After depositing his money in the bank, it was already dark outside.
As soon as he stepped out, he saw a traffic cop in the distance and immediately felt a pang of guilt. Li Zhongnan had not taken the driving test yet.
Though the traffic control in county town was not strict and he could occasionally drive without any accidents happening, as long as he wasn't too unlucky. But now he was planning to rent a shop in the county town to set up an electronic repair shop, which would involve lots of running around. If he were caught and detained for fifteen days, it would be quite inconvenient.
After thinking for a moment, he decided to make a call.
Ten minutes later, a fashionable woman appeared, riding an electric scooter.
Li Zhongnan went out to meet her, beaming, "Wow, for a moment I thought a mega-star was visiting our Northrealm. Turns out it's class captain Han! How much more beautiful you've become since we last met, are you trying to make other women give up competing with you?" His words were not entirely false. The miniskirt, black silk stockings, - they were really seductive! Indeed, she had changed a lot. Her figure was even more voluptuous, exuding a womanly charm that caused his heart to stir naughtily. He couldn't help but sigh, a woman could change a lot after getting married.
The woman's name was Han Xue, his middle school classmate. Her father was the headmaster at Northrealm Middle School, and she had followed in her father's path. After graduating from middle school she went on to become a kindergarten teacher, currently working in a kindergarten in the county town. She had been married for more than a year.
The relationship between Li Zhongnan and Han Xue was typical during middle school.
However, after returning from Yanjing, he met up with her a few times and they had quite enjoyable conversations. Being stuck in the countryside for the past few months, with little to do in the evenings, he often chatted with his old classmate on WeChat to pass the time.
As they were both adults, the conversations were quite open-minded. Han Xue's husband was a teacher as well, but he taught in Nangang and was rarely at home. She had vaguely hinted at her unfulfilled sexual desires due to her disharmonious married life. To put it bluntly, they could easily become more than friends, but both of them were too embarrassed to make the first move considering they were old classmates.
As he was going to be staying in the county town for an indefinite time, occasionally needing a vehicle, he decided to put up his car somewhere. After thinking things over, the only classmate living in the county town was Han Xue, since most of his classmates were studying in universities in other cities. He had no choice but to trouble her.
"Stop it!"
After parking her electric scooter, Han Xue replied openly, "Since you're here without a reason, tell me, what do you need help with?"
"How could you say that! Am I that kind of person to you?" Li Zhongnan said playfully, "Aren't you always complaining that your salary is too low to afford a car? Here, take mine for a few days."
Han Xue retorted, "Really, your junk car that you use to collect scrap? Even if you gave it to me, I wouldn't want it."
Li Zhongnan laughed awkwardly, "Ahem, actually, I haven't gotten my driver's license yet. So driving around the county town would not be convenient. I was planning to leave it at your place for a while."
Han Xue readily agreed, "Sure, I have enough space at my place."
"Thanks a lot!"
Li Zhongnan smiled at her and proceeded to load her electric scooter into his van. Then he opened the passenger door and extended a hand, "Please go ahead, class captain."
Han Xue smiled faintly, "I'll drive!"
"Well, since you're the class captain, you have the final say." Li Zhongnan was a bit surprised. After becoming a married woman, she had become much understanding. Knowing that he didn't have a driver's license, she offered to drive instead.
Having parked his van, Li Zhongnan, as a token of his gratitude, treated Han Xue to a meal at a medium-class restaurant.
Over dinner, they inevitably reminisced about the old times, chatting away until midnight. From high school days to university, from life to work, from celebrity gossip to national affairs, cherishing the past and looking forward to the future, their conversation became more and more enjoyable.
As they stepped out of the restaurant,
The gentle night breeze was blowing, and Han Xue's hair was flowing beautifully in the wind. She was clearly enjoying the night and reluctantly said, "Zhongnan, I really enjoy spending time with you. I can't even remember the last time I felt this relaxed and joyous."
Li Zhongnan giggled, "Ah, it's quite late now, you better go home soon!"
Han Xue asked, "Where are you staying?"
Li Zhongnan shrugged, saying, "Where else could I stay? Just gonna rent a room somewhere."
"It's a waste of money to rent a room!"
Han Xue flipped her hair and looked at him with a hint of affection, "Why don't you, come to my house?"
So if he went to her house, what would happen next?
Well, that goes without saying. Feeling the burn of her gaze, smelling the alluring scent of her perfume, and glancing at her voluptuous body, Li Zhongnan felt a surge of desire, almost agreeing with a nod.
But in the end, his rationality won over his foolish thoughts, "I wouldn't dare! Oh Class Monitor, you have no idea how tempting you are. If I were to stay alone in a room with you, I wouldn't be able to stop myself. Then your husband would kill me." With his words, he subtly reminded her, "My pretty, we're former classmates, and you're a married woman. Restrain yourself."
"You brute! Fine, I'm leaving now! See you tomorrow!" Han Xue hailed a cab, bent down, and got in. Watching her pert behind as her skirt lifted slightly, Li Zhongnan suddenly felt that his decision not to go to her house was…
Absolutely correct.
If he had gone, he'd surely surrender his virginity.
The next morning.
Before he could even wake up properly, Han Xue called, "Li Zhongnan, I found you a storefront. It's close to Northrealm Middle School, the location is quite good and does not require a transfer fee. Could you come take a look?"
"Okay!"
Li Zhongnan was rather surprised. He had only mentioned in passing last night that he wanted to find a storefront in the county to open an electronics repair shop. It was unexpected that she remembered it and even arranged it for him so quickly.
After freshening up and leaving the hotel,
Han Xue was already waiting for him on her electric scooter. Noticing that her complexion looked a bit tired, probably due to lack of sleep, he assumed she had another restless night. Spotting him, she waved excitedly, "Come on, hop on. Let me take you for a ride to enjoy the fresh air of our small county."
"Surely it should be me giving you the ride instead!" Li Zhongnan laughed and climbed onto the scooter. Han Xue moved back and took the space behind him, with her arms resting on his shoulders as their bodies slightly touched.
He took her for a round, found a spot for breakfast, and then popped over to the location she mentioned.
The location was truly excellent, located on the main road side, facing Northrealm Middle School, and close to the old bus station. It seemed to have constant foot traffic.
The storefront was about thirty or forty square meters, spacious, airy, and well-ventilated. It used to be a bookstore and its renovation was pretty new. Moreover, there were two rooms, a kitchen, and a bathroom at the back. Great, he could use one room for sleeping and the other as a storeroom.
Li Zhongnan was satisfied, "I'll take it!"
"Aren't you going to ask the price first!"
Han Xue teased him and called over the owner of the store, a scholarly looking middle-aged man. Han Xue introduced, "Uncle Yang, this is my classmate, Li Zhongnan. He's the one who will be taking over your store. Could you give him a quote?"
This person turned out to be an acquaintance of hers, no wonder she was able to find this store so quickly. Li Zhongnan extended his hand, "Hello, Uncle Yang."
"Hello!"
Uncle Yang gave a symbolic smile and said nonchalantly, "Since you're Han Xue's friend, I'll give you a fair price, five thousand a month, with half a year's deposit."
No transfer fee and five thousand a month were quite reasonable. Just when Li Zhongnan was about to agree, Han Xue sent him a silent signal, then coquettishly pleaded with Uncle Yang, "Uncle Yang, can you lower the price a bit? My classmate has just started his business and doesn't have much money. Please help him out!"
Uncle Yang hesitated, "Alright, fifty thousand a year. Can't go any lower."
He had just saved him ten thousand with just one sentence.
Li Zhongnan gratefully looked at Class Monitor Han Xue. His business hadn't yet started and there was still need for renovation and furniture purchases. Money was indeed tight for him at the moment. This woman did indeed care about him.
After signing the contract, he transferred fifty thousand to Uncle Yang.
This little shop now belonged to him, Li Zhongnan. Although it wasn't big, at least it was his own business, and was definitely better than being expelled from school and wandering around Jingcheng City.