Xiaozhou had been growing flowers behind the gym since March. He watered them before class and covered them with old newspapers on cold nights. He did not tell anyone, because they were meant to be a surprise for Ms. Lin, the music teacher, who was retiring on Friday after thirty-two years.
从三月起，小舟就在体育馆后面种花。他上课前给花浇水，寒冷的夜里用旧报纸把它们盖住。他没有告诉任何人，因为这些花是要给音乐林老师的一个惊喜。林老师教了三十两年书，星期五就要退休了。
On Thursday evening he checked the buds. They were still tight and green, refusing to open. “One more day,” he whispered. At home he set his alarm for five. He imagined walking into the farewell assembly with an armful of color, and Ms. Lin's surprised face above the piano.
星期四傍晚，他去查看花苞。它们仍然紧紧闭着，绿绿的，不肯开放。“再等一天。”他小声说。回家后，他把闹钟定在五点。他想象自己捧着一怀色彩走进欢送会，想象林老师在钢琴上方露出惊喜的脸。
But Friday morning brought a note on the music room door. Ms. Lin's sister had come early; they were driving to the coast before noon. The assembly had been moved to next week. Xiaozhou stood with his watering can and felt the day collapse. The flowers, of course, chose that moment to begin opening.
可是星期五早上，音乐教室门上多了一张纸条。林老师的妹妹提前来了，她们要在中午前开车去海边。欢送会改到了下星期。小舟提着洒水壶站在那里，觉得这一整天都塌了。而花偏偏就在这个时候开始开了。
He cut the stems quickly, wrapped them in newspaper, and ran. At the school gate the car was already pulling away. He waved, but the windows were closed. A single petal floated down onto the road. He carried the bouquet back inside, feeling foolish and much too late.
他赶紧剪下花茎，用报纸包好，然后跑了起来。到校门口时，汽车已经开动了。他挥着手，可车窗关着。一片花瓣飘落到路上。他把花束抱回楼里，觉得自己很傻，也来得太晚了。
In the empty music room, he laid the flowers on the piano. Then he heard footsteps. Ms. Lin stood in the doorway, holding the baton she had forgotten. She looked at the flowers, then at him. “Those were for you,” he said. “I'm sorry they're late.”
在空荡荡的音乐教室里，他把花放在钢琴上。这时他听见了脚步声。林老师站在门口，手里拿着她忘带的指挥棒。她看看花，又看看他。“这些是送给您的，”他说，“对不起，送晚了。”
She sat down and played a short piece he did not know. When it ended, she divided the bouquet in two and gave him half. “Nothing is late if it arrives,” she said. Xiaozhou walked home with flowers in his bag and a tune he could not stop humming. The petals smelled of rain and soap.
她坐下来，弹了一首他从没听过的小曲。弹完后，她把花分成两束，把其中一束递给他。“只要到了，就不算晚。”她说。小舟背着装花的书包走回家，嘴里哼着一支停不下来的曲子。花瓣上有雨和肥皂的气味。