dognovel Chapter 4: Everything about the future seemed so wonderful.
Chapter 4: Everything about the future seemed so wonderful.
Chen Zhiyuan thought to himself, "So she went to Jiangnan University in her previous life!"
only……
With such high scores, she's fully capable of getting into Tsinghua or Peking University. Why would she choose Jiangnan University, which is a level below Tsinghua and Peking University? I just don't understand.
Puzzled, Chen Zhiyuan asked softly, "He Fei, why did you also apply to Jiangnan University?"
He Fei blushed slightly, probably because she heard the word "also".
She lowered her head slightly and answered softly, "Jiangnan University is in Jiangzhou, the provincial capital, so it's closer and more convenient to come back."
Suddenly, Chen Zhiyuan understood.
I even felt a strange pang of sadness.
This girl has had such a hard life. Her family is very poor, and her mother supports her and her sister by running a street stall.
Going to Tsinghua or Peking University would be too far and too expensive, while Jiangnan University would be much better – that's why she chose Jiangnan University from an economic perspective.
Chen Zhiyuan encouraged her sincerely, "He Fei, hardships are temporary, the future is bright. Keep trying, keep going!"
As he said this, Chen Zhiyuan even made a gesture of encouragement, his eyes full of sincerity.
He Fei's face flushed even more, but her heart was warmed, and she even felt a little touched.
She said in a voice almost only she could hear, "Chen Zhiyuan, thank you."
Around noon, the college application forms were submitted, the homeroom teacher said a few more words, and then school was over. Thus, my three years of high school life officially came to an end.
There are no classmate reunions or similar events planned for the time being.
Generally, people will only get together again after the results are released or after receiving their university admission notices, when some of them will hold a celebration banquet.
As Chen Zhiyuan walked slowly out of the classroom and onto the campus, a deep sense of longing filled his heart. He wondered when he would be able to return to this campus again.
"Zhiyuan, slow down, wait for me!"
A bright, slightly panting voice came from behind. The chubby boy was jogging after them. "Zhiyuan, home or to the internet cafe?"
Chen Zhiyuan replied with a smile, "If you're treating, I'll consider going to an internet cafe, but lunch has to include two eggs."
Jin Liang laughed and scolded, "Get lost, get lost, all you ever do is 'strike at the rich' all day long."
He said that, but in reality, it was no problem for him to treat everyone. Jin Liang was a generous person and not stingy.
Seeing that he was really going to the internet cafe to play games, Chen Zhiyuan said, "You go ahead, I'm not going. I'm going to get a haircut. I'll contact you when I have time."
Jin Liang used to occasionally hang out at arcades. Internet cafes were a new thing, just starting to emerge. After going to one or two, he never wanted to go to arcades again, and only wanted to go to internet cafes to "have some fun".
The two separated for the time being.
Jin Liang hopped on his bicycle and sped off, as if worried that if he arrived late, there wouldn't be any seats left at the internet cafe.
Seeing his eagerness, Chen Zhiyuan thought to himself: Opening an internet cafe in this era is really a good choice; you can basically make a fortune.
Every internet cafe was doing exceptionally well, with long queues and exorbitant prices—three or four yuan an hour, and some even charging a ridiculous five yuan an hour.
Watching Jin Liang's departing figure, Chen Zhiyuan smiled and gently shook his head.
He looks like an 18 or 19-year-old high school student, but he's already a 40-something-year-old adult at heart, and he's long lost the passion to go to internet cafes to play games.
Yeah, this hair looks like a pot lid, it's really not good-looking at all, I need to go to the hair salon to fix it.
Looking at this hairstyle from the perspective of 20 or 30 years from now, it really looks uglier and uglier.
Chen Zhiyuan had a strong desire to get a haircut. In addition, getting his hair done again represented a new beginning, signifying a fresh start.
As Chen Zhiyuan pushed his bicycle out of the bike shed and was about to leave, he stopped. He saw He Fei walking alone, her head slightly lowered, towards the school gate.
She lives not far, but not close either; it takes about twenty minutes to walk there. Because she doesn't have the money to buy a bicycle, she has been walking for the past three years.
"He Fei, it's on my way, I'll give you a ride, get in."
Chen Zhiyuan, with a sunny and enthusiastic expression, patted the back seat of his bicycle and invited He Fei to sit on it.
He Fei, who was walking with her head down, hesitated for a moment, her face flushed red, and her fingers unconsciously twisted the corner of her clothes.
Chen Zhiyuan spoke frankly, his eyes clear: "Come sit down. As your deskmate, it's no trouble for me to give you a ride."
"Okay," He Fei replied softly, finally sitting on the back of the bicycle, though her head drooped even lower.
"Hold on tight, we're off!" Chen Zhiyuan's voice was loud and clear, seemingly tinged with a hint of joy.
This was the first time in his two lifetimes that he had ever given He Fei a ride on his bicycle. Once they left the school gate and were riding on the street, Chen Zhiyuan became more talkative.
"He Fei, you need to eat more; you're too thin."
"He Fei, what are your plans for summer vacation?"
Compared to Chen Zhiyuan, who is a "chatterbox," He Fei appears much quieter, only occasionally replying and remaining mostly silent.
The car drove under the shade of the trees by the roadside, and sunlight shone through the gaps in the branches and leaves onto the two of them.
The summer breeze caressed my cheeks, carrying a warm breath. The boy's bicycle carried the silhouette of youth, moving forward as if the future was unfolding on this bright and long road before him, full of infinite possibilities.
Inside the campus, Zhao Sisi was feeling rather down, and her complexion looked rather unwell.
She estimated her score wasn't ideal and wasn't sure if she could get into an undergraduate program. She applied to Jiangzhou Normal University, but felt a bit unsure of herself.
Beside her was her best friend, Luo Manxue; the two girls walked side by side.
Unlike Zhao Sisi, who was feeling down, Luo Manxue appeared cheerful and lively, and seemed to be in a good mood.
"Sisi, I applied to Jiangzhou University of Technology. I feel pretty confident. We'll be studying together in Jiangzhou then, and we can see each other more often."
"Sisi, where's Chen Zhiyuan? I haven't seen him anywhere."
Every day after school, Chen Zhiyuan would wait for Zhao Sisi at the same "old spot" without fail.
But today is strange; Chen Zhiyuan can't be seen at all in that place.
Zhao Sisi had already seen it. For some reason, she hoped that Chen Zhiyuan would be waiting for her there, but when she saw the empty corner, she felt a sense of loss and even a little anger.
Luo Manxue said, "Sisi, I don't see Chen Zhiyuan. It looks like my plan to have him treat us to dessert at noon is ruined."
After filling out her college application, Zhao Sisi said she wanted to go get some dessert.
A new dessert shop has opened outside the school. The desserts are delicious and very popular with the students.
If you want to eat dessert, someone has to pay for it—why would you pay for it yourself? The person who pays the bill is none other than Chen Zhiyuan.
Luo Manxue suggested going to a dessert shop together at noon, and Zhao Sisi not only agreed immediately, but also said that she would "invite Chen Zhiyuan along" so that he could pay the bill.
Zhao Sisi felt very proud when a boy paid for her meal.
However, since she hadn't even seen a trace of Chen Zhiyuan, Zhao Sisi felt a little angry and a little wronged.
So what if I rejected him the day before yesterday, saying I was too young to date? Is that wrong? He gave me the cold shoulder this morning, and now he's not even waiting for me...
I'm angry.
I won't talk to him for at least three days, no, I won't talk to him for a week!