Fang Bai walked to the shade of a tree by the road to wait, his eyes fixed on the first-floor entrance of the dormitory, pacing back and forth beside the tree.
About three minutes later, he suddenly saw a large swing dress emerge from the stairwell. He was instantly delighted and was about to go up to greet her, but then disappointment surged into his heart, and the corners of his mouth drooped slightly.
It wasn't Qin Shuyu.
It was the same style of large swing dress, but the figure was different.
Just two minutes later, hurried footsteps echoed from the stairs, growing closer to Fang Bai's ears, and at the same time, a swaying pink butterfly-print half-length swing dress came into his view.
Fang Bai smiled, a very happy smile!
The moment she saw Fang Bai, she paused, then she also smiled, her eyes curving into two bright crescent moons. The corners of her mouth lifted slightly, revealing a row of pearly white teeth that shimmered like pearls.
With a pair of fair hands holding the hem of her skirt, she ran lightly towards Fang Bai. A girl beside her turned back curiously, seeing a boy not far from the dormitory entrance walking towards their dormitory door with a smile on his face.
Soon, their eyes met. Fang Bai took her hands and looked at her beautiful face with a smile.
Qin Shuyu shyly lowered her head, her cheeks tinged with a blush.
"Shuyu, wait a moment."
Fang Bai saw the plump girl behind him clutching her stomach, walking towards them, panting. He walked a few steps forward, handed her five yuan, and said, "Thank you."
"Student… you… are too kind, thank you! I can't believe Qin Shuyu is really your girlfriend." The plump girl leaned against a nearby tree with one hand, supporting her stomach with the other, thanking him while gasping for breath.
Qin Shuyu had been somewhat dazed when she heard Fang Bai's name. Her classmate said he was her boyfriend, and after receiving the business card, she just said "Thank you" and ran straight down. Now, she said "Thank you" to the plump girl again.
"I won't bother you two. I don't want to be a third wheel.
Oh, by the way, handsome, could you give me one of your business cards? I think it looks quite romantic." The plump girl had started to leave but turned back to ask Fang Bai for a business card.
"Of course, you can."
Fang Bai took a business card from a small pocket in his backpack and handed it to her.
...
Ten minutes later,
At the new sports complex, the lawn by the lake was covered with golden fallen leaves, shimmering with a golden glow under the sunlight.
The lake water sparkled, reflecting the sky's azure and the trees' vibrant colors.
Fang Bai and Qin Shuyu sat shoulder to shoulder on a chair, feeling the gentle autumn breeze, which brought a hint of coolness, making them feel refreshed and pleasant.
Qin Shuyu didn't ask much; she just kept smiling, occasionally nodding with an "Mm-hmm."
Fang Bai knew Qin Shuyu's personality. He told Qin Shuyu about his business, including helping her father find orders, and also about his monthly exam results, but he didn't mention the awkward matter of becoming sworn brothers.
"Shuyu, don't tell your dad about what happened with him, just pretend you don't know. I'm afraid he'll chase me with a hammer. When the time is right, I'll tell him."
"Mm, I'll listen to you. How are your fingers recovering now?"
Qin Shuyu was very happy and surprised by what Fang Bai was doing. She wouldn't blame Fang Bai, nor would she care whether his grades were good or not. Anyway, if Fang Bai couldn't earn money, she could still work to support the family.
"They're recovering quite quickly, which is a bit surprising to me." Fang Bai showed her, moving three of his fingers.
The Golden Finger helped him recover 20%, and another month had passed. Now, his condition was even better than it was two years later in his previous life.
It's just that this kind of injury requires a very long time to recover.
Fang Bai opened his backpack and gave the newly bought pager to Qin Shuyu, telling her his number.
"Later, I'll give you some money to deposit in the bank. From now on, don't save money; call me whenever you want to. I'm earning money very quickly now, and your dad's business is also doing very well. When you graduate, you'll be in charge of the money, hehe."
"Okay, don't work too hard."
Qin Shuyu gladly accepted Fang Bai's gift and money. In her eyes, they were a family, and when Fang Bai gave her money, she was the financial manager.
They sat for a long time, talking a lot. Qin Shuyu liked to look up at Fang Bai's face, listening to him talk, occasionally interjecting a few words.
About an hour later, they left the lakeside. Fang Bai told Qin Shuyu to go back to her dormitory and bring her passbook and bag.
About ten minutes later,
Fang Bai held Qin Shuyu's hand as they left the campus, took a taxi, and went to the Bund for shopping and delicious food.
The Bund is a prosperous place in Shanghai, full of rich historical atmosphere. Today was the weekend, so there were quite a few people.
Qin Shuyu had been at university for two months and hadn't been to the Bund yet. When she encountered delicious food, she would hug Fang Bai's arm and say she wanted to eat this and that.
"Fang Bai, I want to eat Jianbing Guozi."
"Okay, let's buy it."
"Fang Bai, I want to eat that delicious QQ Nai Nai Pearl Milk Tea."
"What kind of milk tea?"
"Fang Bai, I want to eat cotton candy."
"This one might not be very clean."
"It looks good, I want to eat it."
"Okay, I'll buy it for you." Fang Bai bought her a skewer.
Qin Shuyu happily took it, the corners of her mouth slightly upturned, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and anticipation.
She gently bit through the outer layer and put it in her mouth, savoring it. The soft cotton candy melted on her tongue, releasing a sweet aroma.
Her expression gradually changed from curiosity to satisfaction. She licked her lips, closed her eyes slightly, and her gaze revealed a hint of relaxation and pleasure.
To be honest, Fang Bai had never eaten cotton candy. Seeing her enjoy it so much, he couldn't help but wonder, "Dummy, is it really that good?"
"Mm, it's so good, I want to buy another skewer."
"No, you can't. There's a lot of other delicious food later that you won't eat then."
"Okay, I'll let it go for now, hehe."
They arrived at a barbecue stall that specifically sold grilled live scorpions. Fang Bai saw her approach the stall, her eyes full of curiosity, and she even licked her lips.
"Fang Bai, what is this? It looks so fun, and if it's fun, it must be delicious, right?"
Fang Bai quickly pulled her away. This stuff couldn't be eaten. The vendor behind them was enticing her, "Girl, have a taste, it's very delicious."
Half an hour later, full and satisfied, they unconsciously wandered into Yu Garden. They went in for a stroll; at this time, no tickets were required.
When leaving Yu Garden, they passed a storefront. Qin Shuyu stood outside the store, curiously looking at the blue plastic-packaged goods priced in the glass cabinet: "Fang Bai, the balloons here are so expensive! I want to blow balloons."
Fang Bai was a bit tired from walking, but Qin Shuyu wasn't. He was walking behind her and saw Qin Shuyu standing in front of a store she shouldn't be looking at right now, waving at him. When he realized what was being sold, he quickly pulled her away. Passersby around them cast surprised and envious glances at them.
Even the shop owner couldn't help but laugh and gave Fang Bai a thumbs up: "Little brother, impressive!"
Qin Shuyu, who had been pulled away, walked for more than ten meters, her eyes still curious. She tugged at Fang Bai's sleeve: "Fang Bai, what was that? Why didn't we buy it?"
"Didn't you see the curious glances around us?" Fang Bai couldn't help but laugh. Qin Shuyu had truly never seen these things and really didn't understand.
"I didn't notice, I just wanted to blow balloons."
Seeing her curious gaze, Fang Bai had no choice but to lean close to her ear and explain briefly. Qin Shuyu's cheeks instantly flushed, and she immediately covered her face with both hands, squatting down, not daring to look at Fang Bai directly.
Fang Bai stifled a laugh, gently patted her shoulder, and coughed lightly. Qin Shuyu then whispered, "Fang Bai, don't say anything!"
"What did I just say? I think I said we should go to the Bund Scenic Boulevard, right?"
"Mm, mm, Fang Bai, let's hurry up and go." Qin Shuyu stood up and pulled Fang Bai to walk quickly, but her face was still red.
They walked five hundred meters in a few minutes, and Qin Shuyu's face had returned to normal.
Fang Bai stood in front of the river embankment railing, his hands resting on the railing, quietly gazing at the opposite side.
Qin Shuyu watched him for a long time and couldn't help but ask curiously, "Fang Bai, what's so good to see on that side of the river? It's just a desolate area."