Chapter Nineteen: The Division of Arts and Sciences

At last, the day had come—the day of the class division. A new semester, a new class, a new group, a new beginning. After more than a year of growing close, everyone found it hard to part ways.

That day, after the movie ended, as we walked home, Chu Chu suddenly asked me, “Piglet Bei, when the new term starts and they split us into classes, did you sign up for Arts or Science?”

“Huh? Didn’t you already know?” I found it odd. After all, Chu Chu had been with me when we filled out our choices after the placement exam. She had picked Science, and I had chosen Arts.

“Tell me again, it won’t kill you. I forgot,” Chu Chu replied with a mischievous grin.

I shot her a disgruntled look. “Honestly, Chu Chu, do you even need to ask? I’m hopeless at Science. Would I really go there just to be at the bottom of the class?”

“Heh, that’s perfect,” Chu Chu’s smile turned sly. “Let me tell you a secret—my sister signed up for Arts too. So who knows, maybe we’ll end up as desk-mates again.”

“That can’t be right! Chu Chu, I remember you signed up for Science. And you’re much better at it, aren’t you?” I remembered clearly that during every exam, Chu Chu would copy my Chinese and History answers, while I’d rely on her for Math and Physics. Her words caught me off guard.

“I changed my mind at the last minute,” Chu Chu said, casting a mysterious glance my way.

“Then… what about History and Geography? Will you be okay in those exams?” I couldn’t help but worry about her future college entrance exams.

“Heh, don’t worry about that. I’ll just cram a few days before the tests! Besides, if I’m not around, who’s going to protect you if someone tries to bully you?” Chu Chu walked along the sidewalk with her hands behind her back, swaying gently from side to side. A barely noticeable smile flickered at the corners of her mouth. “Don’t get too emotional now!”

—

The class division list was soon posted at the entrance to the teaching building by the academic office. It didn’t take long before students crowded around, eager to see the results.

“Chen Hao, Science Class 1… Zhang Chu Chu, Arts Class 2… Li Xiaobei, Arts Class 3… Lin Yi, Arts Class 3… Han Lele, Arts Class 4…” One by one, familiar names appeared before my eyes. The results were bittersweet. The good news was that most of my old friends ended up together in Class 3, as if fate had granted us a chance to make up for past regrets. Yet, with Chu Chu and Lele assigned to neighboring classes, I couldn’t muster any enthusiasm.

Pushing my way out of the crowd, I couldn’t explain the strange sense of loss that washed over me.

“Piglet Bei…” Chu Chu appeared out of nowhere. “Piglet Bei… we’re going to be separated…” She stood before me, lips pressed together, head lowered, nervously fiddling with her keychain.

“Yeah, I saw. You’re in Class 2, so we…” In the year I’d known her, I’d never seen Chu Chu so quiet. Suddenly, I realized why I felt so down. For a moment, it was as if something was stuck in my throat and I couldn’t say a word. “Actually… it’s just next door, really. We’ll still see each other, just like before…” I tried to comfort her, though perhaps I was really trying to comfort myself.

“Haha, you’re right! But you’d better not forget about me! Or else…” Chu Chu shook her fist at me, feigning menace.

Hearing her, I was surprised by a sudden urge to cry, but I forced myself to hold back the sadness, putting on a bright face instead. “Chu Chu, you take care too.”

“I will.” Chu Chu nodded emphatically.

“Xiaobei…” As we spoke, Lele’s voice came from behind me.

I turned to see Lele waving at me from the landing on the second floor. I glanced back at Chu Chu, uncertain, words left unsaid. “Chu Chu, Lele is calling me…”

“Go on, then.” Chu Chu quickly lowered her head, slipped her hands into her pockets, and said, “Piglet Bei… I… I’ll head off now…” Before she finished, she took off at a run.

Only after Chu Chu had gone did I slowly ascend the stairs to Lele. “Lele, what’s wrong?”

Lele walked a few steps down, her back to me, and whispered, “We’re being split up…”

I didn’t know how to comfort her. Instead, I gently hugged her from behind and held her hands tightly in front of her. “No matter what, I’ll always be by your side. In class… well, in class you’re usually too busy to pay attention to me anyway… but after class, it’ll be just the same as before, right?”

“Hmph, don’t flatter yourself…” Lele broke free from my grip and sat down abruptly on the steps, stabbing the cement with her finger, fuming quietly.

“What’s wrong, silly?” I squatted down beside her, worried I’d somehow upset her.

“Nothing, just in a bad mood,” she muttered, not lifting her head.

“How about I walk you home?” I reached out, trying to help her up.

“No, I’ll go on my own. Let me be alone for a while, Piglet Bei.” Lele stubbornly shook her head and refused, “You go ahead.”

“All right, then. I’ll head off first. Be careful on your way home…” Seeing that I couldn’t persuade her, I didn’t push further. I stood, dusted off my clothes, grabbed my bag, and prepared to leave.

“Xiaobei…” Just as I stepped down the stairs, Lele suddenly called out.

“Yeah?” I stopped and turned, “What is it?”

“Nothing…” Lele hesitated, but said nothing more.

“I’ll go, then. Don’t stay out too late.” I worried about her; it was obvious something was weighing on her mind. But maybe what she needed most was a bit of quiet.

Perhaps giving Lele some space was the best thing I could do.

As soon as I left the school gates, I saw Haozi sitting at the Macao Milk Tea Shop, sipping his drink.

“Haozi!” I called, running over. He waved me over.

Once inside, Haozi ordered me a milk tea. “Pig, we’re in different classes now. What are your plans for the future?” Usually so carefree, today Haozi sounded uncharacteristically serious.

I shook my head, took a long sip of milk tea, and gazed up at the sky, still as bright and blue as ever…

Haozi sighed softly and patted my shoulder, saying nothing more. The two of us sat side by side on the barstools, watching the crowds hurry past outside, uncertain where we were headed next.