Xue Lin had her lunch at Meimei's house and left when it was dark. She climbed the pipe and went back to her room. Judging by how calm the house was, she realized that they didn't notice anything. She went to sleep as she was tired.
The next day, she woke up early and left the room by climbing down the pipe again. This time, she wrapped handkerchiefs around her palms. So, it wasn't painful like before.
She went to the passport office. The officer said, "Mam, it will take two weeks but if it's an emergency, then you can apply for it. It will cost you more than usual."
"It's an emergency. I want it in a week." Xue Lin replied. If she gets her passport sooner, she will leave the house. She will travel around China and then come back to get her credit card before leaving.
After applying for the process, she walked around the city, and then went back to her neighborhood.
The middle-aged man saw her and called out, "Little girl, you are here! Do you want some ramen?"
Xue Lin stopped on her track and looked at his small restaurant. It was filled with customers. The cook was glowing is happiness. She walked closer and the cook gave her an extra seat to let her sit down.
Soon she was served and she finished at least three bowls before getting up. She paid the bill this time and turned around to leave. Just then, someone called out her name, "Xiao Lin?"
Xue Lin startled before facing the person. It was one of her cousins' husbands. Her youngest brother-in-law. He looked astonished and wasn't sure if it was her. 'Oh right, I wasn't able to tell anyone that I came back.' She thought. "How are you doing?" She asked while forcing a smile.
Her brother-in-law came closer. "I'm fine. But Xiao Lin, when did you come back? You didn't inform us of your arrival." He was genuinely surprised to see her.
Xue Lin answered, "I lost all the contact numbers and I don't even know where you guys live anymore." She was polite when she talked to him. When she was in middle school, he helped her with studies. And Xue Lin has a habit of giving her teachers the utmost respect.
"Are you free now? Let's go somewhere and have a little chit-chat. I'll take you to your favorite restaurant." He suggested.
"I just ate…" Xue Lin regretted eating ramen. Nothing could be more delicious than free food after all.
He thought for a while. "Then let's go to an ice cream parlor first. We can have dinner together later."
Xue Lin agreed. "Sure, I don't mind. How's cousin Wanwan?" Wanwan was her cousin with whom her brother-in-law was married to.
They walked side by side and continued their conversation, "She went to the village to stay with her parents for a while. She will come back tomorrow. When your sister comes back, visit us. She will be happy."
"Okay, I will. So, why are you in this neighborhood? You don't live here, do you?"
"Can't I come here?"
"You certainly can. I just asked you."
"I went to my friend's house for work. He lives in this neighborhood."
Xue Lin sighed in relief. 'Thank goodness.' As long as he knows nothing about her family situation, it will be better.
They went to the ice cream parlor and ordered their favorites. They sat down in the corner. He asked her, "Why didn't you tell us before you leave? You didn't contact us either after going there. We suddenly heard from your parents that you left to study. How did you get money to study abroad?"
Xue Lin sighed deeply. "You ask so many questions at once. I have done some freelance jobs since high school. And why didn't I tell you? Well, it's because I wasn't in a mood to talk to others. I wanted to leave so badly I didn't think of saying goodbye to anyone."
He asked her, "I exceeded my expectations! I didn't think you would earn money like that. Clever! Why did you want to leave? Weren't you planning on going to Beijing to study?"
Xue Lin shook her head. "I was before but things changed so much so that I couldn't even think about living here anymore."
"But you came back."
"I came back... yeah…" Xue Lin didn't elaborate on why she came back. She didn't feel like it. For some reason, the strawberry ice cream tasted bitter.