The distance between Gangcheng and Jianye was roughly 350 kilometers, and in 2002, a bus ride took about five hours. Chen Hansheng wanted to catch some sleep, but Wang Zibo, heading to college for the first time, was too excited to rest.
As soon as the bus started moving, Wang Zibo's mouth didn't stop.
"Hey Chen, I heard that college girls are way prettier than high school girls."
"Once you get to college and gain exposure, your overall vibe just gets better."
"Hey Chen, is college coursework easy? It should be less stressful than high school, right?"
"College promotes self-directed learning, while high school is all about the college entrance exam. The learning style is different."
"Hey Chen, how much longer until we get to Jianye?"
Chen Hansheng reluctantly opened his eyes, "We haven't even hit the highway yet. Can't you just shut up and sleep for a bit?"
"I wish I could, but I can't fall asleep."
Wang Zibo looked pitiful. "I should have let my mom come with me. You were the one who told me not to have parents tag along."
Chen Hansheng turned away, not wanting to respond. But before long, Wang Zibo's excitement reignited, "Hey Chen, look outside."
"What now?"
"I see Xiao Rongyu."
Chen Hansheng blinked, "Where?"
"See? Now you're interested when I mention her," Wang Zibo said indignantly.
A broken-down Santana was parked by the toll station, and standing next to it was the tall figure of Xiao Rongyu, accompanied by the middle-aged policeman they had seen at the breakfast stall earlier.
"Looks like their car broke down," Wang Zibo noted.
"Yeah."
Chen Hansheng nodded. Xiao Rongyu probably wouldn't make it to campus until September 2nd.
Xiao Rongyu stood helpless under the sun, but all Chen Hansheng could do was shrug, indicating there was nothing he could do.
Besides, he wasn't keen on saying hello. After almost getting caught teasing her last time, he figured their parents probably knew each other, which would make the encounter awkward.
Despite all his calculations, he didn't expect the bus driver to be such a simp. The driver voluntarily pulled over and asked with a broad grin, "Captain Xiao, what's the problem?"
Xiao Rongyu's dad wiped his brow and replied, "The car broke down. I was just taking my daughter to university."
Chen Hansheng silently cursed the driver and tried to shrink out of view, but sitting by the window, Wang Zibo shouted, "Good morning, Uncle Xiao!"
"Damn, another simp."
Chen Hansheng couldn't hide, so he mustered a smile and added, "Good morning, Uncle Xiao, Xiao Xiao."
Xiao Rongyu's father didn't recognize Wang Zibo but remembered Chen Hansheng, replying, "Ah, you're Chen, right? I ran into your dad at the county office a few days ago."
Xiao Rongyu shot a glare at Chen Hansheng. All he wanted now was for the bus to move on, but the driver invited them, "Captain Xiao, why not let your daughter ride with us? We're headed to Jianye anyway."
Captain Xiao frowned. He wanted to see his daughter safely off since it was her first trip far from home, and she had a lot of luggage.
Just then, a shiny black Toyota Crown rolled up, and a slick-haired man called out, "Xiao-ge, car trouble?"
Out stepped a familiar face from the passenger seat—Gao Jianliang.
With so many new college students heading to Jianye, it wasn't unusual to run into someone on the road.
Gao Jianliang put on a show, circling the broken-down Santana and glancing at the bus where Chen Hansheng and Wang Zibo sat. He then said with a hint of reproach, "You two, really? We're all classmates going to Jianye. You could have taken my car."
"Buses are crowded and stuffy. Next time, let me know in advance."
After that little performance, he revealed his true intent.
"Uncle Xiao, Xiao Rongyu and I were classmates in high school. I'm going to Jianye Aerospace University this year. Why not let her come with us? I'll make sure she gets there safely."
Captain Xiao knew Gao Jianliang's dad, a real estate developer, but being a policeman, he hesitated. Businessmen often came with unsavory rumors, and he wasn't eager to mix with them.
On the other hand, he trusted Chen Hansheng's father, who had a solid reputation. Even though Chen Hansheng himself seemed a bit roguish, at least his background was reliable.
"Would you prefer the bus or Mr. Gao's car?" Captain Xiao asked his daughter.
"Rongyu…"
Gao Jianliang's voice held a pleading tone, while Chen Hansheng did the opposite, looking away to distance himself.
"I'll take the bus!"
Xiao Rongyu's tone was defiant as she remembered Chen Hansheng's previous friendly demeanor compared to now.
"Great…"
Chen Hansheng sighed internally and told Wang Zibo, "There's no extra seat left; you'll need to sit up front."
That spot next to the driver was a bit sunny.
Wang Zibo, no fool, protested, "I'm not going!"
"Good for you."
Chen Hansheng agreed and continued, "When Xiao Rongyu comes on, she can sit there."
Wang Zibo paused, realizing Captain Xiao was watching, and wondered if they really had to make their "little fish goddess" endure the sun.
"Why don't you take the front?" Wang Zibo finally asked.
"I get sick in direct sunlight," Chen Hansheng said with a grin.
Xiao Rongyu boarded, and Chen Hansheng didn't budge. Wang Zibo, his thin skin winning over, muttered a curse and reluctantly stood, moving to the front with their luggage.
"You jerk, you always boss me around!"
He "yielded" his seat, making way for Chen Hansheng and Xiao Rongyu. As Chen Hansheng helped with her luggage, Captain Xiao reminded him, "Chen, your school is right across from hers, so take good care of her."
"Don't worry, Uncle. I'll take good care of her," Chen Hansheng teased.
Captain Xiao's eye twitched, slightly regretting his choice.
…
The bus finally restarted. Now, instead of the sturdy, dark-skinned Wang Zibo, Chen Hansheng sat next to the elegant Xiao Rongyu.
Feeling a little guilty, he looked up when the ticket collector, a middle-aged woman, came by. "Ma'am, could you get a sunshade for that guy in the front?"
The woman looked up dully and nodded, "Got it."
"Thanks, ma'am."
Chen Hansheng thanked her politely and then noticed Xiao Rongyu staring at him, her long lashes fluttering like fans, eyes bright and full of spirit.
"Why did you say those things that morning?" she demanded.
"I don't remember," Chen Hansheng yawned. "I've been working in the fields these past days and got up early today. I'm going to sleep."
Xiao Rongyu thought he was making excuses but soon heard soft snoring.
She stared, surprised he could sleep next to her.
"What a jerk."
Xiao Rongyu felt her gums itch, wanting badly to pinch his sleeping, obnoxious face.
…