He handed me another small piece of gauze, which I pressed onto the wound. He then tore off a strip of adhesive tape and handed it to me, which I slapped on with one hand. Only then did he finally speak up: "Its crooked." I said, "No big deal, lets do another one," holding out my hand towards him.

  Its strange, although its only the second time weve met, and he was originally the kind of man who would never get close to me in life, and just now I was still questioning him for kicking me. But now the two of us are quietly sitting here, doing these things, and it doesnt even feel awkward, like two friends who have already known each other.

  But he didnt hand the tape back to me. He suddenly stood up, squatted in front of me, and I looked up at him. His eyes were focused, carefully and gently sticking the tape on my leg.

  I didnt move at all.

  His face was expressionless, only his rough fingertips gently brushed against my skin. It felt a bit itchy and a bit warm.

  I also have a calm and serene face like a Buddha.

  Its as if he didnt stick it on my leg, and what was stuck wasnt mine either. Everyone understands the situation.

  After sticking it like this, I only felt his fingers lightly adjusting the edge of the gauze again, and then he stood up and said, "Is that okay?"

  I hugged my legs with both hands and looked down at the dirt on the ground: "Uh... okay."

  "He said: Then Ill go back and play football."

  I said: "Mm, thank you."

  But I didnt see him move, still standing beside me. I raised my head and saw his eyes again. Suddenly, I realized that behind the cool, handsome, and rough skin, this mans eyes were as black as if hiding another world.

  "Oh hat..." I took off the hat and handed it over to him. He accepted, put it on his own head, turned around and went back onto the court.

  ——

  I have a dinner appointment with Zhuang Yu tonight. On the way to the restaurant from the library, I kept thinking of Wu Yu. I thought of how he looked when I first saw him at the auto repair shop last night; his fingers stroking the cars hood; also how he chuckled softly when he saw me get hit on the head by a rebounding ball today; and how he squatted in front of me, pressing the edge of the tape onto my skin.

  Suddenly, I realized that my breathing was a bit short. What did he mean? Was he trying to flirt with me? Otherwise... why be so gentle and meticulous to a female customer in the store?

  I looked up at the white clouds floating in the blue sky, and the buildings retreated one by one. I had to admit, this was my second time having such feelings for a man.

  That feeling like a gentle breeze rustling through leaves, a subtle quivering thrill. Never had it for anyone before. Only once, on the boat.

  Is it just because they look alike?

  No, its not.

  I had him wash my car last night, and it was indeed because of that. I have to admit, Im a little evil, the man on the boat was arrogant and looked down on my book, thinking about the man who looks like him, its like his 2.0 version, from now on, hell be washing my car obediently every time, how cool is that? And this way, Wu Yu can also increase his business income, I think hes willing to do so too.

  It was only two brief encounters, but I felt that Ou Yu and that man were completely different. Ou Yu seemed like a man from the dust. The person on the ship was annoying, but he was bright and specific. Although I had only seen Ou Yu a few times, I could feel that there was an inexplicable gloominess and emptiness about him.

  ——

  As soon as I walked into the dining room, I saw Zhuoyu and Xiaohao staring at each other with wide eyes, and they had another dispute. I rushed over in a timely manner and sat down opposite them, saying: "Xiaohao, have you made your mom angry again?"

  Xiao Hua shuddered all over and shouted: "Mom! Cant you give me some fries, not that fried onion ring you want to eat?!"

  This is a family-themed restaurant, and several parents next door looked over.

  Zhuang Yu slapped Xiaohaos face and shouted, "Shut up! You call her Auntie, Auntie again, and Ill cut you off!"

  Xiao Hua had a look of "Im not afraid of boiling water" and smiled mischievously. I also smiled mischievously, and the two of us high-fived each other. Zhang Yu looked up at the sky speechlessly: "Damn it, can you two stop being so childish!"