Chapter 89: Yesterday Once More (1) The young nobles of Wuling, east of the Gold Market, crossed the spring breeze on white horses with silver saddles.
At the end of the month, Fang Yu gathered everyone together and took out a package.
“Everyone has worked hard this month. Here, count it.” It was time to pay their wages.
Cheng Chen happily accepted an envelope, skillfully counted the bills, and, hardly believing his eyes, rubbed them and counted again before finally looking up.
“Why is it two thousand? Wasn’t it a thousand before?”
Fang Yu nodded matter-of-factly.
“Business has been good, and everyone gets a share. There’ll be more in the future.”
Li Jing and Xia Churan were both delighted, staring at the large bills in their hands.
“Wow, we get this much too?”
“Of course, it’s for everyone.”
This salary wasn’t just unique on Snack Street— even in Xianjiang’s city center, it rivaled what white-collar workers in office buildings made. The two girls immediately began excitedly planning a shopping trip for the next day.
While everyone happily discussed what to do with their money, Fang Yu quietly slipped outside and dialed Qin Lu’s number.
“Lulu, can I come see you tomorrow?”
Qin Lu sounded a little pouty.
“Hmph, Fang Yu, you haven’t come to see me in ages. Are you hanging around that senior all the time?”
“No way, I’ve just been busy lately. Tomorrow’s the weekend. I’ll come first thing in the morning, okay?”
“Well, you promised! Don’t stand me up,” she replied, her tone turning cheerful.
After nine that evening, Li Jing and Xia Churan returned to their dorms. Fang Yu found an unused computer and logged into QQ for the first time in ages. There were a few new photos in the old high school group— the first being one of him and Qin Lu. The image was a little blurry, but Fang Yu found himself lost in thought as he looked at it.
At eight the next morning, Fang Yu arrived punctually downstairs at Qin Lu’s dormitory. The weather in early December was already freezing, but he refused to sacrifice style for warmth, so he could only shiver under a big tree as he waited.
Qin Lu hadn’t come down yet. Fang Yu took out a cigarette and lit it, but after just two drags, a raspy voice called out behind him.
“Hey, Fang Yu, you’re here? Looking for Qin Lu?”
He didn’t even need to turn around— it was Jin Hai. Their relationship was all right for now, so Fang Yu forced a smile and turned.
“Oh, Jin Hai. What’s up?”
Jin Hai’s smile was ingratiating.
“Nothing, nothing. Just happened to see you. Has Churan mentioned me lately?”
Fang Yu shook his head.
“No idea. I’ve been busy with other things, not at the internet café. Haven’t you reached out to her yourself?”
Jin Hai nodded thoughtfully.
“Oh, no wonder Churan said she was too busy to see me lately. So you were away. Haha, that’s good. I thought maybe she didn’t like me anymore.”
Fang Yu almost laughed out loud. He thought to himself, “Since when did Xia Churan ever like you?”
To avoid further awkwardness, he took out his pack of cigarettes and offered one.
“Want one?”
It was just a gesture, but Jin Hai nodded earnestly, took one, and put it between his lips.
“Fang Yu, do girls think guys who smoke are extra cool? Churan seems to like it— she said the smell of smoke on you is nice.”
“Uh, well, I don’t think it’s the smoke,” Fang Yu replied, waving his hand a bit awkwardly.
“Churan always says I lack masculinity. Must be because I don’t smoke. Cough, cough—” Jin Hai asked for Fang Yu’s lighter and tried to light up himself.
Watching him cough and tear up after a single drag, Fang Yu couldn’t help but grin, just about to tease him, when a soft, fragrant figure leaped into his arms.
“Hee-hee, have you been waiting long? Look, do you like my new clothes?”
He tossed away his cigarette and stroked Qin Lu’s soft, dark hair.
“I’ve waited so long already— what’s a little longer? Hmm, let me see— my darling looks good in anything.”
Qin Lu’s cheeks flushed, but Jin Hai was clueless.
“Ah, no, Fang Yu and I have only been talking for a few minutes.”
“You don’t know anything. We’re going on a date. Let’s go,” Fang Yu said, waving dismissively.
Jin Hai nodded quickly, eager to please.
“Oh, okay, I won’t bother you two. By the way, Fang Yu, when you get back, put in a good word for me with Xia Churan, okay?”
But Fang Yu wasn’t listening at all— he’d already turned and wrapped his arm around Qin Lu’s slender waist, ushering her into the passenger seat.
“Wow, Fang Yu, what kind of car is this? Where’s your old Santana?” Qin Lu was still unaware of the whole tax issue.
“Oh, the company bought it. Just something to drive around. Do you like it?” Fang Yu was clearly proud.
“It looks amazing! But isn’t it a bit flashy? Who goes to school in a sports car?”
“It’s just a car. Come on, I’ll take you somewhere nice.”
The 640i roared to life and sped onto the highway. Qin Lu looked at him in confusion.
“Hey, where are we going? We need the highway?”
“I missed you,” he answered seriously.
Qin Lu was startled. She missed him too, but now that they were together, why the long drive? No matter how she pressed him, he only smiled and said nothing.
Four hours later, around midday, the 640i brought them back to their hometown of Nanwu.
“Fang Yu, why are we home? It’s not the holidays yet,” Qin Lu said, glancing around.
“Well, you must be hungry. Let’s eat first, okay?” He parked the car by the roadside.
“Sure, it’s lunchtime. Hey, isn’t this near our old high school?”
“Yeah. Come on, let’s eat.” He took her hand and led her away.
Their high school didn’t have a cafeteria— something almost unheard of in the city back then— so every noon, students had to leave campus to find food.
The school was nestled in the winding alleys of the old town. Step outside the gate, and you’d find streets lined with snack shops and fast-food stalls.
“Wow, I haven’t had cotton candy in ages!” Qin Lu said, bouncing as she pointed at an old man selling handmade cotton candy on the corner.
Fang Yu glanced around. It was Saturday, so there weren’t many students; only a few boys from after-school classes lingered, heading off to play ball.
“Let’s get some after we eat. You shouldn’t have sweets on an empty stomach.” He took her hand and led her straight to a fast-food shop by the street.
Because it was the weekend, the owner had only made a few dishes, but the two of them still ate with great enjoyment. Qin Lu didn’t mind these humble snacks in the least— if anything, she ate more than usual.
“Whew, I’m so full. This was always my favorite place back in school,” she sighed in contentment.
“I know,” he replied simply.
“You know?” Qin Lu looked at him with wide, beautiful eyes.
“Of course I do. Every little shop you ever visited, I’ve been to as well. Every chair you sat on, I’ve sat on too.”