Chapter 8

Chapter 8

The distance between Port City and Jianye was about 350 kilometers, which meant a five-hour bus journey in 2002. Chen Hansheng wanted to sleep, but Wang Zibo was extremely talkative. After all, it was his first time traveling like this, unlike Chen Hansheng who was basically going through university for the second time.

The moment the bus started moving, Wang Zibo did not stop talking.

“Hansheng, I heard that university girls are much more beautiful than high school girls.

“Once you go to university and see the world, your temperament will naturally improve.”

“Hansheng, isn’t it easier to study in university? It’s less stressful than studying in high school, right? Universities advocate active learning. High school only prepares us for university entrance exams anyway.”

“Hansheng, how long until we reach Jianye?”

Chen Hansheng opened his eyes helplessly. “We’re not even on the f*cking highway yet. Can’t you just shut up and sleep?”

“I want to, but I can’t.”

Wang Zibo looked aggrieved. “If I had known earlier, I would have let my mother follow us. It was you who advised me not to let my parents accompany me.”

Chen Hansheng turned the other way, intending to shut Wang Zibo out. But, of course, Wang Zibo got excited again after a short while. “Hansheng, look outside.”

“What now?”

“I see Xiao Rongyu.”

That got Chen Hansheng’s attention. “Where is she?”

“Oh, so only Xiao Rongyu can wake you up,” said Wang Zibo angrily.

There was a broken-down Volkswagen Santana parked next to the toll booth as the tall Xiao Rongyu and the middle-aged police officer from the bun shop that morning stood next to the car.

“Their car must have broken down,” said Wang Zibo.

Chen Hansheng nodded. Xiao Rongyu would probably have to report on September 2, then.

Xiao Rongyu looked a little uncomfortable being under the sun. But Chen Hansheng could only shrug his shoulders as there was nothing he could do.

Moreover, he did not want to greet Xiao Rongyu. He had almost been caught flirting with Xiao Rongyu that day. The parents of the two families probably knew each other, so it would be quite awkward to meet hers now.

However, he did not expect the bus driver to be a good samaritan as the bus slowly came to a stop at the side of the road. “Mr. Xiao, what happened?”

Xiao Rongyu’s father wiped his sweat, “The car broke down as I was on my way to send my child to university.”

Chen Hansheng cursed the driver in his heart and wanted to hide. And Wang Zibo, who had the window seat, just had to take the initiative to shout, “Good morning, Mr. Xiao.”

‘Ugh, another busybody!’

Chen Hansheng really could not hide anymore. In the end, he leaned over as well and greeted the father and daughter with a smile. “Mr. Xiao, good morning.”

Mr. Xiao didn’t know Wang Zibo, but he remembered Chen Hansheng. “Hansheng, right? I met your father at the district office two days ago.”

Xiao Rongyu glared at Chen Hansheng. Chen Hansheng was hoping for the bus to leave as soon as possible. Alas, the driver decided to keep the conversation going. “Mr. Xiao, why don’t you let your daughter hop on my bus? We’re going to Jianye anyway.”

Mr. Xiao frowned. His main goal was to send his daughter to school. It was her first time going on a long trip, and she had brought a lot of luggage with her.

Then, a shiny Toyota Crown drove over. When the window of the driver’s side rolled down, a fat man with greased hair shouted out. “Mr. Xiao, what’s wrong? Did your car break down?”

When the passenger door opened, another familiar person got out – Gao Jialiang.

The days leading up to the first day of reporting, especially for Jianye as it had the most universities in Sudong Province, meant that many prospective students would be bumping into each other during their travels.

Gao Jialiang walked around to the Santana, then looked at Hansheng and Zibo on the bus. “Look, we’re all classmates heading to Jianye for the same purpose. But the bus is crowded and has bad ventilation.”

Gao Jialang beat around the bush for a while before he finally got to his point.

“Mr. Xiao, Rongyu and I are high school classmates. I was admitted to Jianye’s School of Aeronautics and Astronautics this year so we’ll be heading in the same direction. Why don’t you let her go with me? I can guarantee her safe arrival.”

Xiao Rongyu’s father and Gao Jialiang’s father knew each other too. Port City was a very small place and many adults were civil servants.

But Mr. Xiao was still hesitant. Gao Jialang was a real estate agent and people in that field were usually surrounded by negative rumors. Mr. Xiao did not want to get entangled in that drama.

On the contrary, Chen Zhaojun’s character was very trustworthy. Although his son, Chen Hansheng, looked like a ruffian, at least Mr. Xiao knew he could trust the Chen family.

“Do you want to take the bus or go in Mr. Gao’s car?” Mr. Xiao wanted to hear his daughter’s opinion.

“Rongyu.”

Gao Jialiang pleaded while Chen Hansheng did just the opposite – he turned back around and sat back in his seat. He needed to clear his name after what happened that morning.

“I want to take the bus!”

Chen Hansheng’s behavior worked in his favor. Coupled with Xiao Rongyu’s past impression of his cheerful self, she felt more comfortable traveling with him

Chen Hansheng sighed in his heart and said to Wang Zibo, “There are no other seats available on the bus except for the one in front.”

That was the seat next to the driver and the angle at which it was positioned meant anyone seated there would be sunbathing the entire way.

Wang Zibo was not stupid. “I’m not leaving my seat!”

“Very well.”

Chen Hansheng didn’t beat around the bush any longer. “When Xiao Rongyu gets on the bus, she will have to sit there.”

Wang Zibo was horrified. Xiao Rongyu’s father was still watching the bus. Moreover, was he really going to let his ‘little carp goddess’s’ fair and tender skin bask in the sun?

“Why aren’t you sitting there?” Wang Zibo finally reacted.

“I get motion sickness and being under the sun would make me feel like vomiting,” said Chen Hansheng with a smile.

By then, Xiao Rongyu had already walked onto the bus and neither of the two had any intentions of moving. But Wang Zibo was very soft-hearted. After hesitating for a while, he finally picked up his luggage, stood up, and softly told off Hansheng, “F*cking Chen Hansheng, you only know how to order me around!”

Wang Zibo gave up his seat and ‘helped’ Chen Hansheng and Xiao Rongyu. Chen Hansheng went down to help carry her luggage. But Mr. Xiao was still a little worried. “Hansheng, Rongyu said that your school is right across the street from hers. Please take good care of her during the journey.”

“Mr. Xiao, don’t worry. I will take good care of Rongyu.”

Chen Hansheng deliberately provoked him by calling Xiao Rongyu directly by her name.

Mr. Xiao’s eyelids twitched. He suddenly regretted his decision.

…

The bus finally started again. Only this time, Chen Hansheng’s seat partner had changed from the tanned and strong Wang Zibo to the fair and charming Xiao Rongyu.

Even though he was the one who made Wang Zibo sit in the front, he could not bear to see his good friend sitting under the sun for so long. When the conductor was collecting the bus fare, Chen Hansheng pointed at Wang Zibo in front and said, “Miss, can you give him a sunshade?”

The conductor looked up at Wang Zibo and nodded gruffly. “Got it.”

“Thank you, Miss.” Chen Hansheng thanked the conductor politely. He suddenly smelled a feminine fragrance and turned around to find Xiao Rongyu staring at him. Her long eyelashes flickered like two fans as she blinked her beautifully bright and lively eyes.

“Why did you talk nonsense this morning?” asked Xiao Rongyu immediately.

“What nonsense? I don’t remember saying anything nonsensical.” Chen Hansheng yawned. “I’ve been farming in the countryside for the past few days and I woke up very early today. I’ll be taking a nap now.”

Xiao Rongyu originally thought that Chen Hansheng was just trying to avoid her until she heard him snore.

She was surprised. Xiao Rongyu did not expect a boy to be able to fall asleep next to her.

“What a jerk.”

Xiao Rongyu became annoyed and wanted to pinch Chen Hansheng’s face.