Chapter 8: 莫名其妙 Baffling

The freshman party gorgeously started. In addition to Freshman’s, there was Soph.o.m.ores, Juniors and Seniors men and women who also began to stir[1]. Usually the start of school is around the prime time for romance and granted the freshman are of course is the most desirable[2]. This is not incomprehensible. Mo Ka is usually not interested in such a thing. In any case, there is no Mo Ka in places that are lively.

At self study night cla.s.s, Mo Ka knew the evening party began when he heard the bursts of music and the sound of cheering in the distance. He looked at his watch, put away his books getting ready to go home. The moon hung in the sky bending body, huge night sky only inlaid with a few stars issued a weak radiance. Mo Ka’s luck isn’t very good in this life, he has never seen a meteor.

He kicked the stones on the ground, humming a ditty. Soon, he saw the small barber shop next to the stalls on the roadside, the shop entrance flashed with colorful lights. Mo Ka stopped with some hesitation. Although recent campaigns against p.o.r.nography are powerful, they will always be unable to sweep it away completely especially this type of cheap little shop is very suspicious. [3] Until Mo Ka indeed saw that there was only one middle-aged women dressed very simply in the store, only then he calmed down and with valiantly high spirit went in with big steps.

The Proprietress[4] is a good person, it is actually unlike other barber shops as there will be indifferent small talk. She just stood stood quietly behind Mo Ka earnestly cutting his hair. Although the technology is not superb, it’s is pa.s.sable. Mo Ka looked at himself in the mirror, very refreshing. He paid and went out the barber shop satisfied. The barbecue shop’s smell from the roadside attracted Mo Ka, he felt that his stomach felt a bit hungry so he decided to eat a big meal with this type of carcinogenic[5] food. People usually take chances like how people who smoke feel, anyways other people, so many people who smoke don’t have lung cancer.

If you don’t see the coffin you won’t have tears.

Mo Ka ordered his favourite food, sitting in the corner he ordered bottles of beer. At this time there were not many guests only one or two seats spa.r.s.e dispersed sitting[6], the scene somewhat deserted.

Eating alone is lonely but to this degree the loneliness has become a habit. He poured himself a gla.s.s of beer, the beer foamed white from the cup overflowing dropping on the table. He hasn’t drank alcohol for a long time and today he particularly wanted to drink. Mo Ka looked up to drink the cup of beer and afterwards, he pressed the cup down heavily on to the table. Under the lights, a figure came from the direction of the school from fuzzy to clear Mo Ka still recognised Chen Ge in the dim light. Downy light hit Chen Ge’s pretty face. If Mo Ka said that his heart will not beat then he would be lying.

Chen Ge also noticed that Mo Ka had cast his sight at him, he went straight to Mo Ka and sat down beside him. The location is just right at the back of streets. Mo Ka somewhat surprised implying that since he changed his hairstyle, has he become likeable? Immediately thereafter, two girls ran over.

“What, strange. I obviously just saw Chen Ge, why isn’t he here.”

“Could it be your eyes were blurry.”

“Maybe.”

Until the two girls ran away only then Mo Ka frustratingly found the truth. He flattened his lips: “You used me.”

Chen Ge shrugged, declined to comment.

“Being chased by girls is normal, your reaction should be happy.”

“Annoying.”

Chen Ge who has always maintained a lovers image actually said such a thing. Mo Ka patted the table in excitement: “I saw through your human face with beasts heart[7], as expected.”

“You can go and expose me.” Chen Ge’s face joking,

“Be careful when speaking, I cannot be provoked.”

“How? The dog is anxious to jump off the wall?”

“You’re the dog.”

The boss put the barbecued food up interrupting their conversation. The Kind boss also handed a new pair of chopsticks and a cup putting it in front of Chen Ge. What did Mo Ka want to say seeing Chen Ge did not refuse also did not talk.

Due to Chen Ge’s saving grace towards him Mo Ka helped him pour beer in to his cup.

“Haircut?”

Chen Ge suddenly said making Mo Ka hand tremor spilling a few drops of beer on the table.

“Yeah, do you like it?” Don’t know if it’s because he drank a cup of beer or environmental reasons for Mo Ka to blurt out this sentence.

Even Chen Ge didn’t think that Mo Ka would ask him this. He stared at Mo Ka, looking at his hair before slowly opening his mouth: “Just that.”

“Just knew that your mouth doesn’t have good words. Can’t you also be a little good to me like how you are towards others. Although I am a man cannot compete against those women but anyhow I’m still your senior, do you not think so?”

“Maybe someday when I feel good I will treat you as my senior.”

“Maybe what day is someday?”

“Anyways it’s not today.” It’s that sentence again, the most annoying. Usually after these words Chen Ge would not give him an answer.

Mo Ka simply ignored this matter, picked up the cup fuller with beer: “Have a drink?”

It took a long time before Chen Ge lift the cup up. Mo Ka’s cup gently touched Chen Ge’s cup. When he drank the beer, he still did not forget to secretly look at Chen Ge. This guy, even when drinking beer he is so good looking and elegant. It is simply a disease he was born with.

“Since you used me, you should treat me with this meal.”

“Ok.” Chen Ge satisfied straightforwardly promised.

Mo Ka rubbed his hands, little face excited started laughing: “Then I won’t be polite.” Finished speaking eagerly ran over to the boss to order more food.

Chen Ge watched Mo Ka choose food. This person never seems to be the same as everyone else, towards himself his request will not pester him. He has a low self esteem but he also has a stubborn character, he is always happy about little things. Even Chen Ge himself is also confused, why is he so relaxed in front of him. Chen Ge’s slender fingers circled around the cup, how long has it been since he had this type of feeling, a long time for Chen Ge to be unable to remember. He always maintained his distance around people, not too far but not too close and this seems to be the distance that Mo Ka easily breaks down. Chen Ge could not help but chuckle, it seems like he cannot underestimate this guy.

His shallow smile not escaping Mo Ka’s eyes. Mo Ka was indeed somewhat absent minded in that smile. Chen Ge almost did not eat the food, it has all been completely eaten by Mo Ka. He was really hungry.

After the eating the last skewer cake[8], Mo Ka relied on the chair: “I’m finished, I ate too much. I want to vomit.”

“Are you stupid?” After speaking, Chen Ge stood up and paid the bill ready to leave.

Mo Ka stood up with difficulty, he hesitated for a long time but he still spoke out: “Chen Ge, that, yeh. Can I go home with you?” Mo Ka only felt that the place they both lived at was close anyways, going home with a companion. He thought like that, even Mo Ka himself felt that it was a bit funny. Is it because he’s lonely that he needs a companion? Or is it because the other person is Chen Ge so he found a excuse for his loneliness. It doesn’t matter whether is is or not because the barbecue stalls boss cast odd looks at them because of this sentence that Mo Ka had said. This look made Mo Ka realise what he said, he hurried to explain: “Boss. You’re. Me and him. That.” Mo Ka is not good at communicating with strangers so his explanation is quite redundant.

Chen Ge frowned, somewhat impatient said: “Are you coming or not?”

At last Mo Ka defeated, followed behind Chen Ge. This snack street only now slowly began to liven up, full of students around various stalls .

Chen Ge and Mo Ka shuttle one after the other in the middle of the crowd. Mo Ka watched Chen Ge’s back, obviously just a little school brother. Why does he always feel much stronger compared to himself. Besides, this isn’t going home together this is only following behind him. How to see himself, he’s very much like Chen Ge’s small attendant because Chen Ge is taller compared to Mo Ka so Chen Ge walked ahead. Mo Ka is almost running with small steps to catch up.

When they arrived to the bottom floor, Mo Ka is somewhat out of breath waved to give up: “You let me take a breath. The food I just ate has finished digesting, isn’t this eating for free?”

“Mo Ka, Mo Ka Ka, Mo Ka Ka Ka.” A cry from behind, unable to get a promise will get give up.

Mo Ka rolled his eyes and turned around, Hao Shuai already ran to before him. That brilliant smile is definitely not a good sign. Hao Shuai saw Mo Ka’s new hairstyle first then saw Chen Ge behind Mo Ka. This time, Hao Shuai’s face changed from a brilliant enchanting smile into a sinister smile that harbours malicious intentions then, watching Mo Ka ridiculed: “You really went to get a haircut?”

Mo Ka was watched by Hao Shuai with a guilty conscience: “None of your d.a.m.n business, why are you looking for me again.”

Chen Ge just swept a glance at the two people chatting in harmonious atmosphere, he went straight towards the elevator. Mo Ka watched Chen Ge go to the elevator and impatiently said: “You wait for me, you taking the elevator by yourself is not environmentally friendly.” After speaking, he ran to the elevator door standing in the middle. After the double the elevator doors sh.o.r.e, he said to Hao Shaui again: “If there’s nothing i’m going up first.”

“Don’t. It’s like this. Last time you lent me money, Shan Shan said she didn’t have autumn clothing and that she was very cold so I brought her clothes. You see today the moon is rarely so round, we both want to eat supper, lend me some again.”

“I lend you money, you give it to that prodigal woman again. Isn’t this obviously cheating on your money. Do you think you are wealthy, I still need to lend you money to eat supper. Stop dreaming, eat s.h.i.t.” looks like Mo Ka was so furious that he forgot that Chen Ge is also in the elevator.

“It’s a great night where do I eat s.h.i.t. It’s the last time, I beg you Mo Ka.” Hao Shuai piteously begged because Gao Shan Shan is still waiting outside.

Mo Ka eventually still suffered from this close childhood friend. From his bag took out 400 Yuan throwing it at him simultaneously and not forgetting to vent out a sentence: “You sell a.s.s.”

Taking the money, Hao Shuai ran. Mo Ka let go of his hand getting in the elevator.He turned around to see Chen Ge’s expressionless face staring at him. Mo Ka distracted, he was just like a boorish fellow, he is somewhat embarra.s.sed: “I’m not usually like that, it made me angry he’s confused.” Mo Ka attempted to save his last bit of face. He doesn’t know why he needs to explain this to Chen Ge, he just felt that he was supposed to explain.

“Your angry that he’s going to dinner with a girl?”

Chen Ge sudden question made Mo Ka somewhat puzzled but he still answered: “Of course i’m angry, you don’t know that how artificial that woman is. She’s so artificial you cannot believe it.” Mo Ka really hates Gao Shan Shan but with Hao Shuai there’s also not much relation even if she was not together with Hao Shuai, he will still hate Gao Shan Shan the same.

“Jealous?”

Another baffling question, Mo Ka asked: “Jealous, of whom? Gao Shan Shan? Do not make jokes. I don’t like Gao Shan Shan, why would I start a sc.r.a.p with Hao Shuai through jealousy.” Looks like Mo Ka misunderstood Chen Ge’s question.

Chen Ge also did not intend to continue asking, his mood baffled annoyed. He looked up at the elevator, the digits did not move only to find that both of the didn’t press a floor. Chen Ge extended his hand to press 18th floor.

“Help me press 19th floor, thanks.”

“Press it yourself.”

Mo Ka distracted for a bit bitterly pressed 19th floor, he thought that since they just ate food together, their relationship will be a little better. The result is still the same. This man’s heart is absolutely a stone.

The 18th floor arrived, the elevator doors opened after the ding sound. Chen Ge went out.

Mo Ka said “Then, good night.”

“Who wants to good night with you.”

Alone inside the elevator Mo Ka was some what frustrated: What On earth is he angry about?

Chen Ge used force to insert the card into the lock, heavily opeing the door: What on earth am I angry about.

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[1] 蠢蠢欲动 an idiom which is a metaphor for chaos/ for enemy is ready to attack or conspiracy to cause trouble

[2] This basically means that people will obviously go for people that are fresh i.e the soph.o.m.ores, juniors and seniors will go for the freshman because they are fresh and new

[3] 扫黄行动 means campaign against p.o.r.nography or to eradicate p.o.r.nography and illegal publications. He thinks that the barbers is too suspicious and might be doing p.o.r.nography or something since it’s really cheap.

[4] 老板娘 is basically a woman who owns a business. She would be called a proprietress in English or a lady boss.

[5] 致癌食物 food that can cause cancer.

[6] the customers that are sat down are scattered so they aren’t huddled up in a group or something.

[7] 人面兽心 an idiom

[8] Skewer cake