercely glared at him, on the verge of tears. “Let go, ah.”

“I’m not letting go!” Fu Songhua clenched his teeth hard. “I won’t let you go if you don’t say it clearly! I fucking looked for you the whole night but couldn’t find you anywhere!”

Fang Li went silent.

After a while, he finally said in amazement, “Are you looking for me… for something?”

Fu Songhua lowered his head and didn’t let him go but did not say anything.

Yes, ah. Did he look for him for something? It seemed there was none.

Fang Li bit his lips, his voice trembling. “Since there’s nothing, I’ll go then.”

Just as he pushed away Fu Songhua’s arm, Fu Songhua stubbornly followed him up, firmly blocking him on the stairs.

“Fang Li, don’t go.” The robust and tall boy’s expression was mournful, bewildered, and aggrieved. “I… I just want us to go back like before, happily eating together, going to the night self-study together, and you watching me play ball. Can’t we do that?”