Chapter 51: Allow Me to Introduce Him—This is My Dad
The second-year unified exams at Yingcheng ended after the first afternoon period on an ordinary weekday.
All the self-study and revision Mu Xiangxiang had never once abandoned had proven worthwhile. Throughout the entire exam period, she had encountered almost no truly difficult questions. By the time she handed in her final paper, she was already able to estimate her score. The final result would likely be a number she could be satisfied with.
She sat at her desk, slowly packing up her things while thinking, the scattered conversations around the classroom drifting into her ears—
“What did you pick for Question XX?”
“This exam was brutal. Harder than last semester's finals.”
“Seriously, what kind of bizarre topic was that English composition prompt...”
The discussion soon shifted when several classmates returned from the restroom—
“Hey, when I passed Class Two just now, someone told me that Weasel Huang got called to the principal's office this morning. When he came back, his face looked absolutely terrible. He's definitely in trouble.”
“Huh?”
“Really?”
“Serves him damn right. Somebody should've dealt with him a long time ago. Just because he's old, he acts like everyone has to cater to him.”
The buzzing gossip was interrupted when Gao Yan approached Mu Xiangxiang. Turning around, Mu Xiangxiang saw several girls standing awkwardly by her desk. “Mu Xiangxiang, when we go out later, is there anywhere you'd like to go?”
She blinked in surprise. “You're asking me?”
“Of course.” The girls nodded. “If there's somewhere you want to go, we can prioritize your opinion.”
Mu Xiangxiang fell silent. A feeling she couldn't quite describe welled up inside her. After a moment, her gaze softened and a faint smile appeared. Looking from them to the group of boys and girls behind them, she replied, “No need. There's nowhere in particular I want to go. Just follow whatever everyone else wants.”
As class representative Lin Long turned around to relay the answer to the others, she couldn't help sneaking another glance at Mu Xiangxiang. For some reason, the girl's back looked different from any other time she had seen her.
She sat upright. Not like a while ago, when she'd suddenly become lazy and had to lean against something wherever she went. Nor like the long-haired girl from memory, sitting alone at her desk with her head lowered, ignoring everyone around her.
The lazy version of her had seemed vividly colorful. But colors that vivid always carried a certain aggressiveness. Whenever she spoke, there had been mockery and disdain hidden in her eyes and smile.
The long-haired version had been much softer in tone. Yet colors that pale inevitably felt cold. Back then she always seemed distant and chilly, making others feel they lacked the courage to approach her.
Only now, at this exact point between the two extremes, did everything seem perfectly balanced.
Lin Long's mind filled with the image of the short-haired girl's casual glance and faint smile. She remained dazed for a moment before exchanging looks with her friends. A moment later, the girls were covering their mouths and giggling at one another.
Why are you blushing?
You're blushing too!
Refined good looks. Calmness. Gentleness. Those were words that seemed more appropriate for describing a boy.
Yet for some reason, whenever they looked at Mu Xiangxiang, those descriptions surfaced automatically.
*****
The class had managed to arrange for one of Yingcheng's school buses. Mu Xiangxiang sat by the window, propping her chin on one hand as she watched her classmates fool around. One earbud hung from her ear, soft French songs flowing into her hearing.
The weather truly was wonderful. The sky was high and clear. The sunlight was warm. The heat pierced through the lingering chill of spring. The atmosphere was as vibrant as the young people filling the bus.
This was the first time since elementary-school field trips that Mu Xiangxiang had gone out with classmates.
She still wasn't particularly talkative. There was no way she could join the group of students who could enthusiastically sing into a microphone even without any accompaniment. Yet the atmosphere was completely different from what she had once imagined. She had always assumed that if she sat quietly among others, everyone would eventually fall into awkward silence.
Instead, even sitting off to one side in relative quiet, she felt no loneliness at all. Leaning against the sun-warmed window, listening to the chatter around her, she felt as though her own body had gradually warmed as well. For the first time, she thought that being part of a group might actually feel better than always walking alone.
The girls at the front of the bus chatted nonstop. Clothes. Shoes. Accessories. Skincare products. All topics Mu Xiangxiang knew nothing about. In the past, whenever such conversations arose, she would instinctively retreat as far away as possible.
But now, that fragile self-esteem of hers no longer seemed so easily wounded.
The school bus crossed most of City A before finally stopping outside People's Square, where crowds were already gathering. The square was unusual. Its vast grounds seemed designed for a single purpose—to showcase the unique building standing at its center. Every blade of grass and every decorative detail served to highlight that structure. It was one of City A's landmark buildings. Ever since its completion, it had attracted enormous attention from the city's residents. Even someone as detached from the outside world as Mu Xiangxiang knew from newspapers and magazines that both the building and its architect had won numerous prestigious awards. Whenever she passed this area on a bus, she would always look up at it. It inspired her. One day, she hoped to become someone who could create value for society through her own abilities as well.
As she stepped off the bus, she heard someone beside Gao Yan ask, “Gao Yan, wasn't this square designed by your brother?”
“Yes,” Gao Yan answered.
Mu Xiangxiang turned in surprise.
The classmate who had asked looked envious. “Your brother is incredible. He's achieved so much at such a young age. My parents always say he's exceptionally accomplished whenever they mention him.”
Yet Gao Yan didn't seem pleased. “Let's not talk about him. Come on, let's go inside.”
From the sound of it, the accomplished architect appeared to have some family issues. As Mu Xiangxiang briefly pondered this, Lin Long, walking beside her, noticed her expression and quietly explained, “Gao Yan's brother emigrated to Country M a few years ago. He rarely contacts the family now.”
“Do they not get along?” Mu Xiangxiang asked.
“Not exactly.” Lin Long sighed. “It's more a conflict of values. Her brother absolutely loved art. Back in school, he joined all kinds of clubs and studied oil painting. When it came time for university, he wanted to attend an art academy, but Gao Yan's parents refused. They forced him to study finance in Country B for four years. After he came back, they made him work in the family company. Anyway... his life wasn't easy.”
Mu Xiangxiang found it difficult to understand. Having a younger brother who disliked studying and loved music, she actually sympathized more with Gao Yan's parents. Compared to singing, painting, dancing, and art, she'd rather her brother pursue something stable. Study hard. Major in finance or computer science. Choose a field with good job prospects.
After hesitating for a moment, she said, “...Maybe they were just worried he wouldn't be able to make a living through art?”
“That's exactly it.” Lin Long laughed. “But older generations just can't keep up with modern times. Their worries were completely unnecessary.” She pointed toward the building ahead. “Her brother never forgot his dream. Eventually, he had a huge falling-out with the family and moved to Country M to pursue art again. See? This building is the result of that pursuit.”
Mu Xiangxiang froze. She stared at the magnificent structure in the distance. Isn't designing buildings a proper profession? What does that have to do with artistic hobbies like singing, dancing, or painting?
Since Gao Yan was present, she couldn't exactly ask that question aloud. So after everyone else got off the bus, she deliberately lingered behind and pulled out her phone.
After leading the group forward for quite some distance, Gao Yan suddenly realized something was missing. Turning around, she saw the short-haired girl standing some distance behind the crowd, staring blankly at her phone.
“Mu Xiangxiang! What's wrong?” she called out.
The girl looked up. Her delicate face wore a dazed expression, as though whatever she'd found online had completely overturned her understanding of the world.
*****
“My god...”
After passing through security and crossing the police barriers from the opposite side of the road, Lin Long stared at the scene before her and couldn't help exclaiming, “Didn't we just come to casually check out a food exhibition? Isn't this exhibition a little too massive?”
People's Square was lively even on ordinary days, but during an event it became even more crowded.
The central building was draped in red banners. Long strips of red cloth stretched diagonally from the top of the structure down to the open space in front of its entrance, bearing the words: "Warmly Celebrating the Successful Opening of the 25th Asian International Food Expo."
There were people everywhere. Booths everywhere. Television cameras everywhere. Reporters from various networks struggled through the crowds with microphones in hand. Amid the noise were countless languages that were definitely not English. Faces of different races and skin colors could be seen everywhere. The scale of the event far exceeded what the Yingcheng students had expected when they thought they were simply attending a food festival.
"Just a casual stroll?" The boy who had suggested coming here looked at them as if they had lost their minds. "Seriously? I told you before we came—this is the Asian International Food Expo. Asian! International! Isn't combining those two words impressive enough? People are coming from neighboring provinces specifically to attend. Did you really think this was just some ordinary night-market food street in City A?"
Under his incredulous gaze, his friends all nodded. Even Mu Xiangxiang, who had been absentminded ever since getting off the bus, turned to him with a cool expression that clearly said: "Wasn't it?"
The boy let out a despairing sigh and walked to the front of the group. "Fine. Let me broaden the horizons of you ignorant youths who never pay attention to local events."
As they entered the exhibition area, the aromas of food grew even richer. A cameraman carrying an enormous camera accidentally bumped Mu Xiangxiang's shoulder. Looking up, she saw the logo of one of the country's media giants prominently displayed on the camera.
The boy's explanation drifted over from ahead: "...This is the largest food exhibition in all of Asia. Food distributors from all over the world come here looking for business deals. Do you know where the previous expo was held? Tokyo! In just three days, contracts worth more than three billion U.S. dollars were signed! City A government and several major shopping centers went to enormous lengths to secure hosting rights for this year's event. They've even been granted use of People's Square. Countless media broadcast vans are parked outside. Since last week, the city has been filled with foreigners from different countries who arrived early to prepare for the event..."
In short, his point was simple: This food expo was extraordinarily important. And its scale was extraordinary as well.
The layout of the square was fascinating. The booths spread outward around the massive building at the center like the rings of a tree, forming semicircular layers. The prime locations closest to the building and its entrance were occupied by large exhibition booths. These were mostly major domestic and international food, beverage, and spice brands. They had reputation, history, and prestige. As the expo's featured exhibitors, they naturally attracted the densest crowds. The organizers even brought visiting buyers and media representatives directly to them.
The next ring outward consisted mostly of smaller but still well-known domestic companies. Further out came regional specialties from different provinces, cities, towns, and villages. And beyond that… The outermost section was what most people had actually imagined when they heard "food festival." Freshly cooked food. Street-food stalls. The tempting aromas drifting through the air mostly originated from these tiny booths, which looked pitifully small compared to those occupying the prime locations.
Every year, there were dreamers. People who came hoping their food might catch the eye of a buyer or attract media attention. In reality, it was mostly a gamble. Most buyers attending the expo dealt in large-scale distribution and had little interest in freshly prepared foods. And after spending hours visiting hundreds of booths in the central exhibition area, how many reporters or buyers still had the energy to wander over to these humble food stalls?
As a result, the people gathered here were mostly ordinary visitors looking to enjoy the food. Compared to the lavish contracts being signed in the center of the expo, the vendors here carried an unmistakable air of quiet perseverance.
But this outer section was exactly what the students had come for. After being trapped in classrooms since the start of the semester, the sight of food stalls packed with customers made their eyes shine. Even Gao Yan, who was usually composed and reserved, voluntarily took on the task of joining a long queue to buy takoyaki. Watching them, Mu Xiangxiang couldn't help feeling that her former image of these classmates as lofty, untouchable figures had been absurdly foolish.
Sitting on a bench, she watched the wealthy students laugh and joke among themselves. At moments like this, they looked no different from the ordinary teenagers of Class Nine at No. 12 High School. At the same time, she thought back to the search she'd impulsively conducted online half an hour earlier after speaking with Lin Long. The world she had discovered—one inhabited by people who pursued music and art as genuine careers—still felt unreal.
Someone shouted from ahead: "Xiangxiang! Do you want chili on your lamb skewers?!"
Guarding a mountain of expensive wallets and bags that her classmates had casually entrusted to her, Mu Xiangxiang felt more relaxed than she ever had before. She raised her voice and shouted back: "Yes! Extra spicy!"
The moment the words left her mouth, she heard a familiar voice nearby. "Huh? Xiangxiang? What are you doing here? Doesn't your school have classes today?"
"Dad?" She recognized him instantly. Turning around, she saw her father standing nearby, bent slightly at the waist and wearing the standard apron issued for the expo. His clothes were stained with grease. In one hand, he carried an overflowing trash bin. It looked as though he'd stepped away from work for a moment just to take out the garbage.
"School ended early today..." Mu Xiangxiang answered. Then she noticed how exhausted and disheveled he looked. Concern immediately filled her heart. "Dad? Why are you here, too?"
The moment he saw the worry on his daughter's face, Father Mu smiled. He was just about to explain that he'd received permission to run a food stall here during the expo when his eyes suddenly caught sight of something. In the bustling crowd farther away, several students wearing the same school uniform as Mu Xiangxiang emerged carrying snacks they'd just purchased.
Mu Xiangxiang was preparing to gather up the belongings she was watching and help him. But before she could even stand— Her father's expression suddenly changed. He turned and hurried away.
Startled by the abrupt shift, she froze. At that moment, cheerful voices rang out nearby. "Mu Xiangxiang—!"
Turning around, she saw Gao Yan and the others returning from the food stalls. They gathered around the table at remarkable speed, piling all kinds of snacks and treats across its surface. Every face was bright with smiles.
"I'm starving, starving, starving!"
"Seriously! Why are there so many people?!"
"The guy standing in front of me smelled terrible!"
"Lamb skewers! Lamb skewers! Lamb skewers! The spicy ones are in this box and the non-spicy ones are over there!"
Listening to them, Mu Xiangxiang paused. Her gaze left the well-dressed, carefree teenagers before her and slowly returned to her father's retreating figure.
In that instant, she understood. And with that realization came a flood of memories.
The time she had sobbed uncontrollably on her father's shoulder when she was little. The middle-school classmates who mocked the way her father walked right in front of her. The unspoken stalemate that had kept him from ever setting foot on her or her brother's campus after her first year of middle school. Memory after memory. So many memories.
Because Father Mu walked quickly, his limp became even more noticeable. People nearby had already begun to notice. Even Gao Yan, who was distributing lamb skewers, looked over. Seeing the worn, awkward figure hurrying away while carrying something heavy, she blinked. "Oh? What's wrong with that man's—"
Before she could finish— Mu Xiangxiang suddenly stood up. "Dad!" she shouted loudly toward him.
Gao Yan turned toward her in shock. "...Huh?"
Hearing her voice, Father Mu's back stiffened. His pace quickened. Without hesitation, Mu Xiangxiang set everything down and chased after him, grabbing his arm. "Dad! I'm talking to you! Why are you running away?"
Father Mu turned his head slightly. His gaze swept over the group of teenagers staring at them in surprise. His face instantly turned pale. His shoulders hunched even lower. When he looked at his daughter, there was almost a pleading expression in his eyes. "Xiangxiang... don't..."
Mu Xiangxiang looked at the panic and inferiority written across her father's face.
And suddenly— She smiled. Quickly stepping forward, she took the heavy trash bin from his hand. Then she moved to stand in front of him. Turning around, she faced her classmates, who were still staring in stunned silence.
She took a deep breath. Her eyes swept across the astonished faces. Her fingertips trembled slightly.
Then she lifted the corners of her mouth. One hand rested firmly on her father's grease-stained shoulder. Straightening her back, she opened her lips and spoke. A calm, clear voice rang out:
"Everyone," she said, "let me introduce someone. This is my father."
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