Chapter 3, The Delinquent Youth

Indeed, he remembered that this child had caused a bit of trouble for Old Leopard and him. On that day, the boy's parents saw them meeting through the balcony window. Given their outstanding attire as delinquent youths, it naturally led to the parents' anxious questioning, and thus they learned about Old Leopard's 'borrowing money' situation

"Can you not be so disgusting?" Hui's face was filled with disdain. She has always rejected such topics and would never discuss them in public, as it made her feel very disrespectful and lowly

Chen Wenjin was very willing to silently accept such praise

The old leopard was about to send the boy away when Chen Wenjin asked him to wait a moment. In the end, he went to a nearby shop and bought a greeting card. He casually asked a boy for the name of a classmate with whom he had a mediocre relationship and handed it to him, saying: "When you go back, tell your parents that it was a classmate who sent you the greeting card, so they won't suspect anything, and you won't have to explain yourself."

Until later, he could no longer even deceive himself.

Golden Brother said something? Di then turned to ask Chen Wenzhen, their friendship was originally good, and it was indeed possible to be so casual.

The old leopard immediately became excited again, planning how to spend the money after winning the prize

"You smell like sweat!" Di expressed his disdain, clearly feeling that comparing him to Old Leopard in terms of handsomeness was an insult. Thus, he asked Hui, "From what Old Leopard implies, have you already taken over the role of the Golden Hand? When did this happen?"

Chen Wenjin originally did not mind saying a few more words, but the anxious Old Leopard beside him said: "Let's talk more in the evening, the phone bill is expensive"

It is evident that Chen Wenjin is a leader in this regard, but Lao Bao does not have his qualifications. Therefore, while he was eating and listening to Chen Wenjin's evaluation of the rice noodles in this restaurant, he did not interject.

The boy brought the money, and Old Leopard pretended to be serious and tense, making it seem as if he was truly about to undertake something significant

Wow! This is classic! Brother Huang is truly impressive, with so many golden words! Old Leopard was just feeling emotional when he saw a boy walking out of the corridor and quickly waved to greet him

Thus, they are more inclined to deceive themselves into believing that the subsequent changes in Hui were due to unavoidable reasons

Thank you, Brother Huang. The boy was simply grateful for Chen Wenjin's thoughtful care and turned back after taking the greeting card

However, Chen Wenjin still added another bowl. This is indeed a difficult age to gain weight; once one reaches middle age, even eating a little more brings about feelings of guilt

Upon arriving at the lottery station, Chen Wenjin casually generated a string of numbers. Just as he was about to pay, Lao Bao suddenly grabbed him and whispered, "Is it really possible to win? It's 2 yuan!"

"Be kind, you are about to win the lottery. When you have money, remember to repay others." Chen Wenjin used to feel unhappy about such matters, but at that time he wouldn't outright refuse either, because there was truly no other way to make money. Without money, should he let his girlfriend pay for everything when they went out?

Di is different; his family is both affluent and willing to give him money to spend. Like Hui, he is someone who often goes to the barbershop to style his hair

At 7 PM, Hui arrived, accompanied by Lao Bao's girlfriend, Fen

"Golden Brother! Aren't you being a bit excessive with your self-love in front of the most handsome person in the world?" Di proudly boasted about himself, while Chen Wenjin appreciated his narcissism but did not agree, as he too was narcissistic

I said, will you speak? Di appeared somewhat surprised, as it was merely a casual remark, and he never expected Chen Wenjin to discuss such a topic in public

Was it a mistake of memory? The rice noodles of this era are not necessarily more delicious than those of the future? It is merely the difference in chili, and the greater quantity of beef brisket brings more broth, enhancing the fragrance of the noodles... Chen Wenjin felt a bit regretful, yet also thought that perhaps the reality was indeed like this; the taste buds at this time are more sensitive than those of his future self, thus making it seem particularly delicious

Chen Wenjin gazed at the graceful young woman before him. In his memory, Hui had always possessed an excellent figure, and seeing her now, that assessment remained unchanged.

"When your hair is messy, you lose confidence, but I am different; my face combined with my temperament can make any hairstyle shine," Chen Wenjin remembered that he had answered this way back then, as it was his consistent response to Di.

However, as for the money of Old Leopard, it certainly will not be spent in vain

The old leopard reluctantly said: "Buying greeting cards costs money, isn't that a loss?"

During the meal, Chen Wenjin proposed Guilin rice noodles, to which Lao Bao had no objections, as they are inexpensive, practical, and delicious

As for the truth... it is that he often went to the hair salon for washing, blow-drying, and cutting when he had no money back then

Some people were jeering and deliberately provoking, but Chen Wenjin chose to remain silent.

"Not as cool as usual, and..." Old Leopard racked his brains trying to find a way to describe it, but ultimately found it somewhat difficult. He reluctantly described it as: "It just looks not so cool anymore, the gaze is very gentle... sigh, I don't know how to say it, could it be that he is possessed by aliens?"

Even though he had guessed countless times, he still had no answer. Eventually, he no longer cared and ceased to seek further inquiry

The lottery draw will take place tomorrow night, but they urgently need money tonight and must seek financial assistance from others

The old leopard had no objections to his appetite, yet he couldn't help but lean in and whisper, "Indeed, a man who is about to win the lottery is different; he dares to eat two bowls of rice noodles. However, tonight I still have to keep track of my spending. I called Di and asked them to invite Hai, Brother Wang, and Brother Chen over."

"It's downstairs at your place, hurry and bring the money down, I'm in a rush, waiting to get the money to handle something. You don't need to worry about what it is, do you dare to come along and help? If you dare, you won't need to spend any money, just come along and lend a hand! ... ... Right, we are brothers, of course, when there's something going on, we contribute money if we have it, and lend a hand if we can. Enough talk, hurry and bring the money down! Brother Huang Jin is also here, don't keep him waiting too long." Lao Bao hung up the phone, thinking, right, we are brothers, of course, when there's something going on, we contribute money if we have it, and lend a hand if we can. Enough talk, hurry and bring the money down! Brother Huang Jin is also here, don't keep him waiting too long." Lao Bao hung up the phone, his eyes gleaming with cunning, and he chuckled, "This guy really has money, for his birthday, his family gave him two thousand yuan for a feast, do you think asking him to take out three hundred for us is too little?"

Didi, with a flick of his hair and a lively expression, passionately describes how to carefully maintain his freshly styled hair. He prides himself on being exceptionally handsome, often proclaiming his favorite saying: "The head may be severed, but the hair must not be disheveled"

"On the bus, without a phone, and there are no public telephones in that place." Chen Wenjin knew the outcome of his relationship with Hui was not the same as the deep affection of years past, yet he also understood that at this moment, Hui's emotions were genuine. However, because he felt they were genuine, it became even more perplexing. Why, back then, could things change so suddenly and so quickly?

There should be none. Chen Wenjin smiled again and said, "Perhaps it is due to the imminent chance of winning a prize."

It is not easy to invite guests and treat them to a meal, so one must certainly reciprocate the favor, taking the opportunity to strengthen any relationships that can be nurtured.

Just returned and then went out again, doesn't her mother suspect anything? One cannot only think of oneself! Chen Wenjin replied casually, but in his heart, he was clear that he was not in a hurry to meet. To put it bluntly, he came from the future, and the future him no longer loved Hui.

Is there? Chen Wenjin was not surprised by Lao Bao's sensitivity; he was merely pondering whether he could still maintain the facade of normalcy in everything.

At the end, Di looked at Chen Wenjin and urged, "It's your turn!"

Upon thinking of this, Chen Wenjin could not help but recall a line from a song that almost mirrored his past experiences: 'If you are going to leave me, please be honest and tell me, do not sneak away like last time and wait for half a year... '

"You speak first." Chen Wenjin remained very calm, while Hui slightly frowned beside him, clearly dissatisfied with such a response

Chen Wenjin recalled that during that time, it seemed to cost one yuan per minute or fifty cents per minute. Moreover, he was not reluctant to hang up the phone, and on the other end, Hui said: "Are you still downstairs at my place? If not, I can come out to find you"

Chen Wenjin thought it over and over, yet still did not wish to live again in vain. Although he had never contemplated revenge in the past, now he rather wanted Hui to experience the feelings he had back then

For men of this era, this is an unacceptable and intolerable disgrace

As expected, Chen Wenjin had nothing much to say either. These young people, who consider themselves adults, lack the foundation of economic independence. Their common pastime of drinking and dancing in nightclubs seems to transform them into adults, granting them a sense of freedom unrestrained by parental control

I estimate that you will be able to spend it all in a few years. Chen Wenjin remarked on Lao Bao's character, stating that a few years is already the highest estimate, not to mention that even if he were to win the grand prize at this time, it is unlikely that he would be able to spend much.

"Let's talk later in the evening. It's not appropriate for you to go out again right after coming home," Chen Wenjin hung up the phone, and Lao Bao couldn't help but say, "Is it really that strange? If Hui wants to go out, are you telling her not to?"

I mean, after you finish speaking, I will say: I won't say anything. Chen Wenjin smiled faintly, and Di, not very surprised, whispered: Then that means there is none!

Because the aliens only left these few numbers. Chen Wenjin casually remarked, in reality, the numbers he bought today would not win at all; how could he possibly remember the lottery numbers from over twenty years ago?

Hui's eyes are large and bright, sparkling with the vibrant enthusiasm of youth, instantly reminding Chen Wenjin of the feelings he had when he gazed at her back in the day

On the other end of the phone, the voice gradually choked with emotion as it recounted the sudden disappearance of Chen Wenjin and the lack of response to calls, reproaching with a tearful tone: "Why didn't you return the call to let me know? Do you have any idea how worried I have been?"

Chen Wenjin suddenly remembered the child who was sending money, hurriedly pushed Old Leopard to change positions, and said: "Don't let his family see from the window"

Di came over, squeezed past Fen, and sat down beside Chen Wenjin, sizing him up and saying: "Huang Jin Ge—your hair needs to be taken more seriously! Don't waste that good face, alright?"

What exactly happened during the year-end back then ... ... Chen Wenjin recalled the sudden changes in the future, and at this moment, the doubts he once had resurfaced in his heart

They were originally close friends; it was because of Hui's assistance that Fen ended up with Old Leopard

Indeed! The third prize is 3,000 yuan, I have never won so much money before! What if the numbers I added match, and I end up winning the first prize? I would never be able to spend it all in my lifetime!" Old Leopard excitedly began to daydream.

"Why not just not buy it?" Chen Wenjin had already paid, decisively throwing the choice back. Lao Bao thought for a moment and still decided to buy, and even steeled himself to purchase two sets of numbers. In the end, he carefully tucked the lottery tickets into his wallet, anxiously asking, "Why is it the third prize?"

The old leopard has several sworn brothers, specifically those who are wealthy sworn brothers, while those without money are cast aside

In the private room of the bar, the faces of the young boys flickered before Chen Wenjin's eyes, and as he recalled these faces from his already blurred memories, each one became distinct.

He was already aware of this fact back then, yet he believed that spending time together would deepen their feelings

Since they parted ways back then, Chen Wenjin has not been in contact with Hui, and originally had no intention of reaching out. However, when the call connected and he heard the voice on the other end, he still felt quite pleased.

Chen Wenjin looked at a boy in the private room, who had good skin, was refined and handsome, and had a calm gaze. His name was A Niu. Originally, this night had been provoked by A Niu, which had led to Hui's anger.

The future of this road, Chen Wenjin knows what it is, he just finds it uninteresting, and regarding his future with Old Leopard, he also knows that at this moment, there is no longer that youthful naivety of believing that they could intertwine their lives as they once thought.

The old leopard looked into Chen Wenjin's eyes and suddenly asked, "Have you been possessed by aliens? You seem different today."

The current Chen Wenjin can already discern the general situation, and the crux of the matter is that she does not love him that much, nor does she possess the ability or courage to choose between love and indifference

Hui's expression was somewhat displeased, but Chen Wenjin did not pay it any mind, as he remembered that she would make things difficult for him tonight, holding him accountable for other matters.

I really want you to try waiting for half a year! Chen Wenjin thought of this and felt quite annoyed, yet he calmly used his words to deal with Old Leopard. Hui's emotions settled down, and she curiously inquired about aliens, as she believed in extraterrestrial civilizations

"You speak first, and I will respond," Chen Wenjin nodded.

"Get lost, come back to compare with Huang Jin after you find a girlfriend, okay? Does a man who is just a friend have the qualifications to compare with a man who is holding the school beauty?" Lao Bao couldn't help but interject; this was originally his logic. He acknowledged Di Shuai, but not having a girlfriend meant he couldn't compare to Chen Wenjin's handsomeness. A Bao flicked his hair and proudly added, "Look, I already have a girlfriend, which shows that I'm not as handsome as you but definitely more manly than you!"

Only Hui

Everyone heard it, Huang Jin said it himself, I will speak first, and after I finish, he will speak. Di said this and shouted loudly: "I have always treated you as a friend, what is there to say?"

Chen Wenjin was contemplating whether he should give A Niu another chance to perform

Chen Wenjin patted him on the shoulder and said, "A man should be more magnanimous, especially since you are about to win the lottery!"

Am I foolish? Repay the money? Does he not need to pay the bill while using our names to act arrogantly at school? If I have money, I wouldn't spend it on myself, what nonsense! Old Leopard was extremely unconvinced.

"Why should money borrowed based on one's ability be repaid?" Chen Wenjin recalled this phrase that had become popular in the future; in fact, such behavior has a long history.

Chen Wenjin observed the boy's stunned expression, clearly convinced without a doubt

The first prize is several million! Spending it all every day at the venue is never enough! Old Leopard was immersed in the fantasy of sudden wealth, unable to extricate himself for a moment, until the bus arrived, at which point he sighed with regret and melancholy, saying: "It's a pity it's only the third prize; it will be gone after a few drinks."

The old leopard, however, firmly believed it, gave a thumbs up, and sincerely praised: "A truly exceptional man!"