Chapter 8, Acquaintance

Wang Lei briefly introduced the people in the room to Fang Zhe: "Apart from Wang Mu Yang and Zhang Jie, who are my classmates from No. 8 Middle School, the others are my classmates from junior high school, from No. 2 Middle School. You were in No. 1 Middle School during junior high, right? Oh! An Ran, An Ran is also at your No. 1 Middle School now, you know her, right?"

Generally, if an ordinary girl were to hear this, she would probably retreat in difficulty. However, Luo Xiaohui is not an ordinary girl. Tilting her head and putting on a naive expression, she said in a somewhat coquettish tone: "No way! Then what should I do if I want to ask you out? How did Wang Lei ask you out today?"

The quality of the boys from your school is quite good

Upon mentioning Ouyang, Cui Yanan immediately forgot everything else and began to report to Anran about the progress of the two who had entered, rambling on and on.

"Let him take you instead," Wang Lei said to Ma Haochuan, "I am waiting for you, don't let someone take you away and not come back."

"Don't go, please! It's not easy for us to gather like this once in a while," Wang Lei urged.

Wang Lei also did not intend to make any further introductions, simply greeting everyone to feel at ease and start eating. When Cui Yanan sat down next to Anran, she leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Who is this handsome guy?"

My family does not have a telephone. Or perhaps there are too many girls pursuing me, Fang Zhe said with a nonchalant expression, his face unflushed and his heart unperturbed.

She has mentioned to him several times: "Aren't you bored staying at home all the time?"

"What a coincidence," Wang Lei said, "My mother and his mother were classmates and used to play together."

Anran pretended to be busy arranging the dishes while trying to figure out the current situation. Suddenly called upon, she hurriedly feigned calmness and looked up.

"Hey, what level is Fang Zhe at your place?" Cui Yannan asked gossipingly

I apologize for the delay, I was held up by some matters. " Fang Zhe entered the room

Anran lowered her head, appearing indifferent as she ate, unaware of the different gaze that Fang Zhe cast upon her

"Where is he going if he doesn't reply?" Zhang Peng said

Wang Lei said, "Don't go, don't all leave, this is so disrespectful!" Other classmates also urged them to stay.

Anran knew that Cui Yanan actually quite enjoyed playing with them, and while getting dressed, she said: "No need, I can go back by myself, you all go ahead and have fun."

Fang Zhe nodded calmly and smiled politely.

Indeed, thanks to Bai Mahuochuan, how could Fang Zhe not recognize her this time? I wonder if this could be the fluttering of a butterfly's wings.

It seems that he has truly never encountered a girl with such thick skin, to the extent that Fang Zhe, who is well-versed in rejecting girls, found himself somewhat at a loss. He awkwardly tugged at the corner of his mouth and made an excuse to go to the restroom to escape. When he returned, he had changed his seat.

Fang Zhe not only attracted Cui Yanan's attention, but the other girls in the room also became much more reserved after his arrival, with less of the loud laughter and noise that had been present before. Although Fang Zhe was not familiar with the others and spoke little, they all grew up nearby, and it was inevitable that they had a few mutual acquaintances from elementary school to high school, allowing him to quickly integrate into the conversation.

A room full of people was eating and having fun, making a commotion for over two hours. During this time, the waiter came in several times to remind them to keep their voices down and not disturb the diners outside. As they were finishing their meal, Wang Lei suggested that everyone go sing karaoke together, and the crowd, in high spirits, eagerly responded.

No, there are still some matters at home. Anran casually found an excuse; in fact, it didn't really matter whether she went or not. However, being with Fang Zhe always felt particularly awkward, especially when Ma Haochuan was present.

Anran said: "No need, I'm really fine by myself, it's broad daylight, and it's not far."

"Well, I don't even know who was jealous about this and that a couple of days ago." Anran shifted the topic, "Hey, how are you two doing?"

Anran's seat was somewhat distant from Fang Zhe's, and there was little communication between them. However, she kept a close eye on Luo Xiaohui, who successfully moved to the seat next to Fang Zhe after getting her meal. Despite Fang Zhe's obvious lack of interest in her, even pretending not to hear her on two occasions, it did not deter Luo Xiaohui from enthusiastically approaching him.

"How come you just arrived?" Wang Lei stood up to greet.

Wang Lei turned to the astonished Ma Haochuan and said: "Fang Zhe is my childhood friend. Knowing that you are all from No. 1 High School, I asked him to come over and hang out with us. You know him, right?"

Although the tenderness in his eyes made his words seem like a love confession, An Ran felt that ultimately it was because he was too reclusive. However, judging by his performance today, he might not always be so withdrawn; the passing of Bai Yueguang may have affected him more deeply than she had imagined

In the evening, Cui Yanan called her to chat casually. She asked how late they played today and, pretending to be indifferent, inquired whether Fang Zhe had been with them the whole time.

It's fine... An Ran casually brushed it off, feeling that it was better to avoid discussing Fang Zhe as much as possible

As Ma Haochuan chatted with her on the way back, An Ran hardly paid attention, her mind preoccupied with thoughts of Fang Zhe. She wondered whether today could be considered a formal introduction to Fang Zhe, what the future might hold, and for the first time in a long while, she contemplated how much her life trajectory might change. She pondered whether there would still be a "future" for her and Fang Zhe.

Ah? Is this considered 'not bad'? Then what would 'pretty good' be like!" Cui Yanan said, "With someone like Fang Zhe in our second high school, those girls would be like they were on a caffeine high all day. I won't speak for others, but I have definitely fallen for him, especially after seeing him smile today. Oh my! The feeling of being smitten! Do you have his phone number?"

Childhood friend? What is going on? How does she not know? He has never mentioned it!

Do you know? We are in the same class!" Ma Haochuan exaggeratedly remarked

"Are you all right with letting us girls take everything?" Cui Yanan and several girls entered carrying large and small plates of food. Upon entering, they were momentarily taken aback upon seeing Fang Zhe.

Luo Xiaohui persistently asked, "What is your home phone number? Let's arrange to go out and have fun together later."

Cui Yanan replied: "No, you and Ma Hao left not long after he did, so he probably got scared away by Luo Xiaohui"

Anran also returned a smile

Anran was not surprised; Fang Zhe was not a person who enjoyed lively gatherings. In fact, it was quite surprising to her that he came to this party today. The Fang Zhe she knew would not even be willing to attend a meal or gathering with relatives at home, let alone dine with people he did not know.

I would be more than happy to exchange him for Ouyang

Seeing that Cui Yanan actually seemed to care, An Ran quickly said: "Is that really necessary? Don't you have Ouyang?"

"You all go ahead, I will not be going," An Ran said to Wang Lei

Can you tell me where those two are going to have fun?" Tian Li said with a smile

Amidst the laughter of the crowd, An Ran felt a bit embarrassed, perhaps out of guilt, as she always sensed a pair of eyes behind her making her feel uneasy. She hurriedly bid farewell to everyone and left in a rush

Ma Haochuan felt uncomfortable under the gaze of the two, and due to Wang Lei's earlier words, he couldn't help but feel a bit guilty. He pretended not to notice and loudly engaged in conversation with others to divert attention.

Cui Yanan said: "Can you manage on your own? I can accompany you back."

"You are from Class 1, right?" Luo Xiaohui, who has always enjoyed mingling with boys, asked Fang Zhe, "Then do you know Sun Tiantian?"

I will take you back. " Ma Haochuan said firmly as he put on his coat.

Anran heard Luo Xiaohui asking Fang Zhe for his phone number, but Fang Zhe brushed it off with "I don't have a phone".

He replied, "It's not boring, isn't it because of you?"

"In our school, he is in the same class as Ma Hao and claims to be childhood friends with Wang Lei," An Ran replied

In our class, there is a student named Sun Tiantian; I am not sure if she is the person you are referring to. Fang Zhe glanced at Ma Haochuan as he spoke these words.

Anran initially thought that Luo Xiaohui was trying to flirt with Fang Zhe, but after hearing the latter part of her sentence and seeing the ambiguous gaze she cast towards Ma Haochuan while speaking, she felt that it seemed like she was flirting with Ma Haochuan, or perhaps both were true.