Chapter 4, Ma Haochuan

Fortunately, Anran is not an overly enthusiastic person, which did not draw excessive attention from the other party

Tian Li sat down on the sofa near the door and turned to shout outside, "Come in, Ma Hao!" There was a hint of mockery in his smile

Ma Haochuan, however, showed no intention of entering in a hurry, seemingly captivated by the promotional advertisements posted on the salon's floor-to-ceiling windows, standing at the door lost in thought. It was not until An Ran finished her haircut, went in to wash her hair, and came out that she noticed Ma Haochuan had entered the room at some point, sitting side by side with Tian Li on the sofa at the entrance, playing on their phones.

Ma Haochuan's face displayed a hint of astonishment and confusion, clearly not expecting An Ran to ask him such questions

An Ran came out of the restroom and stood at the door waiting for Cui Ya Nan. She saw Ma Hao Chuan just coming out of the men's restroom. An Ran wanted to say something to break the awkwardness between them, but Ma Hao Chuan, as usual, seemed not to see her and turned to leave.

Cui Yanan pretended to push Tian Li, greeted Ma Haochuan, and then walked away with An Ran.

The hair salon is not large; it is not far from the sofa at the entrance to the front desk. Anran had already heard their conversation, and at this moment, upon hearing Tian Li calling her, she pretended to be busy paying the front desk attendant and could not pay attention. In the next moment, she heard Tian Li shout, followed by a loud sound of the door crashing. When she turned back, both of them had already left.

"What activities are coming up, Sister Nan?" Tian Liben asked, adhering to his principle of taking advantage of every opportunity. After all, as long as someone else was treating, he would definitely join in until the end

An Ran glanced at the obviously disappointed Ma Haochuan, thinking that the two of them had just managed to break the ice and hoping not to let him misunderstand that she was intentionally avoiding him. She said: "Today really won't work, let's do it another day. Next time, it's my treat"

"Are you asking for a beating?" Ma Haochuan grabbed Tian Li by the neck as he came down the stairs, pretending to punch him in the stomach twice

You must have misheard. An Ran did not turn back and hurriedly pulled Cui Ya Nan away

Teacher Tony styled Anran's hair and insisted on spraying some unknown substance on her head for the reason that "one must look beautiful for a date." Anran firmly refused and glanced at the three people on the sofa who were engrossed in their phones, seemingly indifferent to Teacher Tony's awkward remarks about "dating."

"Yes, yes, I was wrong." Tian Li changed his tone to flatter, "Sister Nan, when have you not been generous? Why not be generous to the end? You can treat us to dinner as well; I will accompany you at the cost of my life."

There is nothing to be embarrassed about. Tian Li put his arm around Ma Haochuan's shoulder and said, How about this time, Hao Ge treats us

She originally thought that the passage of time had caused her memories to become distorted, and that her relationship with Ma Haochuan might indeed have been nothing more than an ordinary friendship between classmates. The occasional teasing between them, as they sat in front and behind each other, made her feel somewhat self-indulgent. The three years of indifference in high school were merely due to being in different classes, each having made new friends, resulting in fewer interactions. There had never been any deliberate estrangement or avoidance; it was all a figment of her youthful emotions.

Anran understood her meaning as she saw Ma Haochuan following Cui Yanan. He did not say much and followed her and the * map * into the room. However, Ma Haochuan stopped behind and stepped aside to let Tian Li enter first. Anran did not turn back, only hearing Tian Li whisper, "What for?"

His astonishment is not without reason; the once seventeen-year-old Anran indeed would not have.

However, now, at the age of thirty-one, with a relatively mature perspective on relationships, she sees that Ma Haochuan is far from being an ordinary classmate. Yet, if it is indeed affection, his series of reactions leave her utterly perplexed. It is unlikely that he is deliberately distancing himself out of shyness, as they are both high school students and should have long surpassed that age. Moreover, the Ma Haochuan she remembers was not a shy or reserved person.

Seeing An Ran and Ma Haochuan talking, it seemed that the two had finally broken the deadlock. With a strong sense of being a "matchmaker," Cui Yanan suggested, "How about we go for a stroll? Or we could go to Pizza Hut as well"

However, after years of employment, Anran has learned how to conceal her emotions in front of others, only displaying a smile of "relief": "It's fine if there isn't; perhaps I was overthinking it."

Hello, Anran, long time no see

Cui Yanan discovered that Ma Haochuan had given up his position next to An Ran to Tian Li, which made her quite dissatisfied. After turning off the lights, she leaned close to An Ran's ear and said, "Is Ma Hao sick?"

Anran walked at the front, only entering after finding the corresponding passage, but was pulled back by Cui Yanan: "I will sit inside"

At this moment, Cui Yanan and Tian Li also walked out of the restroom, and An Ran and Ma Haochuan did not continue this topic.

The film was rather unremarkable, and the two-hour duration left the audience feeling drowsy. Even after the movie ended, there was no inclination to stay for the credits, and the four of us left the theater.

What are you talking about? When have I ever been stingy? Do you still want to go?

"Don't! It's not easy to have the chance to eat with you this time," Tian Li said

"There is really no need..." Before An Ran could finish her sentence, Cui Yanan pulled her out of the store and said to the two who were playfully fighting, "Let's go watch a movie, it's on me."

Seeing that Ma Haochuan was about to respond, An Ran hurriedly interjected, "I’m not going. If you all want to go, you can go, but I won’t go." After glancing at Ma Haochuan, she added, "I told my mom I was going to the bookstore to buy reference books. If I come back empty-handed after watching a movie and having a meal, she’ll think I deceived her for money."

Shut your mouth. Ma Haochuan muttered under his breath.

Ma Haochuan seemed to have something on the tip of his tongue but swallowed it back, responding somewhat awkwardly, "No, not at all..."

It is truly absurd to speak nonsense. She really wanted to retort directly, "Is there not a single word from you? Do you ignore me unless I call you? Do you pretend not to see me as if I am invisible? Are you even a man, daring to act but not to acknowledge it?"

"Everyone has left, stop craning your neck to look." Tian Li came up and hugged Ma Haochuan, who was lost in thought while gazing at An Ran's back, "I'm a bit hungry, let's go eat."

"Oh dear, look at how capable you are now that Anran has left," Tian Li teased. "Do you believe I can call Anran back?"

"This is what I call being really stingy, do you know that? As a guy, is it appropriate for you to always make us girls pay for the bill?" Cui Yanan retorted

Entering the door was Tian Li, An Ran's middle school classmate, who was admitted to the second high school and is in the same class as Cui Ya Nan. Although An Ran often heard Cui Ya Nan mention him, she had not seen him since graduating from middle school

Cui Yanan stood up and said to Anran: "Shall we go watch a movie?"

They were watching an American action movie, and An Ran had no interest in it. Coupled with Ma Haochuan's series of inexplicable reactions, the confusion that had long been sealed away within her was once again brought to the surface.

Anran swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue and helplessly raised her eyebrows

"So generous, have you changed your ways?" Tian Li teased

There is no need for that, is there? Anran said

Get lost

In the distance, Cui Yanan, faintly hearing the voices of two people, turned around and said to Anran, "Did you hear that? It seems they are calling for you."

Anran was somewhat annoyed.

Tian Li joked: "How could I let a girl treat? Let Ma Hao treat instead"

Can you compare with Anran?" Tian Li chuckled.

"Eat your mother!" Ma Haochuan forcefully pushed Tian Li away

Although it was Valentine's Day, the cinema surprisingly did not schedule any romantic films. The four of them casually chose a suitable time, bought drinks and popcorn, and entered the screening room

"Ma Hao." An Ran, who had once again been ignored, suddenly called out to Ma Haochuan, walked over, and seriously asked the question that had troubled her for many years, "I don't know if it's just my illusion, but I feel like you are deliberately ignoring me. Is there some misunderstanding between us? Or have I said or done something to offend you?"

Anran! Anran! Ma Hao is hitting someone!" Tian Li laughed and shouted as he playfully wrestled with Ma Hao Chuan.

Hey! Cui Yanan expressed dissatisfaction, saying, "How can you be so shameless to eat my food? I am not a girl."

"What are you doing, afraid that Anran will hear?" Tian Li glared at Ma Haochuan and deliberately shouted loudly inside, "Anran! Anran!"

In Tian Likou's words, "It's been a long time," it had been more than a year, while for An Ran, it was "more than ten years." For a moment, it felt somewhat unfamiliar. An Ran smiled at his reflection in the mirror and replied, "Long time no see."

Anran's gaze passed over the two who were joking with each other, looking towards Ma Haochuan, thinking that the two had not yet greeted him, wondering if it was time to say something. Just as she was about to speak, she noticed that Ma Haochuan was also looking at her. Their eyes met, and in an instant, Ma Haochuan averted his gaze.

As soon as she turned around, Tian Li subtly nudged Ma Haochuan's arm with his elbow. Ma Haochuan pretended not to notice and, undeterred, leaned in closer and whispered, "Did you hear that? A date, I’m talking about you."

Tian Li turned to look at Cui Yanan, who said: "If Anran does not go, then I will not go either"

"I am creating an opportunity for you." Cui Yanan linked her arm with An Ran's, "I see you two dawdling here, and I am getting anxious myself."

Anran shrugged and gave Cui Yanan a look that seemed to say, "Who knows what he means"

I do not go shopping. Tian Lid道 said, "I agree to go to Pizza Hut, but it should be Sister Nan who treats us."