Song Yuzhang: Extra 21 - Non-Fish [Complete]
“Teacher is still resting. He worked too late yesterday and went to bed without even eating.”
“Is that so? Then let’s wait outside so no one disturbs him.”
Sure enough, not long after, someone came rushing in, “Engineer Yu—”
The students all stood up and made a downward hand gesture.
The newcomer froze, instinctively lowering his voice. “What’s the matter?”
“The teacher is resting. He worked until midnight yesterday and only got to sleep at four.”
The person blinked for a moment. “But there’s another problem with the railway…”
“What kind of problem?”
“There’s a small section where the two sides are uneven.”
“That’s not a big problem. We’ll go with you and take a look first.”
“Are you sure you can handle it?”
The newcomer looked doubtful. The students, patting their chests, assured him they could handle it. Their voices grew louder without realizing it, and when someone from the crowd behind asked a question, they noticed Yu Feiyu was already awake.
“What happened?”
Yu Feiyu put on a thin coat, sliding his arms into the sleeves. “Is there still a problem with the railway?”
“Yes, Engineer Yu, please come take a look. Everyone’s waiting for you to take charge.”
“Then let’s go.”
Yu Feiyu casually got dressed and went out to handle the matter. Though he had only slept three hours, he was still full of energy, his face wearing its usual smile. He told the students, “Come along and observe. Learn from this.”
When this railway was first built, Yu Feiyu was the chief in charge. But later, with the country in turmoil, everyone higher up was just trying to make money. Talents like Yu Feiyu were sidelined and replaced by cronies looking for profit.
Years later, the railway was riddled with problems, stretching across the war-torn land. Yu Feiyu approached it, touched it, and could almost hear its weak, labored sighs.
This was his railway!
Yu Feiyu threw himself into work until noon. Everyone around was hungry, their stomachs growling, but Yu Feiyu remained energetic, continuously pointing out issues and proposing repair plans on the spot.
After quickly eating a couple of bites, he returned to work.
“Teacher Yu is really a workhorse.”
“Teacher Yu is most passionate when working.”
Everyone praised him, realizing that Yu Feiyu seemed flawless: highly educated, skilled, easygoing, approachable, responsible, and even handsome—the perfect teacher.
Yet this perfect teacher, already in his mid-thirties, was still single, which puzzled them.
Perhaps his standards were too high? Or he hadn’t found the right person? Or maybe he had a lost love during the war? They speculated quietly, not daring to speak in front of him. Even though he was easygoing, Yu Feiyu was now a top talent relied upon by higher-ups. They respected him.
Yu Feiyu didn’t know he was regarded as a highly esteemed talent; he just did what he could.
During the war, after being kicked off the railway project, he returned home.
His parents had long been waiting, partly because the times were too chaotic for him to intervene, and partly hoping he would settle down.
Yu Feiyu accepted a quiet life at home but rejected the matchmaking proposals.
It wasn’t until the country stabilized that he was asked to return and repair the war-damaged railway.
By evening, he finally rested, holding a large bowl of food, when a student came in excitedly. “Teacher Yu, they found a piano!”
It was an old, broken piano that didn’t make any sound. Yu Feiyu had no tools on hand to fix it. The students were disappointed.
“No matter. I’ll fix it tomorrow during the day,” Yu Feiyu said.
Accustomed to their teacher’s capabilities, they marveled again. One bold student asked, “Teacher Yu, I saw a sketch on your desk yesterday. Did you draw it? Who is it? The eyes are beautiful.”
“Sketch? Male or female?” the students excitedly asked.
“Male… right, Teacher Yu?”
Yu Feiyu smiled faintly. “Yes, it’s a male.”
“Is it a friend of yours?”
“Sort of.”
The students eagerly asked more questions, but Yu Feiyu dismissed them quickly. After they left, he lightly smiled and approached the silent piano, sitting down and pretending to play.
A silent melody ended, and Yu Feiyu both smiled and sighed. Back then, when he returned to Haizhou, he didn’t meet Song Yuzhang, who had apparently gone elsewhere with Meng Tingjing.
He had missed once, and all that followed were more missed chances.
Outside, the stars shone bright. Yu Feiyu smiled, imagining that person’s face. Who was with him now? Had someone brought him happiness again?
It didn’t matter—he was just a passerby in life.
Even a fleeting encounter was enough. If fate allowed, they would meet again.
[End]
------
There's still 4 bonus chapters after this one~
------
----------
If you like my translation, please support me by buying me a coffee:
0 comments: