Amid Chen Chu's packed schedule—school, practice, and managing his avatar's daily sustenance—a few days flew by.
October 21st, a sunny Sunday.
At 8:30 AM, Chen Chu opted for casual attire: a white T-shirt, gray trousers, and white flat shoes.
After breakfast, Chen Hu, engrossed in his phone, inquired, "Heading out, big bro?"
Chen Chu nodded, "Indeed, meeting a friend to see lotuses."
Chen Hu perked up, "Is it Sister Luo Fei?"
Chen Chu sighed, "Why the assumption?" Chen Hu chuckled, "I don't mind, just confirm if I'm joining."
"She's here."
"Perfect, bro. Go enjoy; I'm off to a classmate's house later," Chen Hu urged, leaving Chen Chu amused.
"You're young, but you think ahead."
Chen Chu waited at the station before boarding the bus to their rendezvous.
Mingyue Lake, situated in the city's eastern outskirts, appeared as a lake, yet comprised various-sized lakes in reality. People flocked here each year to witness the lotus bloom.
Upon reaching the scenic spot's entrance, Chen Chu found himself last. Lin Xue, Xia Youhui, Luo Fei, Lu Haitao, and Li Wenwen awaited him. Alongside them, Chen recognized Lin Yu from the ranking competition and three others—two individuals, one of each gender.
Chen Chu apologized, "Apologies, bus delays."
Lin Xue reassured, "No issue, we've just arrived. We agreed to meet at ten; you're barely late."
Lin Xue sported a white short-sleeved T-shirt, skinny jeans, a slim waist, and straight legs. Her long purple hair was secured by a hairpin, radiating an elegant aura.
Others were similarly casual, like Chen Chu, clad in T-shirts, casual pants, and sneakers. The girls, however, outshone the boys in dressing.
For example, Luo Fei donned a double-layered dress. A transparent white silk layer overlaid a snug red T-shirt, accentuating her slender waist. She wore straight capri pants, revealing dainty ankles and silver high-heeled sandals. Hair neatly tied with a white butterfly ribbon, her bangs framing her cream-like complexion. A silver crystal necklace adorned her neck, with matching silver butterfly earrings.
Today, Luo Fei's exquisite attire left Chen Chu pleasantly surprised. Shyly, she averted her gaze under his direct look, pretending to adjust her hair behind her ear.
Another girl resembling Lin Xue, with blue hair and a friendly demeanor, introduced herself as Lin Yu from Class Nine. Unlike her sister, Lin Yu had a gentle voice and wore a blue and white dress, her long hair cascading softly on her shoulders.
Chen Chu, greeted warmly, replied, "I've admired your name, Classmate Lin. It's an honor to meet you."
"Why Jiu Yang?" Lin Yu inquired with curiosity.
Ahem! Just as Chen Chu prepared to answer, having heard her name before, Xia Youhui coughed and interjected, "Because of the class leader."
"We've heard about the monitor's talented and beautiful sister; both made the top 50 freshmen."
Pleased by Chen Chu's compliment, Lin Yu introduced her companions—Jiang Jiameng, a pretty girl, and Qi Lei, a young man.
Afterward, class leader Lin Xue distributed nine tickets and led the way into the scenic spot.
"Wow! So many lotus flowers," exclaimed Li Wenwen as they entered, greeted by a sea of lotus leaves and blossoms—white, red, and pink—all swaying gracefully.
Amid this vast expanse, wooden bridges crisscrossed, crowded with flower enthusiasts.
The enchanting scenery filled everyone with joy and vitality.
"Let's start with the pink flower sea over there."
"I brought my camera."
"I have one too; we'll capture beautiful shots."
Compared to the more composed boys, even Luo Fei became excited in this setting and trotted alongside Lin Xue and the others.
A group of laughing and playful girls, including a pair of statuesque and beautiful twins, stood out amidst the crowd. With the addition of the equally stunning and delicate Luo Fei, this gathering of high-quality girls had indeed become a captivating part of the scenery.
Xia Youhui drew closer to Chen Chu and remarked, "Ah Chu, can you feel your heart racing?"
"What's there to get excited about?" Chen Chu pretended not to hear.
"Don't act like you're not Ah Chu. Aren't you moved by the class monitor and her sister? They're twins, and both of them are so beautiful." Xia Youhui laughed mischievously, displaying a hint of lecherousness.
Chen Chu was at a loss for words. "Old Xia, don't be so lecherous. Is it wrong to appreciate beauty without having ulterior motives? Can't you admire them from afar?"
"Besides, we're only sixteen years old, and our cultivation has just begun. Shouldn't we be focusing on our training?"
Xia Youhui appeared dissatisfied. "Ah Chu, you're wrong. What's wrong with being sixteen? Isn't sixteen an age when one can have feelings? Can't we, as sixteen-year-old men, appreciate beauty?"
Chen Chu expressed curiosity. "Alright, we can consider it an age when we can appreciate beauty. So, do you want to pursue the class monitor and the others?"
Xia Youhui simply shook his head. "I don't want to."
"Why?" Chen Chu was somewhat surprised.
"Because I'm self-aware, and the class monitor and the others are too stunning to be my type."
"Then why did you inquire about whether my heart is moved?" Chen Chu was baffled.
Xia Youhui explained casually. "Because I believe you can do it, Ah Chu. If I were as handsome as you, I'd pursue the class monitor's sister."
"In all honesty, after I met you on the first day of school, I thought you and the class monitor were a couple." Xia Youhui encouraged, "Really, I think you have a great chance of success if you pursue the class monitor."
Chen Chu was speechless. "Why do you think that?"
"Because you're incredibly handsome, to the point that even someone like me feels a bit envious."
Faced with this rationale, Chen Chu was momentarily at a loss for words. Was he really that handsome? He pondered this question. Although he felt good about his appearance when he looked in the mirror daily, he hadn't thought he was that remarkable.
"Wait, if you were as handsome as me, why didn't you pursue the class monitor?" Chen Chu retorted and shifted the topic.
Xia Youhui regarded Chen Chu strangely. "Isn't that self-evident? The class monitor has such a fiery temperament. If I were in your shoes, I'd definitely choose Lin Yu, who has a gentle personality."
"Why bring me into this again?" Chen Chu was exasperated.
"Because you're handsome."
...Chen Chu was momentarily rendered speechless by this rationale.