Chapter 45 18 Yuan, thank you
生雖然猜不出他的心思，但多少能感覺到他的目光中透露出一種不屬於這個集體的獨特性。誰又知道蘇燦根本就不屬於這個時代呢？這一係列事件過後，學期末的大考來臨了。薛易陽最近乖多了，冇有機會就不出邀請蘇燦和劉睿三人外出玩遊戲，而是老老實實地借來蘇燦的筆記抄了起來。看到蘇燦的成績提升給他帶來了很大的壓力，也促使他投入到了複習之中。期末考試的最後一堂課結束了，蘇燦收拾好書包準備出門時，在對麵考場遇見了迎麵而來的...Chapter 45 Eighteen dollars, thank you
In Huaihua City, for a small city, the most thrilling moments of life are not those jets and missiles flying over the sky or carrier battle groups advancing across the ocean. Nor is it about predictions of cataclysmic changes in the world at the end of this century.
Every day after sunrise in this city, when a family starts their morning routines, eats breakfast, then goes to work and school to face a new day, these are the moments that shape everyday life.
Mistakes at work, conflicts with colleagues, subtle office politics, unfinished homework, an unpleasant test paper issued by a certain teacher, or two influential figures in the school starting a relationship—these events can create significant waves in people's lives.
After Monday’s flag-raising ceremony, more than half of the students at No. 1 High School witnessed a thrilling scene on that chilly morning. Many may not have recognized Tang Wu, but this did not stop them from discussing her merits and achievements. After all, in a school full of beautiful girls, being both attractive and honored as an outstanding student is quite rare—yet, surprisingly, the most captivating girl identified through heated discussions was already spoken for by a boy.
Some people gave thumbs up in admiration while others were filled with envy and resentment. There were even those who lost several games of StarCraft after returning home in disappointment.
In the morning, when Su Cen woke up, Zeng A had already prepared milk and eggs for him. After eating, he rushed to catch bus No. 8 at the entrance, then got off at a slope intersection where Tang Wu was waiting under a large tree, wearing a small vest and gray-brown cotton shirt.
Later on, this big kapok tree would be transplanted elsewhere as the streets were widened, but now in its shade stood Tang Wu with slightly furrowed brows that then relaxed, feeling somewhat anxious inside.
Passing students looked her way in groups. Some even continued to glance back after walking ahead. Sometimes a falling leaf from the tree would catch someone’s eye as they observed this blushing girl with subtle facial expressions under the banyan tree; it could become an unforgettable moment etched in their minds.
Su Cen hurried over, and when Tang Wu saw him get off the bus, her brows eased and she had a rosy face. Her eyes swept over Su Cen as people around them suddenly realized who Tang Wu was waiting for.
"Do you know that keeping a girl waiting is impolite" Tang Wu said with a half-smile.
Su Cen wiped his forehead and said, "Sorry sorry, I got a bit lost on the way and miscalculated the time. Originally, Su Cen was just jokingly testing if Tang Wu would wait for him outside school every day before going to class together. But he didn't expect that she actually agreed, which made him feel very surprised and excited. Although he wasn't late for long, it seems like Tang Wu had already been there waiting for a while.
Even in her junior high years, Tang Wu never waited for anyone before; this was the first time she waited at the school gate for Su Cen when she graduated from junior high. It garnered quite a bit of attention and made her feel very awkward back then, but now when facing those students who hurried past, Tang Wu just stood lightly, letting others gaze at her in surprise without paying any mind, as if it was nothing.
"My time is precious; should you compensate me" Tang Wu said coolly. However, the blush on her face and the mischievous glint in her eyes betrayed her true feelings.
"Deserves it, really lowbrow, making a girl wait, this guy fails as a human being!" Many students were gleeful at his misfortune, scattered around breakfast stalls, butter tea shops, and beside this big acacia tree with various reasons to linger, paying attention to the two people present. Some even felt rather pleased about uttering the rather popular phrase "fails as a human being", finding satisfaction in it when they could strike Su Cen down.
"I saw him treating someone to potatoes just a few days ago! He ate and then sent her off in his car, truly embarrassing," one person who was clearly also among the crowd around the potato stall previously said.
Such comments were actually not common. Only because Tang Wu's fame gradually rose in high school freshmen year across the whole No. 1 High School that many people from various circles wanted to get to know her, and now they all hoped to take this chance during breakfast or waiting time to get acquainted with her.
Students at City No. 1 High were usually reserved but some student cliques were also quite good at socializing and handling affairs gracefully. Su Cen's actions on the school podium clearly irritated these model students of No. 1 High, of course, it was also reasonable for them to gossip about him.
Su Cen ignored this pile of high school boys and girls. He knew everyone had a mask; in life, when dealing with people or facing various occasions, everyone would wear such a mask. Tang Wu, who had strong self-protection awareness from a young age, often wore this mask to converse coldly with others, smiling indifferently, her smile without any impurities but also representing that it held no special meaning for the person she was facing—it merely meant passing by.
And now Tang Wu seemed increasingly like trying to provoke and challenge him, did this mean she had taken off the mask which left an impression on him since junior high
"If I can occupy your time every day, then I don't mind compensating you with more than just money," Su Cen smiled faintly, stretching out his hand to block a leaf falling from the acacia tree above Tang Wu's head.
Some girls' faces suddenly turned red, thinking that this guy was being quite bold in what he said but also rather charming. Though these words were rather unfamiliar to them.
This made some boys very displeased; this fellow just spoke the romantic lines of pursuing a girl slightly more reservedly, and did she not realize it In their hearts, they wished to see how Tang Wu would turn down Su Cen's advances gracefully.
Tang Wu's clear eyes fluttered gently, and she smiled at Su Cen, "You're being very bold. Does that mean I can have anything I want"
Su Cen thought to himself that if he had met her in the future, there was no way he could fulfill any of her requests. Now, however, having been reborn, this second chance was like a golden opportunity. Of course, don't ask him to acquire Microsoft or trample Tyson, nor expect him to control European and American sports arenas, or bring back aircraft from his time. Those who can achieve such feats are not reborn individuals but gods.
"Come with me to buy some pens. There's a new stationery store here," Tang Wu reached out to tug on the corner of Su Cen's shirt as they walked down the slope. She naturally couldn't hold his arm, so she grabbed onto his shirt, which was within her reach.
Their appearance looked remarkably like girls who were being affectionate with their boyfriends.
They left under the stupefied gazes of the surrounding teenagers.
Upon reaching the stationery store's entrance, Tang Wu had already let go of Su Cen's shirt. But because of her earlier action, she felt a blush creeping up her face. She didn't like students staring at them, so all she could think about was getting away from him; only later did she realize how inappropriate her behavior was. The most annoying part was that Su Cen behind her seemed to be enjoying the view with a serene expression, as if it were perfectly reasonable.
"Consider this my compensation for being late. Whatever you want, I'll get it for you." Su Cen looked at his third branch store, where two storefronts had been combined due to limited funds and simple renovations done. However, the inventory inside was quite comprehensive, with various student stationery items neatly displayed on shelves, causing a desire to buy a pen or other items upon sight.
The three staff members clearly recognized Su Cen; they smiled at him and observed Tang Wu curiously, and he responded with smiles as well.
"You only need to come along. I'll pay for myself," Tang Wu shook her head, then looked around the store in mild surprise. Many stationery items were quite appealing, from trying out different pens to checking pencil cases, she was intrigued by many of them. This seemed like a common trait among girls, having a special interest in shopping and goods.
What kind of pen do you want
"My fountain pen fell on the ground; it might not work anymore."
Su Cen had a clerk bring out several boxes of pens. He selected one, "This is a Parker lady's writing pen. Try this one and show me your old fountain pen; perhaps it can be repaired."
Tang Wu hesitantly opened the stationery box and handed him the pen. Then, she took that Parker pen to write with it. Surprisingly, it felt smooth in her hand, but when she saw its price tag, she realized it was quite expensive—the same as two of her monthly allowances. Although she had plenty of pocket money, this purchase still exceeded her expectations, and besides, she didn't have enough cash today.
Another group of students rushed into the store, all originally intended to watch Su Can embarrass himself but ended up seeing him being dragged away by Tang Wu. Now they saw their classmates enter the stationery shop and since there was still plenty of time before class began, they dove in as well.
The students who appeared wealthy noticed that Tang Wu couldn’t let go of that lady-specific pen while Su Can tried to fix the nib with a locking clip. After receiving a new one costing just fifty cents from the shop assistant and struggling to install it, several students laughed inwardly, thinking this girl was truly unfortunate—she had been kissed on stage, and now it seemed this student wasn't financially well-off either. Although few people in those times insisted on taking their girlfriends to fancy restaurants or luxurious venues, such behavior could only be described as "pathetic" at best.
"Alright, the nib is broken but I've got a new one now. However..." Can this pen belong to me" Su Can spun the fixed pen in his hands; its slender body with aerodynamic lines still carried a faint scent of Tang Wu, suggesting it had belonged to her throughout middle school. Receiving such an item as a "trophy" would surely satisfy his temporary desire for conquest.
"What!" The surrounding students were dumbfounded and some even chuckled out loud. This kid was already seen as pitiful, but now he wanted to take advantage of the girl's generosity too! This stunningly beautiful girl truly had bad luck.
Upon seeing her classmates' reactions, Tang Wu could guess their thoughts. She closed the pen and put it back into its case with a smile for Su Can, "I won't buy this one then; I'll use the fixed one temporarily. Thank you." Then she pointed at the Parker pen named “Zora Liya” on the counter, which was reserved for her.
Su Can pocketed his hand and the pen vanished, as he gestured towards that Parker pen again. Tang Wu felt frustrated; why did Su Can act so domineeringly
Before she could say anything more, Su Can put away the pen and took a bag marked with an "X" from the smiling shop assistant, along with Tang Wu's preferred Prisni stationery tin box, top-quality ballpoint pens, ink cartridges, and several rollerball pens. He filled up the bag in one go, then grabbed Tang Wu’s still stunned hand while holding his loot like a robber and walked out the door.
The shop assistants greeted them with smiles throughout their visit.
A student wearing Nike shoes stared blankly as they left; subconsciously picking up an earlier "Wangfu Treasure" stationery box, he was stopped by the assistant who said, “Ten dollars please.”
Subscribe for more! Thanks to all my brothers for your support. I'll work even harder to deliver!Just as Wang Ming couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "Ah!", Su Can's right hand, which was grabbing the small item, accidentally hit her prominent chest.At this moment, everything went silent. Wha...