Chapter 37

Chapter 37

Xiao Hongwei sat in the driver’s seat and observed the subtle interactions between Chen Hansheng and Gao Jialiang. When he recalled the incident at the steamed bun that day, he could not help but laugh.

Chen Zhaojun was such a kind person, but his son was so naughty.

Xiao Hongwei was a criminal investigator, which meant it was almost second nature for him to observe the actions of others around him. And the ones in his car right now each had their own unique personalities and circumstances.

Wang Zibo chose to sit in the front passenger seat, so he was the most respectful.

Although Gao Jialiang was seated in the last row, his eyes and heart never leave Xiao Rongyu.

Xiao Rongyu would either be on her phone or entertained Gao Jialang’s small talk about school matters. But her knees were always facing Chen Hansheng which reflected where her true interest lay.

Chen Hansheng was probably the most unrestrained. During the journey, he would either tilt his head back on the seat to sleep or read the news in the paper he had bought at the gas station. He would occasionally chat with Mr. Xiao about the police force but rarely participated in the conversations between Gao Jialiang and Xiao Rongyu.

“This rascal seems to think Rongyu is childish.” Xiao Hongwei muttered his deduction under his breath based on Hansheng’s subtle actions.

If topics about school came up, they would usually gravitate towards clubs and committees. Gao Jialiang proudly said, “Before the holidays, I had just passed the preliminary exam to join the marketing committee and have two interviews scheduled for it once school resumes. It shouldn’t be too much of a problem.”

Wang Zibo looked envious. “How lucky. I went interviewed to join the logistics committee and was rejected. I can’t even get into the second interview.”

“You guys actually tried to join the students’ union? I haven’t even thought about whether I want to join.”

Xiao Rongyu felt a little distressed because she had considered joining the students’ union. But the constant attention she was getting from her classmates, seniors, and even male students from other schools were stressful enough. If she joined the students’ union, she’d probably crumble.

“Hansheng, what about you?” asked Xiao Rongyu since he only kept reading the newspaper.

“I’m now the deputy officer of the external relations committee,” said Chen Hansheng casually without looking away from the newspaper.

Gao Jialang laughed out loud. “Hansheng, aren’t you already the class president? If you’re a deputy officer in the students’ union, I’ll eat all the sh*t in the toilets of Port City’s sports stadium!”

Xiao Rongyu and Wang Zibo did not believe him either. No freshman could join the students’ union as a deputy officer. However, Xiao Hongwei took a look through the rearview mirror and found that Chen Hanshen’s subtle body movement proved that he was not lying. So, he asked, “Is it rare to see a first-year deputy officer?”

“It’s basically impossible.”

Gao Jialiang said loudly, “Who would let a freshman be a deputy officer in the first place? Do they really think he’s that incredible? Chen Hansheng, don’t you think so?”

“I don’t want to talk to people who cheat.”

Chen Hansheng retorted before tilting his head back for another snooze.

Gao Jialiang was irritated.

But Mr. Xiao knew that almost impossible meant that there was still a chance.

…

A journey from Jianye to Port City by car took only four hours. Somewhere along the way, Xiao Hongwei suddenly received a phone call. After he hung up, he said, “I have to deal with something at work so I will have to drop you off at the junction ahead.”

“But what about my luggage?”

Xiao Rongyu pointed at the trunk. She had brought back two or three boxes out of the five or six she had brought to her university. No one knew why girls always had so much to pack.

“It’s okay, Mr. Xiao. I can help Rongyu carry them,” said Gao Jialiang immediately as he raised his hand to volunteer.

“I can also help.”

Wang Zibo felt that he couldn’t just sit by and do nothing since he had gotten a ride from them.

Only Chen Hansheng pretended not to hear. After all, it wasn’t like she didn’t have any volunteers.

“Then Chen Hansheng will help me move them.”

Unfortunately for him, Xiao Rongyu didn’t let him have his way.

Chen Hansheng was left with no choice. ‘If I had known about this, I would have come home yesterday. It’s all Wang Zibo’s fault for wanting to save that one-hundred-yuan fare.’

It was around four o’clock in the afternoon which was fortunate for them as the weather in Port City was the most comfortable at this time.

The arrival of fall had swept off the remaining heat from summer, bringing in fresh, crisp, and cool air. The place the kids got dropped off was near a park where a few men in simple clothes played chess. The bicycles on the path stirred up the fallen leaves as they breezed past the group of four.

Xiao Rongyu walked ahead with her hair tied into a ponytail that swayed as she moved. She was almost 1.7 meters tall with a slim figure. A girl with such a back view would definitely not be ugly.

Chen Hansheng was secretly admiring her and did not expect Xiao Rongyu to suddenly turn around. Her pretty oval face looked at Chen Hansheng.

“What?”

Chen Hansheng was shocked.

“Why didn’t you want to help me carry my luggage just now? You would have been the first one to rush up in the past.”

Xiao Rongyu’s eyes looked a little unhappy.

Chen Hansheng didn’t think that it mattered who carried her luggage as long as the job was done. But instead, he said, “I wanted to, but Zibo and Gao Jialiang beat me to it.”

“Really?” asked Xiao Rongyu suspiciously.

“It’s true. I’m just too embarrassed to fight with them,” said Chen Hansheng sincerely.

“Don’t be so timid next time.”

Xiao Rongyu frowned.

Right now, Chen Hansheng only wanted to send Xiao Rongyu off and then go home to lie down. Therefore, if Xiao Rongyu had any strange requests, he would try his best to satisfy them.

They were about to walk past a cotton candy stall and Xiao Rongyu wanted to eat some.

Chen Hansheng shook his head. “I don’t have any change on me.”

He indeed did not have any change, except for an entire hundred yuan note.

However, Xiao Rongyu took out a one yuan note from her pocket and handed it to Chen Hansheng. “I have it. Go buy it.”

Chen Hansheng widened his eyes. ‘Did women have triangular brains? Why does she have to make buying something so complicated? Why can’t she just buy it herself?’

However, in order to get home early, Chen Hansheng still did as he was told. After getting the cotton candy, Xiao Rongyu’s mood became better.

“Do you want to eat one?” asked Xiao Rongyu.

“No.”

Chen Hansheng shook his head. He was not very interested in these sweets. However, the more he refused, the more Xiao Rongyu insisted that Chen Hansheng eat one.

“Okay, okay, okay. I’ll eat it.”

Chen Hansheng sighed helplessly and silently swore, ‘If I ever go home with Xiao Rongyu again, I’ll be a dog.’

Xiao Rongyu raised the cotton candy to Chen Hansheng’s mouth. Chen Hansheng reluctantly opened his mouth but was suddenly horrified. It turned out that his dad, Chen Zhaojun, and a group of people were walking over from the opposite side.

Chen Zhaojun was also very surprised. He did not expect to meet Chen Hansheng here. What was even more unexpected was that a girl was feeding his son cotton candy.

However, neither father nor son took the initiative to greet each other. They just ignored each other.

After Chen Hansheng had sent Xiao Rongyu home safely, he refused her mother’s invitation to have dinner with them and returned to his own house.

Liang Meijuan had just gotten off work and complained that Chen Hansheng did not know to give her notice in advance about his plans as she took out the food in the refrigerator to defrost. Even Chen Zhaojun was implicated after work.

“Chen Zhaojun, your son is so capable now. He doesn’t even know how to make a phone call when he’s on vacation. I bet he’ll secretly bring a daughter-in-law back for you. You’ll see!”

Liang Meijuan chattered non-stop, but Chen Zhaojun and Chen Hansheng looked at each other at the same time.

The moment their eyes met, the bored father and son turned their heads away in unison