Xiao Rongyu had probably just taken a shower, wearing a light, elegant knee-length nightgown. Her damp hair hung over her shoulders, and although she still looked a bit silly, she didn't notice Chen Han Sheng right away until she walked out of the school gate for a while.
"You called me out so late. I was about to go to bed," Xiao Rongyu pouted in complaint. However, when she noticed the fruit in Chen Han Sheng's hand, she was delighted. "The fruit at the school convenience store isn't very fresh. Where did you buy these grapes and cherries?"
"I bought them at the Yiwu Commodity Center nearby," Chen Han Sheng replied while smoking and flicking away the cigarette butt.
"Xiao Chen," Xiao Rongyu said, feeling touched, "These fruits are quite expensive. Don't buy them again in the future."
Chen Han Sheng thought, *In the future, I won't have the chance. If it weren't for the fact that the semester just started, I wouldn't even be able to get close to Shen Youchu. These fruits wouldn't be for you either.*
"As long as you like them," Chen Han Sheng said, lying through his teeth.
Xiao Rongyu looked at him with mixed feelings. In terms of looks, Xiao Rongyu was far more attractive than the little rain teacher from the afternoon, and with her fresh scent from just showering, she smelled pleasant. But at that moment, Chen Han Sheng's stomach suddenly rumbled.
"Did you not eat dinner?" Xiao Rongyu noticed.
"I was about to, but I spent all my money on the fruit. Do you have any money on you?" Chen Han Sheng lied effortlessly.
Xiao Rongyu responded, "I only have 10 yuan. I was planning to buy a hairpin."
She opened her palm, revealing the 10-yuan note.
"10 yuan, that's enough for just two whole grain cakes with egg and sausage," Chen Han Sheng shook his head and sighed.
…
Between East University and the Finance Institute, after 6 p.m., many street vendors set up stalls, mostly selling food, to cater to the bored university students looking for late-night snacks.
With 10 yuan, Chen Han Sheng bought two whole grain cakes with egg and sausage, and even forced the vendor to give him a cup of juice. He sat down casually on a step and started eating.
Xiao Rongyu stood by, peeling grapes, occasionally reminding Chen Han Sheng to eat slower.
"Xiao Rongyu," suddenly a cheerful voice came from nearby. A male student walked quickly toward them.
"Senior Zeng, hello," Xiao Rongyu greeted politely. Chen Han Sheng glanced up at him. From his attire, it was clear that he was at least a junior because no freshman or sophomore would tuck their white shirt into suit pants like that.
After looking him over, Chen Han Sheng returned his focus to his food and devoured it quickly.
"I just got back from my internship at the institute. I didn't expect to run into you here," the male student said while glancing at Chen Han Sheng, likely assessing the relationship between Xiao Rongyu and him.
"I heard from the professor that you entered the Geology Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, congratulations," Xiao Rongyu smiled and said. Her tone had a sense of distance, and the male student picked up on that. Since she didn't introduce Chen Han Sheng, he directly asked, "Is this your junior?"
Chen Han Sheng had just finished his cake and was about to light a cigarette when he heard the question. He waved his hand and said, "I'm from the school across the street, Xiao Rongyu's high school classmate. Do you want a smoke?"
"Thanks, I don't smoke," the male student replied, visibly relieved when he learned that Chen Han Sheng was from the Finance Institute. He probably thought Xiao Rongyu wouldn't be interested in a smoker, unkempt guy from a second-tier school.
"Well, I'll head back now. Tomorrow, the professor wants us to apply for an important project, and I need to help him draft some documents," the male student said nonchalantly, then casually boasted about his achievements. He didn't even spare a glance at Chen Han Sheng before turning around to leave.
"That's a senior from our department. He got picked by the Chinese Academy of Sciences before even graduating. One time, he came to our class looking for a lab assistant," Xiao Rongyu said, then paused.
Chen Han Sheng looked up and asked, "Then what?"
"He chose me."
"Oh," Chen Han Sheng replied indifferently.
"But I didn't agree," Xiao Rongyu suddenly smiled, a bit proud.
However, when she saw that Chen Han Sheng didn't react at all, she felt a little displeased. "You only know how to smoke. You didn't use to have this habit."
"It's as if you know me so well," Chen Han Sheng scoffed, standing up. "Let's go, let me walk you back to school. You're more nagging than my mom."
The study atmosphere at East University was much better than at the Finance Institute. The self-study rooms were brightly lit, and on the campus paths, students could be heard loudly reciting English. The artificial lake resembled a mirror, reflecting the clouds and the moon, creating a vivid ink painting.
A gentle breeze stirred, and the water was calm. The scene was unusually peaceful.
"It seems that Senior Zeng looks down on me, and it's understandable. The gap between 985 schools and second-tier schools isn't just in the teaching quality; it's also in the students' discipline. Students like Shen Youchu are rare. The couples at the Finance Institute are probably hiding somewhere, exploring each other's bodies," Chen Han Sheng muttered to himself.
"What are you mumbling about?" Xiao Rongyu suddenly turned around and stared at Chen Han Sheng.
Under the clear moonlight, Xiao Rongyu's long eyelashes fluttered slightly. Her eyes reflected the water of the artificial lake, and as she turned, a spark of light seemed to flash. Her oval face had a breathtaking beauty.
Chen Han Sheng was a little dazed. Xiao Rongyu seemed to realize that the atmosphere was too ambiguous. She hurriedly turned her head, leaving behind her slender back.
*Damn,* Chen Han Sheng thought. *Why should I care about chasing Shen Youchu when I have to worry about her thinking too much?*
"Cough," he coughed, breaking the silence and changing the topic. "How's your dorm?"
"It's okay," Xiao Rongyu replied somewhat dejectedly. It seemed that the complexity of university dorm relationships had exceeded her expectations.
"What about you? Any plans or goals recently?" Xiao Rongyu asked.
"Me?" Chen Han Sheng thought for a moment and figured it wouldn't hurt to talk to Xiao Rongyu.
"I want to seriously pursue a girl."
Xiao Rongyu's back stiffened noticeably, and she asked, "Is she very pretty?"
"For all these years, I haven't met anyone more beautiful than her," Chen Han Sheng said.
Considering Shen Youchu's figure, appearance, and temperament, even Xiao Rongyu could only draw a tie at best.
"All these years?" Xiao Rongyu repeated silently. Chen Han Sheng was so young, and this meant that his previous 18 years were the ones without any relationships.
She then asked, "What if the girl just wants to focus on her studies and doesn't accept you?"
That was indeed a problem. Shen Youchu had gotten into East University's graduate school from the Finance Institute, which must have taken a lot of hard work.
"Then I'll wait for her. Anyway, I won't give up," Chen Han Sheng said firmly.
"What if her parents don't agree?" Xiao Rongyu's voice suddenly trembled.
Chen Han Sheng thought about it. Shen Youchu's parents had passed away, so what opposition could there be?
"I don't need her parents' approval. As long as she agrees, that's all that matters."
There was another long silence. Just as they were approaching Xiao Rongyu's dormitory building, she suddenly made up her mind and said, "Han Sheng, thank you for your kindness, but I need to think about it seriously."
After saying that, she didn't look back and walked up the stairs, leaving Chen Han Sheng standing there, staring at her back.
"Damn, why should I care about her thinking it over? I'm after Shen Youchu, not her," he muttered.