I was asked to clean an old, rarely used bathroom at night,
Such a considerable punishement for someone who was fasting.
I went there alone, a little upset when I should not.
Someone unexpected appeared.
Zhang Zi Xuan, the squad leader of Team 1.
The one who punished me to clean was now in his cleaning attire in front of the bathroom.
I thought he was there to inspect.
“我刚开始……”
“Wǒ gāng kāishǐ……”
"I just started.." I told him
“那太好了……”
“nà tài hǎole……”
"That's great..." He answered and began removing the cobwebs in the ceiling.
“你为什么....
“Nǐ wèishéme....”
"Why are you....?" I asked him surprised.
“因为我是班长……”
“Yīnwèi wǒ shì bānzhǎng……”
"Because I am the squad leader..."
I looked at him. He was the one who punished me to clean the bathroom and he was helping me to clean. I couldn't accept his reason to help and he seemed to realize that.
He stopped brushing the cobwebs. Taking few seconds before he elaborated.
“因为如果你不能适应训练，那也是我的责任……”
“Yīnwèi rúguǒ nǐ bùnéng shìyìng xùnliàn, nà yěshì wǒ de zérèn……”
"Because it is also my responsibility if you cannot adapt with the training..."
"服了吗？"
"Fúle ma?"
"Convinced?"
"I'm not convinced "
"我不服 "
"Wǒ bù fú"
“你能碰到天花板吗？”
“Nǐ néng pèng dào tiānhuābǎn ma?”
"Can you reach the ceiling?"
He changed the topic. Both of the squad leader, who are named Zhang, are very good in diverting the conversation.
“我可以拿椅子或梯子……”
“Wǒ kěyǐ ná yǐzi huò tīzi……”
"I can take chairs or ladder..."
I tried to refuse his help.
“在哪里？”
“Zài nǎlǐ?”
"Where?"
“我去问问……”
“Wǒ qù wèn wèn……”
"I will ask around..."
我来都来了.
Wǒ lái dōu láile.
I'm here.
你还想找梯子吗？
Nǐ hái xiǎng zhǎo tīzi ma?
Do you still want to find a ladder?
From his tone of voice. I know he wished to hear no further refutement.
From his expression. I know I would be in further trouble if I wish to continue.
That night, the passing base comrades who passed by stopped and said their greetings before they started their night run.
At the end of the cleaning, Zhi Xuan told me to use the bathroom during my stay in the base. The only women's bathroom were at the block A, which was quite far from my dormitory. They have decided to put this old bathroom into operation again.
What changes that night I cleaned the bathroom are:
My impression towards Zhang Zi Xuan.
Our relationship.
I was.
Being agitated towards people.
Without Reason.
What didn't change that night I cleaned the bathroom is:
I was.
Still the old me.
So that night, I went out running after the cleaning.
