Chapter One: Life (04)

After the wedding ceremony concluded, the guests departed after enjoying a hearty meal and drinks, while the elders, unable to endure any longer, left the venue early

Both individuals were taken aback for a moment, and after a while, they tacitly turned away from each other.

Then he grabbed her arm and pulled her back, leaning slightly backward and turning to look at her: "What are you in such a hurry for"

He turned his head to look out the window

Lu Huaizheng was preparing for the triple jump at the nearby venue at that time. He reacted quickly and immediately rushed over to pick the person up and took them to the medical room. As a result, he didn't even have time to participate in the competition, and by the time he returned, the judges had already moved to a different location.

Zhao Dailin stared at the figure not far away, inexplicably feeling that the ancient saying was true

I always feel that Hu Siqi still likes you the most. Sigh, you have been sitting next to her for so long, haven't you ever had any improper thoughts?

Well, she is quite dull.

I just didn't expect there to be a person like Lu Huaizheng

As soon as he touches alcohol, an air of impropriety envelops him, and when he gazes at you, his pitch-black eyes are filled with deep affection. This state is usually just a pretense of drunkenness to tease her; when truly intoxicated, he resembles a deflated bear, merely lying on the bed in deep slumber

At that time, I was a minor

He came to his senses, turned his head to glance around, quickly picked up his phone and stood up, grabbing the black suit hanging on the back of the chair in his hand, and pushed the chair back with his foot. As he was preparing to answer the call, his peripheral vision caught sight of someone at the door, which seemed unexpected. He instinctively looked over, his finger suddenly paused, hovering over the green answer button, remaining still

When the newcomers came over to toast, Lu Huaizheng stood behind the two in a suit, holding a bottle of red wine, his expression as indifferent as could be, even less engaged than when looking at strangers. At least when he looked at Professor Han and the others, he still wore a smile.

Well, it has come down

At that time, the two were not actually very familiar with each other, but it was evident to everyone that Lu Huaizheng was interested in pursuing her

... ...

Lu Huaizheng was clearly drunk. After everyone had left, he took off his suit, loosened the collar of his shirt, and leaned back in his chair with his legs spread apart, closing his eyes to rest.

Compared to Shen Xiyuan's gentle and jade-like demeanor, the nonchalant air about Lu Huaizheng makes you particularly eager to conquer him

The phone continued to buzz, yet my gaze remained fixed on her face

One day, passing by a group of girls from Class 8, I shouted at him, "Lu Huaizheng! Aren't you going back to the classroom yet!"

Before the National Day holiday, there was a sports meeting. No one from Class Five signed up for the 800-meter race, so the sports committee decided to draw lots. As a result, Yu Hao became the unfortunate one. Yu Hao had been weak since childhood and would be out of breath after running just fifty meters. That day, the event was scheduled for the afternoon, and after a morning of exposure to the sun, combined with not warming up before the race, he fainted right at the finish line

Yu Hao comes from a good family background and is a beauty with an exquisite figure. Since childhood, the boys surrounding her have all been of good standing, and they know that ordinary people indeed find it difficult to move her. The young girls in the courtyard say that Yu Hao's heart is made of stone; there are so many boys pursuing her, with endless displays of creativity, yet not even a single gesture has ever touched her.

... ...

Two competition events were scheduled, but Lu Huaizheng abandoned one of them, leaving only the 100-meter final. The girls from Class 8 had been complaining to him for quite some time while pushing his arm. Yu Hao felt guilty and agreed to help Class 8 with a few bulletin boards after the sports meeting. She had won awards for every bulletin board she created, and the publicity committee of Class 8 had approached her several times about it

His warm, dry palm grasped her slender, soft arm, causing her heart to shudder. He seemed completely unconcerned and pulled her closer, saying, "I heard your class has an 800-meter physical test this afternoon? I bought you a Snickers to replenish your energy; just don't faint like you did at the sports meet." He then glanced elsewhere, lightly scratched his nose, and replied, "I won't be around this afternoon, so there will be no one to carry you to the infirmary."

In an instant, it feels as if heaven and earth are no more, and all things are empty

Training

Zhao Dailin observed her in a state of despair and couldn't help but sigh at her lack of ambition, noting how composed others appeared in comparison

The gaze met unexpectedly

Lu Huaizheng, unable to contain his anger, kicked and shouted: "What nonsense are you talking about? Don't you dare get me into trouble!"

As soon as the words were spoken, I saw Yu Hao carrying a large stack of recently graded exam papers pass by in front of me

... ...

Once she had walked away, Lu Huaizheng kicked the boy hard. The boy reacted quickly, realizing he had spoken out of turn, and apologized, pleading for mercy

At that moment, I happened to walk behind the cylinder and overheard their conversation

She had been good but never looked up, waiting for a group of people to crowd around the newlyweds as they left, before she dazedly fell back into her chair. Her appearance was no different from a drowned dog just pulled from the water. No, it was even worse; at least a drowned dog would know to shake off its fur to show some dignity, but she was completely resigned.

Having traversed the currents of time and years, the once carefree youth and the extraordinarily handsome man before her overlap once more. The images of the past surge towards her like a flood, evoking a feeling that is both strange and familiar, a sensation that cannot be adequately expressed even by a hundred claws scratching at her heart.

Then he waited for a while, and when Yuhao appeared, he smiled, stepped on the pedal, and glided towards her like a slippery loach, stopping the vehicle. With one long leg propped on the ground, he smiled and said to her: "Why are you so late"

The young man lazily waved his hand and said, "Thank you"

Now that I have reached adulthood, every gesture exudes the composure and charm of a man, and this state of slight intoxication is the most perilous

Lu Huaizheng sometimes returned from playing ball to find her still working on the class bulletin board. He casually tossed the ball into the hoop, propped himself up on the table with both hands, and with a strong push of his body, he sat on the table with his long legs dangling, admiring the bulletin board. Her brush strokes were very gentle, graceful and lively, in stark contrast to her personality

Then forget it, I will find someone else. How unfortunate, I have to share a group with both of you for duty.

At this moment, the phone lying on the table rang abruptly

Lu Huaizheng held the phone to his ear and began to walk out. As he passed by her, he did not pause, but went straight to press the elevator button at the entrance, responding lightly to the person on the other end of the line

In that moment, I experienced what it means to feel as if I were in a different world

However, after knowing Yuhao for so many years, she has never seen her like this

Boys often speak such nonsense in private, but Yu Hao has never taken it to heart. However, Lu Huaizheng is passionate and sincere towards her, even going so far as to fight for her. As long as she expresses a desire for the stars in the sky, he would find a way to bring them to her, yet he has never mentioned wanting her to be his girlfriend, so it cannot be considered a first love

The quality of first love is high, but it is difficult to find a husband

You skipped class again?!" the girl exclaimed in astonishment

His drinking capacity is actually not as good as Yu Hao's. He used to drink before, during the time when Class 8 won the game, it was the only occasion he took Yu Hao, who was from another class, out for a meal. This led to the boys from Class 5 calling her a little traitor, saying that she went out for a meal with others after losing the match. They poked at her heart and repeatedly questioned Yu Hao: Which class do you belong to, which class!

"Wait a moment," he said, and as if recalling something, he leaned on the handlebars and turned to call out to the girl, "Hey, I need to leave early this afternoon, could you help me wipe the blackboard?"

When this man is calm and serious, his brows are sharp and his eyes are cold, embodying a sense of restraint and detachment; when he smiles, his brows and eyes are warm yet unconstrained, exuding a carefree demeanor

Suddenly, I also understand why Yu Hao has not talked about a boyfriend in recent years

After speaking, he took a bag of small bread from the bicycle handle and handed it to her, saying: "I bought too many. If you have eaten, then save the second portion for after the next class."

After finishing in the restroom, he had not yet left. The person was comfortably leaning against the chair, tilting his head to look out the window, one hand resting on the edge of the table, the lines of his neck taut, with a pronounced nape. Outside, the neon lights flickered, the city's splendor clashed with the solitude enveloping him under the moonlight, quiet as a painting

Throughout the wedding banquet that day, the two did not exchange a single glance. Lu Huaizheng assisted Lin Chang in attending to friends and relatives, busy as if he were the one getting married, while Yu Hao remained seated in her place, motionless.

At first, there were always people who liked to make jokes about him and Hu Siqi. Later on, Lu Huaizheng no longer allowed those boys to say such things. This was because one time, Yu Hao was passing by their class 8 with a stack of test papers, and Lu Huaizheng was leaning against the door chatting with a few boys. One of the boys nudged his shoulder with his elbow and said, "Hey, hey, hey, Hu Siqi has changed boyfriends again, and this time I heard he is a top student."

The girl turned around, her expression changed, and she smiled again, her brows and eyes filled with joy: "Let me help you wipe it! Let me help you wipe it!"

Yu Hao took it and said thank you, "Why are you still not going in?"

The young man sighed deeply: "Sigh, I know you like Yu Hao, but with Hu Siqi's figure, if you don't have feelings and just sleep with her, it would be such a waste..."

Lu Huaizheng glanced at him sideways and after a moment, let out a chuckle: "What crooked thoughts could I possibly have? You know very well who I like."

I am waiting for you

"I won't help you wipe it, you can ask Hu Siqi to help you!" the girl retorted.

Still upstairs

He used to ride a black mountain bike to class, dressed entirely in black, which made him particularly cool

He spoke these words while lowering his head and smiling at her, his eyes particularly bright. Yu Hao felt that his gaze was quite meaningful, and she did not know how to respond, instinctively looking away. However, Lu Huaizheng did not comply with her wishes; he deliberately bent down on his bicycle to meet her gaze. Unable to evade him, Yu Hao hurriedly lowered her head and said, "I have to go to class."

Zhao Dailin suddenly recalled a person, the youngest history professor in the neighboring department—Shen Xiyuan. This individual is humble and courteous, having visited their research institute several times. The young ladies all felt that he and Yu Hao were quite a match, and it was merely a matter of time before they would be together

Lu Huaizheng had poked her forehead countless times, calling her dull. He was quite mischievous; the more she pretended to be serious, the more he enjoyed teasing her, and the more he liked to see her dull reactions

Lu Huaizheng was wearing a baseball jacket at the time, with his hands in his pockets, seemingly lost in thought, and with a distracted expression: "And then?"

He particularly enjoyed waiting for her at the school gate on his mountain bike, balancing on one foot while propping himself up. When he encountered familiar boys, he would chat casually for a couple of sentences, or he would just stand there alone with his arms crossed. Yuhao watched from a distance, seeing his face illuminated by the thin morning light, making it appear exceptionally clear. When he smiled, the contours of his profile were soft, resembling the vibrant young poplars by the roadside.