The lively atmosphere of the gathering was dampened by Zhang Weilei's antics, leaving everyone feeling a bit deflated. Gao Jialiang suggested heading to a hotpot restaurant to continue chatting, and the idea was met with unanimous approval. However, Chen Hansheng noticed something odd about how Xiao Rongyu was looking at him.
Once seated at the hotpot restaurant, Chen Hansheng leaned closer and asked softly, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Xiao Rongyu replied calmly.
Chen Hansheng smirked. *Your mouth says 'nothing,' but your face clearly says, 'I have a problem—quick, coax me!'*
Gao Jialiang, oblivious to the tension, decided to stir the pot. "Hansheng, congratulations! Next year, you'll have a new junior following you around."
Chen Hansheng misunderstood. "Next year we'll all have juniors; we'll be sophomores by then."
"It's not the same," Gao Jialiang teased, then exaggerated the story of Luo Xuan. He claimed that she was so determined to attend the finance college because of Chen Hansheng that even her family's tearful pleas couldn't sway her—a love story that supposedly moved everyone.
The others found it amusing and joined in the banter. Only Xiao Rongyu, sipping her barley tea in silence, seemed unimpressed. Cup after cup, she drank as if exacting revenge on the hotpot restaurant's tea supply.
It wasn't until the teasing continued for a while that Chen Hansheng's expression darkened. "Luo Xuan is attending our college because of me?"
"Clang!"
Xiao Rongyu slammed her cup onto the table. Her proud demeanor flared up. "What's the matter? Can't wait to meet her already?"
Chen Hansheng glanced at her and sighed inwardly. *You may be prettier than her, but Luo Xuan and I do have some history. Back then, I didn't realize she was pursuing me so ardently because she planned to follow me to this college.*
"I don't even know her," Chen Hansheng said, slipping his fingers to gently hold Xiao Rongyu's. With a grin, he added, "If I ever date someone, my standard starts at Xiao Rongyu's level. Luo Xuan doesn't measure up, so why would I be interested?"
"Bah!"
"Gross!"
"Shameless!"
Chen Hansheng's comment triggered an avalanche of teasing from the group. Gao Jialiang laughed, "Xiao Rongyu is practically a campus goddess in the aviation program. With your standards, Hansheng, you're doomed to stay single. Right, Zibo?"
Wang Zibo, who had met Shen Youchu before, silently thought, *Not necessarily.*
Even Xiao Rongyu, who had initially been sulking, assumed that Chen Hansheng was merely assuring her there was nothing between him and Luo Xuan. She gradually let go of her annoyance. Just then, the hotpot broth arrived, and the conversation shifted to food.
After the meal, Xiao Rongyu went off to shop with the girls, while Chen Hansheng excused himself, saying he needed to talk with Wang Zibo, and the two headed home together.
---
"What's up?" Wang Zibo asked curiously.
"Can you get in touch with Luo Xuan?" Chen Hansheng replied. "It wouldn't be right for me to handle this. Help me pass on a message: I have a girlfriend, and she shouldn't come to our college."
Wang Zibo chuckled. "I thought you'd be thrilled to have another admirer."
Chen Hansheng shot him a glare. "You know my situation. Stop joking."
Wang Zibo did his best and, a few days later, delivered the news. "Luo Xuan said she doesn't care if you have a girlfriend. She's set on attending the finance college."
"Goddamn, she's still the same stubborn girl," Chen Hansheng muttered. "Whatever, I'm done dealing with it."
Distracted by his upcoming driving test, Chen Hansheng didn't give the matter further thought.
---
Thanks to Xiao Hongwei's connections, the driving school opened a VIP lane for Chen Hansheng, assigning a personal coach for his training. Initially, the coach thought it would be a losing deal, but Chen Hansheng proved otherwise—he paid the full fees and even handed the coach a pack of Red Pagoda Mountain cigarettes.
The coach tried to decline. "No need, I don't smoke."
Chen Hansheng chuckled. "Don't be polite. I'll only be here for two days."
It wasn't until Chen Hansheng hit the accelerator that the coach realized this wasn't just a casual remark—he really only needed two days of training. On the third day, Chen Hansheng applied for the test, which was fast-tracked for him.
In 2002, driving tests were less sophisticated, with no electronic monitoring. Chen Hansheng breezed through the test and secured his license.
That evening, he brought the license home. Liang Meijuan stared at it, lost in thought.
"What's up?" Chen Zhaojun asked as he walked over.
Liang Meijuan shook her head. "What would I need a driver's license for at my age? Besides, biking is the most convenient way to get around Port City."
"I just find it odd that our son, a college student, suddenly wanted to get his license—and didn't even ask us for money," Liang Meijuan said, a hint of worry in her voice.
Chen Zhaojun reassured her, "It's good for young people to learn more skills. If he asks for money, we give it. If he doesn't, we pretend we don't notice."
Liang Meijuan sighed. "I just feel like he's drifting further away from us."
Sensing her melancholic mood, Chen Zhaojun pretended to take a nap to avoid further discussion.
---
The rhythm of the winter holiday continued. Idleness felt restless, while the busyness of visiting relatives made Chen Hansheng long for the return to school. Finally, New Year's Eve arrived.
Chen Hansheng helped prepare paste for the spring couplets. As usual, Liang Meijuan bought him a new outfit, symbolizing renewal and prosperity. That evening, the family gathered around the TV to watch the Spring Festival Gala. Liang Meijuan sat kneading dumpling dough while Chen Hansheng sent greetings to friends, even reaching out to Liu Zhizhou and Kong Jing.
Unexpectedly, Kong Jing replied, "Thank you. Wishing you and your family good health and happiness."
Chen Hansheng mused. *She's not young anymore. I wonder if she's married.*
Shortly after, Xiao Rongyu called—not for Chen Hansheng but to exchange New Year's greetings with his parents. Liang Meijuan chatted with her for a while before hanging up and sighing, "Still no news about little Shen."
Chen Hansheng thought, *There's no signal where she is. Even a phone turns into a brick.*
Chen Zhaojun knocked on the table lightly. "Meijuan, don't be greedy. Xiao Rongyu is already wonderful. If you overreach, you might end up with nothing."
Liang Meijuan replied wistfully, "Xiao Rongyu is lovely, but I can't help missing that poor little Shen Youchu."
Chen Hansheng wisely stayed silent—anything he said would be wrong.
At around 10 p.m., a message from Shang Yanyan popped up:
"Happy New Year, darling."
"Don't call me that during the holidays," Chen Hansheng replied.
Moments later, another message came through:
"Happy New Year, Daddy."
Chen Hansheng couldn't help but chuckle. *Such cheeky antics...* He imagined those alluring red lips saying "Daddy" and felt a bit flushed, despite the winter chill.
At midnight, Chen Zhaojun handed the task of lighting firecrackers to Chen Hansheng. Standing under the night sky, surrounded by the crackling of firecrackers, he looked up to see snowflakes dancing down.
Xiao Rongyu called immediately.
"Chen, it's snowing!"
"Snow brings a bountiful year," he replied.
---