CHAPTER 968: CHAPTER 560: CHILDHOOD MATTERS

The dismissal bell for evening class rang, and Class 8 instantly became a chaotic scene.

In the back row, Hu Jun patted Guo Kunnan: "Brother Nan, later let’s go out for some tacos and then grab a cup of milk tea, iced."

Normally, Guo Kunnan would have agreed, but today he declined: "No."

Hu Jun was disappointed: "Alright, if you’re not buying, neither am I."

"We can leave the school together," Guo Kunnan said, "I have something to do."

The two left together towards the school gate.

Originally, they were a trio, but Dan Kaiquan had gone bankrupt by betting all his money on the younger student Lan Zichen, losing everything, and so he could no longer participate in their after-school activities.

Dan Kaiquan went to the field to jog with an empty stomach, putting his all into the upcoming marathon race.

Once outside the school, the two parted ways.

Guo Kunnan went to buy two cups of pearl milk tea, carried them against the crowd back into the campus, and returned to Class 8.

He took the basketball from under Wu Xiaoqi’s bench.

It wasn’t stealing; it was with Wu Xiaoqi’s permission.

During evening class, Guo Kunnan had talked to the younger student who had lost her library card, learned she liked boys who play basketball, and to improve his chances, he was going to go out tonight, dressed smartly, with the ball.

Guo Kunnan carried the two milk teas in his left hand and the basketball in his right arm, exuding a dashing spirit, he headed boldly to the girls’ dormitory.

He was going alone to meet someone, like a brave hero, without turning back.

Bathed in the night, he walked past the cement plaza under Building 3 and continued past the pebbled path by the garden, like an ancient saint crossing long distances to spread knowledge and wisdom.

Along the way, Guo Kunnan saw green grass on the lawn, goldfish in the pond, clouds in the sky... he saw some groups that seemed like couples.

Watching those pairs, Guo Kunnan once felt envious, longing for a girl like that.

In his mind, the student ID photo of Shang Wanqing came up, along with thoughts of her exquisite social media.

She was so pretty, so cute... if only she could be his girlfriend.

Inevitably, the Dao Heart Grinding Plate in Guo Kunnan’s mind gently spun, withering all things and bringing forth new life.

He imagined eating with the girl, holding hands for a walk, going to the track field to play ping pong...

Spring, they go for outings.

Summer, they splash in the water.

Autumn, they listen to the wind.

Winter, they go ice-skating.

The Dao Heart Grinding Plate envisioned even the subtle moments of their time together, Shang Wanqing’s joyful expressions, not only happiness but also shyness, anger, and sorrow.

Finally, on that day, they quarreled fiercely, using the harshest language to hurt one another, neither backing down.

Shang Wanqing was heartbroken, she cried with tears streaming.

She said: "Anan, let’s break up."

Guo Kunnan also gritted his teeth, saying: "I’ve seen every part of you, yet never seen the part not belonging to me!"

But in the end, she relented, realizing at that moment she couldn’t live without Anan...

The Dao Heart Grinding Plate spun frantically, like slides flashing by, Guo Kunnan’s mouth curled up uncontrollably, his face distorted by the smile.

Such happiness, Guo Kunnan felt he already had the whole world; Manman, Xu Yan, Lu Yaya... altogether couldn’t compare to the cuteness of Wanqing’s single finger.

Happy times are always brief, Guo Kunnan was very clear-headed.

He straightened his expression slightly, preparing to make a good impression on Shang Wanqing.

Soon, he arrived at the foot of the girls’ dormitory building, gazing at the distant lights.

He chose a utility pole, leaned against it, striking a dashing and handsome pose.

Guo Kunnan picked up his phone, messaged Shang Wanqing: "Wanqing, I’m here."

Meanwhile, in the girls’ dormitory.

Shang Wanqing was blow-drying her hair, she placed the dryer down, called to the girl near the door: "Can you check the guy by the utility pole, is he handsome?"

...

Ten minutes later, the boys’ dormitory.

Hu Jun was eating tacos, a bit dry.

Without friends to join him for food, Hu Jun didn’t want to spend too much money. That’s how people are; if friends have similar financial habits, being thrifty, you’ll tend to be thrifty too.

Just as Hu Jun was thinking of getting some water, a figure suddenly entered through the open door.

Hu Jun quickly looked up, "Brother Nan, you’re back?"

Guo Kunnan’s expression was numb, he moved like a zombie, handing the milk tea to Hu Jun: "Brother Jun, I brought you milk tea."

Hu Jun was surprised: "What’s up?"

Guo Kunnan said nothing, he removed his shoes, silently climbed into bed, pulled the quilt over his head, shutting out the entire world.

...

River dam, bungalow.

Compared to Jiang Ning’s room bright with lights, Xue Chuchu’s small room only had a desk lamp shining.

Xue Chuchu was at her desk doing homework, the game already completed, no reason to further visit Jiang Ning’s room to play, and going too often wasn’t quite good... not good for various reasons.

As she had been, focused on writing down each question, her ink pen like swords, conquering difficult problems, achieving profound skill.

Her mother, Hua Fengmei, entered with a tray of fruit.

"Chuchu, take a break from studying, let’s chat for a bit." Hua Fengmei spoke softly.

Xue Chuchu stopped her ink pen.

Hua Fengmei pulled up a chair, sat by the desk, and told her daughter: "Mom got a raise recently."