In Deep, though it was already autumn, the weather was still hot. Atman never had the chance to see a falling yellow leaf to know autumn was coming, however, still saw sky was incredibly blue and clear, which was similar as autumn in his hometown.

    Atman came home early and sat in his room silently. Four was busy and had no time to visit him these days. Yaoyao enjoyed her shopping with girlfriends outside. In Deep, Atman had no other intimate friends besides them. The more he read, the more he felt empty, Atman put his books down. He had no mood to do other things either and only lay in bed staring at ceiling. He always liked staring at ceiling and had remembered clearly he had stared at ceiling for four years in college. Actually he liked staring at sky to see white cloud flowing freely while lying on haystack, only there was no place in Deep for him to lie leisurely to see sky. Sometimes he could not help thinking it was wrong for him to come to Deep. Though he was eager to win his lost honor, in the deepest place of his heart, Atman still enjoyed the days of living between white cloud and yellow earth.

    Yaoyao came back merrily with a bunch of bags. She saw Atman lying in bed and dragged him to see her booty to share her good luck. Atman always couldn’t refuse Yaoyao and had to follow her to appreciate her booty such as discounted dress, boots etc,. But he only said ‘pretty’ repeatedly and had no other words. Yaoyao was unhappy about his changeless comment and said with fiery eyes, “Come on, don’t be so lifeless, you get me depressed too.You’re not allowed to ruin my good mood.” Seeing her angry looks, Atman grinned and found Yaoyao was actually a very beautiful girl. He was surprised he didn’t realize it before.

    Yaoyao grinned too, “That’s Atman I like. You depression is really suffocating. Be happy. Let’s watch TV drama. It’s Saturday, enjoy you life. ” Atman had no interest and tried to lie in his room. Yaoyao tweaked Atman’s ear and dragged him back to chair again.

    Atman was a little surprised, “How dare you to tweak my ear? I’ve never been tweaked by people before.” “So what? I just tweaked your ear, what’re you going to do? ”answered Yaoyao casually. “Nothing. I’m just saying. Release your hand, I’ll watch TV with you.”Atman put his hands on knees to watch TV obediently with her.

    Yaoyao was amused to see his helpless looks, but soon buried her head into TV drama, sighing, “Alas, how could men in TV drama be so handsome and rich and gentle? But in real life, men are so ugly and poor and boring.” Atman goggled at her, “Why didn’t you stare at me while saying ugly and poor and boring? What do you mean?” Yaoyao grinned again, “Sorry, I didn’t mean it. Instead, you’re so…Sorry, I can’t say it.”

    Atman’s mobile phone was ringing and he felt strange for he rarely received call at night. It turned out to be his university classmate Rough. “Will you be available this Sunday? We have a classmates reunion tomorrow to celebrate our graduation for four years. “Rough said to Atman earnestly. Atman answered automatically, “Sorry, I’m really busy this weekend.” “Come on. We haven’t met for four years. A little miss you.” Atman was about to refuse him further, Yaoyao grabbed his mobile phone to say, “Hey, he’s available. When and where? ““Saturday night, 7 o’clock. Golden Hotel.” “OK, See you then.”Yaoyao hurriedly hang off.

    Atman blamed Yaoyao for her self-assertion, “What’re you doing? Who told you to make decision for me?” Yaoyao buried her head into arms and began to sob heavily. Atman thought he treated her cruelly and apologized, “Sorry, I shouldn’t blame you. My fault. ” Yaoyao ignored him and started to cry loudly. Atman sighed, “OK. I’ll go this weekend to join classmates reunion.” Yaoyao raised her head and laughed aloud, “You fool! So easily cheated by me. I’m not gonna cry so easily. When my mom beat me heavily for disobedience, I didn’t cry.”

    Atman became very angry and went to his own room to lie in bed still, totally ignoring her. Yaoyao followed him and felt sorry, “Sorry, I shouldn’t joke you. Don’t be angry, Atman. Brother Atman. Good brother Atman.” Hearing her words, Atman got up suddenly and laughed, “You idiot! So easily cheated by me. I’m not gonna be angry so easily.” Yaoyao covered her face again to cry, Atman only said teasingly, “Come on. No more trick. Let’s be normal again.” Yaoyao uncovered her hands and laughed heartily with Atman together.

    Laic was really happy to join the classmates reunion because he was the richest among classmates now and also had a pretty wife Neon. Classmates reunion was no doubt the best chance for him to show superiority. Just liked Xiang Yu said before, “A man who becomes rich and powerful can’t return to hometown is just like wearing beautiful clothes to walk in dark night.” Laic didn’t like wearing clothes to walk in dark night, instead, wanted his classmates to see how great he was.

    Sunday afternoon, Laic asked Neon to dress up for classmates reunion, but she wasn’t willing to go. Laic was a little unhappy, “Neon, do you have any plans?” “No, I’d rather read at home.” Neon answered impatiently.

     “We haven’t met for four years, how could you not go?”

    ”But they’re your classmates, right? Why should I have to go?”

    ”Because you’re my wife.”

    “That’s the reason I have to obey you? Please, please leave me alone. I’ve never forced you to do something and hope you can understand me too.”

    Laic was angry and sat on couch sulkily, said “If so, I’m not going there either.” Having no choice, Neon promised Laic to go with him reluctantly.

    In Golden Hotel, Laic was the leading role. He promised to pay for all fee to let old classmates enjoy themselves thoroughly. Atman sat in a corner silently, however, Yaoyao ate and chatted with Atman’s classmates heartily. She insisted on going with Atman and said she never missed any chance to get free dinner and only fool missed it for so-called dignity.

    Atman ate little and didn’t chat with his classmates either. Everybody paid attention to Laic and his pretty wife and simply ignored Atman. Atman hoped he could go to his basement soon and wasn’t willing to stay at the place for another minute.

    Laic still remembered his humiliation of university days and suddenly said loudly, “Guys, do you know who has the healthiest life among us?” Everybody stared at him confusedly. Laic continued complacently, “You don’t know? Let me tell you. It’s Atman. He grew his own vegetables and rice in hometown.” Everybody turned around to look at Atman and he was really embarrassed. He even hoped he could have the ability to make himself invisible.

    Yaoyao stopped her eating and walked to Laic quickly. She touched Laic’s suit and said teasingly, “Ha, rich guy. You seem to have a lot of money, right?” Laic was confused, “Who are you? What’re you doing here?” Yaoyao replied, “I’m Atman’s friend. You have any problems?”

    Laic said disdainfully, “No wonder you’re so rude. Ah, you’re Atman’s friend. Bumpkin.” Though Atman simmered with rage, Yaoyao wasn’t moved at all. She said with a sweet smile, “So you’re from high society. How about playing piano for us to show your grace? There is just one in the corner.”

    Laic always thought music was useless and time-wasting, of course couldn’t play it. He was silent, only face was becoming red gradually. He himself didn’t know whether it was because of shame or anger.

    Yaoyao felt funny to see Laic’s weird countenance and continued her speech, “Obviously, you know nothing about it. How about dancing with me?” She offered her hand to Laic and Laic dared not to receive it for he never danced in his life before. Laic was really helpless to meet such as guy as Yaoyao.

    Seeing Laic was speechless, Yaoyao got a big lunchbox and began to fill it with remaining dishes and also told Atman to help her fill. Laic recovered soon and said ironically, “I guess you can’t afford to have dinner here, right?””Yeah, that’s why I collected remaining dishes. Anyhow, it’s free, I always liked free things. “said Yaoyao merrily.

    She finished packaging lunchbox and handed it to Atman. Atman went out directly without saying goodbye to anybody. Yaoyao rubbed her hands on Laic’s suit to get rid of grease and then followed Atman to go out.

    Laic was annoyed greatly, “What’re you doing? Do you know how much is it?” Yaoyao turned around to laugh heartily, “I don’t know and don’t want to know either. Thanks for your dinner. Do you have mistress? If not, really a pity for your wealth. What do you think of me? Find me at Purple Stone Building if you like. ” She made faces and threw Laic a kiss, walking away in surprised looks of everybody.

    Laic turned around only to found his wife Neon left long ago. At the same time, Yaoyao walked with Atman on the street to enjoy the coolness of autumn night of Deep. Yaoyao said to Atman merrily, “Haha, we don’t have to cook tomorrow. Get dishes for free. You even weren’t willing to go before, really stupid! Stupid!” Atman was grateful, “Thanks for helping me tonight.” Yaoyao stuck her tongue out, “Really shame on you. You even need a girl to help you. Not a man!” Atman didn’t mind it at all and still smiled to show his gratitude. Without waiting for Atman to reply, Yaoyao continued, “Ha, congratulations. Now you have a thick skin. From now on, behave like a man, OK?” Atman stood at attention and answered loudly, “Yes, Madame!”

    Yaoyao sighed, “It’s a pity I couldn’t bump his nose tonight.” For the first time, Atman thought he was inferior to a girl. There was no reason for him to despise himself under any circumstances, only he knew it now, but better late than never.