Colorful years

As night falls and the city lights come on, people who have been busy all day begin to enjoy a cozy dinner.

The teacher led the students into the restaurant of the Gongnongzhi Inn, where they planned to have their dinner.

Including the teachers, there were a total of fifty-four people having lunch together. Ten people sat at the teachers' table, while eleven students sat around each of the other four tables.

Soon, four dishes and a soup were served: fragrant twice-cooked pork with an enticing color; sweet and refreshing stir-fried cabbage; crisp and flavorful stir-fried radish shreds that whetted the appetite; and finally, a steaming pot of sauerkraut and egg soup, rich and fragrant.

As Congcong ate, he secretly marveled at how everything he had experienced along the way, including the accommodations, meals, and surrounding scenery, was exactly the same as his memories from his previous life.

"Is it really true, as the ancients said, that everyone's life trajectory is predetermined in its major directions and cannot be changed?" Congcong couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

Just then, a clear and melodious sound interrupted his thoughts.

It was Congcong's cousin San San, who was sitting next to him, who spoke up: "Brother Congcong, would you like to come with us to Nanzheng Street and Nanmen Wharf?" Her big, bright eyes looked at Congcong expectantly.

Upon hearing his cousin's request, Congcong nodded without hesitation and replied, "Sure! I've heard it's one of the most bustling and lively areas in the county, and I've always wanted to go see it. Let's go now!"

So, the group of people walked happily toward Nanzheng Street and Nanmen Wharf, their figures gradually disappearing into the dim light...

Besides Congcong, two other beautiful young women, Li Hua and Li Ying, accompanied her.

Time flies, and when they stepped into high school, they had blossomed into stunning beauties.

Li Hua, in particular, became the most dazzling school beauty with her outstanding looks and unique temperament, attracting the attention of countless people.

However, at this time they were still in the growth stage, just like those unripe fruits that had just borne fruit. Although they were still a little immature, they had already shown the beginnings of becoming beauties.

For Congcong, this close and small-scale interaction with Li Hua is probably the first time in his five years of primary school, and it may very well be the only precious opportunity.

He had been borrowing a large number of extracurricular books from Li Hua through San San, immersing himself in the ocean of knowledge, but he never had the opportunity to express his deepest gratitude to her in person.

At this moment, thinking of this, Congcong took a deep breath, mustered her courage, a slight blush rose on her face, and with a touch of shyness, she spoke:

"Li Hua, thank you so much for lending me so many wonderful extracurricular books. Without them, my after-school life would be very dull and boring."

Hearing Congcong's sincere words, Li Hua couldn't help but smile. Her bright eyes blinked even more, as charming as the twinkling stars in the night sky.

She responded gracefully, "Oh my, you're usually so quiet and reserved, you've finally spoken to me today! There's really nothing to thank me for, we're classmates after all."

Besides, we have many long novels at home. If you want to read them after you go to junior high school, you can always come and borrow them from me. But if you still send San San to borrow books, hmph, then I won't bother with you!

After saying that, Li Hua winked playfully at Cong Cong, her charming and adorable appearance making people happy.

Congcong blushed slightly as he listened to Li Hua's words. He lowered his head slightly and explained somewhat shyly, "Oh, actually, I am a little shy. After all, the era we live in now is relatively feudal and conservative in terms of thinking."

But, well, we can't keep being so coy, right? So, it's settled then, if we're still classmates in junior high, I won't be shy, I'll just come to borrow your books!"

Looking at Congcong, who was slightly shy but had mustered the courage to express his thoughts, Li Hua smiled and nodded, saying approvingly, "Yes, that's right. A real man should be straightforward; that's what makes him manly!"