Chapter 11
1239 Words
Jocelyn wanted to enjoy a spicy hot pot that was both delicious and affordable.
It was highly popular among students.
Each person had their own small pot, approximately twenty centimeters in diameter, which was cooked on an induction cooker.
The bright red broth boiled and simmered, appearing very appetizing.
Jocelyn held the menu, marking item and muttering to herself, "Beef tripe, beef trachea, lotus root slices, potatoes, enoki mushrooms, duck blood, shrimp dumplings, luncheon meat, glutinous rice cakes, sweet rice balls, pineapple cakes..."
"You ordered a lot, are you able to finish it?" Archer reminded her of it.
"I have a big appetite, especially with you here," Jocelyn said, loweing her head.
As a boy, it can be embarrassing to eat less than a girl.
Shortly therafter, the waiter served the dishes.
Jocelyn evenly each dish into two portions and placed them in separate pots.
Then she asked, "Would you prefer Coca-Cola or Pepsi?"
Archer responded, "Coca-Cola."
Jocelyn then waved to the waiter and requested for two cans of chilled Coca-Cola.
The dark brown cola poured into the glass, produced dense bubbles.
Jocelyn raised her glass and clinked it against Archer's, "Archer, may you forget all your troubles and find happiness every day."
Archer was touched and said, "Jocelyn, thank you." The carbonnated cola slid down his throat, sending a slight stinging sensation through him.
Jocelyn placed the first piece of blanched beef into Archer's bowl before beginning to eat enthusiastically.
While eating, she made numerous remarks reminiscant of a gourmet.
"The duck intestines should be cooked by repeatedly dipping them up and down seven or eight times; they areslightly overcooked."
"The seaweed is too salty because it was not rinsed thoroughly."
"The beef meatballs were not beaten sufficiently, so they lack the desired bounce."
Her small mouth seemed never to stop, as if always eagar to speak.
Archer tore off a tissue and handed it to her, saying, "Your lips are oily."
Jocelyn took it and wiped her lips haphazardly. "Thank you." she said.
Generally speaking, attractive women are very conscious of their image.
Jocelyn, having experienced the full spectrum of human life, possessed a face as beautiful as an angel.
A girl like that easily inspired warmth and was genuinely endearing.
"Jocelyn, why are you always so happy?" Archer asked.
"Happiness and unhappiness are distinct states, so why not choose to be happy every day?" Jocelyn smiled in response.
Archer nodded quietly.
Her words were sensible, and he could not refute them.
If he were still upset about yesterday, he would be putting himself at a disadvantage.
"By the way, do you have a nickname?" Jocelyn asked with curiously.
Archer shook his head in confusion.
His classmates either called him class monitor or addressed him by his first name, except for Charles, who called him "son."
"Son" shouldn't be considered a nickname, right?
“Then I’ll call you a big dummy,” Jocelyn said, sipping her tea.
“Why? That sounds awful,” Archer retorted, clearly dissatisfied.
“Because you lied to me this morning, and your lie was full of holes,” Jocelyn said, still holding onto her resentment.
Archer thought to himself that he had been first in the entire grade for two consecutive years.
If this is considered stupid, then what does that make the other students?
The hot pot meal lasted approximately forty minutes.
Jocelyn scooped the last piece of potato from the bottom of the pot, popped it into her mouth, and looked satisfied.
Archer waved to the waiter to settle the bill.
Jocelyn said hurriedly, “I said I wanted to eat hot pot, so I have to pay.”
Archer smiled and said, “This time it’s on me, next time, the treat is yours.”
“Alright then!” Jocelyn nodded in aggrement.
Before they realized it, they had already made plans for the next meeting.
They departed from the hot pot restaurant at around 1 p.m.
Archer planned to tidy his mother's two-bedroom apartment, as he would be living there permanently from now on.
Upon hearing this, Jocelyn insisted on coming along, saying she wanted to help him with the chores.
Just as he opened the door, his neighbor, a woman, stepped outside.
Archer had seen her a few times before and greeted her courteously.
“Oh, do you have a girlfriend?” The neighbor's eyes lit up when she saw the beautiful Jocelyn.
“No, she’s just a friend,” Archer explained quickly, a bit embarrassed.
“It’s alright, please don’t hide it from me. It’s perfectly normal for young people to date,” the neighbor said with an air of experience.
Jocelyn blushed when she heard this.
Despite her usual chatter and eloquence, she became unexpectedly quiet at moments like these.
She wanted to explain but didn’t know how to begin.
The apartment was somewhat old but received a good amount of natural light.
Winnie stayed only a few days each month, sometimes just one night at a hotel near the station when she was busy.
The apartment contained minimal furniture, which made it feel spacious.
There were no plants either, which gave it a somewhat lifeless feel.
Archer said to Jocelyn, "Jocelyn, you can come here to play with me anytime during these three months." Jocelyn blinked her large, watery eyes and asked, "And after three months?"
"We will find out then!" Archer replied evasively, his eyes clouded with dimness.
He thought he would likrly be in the hospital by then.
Few people in this world would be saddened by his departure.
Jocelyn smiled and said, "If you make me unhappy, I won't come to play with you."
Archer exclaimed, "No way." The next three months would undoubtedly be marked by unbearable loneliness and hardship, along with immense physical pain.
He did not want his waning life to lose this precious touch of color.
Jocelyn was attractive and a capable housewife, likely maniging many household chores.
By working together, they quickly transformed their small home, making into a warm and cozy space.
While taking out the trash, they stopped at the nearby supermarket to purchase some necessities.
Archer specifically bought a desk calendar.
The type that requires tearing off a page each day.
He weighed it in his hand; ninety days amounted to only a thin stack.
These fragile sheets of paper marked the countdown of his life.
At the checkout, Jocelyn chose not to wait in line and went outside to wait for Archer.
When Archer came out, he saw her holding a round glass fish tank filled with pebbles and aquatic plants.
Two red goldfish swam happily.
"Archer, this is a gift to congratulate you on your move."
"Why are you giving me two fish? I can hardly feed myself," Archer muttered.
"You didn't catch any fish yesterday, so this is to make up for it and add a touch of life to your new home. Promise me you won't die," Jocelyn said earnestly.
"Don't die?" Archer asked, clearly taken aback.
"I'm warning you, if you kill these two fish, I won't let you off the hook," Jocelyn said, shaking her fist.
Archer gazed intently into Jocelyn's eyes, as if trying to pear into her heart.
It would be wonderful to be friends with a girl like her.
But why did I have to meet you just as my life was coming to an end?
Jocelyn, I wish I had met you sooner!
- Writer
