Chapter 16: Damn it!

"Thirteen, want a lighter?"

In the dilapidated convenience store, the shopkeeper shook his fan, his eyes never leaving the television for a second.

It was playing "X-Change."

Watching the children of the wealthy from the city being sent to the countryside, throwing tantrums and smashing things, the shopkeeper couldn't help but sigh at the decline of social morals.

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

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

She ran straight into the school-uniformed boy who had stopped in his tracks.

Zhai Da said in surprise: "You smoke?"

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

"Playing cigarette cards?"

Lu Wei chose silence.

She didn't understand.

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

"It's Sunma 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 "Da Mao." It was located diagonally across from Zhai Da's "San Mao," and it was the oldest of the "Maos," with more than half of it consisting of single-story houses.

Zhai Da guessed she was delivering 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 steps were a bit off-beat as she hurried to keep up with Zhai Da. Her back view looked inexplicably cheerful.

Inside the convenience store, the TV program switched to the perspective of the rural children. The shopkeeper shook his head: "This production team is cruel enough. 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 leaving earlier than the master, you don't seem to want to improve~"

"Improve?"

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

Lu Wei was thoughtful... she nodded slightly.

"Teacher Yu is very good... but I don't have anything I can give to the teacher..."

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

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

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

Instead of seeking them out and pestering them with questions.

Just like when he was working before he won the lottery, he accidentally discovered that the project manager was having an affair with his boss, and he kept that secret the whole time.

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

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

This residential area was even more dilapidated than his own San Mao. Looking in from the side gate, there wasn't even a single street lamp; it was the kind of pitch-black where you couldn't see your own fingers.

Facing this dark alley that seemed to have no end, Lu Wei didn't show any fear or hesitation. She turned to Zhai Da and said: "I'll be going now."

Zhai Da raised an eyebrow: "You aren't 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 sunshine boy?

Once 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, a sinister voice suddenly emerged from behind.

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

Zhai Da was so startled he almost jumped. He turned around and saw it was Ms. Yu, who had appeared out of nowhere.

"F—f—damn, Mom, when did you appear!"

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

What kind of twisted hobby was this, silently stalking her own son and her colleague as they walked the streets?

"Xiao Da, boys should have some manners. It's too dark inside. You walk 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 face in a second, emphasizing her demand to Zhai Da in a tone of utter disdain: "Hurry up."

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

Zhai Da thought to himself, 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, somewhat 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 more amusement.

Times change. Before, academics were the priority, and she guarded against Zhai Da dating early with all her might.

But now, there were no academics...

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

———

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

Lin Shuyao stopped at the platform, the light reflecting a soft shadow on her moist, beautiful hair.

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

But tonight, it was destined to be different.

Some things were better said clearly.

Lin Shuyao gently brushed the hair behind her ear, revealing a 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, nervousness was only natural.

For some reason, Lin Shuyao herself felt a bit 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 posted about it on 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 quite 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-delusion, but there was actually 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 particularly suffocating.

Wu Yue's eyes widened, and he turned and ran!

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!!

It wasn't until Wu Yue had run dozens of meters away that Lin Shuyao weakly shouted: "Don't run! Listen to me explain!"

Wu Yue ran even faster.

The girl's blushing face surpassed everything...

————

Zhai Da and Lu Wei walked into the dark alley, and 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 his knock-off phone didn't have that function...

Street lamps are like that; you pass by them a thousand times and never notice their existence or their location.

But if they disappear once, you'll panic like crazy.

A small county town in 2008 wasn't 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 a rough patch, it seemed to be a bandage.

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

But she didn't pull her hand away. ===== CHAPTER 17 =====