Chapter 113: Zhang Ziyi?

Overlooking the dusk settling over Shen Town, it was as if a golden crescent moon had fallen from the Milky Way, gently kissing the eaves of the southern frontier.

By the telephone booth, Wang Qiang peered through the gaps between pine needles and saw the sun sinking, abandoning the clouds and dimming its radiance. Feeling the time was nearly right, he picked up the receiver hanging on the rack, dropped a coin in, and dialed Fang Yueqing’s number.

It was already half past five in the afternoon.

The university should have finished its classes for the day.

Beep—beep—

The line rang for a long time with no answer—perhaps the pager was not nearby.

Wang Qiang was about to hang up and try again later when a click sounded on the other end.

Then Fang Yueqing’s breathless voice came through, “Huff… huff… hello?”

He quickly pressed the receiver to his right ear again and said, “Xiao Qing, it’s Wang Qiang.”

“Oh… it’s Brother Qiang,” Fang Yueqing’s voice carried a hint of surprise. She seemed to be running over, still catching her breath with several gasps, her words broken and uneven. “Did you get my letter?”

“I received it a while ago, and I sent you a reply. Did you get it?” Wang Qiang asked.

On the other end, Fang Yueqing sounded puzzled, “No, when did you send it?”

Uh, probably two or three days ago. Indeed, mail delivery wasn’t very fast nowadays.

Recalling the question he had just asked, Wang Qiang felt a bit embarrassed and changed the subject. “It should arrive in a couple of days. By the way, I’m in Shen Town today. Are you free to come out for dinner?”

Fang Yueqing hesitated, “Now?”

Wang Qiang immediately understood what she meant. It was almost dark, and it wasn’t proper for a young man and woman to meet alone at night. Besides, she was a girl, and they had only met twice before. To suddenly invite her to dinner in the evening might cause her to imagine things.

Just as he was about to speak, she decided, “Alright, give me an address, and I’ll change and come out.”

It seemed the girl truly regarded him as a friend.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have agreed to come out without asking any questions.

Wang Qiang was unfamiliar with Shen Town. He had been busy all afternoon sourcing goods and looking for a hotel, with no time to find a restaurant. “Why don’t you pick a place? I’ll come to you.”

“Okay, do you know our university?”

“I roughly know where it is.”

“Wait for me at the school gate, alright?”

“Sure.”

“Then I’ll hang up now.”

“Wait.” Wang Qiang wiped a bead of sweat from his brow, feeling awkward. “By the way, bring the classmate you mentioned in your letter.”

Fang Yueqing giggled, “I thought you invited me out just for dinner, turns out you want to invite my friend too. I’ll tell her.”

“No, no. I really want to treat you,” Wang Qiang sweetened his tone.

Having agreed on the place, they hung up.

Wang Qiang checked the nearby bus stop for the route to Shen Town University and waited about five minutes before the bus arrived.

…

At the entrance of Shen Town University.

Fang Yueqing wore a short shawl of soft pinkish purple over a pale yellow knee-length skirt. Her tall figure was complemented by flowing jet-black hair resting naturally on her shoulders. She dressed with care, her clear, bright eyes frequently glancing toward the bus stop not far away.

Beside her stood a petite girl wearing glasses, with an ordinary appearance and a few freckles that added a touch of charm. “Xiao Qing, what time will your friend arrive?”

“Soon, I guess.” Fang Yueqing was uncertain herself. “Don’t be anxious, Xiao Yan.”

Xiao Yan rubbed her slightly sunken stomach with a worried frown. “I didn’t have lunch and I’m starving.”

Fang Yueqing blinked, “Want me to buy you something to eat first?”

“No, no.” Xiao Yan shook her head quickly, smiling. “I’m saving my appetite for a big meal. When your friend arrives, you must make him treat us well.”

Fang Yueqing defended, “We’re just going to a regular restaurant later. No need for anything fancy.”

Xiao Yan smirked mischievously, “You’re already trying to save him money before he’s even here. Could he be your boyfriend?”

“No way, you’re imagining things.”

The two girls laughed and chatted merrily.

Time slipped by, minute by minute.

Half an hour.

Fifty minutes.

Over an hour passed in the blink of an eye.

Twilight descended silently, enveloping the surroundings with a deep, lonely night breeze. The two girls, once lively, were now so hungry their chests pressed against their backs, barely able to speak.

Especially Fang Yueqing, who wore black high heels she seldom used. Standing for so long, her heels throbbed painfully.

“Your friend isn’t coming, is he?” Xiao Yan frowned. “Let’s go eat first. I’m about to starve.”

Fang Yueqing looked apologetic. “Can we wait a little longer?”

Pouting, Xiao Yan was reluctant. “Your friend is too late. I’m not waiting anymore. I’m going back to eat.”

“No, no!” Fang Yueqing grabbed her arm and coaxed, “Just a little longer. On Sunday, I’ll treat you to McDonald’s, okay?”

Xiao Yan still wasn’t happy. Who makes a girl wait this long for a meal? But as a foodie, she couldn’t help licking her lips at the mention of McDonald’s. Back then, McDonald’s hadn’t become so “cheap.” A meal there was a considerable expense—an indulgence for many.

Xiao Yan came from a poor family and had only heard from others about how delicious McDonald’s was. She had never been there herself, and the temptation was hard to resist.

It seemed Xiao Qing truly valued that friend.

She was willing to splurge and take her to McDonald’s.

Xiao Yan looked at Fang Yueqing. On one hand, she wanted to eat McDonald’s; on the other, she was best friends with Fang Yueqing at school. Reluctantly, she said, “Okay, ten more minutes. If he still doesn’t show, even if you promise me a feast, I’m not waiting.”

…

Traffic was heavy during rush hour.

The road was packed with cars. Although not as congested as later in Shen Town, a trip that should have taken fifty minutes ended up taking an hour and a half.

By the time Wang Qiang arrived at Shen Town University, night had long since fallen.

Stepping off the bus, he breathed in the cool, moist air that hinted at fog. Ahead, a lighthouse beside the school gate illuminated the path.

He felt a little nervous. Inviting someone to dinner and arriving just after seven—would Fang Yueqing and her friend be angry and have left?

Just then, a familiar voice rang in his ear. “Brother Qiang.”

Wang Qiang turned toward the voice and saw Fang Yueqing’s familiar figure before him. She seemed to have applied light makeup today; her fair, flawless skin glowed with a soft blush, and her thin lips resembled delicate rose petals.

“Xiao Qing.” He quickly moved toward the school gate, apologizing as he approached, “Sorry, the traffic was terrible. I’m late.”

Fang Yueqing and Xiao Yan linked arms, smiling brightly. “Not late at all. We just got here.”

Xiao Yan silently grumbled—waiting for over an hour and they just arrived? Fang Yueqing was very kind to this guy. Despite her displeasure, she began to size Wang Qiang up.

Noticing the short girl beside Fang Yueqing staring at him, Wang Qiang extended his hand with a smile. “You must be Xiao Qing’s classmate. I’m Wang Qiang. Nice to meet you.”

Xiao Yan wasn’t impressed, mainly because they had waited so long. She shook his hand coldly. “Hello, I’m Zhang Ziyan.”

Zhang Ziyi?

The same name as the famous actress?

Wang Qiang, having misheard, blinked and asked, “Zhang Ziyi?”

Getting the name wrong, Zhang Yan rolled her eyes, unwilling to continue the conversation.

Fang Yueqing quickly eased the awkwardness. “It’s Zhang Ziyan—Zhang as in ‘article,’ Zi as in ‘child,’ and Yan with the female radical plus Kai.”

Wang Qiang apologized profusely, “Sorry, sorry, I misheard.” Calling someone by the wrong name was indeed impolite, and he said sorry several times.

Only then did Zhang Ziyan’s expression soften a little.