She still hadn't replied, and the person on the other end was getting restless.
Zhòng Shù: [Fallen asleep?]
[What should I call you?]
[...]
[Hopeful (sticker)]
[==]
[Expectant puppy awaiting calls (sticker)]
...
"Your phone won't stop buzzing. Who is it?" Guan Qianru asked, chin resting on her hand.
Cheng Buxi's expression was unnatural. She placed her phone face-down on the desk and pretended nothing was wrong. "No one."
"You're acting weird today."
"..."
"Oh, and about my cousin—think it over."
Before Cheng Buxi could say "don't," Sister Guan launched into her usual spiel: "Hangyu grew up right under my nose. He's a good man with no faults.
"Sure, he's not some big handsome hunk, but he's a good person—emotionally stable, filial, and devoted to everything he does. He genuinely likes you, you can tell."
Cheng Buxi knew the cousins were good people, but you can't force something like this. She really wasn't interested. After a long silence, she finally blurted out, "I don't like younger guys."
Sister Guan: "6"
"So you like older men?"
Cheng Buxi, throwing caution to the wind: "Yeah. Preferably seven or eight years older."
Sister Guan feigned shock: "Wow, I never pegged you for a daddy's girl." She winked. "Which old man is so lucky? He's got it made."
Cheng Buxi didn't respond, but the message was clear: the cousin route was a dead end.
As she spoke, she instinctively glanced at the first row. Lu Tingzhou happened to turn his head to say something to someone, and their eyes locked—one guilty, one sharp. She froze.
...
Zhòng Shù sent several question marks, questioning if she had fallen asleep. Cheng Buxi's heart skipped—she almost forgot about him. She quickly replied: [In class.]
He replied instantly: [What's up?]
[About what?]
[My shirt, that's what.]
Her fingers paused, hesitating again.
[What, trying to weasel out?]
"Zhòng Shù" tapped you, karma +1
Cheng Buxi: [Name your price.]
[? Didn't I tell you already?]
Echoing in her mind: This shirt costs 20,000. Cheng Buxi: "..."
[That's extortion.]
The eldest young master thought 20,000 was too little. He smiled, looking particularly handsome, making the female nurses at the pet hospital stare.
A moment later, he replied: [Then how about this—
You come with me to buy the exact same one. That'll do.]
Words could only go so far. He wanted to see her.
Desperately.
Cheng Buxi thought for a moment, then, as if possessed, said [Okay.]
He was shocked she agreed so readily. He grinned triumphantly. [It's a deal.]
[Um...]
[I'll decide the time and place.]
**
Professor Shen was still in top form today. The podium was like a shrine, and he, pointer in hand, was a deity.
Someone noticed the heating in the lecture hall was on. It was only November, not cold enough for that yet. The only possibility was for that gentleman. They sighed, impressed by the capitalist's clout.
The scheduled test was also moved to next week. Mixed reactions—some happy, some sad. Cheng Buxi was among the happy ones. She was silently relieved when she saw the most dreaded red dot: a message from the contact "Brother."
The last time they spoke was during Spring Festival last year. He had come home in a rush, only stayed for a hurried New Year's Eve dinner, and left before Cheng Buxi could even wish him well.
His silhouette in the night was still strong and tall, his steps steady and unhurried. Before leaving, he transferred her a red envelope of 50,000 yuan—even more than the Lu elders had given her.
She thanked him and said, "Thanks, Brother." Then came over 300 days with no text exchange, until he suddenly returned from the Special Zone to North City and decided to stay. Only then did Cheng Buxi realize her good days were over.