The Xucheng Bus Station under the night sky was still bustling.
"Chen Yansen, I'm here!"
Meng Jie, carrying her backpack, stood in the crowd, waving. She had put on light makeup, wearing an indigo long skirt and a short jacket. Her smile was radiant, her eyes full of joy.
"Tsk tsk, is this Meng's first time wearing a skirt? I have to commemorate this!" Chen Yansen smiled, took out his phone, and put his arm around her shoulder. "Look at the camera, smile."
"Doesn't it look good? It's not all for you, though. Next week is the Business School's welcome party. I, as the class monitor, have signed up for a performance." Meng Jie grinned, her words contradicting her true feelings.
Ever since she saw him, a smile hadn't faded from her lips.
"Then I definitely have to go see it." Chen Yansen held her small hand tightly.
They hailed a taxi. Chen Yansen told the driver, "To the Shidu Hot Spring Hotel."
Meng Jie didn't seem to notice.
A dozen minutes passed. Seeing the street scene outside become increasingly unfamiliar, Meng Jie frowned. "Sir, are you on the wrong road?"
"No! Aren't you going to the Shidu Hot Spring Hotel?"
"I've been so tired lately. There's a new hot spring hotel that just opened in Shidu. I thought I'd take you there to relax." Chen Yansen squeezed her hand.
A hot spring hotel? To relax together?
Meng Jie's cheeks flushed. "My dad's right. You're a bad boy, always trying to take advantage of me."
"Then, should we have the driver turn around and go back to school now?" Chen Yansen teased.
"Sure. I brought some pre-portioned beef soup. Let's go back to 0418, I'll cook it for you." She knew going to a hotel with him was like walking into a trap. She liked him, but didn't want their relationship to develop too quickly.
"It's okay, the hotel has a communal kitchen. We can cook beef soup there." Chen Yansen patted her.
Was that what I was worried about?
Meng Jie was both amused and annoyed. But she didn't object anymore. Her eyes darted around as she listened to the beating of her heart.
The hour and a half drive passed in a flash.
Chen Yansen helped her check in. The room was a loft-style design. On the first floor were a bathroom, a tatami lounge, and a sink. On the second floor were two single beds.
"I'll go fill the tub first. It'll take about half an hour." Chen Yansen tossed his phone aside and started unbuttoning his shirt.
"Please don't take your clothes off, okay? I'm scared!" Meng Jie asked timidly, eyes lowered.
Chen Yansen stopped. He looked at her carefully. Her chin trembled slightly. A teardrop clung to her eyelashes. She was extremely nervous.
"Then I'll go to the bathroom to change." Chen Yansen suddenly said.
Meng Jie breathed a sigh of relief.
Not long after, Chen Yansen finished showering and came out wrapped in a towel. The hot spring pool was almost half full. He lay down comfortably.
"Go take a shower. After the hot spring, I'll take you out for dinner." Chen Yansen said casually, eyes closed.
"Hmm. Just a heads-up, don't do anything rash!" Meng Jie whispered without much conviction.
"Yes, yes, I know. Go ahead."
Meng Jie hesitated, then picked up her bag and went into the bathroom.
When she finished, wrapped in a towel, she peeked out. Chen Yansen seemed to be asleep.
His breathing was steady. Fine water droplets clung to his handsome face. His exposed arms showed clearly defined muscles. Chen Yansen always wore shirts, hiding a muscular physique.
Meng Jie tiptoed to the pool and curiously poked his muscles. Seeing no reaction, she realized his earlier comment about being tired was genuine.
She imitated him, comfortably lying down, her gaze fixed on him.
They had been classmates for three years, usually only discussing math problems. In the two months since graduation, he seemed reborn.
Coupled with his wit and humor, despite her father's warnings, Meng Jie had fallen for him.
"Dad, you don't understand him. Chen Yansen is really, really good." She thought to herself, eyes half-closed, feeling the warm spring water.
After a long while, Chen Yansen suddenly opened his eyes. He saw Meng Jie lying opposite him, a soaking wet towel clinging tightly to her skin.
"Change your clothes. I'll take you out to eat." Chen Yansen abruptly stood up, grabbed his clothes, and headed towards the bathroom.
Meng Jie turned her head, secretly glancing at him, then gave a soft "hmm."
After they changed, they went to the outdoor green space. More than a dozen young guests were already there. The chef was busy grilling. The tables were set with skewers, crayfish, seafood, and drinks.
"It's self-service. Help yourself." Chen Yansen said.
"Go save me a seat. I'll get some food." Meng Jie glanced around, immediately liking the atmosphere.
Chen Yansen smiled and found an empty table. Next to him sat a young man with a folk guitar, softly humming "Blue Lotus."
After the man finished, Chen Yansen praised, "Dude, Yamaha F310. Pretty tasteful."
"Hey, brother, you have a good eye! Want to try it?" The artistic young man grinned.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony! Bringing your girlfriend out, you know what I mean." Chen Yansen took the guitar and gave a look.
The artistic young man understood. He picked up a beer, crossed his legs, and prepared to watch the show.
Ding—
Chen Yansen casually plucked a string, then began playing the intro to "Yesterday Once More." His slightly grainy voice created vivid imagery.
Meng Jie, carrying food, heard the music and turned. Her eyes lit up. She quickly walked back.
"You can play the guitar? Why didn't you perform at the New Year's Eve party in high school?" She tugged his sleeve after he finished.
"I only play for girls I like." Chen Yansen said bluntly.
He had said this to many girls. It always worked.
"Then why did you pursue Zhou Keyuan in high school? Why didn't you pursue me first?" Meng Jie frowned.
"I was young and naive back then." Chen Yansen said evasively. He couldn't very well say he hadn't been reborn yet.
Meng Jie felt this was perfunctory, but didn't press. She was naturally cheerful and straightforward.
The two ate skewers, occasionally clinking glasses. The artsy young man opposite exclaimed he also wanted to find a short-haired, handsome girl someday.
Brothers by day, lovers by night.
After eating, Chen Yansen pulled her to lie on a moon chair, idly counting stars.
Listening to Meng Jie's chatter, Chen Yansen smiled. Although he was reborn back to eighteen, his mindset was no longer young. He had lost the naiveté.
The night breeze grew cooler.
Chen Yansen and Meng Jie returned to their room, each on a bed, a few centimeters apart, quietly looking at each other.
"Goodnight, Chen Yansen! Today was very memorable. Thank you." Meng Jie ran her fingers through his palm.
"Goodnight!"
The next day, the two had breakfast. Then, led by staff, they went to an open space outdoors filled with green grass and white tents.
Inside were teapots, dried fruit, and fresh fruit.
Chen Yansen accompanied Meng Jie to drink tea and play cards, occasionally going out to play badminton, sometimes staying in the tent to read and listen to music.
Time flew by. By the time they returned to Xucheng Academy, it was already 6:30 PM on the 5th.
After taking Meng Jie back to her dorm, Chen Yansen walked into dormitory building number eight.
"Hey? Brother Sen, you're back?" Meng Xibo looked up.
"I didn't go back. I've been busy with Fox Tao. Where's Song Yang? Let's invite him over and have a meal together."
"Yangyang is still in her hometown. She should arrive tomorrow afternoon. How about we get together again tomorrow?" Tang Zhenzhe suggested.
"Brother Sen, are you still hiring for your project?" Zhu Xiaopeng approached, asking with a fawning expression.
FoxTao was now a household name. Chen Yansen paid his team members between 2,000 and 5,000 yuan in September—just for part-time work.
Keep in mind, 90% of college students had less than 1,000 yuan a month for living expenses.
Zhu Xiaopeng's initiative was understandable.
"Of course we need people. What, are you interested?" Chen Yansen asked noncommittally.