Chapter 16: Damn it!

"Thirteen, want a lighter?"

In the dilapidated little shop, the boss was fanning himself, his eyes never leaving the television for a single second.

It was playing "X-Change."

Watching the children of the wealthy in the city being sent to the countryside, throwing tantrums and smashing things, the boss couldn't help but lament that the world was going to the dogs.

It was about time those rich people experienced a life of poverty.

The slender girl shook her head, took a few crumpled banknotes from her pocket, counted them carefully, placed them on the table, and then picked up the pack of "Grey Liqun" cigarettes and turned around.

She happened to run into a boy in a school uniform who had stopped in his tracks.

Zhai Da said in surprise, "You smoke?"

Lu Wei subconsciously hid the cigarette pack behind her back, her long, slender fingers tightening: "I don't."

"Playing with cigarette cards?"

Lu Wei chose silence.

She didn't understand.

Zhai Da looked left and right: "Isn't your home in Niu Ma Village? Why are you here so late?"

"It's Sun Ma Village... I had something to do today, I need to go to Mao Fang First Village."

Mao Fang First Village was what the locals called "Big Mao." The location was right across diagonally from Zhai Da's home in Three Mao. It was also the oldest of the several Maos, and more than half of it consisted of single-story houses.

Zhai Da guessed she was going to deliver something for the textile factory again. He still had things to chat with her about; he hadn't added her on QQ last time, so meeting on the street was perfect.

"Let's go, it's the same way."

Lu Wei hesitated for a moment, then stepped out in her canvas shoes.

Her footsteps were a bit off-beat as she leaped, speeding up to keep pace with Zhai Da. Her back view looked inexplicably cheerful.

In the shop, the TV program switched to the perspective of the rural children. The boss shook his head and said, "This production team is really heartless. What will they do when they go back? They see a glimmer of hope, but in the end, it's all fake..."

Zhai Da chatted idly:

"Since you're here, does that mean my mom is off work too?"

"Teacher Yu left later than me, but she should be off work by now..."

"The apprentice leaves earlier than the master; you don't seem to want to improve~"

"Improve?"

"Learning a craft from my mom, shouldn't you show some appreciation?"

Lu Wei was thoughtful... she nodded slightly.

"Teacher Yu is very good... but I have nothing to give to the teacher..."

Zhai Da suddenly remembered the display board at the school gate and Lu Wei's status as a senior student. He deliberated and decided not to ask.

No matter what the story behind this was, it wouldn't be a good one. It wasn't rational to casually uncover someone else's scars.

From an adult's perspective, when you inadvertently learn someone's secret... it's best if that matter remains a secret itself.

Instead of seeking the person out and pestering them with questions.

Just like when he was working before winning the lottery, he inadvertently discovered that the project manager was having an affair with his boss, so he kept that secret guarded.

It wasn't until he was fired as a scapegoat that he silently notified both of their wives.

Big Mao residential area wasn't far from the small supermarket where they met. They arrived after walking only a few steps, mainly because Zhai Da's home was nearby.

This residential area was even more dilapidated than his own Three Mao. Looking inside from the side gate, there wasn't even a single street lamp; it was the kind of darkness where you couldn't see your own hand.

Facing this pitch-black alley that seemed to have no end, Lu Wei showed no fear or hesitation. She turned around and said to Zhai Da, "I'll be going now."

Zhai Da raised an eyebrow: "You're not afraid of the dark?"

Lu Wei nodded without hesitation.

According to the logic of a normal girl, shouldn't she pitifully ask him to accompany her for a bit?

Forget it... he wasn't trying to pick her up, why act like a pure, innocent little sun?

When you have enough blind date experience, you realize that investing emotions is the most expensive cost.

Not money.

Just as he was about to leave, an eerie voice suddenly emerged from behind.

"Xiao Da, aren't you going to see her off?"

Zhai Da was so scared he almost jumped. He turned his head to look, and it was actually Ms. Yu, who had appeared out of nowhere.

"F-f-f-f, Mom, when did you appear!"

Yu Xiaoli said with a very serious expression, "Two intersections ago."

What kind of sick hobby was this, silently stalking her own son and her colleague walking down the street?

"Xiao Da, boys should have manners. It's too dark inside. You should see Xiao Lu in; it's not safe for a girl to be alone."

Zhai Da thought to himself, it's dark as hell, is it safe for a boy?

Lu Wei quickly greeted her: "Hello, Teacher Yu."

Yu Xiaoli smiled, then changed her expression in a second, emphasizing her request to Zhai Da with a tone of disdain: "Hurry up."

The look in her eyes meant: Is this how I taught you?

Zhai Da thought, you taught me not to date early...

Oh well, since Mom has issued an imperial decree, he might as well go.

Lu Wei stood there at a loss, but Zhai Da had already grabbed her sleeve and walked inside.

Watching their backs, Yu Xiaoli felt a little worried, but there was still more amusement.

It was a case of different times, different priorities. Before, studies came first, and she guarded against Zhai Da dating early with all her might.

But now, there were no studies...

She had liked Lu Wei, this girl, more and more over the past few days at the factory. Not to mention pushing Zhai Da forward, creating some opportunities was fine.

———

Meanwhile, a few hundred meters away, at an unmanned bus stop.

Lin Shuyao stopped in front of the station. The light reflected a soft shadow on her moist, beautiful hair.

The No. 28 bus only came every 20 minutes; it was the same wait every night.

But tonight was destined to be different.

Some things were better said clearly.

Lin Shuyao gently brushed the hair behind her ear, revealing her crystal-clear, pink earlobe:

"Student Zhai, shouldn't you have turned left at the last intersection on your way home?"

There was no response from behind.

That was to be expected. Having followed the girl he liked for the whole way, suddenly being called out, it was only natural to be nervous.

For some reason, Lin Shuyao herself was a little nervous too.

She let out a cute breath and, following her predetermined goal, said the words she had been thinking about the whole way:

"Student Zhai... actually, I don't dislike you. I think you are... very special. That day, I was just startled when I saw the love letter..."

"A girl can't just... accept someone's affection too casually..."

"I didn't mean to reject you in public, and I never uploaded this matter to QQ Space or Renren. I'm not that kind of girl..."

The evening breeze blew past, taking away the heat on the girl's cheeks. Even for her, saying these words felt a bit scorching.

Scenes from several idol dramas even flashed through her mind...

"Student Zhai, actually I... think highly of you. As long as you work a little harder, if we get into the same university, I'll be your girlfriend, okay?"

Lin Shuyao unleashed her ultimate move. She believed this would definitely make Zhai Da like her again.

And then she could do whatever she wanted!

Zhai Da behind her must be incredibly excited by now, right?

Lin Shuyao turned around with her hands behind her back, in what she considered the most elegant posture. Shyness and affectation blended together; perhaps it was self-moving, but it actually carried a bit of sincerity.

And then she saw.

Wu Yue:...

Lin Shuyao:...

Silence was the eternal theme of the bus stop, and today it was exceptionally suffocating.

Wu Yue widened his eyes and ran for his life!

Holy crap! Damn it! It wasn't Zhai Da who liked Lin Shuyao! It was Lin Shuyao who liked Zhai Da!!

He had discovered a massive secret!!

Lin Shuyao didn't call out weakly until Wu Yue had run dozens of meters away: "Don't run! Listen to my explanation!"

Wu Yue ran even faster.

The girl's blushing face surpassed everything...

————

Zhai Da and Lu Wei walked into the pitch-black alley. He couldn't help but take out his phone, wanting to turn on the flash as a flashlight.

Only after taking it out did he realize that his knock-off phone didn't have that function...

Street lamps were like that; you could pass by them a thousand times without noticing their existence or their location.

But if they disappeared once, you would panic like crazy.

A small county town in 2008 was not exactly a peaceful place...

A curse suddenly came from a nearby window, making him shudder.

In the darkness, Lu Wei suddenly said, "Are you afraid of the dark?"

Zhai Da denied it in a second: "Not afraid."

"Then why are you holding my hand?"

"Purely because I'm lecherous, I just like touching hands."

As he spoke, his fingers rubbed against hers.

He felt rough traces, which seemed to be Band-Aids.

Lu Wei was silent for a moment, then said softly, "Student Zhai is quite... humorous."

But her hand was not pulled away. ===== CHAPTER 17 =====