Sweet Nostalgia of the 80s

”What’s the matter? Uncle, just tell me, I’ll do anything I can.” He Mu said very seriously.

”Come...” Qin Jian patted He Mu’s shoulder and led him a little further away, whispering, ”It’s about Guangguang. Since he got back, he’s been feeling down and having frequent nightmares. I suspect he’s hiding something from us. If you have the time, could you keep an eye on him for me?”

”No problem at all. Leave it to me!” He Mu patted his firm chest and said, ”Uncle, don’t worry. I will definitely complete the task you’ve given me.”

”Thank you, He Mu.” Qin Jian breathed a sigh of relief seeing He Mu agree so readily.

”What are you thanking me for? I see Guangguang as my own little brother, his business is my business!” He Mu smiled, revealing two rows of bright white teeth.

”If he has any difficulties...”

Before Qin Jian could finish, He Mu jumped in and said, ”If he has any trouble, I will definitely help him solve it. If we can’t resolve it, we’ll let the adults handle it. If that doesn’t work, we’ll call you and Auntie.”

”Good. That’s what I meant.” Qin Jian smiled with satisfaction.

”Uncle, don’t worry!”

Ning Chenguang said goodbye to his parents, watching the military vehicle slowly disappear into the dusty horizon.

”Let’s go, big brother. Uncle and Auntie have left, let’s go home too.” Ning Chenguang nodded and lightly held the little hand that He Yue extended to him.

”Guangguang, if you encounter any trouble, you must tell your brother.” Seeing Ning Chenguang looking so heavy-hearted, He Mu recalled Qin Jian’s words.

”I’m fine.”

”But you seem a bit unhappy.” He Mu also sensed this. The Ning Chenguang he knew was not this listless.

He used to be full of energy, leading their justice little task force running around.

If someone bullied him, He Mu wouldn’t believe it, as his group of buddies all supported him. Especially Pang Di, who admired him to no end. He was like Ning Chenguang’s watchdog, ready to leap at anyone who gave Ning Chenguang a hard time.

”I’m really fine, let’s go back, He Mu.” Ning Chenguang said with low interest, still unsure in his heart whether to reveal the secret buried there.

He just needed some time.

......

In the blink of an eye, the short holiday had ended.

Ning Chenguang needed to go to school, and He Fusheng had enrolled him in the village primary school in first grade.

Originally, seeing how smart the little guy seemed, he surely was cut out for studying, but to everyone’s surprise, Ning Chenguang’s performance in school was astonishing.

In class, he would fall asleep on his desk when he got tired.

If the teacher called him out, he’d simply grab his bag and walk out of the classroom, find a secluded spot, and continue napping in the sun.

School started in September, and within days, He Fusheng was called by the teachers several times.

After all, the child wasn’t his, so He Fusheng dared not slack off. When the teacher called, he went, and when the teacher scolded, he listened, always returning to educate Chenguang, hoping he’d study seriously no matter where he was.

After several rounds of this, the child was fed up, and He Fusheng was growing tired of being summoned by the teacher.

Finally, on one occasion, Ning Chenguang heard the teacher scold He Fusheng, saying, ”People in the village call him a child prodigy, but I don’t see it at all. Sleeping in class, not paying attention, I’ve yet to find where his intelligence lies. If it really doesn’t work out, maybe you should consider having him drop out.”