"So what do we do now, wait for Manman to calm down herself?" He Lele didn't know how to handle such situations. Though emotional, she wasn't good at comforting others. She glanced at Wang Muman in the classroom.
"She's a rational person and good at hiding her emotions. She'll be fine soon," Yan Cheng deduced.
He Lele nodded, then suddenly looked enlightened.
"Yan Cheng, you know our Manman so well, you must have good feelings for her! Based on my sixth sense, there's definitely something going on between you two!" She wasn't calling Yan Cheng "little handsome brother" anymore; this was a very serious conversation.
"I, I'm just doing this because my grandmother cares about her, and her brother often chats with me on weekends, so I should pay more attention to her."
"Oh, is that so? Then why are your ears red?" He Lele pointed at Yan Cheng's ears and chuckled secretly. "Alright, I get it. I understand."
Wang Muman gradually calmed down. She wiped her tears and snot, tidied herself up, and then walked out of the classroom to find them.
"Let's go." No more words were needed.
Yan Cheng and He Lele exchanged a look and then went into the classroom to get their belongings. He Lele put her arm around Wang Muman's shoulders, said nothing, and started walking forward. Yan Cheng just followed behind, not too close to them.
"Manman, look at you, you've become a little bunny, your eyes and nose are all red," He Lele said, looking closely at Wang Muman and initiating the conversation.
Wang Muman didn't know how to explain to He Lele, wanting to speak but hesitating.
"Manman, if you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to. You have the right not to tell me, but if you're sad, I'll be sad too. Think of something happy," He Lele saw through Wang Muman's thoughts, as she already understood the general situation.
"Everyone has their own vulnerabilities. Today is your birthday, your day, so you should be happy and joyful. Rituals are important, don't dwell on sad things. I'm a bit upset you didn't tell me your birthday, missing out on a chance to heavily 'fleece' me!" He Lele borrowed some of Yan Cheng's ideas.
Wang Muman remained silent, but every word entered her heart, touching her soft spots.
"Manman, I still want to wish you a happy birthday and offer my sincerest blessings. I wish you happiness every day, good food, and good sleep!" He Lele said loudly. On the quiet sports field, only her voice could be heard.
Wang Muman suddenly smiled. "Your blessings are so cheesy!" She laughed happily. This was the best birthday she had had in years.
"How are they cheesy? These are clearly the best blessings. Don't you think so, Yan Cheng?"
He Lele's mention of Yan Cheng made him, who had been silently following behind, freeze in place. Hearing the laughter, he saw Wang Muman's smile under the streetlamp and also said loudly, "Yes!" which made He Lele laugh even harder.
Wang Muman still clutched the peace charm and the bracelet in her hand.
"Thank you, Yan Cheng. Even if your ears are about to get worn out, I still have to say this," Wang Muman stopped and turned around. "And Grandma, thank you for always thinking of me."
As Wang Muman spoke, she felt tears welling up again.
"Hey, hey, hey, it's okay, it's okay. I know your gratitude. Let's go back to the dormitory, get some rest, and goodnight," Yan Cheng urged Wang Muman to leave at the fork in the road between the boys' and girls' dormitories, as it was getting late.
"Goodnight!" Wang Muman suppressed her tears and replied.
"Stop looking, wash up and go to bed," He Lele pulled Wang Muman back and headed towards the dormitory building.