The freshly fried dough sticks were a foot long, fried to a golden hue, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside when bitten into.

The main reason this dough stick shop stood out was the quality of its oil—unlike other shops where the oil would be reused for days on end without change.

This shop, however, changed its oil frequently.

In the early morning, when it was still dark, the owner would set up the oil vat at the storefront and, right in front of the customers, open a barrel and pour fresh oil into the vat.

Frying oil, when reheated to high temperatures repeatedly, ends up containing lots of harmful substances.

Such issues weren't much of a concern to the common folk in the past, but in recent years, the media had started shedding light on them.

Therefore, although the dough stick shop was some distance from Chen Nuo's residential complex, if he wanted to buy dough sticks, he'd rather walk the extra steps to this place.

Right next to the dough stick shop was a bun shop, and Chen Nuo casually bought four buns: two vegetable-filled and two red bean paste-filled.

On his way back, he also picked up two bowls of spicy millet porridge from the breakfast stall at the entrance of the complex.

Carrying the breakfast he'd bought, Chen Nuo zipped up to the fifth floor and arrived at the door opposite his own, knocking on Lu Xixi's door.

No response.

Chen Nuo raised an eyebrow and, with a flicker of Telekinesis, unlocked the door and pushed it open.

He glanced at the empty living room and strode into the bedroom.

The pillow and sheets on the bed had been neatly arranged, but there was no one around.

Chen Nuo entered the bathroom, touched the rinsing cup on the counter, noting water at its base, and the toothbrush was also wet.

Returning to the living room, he finally spotted a note stuck to the fridge. It had some writing on it and a Key, attached with clear tape.

"I've left. Be good.

Also, stop using Telekinesis to unlock the door all the time; I left the Key for you.

A housekeeper will come to clean on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays."

"While I'm gone, you better behave yourself."

Chen Nuo thought for a moment, placed the breakfast on the dining table, sat down, and quickly finished the dough sticks with the spicy porridge, followed by the two vegetable buns. Then he stood up, took the Key and the note, stuffed them into his pocket, and left.

「·」

Lu Xixi had left in such a rush, so quietly.

Although it was a bit unexpected, it wasn't too surprising.

After all, she's the Starry Sky Empress; she wasn't going to stay in the old city of Jinling forever, living such an ordinary life.

Plus, most importantly, after last night's incident, it would be somewhat awkward for them to face each other.

In such a situation, whether Lu Xixi had something to do or not, she would find a reason to leave first.

To give them both some time to cool off.

「·」

Well... it seems I don't have anything to do today.

I don't feel like looking for Brother Lei or Zhang Linsheng—they're busy with the shop renovation, and it wouldn't be quite right for me, the one who shirks his duties, to show up.

As for going to Old Sun's place...

Forget it. I just saw Lu Xixi last night, and after we made such a scene, if I ran straight to see Sun Keke right after Lu Xixi left, wouldn't that make me seem too fickle and heartless?

No, that won't do. Definitely not.

Having made up his mind, Chen Nuo nonchalantly swaggered downstairs.

There was a DVD store in the alley behind the complex, renting and selling various movie DVDs—unsurprisingly, they were definitely pirated copies.

Chen Nuo planned to rent a few of Stephen Chow's classic old movies to watch at home for the day.

A day filled with thoughtless laughter sounds pretty good.

Arriving at the DVD store, he nodded to the owner, whom he'd met two or three times before.

The owner was a slightly greasy middle-aged man. Seeing Chen Nuo, a regular, enter when there were no other customers, he beamed and sidled over.

"Fancy some top-shelf stuff? I've got some good ones."

Chen Nuo grinned. "Europe and America? Japanese and Korean? Or domestic?"

"The ones from Europe and America are uncensored, but the Japanese and Korean ones have more... flavor."

Hmm, it's the summer of 2001 now...

After giving it some thought, Chen Nuo realized that, at this time, the famous Teacher Azure hadn't even debuted yet.

Well, but Teacher Muto seems to have already debuted this year...

Forget it. I was already drained dry by the Empress last night. Why bother watching that stuff?

Ouch, my back aches. Better rub it a little.

"No thanks, boss, I don't watch that stuff!" Chen Nuo declared righteously, refusing the owner's offer, before going to pick out some old Hong Kong comedy films.

The owner, unfazed, gave a cryptic smile. "Alright then. Pick whatever you want."

This kid's playing the upright card with me? Just you wait, you'll come looking for it eventually!

Chen Nuo was choosing from a stack of Stephen Chow's DVDs.

"The Deer and the Cauldron"? That bit about becoming sworn brothers after slaughtering a chicken and burning yellow paper?

"Flirting Scholar"? 'Cockroach! Cockroach, what's wrong with you? Cockroach, you can't die!'?

"King of Comedy"? 'I'll take care of you!'?

"From Beijing with Love"? Hmm, that scene where he's watching porn while the bullet is extracted... that's worth rewatching...

Damn it!

Thinking of that plot point, he suddenly remembered the owner's suggestive words from earlier.

He's practically setting me up!

Saying such suggestive things to a virile young guy like me, first thing in the morning?

How infuriating!

「·」

A few minutes later, Chen Yanluo left the DVD store, clutching several discs.

At the top was a disc of Stephen Chow's "From Beijing with Love."

As for the ones below... well...

Hmm, the leading actor was a Hong Kong male star named Dan Liren. The other was a Japanese artist named Kanna Mami, who, after going to Hong Kong and Taiwan to develop her career, adopted a new name that was... um...

No need for details. If you know, you know.

「·」

Just as he got home and was about to make himself a drink, the phone rang.

He picked it up to find a female classmate's voice on the other end.

"Chen Nuo, hurry up and come out, head to school!"

On the other end, the faint giggling of other girls could be heard.

"Du Xiaoyan?" Chen Nuo chuckled. "What's up?"

He knew her; she had brought him water during a basketball game, and they had attended tutoring sessions together at Old Jiang's house.

"Of course, there's something up! If you don't come, we'll take Sun Keke to look at handsome guys. HAHAHAHA..."

Chen Nuo raised an eyebrow.

On the other end, after a flurry of commotion and laughter, the phone was clearly snatched by Sun Keke.

"Hey, don't talk nonsense!" Sun Keke's voice was a bit annoyed, tinged with indignation. Then she whispered to Chen Nuo, "Um... Du Xiaoyan and the others invited me to go swimming. Are you coming or not? The new campus of the school's International Division has built a swimming pool, and it started its trial run a few days ago. Um... they're dragging me along to have fun."

A swimming pool?

Swimming?

His mind flashed with an image of School Belle Sun in a swimsuit...

Kanna Mami? Who cares about her!

Nothing's as enticing as my Sun CC!

He decisively threw down the discs and headed out!

「·」

The new campus area of No. 8 Middle School's International Division had a decent newly-built sports complex.

Let's not even talk about the basketball gym, which hadn't been put into use yet.

The swimming pool wasn't actually owned solely by No. 8 Middle School—it would be too extravagant for a middle school, even one undergoing industrial reforms and establishing an international division, to build its own swimming pool.

Actually, the swimming pool was built as a joint venture with the district. Normally, it was used by No. 8 Middle School's International Division, but on weekends and public holidays, it was open to the public, selling tickets and memberships.

This kind of project could be framed as part of educational reform and quality-oriented education, and also as an achievement for the local Government in enriching the public's recreational life.

That's killing two birds with one stone.

Moreover, regarding funds, the education company contributed the lion's share. The land, however, was allocated by the local Government.

In a few more years, such deals would no longer be available. After the real estate boom, land would become increasingly expensive, and governments, realizing its value, wouldn't allocate it so easily.

「·」

When Chen Nuo rode his bicycle to the school's swimming pool, he saw from a distance a group of girls gathered, standing on the open ground below the entrance steps of the swimming complex. Several dainty women's bicycles were parked nearby.

As Chen Nuo rode over leisurely and stopped in front of them, the girls burst into teasing laughter. Sun Keke, surrounded by several female classmates, was too embarrassed to lift her head.

Du Xiaoyan, Chen Nuo's classmate, came over with a smile to greet him, "Chen Nuo, you finally made it. If you had been any later, we would have taken Keke in with us already."

Chen Nuo, all smiles, pushed his bicycle to the side of the road, parked and locked it, then looked at the girls.

They were all from No. 8 Middle School; some were from his class, others from different classes in the same grade.

"So, what's the plan?"

"Look, we asked you to be Sun Keke's escort. As for the swimming ticket money, shouldn't you..."

"No problem, I've got it covered," Chen Nuo grinned. "After we're done, I'll treat everyone to drinks."

"Wow!! So generous!"

The girls erupted in excited laughter.

Ignoring the chattering young ladies, Chen Nuo confidently walked over, took Sun Keke's hand, and led her towards the swimming complex.

What's there to be embarrassed about? Our parents have already given their approval.

Sun Keke was still quite shy. Head lowered like a quail, she followed Chen Nuo, but she didn't let go of his hand, clutching it tightly.

Upon entering the swimming complex and purchasing tickets at the entrance, Sun Keke still wouldn't raise her head, continuing to pull on Chen Nuo's hand as she followed.

"Hey! Keke!" Du Xiaoyan's voice came from behind.

"Huh?" Sun Keke turned her head.

"Are you planning to follow Chen Nuo into the men's changing room?"

The girls bent over laughing. Sun Keke, blushing furiously, hurried back, grabbed Du Xiaoyan, and dashed towards the women's changing room.

Chen Nuo stood there watching all the girls enter the women's changing room before turning his head. At the counter in the swimming complex lobby, he bought a pair of swim trunks and a towel, then entered the men's changing room.

「·」

Having changed, Chen Nuo walked into the pool area. The moment he emerged, he saw Sun Keke and the other girls already sitting by the poolside.

Although it was summer vacation, the pool wasn't very crowded since it had just begun its trial operation.

Looking around the venue, there were only about a dozen people, mostly youngsters.

On the deck, two lifeguards in red vests sat, their eyes scanning the area.

Not bad, the amenities seem quite complete, he concluded.

The hardware in the changing rooms was also good; the lockers were very clean, and the showers were fully equipped.

As he walked over to the girls, his gaze was immediately drawn to Sun Keke!

There was no helping it; School Belle Sun in a swimsuit was just too eye-catching.

She was already beautiful, and her figure was excellent too.

Sun Keke's physique was the type that looked slender but was surprisingly curvy, with a full bust and a shapely rear.

Her legs were long and straight, her waist tiny enough to be spanned by two hands, her torso upright, her arms slender and long, and her neck elongated.

Of course, the most important aspect was her C-cup.

Sun Keke's swimsuit wasn't very revealing or sexy; it was rather conservative.

It was a blue swimsuit with a short, lotus-leaf-edged frill at the hem.

However, her chest was noticeably full, and a pale, smooth cleavage could be vaguely discerned...

Chen Nuo glanced once, then couldn't help but take a second look, and then a third...

Sun Keke, embarrassed by his staring, gently pushed him. Only then did Chen Nuo avert his gaze, smiling nonchalantly without any hint of awkwardness.

What's there to be awkward about?

She's mine, after all!

While Chen Nuo was sizing up Sun Keke, the other girls were actually sizing him up as well.

At eighteen, Chen Nuo was just beginning to enter the prime of male attractiveness.

He had a refined, handsome face, a high nose bridge, and a spirited short haircut.

He wasn't particularly tall, but he still had some potential to grow a bit more.

Chen Nuo wasn't a muscle-bound type; he was the kind who looked slim in clothes but was revealed to be well-toned underneath.

In the year since his rebirth, his body had undergone thorough training. Now, although he still appeared somewhat lean, when he stripped down to his swimming trunks, he was impressive enough to elicit gasps of admiration from these young girls.

His arms, chest, and abs had clearly defined lines—not the explosive kind of muscles, but they looked very solid. He had broad shoulders and a narrow waist; though not yet exaggerated, there was already a hint of an Adonis belt.

Especially on the sides of his lower abdomen, at the edge of his swim trunks, two faint "mermaid lines" were visible.

In 2001, girls didn't really understand terms like "Adonis belt" or "mermaid lines."

They couldn't name or recognize these lines.

But they instinctively felt: So good-looking!

Chen Nuo warmed up by the edge of the pool, then dived in with a motion that wasn't too exaggerated yet quite standard. After a quick flip in the water, he surfaced, smiled at Sun Keke on the deck, and said, "Come on down."

Sun Keke bent down, sat on the pool's edge, and dipped her legs into the water. She whispered softly, "I..."

"Hmm?"

"I actually don't really know how to swim," Sun Keke admitted, a little embarrassed.

Chen Nuo laughed.

"That's great!"

"Huh?"

"No, I mean, I'll teach you."

「·」

Taking a girl to a horror movie, teaching a girl to swim...

Yeah, those who know, know.

Sun Keke still maintained some reserve on the deck... mainly because her classmates were around.

But once she was in the water, she couldn't remain so reserved.

People who can't swim tend to instinctively feel nervous and scared once they're in the water.

Chen Nuo realized that Sun Keke wasn't just 'not very good' at swimming.

Actually, you'd have to remove the 'very' from 'not very well.'

She simply couldn't swim at all!

After getting into the water, she first splashed around in the shallow end for a while. Then, under Chen Nuo's guidance, she gradually moved towards the deeper section.

When the water got slightly deeper, the girl outright wrapped her arms around Chen Nuo's neck, practically wanting to hang her entire body on him.

The lecherous Chen Nuo naturally didn't hold back! His hands reached out without hesitation, one gripping her waist, the other supporting Sun Keke's bottom, as he started by teaching her to tread water.

Then he "taught" Sun Keke to swim, instructing her to lie flat in the water, one hand supporting her bottom, the other her back...

Actually, Chen Nuo didn't really know how to teach swimming—he knew how to swim himself, but he had no idea how to instruct others.

He was just winging it.

Anyway, it was all just playful fun.

Sun Keke, in fact, knew perfectly well that, much of the time, this little rascal beside her was blatantly taking advantage and copping feels. However, the girl was extremely fond of this "little rascal," and they had shared intimate moments before, so she let him be.

Only occasionally, when Chen Nuo's hands got a bit too bold, would she glare at him fiercely with a coquettish pout.

After splashing about in the water for nearly an hour, Sun Keke hadn't learned to swim properly, though she could manage a few reluctant doggy-paddles.

However, under Chen Nuo's protection, she hadn't swallowed any water.

As they played, the two of them deliberately drifted away from their classmates.

If this were a cliché story, such a scene would inevitably involve a few lustful hooligans showing up to cause trouble.

But this was Jinling in 2001, one of the safest cities in all of Huaxia, and this was a school swimming complex in broad daylight. Where would one find so many ruffians harassing decent women?

Sun Keke was indeed eye-catching, and occasionally she would attract the gazes of some male swimmers.

But any normal person would just admire her from a distance. Seeing that the girl clearly had a boyfriend with her, only someone out of their mind would approach to hit on her or provoke them.

After splashing around for so long, Sun Keke was getting tired. Noticing his girlfriend's breathing becoming more rapid, Chen Nuo thoughtfully pulled her to the edge of the pool and even draped a large towel over her shoulders.

Of course, it wasn't because he was afraid she'd catch a cold; early August in Jinling was still in the throes of its hottest period. Today's temperature was 35 degrees Celsius!

The large towel was mainly to shield her from the gazes of those around.

Just as they were talking, a voice came from afar.

"Hey? What are you all doing here?"

Chen Nuo looked up and saw someone walking out of the men's changing room.

"Class President, huh," Chen Nuo said with a smile, waving a greeting.

The class president nodded at Chen Nuo. His gaze lingered on Sun Keke for a moment before quickly retracting. Then, smiling, he walked over and greeted Du Xiaoyan and the other girls.

The poor, still-unnamed class president was clearly not the type popular with girls.

He usually looked gaunt, but now, in swim trunks, his body lacked any muscle definition. He was incredibly skinny, his ribs visible—a clear sign he probably didn't exercise at all.

"Class President, why are you here?" Du Xiaoyan asked with a smile. "I called you this morning. Didn't you say you didn't have time today? That you had to accompany the school director to visit the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum?"

"Me?" The class president's eyes darted to the side, his tone laced with a hint of showing off. "I'm not here to play; I'm here to work!"

"Work?"

"Yeah, I was supposed to visit the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, but my work assignment changed at the last minute..."

Listening to the class president's boastful words, Chen Nuo's heart stirred, and a sense of foreboding immediately arose...

Sure enough!

From the door of the women's changing room, a figure had emerged!

Golden blonde hair, tied back.

A strikingly hot figure! She possessed the full, firm build typical of those from Europe and America, yet combined it with a girlish slenderness and youthful aura.

Especially that figure... It was just so damn fine!

In 2001, the prevailing aesthetic in the country wasn't yet familiar with terms like "peach bottom" or "European and American physique."

But the moment she stepped out, she instantly captivated numerous gazes!

Her bikini, in particular, was unlike anything anyone else was wearing—clearly more daring and sexy.

Let's just say, it was the fabric-economizing kind.

Already a sports enthusiast, Niveer's entrance exuded an explosive aura of youthful health! Her waist-to-hip ratio made several nearby men stare unabashedly.

Niveer deliberately strolled slowly along the poolside, her gaze never drifting towards Chen Nuo's group, as she strode towards the deep-water area.

It seemed intentional that, as she passed by Sun Keke and Chen Nuo, she deliberately puffed out her chest.

After walking past, her retreating figure seemed to move with even more swaying grace... The way she swayed that little waist of hers!

It was as if she weren't walking in a swimming complex but on a Victoria's Secret runway!

Sun Keke couldn't help but follow Niveer with her eyes, whispering, "Wow! That foreigner... Her figure is just too good."

Chen Nuo twitched his nose slightly but didn't dare to speak.

Niveer reached the edge of the deep end, purposely stretched her body, and did a few on-the-spot warm-up exercises. Her figure, blooming like a flower, seemed to hush the surrounding sounds in the swimming complex for a moment. Everyone, male and female alike, couldn't help but turn their gazes towards her.

After taking a deep breath, the athletic beauty executed a stunningly cool and professional dive, plunging headfirst into the water!

The dive was so professional, so standard, it instantly outshone everyone else present.

Once in the water, Niveer swam as if no one else existed, swiftly completing a couple of laps. Her swimming technique was both standard and powerful, a truly delightful sight to behold.

Niveer even switched strokes mid-swim, starting with freestyle, then changing to breaststroke.

Finally, she switched to backstroke, deliberately slowing her pace...

The group of girls watched, a mixture of envy and excitement in their eyes.

Finally, just as Chen Nuo sighed inwardly, Niveer, as expected, slowly swam over.

The athletic beauty flipped over in the water, then treaded to the edge. Her body was submerged, but she deliberately kept her upper body exposed as she forcefully wiped water droplets from her face.

"Hello~"

While the girls were still dazed, the class president, standing poolside, quickly nodded and bowed. "Miss Niveer."

Niveer flashed a radiant smile at the class president, nodded back, then smiled at Chen Nuo. "Hi, Chen Nuo."

"...Hi," Chen Nuo twitched the corner of his mouth, forcing a reluctant smile.

"You... know her?" Sun Keke asked, a little surprised.

"Yeah."

"This is Miss Niveer, assistant to the female School Director," the class president introduced from the side. "She heard our school's International Division pool opened today, so I'm accompanying her to take a look and try it out. It's also a kind of inspection."

Alright, then.

Chen Nuo understood.

Niveer must have heard from the class president that the girls invited me swimming this morning, and then she impulsively decided to come over...

She's here to stir up trouble!

Upon hearing she was the school director's assistant... that meant she was part of the school leadership, right?

The group of students tensed up a bit.

"Um, ah, ah... Nice to meet..." Du Xiaoyan stammered, a little anxious.

"No worries, you can speak to me in Huaxia," Niveer interrupted Du Xiaoyan's English with her accented Huaxia, laughing. "Simple conversation, I can handle that."

This made the students relax considerably.

"Chen Nuo, I haven't seen you for a long time. You haven't been to work lately," Niveer said, turning her head towards Chen Nuo.

PFFT! What a blatant liar!

A long time? You devoured a whole basin of crayfish the other day, didn't you?!

Well, all young girls are liars! The prettier they are, the better they lie!

Zhang Wuji's mother's words of wisdom were indeed correct.

Chen Nuo put on a "heh" expression.

Sun Keke looked at Chen Nuo with suspicion. "Work?"

"Yeah. I'm assistant to the female School Director. And Chen Nuo here helps me with my work, which means he's sort of my assistant."

"Me too, me too," the class president hurried to interject.

Niveer glanced at the class president. "Hmm, this... student, as well."

The class president looked conflicted, but he quickly said, "Um, Miss Niveer, I recently chose an English name for myself. If you find my Huaxia name hard to remember, you can call me by my English name, which is..."

"Hey! Look, Luo Qing!"

Du Xiaoyan, with her sharp eyesight, suddenly spotted someone at the entrance of the swimming complex and shouted.

Everyone looked over and saw a young man striding quickly in!

Simple sneakers, jeans, and a T-shirt.

It was Chen Nuo's classmate, Luo Qing, the "mafia prince" letteratura-addicted.

Just as the others were about to wave and call out to Luo Qing, Chen Nuo frowned, noticing something odd.

Luo Qing had come to the swimming complex without changing and had headed straight for the pool area.

Moreover, his expression was cold, his demeanor off, and he was clenching his teeth.

From afar, Luo Qing glanced around the poolside, looking somewhat dazed. He didn't even seem to notice Chen Nuo and the others. Instead, with clear purpose, he strode rapidly towards the edge of the deep-water section!

"Why are you here!!!"

From a distance, came Luo Qing's low, furious growl!

Obviously, his growl was directed at a young man and woman sitting on the edge, flirtatiously splashing each other.

"Didn't you tell me you were going shopping with your dad today?!"

Luo Qing's face twisted with rage. He pointed at the young man, but his eyes were fixed on the clearly terrified girl as he roared,

"Don't you dare tell me this is your father!! Come on! Call him 'Dad' for me, let me hear it!!"