As soon as the summer vacation started, Shi Hai actually thought he was quite busy. He had the student union's end-of-term meeting, a dinner party, and went out for a while. After that, he just stayed at home and slept in, played games, turned on the air conditioner, and ordered takeout.
Ms. Ding has an advantage that some other parents don't have, which is that she generally doesn't care about her children. Sometimes she even stays up late with him, plays games, and orders takeout.
After Ms. Ding's blind date for Shi Ci failed, she took Old Man Shi on a trip. Shi Ci rarely came back, so Shi Hai became more free.
His family lives in an old neighborhood with convenient transportation. In the entire three-story villa, apart from him, there is only an aunt who comes to clean the house at regular times.
Shi Hai held several parties at home and was extremely happy.
In such happiness, he seemed to have gradually forgotten the existence of Tang Zuo.
That's how it should be.
Ever since they met on the road during the Qingming Festival, he thought he had won her favor and that Tang Zuo should be a little more enthusiastic towards him.
But it didn’t.
The last time we met in a restaurant, he was still polite and distant.
The replies on WeChat were also polite and simple.
Frankly speaking, Shi Hai was a little tempted to back out. Why bother? They just didn't care about you at all and didn't have that much interest in you.
He also has self-respect!
During the summer vacation, he also tried to go out with girls who usually had a crush on him.
One was a senior who worked with him in the student union, and the other was a junior from the same department.
They would smile shyly at him and actively find topics to talk about, creating a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.
It turns out it really wasn't his problem.
It turns out he is really charming.
So he basically forgot about Tang Zuo during the first half month of summer vacation.
But one day, he was reading a book and came across Mu Xin's "Five Islands Evening Post".
Before you appeared, my life was peaceful, I walked with a proud stride, and I could predict everything. Now I am confused and timid, like spring water melting from the ice, flowing towards you, but I don’t know where you are.
Shi Hai's face suddenly turned bitter.
Sure enough, I still feel unwilling to give in!
Shi Hai's good brother, Fang Xiuqi, was in the student union with him before, but they were not close friends until he found out that Fang Xiuqi was the boyfriend of Tang Zuo's roommate, and that he was moved to the same building as him due to dormitory adjustments in the first semester of his sophomore year.
After a while, what was originally just an acquaintance turned into a sincere brotherhood.
So it was natural for him to ask him to mediate when he was feeling depressed, but this guy's relationship was so smooth that he was easily shown off his affection without even noticing.
“My girlfriend bought me these socks!”
"Go to the premiere with my Nan Nan."
"This is a couple's pair with my Nan Nan!"
Like tonight, Shi Hai was asked out - to accompany Fang Xiuqi to pick out a gift for his girlfriend!
How outrageous!
"Hey! Can you please take my mood into consideration?" Shi Hai said unhappily.
Fang Xiuqi patted his shoulder, and after about three minutes of silence, he said, "Then when my girlfriend comes over, we'll treat you to a meal?"
Shi Hai: "… No! I'm afraid of being blinded by the light and choking to death!"
Fang Xiuqi laughed and nudged him with his elbow, "How about asking my Nan Nan to ask Tang Zuo out? Can she save you?"
Shi Hai's mood finally turned from cloudy to sunny.
Summer nights belong to young and energetic people. The bright and dense lights reflected from the shopping malls in the tall buildings blend with the quiet and gentle lights on the streets, making it prosperous and lively.
It was already half past nine when Tang Zuo changed his clothes and came out of the western restaurant. He was far from wanting to sleep that night.
She was tired and sleepy.
Although there are only five days of work a week, eight hours a day, and sometimes overtime, the long hours of standing and high-intensity work are very demanding on physical and mental fitness.
You have to tie your hair, put on makeup, wear formal clothes and high heels to go to work.
On her first day at work, her legs were so sore that she couldn't even take the slightest step.
In the first week, her heels were rubbed raw and her toes were covered in blisters as she was not used to wearing high heels.
She transferred all the scholarships and student subsidies issued at the end of the semester to her uncle. The new semester of junior year is about to start. Although the tuition is paid by student loan, the living expenses are still not settled.
She will be a junior soon. Her student loans are piling up, and she hasn’t even started paying them back. Her classes are getting harder and harder. There are many excellent students in the college. If she slacks off, she won’t get a top scholarship. If she wants to consider graduate school, she’ll have to prepare for it in her junior year… She also has to take exams for certificates…
She couldn't think about these problems too much. Her scalp would go numb when she thought about them. Each problem was like a heavy stone. The piled up stones formed a mountain, which made her breathless and she didn't even have time to complain.
Tang Zhuo was able to work at Little Rose thanks to the counselor's help, which was her personal connection. The counselor was the only one in the school who knew her situation clearly, so she was willing to take care of her.
"Little Rose" has many foreign guests who often come to take care of her, and they always give her tips. Since she is not a formal employee, she can get half of the tips. During the two-month summer vacation, her salary is very considerable.
Tang Zhao changed into her usual clothes and shoes, and carried a bag filled with the restaurant's supplies. While waiting for the bus, she took out her MP3 from her small bag and listened to English.
Use your commute to and from get off work to listen to English for half an hour every day. First listen widely, then listen carefully. After listening three times, start recording and repeating.
At night, after taking a shower, she would do a hundred-word translation between Chinese and English before going to bed. Sometimes she would translate in writing, sometimes she would record the translation orally, but she would often fall asleep before she could finish because she was too tired.
Before she turned on the mp3, Zhang Zinan called. Tang Zuo unplugged the headphone cable and answered the phone.
On the phone, Zhang Zinan asked her to go to a place to eat fried skewers.
"I'll send you the location. It's not far from Little Rose. Just two bus stops."
"Um... I won't hide it from you, Shi Hai is here too." After Zhang Zinan said this, the two boys who were staring at her and paying close attention to her reactions took a breath.
Fang Xiuqi was wearing glasses and winking at her - why did you say it so directly? What if she doesn't open it!
Zhang Zinan rolled his eyes, turned around and whispered while holding his phone: "... I didn't ask you to come here because of Shi Hai, it's because I might not be going home tonight..."
The two boys pricked up their ears and almost leaned over to listen. The skewers shop was very lively and noisy, so it was difficult to hear clearly.
After Zhang Zinan finished the call, she turned around and met their expectant gazes. She took a sip of water in a haughty manner before saying, "… She's coming, but not for you."
"I know, I know. It's all Sister Nan's credit! Just order whatever you want to eat or drink! It's my treat, it's my treat!" Shi Hai said in a snobbish tone.
When Shi Hai and Fang Xiuqi had chosen the food and handed it to the boss, and sat down to discuss what to drink, Tang Zuo arrived and was arranged to sit between Shi Hai and Zhang Zinan.
Shi Hai asked her with a smile, "We all drink beer, do you want to drink this too?"
Tang Zuo shook his head and said, "I don't drink alcohol, I drink coconut juice."
The atmosphere was quite relaxed and cheerful. Shi Hai and Fang Xiuqi were in charge of the topic, singing in unison, and Zhang Zi cooperated. Tang Zuo was actually very tired and didn't want to talk much. If he couldn't avoid it, he would drink coconut juice.
Shi Hai couldn't hold his alcohol tolerance and his face would turn red when he drank. After two or three rounds with Fang Xiuqi and Zhang Zinan, a young couple from the north, his face turned red and his speech became a bit lisp.
"Well, forget it, why don't we just call a taxi to send him away?" Zhang Zinan said.
Fang Xiuqi was about to say yes, but Shi Hai immediately waved his hand, "No, no, no, I can still drink. It's okay, it's okay! Look, we still haven't finished eating!"
Zhang Zinan looked at Tang Zuo, and Tang Zuo said, "Shi Hai, let's go back. It's getting late. I have to go back too. If we're any later, there won't be any cars!"
Shi Hai said, "Okay... then... wait, it's too late. It's not safe for you to go back alone. I'll take you there."
Fang Xiuqi and Zhang Zinan looked at each other speechlessly: With your attitude, you don’t even know who is sending whom!
Shi Hai was not completely drunk yet, and he immediately thought of an idea, "I got it, I'll ask my sister to take us home." Then he flipped through his cell phone to make a call.
Fang Xiuqi sneered, "Shi Hai, you really are a sister's treasure!"
Tang Zuo was silent for a moment, then said, "I'm going back to school. It's not on my way. I'll go first..."
"Hey... It's late at night!" Zhang Zinan pulled her, "Just wait, Shi Hai, can you ask your sister to send Tang Zuo away?"
Shi Hai put down the phone and said, "Of course, my sister always listens to me!"
"She happens to be nearby and will be here soon."
"You are indeed a sister's boy!" Fang Xiuqi said to Zhang Zinan with a smile, "Whenever you need something, you go to your sister. When you have no money, you go to your sister. You are such a sissy! You are not like a man at all!"
Zhang Zinan laughed: "Maybe her sister raised him as a little girl, right? Shi Hai?"
Shi Hai stared at them, "You are just jealous and envious," he glanced at Tang Zuo from the corner of his eye and said in a loud voice, "My sister is indeed the best sister in the world! If I had a girlfriend, she would spoil my girlfriend as well..."
"cut… "
"Eh..."
Zhang Zinan and Fang Xiuqi looked at each other again in tacit understanding: Is this possible? You can even use your sister as a means to woo girls? What a unique style!
The fried skewers shop they chose is not big but is quite famous. Many young people like to eat here. It was just past nine o'clock and more and more people were coming. There were even people waiting outside.
As soon as Shi Ci parked the car and approached, he smelled a salty, spicy and slightly pungent aroma.
She looked at the sign that seemed a little greasy and frowned with a bit of disgust.
Professor Shi hasn't been to this kind of store for about ten years. She won't eat after seven in the evening, and her taste for food is light and bland, so she can't stand this kind of heavy and fattening midnight snack.
She sighed as she walked.
What unbridled youth!
When Professor Shi, dressed in a white silk top and white jeans, appeared at the doorway filled with the aroma of oil and the bustling crowd, the store suddenly fell silent for two or three seconds.
The expression on the shop owner's face can be expressed in four words: My humble business is honored!
Shi Ci easily found Shi Hai's table. After all, the young people at this table were all very good-looking. Her stupid brother had a low IQ but a very intimidating appearance. The other boy and girl were also pretty and clean. But Shi Ci's eyes inevitably fell on Tang Zuo more.
She looked the smallest among the group, and sat there with no discernible expression.
"Sister!" Shi Hai waved at her.
Shi Ci was almost sent to Shi Hai's table by everyone's gaze. After she sat down, the restaurant returned to its previous bustle.
Zhang Zinan and Fang Xiuqi once again displayed their tacit understanding, shouting in unison: "Professor Shi!"
Tang Zhuo spoke a second later. When she wanted to call for help, Shi Hai was already laughing, "Don't be so polite, just call me sister!"
Zhang Zinan and Fang Xiuqi were both born with thick skins, and they blurted out without even thinking, "Hello, sister!"
Tang Zhuo didn't catch up just now, so now he couldn't even say the familiar "sister", "..."
She was a little confused. What should she say? It would be too rude not to say it. She got more than a thousand commissions last time thanks to Shi Ci.
But after everyone had finished shouting, she suddenly spoke, which seemed very abrupt...
Shi Ci gave that polite smile that was required for social interaction again, and glanced at Shi Hai with the corner of his eye.
This stupid brother is itching again, right
Am I just someone's sister
Could it be that he wanted to use this trick to...
No, this silly brother doesn't know how to express his love in such a roundabout way.
His love was too bright and too straightforward, he didn't know how to be subtle at all, if there was even a little progress, he would tell the world.
Other girls would definitely like this kind of straightforward joy without any ulterior motives.
pity…
Shi Ci looked at Tang Zuo inconspicuously. She couldn't quite understand the little girl's thoughts, and Shi Ci couldn't use other thoughts to understand her.
She was looking down, her slender fingers gently turning the bottle of coconut juice. Her hair was tied into a small bun, and some of the fine hair that couldn't be tied up cast a shadow on her smooth forehead. Her lips were red, and her nose was delicate and straight.
Like a delicate, fragile porcelain doll.
At this moment, she raised her eyes and looked at herself.
Shi Ci felt that she shouldn't look away at this moment, so she tilted her head slightly and looked at her with a smile.
The girl in front of him suddenly froze, and something felt like it was spreading across her cheeks.
How do you describe this feeling
Just like an orchid that always grows tall and blooms in the moonlight, its petals tremble in the breeze.
The girl puffed out her cheeks and moved her lips towards her.
Shi Ci understood it easily.
She said silently: "Hello, Professor Shi."
Oh, this little cutie is struggling with the question of how to greet her
At this time, Shi Hai asked her, "Sister, what do you want to drink?"
Shi Ci pointed at the coconut juice in Tang Zuo's hand and said, "Just drink that."