After depositing money at the bank, it had already gotten dark.
As he stepped out, he saw a traffic officer from a distance, and Li Zhongnan immediately felt uneasy.
He hadn't even obtained his driver's license yet.
Though it was rare for vehicles to be checked in County Town, occasionally driving without too much bad luck usually meant no accidents. However, now he was planning to rent a storefront in County Town to start an electronics repair shop, which would involve a lot of commuting. Being detained for fifteen days wouldn't be fun at all.
After thinking it over, he decided to make a call.
About ten minutes later, a stylish woman rode over on an electric scooter.
Li Zhongnan went up to meet her, grinning, "Wow, at first glance, I thought some big celebrity had come to Northrealm, but it turns out to be Class Monitor Han! Haven't seen you in a while, and you've become even more beautiful. How do you expect other women to live?" He wasn't just making things up—those short skirts and black stockings were really enticing! Indeed, she had changed a lot, her figure had become much fuller, radiating a mature charm that tickled his heart. He couldn't help but lament that marriage indeed made a difference.
The woman was Han Xue, his middle school classmate. Her father was the principal of Northrealm Middle School, and following in her father's footsteps, she became a preschool teacher after graduating from middle school. She currently worked in a kindergarten in County Town and had been married for over a year.
Back in middle school, their relationship had been nothing special.
However, since returning from Yanjing, they had met a few times and got along quite well. Especially since he had been staying in the countryside for the past six months with little entertainment at night, he often flirted with this old classmate on WeChat to pass the time.
Both being adults, their chats were quite open. Han Xue's husband was also a teacher but worked in Nangang, making it rare for them to meet even a few times a week. She hinted to him subtly that her marital life was not harmonious, and she felt unsatisfied. Let's just say, arranging a casual meetup was just a sentence away, but given their long-standing acquaintance, it was awkward for either to make the first move.
Staying in County Town, he might need a car at any moment, so he thought about storing it temporarily. After much deliberation, since most of his classmates from County Town were studying in other places, only Han Xue was at home, so he had no choice but to trouble her.
"Don't start with me!"
Han Xue parked her electric scooter and said nonchalantly, "No good deed comes without a reason, so tell me, college student, what do you need my help with?"
"What are you talking about! Dear class monitor, do you really see me like that?" Li Zhongnan said laughingly, "Aren't you the one who's always complaining about your low salary and not being able to afford a car? Here, borrow mine for a few days."
Han Xue scoffed, "Oh please, I wouldn't even want the junk-collector car that you drive."
Li Zhongnan gave an embarrassed smile, "Ahem, the thing is, I still haven't gotten my driver's license. It's inconvenient to drive around in County Town, so I was thinking of storing it at your place for a while."
Han Xue readily agreed, "Sure, we have plenty of room at home."
"Thanks a lot!"
Li Zhongnan smiled at her, then opened the rear door of the car and hoisted the electric scooter inside. He then opened the front passenger door and extended a hand, "After you, dear class monitor."
Han Xue cracked a slight smile, "I'll drive!"
"Fine, since you're the class monitor, you make the rules." Li Zhongnan was slightly stunned, appreciating that she had become considerate after becoming a married woman, knowing he didn't have a license and offering to drive.
After storing the van,
as a return favor, Li Zhongnan treated her to a meal at a mid-range restaurant.
At the dinner table, they inevitably reminisced about old times, chatting nonstop until midnight. From middle school to college, from life to work, from celebrity gossip to politics and public affairs, they reminisced about the past and looked forward to the future, enjoying the conversation more and more.
Leaving the restaurant,
the night breeze was gentle, and Han Xue relished it, reluctantly saying, "Zhongnan, being with you is genuinely delightful. I can't remember the last time I felt this relaxed and joyful."
Li Zhongnan chuckled, "Well, it's quite late, you better head home now!"
Han Xue asked, "Where are you staying?"
Li Zhongnan shrugged and replied, "Where else can I stay but just book a room somewhere?"
"Renting a room is such a waste of money!"
Han Xue brushed her hair aside, giving him a tender, meaningful look, "Or, you could come to my place?"
Go to her place, and then what?
That goes without saying—everyone knew what it meant. Feeling the heat in her gaze, smelling the fragrance emanating from her, and glancing at her ripe, voluptuous body, Li Zhongnan was nearly overpowered by impulse and almost agreed.
In the end, reason triumphed over desire, "I really can't! Squad leader, you have no idea how tempting you are. If I were alone with you in a room, I wouldn't be able to stop myself. Your husband would kill me." He reminded her with his words—beauty, we are old classmates, and you're married. We must restrain ourselves, we must control.
"Nonsense! Fine, I'm leaving! See you tomorrow!" Han Xue hailed a taxi, bent down, and climbed in. Li Zhongnan watched her rounded, perky backside briefly revealed by her skirt lifting slightly and suddenly felt very justified in refusing to go to her place...
It was definitely the right decision.
Had he gone, his virginity would surely have been lost.
The next morning.
Before he fully woke up, Han Xue called him, "Li Zhongnan, I've found a storefront for you near Northrealm Middle School. The location is decent, and there's no transfer fee. Why don't you come take a look?"
"Okay!"
Li Zhongnan was somewhat surprised. Last night, he had only vaguely mentioned wanting to find a storefront in County Town to open an electronics repair shop. He hadn't expected her to remember and act so quickly.
After getting ready, he left the hotel.
Han Xue was already waiting for him on her electric bike. Seeing the beautiful young wife looking somewhat tired—he guessed she didn't sleep much last night, probably another night of sleepless solitude. From a distance, she waved excitedly, "Come on, get on. I'll take you for a ride, let you breathe the fresh air of the small county town."
"How about I take you instead?" Li Zhongnan smiled, climbing on. Han Xue moved to make space, sitting behind him, her hands resting on his shoulders, their bodies slightly touching.
They rode around with the beautiful young classmate, and then found a place for breakfast.
Then they arrived at the place she mentioned.
The location was indeed good, on the side of the main road, facing Northrealm Middle School across the street, and close to the old bus station—the foot traffic was bound to be significant.
The storefront was about thirty to forty square meters, spacious and well-lit with good ventilation; it was formerly a bookstore, and the decoration was relatively new. Moreover, there was a two-bedroom apartment in the back with a kitchen and bathroom. Perfect—one room for sleeping, another as a storeroom.
Li Zhongnan was satisfied, "This is the one!"
"Aren't you going to ask the price?"
Han Xue said speechlessly and then called the shop owner, a middle-aged man with a scholarly aura. Han Xue introduced him, "Uncle Yang, this is my classmate, Li Zhongnan. He's the one taking over this shop. Please give him a price."
Turns out she knew the owner, no wonder it was so quick. Li Zhongnan extended a hand, "Uncle Yang, nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you!"
Uncle Yang gave a perfunctory smile, "Since you're Xue's classmate, I'll give you a fair price—five thousand a month, pay six months upfront, six months' deposit."
No transfer fee, five thousand a month—the price was indeed reasonable. Just as Li Zhongnan was about to agree, Han Xue gave him a look, then coyly said to Uncle Yang, "Uncle Yang, could you make it a little cheaper? My classmate is just starting out, he doesn't have much money, consider it helping him out!"
Uncle Yang hesitated, "Alright, fifty thousand for one year, I can't go any lower than that."
Just like that, she saved him ten thousand.
Li Zhongnan gratefully glanced at Han Xue. The business hadn't even started—he still needed to renovate and buy furniture—money was definitely tight, and she truly had a heart.
They signed the contract and transferred fifty thousand to Uncle Yang.
This storefront now belonged to Li Zhongnan. While not large, it was at least his own business, much better than when he'd been expelled from school, wandering homeless in Jingcheng City.