Chapter Seven, The Changed Past

"Get lost! I am willing to give, does gold want it? Does he need it? A game coin can finish you off without even catching your breath for thirty bucks, alright!" Di does not like the opportunistic style of A Bao, so although he got to know A Bao first, he gets along better with Chen Wenjin.

"The front door is still sufficient!" Di finally believed this, as he had never found it necessary to hide money in the compartment. He took out his wallet, opened it, and displayed a few one-hundred-yuan notes along with several ten and twenty-yuan notes, saying: "Seeing how badly you were dumped! I will sponsor you thirty yuan! No more than that!"

Chen Wenjin was just about to go out to return a phone call when he suddenly heard Di shouting: "Can't win the game, so you call a woman for help? Wow, if the beauty loses, is she ready to be my girlfriend?"

Wow! So much money, why not provide a little more support? A-Bao's eyes sparkled with envy at Di's wealth

A Biao was smoking, with one leg crossed over the other, displaying a cold demeanor as he faced the sky. Upon seeing Chen Wenjin arrive, he instantly jumped up, wearing a deliberately warm and enthusiastic smile, pulled him to sit down, and offered a cigarette, saying: "Brother Huangjin, would you like one?"

Then just let her be! Since she insists on her refusal, it indicates that she has principles and boundaries. Why must we harm such a good girl? Chen Wenjin did not want to discuss his breakthrough with Hui, so it was only natural for A Bao and Fen to easily indulge in such nonsensical fantasies.

Chen Wenjin patted him on the shoulder, truly not wanting to speak

"Leave some suspense, leave some imagination, the future will be even better." Chen Wenjin politely declined, and his divergent thinking led him to ponder a phrase: establishing a family and a career. Why is establishing a family prioritized? Just look at these two, and you will understand; without a family, how could they have the mindset to consider establishing a career?

"From a different perspective, if you continue to invest, won't you end up losing even more?" Chen Wenjin could only persuade from A Bao's point of view.

On the other end of the phone, A Biao said: "Fen wants to break up with me! The only one who can save me is Hui, and the only one who can persuade Hui is you!"

After chatting idly for a while, Di Shanshan arrived late, and A Bao immediately said: "Di Ge has finally arrived"

At this time of year, Chen Jin did not smoke. In this moment, with the mindset of having quit smoking for many years, he deliberately took the last cigarette from the box with a swift motion

In recalling the past memories, Chen Wen realizes that Di has also been the one who has endured the most beatings. Clearly handsome and coming from a well-off family, he has remained single, which is hard to say is not due to his personality.

"Do you believe I can finish smoking in three hours?" Chen Wenjin clearly provoked. A Bao did not believe that someone who had just learned to smoke could do it, and he also knew that the cost of doing so would be physical suffering. However, after thinking for a moment, he was quite certain that if he were to confront this person head-on, the golden figure in front of him would indeed finish smoking. Thus, he sighed and said: "Golden Brother, don't be so arrogant! If I had money today, I would throw down five yuan to make you finish smoking until you feel sick! You are just bullying me because I am unwilling to spend five yuan to throw at you, aren't you?"

Indeed, I am aware that the chances of success are slim. Last night, I was thinking about how much time I wasted with Fen, and if it doesn't work out, breaking up wouldn't matter. However, after returning home, I felt increasingly unwilling to accept it. I calculated how much money I spent! To save face, I paid for drinks several times, and I called for taxis when we went out. Adding it all up, it must be at least 200 yuan! Therefore, I thought that if Hui Neng could help me out, I would look for another opportunity to try again. I should at least gain some advantage to avoid feeling like I lost out!" A Bao candidly analyzed his evil, despicable, and shameless thoughts, yet Chen Wenjin was not surprised.

Chen Wenjin hung up the phone, and then began to recall, where was the old place... ? ... where was it again ?

"I? Help you take revenge?" Chen Wenjin retorted irritably

We will discuss it further after it comes out

The BP machine suddenly beeped, it is a benefit

"You all play, I am too lazy to move." Chen Wenjin thought back to the past when it was possible, but now... it has been so long, how could one still be that skilled? Furthermore, he had long lost interest in the arcade; the last time he went was to accompany a child in the family, deliberately using a method of disdain to let the child enjoy themselves. The child eventually got tired and did not bring up the desire to go again.

However, ... ... did we visit the arcade on this day back then? Chen Hong thought to himself, unable to recall, but since he had no impression, it indicated that nothing particularly noteworthy had occurred.

At that time, he held a belief in love, truly resembling Liu Xia Hui!

"Having spent it all, this pack of cigarettes was still bought with gold!" A Bao said pitifully, but Chen Wenjin had just seen him stuff twenty yuan into the wallet's photo compartment, leaving only three yuan in the money slot.

"Well, that's true!" A Bao lamented regretfully about the loss, saying, "If I had known earlier, I wouldn't have pursued her! I initially thought she wasn't that pretty, and it should have been easy to win her over. If I had known it would be this difficult, I wouldn't have wasted my money on her!"

"Let's ask Hui to help us gauge the situation later." Chen Wenjin did not respond definitively. In his memory, Abao and Fen did not have a deeper relationship; it was merely at the level of holding hands as good friends. However, they were not supposed to break up so soon.

"I left a message for Hui, and she said I deserve it, told me to give up. Brother Huangjin, only you can save me!" A Bao's pleading gaze was shimmering, yet Chen Wenjin felt no sympathy at all, and couldn't help but frown, saying: "Since Hui has said that, it indicates that Fen's attitude is very firm. Why are you still entangled? Didn't you say before that you didn't really like Fen, but just preferred having a girlfriend over being single? Now you're getting serious?"

What a powerful mouth! Chen Wenjin felt unexpectedly surprised, as there was no memory of this event in his mind, clearly indicating that today was not the same as what he remembered. My relationship with Hui affected A Bao and Fen, which in turn led Di to agree to invite him to the arcade because of A Bao's heartbreak

If you can afford to spend 5 yuan today, I won't provoke you—after last night's drinking and paying the bill, you surely have very little left.

"Come on! You were the host just last night, and today you don't even have money to play games? Do I have to treat you again?" Di said while brushing her hair back twice.

A Bao hurriedly used Chen Wenjin as a shield, saying: "Is it reasonable for you to support me but not support Brother Huang Jin?"

Chen Wenjin truly does not want to smoke anymore, and he does not miss it at all

No, but breaking up without having slept together is a waste of time, isn't it? Hui is prettier and more conservative than her, and you have already surpassed that. Isn't it only natural for me to win over Fen? Once I have her, if she wants to break up, then let it be. I have always thought she looks average. A Bao is very straightforward. Yes, he rarely lies to Chen Wenjin, and it is indeed a sincere exchange of heartfelt words; these are his true thoughts.

It doesn't matter whether it is confirmed or not. Chen Wenjin secretly found it amusing; it seems he has indeed regained a youthful heart, still pondering such questions.

What the heck! Aren't you supposed to not smoke? You still have the last one?" A Bao jumped up excitedly, saying that the last cigarette cannot be given to others. When opening the box, it should be placed upside down so that when others take a cigarette, they won't take it, which is referred to as 'the supervisor'.

I still want to buy clothes! Di is unwilling to give more, as he knows Ah Bao's character; if he doesn't know how to refuse, he will be completely taken advantage of and end up losing out.

"Don't pretend you don't know! It's obvious that Fen actually likes you, and Hui definitely knows this, which is why she tried so hard to bring us together. Fen probably agreed to be with me because she saw how serious you were about Hui and realized she had no chance. If you take revenge for me by going after her, Fen will definitely agree!" A Bao said with great certainty. Chen Wenjin, feeling exasperated, retorted, "Can you be a little kinder? She hasn't done anything wrong to you, so what are you talking about revenge for? Besides, what kind of grudge is so great that it requires such means for retaliation? Isn't it just a matter of a little over 200 yuan? Are you the kind of man who thinks he can win the lottery with a book? And you're still brooding over a matter of just over 200 yuan? You care so much about your face; she let you be a man with a girlfriend for so long, haven't you gained something from it?"

Chen Wenjin heard the cries for help and truly did not want to engage in extreme activities, yet reflecting on that period of time, Ah Bao had not encountered any issues either

Somewhere in the Changyuan Garden where A Bao lives, due to its proximity to the Guilin rice noodle shop, which is Chen Wenjin's favorite, and also because it is the main residential area of their funding sponsors, it has become a meeting place.

Is this how you perceive the issue in your heart? Do you have no correct understanding of my moral character? Do you really think the key is that I am afraid Hui will find out?" Chen Wenjin was truly at a loss for words with A Bao; it turned out he did not understand the youth he once was.

A Bao is the type who can quickly deplete coins in succession, while Di is much more skilled. However, he has a very flamboyant personality; whenever he wins, he shouts and makes a scene, completely indifferent to the feelings of others

"Gold is still the best!" A-Bao said cheerfully as he put away the 'supervisor' and sat on the bench with a grim expression, saying: "Last night, I thought Hui was so conservative, and you have already made a breakthrough, so I couldn't fall behind, right? So I took a firmer stance, but as a result, Fen slapped me! She said she wanted to break up, and no matter how I tried to persuade her, it was useless. She didn't even respond to my calls and just left a message on my pager saying that we had broken up and not to disturb her again."

Relying on memories, Chen Wenjin still found the 'old place'.

Your relationship with Hui is different now; whatever you say goes. I refuse to believe that you can keep it all bottled up!" A Bao's words reminded Chen Wenjin.

After Chen Wenjin finished speaking, he pondered again: what does he mean to Hui? Oh, it should be considered a form of repayment! However, he is not certain whether this repayment is equitable; it will depend on Hui's future circumstances to know for sure.

In my memory, the instance that proves he is like Liu Xiaohui occurred without him breaking off the relationship with Hui

"Blow it!" Di clearly expressed his doubts about A Bao's credibility. A Bao, feigning anger, took out his wallet and opened it for him to see, questioning, "You take a look yourself! Is it enough to buy a pack of cigarettes?"

However, upon further reflection, Chen Wenjin realized that, according to the timeline, it is not yet the moment to prove his character, so it is understandable that A Bao does not believe him

... ... indeed. After careful consideration, A Bao finally felt relieved and nodded, saying: "Brother Huang Jin's analysis is indeed reasonable. Then let's consider it even. However—are you really not considering taking advantage of the situation? Forget it, don't glare at me—if you're afraid Hui finds out, you definitely wouldn't dare."

Chen Wenjin could not help but look over and saw a red-haired girl. Her attractive face was paired with a pair of eyes full of provocation. After sizing Di up for a while, she deliberately mocked, "Just by looking at you, I can tell you're young; no one will want you in this lifetime!"

The arcade is a place for leisure, where those who excel can also create a 'reputation' in this realm, and there are even competitions to see who can earn more.

Will the empirical evidence in Chen Wenjin's memory appear again in the future? Even if it does appear, it will not be as persuasive as it was in memory

"Brother Huang no longer plays games, he only engages in intimate activities now, it's quite different!" In a tone filled with envy, A Bao remarked, while Di, with keen interest, probed, "Brother Huang, why not share your experiences with us?"

Chen Wenjin estimates that he won't be able to last much longer. A Bao received thirty yuan in funding from Di, but he will definitely only buy a few yuan's worth of game currency. When the time is about right, he will pretend to have used it all up and then go ask Di for more funding. If he can't get it, he will urge for a withdrawal.

"So you still brought it over? Does that mean you are just pretending to be sincere?" Chen Wenjin retorted sharply, and A Bao quickly asked him to wait, running off to buy another pack. "Just take one at random!"

See you at the usual place

What this is about, Chen Wenjin does not know. Back then, he neither smoked nor cared, so he did not ask.

A Bao took a puff of his cigarette and looked at Huang Jin, saying: "Why don't you help me take revenge?"