In the evening, Liang Meijuan treated the group of college students to dinner at the Yiwu Commodity Center. Afterward, Wang Zhibo and Gao Jialiang from the Xianning campus took a bus back first.
Chen Hansheng and Xiao Rongyu stayed the longest, chatting in the hotel room until past 9 p.m., during which they also finalized plans for the next day's itinerary.
Although Chen Hansheng wanted to take it easy, he knew he had to accompany his parents since he had no classes, while Xiao Rongyu tagged along purely for fun and food.
"Old Chen, did you notice something?"
When the room was left with just the two of them, Liang Meijuan said mysteriously.
"What is it?"
"Isn't Little Fish dating our brat?"
Chen Zhaojun had seen them eating candied hawthorn on the street before, but being more reserved, he wouldn't comment unless Chen Hansheng confirmed his relationship with Xiao Rongyu himself.
"How would I know? Don't overthink it. Maybe they're just classmates."
Chen Zhaojun advised earnestly.
Liang Meijuan rolled her eyes at her husband. "I'm not blind. Little Fish even asked Hansheng to help serve her food at dinner. Would classmates be that close?"
"Besides," Liang Meijuan added, recalling something, "not long ago, Xiao Hongwei and Lü Yuqing invited us for dinner. They were vague about the purpose. I was puzzled then, but now things are starting to make sense."
Chen Zhaojun didn't want to join in the gossip. He turned over and said, "Turn off the light, it's time to sleep. We need to get up early tomorrow."
"You turn it off yourself." Liang Meijuan complained, "I've barely finished taking care of the young one going to college, and now the older one wants me to cater to him too."
…
The next day, Chen Hansheng got up early to print some promotional flyers for part-time work and then went to meet his parents for breakfast.
In the dorm, everyone else was still sound asleep, except for Jin Yangming, who was lying on his bed with dark circles under his eyes, typing on his phone.
"Old Six, didn't you sleep at all last night?" Chen Hansheng asked curiously.
Jin Yangming nodded, looking excited. "Chen bro, I found out I'm actually quite charming. Shang Yanyan rejecting me means she turned down a hidden gem."
"What do you mean?"
"Last night, a girl named A-Liang suddenly messaged me, saying that ever since she saw me in the cafeteria, she's wanted to be friends. We chatted all night and discovered we have quite a few shared interests."
Chen Hansheng nonchalantly got dressed. "Well, take your chance then. I have some things to do outside."
At the Yiwu Business Center, after explaining his requirements to the printing shop owner, Chen Hansheng hurried to the hotel where Liang Meijuan was staying.
Xiao Rongyu had already arrived ahead of time. She was a bit upset because Chen Hansheng hadn't waited for her at the school gate in the morning.
However, when she saw him wearing a black down jacket that matched her light pink one, she smiled sweetly and forgot her small grudge.
The day's plan was tight: sightseeing at the Confucius Temple and Qinhuai River in the morning, a lunch of local snacks there, then visiting Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum in the afternoon, and heading back to Jiangling in the evening.
Plans, however, often change. Who would have thought that Liang Meijuan and Xiao Rongyu would be drawn to the dazzling jewelry stores along the Confucius Temple street?
In the end, the four of them split into two groups. Chen Zhaojun held Liang Meijuan's wool coat, while Chen Hansheng carried Xiao Rongyu's down jacket. The two women walked ahead, arm in arm.
Xiao Rongyu's white, fitted thermal shirt under her down jacket, paired with brown ankle boots, along with her classic, delicate oval face and 1.67-meter frame, attracted the attention of foreigners along the Qinhuai River.
A few thugs hanging around the Confucius Temple area seemed inclined to approach but hesitated after noticing Chen Zhaojun and Chen Hansheng behind them.
Chen Zhaojun looked like an ordinary middle-aged office worker, but Chen Hansheng had a different vibe. With one hand on his hip, his jacket casually open, he wore an impatient expression as he surveyed the bustling crowd, a hint of rebelliousness glimmering in his eyes.
When Chen Hansheng noticed the thugs, he even smirked nonchalantly. The thugs chickened out and decided against approaching.
Middle-aged women and youthful beauties make a formidable team; they shopped until 3 p.m., only stopping when a starving Chen Hansheng finally dragged them to eat.
Given the time, it was clear they wouldn't make it to the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum. So, they decided to spend the entire day at the Confucius Temple.
When Chen Hansheng solemnly announced this change of plans, Liang Meijuan and Xiao Rongyu clapped with joy.
The Confucius Temple was even livelier at night, with rows of red lanterns hanging from the walls of the Qinhuai Renjia. Antique-style boats carried tourists up and down the river, with music and tea aromas enhancing the atmosphere.
Liang Meijuan was still buzzing with excitement when they returned to the hotel.
"Old Chen, let's go for a walk," she suggested.
Chen Zhaojun checked the time. "It's already 9:30."
Liang Meijuan tugged at him. "Let's visit the school once more. Who knows when we'll be back?"
Chen Zhaojun agreed, thinking she had a point. They changed clothes and went out.
Autumn leaves covered the financial college campus, crunching under their feet as they walked. Unknowingly, they arrived at Room 101 of Building F, surprised to see the lights still on.
"Hansheng has had a long day, and he's still busy with the base," Liang Meijuan said, feeling both touched and a little regretful. They shouldn't have kept him out so late.
They stepped into Room 101 but didn't see Chen Hansheng. Instead, they spotted a slender figure under a table.
She was kneeling, carefully scrubbing away rust. From the graceful curve of her back, it was clear she was a girl.
"Hello…"
Liang Meijuan called out, intending only to greet her, but the girl jumped in surprise and bumped her head on the metal board.
"Be careful, come out slowly," Chen Zhaojun said with concern.
The girl emerged slowly, and Liang Meijuan looked her over closely.
She was even taller than Xiao Rongyu, wearing an old high school uniform with frayed pant legs. Her knees and sleeves were coated with thick dust, evidence she had been cleaning while they were enjoying themselves at the Confucius Temple.
Her dark hair was tied in a work-friendly bun, with sweat glistening at her temples. Under the flickering light, her figure looked fragile yet stubbornly determined.
However, the girl kept her head down, eyes on her toes, so Liang Meijuan couldn't see her face.
"What's your name?"
Liang Meijuan reached out to take the girl's hand, but she hesitated for a moment.
"It's, it's dusty," the girl said softly.
Liang Meijuan took her hand anyway. "Dust doesn't matter. You're helping Hansheng clean, aren't you?"
With that, Liang Meijuan squatted down to meet the girl's eyes, and when they made eye contact, she gasped.
"Chen Zhaojun, what a stunning young lady."
…