Chapter 506: Stroll by the Lake

After the college entrance exam was reinstated, as the number of new students on campus increased, the overall appearance became younger.

Before, the workers, peasants and soldiers trainees were mostly in their forties or fifties, but now, wherever you look, youthfulness and vigor abound.

In contrast, Lu Cheng, dressed in a military officer's coat and riding a bicycle along the campus tree‑lined path, instantly drew many classmates' eyes.

Clothes make the man and a saddle makes the horse; this officer's coat was simply eye‑catching.

On top of that, Lu Cheng is tall and handsome with a square‑shaped face that fits current tastes, so many young girls couldn't help but glance furtively, then discuss a few words with their friends, blushing and laughing as they ran off.

Some senior students who recognized Lu Cheng waved and greeted this former Student Committee President.

Lu Cheng nodded in response while riding his bicycle.

He couldn't help but sigh inwardly, thinking the university campus is still the best.

Whenever he comes here, no matter how restless he feels, seeing so many youthful girls quickly calms him.

He rode all the way to the Girls' Dormitory area, balancing on one foot, and happened to meet a few girls returning from the Cafeteria after lunch.

These girls are Yang Yin's classmates, whom Lu Cheng has met before.

One of them, a short‑haired girl named Wang Manli, has a rather outgoing personality and teased him upon seeing Lu Cheng.

"Yo, isn't this our President Lu? Long time no see, your illustrious presence—do you have any orders?"

Although Lu Cheng is still a youngster, having lived two lifetimes as a human, he is not someone who easily turns red when girls tease him.

"Classmate Manli, you're right; I do have a new directive: I'm going to conduct a surprise hygiene inspection of your Girls' Dormitory. Since we're old classmates, I'll give you a chance…"

"Hurry up and go upstairs, put away all those mismatched, sun‑dried socks and underwear. If you don't, I'll confiscate them later."

Wang Manli and the other girls covered their mouths and burst into laughter.

"President Lu, why are you speaking so lecherously? We know you like to joke around; if it were anyone else, the few of us would deal with you on the spot."

Lu Cheng smoothed his sleeve and said, "Come on, you all go up together."

"We're no match for you, everyone knows you're great at fighting. Let's go, don't just stand here, come up to our dorm and have a seat."

Lu Cheng hesitated briefly, "Fine, I'm just here to wander around, you go up."

Wang Manli didn't believe Lu Cheng was just wandering.

"So we're going up?"

"Go ahead."

"Really going up?"

"Hmm? You go up and, while you're at it, call Yang Yin down."

Wang Manli laughed, "See? I told you you had something going on. Wait, I'll go call her for you."

Lu Cheng nodded, watching the girls giggle as they went upstairs.

In less than three minutes, Yang Yin bounded down to the ground floor.

She had both hands behind her back, eyes curved like crescents.

"You looking for me?"

Lu Cheng, still seated on his bike with one foot on the ground, said, "Well, I was passing by, suddenly recalled campus life, and thought I'd drop by to see you."

Yang Yin pretended to be surprised, "Wow, the sun finally rose in the west. If I recall correctly, this is your first time taking the initiative to come find me."

Lu Cheng wiped his face, "Probably not…"

"Of course… wait!" Yang Yin leaned in, sniffed, "Did you drink? You reek of alcohol."

Lu Cheng twitched his fingers, "Just a little bit."

Yang Yin seemed to have an epiphany, "No wonder you came to find me; you were drinking, your brain got fuzzy. If you were sober, you'd definitely not have thought of me."

Lu Cheng inhaled, "Is that all? If you don't want to see me, I'll leave right now."

As Lu Cheng said that and was about to pedal away, Yang Yin hurriedly grabbed the rear seat.

"Did I let you go? You're not allowed to leave. I finally got you back, and I have a lot more to tell you."

Lu Cheng gestured toward the seat, "Then hop on, I'll take you for a walk around campus. Honestly, being back at school feels just like being home."

Yang Yin sat sideways on the back, waiting for the bicycle to start rolling, her calves gently swinging.

"Then you can come often; the school has changed a lot, extracurricular life is now very rich. Of course, that's thanks to you, the former President's contributions."

Lu Cheng recalled the time Yang Yin canvassed votes for him, when a dispute led to him accidentally bumping his head.

Since then, their connection has been inseparable.

Just like today, he suddenly felt like reaching out to Yang Yin.

Seeing Lu Cheng silent, Yang Yin actually had a lot to say.

"Are you working tomorrow?"

"Yes, and I'll also be on vehicle duty; a round trip takes many days. Before I leave, I wanted to see you."

Lu Cheng didn't notice Yang Yin's faint smile on the rear seat.

"So from now on you'll have a regular job, no longer delivering supplies, right?"

"Yes, it's over; I'll return to a normal life thereafter."

Yang Yin nodded slightly, "That's good then; I won't have to worry about you… I mean, as a friend I worry about you, just like your family would."

Lu Cheng stayed silent. When they arrived at the Back Lake side and stopped the bike, Yang Yin's upper body leaned forward from inertia.

Lu Cheng felt Yang Yin's heartbeat quickening.

"Let's get off and walk."

"Okay."

They strolled shoulder‑to‑shoulder around the lake; dusk was approaching, and the sunset reflected on the water.

By the lake, many other men and women sat on rocks, chatting about studies and literature.

As they walked, Yang Yin suddenly picked up a pebble, tossed it into the lake, and ripples spread outward.

Lu Cheng stood still, and Yang Yin also stood beside him, watching the ripples on the lake slowly disappear.

"Lu San'er, what are your plans for the future?"

Lu Cheng slipped both hands into his coat pockets and said, "Work diligently, serving the country and the people until the very end."

Yang Yin nodded heavily, "Hmm, very enlightened! But I'm asking about your marriage."

Marriage? The moment those two words were mentioned, Lin Qingyan's figure involuntarily surfaced in Lu Cheng's mind, yet thinking of another woman in front of a woman seemed rather inappropriate.

He then forced that graceful silhouette out of his thoughts.

"Let nature take its course."

Hearing Lu Cheng utter only those four simple words, Yang Yin was not satisfied with the answer.

"What you say is rather open‑minded; 'let nature take its course' implies needing fate to meet the ideal partner. So if there's no fate, does that mean one shouldn't marry?"

Lu Cheng shrugged, "Marrying late or remaining single isn't what I desire; I just think the best marriage is a lifelong companionship, not merely a partnership."

Yang Yin suddenly turned around on the spot, hands clasped behind her back, "Now I understand your thinking. Your 'let nature take its course' means not settling. If you look for someone, you look for a person you truly like; even if you can't marry, just thinking of that person still brings a feeling of happiness."

Lu Cheng glanced, "Hmm, not bad, quite insightful…"

Yang Yin suddenly asked another question, "Then, if at some moment you suddenly think of me, would you feel happy?"

Yang Yin suddenly asked another question: "If, at some instant, you suddenly think of me, would you feel happy?"