Going north: A winner in life starting from a kid
Chapter 22 - Ma Siyie: I Want to Borrow a Shoulder

Chapter 22  Ma Siyie: I Want to Borrow a Shoulder

San Liangzi was always good at talking tough. But Bai Zimo? He was all action, not words. When he said he’d hit him — he meant it!

San Liangzi’s face turned green. Luckily, the teacher arrived just in time.

“What are you doing? Stop right now!”

Teacher Dahua pointed at San Liangzi.

“Teacher, San Liangzi was trying to bully Ma Siyie!”

“Teacher, Dahua and Bai Zimo hit me!”

“San Liangzi, you deserved it. You even threatened me!”

“I was the one being hit! Bai Zimo also threatened me!”

San Liangzi looked absolutely pitiful — A far cry from his usual cocky, street-smart demeanor. Normally, he bullied other students. Now, he had finally met his match!

Dahua dared to hit him, and Bai Zimo obviously wouldn’t let him off easily either.

“Enough! All four of you, come with me!”

“I’ve been teaching for so many years, I’ve seen it all!”

“But I have never seen students as unruly as you.

Stand outside your classroom! Boys, hold a chair over your heads!”

“Teacher, Ma Siyie is innocent!”

“Then she can supervise your punishment!”

Bai Zimo became even more famous — A true campus hero for rescuing the damsel in distress. Meanwhile, San Liangzi’s reputation took a big hit.

On each side of the hallway.

One side had Bai Zimo, flanked by Dahua and Ma Siyie. The other side had San Liangzi, standing all alone and miserable.

“San Liangzi, help me hold this chair too!”

“Why should I?!”

“Because you caused this mess! Hold the chair properly, or I’ll break your legs.”

San Liangzi: “…”

Wait a second… I’m supposed to be the villain here!

Even though fighting violated school rules. It actually brought them closer together.

After school.

“Zimo, I want to call my mom,” Ma Siyie said.

“Do you have any money?”

“I have this!”

Ma Siyie pulled a phone card from her bag. Clearly, this wasn’t a sudden decision.

“Alright, use the phone booth. We’ll wait for you at the street corner!”

Although Bai Zimo wasn’t nosy. He still crouched at the corner wall with the others, keeping an eye out.

Dahua said angrily, “Zimo, do you think Siyie got scared by San Liangzi? We should beat him up again tomorrow!”

Bai Zimo frowned, “Dahua, forget it. Be careful, or you’ll get caught. If I run into him, I’ll teach him another lesson.”

Xie Wanghe waved his hand.

“Yeah, right! You two can get punished this time. Next time it’s my turn to beat him up!”

“And mine!”

“And mine too!”

San Liangzi said, “Wow, thanks guys!”

“Shh, listen!”

As soon as the call connected, Ma Siyi’s tears began to fall.

“Mom, I dreamed about you again last night… Grandma said… Grandma said…”

All the helplessness of being abandoned flooded her heart.

“Siyie, just get to the point. Why are you crying? You’re a big girl now.”

“Mom, how long do I have to stay at Grandma’s? When will you come get me?

I can help you take care of my little brother.

It won’t affect my schoolwork.

I can wash clothes, cook, and do most of the chores…”

At that moment, Ma Siyie sounded truly, heartbreakingly humble. Bai Zimo and the others felt their hearts clench. There was nothing sadder than a child being forced to grow up too soon — and facing a mother who didn’t care.

“Can’t you be a little more sensible? Your grandma’s old. She needs someone to take care of her. Besides, I’m too busy here. Just stay with your grandma and live well.”

“Mom… do you really not want me anymore…?”

“I told you, it’s only temporary. Okay, okay, your brother’s awake. I gotta go. Bye.”

Beep… beep… beep…

Ma Siyie slowly hung up the phone. At that moment, loneliness and helplessness felt like something you could touch.

Bai Zimo asked worriedly, “Siyie, are you okay?”

“Zimo, I… I want to borrow a shoulder. I really want to cry out loud.”

_____

Far away, in the distance, lay the hometown she could no longer return to. Quietly, she stayed in the city. Listening to the silent flow of the river.

Home…

Was now just a faraway place she couldn’t go back to.

In the city, she listened to time slip away quietly. Through sunsets that weren’t poetic, and a future without grand dreams.

____

Late at night, Xie Wanghe sneakily knocked on Bai Zimo’s door.

“Zimo! Zimo!”

“I’m coming!”

“Hurry, let’s go grab Xingchi and Haikuo too!”

The two friends, who also hadn’t fallen asleep yet, quickly snuck out.

“What’s going on? Are we pulling an all-nighter or something?”

“You just want me to do your homework again, don’t you?”

“No way! C’mon, c’mon — remember what we talked about after school?

We have something much more important to do!”