Shen Que held Jiang Cheng’s hand, feeling the stark contrast with his own rough touch, and a blush quickly crept up his neck.

Yet he was somewhat reluctant to let go.

Seeing this, Jiang Cheng mischievously moved his fingers.

Shen Que’s face turned completely red.

Jiang Cheng thought, he’s already my boyfriend, so it’s quite reasonable to hold hands a little longer, right?

So they kept holding hands.

The two of them chatted and chatted again.

Jiang Cheng discovered that Shen Que was really outstanding.

From his conversation, Jiang Cheng learned that Shen Que had self-taught a lot of mechanical knowledge.

The conversation went on until after eleven at night, and both of their stomachs started growling.

Shen Que quickly stood up, looked at Jiang Cheng, and asked:

"Shall we eat roasted potatoes?"

Jiang Cheng nodded.

The two of them sat in front of the stove pit, lit a fire with tree branches, each guarding one side, warming their hands while continuing to chat.

The aroma of the potatoes wafted out as they chatted.

Shen Que used a stick to scoop them out, peeling them with sizzling heat.

After peeling, he stuck a chopstick in the middle and handed it to Jiang Cheng.

Jiang Cheng took it.

Each of them had a potato, dipped in chili powder, eating deliciously.

Unaware, both of their mouths turned black.

You laugh at me, I tease you.

Jiang Cheng was full after half a potato, and Shen Que happily took it and finished it.

After eating and drinking their fill, they washed hands, brushed teeth, carried a bit of reluctance and nostalgia, each went home, slept.

The next morning, Jiang Cheng got up early to catch a train.

Holding a big box of dumplings packed by Grandma Shen, Shen Que carried the luggage, riding a bicycle, resting one foot on the ground, waiting for Jiang Cheng.

"I’m off, I’ll bring you gifts when I return!"

Jiang Cheng sat on the bicycle’s rear seat, with soft sponge tied on the back by Shen Que, feeling very comfortable.

Without hesitation, Jiang Cheng hugged Shen Que’s waist, making Shen Que shiver a bit, slightly stiff.

Jiang Cheng deliberately pinched Shen Que’s waist.

A bit firm, feels like abs.

Shen Que couldn’t see Jiang Cheng’s colorful smile from behind.

Jiang Cheng smiled blissfully: Future family’s, no need to feel shy.

"Someone’s coming!"

With Shen Que’s words, Jiang Cheng promptly released her arms.

Both of them acted more proper than the other, as if no one could tell someone was just teasing abs.

After the person passed, Jiang Cheng simply lay on Shen Que’s back, muffling a laugh.

"It’s like we’re sneaky!"

"Clearly we’re openly in love."

Shen Que also laughed speechlessly.

In over half an hour, with boundless energy, Shen Que delivered Jiang Cheng.

Jiang Cheng urged Shen Que to head back quickly.

"You’re a director, hurry back."

"I’ll leave after finding Principal Wang and Manager Guo for you."

Carrying the luggage, using his tall view, Shen Que quickly spotted the two groups.

Once Principal Wang and Manager Guo saw Jiang Cheng and Shen Que approaching, their gazes fell on Shen Que.

Principal Wang: It’s fine, aware to send someone off.

Manager Guo: Didn’t let Jiang Cheng carry luggage, nice.

After placing things properly, Shen Que instructed Jiang Cheng: "Did you memorize the phone numbers and address I gave you?"

"Memorized."

"If anything comes up, find them, don’t be shy, life-and-death friendships."

Jiang Cheng nodded, Shen Que continued speaking.

Brought the train ticket?

Got enough money?

Ticket enough?

Keep them secure, don’t get stolen.

If meeting bad guys, protect yourself first...

And so on.

Principal Wang couldn’t listen anymore. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"Director Shen, hurry leave!"

Jiang Cheng not deceiving others is a good thing, fear getting deceived away!

Really worrying for nothing.

It’s not that Shen Que didn’t understand, he just couldn’t rest assured.

Jiang Cheng had Principal Wang watch the luggage, pulling Shen Que aside.

"I’ll take good care of myself, you need to prep the bed in my room, buy some coal for me, I also want some cotton, wish to make a cotton coat, still don’t have one."

Jiang Cheng suddenly assigned Shen Que several tasks, instantly occupying his mind, remembering each one.

"Go rest assured, when you’re back, I’ll have it all done."

Jiang Cheng looked at Shen Que with admiring eyes, both hands shaking Shen Que’s large hands.

"Wow! Director Shen is amazing!"

Shen Que giggled, mildly proud and a bit foolish.

From afar, Principal Wang shook his head speechlessly: That big fool surely got tricked by Jiang Cheng.

Manager Guo: Can’t deny, those two are quite a match. Look how Shen Que’s been coaxed by Jiang Cheng, like he’s barely worth much!

Shen Que finally left, Jiang Cheng shifted back to normal instantly.

Your own man, you coax, no problem!

The group stood together.

The night school, including Principal Wang, totaled seven people.

One teacher and five students, not counting Jiang Cheng.

Xinhua Bookstore only had Manager Guo and Zhao Chengde.

Jiang Cheng knew everyone; wherever she was, there was no awkwardness.

When it was time to board, the group squeezed onto the train on schedule and effort.

Still hard seats, at least there’s a seat to sit.

On the train, Jiang Cheng opened the lunch box.

Grandma Shen prepared a lot, one for each and still plenty leftover, she ate a bit extra herself.

Along the way, everyone took out some seeds, peanuts, chatted, slept, drank water, the nine hours passed slow and painful.

The play, chat, eat, drink couldn’t alleviate at all.

Truly numb from feet to neck.

Finally off the train, the buses were gone.

Their group had to walk to the hostel.

Night school’s event first, bookstore’s commendation later, so they chose a location closer to the provincial night school.

After completing check-in formalities, Jiang Cheng bunked with a female classmate.

Rested early, there’s serious business tomorrow.

Next morning, Principal Wang led everyone to have breakfast at the state restaurant.

After eating well, night school folks headed to the provincial night school.

Night school joint exam, provincial forty-eight city and county night schools all participating.

At provincial night school entrance, red banners were hung: Welcome all city and county night schools.

Principal Wang led students inside, handling formalities, obtaining exam proof.

Jiang Cheng didn’t participate, but before coming here she sent several practice exercises to her night school classmates.

The participants were quite excited, hoping to achieve good scores.

Five classmates entered the exam room, the outside people suddenly reduced by more than two-thirds.

With fewer people, visibility was much improved.

A woman ran over to Jiang Cheng, surprised and shouted: Jiang Cheng!

Jiang Cheng turned her head, also surprised.

"Ma Chunhua."

The pregnant woman who she and other night school folks together helped during the train derailment.

Her daughter even wrote her a letter.

"Yes! It’s me! You still remember me."

Ma Chunhua stepped forward, Jiang Cheng also walked over.

"Of course I remember, unforgettable for a lifetime."

"I feel the same, if it weren’t for you, how could I stand here."

The two exchanged greetings.

Jiang Cheng found out Ma Chunhua was a teacher at C City’s night school, here to lead the team for exams.

"Wait, write me an address, I’ll find you after finishing here, treat you to a meal."

Jiang Cheng declined, but Ma Chunhua insisted.

Ma Chunhua bent over to find paper and pen, lifting her hair.

Jiang Cheng’s eyes locked onto the birthmark behind Ma Chunhua’s ear.

Crescent birthmark...

The daughter of old Ma also had a crescent birthmark.