Chen Yansen slept the moment he got home.
Only when the alarm rang did he reluctantly crawl out of bed, wash up, and ride his bike to the county hospital.
The medical check went smoothly.
Eyesight—excellent.Hearing—normal.Motor coordination—no issues.
All that was left was submitting the report to the driving school and waiting for the exam schedule.
Easy.
"Want to hit the internet café? One round of Pyramid," Wang Zihao suggested, wiping sweat from his forehead.
It was late July. The sun was merciless. Heat shimmered above the asphalt, and every step felt like walking on glue.
Air conditioning sounded heavenly.
"Not really in the mood," Chen Yansen replied, letting out a long sigh as he flopped onto the stone bench at the driving school entrance.
"How about billiards?" Wang Zihao grimaced. "A new hall opened near South Gate. AC runs all day."
That grimace said everything—expensive.
"…Alright."
The MP3 samples from Yangcheng wouldn't arrive for another two or three days anyway. Business would have to wait.
Either he stayed home and studied—
—or escaped the heat.
The choice was obvious.
They rode side by side, laughing and chatting, passing through Tongfei Gate before turning into a narrow alley.
Then—
Bang!
A black eight ball flew straight at them.
"Shit!"
Chen Yansen ducked instinctively.
A loud clang followed as the ball smashed into the ground, cracking a bluestone slab clean through.
Wang Zihao's face darkened instantly. He yanked open the curtain and shouted inside,"Are you playing billiards or starting a war?!"
"Sorry! Sorry!"
Two girls rushed out, both around seventeen or eighteen, cues still clutched in their hands.
"Oh—it's you!"
"Zhou Xue? Li Maimai?" Wang Zihao frowned. "What were you thinking?"
Before they could answer, another girl stepped out.
White short-sleeved shirt. Light blue jeans. Hands casually in her pockets.
Meng Jie.
"Haozi, you okay?" she asked calmly, though concern flickered in her eyes.
"I'm fine," Wang Zihao scratched his head. "But Chen Yansen almost got taken out."
"I'm sorry!""That was my fault—I hit it too hard!"
The two girls apologized quickly, glancing nervously at Chen Yansen until they confirmed he wasn't hurt.
"Li Maimai," Chen Yansen said lightly, "this isn't shot put. Lucky I moved fast."
Her face flushed red.
Inside, cold air rushed over him like salvation.
Chen Yansen accepted the orange juice Meng Jie handed him and leaned back, casually observing the room.
Then he paused.
…Were girls back then really dressed this boldly?
Tank tops. Hot pants. Long legs everywhere.
Meng Jie followed his gaze.
"…Are they white?" she asked flatly, sitting beside him.
"Not just white," Chen Yansen replied calmly. "Long too."
No shame. No hesitation.
Meng Jie choked.
"You're shameless," she muttered.
"I'll take that as praise."
She kicked his calf lightly. "You used me as a shield at karaoke last time. Zhou Keyuan definitely hates me now. How are you compensating me?"
"I didn't plan to."
He turned to look at her.
Close up, Meng Jie was striking.
Fair skin, faint blush from the heat, sharp nose, red lips, long lashes behind black-rimmed glasses. Petite, but lively.
"…Just a little small," he added thoughtfully.
Her eyes followed his gaze.
Then—
"Chen Yansen! You bastard!" she snapped, fists swinging. "I treated you like a brother!"
"Brother?" he smiled faintly. "Then let's play a game."
"Bring it."
"Look into each other's eyes. Whoever looks away first loses."
They locked eyes.
At first, Meng Jie was confident.
Then seconds passed.
Warmth from his hand seeped into her palm. His expression—lazy, confident, faintly amused—slowly etched itself into her mind.
Why does he look… this good?
"His eyebrows are nice.""Eyes too.""Wait—since when did I notice this?"
Her glare softened without her realizing.
Nearby—
"What are they doing?""Haozi, your friend looks suspicious.""I swear he's flirting."
Ten minutes passed.
"This game's boring," Meng Jie pouted. "I could stare all day."
"Then why is your heart racing?"
Chen Yansen tapped her wrist—right where his fingers had rested.
Her heartbeat was loud.
Too loud.
"You—You're imagining things!"
She yanked her hand back, standing abruptly.
"Fine," he sighed. "Brother it is."
For some reason, that disappointed look made her chest tighten.
Then—
He leaned in.
"But brother," he whispered softly near her ear, "you smell really good. What soap do you use?"
Warm breath.
Too close.
Meng Jie shot up like she'd been electrocuted, face burning red all the way to her ears.
"Chen Yansen," she gritted her teeth, "you're absolutely shameless!"
He just smiled.
And the summer air felt suddenly much hotter.