[August 12th]
[Dear classmate Shen Xiao Yu,
Hello! I’m your friend, Qi Xiao Fang. Uncle Chen passed away. I’m very sad, but I hope you won’t be too heartbroken.
We won’t be able to eat Uncle Chen’s cooking anymore, but it’s okay. I’ve been learning how to make tomato and egg stir-fry recently. Once I master it, we’ll have that to eat so we won’t starve.
Wishing you academic progress and good health!]
[Classmate Qi,
Hello. Thank you for your consolation, but I don’t feel like eating today.]
[August 26th]
[Dear classmate Shen Xiao Yu,
Hello! I’m your good friend, Qi Xiao Fang. The newly renovated Xinhua Bookstore near our school opened today. Can I go there with you to read books? I love reading too. My favorite comic books are…]
[Classmate Qi,
Hello. Your grades are quite poor. I hope you’ll read fewer comic books and more science books.]
[September 10th]
[Adorable classmate Shen Xiao Yu,
Hello, I’m Qi Xiao Fang! Today is Teachers’ Day. Shall we go to the variety store at noon to pick out gifts for our teachers? I’d like to give you a gift too. I think you’ll definitely become a teacher in the future, most likely a math teacher, probably not a Chinese teacher.
I want to give you this gift in advance. How about I give you a gift every Teachers’ Day from now on?]
[Classmate Qi,
Teachers’ Day is a holiday for teachers. I’m not a teacher yet, so I can’t celebrate this holiday.
I may not necessarily become a teacher in the future. I don’t want to teach stupid students. (I don’t mean you.)]
[January 1st]
[Shen Yuyu! Hello! The New Year has arrived. Happy New Year! I know Auntie Shen went to work. There’s no one at your house today. May I come over and spend New Year’s with you?
Although you’ve never replied to my letters, and you might not see this one either, it’s okay. I’ll walk over to find you myself.
I’ve learned how to make tomato and egg stir-fry these past few months. I’ll make it for you to try today!]
[Classmate Qi,
Thank you, but your tomato and egg stir-fry was very salty. How did you manage to eat it all…]
[August 27th]
[Shen Yuyu, we’re going to be in sixth grade! I heard sixth grade is really tough, with tons of homework, and the teachers are all very strict. (A poorly drawn crying face) My dad said if I get a very low score on the middle school entrance exam, he’ll send all my snacks to the garbage factory…
Shen Yuyu, can you tutor me after school? I want to go to the same middle school as you. That way, we can continue going to school together every day.
(A drawing of a man putting his hands together and praying) (A drawing of a man wishing you happiness every day)]
[Classmate Qi:
I’m willing to help you with tutoring, on the condition that you stop drawing my face in your homework notebook. It looks a bit scary.]
[June 20]
[Shen Yuyu, we’re about to graduate from elementary school. I’m a bit nervous, so I’m secretly writing you this letter to talk about it. It’s not like you read these letters anyway.
I’ve memorized a lot of texts recently, but I keep mixing them up. During exams, I only remember the lines I made up, not what I actually memorized.
Math and English are still okay though. I’m quick at calculations, and I can get full marks in English listening.
The teacher says I’ve improved a lot, but I’ve calculated my scores, and it’s still not enough to attend the same middle school as you. Dad says he wants to send me to a private school, but I don’t want to go to a private school.
If I don’t get into the same middle school, can I still come to the school gates to walk you home after class?
(The letter paper is crumpled, with obvious tear stains)]
[Qi Fang: You’ve made great progress. I believe we can attend the same middle school.
I don’t really want to give you this reply letter. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.]
[September 7]
[Shen Yu, who’s that guy always hanging around you in your class?! We’re not in the same class, does he think he can become your good friend?!]
[Qi Fang: He’s our class monitor, and I’m the deputy monitor. The teacher asked us to decide on group assignments for our classmates, so we’re discussing it together.
…We’re not trying to become good friends.]
[November 11]
[Shen Xiao Yu, why are there always so many letters in your desk drawer? Besides me, so many people are sending you letters. No wonder you never read mine! I’m really, really, really getting angry!!! I’m not walking home with you after school today. You can go home with your class monitor.]
[I haven’t read anyone else’s letters… I’ve kept all of yours.]
[December 19]
[Shen Yu, your eyes are like stars in the sky. When a cloud passes by, your eyes twinkle and sparkle.]
[(Shen Yu’s reply is a large question mark taking up half the page)]
[March 1]
[Shen Yu, why don’t you read the poems I write? If you did, you’d surely be moved by them. I’ve learned many ways to write poetry. Especially when I think of you, I feel poetically inspired. Even Qin Xiaosa says my poems are divine.]
[Classmate Qi Fang: Please stop writing me poems, or I might have to throw away all your letters.]
[April 1]
[I’m furious, furious, furious… (The paper is filled with half a page of “I’m furious”) Shen! Yu! Why did your class monitor tell you he likes you?! Even if it’s April Fool’s Day, you can’t joke like that!
I’m furious, furious, furious…
Why are your classmates even cheering? What’s so great about him?? I’m with you every day. How dare he make such a joke? Is it because I’m a tiny bit fatter than him? I’ll lose weight right away. Shen Yu, you can’t give him any attention.
I’m furious, furious, furious…]
[Don’t be angry. I didn’t pay any attention to him.]
[July 1]
[Shen Yuyu, I’ve lost twenty pounds. My mom says it’s a miracle of life. Also, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have written you angry letters before or given you the silent treatment that day.
I’ve reflected deeply and realized there’s no need to mind those people as long as they don’t interfere with your studies. There’s no reason for me to get so angry.
I know you won’t pay attention to them. Again, I’m sorry.
I’ll apologize to you again on our way to school tomorrow.]
[Mm, remember to stay hydrated when running in the morning. Adding some glucose would be better.]
[June 3]
[Shen Yu, the high school entrance exam is coming up. After it’s over, I have something important I want to tell you. But it doesn’t feel right to say it in person right now, so I’ll write it in a letter (not that you’ll read it anyway).]
[What is it?]
[July 15]
[Shen Yu, I like you I like you I like you I like you I like you I like you I like you… (The entire page is filled with “I like you”)]
[…]
[August 10]
[Shen Yuyu, the Qixi Festival is here. Although I know you’ve probably gone home early to study, I’ve decided to make an effort and take you out for dinner. We’ve had so many classes since starting high school. It’s been ages since we’ve eaten out together.
If Qin Xiaosa and Li Congming come looking for you, make sure to turn them down. I don’t want to bring two third wheels.]
[In that case, I want to eat braised crucian carp (draws a straight fish)]
[July 6]
[Shen Xiao Yu, summer vacation is coming up. Where do you want to travel this year? Though I know you won’t reply, I’m still politely asking for your opinion.
This time when we go out, we can’t stay in the same room. I feel it’s a bit… you know, weird. Of course, Qin Xiaosa and Li Congming can’t stay with you either.
I’ll just book four single rooms. My dad says I’ll have to take over the family business in the future. I think it’s doomed, so I might as well spend the money before it goes bankrupt.]
[I want to go to Beihai. I don’t know why you’re concerned about double rooms, but I actually don’t mind.]
[June 6]
[Classmate Shen Yu:
The college entrance exam is tomorrow. I’ll do my best to get into the same university as you, in the same city.
Also, I wanted to ask you something. When we start university, would it be alright if I pursued you?
Shen Yu, I really like you.
I want to be with you. Always, for a lifetime, forever.]
[Classmate Qi Fang:
Yes, that would be alright. Thank you for liking me.
And also, thank you.]
Leave a Reply