Chapter 43: White‑Stocking Sweet Girl

"Be more specific: if you were to pick up a pen and write a historical work, which period of a dynasty would you write about? Let's take the Ming Dynasty as an example."

Wang Chaoyin, pleased, asked eagerly.

"The most worth‑writing periods of the Ming Dynasty are those of the founding emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, the Chengzhu Zhu Di, Emperor Jiajing, Emperor Wanli, and Emperor Chongzhen—each a time of dramatic upheaval for the dynasty."

Xu Yuexin, summarizing his many years of watching historical dramas, replied, "Each era, each emperor has his own characteristics. Take Zhu Di, for example; writing about him requires highlighting his great talent and ambition, his proactive drive."

"When writing about the mid‑to‑late emperors, one must reflect the mutual checks within the Ming cabinet politics, the subtleties of power struggles, and the cooperation and conflict between the civil‑official corps and imperial authority."

Now not only Wang Chaoyin, but also Chen Jiangong and Liu Zhenyun nodded repeatedly.

"Brother Xu is truly erudite,"

Liu Zhenyun said admiringly, "I need to go to the library and read more, striving to catch up with him soon."

"Yuexin, you know so much; have you considered developing into historical themes later?"

Wang Chaoyin asked appreciatively.

Today he finally realized that Xu Yuexin is not only overflowing with talent but also possesses a deep well of knowledge.

"Furthermore,"

Xu Yuexin lifted the corner of his mouth slightly and said, "A hermit always has his own plans."

"Ha, you're teasing."

Wang Chaoyin laughed loudly, and Chen Jiangong and Liu Zhenyun laughed along.

"One order of boiled fish slices, made from fresh, just‑caught big grass carp!"

At that moment, the waitress, who was also the owner's wife, carried a tray and interrupted the conversation.

The fragrant boiled fish slices arrived on the table; the fish flesh was snow‑white, the chilies vivid red, and a layer of red oil floated in the large porcelain bowl, truly whetting the appetite.

In these times, nothing is more popular than such a richly oily dish.

"Eat up, don't be polite."

Wang Chaoyin was the first to raise his chopsticks and said, "Owner, another six bottles of Harbin beer!"

"This time it really makes Lao Wang spend money,"

Chen Jiangong, smiling, picked up a piece of fish, shook off the red oil on top, and said.

These days there's no AA splitting; the person who hosts the gathering is assumed to pay, and among friends the bill is usually taken in turns.

Wang Chaoyin opened a bottle from the beer the owner brought, expression indifferent, "It doesn't exist; I usually have no place to spend money, I just love eating and drinking with friends."

"Heaven‑born talent will surely be useful; even if a thousand gold is spent, it will return."

Xu Yuexin thought for a moment and then evaluated.

"Exactly, I envy Li Bai's carefree vigor."

Wang Chaoyin really liked Xu Yuexin's comment, and while speaking opened a bottle of beer for each person at the table.

Amid the crisp clinking of glasses, scallion‑fried lamb and other dishes were brought out one after another, filling the table with a burst of aroma.

Xu Yuexin, Wang Chaoyin, Chen Jiangong, and Liu Zhenyun ate and drank to their heart's content, until only a few dishes remained on the table.

"Little Liu, pack the leftovers to take home."

Wang Chaoyin drank the very last bottle of beer and said to Liu Zhenyun.

Liu Zhenyun is still a student, his family's means are average; having him take it home as a midnight snack could improve a meal.

"Alright, thanks, Wang Team Leader."

"From now on don't call him Wang Team Leader, just call him Lao Wang."

Before Liu Zhenyun finished speaking, Chen Jiangong elbowed him and said, "Using titles makes it feel distant."

"That's right, this isn't work time."

Xu Yuexin said, calling the waitress to help Liu Zhenyun pack.

Packing, paying, walking out of the restaurant and strolling on the street…

Xu Yuexin and Wang Chaoyin chatted freely, ranging from Dickens to Kafka, then to the newly introduced 'One Hundred Years of Solitude' in the country, and finally discussing the current state of the domestic literary scene. "Ah, time flies."

As night deepened, after round after round of thoughtful, heartfelt dialogue, Wang Chaoyin glanced at his watch, slightly surprised, "I didn't even notice it was this late."

"We talked so enjoyably."

Chen Jiangong said, "Shall we get together again next time?"

"Okay, next time it'll be my turn to host; feel free to bring any familiar friends."

Xu Yuexin responded generously.

…

When Xu Yuexin returned home, it was already very late, but after washing up he didn't go to sleep immediately; instead he began preparing his College Entrance Exam registration materials.

The registration day arrived; as a social examinee, he had to go himself to the registration point to handle the exam procedures.

Household register, high‑school diploma…

After finishing the preparation, Xu Yuexin checked everything once, confirmed it was correct, and then safely turned off the lights.

The next morning, Xu Yuexin lifted his bicycle, placed the bag containing the registration documents into the basket, went downstairs, and pushed the bike to the wall's foot to wait for Chen Qiaoqiao.

The last time he went to the Chen family, he and Chen Qiaoqiao had agreed to register together.

It didn't take long before Chen Qiaoqiao arrived.

On an early summer morning, cool and damp, Chen Qiaoqiao saw Xu Yuexin and, from a distance, greeted him.

"Did you bring all the registration materials?"

Today Chen Qiaoqiao wore a silk, fitted white shirt paired with a black high‑waist midi skirt, a classic modern‑era college‑girl outfit.

What caught Xu Yuexin's eye was that she wore white stockings, making her calves look slender and long; the sheer fabric evoked a hazy imagination.

The scenery hidden beneath the skirt must be even more wonderful…

Xu Yuexin couldn't help but entertain a wicked thought.

Recently he discovered that in this era there are still some girls who wear stockings, and unlike later times they mainly wear white silk, with black silk being completely invisible.

"Everything's packed; the household registration booklet, diploma and such are all in the bag."

Deep down his heart is still evil, but Xu Yuexin appears bright on the surface and responds generously to Chen Qiaoqiao.

After Chen Qiaoqiao comes over she sits on the back seat of the bicycle, and Xu Yuexin rides her to the Street Office to handle the exam registration.

The Xueyuanlu Jiedao Street Office is a bit stronger than most Street Offices of this era, located within a three‑courtyard courtyard; after entering, the yard is spotless, each room bright and tidy, fitting the area's scholarly atmosphere.

Xu Yuexin stops his bicycle inside the courtyard, brings Chen Qiaoqiao to a passing staff member and asks, "Hello, Director, may I ask which room the College Entrance Exam registration point is in this year?"

He has a habit of calling officials in Party or government agencies "Director" when he is unsure of their position.

"The Street Office no longer handles registration for social exam takers this year; you need to go to the District Education Committee."

The staff enthusiastically points the way, "It's just over on Changqing Road."

"First ride to Wanquan River Bridge, then to Sihai Bridge, and just keep going south."

"Mm‑mm, thank you."

After saying that, Xu Yuexin pushes the bicycle and rides away with Chen Qiaoqiao.

In later times, the staff would only need to tell him to follow the Four Ring Road; Wudaokou and the Education Committee are both by the roadside.

But for now, not only is the Four Ring Road unfinished, even the Third Ring Road hasn't been built yet, so the staff can only give him directions like this.

The bicycle rolls out of the courtyard, leaves the alley onto the avenue, and the road ahead widens further.

On the back seat, Chen Qiaoqiao clings to Xu Yuexin's waist, her pretty delicate face pressed against him, her long white‑silk legs hanging from the seat.

Ahead, Xu Yuexin pedals the bicycle, enjoying his attractive girlfriend's embrace behind him, feeling a bit distracted.

"After we finish registration, maybe I should find a chance to spend some alone time with my girlfriend and really enjoy it," Xu Yuexin thought.

(End of chapter)