Chapter 2 (1/2)

Chapter 2

The two of them walked unsteadily to the school gate. Wang Zibo talked a lot the entire way, but Chen Hansheng did not respond. He was trying his best to adapt to his hometown, Port City, from seventeen years ago.

This was before he left for Jianye, the big city. Back then, Chen Hansheng had felt that the economic development of his hometown was not doing well after graduating from university, so he stayed in Jianye to find his fortune.

Occasionally, he would go home to visit his parents, but he would come and go in a hurry. There was no time for him to notice the changes Port City had gone through over the years.

The only times he truly felt nostalgic about his hometown was when he got drunk. But it would quickly be replaced by the need to deal with his busy reality.

What’s the point of a person like me to get a second chance in life?’

Chen Hansheng felt very depressed. He had everything in 2019 – money, status, a company, and people who would be at his beck and call. How were these characteristics of a person who would get reincarnated? Weren’t opportunities like these given to those who have been treated unfairly by life? Like being cuckolded, losing their parents, being poor, or starving?

“Damn it, I really don’t want to go back in time!”

Chen Hansheng could not help but curse out loud. Wang Zibo was just recounting how Chen Hansheng had gotten drunk last night and insisted on confessing to Xiao Rongyu. Chen Hansheng’s sudden outburst startled him.

“Are you listening to me or not?”

“Oh, I am.”

Chen Hansheng casually responded. Then, he touched his pocket. He had no wallet and no cell phone on him. He sighed and turned to Wang Zibo. “Do you have any money on you? I want to get something from the grocery store.”

“Do you want to buy some water?”

Wang Zibo could empathize. He knew Chen Hansheng’s mouth would be dry after a hangover. Plus, it was quite a hot day.

“What do you want to drink? A Jianlibao soda or coke?” Wang Zibo was ready to treat him.

“Just water is fine. And get me a pack of cigarettes.” Chen Hansheng requested.

Wang Zibo’s eyes instantly widened as he took a good look at Chen Hansheng. “When did you learn to smoke? How come I didn’t know?”

Chen Hansheng started to grow a little impatient. Why was his good friend being so naggy? “I’m in a bad mood, so I want to smoke to relieve my boredom.”

Wang Zibo hesitated for a moment, but he bought the cigarettes for Chen Hansheng in the end. The snack bar was just outside of The First Port City High School. Chen Hansheng looked at the massive iron gate and thought, ‘This was where I made all those memories from three years of high school. It feels like a thousand years ago.’

Not long after, Wang Zibo returned. “Here, your cigarettes.”

‘Wow, when was the last time I smoked a Hongtashan cigarette?’

Chen Hansheng could not help but laugh. Ever since he started working, he rarely smoked this brand. He skilfully tore open the packaging and handed a cigarette to Wang Zibo. “Want one?”

Wang Zibo hesitated for a while, but in the end, he decided to accompany his friend to smoke one.

Wang Zibo was still a typical student who had yet to experience the harsh realities of life, unlike Chen Hansheng who had experienced the ravages of society. It was obvious from the way each of them smoked.

Chen Hansheng directly rolled his trouser legs to his knees and sat on the curb to smoke. He narrowed his eyes and looked thoughtfully at the students passing by.

Wang Zibo was shyer. When he smoked, he would turn his head away and hide the cigarette behind his back every time he took a puff. Even the way he released the smoke seemed like an amateur.

Wang Zibo turned to Chen Hansheng and noticed how comfortable the latter was. “Hansheng, your smoking style is quite cool.”

Chen Hansheng was a veteran smoker. Even the way he flicked his cigarette ashes had a sense of rhythm.

“Practice makes perfect.” Chen Hansheng replied indifferently which only made him seem pretentious. Wang Zibo became envious and almost wanted to beat him up. But he had to admit that Chen Hansheng was looking quite charismatic.

Before they finished their cigarettes, a group of people approached on bicycles. Wang Zibo quickly put out his cigarette before warning Chen Hansheng.”Throw that away, quick.”

Chen Hansheng was stunned by Wang Zibo’s behavior. “Are teachers on their way?”