Until today, Lin Wanxing needed someone to pack her things and transport this box away.
Lin Wanxing probably never expected the grandmother from the convenience store downstairs to be so nosy and alert.
First, the grandmother noticed that the young landlady hadn't been home for a long time. Then, when she saw the agent bringing people to the rooftop terrace, she carefully went upstairs to inquire what they were doing. Finally, she kindly called the young landlady's "boyfriend."
"Grandma doesn't know what you two argued about, but if the little girl is angry, there must be a reason. You should try harder to comfort her."
Before hanging up, Wang Fa heard the grandmother offering this advice.
Wang Fa's bewilderment at that moment almost matched how he felt when he stood outside the football player's funeral.
It was only then that he realized being handed a death sentence didn't require a reason either.
It would take the football team a long time to return from Cangmen to Hongjing. Wang Fa was already prepared to find the rooftop empty.
But he never expected that when he pushed open the large iron gate at 17 Wutong Road, he would see such an overwhelming sea of paper.
Under the dim corridor lighting, white papers covered every surface like snowflakes, filling the entire smoke-gray hallway, making it impossible to step inside for a moment.
Looking up, a torn cardboard box drooped at the second-floor stair landing.
It seemed the box had been too heavy and tore during moving, spilling its contents.
The air was filled with the distinctive ink smell of paper and books. Wang Fa bent down and picked up a sheet covered with childish stick figure drawings.
The drawings had printed instructions and were carefully numbered - likely materials from some child psychology research Lin Wanxing had once conducted.
The rental agent and delivery person were busy cleaning up the mess.
Seeing his arrival, the agent's face clearly showed a hint of embarrassment.
Holding the paper, Wang Fa suddenly felt the urge to smoke.
"You're back," the agent said, stacking a pile of papers and wiping his hands on his pants before carefully stepping through the gaps between papers to approach him.
"Yeah." Wang Fa glanced at the papers in the stairwell and crouched down to start picking them up.
"Ah, no need, no need! I can handle this!"
"Is she packing everything to mail away?" he asked while gathering papers.
"Yes..."
"Where to?"
The agent fell silent.
Wang Fa looked up at him and smiled wryly. "She told you not to say?"
"Ah... please don't ask. I'm just following instructions."
"Understood." Wang Fa replied quietly after a moment.
Soon, more and more students entered through the gate.
Seeing the papers covering the floor and hearing the conversation, they roughly understood what was happening. Uncharacteristically quiet, they bent down and joined in cleaning up the mess that filled the entire corridor.
For a while, the corridor became exceptionally silent. The sounds of neighbors cooking and children's laughter from cartoon shows on television were clearly audible.
The contents of Lin Wanxing's cardboard box were indeed extensive, likely containing all the precious memories from her entire university career.
Inside were her Chinese and English textbooks, her lecture notes, printed papers, and research she had conducted.
Her handwriting was elegant, her work meticulous and thorough.
Seeing Lin Wanxing's red and white university award certificates scattered across the floor, they realized more clearly than ever before just how exceptional Lin Wanxing truly was.Yet it was deeply ironic that someone as outstanding as Lin Wanxing had sealed away her entire university life. She had casually tossed these items into a corner, using the box as a makeshift coffee table for clutter. Had it not been for this accidental move, the box would likely never have been reopened by Lin Wanxing in this lifetime.
Wang Fa was certain of this.
In the stairwell, papers and books were gradually cleared away, revealing the bare concrete steps beneath.
A few photographs buried at the very bottom came into view.
Wang Fa picked them up and suddenly froze.
They were several film photos of Lin Wanxing—some of her alone, others with classmates.
In one photo, the girl leaned toward the camera, flashing a peace sign. She wore a bright-colored T-shirt and a school skirt, revealing a sliver of fair waistline. Her eyes were clear and captivating, her smile radiant and bright.
Though somewhat exaggerated, it was as if a sudden light had pierced through. Wang Fa had never seen Lin Wanxing so lively and joyful.
He racked his brains, searching his memories.
They had won so many competitions together, shared countless moments filled with laughter and joy, and Lin Wanxing had always worn a gentle smile.
Yet, in none of those instances had he seen her so relaxed and carefree.
Wang Fa gripped the photos, his fingers turning pale.
It was only then that he began to grasp it concretely: the present Lin Wanxing and the Lin Wanxing of the past were almost two entirely different people.
No matter how effortlessly she carried herself now, she seemed to live perpetually under a shadow, devoid of sunlight.
Though the stairwell had been completely cleared, the air grew increasingly suffocating.
A delivery worker brought new cardboard boxes.
Wang Fa and all the players stood by, watching as Lin Wanxing’s former books, notebooks, and reports were placed one by one into the new boxes.
The boxes were sealed, the screech of tape tearing through the air as it wound round and round. Under the moonlight, the tape reflected a bleak, cold glow.
For a moment, Wang Fa felt that what was being buried was not just Lin Wanxing’s university past, but her entire life.
Yet he had no idea why any of this was happening. He could only stand there foolishly, holding Lin Wanxing’s old photos, watching as the boxes slowly departed.
Breathing heavily, the climb back to the rooftop felt exceptionally long.
The students, exhausted from an intense match and a day of running around, now trudged slowly up the steps.
First floor, second floor, third floor…
When they reached the iron door to the rooftop, the line came to a halt.
The stairwell was dim, devoid of light.
Lin Lu, at the front of the group, stood motionless before the iron door. No one behind him urged him to move.
A long silence ensued.
“Why is this happening?” Lin Lu finally turned to face everyone, his voice filled with confusion and helplessness.
Someone was the first to sit down, and soon the others followed, settling on the steps. No one wanted to go back.
Wang Fa understood the players’ feelings all too well.
It was as if pushing open that door and returning to the rooftop would force them to fully acknowledge the fact that Lin Wanxing had already arranged for her belongings to be packed and taken away—for good.
At least for now, beyond that door, it must be cold. No one wanted to face the rooftop’s current darkness and emptiness.
Wang Fa looked down at the photos in his hand, trying to find any clue that might explain Lin Wanxing’s actions.
Heavy breaths filled the air, and the silence stretched on.
Qin Ao couldn’t bear it any longer. He took out his phone and dialed Lin Wanxing’s number.
But aside from the prolonged ringing tone, no other sound came from the other end.Time and again, Qin Ao persistently dialed the number, only to hear the mechanical female voice announcing the failed call each time.
"Stop calling."
Finally, Fu Xinshu's bitter voice broke the silence.
"What the hell happened!?" Qin Ao exclaimed with furious confusion.
"Why did she just leave like that?"
"Just abandon us like this?"
Scattered and chaotic discussions gradually rose in the stairwell.
It was an almost absurdly ironic scene.
Every time they spoke, the motion-sensor lights would illuminate, revealing their confused and helpless faces, only to plunge them back into darkness when silence fell.
"She wouldn't normally leave like this—it's not like her." Feng Suo roughly ran his hands through his hair, speaking impulsively yet voicing what everyone felt.
"Why isn't it like her?" Wang Fa put away the photo and glanced back at his football team members.
"It just feels... irresponsible. Our teacher has always been so responsible."
"She firmly believes in personal independence. The most responsible thing she's done for you is consistently trying to teach you that very principle. You should clearly understand that you're all independent individuals—no one is responsible for anyone else's life."
It was a cruel statement, and as he said it, Wang Fa thought it might be his own way of seeking comfort.
The football team fell silent again, and the stairwell lights gently dimmed once more.
Someone sighed, and the lights flickered back on.
This time, the illumination was a dim goose-yellow, like a rising mist that made everything appear hazy and uncertain.
Looking up at the ceiling, they realized it wasn't their floor's light after all.
Someone rounded the staircase and appeared before them—a delivery guy in uniform.
"Um..." The young man adjusted his baseball cap, startled to see the stairwell filled with people.
"You all..." He pulled a express document from his pocket, double-checked the recipient's name, and asked, "Are you the Hongjing No. 8 Middle School high school football team?"
Chapter 115: Mission
The delivery guy found it somewhat strange—why would documents for a high school football team be addressed to a residential area?
But he was just there to deliver the package.
He glanced at the high school students sitting on the stairs, who were still in a state of shock, and repeated his question: "This delivery is addressed to the rooftop. Is that you guys?"
Finally, the teenagers snapped out of their daze: "Yes, it's us. It's us."
The young man sitting at the front stood up and signed for the express mail.
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