Shang Yanyan crouched down and sat in the front passenger seat, smiling at Chen Hanxing as she closed the door. She was quite happy, as she hadn't expected to run into him while waiting for the bus. Now, she didn't have to squeeze into a crowded bus, and it gave them a chance to chat in the confined space.
Chen Hanxing felt a slight unease. He was glad he hadn't agreed to let Xiao Yu'er sit alone in the front seat, or there'd be another argument about hair being left behind.
After smoking outside, he returned to the car, which was filled with the scent of perfume. This was Shang Yanyan's signature—heavy makeup, a more mature mindset than most college students, and a seductive, feminine voice.
"After 25, she'll be another socialite," Chen Hanxing thought as he glanced at her. In terms of looks, Shang Yanyan was even more beautiful than Zhang Mingrong.
Chen Hanxing remained silent, lost in thought. Shang Yanyan, expecting him to speak, soon realized it wasn't happening. She broke the silence, saying, "I'm thinking about applying for a position at the campus radio station soon. College life is short; I should leave something to remember it by."
"That's a good idea," Chen Hanxing nodded, noting that Shang Yanyan's Mandarin was clear, and her voice had a slightly husky quality. He could already imagine how many male students would dream of her voice late at night.
"I know a few of the student union officers at the radio station. I'll put in a good word for you," Chen Hanxing added. The radio station was under the university's youth league committee, and now that he had connections, he could help.
Shang Yanyan chuckled, "Thank you. You're quite the successful person on campus—connections, assets, a phone, and a car."
"And a pretty little sister," Chen Hanxing teased with a grin.
Shang Yanyan leaned closer and whispered, "I meant you."
Chen Hanxing moved slightly to the side, feeling her breath on his face as she spoke.
"The connections are useless outside of school. The house isn't mine, the car's borrowed, and the phone's technically issued by my superiors. The only thing I really own is my pretty little sister," Chen Hanxing replied with a smile.
Shang Yanyan sighed softly, noticing his attempt to avoid being too forward. "I thought, after a year, you might at least give me a second glance."
"When I lose my mind one day, I'll date you," Chen Hanxing jokingly replied.
It was easy being around Shang Yanyan—he didn't have to be overly careful in their conversations. As expected, Shang Yanyan wasn't offended. Instead, she said seriously, "I'll take a guess—you won't want to live anymore if you accidentally have a child with a woman you don't like."
Chen Hanxing was taken aback by her perspective. "If that ever happens, I'll come find you," he said casually.
"Why?" he asked, curious.
"I'll help you take care of the child," she said, gazing out the window at the night.
Shang Yanyan's outlook was quite progressive—many girls would share a similar viewpoint in the next decade or so, but hers was shaped by personal experiences.
"I'll find you if it happens," Chen Hanxing replied, not taking her seriously.
"Better be a girl. I like girls," Shang Yanyan said, with a look of expectation.
After returning to the campus, Shang Yanyan thanked him and got out of the car. Chen Hanxing went back to the dorm, not giving much thought to their conversation.
---
After March, the nation was under a state of alert. News reports were full of rumors and warnings.
Fortunately, the eastern Guangdong region and the capital city were the worst hit by the respiratory disease, and many universities had already locked down. However, in the central Jiangling area, there were no suspected cases, making it a relatively safe place.
Nevertheless, preventive measures were still in place. At the Financial University, various banners were hung promoting handwashing and ventilation. If a student showed any symptoms like headaches or fever, they were immediately sent for checks.
The news suggested that white vinegar was effective for disinfection, so Hu Linyu, the class monitor, recommended purchasing some with the class funds and distributing it to all the dorms.
Although Chen Hanxing knew it was unlikely to cause any problems, he went along with it since everyone else was doing the same. As a result, the whole school reeked of vinegar evaporating from pots on stoves.
"Spring of 2003, no flowers, no birds, just vinegar everywhere," Chen Hanxing thought, sitting in the 101 entrepreneurial base. He stared helplessly at the small electric stove in the center of the room. A porcelain bowl filled with white vinegar bubbled away, filling the air with its pungent aroma.
Part-time college students came and went, all wearing face masks, leaving only their eyes exposed. Chen Hanxing noticed that sometimes, people with only their eyes visible actually looked quite attractive.
But the truly beautiful ones would always remain beautiful, like Shen Youchu.
"Here, drink some Banlangen," Shen Youchu handed him a cup of the herb.
Chen Hanxing looked up. Shen Youchu only had her eyes exposed, her gaze innocent and clear, with a slight upward tilt at the corners of her eyes that added a subtle charm.
If Shen Youchu, at 19, held her head high, many girls at the university would be left looking down.
"The taste is too awful. I don't want to drink it," Chen Hanxing waved his hand, returning to his financial reports. While his courier business was affected, his electronic equipment business was earning more than the school's courier service.
Shen Youchu stood next to him for a moment with the bowl, seeing that he didn't respond. She quietly sat back at her computer.
After a while, when the Banlangen had cooled, she reheated it and brought it back to him, softly saying, "Drink some Banlangen."
Chen Hanxing, exasperated, said, "If I don't drink it, will you ask me again later?"
Shen Youchu remained silent, but her attitude was clear.
"Okay, okay, you win. I'll drink it."
Chen Hanxing took the bowl and finished it. Fortunately, Banlangen had no side effects.
Shen Youchu watched him finish and then carefully cleaned the bowl, placing it back in her little cloth bag.
This little routine had been playing out every day recently. Shen Youchu must have known he didn't want to drink the herb, so she brought the powder and bowl, reminding him to take it daily.
"Shen Youchu has her own principles when it comes to major issues," Chen Hanxing thought to himself. "She was always obedient about small things, so I never minded. Maybe she's just used to following me."
He couldn't help but blush at the thought.
Looking at Shen Youchu, still the same gentle, shy girl who spoke softly and would even blush or stutter, Chen Hanxing couldn't help but feel a soft warmth in his heart.