Tortoise and the Hare Pt 3

Xiao Màn and Xiao Kuài Part 3

When one’s daily life turns into a repetitive cycle, time usually seems to fly by. Even if the days seem to be uninteresting as they are similar, time will be wasted away before you know it. Of course in the case of Xiao Kuài and Xiao Màn, there time were used for losing weight. Alas, time still flew by, and now senior Prom is almost upon them. It’s time to see the results of their efforts.

Xiao Màn was once again was walking to school with Xiao Zhēnxīn, chattering all the way like usual. Xiao Zhēnxīn now responds more to Xiao Màn as they had became familiar with each other. After all, it’s been over six months since Xiao Màn they had met. After six months of trying to lose weight, Xiao Màn still didn’t look too much different from before, except it seems it would be a bit easier for her to hold bags now. As Xiao Màn was too obese before, it was very difficult to lose most of those fat, especially with daily exercise that did not consist of gym memberships; however, Xiao Màn was not discouraged as in her diary, she had noticed she had actually gradually lost some weight, albeit not an extreme amount. Also, Xiao Màn noticed it wasn’t as difficult or exhausting to walk to many places she would have otherwise found exhausting before. Xiao Màn was elated with this minor step towards her goal as she believes that she would eventually reach her goal.

After a normal uneventful walk like usual, Xiao Màn and Xiao Zhēnxīn eventually reached the school; however, unlike it’s normal uniformed, bustling atmosphere, there was a large racket as a crowd seemed to be gathering around the front gate. Xiao Màn was curious and stepped up to join the crowd to see what was going on. The crowd naturally parted ways for her in fear of being crushed, revealing a duo in the middle of a dramatic confession.

Xiao Màn recognized one person from the duo as Xiao Shuài. Right now, Xiao Shuài was kneeling with one knee on the ground while holding the hand of a beautiful, slim girl dressed in a white frilly blouse. Although Xiao Màn felt the girl was familiar, Xiao Màn could not remember where she had seen the girl. Although Xiao Màn wanted to ponder on it, Xiao Shuài’s next words shocked Xiao Màn out of her pondering state.

“Xiao Kuài, will you go to prom with me?” Xiao Shuài said gently.

It was then that Xiao Màn realized why the girl looked so familiar. Xiao Màn was in shock over the fact that her former bestie Xiao Kuài had lost all her weight so fast. It was not until Xiao Màn heard her name being called that she snapped out of her daze.

“Xiao Màn, you seem to be the same as before. I thought you were going to try to lose weight?”

Xiao Màn looked in front of her to see Xiao Kuài standing there with her hands wrapped around Xiao Shuài’s arm. Xiao Màn was silent for a bit before realizing she had to respond. Hence, Xiao Màn replied, “I did try to lose weight, and I-“

“Well, whatever you tried didn’t seem to work now did it Xiao Màn. I told you that I would be faster than you in losing weight, but don’t worry. Since you were my bestie, I will introduce you to some of the products I used. That way you can lose some of that weight, and have handsome boys like Xiao Shuài come beg you to go out with them instead of having bothersome boys like that wimpy, poor boy by your side,” Xiao Kuài declared with a victorious smirk.

When Xiao Màn heard Xiao Kuài say that, for some reason, an odd feeling of anger overwhelmed her. Xiao Màn looked over and saw Xiao Zhēnxīn lowering his head even more as if trying to escape the attention of everyone. An overwhelming feeling of sadness and anger rushed into Xiao Màn’s heart at once as she hurriedly stood in front of Xiao Zhēnxīn while yelling, “Xiao Kuài! Xiao Zhēnxīn is not a wimpy, poor boy!”

Xiao Kuài then giggled before declaring, “Well, if he’s not a wimpy, poor boy, then I don’t know who is! How about this Xiao Màn? Leave that boy and follow me around again. I will buy all the products and help you lose weight until you are as slim as me. Sound good?”

Xiao Màn flared up in anger as she declared, “I don’t need any of your help to lose weight! Xiao Zhēnxīn is my friend, and I will never give him up for anything!”

“Well, suit yourself. It’s your loss for not doing what I’m doing,” Xiao Kuài then giggled and pulled Xiao Shuài off to class.

Xiao Màn then looked over at Xiao Zhēnxīn who was now looking at her with tears running down his face. Xiao Màn bustled around frantically as she said to Xiao Zhēnxīn, ” Xiao Zhēnxīn, don’t mind what Xiao Kuài said. Y-you don’t have to cry like that because Xiao Màn believes you are the manliest of man! Only the manliest of man will help another when they are in need like you did for Xiao Màn!”

“I-It’s not that,” Xiao Zhēnxīn replied as he wiped his tears with his sleeves.

Xiao Màn was then confused and tried to get Xiao Zhēnxīn to tell her what he meant, but Xiao Zhēnxīn refused to answer. Eventually, Xiao Màn gave up as she moved on with life.

Days passed, and before Xiao Màn knew it, Prom night was here. It was already clear who the victor in the rivalry was as the couple, Xiao Kuài and Xiao Shuài, were the hottest topic at school. Xiao Màn was poor and couldn’t really afford a nice dress to prom, nor did she really have anyone to go with. With being the loser in the rivalry being added to the mix, Xiao Màn eventually decided to not go to prom. Walking home with Xiao Zhēnxīn, Xiao Màn continued her daily usual routine. The table was set like usual, and Xiao Màn happily told Xiao Zhēnxīn to try her cooking like usual; however, Xiao Zhēnxīn was awfully quiet today.

Xiao Màn thought Xiao Zhēnxīn was sad that he didn’t go to prom, so Xiao Màn comforted him by saying, “There’s no need to be sad Xiao Zhēnxīn. Xiao Màn didn’t go to prom either because there’s not really a good reason to go. After all, you will have to dress up nicely, but Xiao Màn doesn’t think there will be a dress that looks nice on Xiao Màn.”

Xiao Zhēnxīn perked up before stating, “I-It’s not that. Xiao Zhēnxīn believes that Xiao Màn will look nice in any dress.”

Xiao Màn giggled happily from the compliment as she scooped up a bite of rice while questioning, “Then, why are you so quiet today Xiao Zhēnxīn?”

Xiao Zhēnxīn shifted around a bit in hesitation before revealing the true reason why he was so down. It was then that Xiao Màn found out that Xiao Zhēnxīn’s father had landed a good job opportunity overseas, and Xiao Zhēnxīn’s family would be moving out tomorrow to a better place overseas soon. Xiao Màn was elated that Xiao Zhēnxīn would be going to a better place soon, and Xiao Màn congratulated him, “Xiao Zhēnxīn, good for you! Xiao Màn is happy that you will go to a better place! Just don’t forget about this ugly, fat friend Xiao Màn once you get there-“

“Xiao Màn!” Xiao Zhēnxīn interrupted before pausing as if to work up the courage, “Xiao Màn, Xiao Zhēnxīn believes you are the most beautiful girl Xiao Zhēnxīn has ever met. That is why Xiao Zhēnxīn will never forget about you. Xiao Zhēnxīn promises to work hard, and one day Xiao Zhēnxīn will see Xiao Màn in the most beautiful dress.”

Xiao Màn giggled in happiness as she took Xiao Zhēnxīn’s promise as a joke. Although deep down inside Xiao Màn wishes it were true; however, Xiao Màn knew that Xiao Zhēnxīn will meet someone better eventually and forget about Xiao Màn. Feeling a little lonely inside, Xiao Màn distracted herself by happily telling Xiao Zhēnxīn to eat their last meal together.

Xiao Zhēnxīn did not walk with Xiao Màn to school the next day because he was helping his parents move out. By the time Xiao Màn came home, Xiao Zhēnxīn was already gone. Although Xiao Màn felt a little lonely inside, Xiao Màn perked up as she decided to continue to pursue her goal of losing weight, even through college.

Passing the college exams, Xiao Màn entered a decent college and continued her daily routine that she has no problem doing all by herself. Eventually, Xiao Màn graduated from college and landed a decent job at a small local company, making enough to pay for bills with extra to pay for a gym membership. Chasing her goal of losing weight, Xiao Màn forgot about time as years passed. Before Xiao Màn realized it, she was already enjoying the 25th spring of her life. What she also did not realize was that this was the turning point to her life.