Worried that no one will read it.

Watching them leave, Zhang Pa asked Yun Zheng, “What are their names?”

Yun Zheng shook his head. “I don’t know.”

“Do any of you know?” Zhang Pa turned to Lao Pi and the others.

Lao Pi replied, “I only know one—the one who talked to you just now. His name is He Shengsheng.”

“Now I remember,” Zhang Pa said. “It’s a pretty cool name. But what about Blackskin? What does he sell?”

Lao Pi shook his head. “No idea. Probably just some local thug.”

Zhang Pa sighed, “In a civilized country, with spiritual development, how can there be so many hooligans? It’s just not scientific! It has to be stopped! It must be eradicated!”

Yun Zheng said, “Now we really believe you’re a moral education teacher.”

Zhang Pa retorted, “You’re the one who talks nonsense. Let’s go home.” He led the five “monkeys” out the door, had the three invalids take a cab, and squeezed onto the bus with Yun Zheng and Lao Pi.

Lao Pi protested loudly, “You can’t be this stingy. It’s embarrassing.”

“Cut the chatter. The market’s right by the bus stop—we can buy food there,” Zhang Pa declared, having made his plans.

Lao Pi whispered to Yun Zheng, “Handsome, let’s go work part-time. It feels better having money in your pocket.”

Zhang Pa said, “I don’t care what you do at night, but not during the day.”

Lao Pi pondered for a moment. “Forget it, then.” The three walked to the bus stop.

Yun Zheng asked, “According to He Shengsheng, Blackskin and his men were after those three, so how did they end up fighting with Li Yingxiong?”

Zhang Pa recalled what the principal had said and asked, “Does our school really have a Big Five? You, Wang Jiang, Li Shan, and then the second-years Li Yingxiong and Pei Chengyi—who decided this?”

Yun Zheng replied, “It wasn’t decided. It was fought out.”

Zhang Pa laughed, “With that skinny frame of yours, you made the top five? Guess Eighteenth High doesn’t have much talent.”

Yun Zheng just grunted, saying nothing.

While waiting for the bus, a delicate-looking girl walked by—it was a classmate from Yun Zheng’s former class. Seeing him, she brightened and came over to greet him. “Taking the bus?”

Yun Zheng smiled and replied.

“Where are you getting off?” the girl asked again.

“Happiness Lane,” Yun Zheng said.

“Oh, I get off earlier—at the Science Museum,” she said.

She seemed to like Yun Zheng quite a bit. Zhang Pa pulled Lao Pi back a step to give them some space.

Yun Zheng shot him an annoyed sideways glance.

A few minutes later, the bus arrived. Everyone got on, got off at their stops, and made it home without incident.

But as soon as they stepped off the bus, Zhang Pa asked Yun Zheng, “Girlfriend?”

Yun Zheng ignored him, heading toward the market.

Zhang Pa burst out laughing, “Embarrassed, are you?”

Yun Zheng retorted, “I’ve always wanted to beat you up. Just wait—one day I will.”

“Go for it,” Zhang Pa encouraged.

There was nothing much to say about the rest of the day, except that Zhang Pa had something weighing on his mind—buying a gift.

Tomorrow was the Saturday dance class, and the day after, he had to check in at Liu Xiaomei’s house to meet the ultimate boss herself—an event of utmost importance.

The old Zhang Pa used to be sloppy, but that wouldn’t do now. After much hesitation, and once they’d bought food, he told Yun Zheng and Lao Pi to head home first while he went for a haircut.

His signature long hair was about to go. He felt a pang of reluctance. Before sitting down, he took a few selfies, then surrendered himself to the barber, telling him, “I’m meeting the future mother-in-law—do a good job.”

The barber was meticulous—fifteen yuan for twenty-five minutes of service, complete with a wash and blow-dry. When it was done, he was practically a new person—spirited, neat, and handsome.

When he got home, the five “monkeys” shouted together, “Who the hell are you?”

With his new look, Zhang Pa was in high spirits. He didn’t bother with their nonsense, just grabbed a steamed bun and ate.

People have to keep themselves tidy—whether guy or girl, only when you’re clean and sharp can you truly be called handsome or beautiful. Zhang Pa had just cut his hair, but that evening he went out for a bath too; now, inside and out, he looked good.

At school the next day, the whole class shouted as if they’d seen a ghost.

Saturday was a half-day. At noon, Yun Zheng and the “monkeys” returned to Happiness Lane. Zhang Pa headed to the big house. As soon as he walked in, Fatty yelled, “Who the hell are you?”

Zhang Pa laughed and said, “Handsome, right?” and went to his own room.

First thing—change clothes. He picked out the cleanest white shirt, paired it with casual pants and sneakers, looking especially youthful—a real ray of sunshine.

He fussed in front of the mirror, then set about his tasks. At 3:30 in the afternoon, he took his dance outfit to the conservatory.

When Liu Xiaomei saw him, she was stunned. She examined him closely and asked, “Did you go on a blind date?”

Zhang Pa replied loudly, “I’m striving to impress my future mother-in-law!”

Liu Xiaomei laughed. “Is this your handsomest look ever?”

“Pretty much,” Zhang Pa answered, “Looks good, right?”

Liu Xiaomei said, “After all these days, you finally look a little worthy of me.” She took out her phone, “Stand still.”

She snapped a few photos of him, then many selfies together. She was delighted. “Later, walk me home. I want to change into something nice, and then we’ll take more pictures.”

“Why do you like taking photos so much?” Zhang Pa asked.

“What beautiful girl doesn’t?” Liu Xiaomei replied.

“True enough,” said Zhang Pa. The two went to the elementary school classroom for dance class.

With the new hairstyle and careful grooming, he really looked the part. During the lesson, even his dancing was more stylish.

Liu Xiaomei was clearly happy, gentler than ever as she taught. After class, they bought food and hurried home, not wanting to waste a minute outside.

At home, she didn’t eat right away but changed into another outfit for more photos. They spent over half an hour on that, by which time the food was cold.

Liu Xiaomei was finding her own happiness. Amusingly, a post appeared on the school forum: the conservatory’s number one beauty had a new boyfriend. The previous “long-haired monster” had vanished, replaced by a radiant youth, complete with photo evidence.

This just showed how important hairstyle could be. The side profile of the “long-haired monster” and the frontal shot of the sunny youth—no one could tell they were the same person.

After eating, Zhang Pa brought up the serious matter—what gift to buy?

Liu Xiaomei said, “Usually, it’s supplements and wine. What do you want to get?” Then she asked, “Do you have enough money?”

“Even if I don’t, I can’t ask you for it,” Zhang Pa replied.

“That’s not important. What matters is making my mom happy. By the way, what I said last time is true—my mom loves interrogating people. Be careful.”

Zhang Pa felt dizzy. “Can I lie if I have to?”

“Lie to my mom? I support you,” Liu Xiaomei laughed.

Zhang Pa pulled a face. “There’s no other way, is there?”

“How about this: come over at 8:30 tomorrow morning, and we’ll go buy things together.”

“No need,” Zhang Pa said.

“One more thing,” Liu Xiaomei added. “From now on, you have to dress like this—no more sloppiness.” She grinned. “I feel like I’ve picked up a big rock and started sculpting it—bit by bit, you’re getting better.”

“I’m not a rock,” Zhang Pa protested.

Liu Xiaomei smiled. “To me, it’s like finding treasure. I’m so happy, you know?”

“Now I do, since you said so,” Zhang Pa replied. He glanced at the time and stood up. “I’m heading back. See you tomorrow.”

“I suddenly want to keep you all to myself,” Liu Xiaomei said, blinking. “Once you’re settled in a job, let’s rent a place—apartments across the hall. You’ll walk me to work and pick me up every day. How about it?”

“Sounds good,” Zhang Pa said.

“Then it’s settled,” Liu Xiaomei declared.

Zhang Pa made a sound of agreement, ready to leave.

Suddenly, Liu Xiaomei said, “When you meet my mom tomorrow, just tell the truth—tell her you write books, and you’ve even been published.”

Zhang Pa froze. “How did you know?” He had never told Liu Xiaomei about his writing.

“I just do. Now hurry up and go,” she said, pushing him toward the door.

“What else do you know?” Zhang Pa asked.

“I’m not telling you,” Liu Xiaomei replied. “But I’m warning you—you must learn to sing and play an instrument! My man must be both handsome and talented. You can write, but you also need to sing, play music, make me happy, and look great.”

Zhang Pa started to understand. “Are you trying to ‘build’ me?”

“You could say that,” Liu Xiaomei replied.

“If, hypothetically, your project fails—would you still like me?” Zhang Pa asked.

“I don’t know.” Liu Xiaomei chuckled, opened the door, and pushed him out. She blew him a kiss. “See you tomorrow.” She closed the door.

Zhang Pa stood in the hallway for a moment before heading downstairs.

No wonder, he thought. That’s why, even though I had nothing, a great beauty was willing to pay attention to me. She taught me to sing and dance for free… Turns out she knew all along—knew I was a writer, probably knew I’d sold books on the street too.

And she knew I could fight—she must have seen it.

But why hadn’t I ever noticed her?

That night, back at the big house, he called Lao Pi, telling them to get themselves to school the next day.

Lao Pi said, “Are you sick? Tomorrow’s Sunday.”

“Oh,” said Zhang Pa, before chatting a bit more and hanging up.

The next morning, he got up early, slipped on his boxers, and spent ages in the bathroom—shaving clean, combing his hair again and again, and finally dressing in yesterday’s outfit, ready to meet the future mother-in-law.

He stopped by the conservatory first, bought two bottles of good wine and a pile of health supplements at the nearby supermarket, and went to pick up Liu Xiaomei.

He wore a white shirt, pale casual trousers, and light sneakers—the outfit was a little monotone, but it made him look clean and sunny.

To match him, Liu Xiaomei had also dressed in soft colors, with a long, elegant skirt. Together, they looked especially striking.

As always, they took pictures before leaving. Liu Xiaomei smiled and asked, “Don’t I look good? Standing with me, aren’t you especially happy and proud?”

“If you keep talking nonsense, I won’t know how to reply,” Zhang Pa said.

Liu Xiaomei laughed. “Just wait till you meet my mom—you’ll find out what ‘interrogation’ really means. Hang in there.”

Zhang Pa put on a look of stoic resolve. “Don’t worry, I’m a Party member.”

“Nonsense, the Party wouldn’t want someone like you. Only I’m kind and good-hearted enough to take care of you, a lonely, pitiful guy. You should be grateful to me.”

Zhang Pa said, “If you keep talking like this, I’ll have to kowtow to you.”

Liu Xiaomei burst out laughing. “Tell me, why is it always so much fun talking to you?”

With a straight face, Zhang Pa replied, “It’s because I’m so charming.”

“Let’s see how you cry later,” Liu Xiaomei teased.

“I won’t,” Zhang Pa insisted.

As they chatted, they reached the street corner. Zhang Pa hailed a cab, and then they headed home.