Chapter Twelve: A Chance Encounter at the Bookstore

  Went to my grandma's house on the second day of the Lunar New Year, had a snowball fight with my cousin on the third day, walked on ice, visited relatives and friends on the fourth and fifth days. Time flew by too quickly, the five-day holiday ended in the blink of an eye, today is already the eighth day, and school will start again in just five more days.

  The weather is nice today, let's go to Feng Huang store and take a walk. As I said that, I dialed the phone number of Wang Xiao Xiao's home. After a few rings, someone picked up the phone. I politely said: "Please help me find Wang Xiao Xiao."

  On the other end of the phone, a burst of laughter came through, saying: "Nanxiangxiang, you've become so ladylike after just one year, your words are so elegant!" I said I was originally a lady, she said she really didn't notice. After teasing each other for a while, I told her my intention was to invite her to stroll around the city at 2 pm that afternoon, and she agreed immediately, saying it's a good chance to get some fresh air and secretly buy a martial arts novel - her mom has been keeping an eye on her at home, making her practice calligraphy and write diary every day.

  At 1:30 pm, I made an appointment with Xiao Xiao to meet at the fork in the road and take the bus together to Feng Huang Store. When we arrived at the store, Wang Xiao Xiao went straight to the martial arts section, but I wasn't really interested, so I told her that I would just wander around and probably go find her later. Anyway, the store isn't very big, so I wouldn't get lost.

  I first came to the elementary school tutoring area, casually picked up a second-grade language arts tutoring book and flipped through a few pages. It was indeed the same old thing: explaining new words, summarizing the main idea of each paragraph, analyzing sentences, and a few questions. Thinking about it, elementary school teachers love to have students preview and annotate new vocabulary, write summaries of paragraphs, and this kind of tutoring is essential. No wonder Feng Huang store's business always booms at the start of each semester. After comparing several books, I found that they were quite similar, so I didn't need to rely on them too much and put it down to go take a look at some classic works across the street.

  I walked over, browsed around, and picked up a copy of "Journey to the West". To say that I've read all four great classical novels, except for this one. I think it's because the version of "Journey to the West" starring Six Little Naughty Boys is too deeply ingrained in people's minds. Every winter and summer vacation, National Day, and Labor Day, the TV would inevitably broadcast the song "You carry the pole, I lead the horse. Welcome the sunrise, send off the sunset. Flatten the rugged path, create a great road. After overcoming hardships, set off again and again...". It's really hard to calm down.

  In my previous life, I was still quite crazy. I remember that when I was in third grade, Fenghuang Store had developed into Fenghuang City, and they invited Six Little Naughty Boys to come for a signing event. I got up early with Wang Xiaoxiao and Zhang Jiong to line up, and after squeezing through the crowds, I finally got my signed copy. I even asked for a photo together, which was later placed in a frame on my bedside table.

  I flipped through a few pages, and Wu Cheng'en's imagination is indeed superb. As I read, I recalled scenes from the TV series, humming the song with great pleasure. I quickly flipped through the pages, reading at a glance. After a while, I felt it was boring, and indeed, my mindset has aged, and I'm not interested in fantasy novels anymore.

  Now my eyesight is very good, I raised my head to look up, and after a while, I saw "Jane Eyre", so I reached out to pick it up, forgetting that I'm only 1.2 meters tall now, and my short arms can't reach it at all. I tried to jump up to get it, but still fell short by a little bit. I didn't give up, and stubbornly jumped a few more times, seeing that the more I jumped, the closer I got, but accidentally knocked over several books next to it, which happened to hit someone. I quickly lowered my head and said: "Sorry, sorry, I didn't do it on purpose, how are you feeling?" As I spoke, I bent down to pick up the books on the ground, looking at one thick book after another, guessing that the person who got hit wouldn't be too lightly injured. The more I lowered my head, the more I looked like a guilty little kid.

  A somewhat familiar voice came from beside my ear: "Why are you hanging your head low, like I'm a landlord bullying a poor little white flower? Little Radish Head still wants to show off and scoop up the upper layer, what if it hits yourself?"

  This guy is looking for trouble? I suddenly lifted my head, and in front of me was Xuan Yuan Ruo. What a coincidence, I actually ran into him. Every time I meet him, nothing good happens. I guess it's because this kid has too strong an aura, otherwise how could he make everyone else feel so inferior? As I thought to myself, indeed, he's good at distorting the truth. Anyway, it seems like I'm in the wrong, so I put on a smile and said: "Haha, Xuan Yuan Ruo, long time no see! *The chance encounter of two people is fate, happy new year! By the way, what brings you here? This place is really... um, flourishing. Looking at your expression, it doesn't seem like anything big happened. My classmate is still waiting for me, I'll take my leave first, see you later! Please give my regards to Grandpa Ding." I was about to make a quick escape.

  Xuanyuan grabbed my hand and said, "You hit someone and want to run away with it? But you hit my head, what if I get a concussion? Since we know each other, let's chat for a bit. You just said that meeting is fate, so you should stay here even more. Let's have afternoon tea later as compensation. Show me your sincerity."

  You thought you could just flatter me and get away with it, but instead you want to invite me for a whole afternoon tea? I don't have any money! You're really ruthless, talking about brain concussion, are you cursing yourself with brain concussion? If you really had brain concussion, that would be terrifying. I smiled even more slyly: "Brain concussion? That shouldn't be the case. Do you feel dizzy? Then hurry up and send me to People's Hospital. In case it's delayed, I'll be guilty of a crime."

  Xuanyuan suddenly said calmly, "Alright, I haven't seen Dean Uncle in a long time either, don't know if he's working today. However, the money you brought probably isn't enough for the check-up, do you want to call your parents? I originally wanted to help you save some, since you're so responsible, I shouldn't be impolite either. Let's say hello to your classmate first, then we'll go."

  No way, you've actually caught me and turned the tables on me. I don't have any money, this is my biggest weakness, I'm stingy with money, if my mom finds out, she'll probably give me a good scolding, my head will suffer again, no wonder I wasn't smart in my past life, it's because I made too many mistakes and got beaten. I quickly smiled obsequiously: "Hehe, how about I treat you to afternoon tea instead? But the location is up to you, my wallet is a bit embarrassed..."

  Xuanyuan's mouth curled up and he said, "It's about time." He glanced at his watch and said, "It's only 2:30 now, let's go out at 3:30." I saw his watch and was stunned. The little brat was wearing a Rolex, the king of watches. At such a young age, he was already so extravagant. He would definitely be a spendthrift in the future. As the saying goes, "some people are just born with more aura than others".

  Xuanyuan Ruo saw me staring at his watch and said, "What's wrong? Do you recognize this watch?"

  I thought to myself: Do you think I'm a country bumpkin? This watch is so famous, even if I couldn't afford it, I should have at least known about it online. I nodded and then shook my head, I shouldn't know this now.

  Xuanyuan Jun waved his hand in front of me and said, "Are you really familiar or not? You nodded once, then shook your head again."

  I smiled sycophantically and said: "Hehe, I don't know you, but I just think this watch suits you very well, it's really cool." My serious hypocrisy.

  Xuanyuan's face turned red for a moment, and he said, "That's what I meant to say. Now let's continue." As he spoke, he handed me Jane Eyre.

  Hehe, I have a sentimental heart. In my previous life, when I was in college, I specially read the original version of "Jane Eyre". The people in the dormitory laughed at me for being pretentious, but the descriptions inside were very beautiful. Now looking at the Chinese version, maybe I'm a Chinese person after all, I think Chinese is more charming. Unconsciously muttering to myself: "Maybe I don't have passionate love like the sun, nor do I have long and lingering emotions like flowing water... All I know is that loving you makes me capable of anything for your sake..." As I read on, I became infatuated.

  It wasn't long before an hour had quietly passed. Xuan Yuan Ruo called out to me several times, but I ignored him, wanting to finish this chapter. Who knew he would bring his face close to mine, and when I lifted my head, our eyes met, how embarrassing! Even as a member of the Purely Aesthetic Appreciation Society, who absolutely wouldn't get involved with anyone, I was left blushing at his handsome appearance.

  At this time, not far away came the voice of Wang Xiao-Xiao: "Well, Nan Xiang-Xiang, it's no wonder you've been here for so long without coming to find me." I and Xuan-Yuan Rui quickly separated. Wang Xiao-Xiao walked up to me, whispering in my ear: "Tell me honestly, who is this little general? How do you know him? Where did you meet?" I whispered back that we'd talk about it later, then turned to Xuan-Yuan Rui and said, "This is my good friend and classmate Wang Xiao-Xiao," and to Xiao-Xiao, "This is Xuan-Yuan Rui."

  After the introduction, I told Xiaoxiao that I also invited Xuan Yuanrui to have afternoon tea. To my surprise, Wang Xiaoxiao asked me to invite her too, and I was at a loss. We ended up going to Wangji Beverage Store with three people, found a window seat, and sat down. I asked Xuan Yuanrui what kind of fruit she liked. I gritted my teeth and shouted: "Auntie Wang, we want three large cups of milk tea, one blueberry flavor, one watermelon flavor, and one strawberry flavor."

  Wang Xiaoxiao laughed brightly and said to Xuan Yuanrui, "Little General, thanks to you, the stingy Nan Xiuxiu actually treated me to a large cup of milk tea." I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me, but Xuan Yuanrui actually smiled. As we sipped our milk tea and basked in the warm sunlight, the three of us started chatting idly.

  Xuanyuan asked: "What grade are you guys in? Which elementary school is it?"

  Wang Xiaoxiao hastily replied, "I and Xiao are both in second grade, and we're both in Class 2-2 at Yangguang Primary School. How about you?" Xuan Yuan said with a smile, "Hehe, I'm also in second grade, but I don't attend school in this city. I go to the affiliated primary school in B City. Who knows what will happen in the future."

  I only saw Wang Xiaoxiao and Xuan Yuanrui chatting happily, leaving me out in the cold. It's really annoying. Wang Xiaoxiao directly ignored me, but Xuan Yuanrui still glanced at me from time to time.

  No, I kept drinking milk tea, a pearl wouldn't come up, I sucked hard, it just went against me, and with one careless move, I choked, coughing non-stop. Wang Xiaoxiao patted my back and said, "There's no one competing with you, why are you in such a hurry?" Xuan Yuanrui just looked at me and smiled, I was so embarrassed, I really wanted to find a hole to crawl into.

  Around four thirty, we said goodbye to Xuan Yuan and headed home.