Chapter 67: Four in a Row

September 1st, the opening day of Fu No. 1 Middle School.

Shao Heqi woke up from bed, washed up, slung his backpack on, and left for school.

He didn't go downstairs directly, but walked over and knocked on the door across the hall.

The person who opened the door was a student about his age, wearing Fu No. 1 Middle School's uniform, with the number "2013" on the back, indicating he was a senior in Gao Er.

"Let's go," Shao Youpeng smiled. "There's an entrance exam this year—better make a good impression."

"Mm," Shao Heqi nodded firmly, his eyes filled with determination.

The two brothers went downstairs and had breakfast at a stall at the gated community's entrance.

Under Shao Heqi's father's lead, both families bought apartments in the residential complex beside Fu No. 1 Middle School.

But since they worried the two boys couldn't control themselves, they bought the homes but still had them live on campus most days.

Shao Heqi only came back here to stay during weekends or days like yesterday when school was off.

While eating breakfast, the two chatted casually.

"You've just transferred to Fu No. 1—you don't know much yet. Ask me anything," Shao Youpeng said, eating fried dumplings. "I'm always in Gao Er Class One, fourth floor of the building behind yours—come find me if you need anything."

"Got it, big brother," Shao Heqi nodded, though a hint of sadness lingered in his heart. "You're way better than me—I didn't even make it into Class One."

"Are you regretting not getting into Class One?" Shao Youpeng glanced at him, well aware of his cousin's nature. "Or are you still thinking about that girl, Ying Chanxi?"

"Bro, lower your voice," Shao Heqi looked around, slightly embarrassed. "You haven't seen Ying Chanxi—if you had, you'd like her too."

"I think you just lack exposure," Shao Youpeng shook his head. "Have you heard of Xu Youyu? She used to be at Yucai Middle School too—have you seen her?"

"I think I've heard of her," Shao Heqi thought back. "But I don't think I've ever met her."

"That's why you lack exposure," Shao Youpeng chuckled. "Xu Youyu is class monitor of Gao Er Class One, deputy head of the Literature Club, and deputy president of the Student Union—now that she's in Gao Er, she'll probably be promoted soon."

"And she was last year's top student in Grade One—she's never dropped from first place in any major exam."

"She's also extremely beautiful, and…"

Shao Youpeng whispered, "Her figure is amazing."

Shao Heqi was stunned, then replied defiantly: "Ying Chanxi isn't bad either—she's also top of the grade, and she's class monitor too. Maybe she'll join the Student Union too."

"Pfft, wait and see," Shao Youpeng waved dismissively. "Come find me at lunch—I'll take you to see what Xu Youyu looks like. Then you'll understand."

"Then I'll take you to see Ying Chanxi," Shao Heqi said, still stubborn, adding, "Besides, we have a girl in our class who sings incredibly well—and her looks aren't worse than Ying Chanxi's."

"Huh?" Shao Youpeng stared at him in surprise. "Are you switching allegiances now?"

"I—I was just saying that! She really is pretty!"

As the two brothers ate breakfast and chatted, three new customers arrived at the breakfast stall.

"Boss, ten fried dumplings, two fried buns, one bowl of wonton, one serving of steamed buns, one bowl of sweet tofu pudding, one bowl of salty tofu pudding."

Li Luo's voice came from inside the stall. "What about you, senior?"

"Just a bowl of minced meat noodles and a pack of soy milk," Xu Youyu said.

"I'll pay," Ying Chanxi's voice followed. "Boss, how much? Let's settle together."

Hearing the familiar voices, Shao Heqi and Shao Youpeng both instinctively paused their chopsticks and turned toward the stall entrance.

The next second, both brightened, exchanged glances, and blurted out simultaneously—

"Look, that's Ying Chanxi!"

"Look, that's Xu Youyu!"

No sooner had the words left their mouths than the two brothers stared at each other in shock, then whipped their heads back toward the entrance.

Ying Chanxi had already paid and entered the stall with Xu Youyu to find a seat, while Li Luo waited by the counter for their order.

Watching the two girls, like celestial beings, walk in, Shao Heqi and Shao Youpeng nearly stopped breathing.

Shao Heqi's gaze landed on Xu Youyu's chest and suddenly understood exactly what his cousin meant by "amazing figure."

Shao Youpeng, meanwhile, stared at Ying Chanxi, instantly captivated by her pure, sweet face, speechless.

"Bro, Xu Youyu really is beautiful."

"Xiaoqi, Ying Chanxi isn't bad either—I'm starting to understand you now."

As they spoke, Li Luo carried the tray over and sat beside Ying Chanxi.

Only then did Shao Youpeng notice the annoying boy beside them and asked: "Who's that guy? Why is he sitting with them?"

"That one…?" Shao Heqi's expression turned awkward and resigned. "He's Ying Chanxi's neighbor—he's now our Class Eight's monitor."

"Are they close?" Shao Youpeng raised an eyebrow.

"Sort of…"

"Looks like you've got a long way to go," Shao Youpeng patted his cousin's shoulder.

But the next second, he saw Xu Youyu suddenly reach out with her chopsticks and cheerfully snatch a fried dumpling from Li Luo's plate.

"This minced meat noodles aren't as good as your stir-fried noodles."

"I ran out of noodles at home, otherwise I wouldn't have come here for breakfast."

"Bro," Shao Heqi gazed at Shao Youpeng with a mournful look. "Your situation doesn't look much better."

…

To be fair, this was the first time Li Luo had ever seen Xu Youyu in her school uniform—across both his lifetimes.

Xu Youyu had an excellent figure; even the loose blue-and-white uniform couldn't hide her slender form.

At home, she wore trendy, fresh clothing that made her look much more mature.

Now, in her uniform, she gained an extra touch of purity.

After breakfast, the three walked together toward the school gate.

Just then, Yan Zhusheng arrived at the school gate, spotted Li Luo from afar, and walked straight over to him. "I've got the melody idea—just come to my place on Saturday."

"Is this a song Li Luo wrote?" Ying Chanxi leaned over Li Luo, curiously asking Yan Zhusheng.

"Yes." Yan Zhusheng nodded. "But he only gave us the basic melody and lyrics, so we still need to rearrange and record it."

"I see." Ying Chanxi blinked and asked, "Can I come with you this Saturday? I've never seen a live song recording before."

"Of course." Yan Zhusheng nodded without hesitation.

"What about me? What about me!" Xu Youyu couldn't help asking. "I've never seen a live recording either."

Xu Youyu wrote entertainment novels, so she certainly didn't want to miss this chance to gain experience.

But Yan Zhusheng looked at her curiously, then turned to Li Luo and asked, "Who is she?"

"A senior from Gao Er. She's sort of a friend of mine and Ying Chanxi's."

"Oh." Yan Zhusheng nodded. "If she's your friend, then she can come."

With the weekend plan settled, the four of them walked through the school gate.

Along the way, they attracted countless classmates' glances.