Chapter Seven

That Saturday, Hugo did not meet with Lin Zi Mo and Wu Si Ying as planned. He was still trapped in the shadow left by Zhang Yan’s departure; that helplessness and pain lingered in his heart. Xiao Jian continued his training with the national team, turning his grief into motivation. No one knew how many boards he had shattered, but his legs were now swollen and bruised.

Meanwhile, Hugo walked to the bathroom mirror and took out a pair of scissors. His hand holding the scissors trembled. He knew what this act meant. Six years of youth, symbolized by the ponytail he had kept, vanished in a single snip, swept away like the wind.

Monday came, and Lin Zi Mo was the first to arrive in class. She looked around but did not see Hugo. More students entered, but Hugo was still absent—until just before class started, when he walked in alongside Xiao Jian.

“Is that… Hugo?” someone whispered.

“I think so. His ponytail…” The class buzzed with whispers. Hugo had cut off the ponytail he’d worn for six years. His hair, now neatly combed, no longer shielded his eyes, revealing his face. Though not particularly remarkable, everyone could finally see Hugo’s true appearance.

“Hugo, Xiao Jian, come in. Class is about to begin,” the teacher called.

Hugo replied calmly, “Teacher, I am no longer Hugo. I have changed my name to Rain Star Moon.”

He had told his mother the day before about his decision, one he had pondered for a long time. He no longer wished to be called Hugo, unwilling to be reminded of his father and Zhang Yan—the memories were too painful. Rain Star Moon was a new beginning, a way to forget the past. Hugo no longer existed.

“Very well, come in then. I understand.” The teacher said no more, sensing Hugo’s troubled mood, and proceeded as usual.

Many eyes fell upon Hugo—now Rain Star Moon—but he ignored them, taking out his favorite novel to pass the lesson.

His heart had grown cold. No matter how others greeted him, he didn’t respond, lost in the world of his novel.

Lin Zi Mo sat beside him and said softly, “Hugo, I heard from Xiao Jian about what happened. Please accept my condolences.”

Rain Star Moon did not look at her, his reply as indifferent as his gaze. “It has nothing to do with you. I owe you and Wu Si Ying an apology for missing our meeting.”

“Are you feeling any better now?” Lin Zi Mo spoke cautiously, afraid to say anything that might upset him.

“I feel great now. You understand what I mean?”

“…Then I won’t ask further. I hope you’ll find peace.” Lin Zi Mo’s heart ached for him, but she feared hurting him further. She hoped he would come to terms with it in his own time.

Rain Star Moon did not ignore Lin Zi Mo’s words; they made sense. Dwelling on the past brought no growth. Why remain stagnant?

“If I could wield a sword, I’d sever my lingering attachments,” Rain Star Moon thought to himself.

Today, the classroom was eerily quiet. Everyone knew about Rain Star Moon and Xiao Jian’s loss, and mourned their friends. Good people, gone, and their grief was profound.

Xiao Jian patted Rain Star Moon’s shoulder. “Brother Rain, Zhang would not want us to suffer like this. He wanted us to be happy.”

“If he wanted us to live happily, I’ll try to keep living,” Rain Star Moon replied.

Xiao Jian closed his eyes. “Yes, I’ll try too. I must be strong so I don’t betray Zhang Yan’s wishes. This is the last time I’ll cry—I promise.”

“You’re confident. Don’t break your promise, or you’ll be eating your words,” Rain Star Moon managed a faint smile—his first since Zhang Yan’s departure, though it was forced and insincere.

Two days later, they went to pay their respects to Zhang Yan. Tears were shed, but as men, they learned resilience. It was a moment of immense growth.

When Rain Star Moon returned home, he found an unexpected guest—someone he knew well: Lin Zi Mo.

“Zi Mo, why are you here?” he asked.

“I came to see you. I was about to leave when your mother invited me in. She told me to wait for you. You can ask her yourself,” Lin Zi Mo explained.

Rain Star Moon confirmed with Yang Shu Ting, his mother, that she had indeed invited Lin Zi Mo inside. Before he entered the living room, Yang Shu Ting warned him that if he made Lin Zi Mo cry, she wouldn’t forgive him.

Who’s her real child, anyway? Rain Star Moon mused—it was definitely his mother.

He sat beside Lin Zi Mo in the living room, noting half the fruit on the table had already been eaten.

“You really can eat. Born in the year of the pig, I suppose?” he teased.

“You’re the pig! I’ve been waiting so long I got hungry, and you say that to me?” Lin Zi Mo retorted.

“What brings you here?”

“Wait, let’s talk in your room.” Lin Zi Mo pushed him into his room. The room was cozy, chosen both for its soundproofing and its calming atmosphere, making it easier for her to speak freely.

Once Rain Star Moon closed the door, all outside noise vanished. It was just the two of them.

“Can I speak now?” Lin Zi Mo asked. After confirming they were alone, she said, “Hugo, do you remember the boy you threw over your shoulder a month ago?”

“Of course. A month ago, he pushed me from the second floor. I remember it well.” Rain Star Moon had never forgotten. Since his hospitalization, he hadn’t seen the boy again.

Lin Zi Mo’s face grew serious. “I asked around. His name is Wang Feng. Rumor has it his family has connections in the underworld. Be careful.”

Rain Star Moon chuckled. So that was it—a threat from Wang Feng? Others might not know, but Xiao Jian did. Rain Star Moon might seem quiet in class, but when he got serious, even Xiao Jian was wary. After all, Xiao Jian couldn’t beat him.

“Thanks for the warning, but I’m not one to be intimidated. If he wants trouble, let him come—I’m not afraid.” Looking out the window, Rain Star Moon felt his blood stirring again. So much for keeping a low profile; others wouldn’t allow it.

“But you’re not his match. If he brings backup…” Lin Zi Mo said anxiously.

Rain Star Moon covered her mouth and smiled, “Relax. I’m not as weak as you think. If he dares come, I won’t show mercy. He’ll learn the consequences of crossing me.”

“I really don’t understand you. How can you be so reckless?” Lin Zi Mo said nothing more. Seeing the resolve on Rain Star Moon’s face, she felt he had a solution, though she could not guess what it might be.

Rain Star Moon reminded her, “Let’s go back out, or my mother might misunderstand—just the two of us in a room.”

“Ah! You’re impossible.” Lin Zi Mo blushed and hurried out. Rain Star Moon found her embarrassment endearing. He wondered why he was thinking about Lin Zi Mo, and slapped his own cheeks.

What am I doing? I mustn’t entertain inappropriate thoughts. She’s the tomboy of the class—there’s nothing about her to like, is there? Rain Star Moon tried to reassure himself.