deltrittennovels #578 - Doudou Qin Yi
#578 - Doudou Qin Yi
"Huh?" Qian Jin frowned, his eyes scanning Tang Yin up and down as if examining a perplexing object.
Tang Yin politely bowed slightly. "Hello, please guide me." He noticed a hint of wariness in Qian Jin's eyes, as if he was pondering something.
"You're not from Baifeng Village, are you?" Qian Jin asked directly, his voice carrying a subtle hint of hostility.
"No, I came here from a big city by chance," Tang Yin answered truthfully, maintaining a gentle smile on his face.
Qian Jin frowned even deeper. "...Qin Zhi doesn't know what kind of tricks he's playing..." He paused for a moment, then sighed. "Forget it, you're indeed unlucky, so please excuse me. Hualu, sorry for the intrusion."
Unlucky? Tang Yin pondered the word silently.
He's still so dense, he couldn't help but feel a little helpless towards Qian Jin's straightforward personality.
After saying goodbye to Qian Jin, the three returned to the square in the center of the village. The evening breeze gently blew, bringing with it a few wisps of faint floral fragrance. Zhou Zhengxiong was squatting on the ground, pressing the shutter of his camera at a few unknown wildflowers. The clicking sound was particularly clear in the silent space.
Tang Yin understood. Someone must have prevented him from photographing the buildings. This deduction made him feel even more mysterious about this village.
The square was empty, with only the three of them. Apart from the rustling of the wind blowing through the treetops, the surroundings were so quiet that you could almost hear the sound of time passing.
"Hey, it's still the same..." Xia Hui looked at the empty square, but swallowed half of her words back.
Tang Yin could guess the words she didn't finish—it's still the same, they've stumbled into an abandoned village. This evaluation was obviously not appropriate, so she stopped in time.
"...Okay, let's go. You're going to the cafeteria, right?" Xia Hui changed the subject, her tone carrying a kind concern.
"Yeah," Tang Yin nodded in response.
Although they didn't know each other, Xia Hui really took care of Tang Yin. She must have known that he really had something to do at the cafeteria, that's why she made such a suggestion. This thoughtfulness stirred a trace of warmth in Tang Yin's heart.
Pushing open the door of the cafeteria, a gentle voice immediately came over: "Oh... I've been waiting for you, you must be Tang Yin, and Xia Hui and Zhou Zhengxiong."
"Hello," Zhou Zhengxiong greeted briefly, his camera still hanging around his neck.
"Hello, hello," Xia Hui said, then forcibly resisted the urge to continue repeating, a hint of embarrassment on her face.
"Qin Zhi introduced me here, please guide me," Tang Yin nodded slightly towards the woman who spoke.
Chen Xiang stood behind the counter, her melon-shaped face carrying a dignified and elegant smile. Although there was a slight hint of fatigue between her eyebrows and eyes, the gloomy aura she had before had disappeared without a trace. This transformation made Tang Yin think of an eternal truth: for their children, parents can become ghosts or Buddhas.
Looking at Chen Xiang's peaceful face, Tang Yin sighed silently in his heart: no matter what era, this is universally applicable, whether it is good or bad. The deepest love and persistence in human nature are always the most difficult bonds to break.
As night deepened, the lights in the cafeteria stretched the shadows of the few people very long, projecting them onto the slightly mottled walls, as if telling the unknown stories of this mysterious village.
Chen Xiang gently placed her hands on the wooden counter, the smile lines at the corners of her eyes revealing kindness: "Oh... what a prudent young man."
"No, I'm just a failure..." Tang Yin lowered his head slightly, his tea-colored hair covering his eyes, his voice carrying a bit of self-deprecation.
Chen Xiang's brow furrowed slightly, hesitating to speak: "Don't be so pessimistic, but, is it really okay? For you to be here..." A trace of worry flashed in her eyes.
"It's nothing, although many people have advised me, I think this is a very good place," Tang Yin raised his head, a faint smile on his lips, but his eyes were exceptionally firm.
Chen Xiang sighed softly, adjusting her apron: "Is that so...? But, I don't know if anyone has told you, although this is called a cafeteria, it's actually just helping everyone cook."
She paused for a moment, and continued somewhat embarrassedly: "...Also, it's really hard to say, but regarding the salary... However, three meals a day can still be provided."
"I don't mind, it doesn't matter even if there's no salary, as long as I can live a simple life, I'm satisfied," Tang Yin's tone was calm and sincere, as if he really had no attachment to money.
"Is that so?" Chen Xiang was about to say something when a voice full of hostility suddenly exploded from the door.
"Ha, are you an old man!!"
The wooden door of the cafeteria was rudely pushed open, making a harsh creaking sound. Qin Yi, who had abruptly left last time, suddenly appeared at the door, his flamboyant short hair glowing golden in the setting sun, his school uniform jacket casually draped over his shoulders, his whole person exuding a rebellious aura.
"Qin Yi, why aren't you going to school!" Chen Xiang's voice suddenly rose, her tone carrying reproach.
Qin Yi clicked his tongue impatiently: "Annoying, I'm just not going, hey, you damn guy," he pointed at Tang Yin, his eyes full of contempt, "Did you come here because you didn't die, you waste!"
"Qin Yi, what nonsense are you talking about!" Chen Xiang scolded sharply, but Tang Yin lowered his eyes thoughtfully.
Oh, has the matter spread here?
He speculated silently, the other side should have called Mrs. Chen Xiang to inform her, and then she communicated with others beforehand... that's probably when it was leaked.
Just then, Tang Yin suddenly raised his head and shouted in a voice louder than Qin Yi's: "Really!! I'm just a waste!!"
Qin Yi was obviously stunned, the expression on his face changing from contempt to confusion: "...Huh? Has your head been caught in a door?"
"I can't refute it! I'm mentally retarded!!" Tang Yin continued to shout in an almost crazy tone, his voice echoing between the walls of the cafeteria.
Qin Yi was caught off guard by this unexpected reaction, turned to Chen Xiang and said: "Hey, old woman, don't take in this waste, he will definitely cause you trouble."
"Do you have the right to say that when you don't go to school or help out!" Chen Xiang put her hands on her hips, her face full of anger.
"Annoying!" Qin Yi scratched his hair irritably, then turned to Tang Yin, "Hey, idiot tea-haired man, are you really here to seek death? Or are you here to scam people!"
The afterglow of the setting sun shone in through the windows of the cafeteria, stretching the shadows of the few people, casting mottled light and shadows on the floor. A strange sense of tension permeated the air, as if everyone was waiting for something to happen. Tang Yin stood there, still with that faint smile on his lips, as if he didn't care about everything around him.
The air solidified for a few seconds, suddenly, Tang Yin burst into a near-manic laughter: "Hahahaha how is that possible hahaha."
His laughter echoed in the small space of the cafeteria, making it impossible to tell whether it was real laughter or fake laughter. Qin Yi frowned, looking warily at this strangely behaving tea-haired boy, turned to Chen Xiang and said: "Hey, old woman, this guy is super suspicious, right?"
"My name is not old woman." Chen Xiang helplessly supported her forehead, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes revealing a bit of fatigue.
Tang Yin was still laughing non-stop: "Ah hahahahahaha." The laughter carried a strange rhythm.
At this time, Xia Hui, who had been standing in the corner, finally couldn't help but speak. She pushed the black-rimmed glasses on the bridge of her nose, and said gently but with a slight reproach: "...Um, Tang Yin, although I'm an outsider, it's better to stop the prank."
Tang Yin's laughter gradually subsided, he sorted out his slightly messy tea-colored bangs, revealing a meaningful smile: "Hahahahaha, sorry, after all, we'll be spending a long time together, so I just wanted to be a little closer."
His gaze turned to Qin Yi, his eyes suddenly becoming sharp: "You're Qin Yi, right? Do you want to make a bet with me?"
"Ha? What bet, coward." Qin Yi curled his lips in disdain, his fingers tapping the wall unconsciously.
Just then, Tang Yin's actions made everyone hold their breath. He slowly put his hand into his backpack, groped around inside, and took out a folding fruit knife. The silver blade flashed coldly in the setting sun.
"Use this knife to cut off my little finger," Tang Yin's voice was terrifyingly calm, as if discussing today's weather.
Instantly, the cafeteria was silent. Everyone's eyes were focused on Tang Yin, even the noisy cicada chirping seemed to have stopped. Chen Xiang covered her mouth in surprise, a trace of fear flashed behind Xia Hui's glasses, while Qin Yi took a half step back in shock.
Tang Yin, however, didn't seem to notice the surrounding reaction, and continued in a relaxed tone: "Come on, my hand is here, the knife is also here, I'll give it to you."
"What are you talking about," Qin Yi's voice trembled slightly, obviously frightened by Tang Yin's suggestion.
"As a sign of our acquaintance, let you cut off one of my fingers," Tang Yin's smile was still gentle, but it made people feel a chill down their spines.
"Your head has been caught in a door! What's more..." Qin Yi's voice suddenly rose, "You should do this kind of thing yourself!"
He seemed to have found a flaw, and immediately seized the opportunity to mock: "I see, you must be afraid to do it yourself, that's why you're asking me to do it! As expected, you're a coward, huh!?"
Tang Yin shook his head gently, his eyes as sharp as a knife: "Of course I can do it myself, but this is a bet on courage, since you think I'm a coward, then show your courage?"
His voice gradually took on a bewitching tone: "As long as you dare to cut, you win, as long as I don't run away, I also win."
"In other words, as long as you cut off my finger, it's a win-win, and then we'll officially become good friends."
"What do you say, Qin Yi?"
As dusk deepened, the light in the cafeteria became increasingly dim. Tang Yin's left hand lay quietly on the rough dining table, the bony fingers glowing with a morbid paleness in the dim light. The folding knife in his right hand drew a cold arc in the air, handing it towards Qin Yi.
The light dancing on the blade seemed to have some kind of magic, freezing the entire space at this moment. Everyone's breathing became extremely light, and an unspeakable sense of oppression permeated the air, like the calm before the storm.
Qin Yi's Adam's apple rolled slightly, his voice carrying a trace of trembling: "...Y-you, what nonsense are you talking about, has your head really been caught in a door?"
Tang Yin's lips curled up slightly, a flash of elusive light in his eyes: "You've only been saying this sentence since just now, um, okay, my head has been caught in a door."
He suddenly leaned forward, his eyes staring as sharply as a hawk at Qin Yi's ripped denim jacket and the pants covered with chains: "Or do you prefer normal people? Then why are you dressed in this non-mainstream way, and still throwing a temper tantrum at your mom?"
Tang Yin's voice carried a bit of charm: "I prefer abnormal people, come on, let me see how crazy you are?"
"Hahaha." His laughter echoed in the empty cafeteria, carrying a strange rhythm.
Looking at Qin Yi's gradually turning green face, Tang Yin laughed secretly in his heart. This stubborn teenager was like a little beast trapped in a corner, wanting to escape but also wanting to maintain face. It was so interesting.
However, teasing people should be done in moderation. Tang Yin put away his playful expression, his tone suddenly becoming relaxed: "Just kidding."
A trace of regret flashed in his heart: Too bad, Qin Yi.
"I'm kidding, I'm kidding, I can't stand this kind of pain," Tang Yin retracted his hand from the table, closed the folding knife and put it into his pocket, revealing a gentle smile, "Even if we can't get along right away, we can quickly become good friends, please guide me."
Qin Yi narrowed his eyes, looking at him warily: "...Are you giving me a way out?"
Tang Yin nodded secretly in his heart. It has to be said that this child is indeed exceptionally intelligent. Although his brother is an all-rounder, Qin Yi also has his own unique talent—that kind of keen intuition to see through the essence of things in an instant. Perhaps this is the innate talent in the Qin family's bloodline.
Faced with Tang Yin's silence, Qin Yi stood quietly for a while, then turned and left the cafeteria. Mrs. Chen Xiang watched her son's back, and didn't ask him to go to school again.
"...Sorry, I did some strange things," Tang Yin turned to Chen Xiang, saying apologetically.
Chen Xiang waved her hand, revealing a helpless smile: "Ah... it's nothing, it's obviously my stupid son who was too rude... But, I didn't expect you to be so brave?"
Tang Yin lowered his head and looked at his palm: "That's not the case, actually I lost by giving up the bet, if we continued to stalemate, he might have really done it."
He remembered Qin Yi's bravery when fighting those inhuman monsters, that young man could risk his life at a critical moment.
"...He was hesitant because he didn't want his mom to see blood," Tang Yin said softly, "I think he's still a good kid at heart."
Hearing these words, a gratified smile bloomed on Chen Xiang's face, which was covered with traces of time. The afterglow of the setting sun shone on her face through the window, reflecting the unique gentle brilliance of a mother.