Chapter 6

Chapter 6

It was five o’clock in the morning and the sky in Port City was already bright. Chen Hansheng stared at the ceiling with eyes wide open. He had thought that there was a chance of returning to 2019 once he woke up, but when he turned his head and saw the collection of ‘Dragon Ball’ comic books by his bedside, he gave up on that hope.

“It seems that I really have to stay here.”

Chen Hansheng sighed as he went into the bathroom to brush his teeth and wash his face. Liang Meijuan was woken by the noise as she got up and took a look. “Oh my, Young Master Chen woke up so early today.”

“I’m hungry, Mom,” said Chen Hansheng as he patted his stomach.

“I think hunger woke me up.”

Liang Meijuan would never spoil her son. “If you’re hungry, go buy yourself breakfast. Don’t worry about us. Your father and I will have ours at the food court. I need to go back to sleep now.”

After saying that, Liang Meijuan went back to the bedroom. She was even worried that Chen Hansheng would wake her up again, so she locked the door with a click.

Chen Hansheng was speechless. Liang Meijuan said that she did not support Chen Zhaojun’s way of raising children, but it seemed that she was also doing the same behind his back.

Two years ago, when Chen Hansheng was still in his first year of high school, Liang Meijuan was very proud to brag about him to her family. Even if she and Chen Zhaojun were to have a car accident, Chen Hansheng, who was fifteen years old at the time, would definitely not have to starve to death in this world.

His parents’ proclamation made his grandmother so angry that she swore loudly, saying that if the couple could not raise their child properly, they should just send him back to the countryside.

Since his mother could not be bothered about him, Chen Hansheng eventually went downstairs alone to look for food. There was hardly anyone on the streets now, only a few scattered breakfast vendors were setting up stalls. The air was filled with a gauze-like mist which left the skin feeling comfortably cool.

“The fried dough sticks smell good. Omelet’s good, too.”

“The steamed buns are fresh from the kitchen.”

…

When an egg tart seller saw Chen Hansheng from a distance and heard the latter’s stomach growl a little, the former shouted out to him. “Young Man, come try a piece.”

“Sounds good.”

Chen Hansheng walked over quickly. He was even going to ask the owner to add an egg. Then he remembered that it was 2002. How could he pay the bill with just a cell phone?

Liang Meijuan also forgot to give him change. In the end, Chen Hansheng gave up on the egg tart. He would have asked to put it on his tab if the owner didn’t mind it.

It was really funny when he thought about it. Chen Hansheng, who was worth tens of millions, had no money for breakfast now that he’s been taken back in time. However, he remained optimistic. He had already decided that he was going to appreciate the sights of the city from seventeen years ago, thus he walked throughout the city.

He unknowingly walked for a few kilometers, and finally stopped at Shuangqiao Park.

There were already a lot of old men and ladies who had arrived to get some early morning exercise. Chen Hansheng had planned to sit for a while and then go home, but he suddenly saw a familiar figure.

It was Xiao Rongyu.

She was running in sports shorts and a tight top that completely outlined the curves of her upper body. The sight of her excited Chen Hansheng.

“Xiao Rongyu.” Chen Hansheng sat on the stone bench and waved to greet her.

Xiao Rongyu was very surprised to see Chen Hansheng. It was around 6:30 am. Chen Hansheng should be sleeping at this time. Why was he here?

Unless…

Xiao Rongyu suddenly understood what was happening. She wiped the crystal-clear sweat off her nose. After catching her breath for a moment, she finally said, “I know how you feel, but I really don’t want to fall in love before and during university.”

“What?”

Chen Hansheng looked at Xiao Rongyu in surprise, thinking that there was something wrong with this person’s head. Was she seriously thinking of dating this early in the morning?

Xiao Rongyu was confused by Chen Hansheng’s reaction. “Aren’t you waiting here early in the morning just to meet me?”

Chen Hansheng was dumbfounded for a moment.

“Also, you had pretended not to know me yesterday. Aren’t you just playing hard to get?” Xiao Rongyu pouted.

“Look, I really don’t want to keep thinking and talking about relationships. I just want to focus on my studies and graduate in peace,” said Xiao Rongyu seriously.

Chen Hansheng did not answer. He gulped with difficulty.

“Someone’s quiet. Did I hit the nail on the head?”

Xiao Rongyu’s eyes shone confidently like a flowing clear spring.

Chen Hansheng looked at her in a daze. In the end, he nodded and admitted, “You’re really too smart.

“How about this? I’ll treat you to breakfast. Let’s talk while we eat.” Chen Hansheng, who didn’t have a single cent on him, boldly made the suggestion.

As expected, Xiao Rongyu shook his head. “Actually, I should treat you. You’ve always taken care of me when I was studying.”

“Okay, it’s decided then.”

Chen Hansheng nodded very readily. He even took the initiative to make another suggestion, “There’s a very good steamed bun shop at the entrance of the Public Security Bureau. Plus, it comes in a set with soybean milk and fried beancurd. Doesn’t that sound very appetizing. Let’s go try it out,” said Chen Hansheng excitedly.

Xiao Rongyu was not used to this change of pace. Her small face looked confused. Why did she feel that Chen Hansheng seemed to be more interested in breakfast? But she could only nod her head blankly.

The business of this steamed bun shop was indeed good. The thirty-five-year-old Chen Hansheng had often come here to eat. Since the place was near the Public Security Bureau, which was where one of Xiao Rongyu’s parents worked, several uniformed officers came over to greet her. “Are you here for breakfast, Rongyu?”

They had also noticed Chen Hansheng who was eating his steamed buns with his head lowered.

Xiao Rongyu’s appetite was very small so she did not eat much. Instead, she spent most of the time looking at Chen Hansheng. She wanted to say something but did not know how to say it.

“I guess it’s cause we’re still young.”

Chen Hansheng pretended not to hear and gobbled down another three servings of meat buns. Only then did he look at his stomach and say, “You know, you won’t get another chance to overeat like this in the future. What if you get fat when you’re a middle-aged woman?”

Xiao Rongyu started to find him a little interesting. She asked, “Are you full?”

“Yes, I’m full. Thank you for the treat. I’ll be going home now.”

Chen Hansheng put a toothpick in his mouth and walked out of the bun shop unsteadily.

The owner had been waiting for him to pay the bill, but Chen Hansheng didn’t have any money. He turned around and saw Xiao Rongyu tying up her hair at the back.

She seemed far away enough to be out of earshot, so Chen Hansheng joked, “My girlfriend will be paying.”

At this time, a middle-aged second lieutenant police officer walked in and overheard him.

‘He looks familiar. He’s probably a friend of my parents.’ Chen Hansheng thought as he looked at the officer, but he couldn’t think of a name, so he could only nod in greeting.

However, while waiting outside the door, Chen Hansheng saw the officer wiping Xiao Rongyu’s sweat intimately. The owner of the steamed bun shop pointed at Hansheng and said something to the officer.

“I’ve been exposed.”

Chen Hansheng immediately realized what might have happened. He tossed the toothpick aside and shouted, “Rongyu, I have something to do at home. I’ll go back first.”

Without waiting for Xiao Rongyu’s response, Chen Hansheng walked home.