Chapter 40 - Encounter
Waiting time always felt long.
A week that would usually pass in the blink of an eye now felt like it had been wound up tight, turning ever so slowly.
Finally, the weekend arrived. The closer it got to the appointed time, the more uneasy Ji Linxue felt.
Gu Hengzhi had arranged to meet him at 2 PM. In the morning, Ji Linxue went to the university. He was currently working on a project with several senior students, which was now in the final stages of completion.
After dealing with the remaining tasks, Ji Linxue planned to take his leave, but the senior students insisted on keeping him and had lunch together at the canteen.
They all had very good personalities and were easy-going. The atmosphere during the meal was very pleasant, with hardly any awkward silences. Ji Linxue was the youngest among them, so he became the target of teasing.
"Linxue, you're so handsome, why don't you get a girlfriend?"
It was that familiar question again. Ji Linxue didn't know how many times he had been asked this in his two lifetimes combined.
Before, his answer was always that he didn't want to date. Now, he finally figured it out. Perhaps he just hadn't met someone he liked.
He picked up a piece of potato with his chopsticks, his voice neither hurried nor slow.
"When fate arrives, it will naturally happen."
The senior student didn't let him off the hook. "Meaning you haven't found someone you like yet? Are your standards that high?"
Ji Linxue unseasonably thought of Gu Hengzhi and wondered what he wanted to do today.
"My sister saw your photo last time and said she wanted to get to know you. How about it? Want to see what my sister looks like?"
The senior's tone was joking, but his expression was serious. Ji Linxue politely declined his offer, and the other party wasn't angry, just saying.
"Looks like my sister and you aren't fated."
The topic ended there. As they chatted, they soon brought up the recent exchange student program.
“I heard it’s a year-long exchange to Country A, and it's government-funded. A lot of people are going to apply,” another senior student said.
Ji Linxue was a little tempted. In his previous life, he studied chemistry. In this life, he chose computer science. Everything had to start over.
To have an opportunity to study and improve himself was naturally highly desirable. Moreover, with goverment and school funding, it wouldn't be a big burden on his family.
He asked about the relevant conditions in detail and found that he basically met them all, which made him even more tempted.
"If you really want to go, you can check the school's official website," the senior said.
"Okay."
Ji Linxue looked down at his watch and found that the hour hand had already pointed to 1:30 PM. There was only half an hour left until his appointed time with Gu Hengzhi. He quickly put down his chopsticks and stood up, apologizing.
"I have something to do, so I'll leave first."
As soon as he walked out of the school gate, his phone rang. It was Gu Hengzhi calling.
He asked, "Have you arrived?"
Gu Hengzhi laughed, "Look behind you."
Ji Linxue turned around and found Gu Hengzhi standing not far behind him. He had specially changed out of the formal wear he wore at the company.
He wore a black hoodie on top and loose jeans on the bottom, dressed completely casually and refreshingly. At this moment, he was leaning by the car, staring intently at him.
"Why did you come so early?" Ji Linxue walked towards him. The closer he got, the more he could feel the other party's good mood.
Gu Hengzhi opened the car door for him, "Because I wanted to see you sooner."
Ji Linxue was taken aback. He looked up at him but found his expression was normal, as if he wasn't even aware of how ambiguous that sentence was.
After Ji Linxue got into the car, Gu Hengzhi wiped the sweat from his palms and got into the driver's seat, "What did you eat for lunch?"
"I ate at the canteen," Ji Linxue said, "Did you eat?"
"I did."
Along the way, the two chatted casually like this. Ji Linxue noticed that the buildings outside the car window gradually became sparse, indicating they were driving towards the suburbs.
"Where are we going?"
Gu Hengzhi said mysteriously, "You'll know when we get there."
Half an hour later, they finally arrived at their destination, a large fishing base.
Gu Hengzhi opened the trunk. Inside were several exquisite fishing rods, as well as bait, small stools, and other tools, fully equipped.
Ji Linxue recalled a vague memory. It seemed that once when they drove past a river, he casually mentioned wanting to try fishing. Gu Hengzhi didn't have much reaction at the time, unexpectedly he remembered it.
As expected—
"Didn't you say you wanted to try before?" Gu Hengzhi took out a fishing rod and handed it to him, "Just happened to have time today."
Ji Linxue was full of interest and walked towards the lake with him, carrying the tools.
They found a good spot, baited the area, and cast their lines.
They fished like this all afternoon, reeling in their lines only when it got dark, and harvested a large basket of fish.
Gu Hengzhi had someone send the fish back to the apartment where they lived, while he took Ji Linxue to the restaurant they had booked.
The restaurant's location was also secluded, right on the way to the fishing spot. The decor was Chinese style, with pavilions, terraces, towers, and small bridges over flowing water.
Gu Hengzhi went to find a parking spot, and Ji Linxue waited for him at the entrance. Suddenly, he heard a familiar voice from behind him.
"Linxue Ge!"
He turned his head and saw Bai Chutang. Bai Chuyun was also with her. Both were dressed beautifully, looking like they were out having fun together.
Bai Chuyun gave him a smile, looking much more sensible than the last time they met, "Linxue Gege."
Ji Linxue nodded, "I remember your house is far from here. Why did you suddenly come to this side?"
Bai Chutang hadn't spoken yet, but Bai Chuyun quickly answered.
"Grandma said we haven't been out for a long time and told Sister to take me out to play. We were at the amusement park all day today!"
Saying this, she pointed to the giant Ferris wheel not far away, her face full of innocent joy.
Ji Linxue was infected by such emotions and couldn't help but curl his lips.
"Where are you planning to go now?"
"To eat dinner, I'm starving," Bai Chuyun rubbed her belly, "Sister, what are we eating?"
Bai Chutang looked at the roasted duck restaurant across the street: "Eat this."
Bai Chuyun waved her fist, as if she had obtained some precious treasure: "Yay! I haven't had roasted duck in ages!"
Seeing her like this, Bai Chutang couldn't help but laugh, "Wipe your drool, what kind of behavior is that?"
At this moment, Gu Hengzhi finished parking and returned. Seeing Ji Linxue talking to two girls, he had originally frowned, but slowly relaxed after seeing who the people opposite him were.
"Hengzhi Ge," Bai Chutang called out. Bai Chuyun's eyes rolled, and she also called out, "Hello, Brother."
Gu Hengzhi nodded, his expression consistently indifferent, "What a coincidence, are you also here to eat?"
Bai Chutang nodded, "We're eating across the street. Are you guys eating roasted duck?"
Gu Hengzhi glanced at the shop opposite, "No, come eat with us. My treat."
Bai Chutang was about to refuse, but Bai Chuyun had already eagerly agreed, "Okay! Thank you, gege!"
Bai Chutang was so angry that she twisted her arm directly. Bai Chuyun hissed in pain.
"The child is being silly, just joking. We'd better not..."
Before she could finish her sentence, she was interrupted by Gu Hengzhi.
"It's alright, it's just a meal. You’re Linxue’s friends, which makes you my friends too. Let’s go.”
His demeanor was imposing. After saying that, he turned and entered the restaurant, giving no room for refusal. Bai Chutang had no choice and looked at Ji Linxue with a pleading gaze.
Ji Linxue shook his head, "Let's eat together."
Since he had said so, it was also not good for Bai Chutang to refuse. She took Bai Chuyun and followed behind Ji Linxue into the restaurant.
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