Chapter 8 (1/2)
Chapter 8
The distance between Port City and Jianye was about 350 kilometers, which meant a five-hour bus journey in 2002. Chen Hansheng wanted to sleep, but Wang Zibo was extremely talkative. After all, it was his first time traveling like this, unlike Chen Hansheng who was basically going through university for the second time.
The moment the bus started moving, Wang Zibo did not stop talking.
“Hansheng, I heard that university girls are much more beautiful than high school girls.
“Once you go to university and see the world, your temperament will naturally improve.”
“Hansheng, isn’t it easier to study in university? It’s less stressful than studying in high school, right? Universities advocate active learning. High school only prepares us for university entrance exams anyway.”
“Hansheng, how long until we reach Jianye?”
Chen Hansheng opened his eyes helplessly. “We’re not even on the f*cking highway yet. Can’t you just shut up and sleep?”
“I want to, but I can’t.”
Wang Zibo looked aggrieved. “If I had known earlier, I would have let my mother follow us. It was you who advised me not to let my parents accompany me.”
Chen Hansheng turned the other way, intending to shut Wang Zibo out. But, of course, Wang Zibo got excited again after a short while. “Hansheng, look outside.”
“What now?”
“I see Xiao Rongyu.”
That got Chen Hansheng’s attention. “Where is she?”
“Oh, so only Xiao Rongyu can wake you up,” said Wang Zibo angrily.
There was a broken-down Volkswagen Santana parked next to the toll booth as the tall Xiao Rongyu and the middle-aged police officer from the bun shop that morning stood next to the car.
“Their car must have broken down,” said Wang Zibo.
Chen Hansheng nodded. Xiao Rongyu would probably have to report on September 2, then.
Xiao Rongyu looked a little uncomfortable being under the sun. But Chen Hansheng could only shrug his shoulders as there was nothing he could do.
Moreover, he did not want to greet Xiao Rongyu. He had almost been caught flirting with Xiao Rongyu that day. The parents of the two families probably knew each other, so it would be quite awkward to meet hers now.
However, he did not expect the bus driver to be a good samaritan as the bus slowly came to a stop at the side of the road. “Mr. Xiao, what happened?”
Xiao Rongyu’s father wiped his sweat, “The car broke down as I was on my way to send my child to university.”
Chen Hansheng cursed the driver in his heart and wanted to hide. And Wang Zibo, who had the window seat, just had to take the initiative to shout, “Good morning, Mr. Xiao.”
‘Ugh, another busybody!’
Chen Hansheng really could not hide anymore. In the end, he leaned over as well and greeted the father and daughter with a smile. “Mr. Xiao, good morning.”
Mr. Xiao didn’t know Wang Zibo, but he remembered Chen Hansheng. “Hansheng, right? I met your father at the district office two days ago.”
Xiao Rongyu glared at Chen Hansheng. Chen Hansheng was hoping for the bus to leave as soon as possible. Alas, the driver decided to keep the conversation going. “Mr. Xiao, why don’t you let your daughter hop on my bus? We’re going to Jianye anyway.”
Mr. Xiao frowned. His main goal was to send his daughter to school. It was her first time going on a long trip, and she had brought a lot of luggage with her.
Then, a shiny Toyota Crown drove over. When the window of the driver’s side rolled down, a fat man with greased hair shouted out. “Mr. Xiao, what’s wrong? Did your car break down?”
When the passenger door opened, another familiar person got out – Gao Jialiang.
The days leading up to the first day of reporting, especially for Jianye as it had the most universities in Sudong Province, meant that many prospective students would be bumping into each other during their travels.
Gao Jialiang walked around to the Santana, then looked at Hansheng and Zibo on the bus. “Look, we’re all classmates heading to Jianye for the same purpose. But the bus is crowded and has bad ventilation.”
Gao Jialang beat around the bush for a while before he finally got to his point.