Chapter Five.

A tall and slender boy raised his eyebrows, skillfully caught the basketball, and then made another shot into the hoop. After securing the ball at his waist, he performed a somewhat unstandard military salute towards the instructor, saying, "Instructor, I will challenge you next time!" Under the blazing sun, his smile was radiant, and he was so handsome that it was hard to look away. Staring in a daze, Qiao Nuan murmured, "Gao Lang"

It's nothing, I didn't wait long. I'm having barbecue with a group of friends, are you going?

He smiled and said, "I will have a good talk with Aunt, and I will not let her misunderstand."

Qiao Nuan felt a bit uncomfortable, but upon realizing that this was a matter of course, she did not pay much attention to it

The campus of W is vast, with tall camphor and phoenix trees planted along the roadsides, and the streetlights cast long shadows of both the trees and the people. The teaching buildings and library are brightly lit, and occasionally, someone rides a bicycle past them, bringing a gentle breeze.

In the afternoon, during the review after the training, Qiao Nuan saw Gao Lang approaching from a distance, carrying two bottles of water and holding a basketball, standing aside with great interest as he watched them. Qiao Nuan felt a prickling sensation on her back; after finally finishing, she let out a sigh of relief, picked up her small stool, and walked up to Gao Lang with Li Shanshan, formally greeting him: "Hello, senior."

Hey? Are you planning to live on campus

In the following half month, Qiao Nuan rarely encountered Gao Lang. Occasionally, they would run into each other in the cafeteria, but Qiao Nuan and her friends had to seize the time for their lunch break or to go back for a shower, so they would just exchange hurried greetings.

However, the outcome for Qiao Nuan and Li Shanshan was rather unfortunate, as they were punished by the instructor with an additional thirty minutes of standing at attention. While standing, Qiao Nuan secretly lamented that beautiful women are indeed a source of trouble, and she had encountered two of them at once.

However, my mother is very willing to take care of you. If you move to the dormitory, she will definitely think more about it, believing that her care for you is insufficient and that you are dissatisfied.

Finally, they arrived at the barbecue stall at the far end. The students who were originally sitting at a long table outside the stall stood up in a commotion when they saw Qiao Nuan and the others approaching. The leader was a burly fat man, holding three skewers of lamb. He reached out with his left hand and pulled Gao Lang over, looking at Qiao Nuan and Li Shanshan with a smile and saying, "Oh, hello, junior sisters!"

I also return once every half month

Then quickly greet them, such a rare fate

Li Shanshan was frustrated that things were not going as planned. As she saw Gao Lang turning to leave, she shouted loudly, "Senior Gao Lang!"

Of course we should go, the party is too boring" Li Shanshan stuck out her tongue

"The 'Shan' in 'coral' is not the 'Shan' in 'arriving late'," Li Shanshan added. Her voice was sweet, and the slightly coy tone of her words felt completely natural when she spoke them. Although school had only just started a few days ago, Li Shanshan had already become the recognized class beauty of Class Two in the Advertising Department. At this moment, even though she was wearing a rough-cut military training uniform and a silly little red hat, it was hard to conceal her delicate and outstanding appearance. Moreover, although Li Shanshan had a somewhat delicate personality, she was very approachable and easygoing, which made her particularly attractive to boys. It was evident that Gao Lang was no exception. This realization left Qiao Nuan feeling somewhat downcast, but she quickly let it go; someone as outstanding as Gao Lang was indeed a perfect match for Li Shanshan.

Qiao Nuan and Li Shanshan looked in the direction she pointed, and saw a tall figure standing under the phoenix tree, which was Gao Lang. At that moment, Qiao Nuan pretended to be ill by holding her stomach, and Li Shanshan supported her to ask the instructor for leave. This kind of evening event was meant to be playful, and Instructor Luo did not ask much, immediately granting the leave. The two slowly left Instructor Luo's line of sight, then quickly circled to the northwest corner.

If I also live on campus, your mother will be able to go to work

Since it was all taught by Teacher Wang, I will treat you to a drink of water later!" Saying this, he left with the boy, their arms around each other's shoulders

Qiao Nuan's university life soon began

Qiao Nuan nodded and said, "He is a senior who is one year ahead of me in high school."

Gao Lang smiled and slowly led them to the barbecue place, "We had it last year too, but the camp leader came for an inspection, and everyone didn't even have a chance to chat. Compared to that, you are already doing very well."

They exchanged their dormitory addresses and phone numbers, and Qiao Nuan took Li Shanshan to the cafeteria for a meal

Qiao Nuan tilted her head and looked at him for a while, then suddenly revealed a meaningful smile, "I understand now, you must feel that living at home is not free, right? Honestly admit it, do you have a little girlfriend?"

The day before setting off for school, Qiao's mother repeatedly reminded him of many things, while He Jue silently helped pack things on the side. Qiao was absent-mindedly responding, and just as Qiao's mother stepped out to take a phone call, he quickly pulled He Jue over and whispered, "I’m counting on you to take care of the comic books I’ve hidden on the rooftop."

No, I just find it very troublesome

He glanced at her and said, "If you have a boyfriend, then I will have a girlfriend"

Qiao Nuan smiled and patted He Jue's shoulder, saying, "I can only come back once every half month. If my mother needs anything, could you please lend a hand if you are able to?"

The farewell dinner, the release of results, the collection of notification letters, and the hosting of graduation banquets; a series of events have brought the start of the new school year closer. Qiao Nuan performed normally and was successfully admitted to W University in the city, while Xie Qingyan fulfilled her wish to attend S University, and the others in the class have all gone their separate ways

Qiao Nuan was stunned for a moment. Qiao's mother quit her job because Qiao Nuan was in her final year of high school, and He Jue also had to prepare for the entrance exam to junior high school. She often complained about being bored at home. Qiao Nuan noticed this and felt guilty, so as soon as she finished the college entrance examination, she urged her mother to find a job immediately. She didn't expect He Jue to also think of this.

Why? Is it not comfortable to live at home anymore? Besides, your school is not far from home, right?

I do not know you, but my friend is from the same high school as you." Li Shanshan pointed to Qiao Nuan beside her

Qiao Nuan looked at Li Shanshan in surprise.

Then came the introductions. Qiao Nuan was never good at remembering people's names, except for the fact that the fat guy was called Shao Song, everyone else called him Fat Song. Other than the glasses-wearing boy named Cheng Jingda, she couldn't match the faces and names of the other five or six people.

Almost every girl has a secret crush during high school, perhaps not love, but a faint admiration, embellishing the pages of youth. Qiao Nuan's secret crush is Gao Lang. Although her feelings have faded almost imperceptibly since Gao Lang graduated and she entered her senior year, Qiao Nuan never expected to meet him again at W University.

On the night of September 19th, there was a camp-wide gala, which was more like a bunch of people sitting on the playground watching performances of mediocre quality. Qiao Nuan and Li Shanshan found it boring and huddled together to chat quietly. The instructors also gathered at the back of the formation, chatting among themselves, turning a blind eye to the increasingly undisciplined troops.

During the halfway point of the program, Qiao Nuan was suddenly tapped on the shoulder by a girl behind her. Qiao Nuan turned around and asked, "What’s wrong?"

However, He Jue has always been a well-behaved and obedient child who is heartwarming. His parents divorced when he was in the second grade of primary school. His mother, Zhang Rong, is a career-oriented strong woman and inevitably neglects him. One time, when He's mother was working overnight, she called Qiao's mother to come and take care of him. When Qiao's mother arrived at He's house, she saw He Jue, who was not even as tall as the stove, standing on a stool, holding a large spatula and frying rice with oil and salt. Qiao's mother was immediately moved to tears by this scene and took the spatula from He Jue's hand. Since then, Qiao's mother voluntarily took charge of all aspects of He Jue's daily life. He's mother focused on her work and gave Qiao's mother a monthly allowance, which can be considered a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Gao Lang laughed heartily, handing the water in his hand to them, "A promise is a promise, please have some water—what is your name?"

Oh, is that so? Gao Lang shifted his gaze to Qiao Nuan, who looked embarrassed, and asked: "You are also from San Zhong."

Although W University is not among the top universities, it ranks within the top ten in the country. The campus environment is beautiful, with a harmonious blend of Republican-era and modern architecture, nestled against the mountains and facing the lake, offering picturesque scenery. Qiao Nuan's military training took place on the playground beside Lover's Lake on campus.

However, Li Shanshan was different; she counted on her fingers and earnestly recited each person's name one by one, correcting herself and starting over whenever she made a mistake, until she no longer erred. The atmosphere became lively, and Shao Song poured a glass of beer for Li Shanshan, smiling as he said, "Junior, you have a good memory; let me toast you first, Senior!"

There is no trouble at all; you are so worry-free. My mother tells me every day that she hopes you are her biological child—I'm not complimenting you

He responded with a sound of "mm" while helping her tidy up a pile of miscellaneous items

Qiao Nuan's heart was filled with an indescribable joy, even though Gao Lang and Li Shanshan chatted more along the way. However, setting this aside, simply being able to spend time with the person she admired was enough to make her feel happy

The stall owner quickly added some stools and several sets of bowls and chopsticks as more customers arrived. Qiao Nuan sat down next to Li Shanshan, and a boy wearing glasses sitting opposite them pushed over two plates of grilled lamb skewers. Qiao Nuan hurriedly expressed her gratitude.

The girl behind pointed to the northwest corner and said, "There is a boy over there calling you and Shanshan to come over."

"Yes, it was Wang Deshan who taught in the third year of high school," Qiao Nuan replied awkwardly

Thank you, senior. My name is Qiao Nuan, and this is Li Shanshan.

My roommate Li Shanshan curiously asked: "Do you know A Nuan?"

Gao Lang turned his gaze towards the cheers of his classmates beside him and said with a hearty laugh, "Do you know me, junior?"

A group of people suddenly burst into laughter, pushing and shoving Gao Lang, "What a clever tactic, Captain Gao"

The instructor Luo, who was in charge of their squad, was leading military training for the first time. He was strict but lacked effective methods. One afternoon, while Qiao Nuan and the others had already begun to line up, the boys playing basketball on the playground refused to leave. Just then, someone failed to catch the ball, and it flew towards Qiao Nuan's group. The girls screamed and stepped back, and ultimately, the ball landed at Instructor Luo's feet. Instructor Luo grabbed the basketball without even looking and forcefully threw it towards the group of boys playing basketball, shouting, "Get lost!"

Upon reaching Gao Lang, Li Shanshan hurriedly said: "Senior, I have kept you waiting for a long time"

Li Shanshan held a wine glass, her face showing difficulty, and just as she was about to decline, Qiao Nuan stood up and said: "Senior Shao, Shanshan is allergic to alcohol, so I will drink on her behalf"

Li Shanshan stuck out her tongue and said, "Hello, senior!"

Qiao Nuan shook her head, "I dare not."

Qiao Nuan chuckled and patted He Jue's head, "Don't worry, I will definitely find you a brother-in-law in the first month of college. Just wait and see!"

After walking for more than ten minutes, they arrived at the riverside. This area by the river is filled with stalls selling beer and barbecue at night, with most customers being students from the university town. Gao Lang led them forward, and the air was filled with the scents of nature and charcoal, stimulating the taste buds of Qiao Nuan and Li Shanshan.

He glanced at her with a hint of disdain