Volume 1 Chapter 31: Chance Encounter

  In the market, I picked out some fabric and spent ten yuan on it. I bought a few meters of floral print and solid colors each. Feeling hungry, I walked with Qiaoyu and said: "Qiaoyu, let's find something to eat." Along the way, we saw several small restaurants selling fried dough sticks, noodles with porridge, soy milk, tofu pudding, steamed buns, and baozi... but nothing really caught my attention. Suddenly an idea struck me: "Qiaoyu, look, there's nothing good to eat in this town, hurry up and ask your mom to open a restaurant serving fried noodles, it'll definitely be popular!" Qiaoyu nodded: "Really, my mom cooks everything deliciously."

  As we were talking, we arrived at the small shop. My dad was inside installing lights, and the walls and floor were spotless, looking much better. I suddenly had an idea: I should go buy some paint for advertisements and draw a few models on the wall wearing clothes I designed - it should look pretty good, this wall is too plain. And we need to buy some clothes racks to hang our finished clothing samples. Oh dear, there's so much to do this afternoon! My dad finished installing the light bulbs and tried them out - they lit up. He clapped his hands and said: "You must be hungry, let's go eat!" I was unenthusiastic: "We've already looked, there's nothing good to eat." My dad smiled mysteriously: "Who says that? Just follow Dad and you'll see." Hmm? It seems like there might be a surprise? I'm curious to see what my dad thinks is delicious!

  Dad locked the shop door and took us out. Hmm, this isn't the street we just walked on, it's another turn, through a small alley, to another street. I looked around carefully, and it seems that the streets here are a bit wider, and the houses on both sides are newer. Oh, right, this is the new street that developed really fast later on, and the town government is probably on this street. I looked ahead, and indeed, the town government was just up ahead. Dad stopped, and I turned my head to look, wow! So many people! Is there really something delicious? What could it be? I'm a bit excited now. I pulled Xiu along as we walked inside, asking with my mouth, "Dad, what kind of food do they sell here? There are so many people!" Dad pointed upwards: "Take a look yourself." I stopped in my tracks and looked up, oh, there was a big sign hanging above the shop door, which read "Li's Jianbing". So it's jianbing, seeing so many people come to eat, it must be delicious.

  As soon as I entered the store, I smelled a strong onion oil fragrance. Then I saw that the person making the pancake was busy, and the pancake in the pot was golden yellow, it looked great! I swallowed my saliva: "Dad, looks delicious, let's buy some quickly!" Dad smiled and agreed, then went to make the purchase. I looked around and found that all the seats were taken, there was no place to sit.

  "Yin Ruoyun, is that you?" A girl's voice came from behind me. I turned around and saw two people sitting at a round table behind me. The girl stood up and smiled at me: "What a coincidence! We've met again." I thought for a moment, wasn't this the generous girl we met at the accessory store this morning? What was her name again? Qiao Hui whispered beside me: "It's Zhang Baier." Ah, yes, it was Zhang Baier. What a coincidence indeed. I immediately beamed with a smile: "Baier, is that you! We really have fate, meeting again like this."

  "Come on over, we're almost done eating." I looked around and couldn't find a seat, so I walked over and sat down across from her. Qiao Hui also sat down next to her. "Ah!" Qiao Hui exclaimed as soon as she sat down, "You...he..." I was confused: "What's wrong, Sister Hui?" In front of outsiders, I still addressed her as Sister Hui. Qiao Hui's face turned red, looking embarrassed and shy, glancing at the person next to me before quickly lowering her head again.

  I was perplexed and turned around, ah? I stared blankly. He...he...how could he be here? That scoundrel Lu Qi was smiling at me with his peach blossom eyes. "Oh, I forgot to introduce him. This is my cousin Lu Qi, who looks a bit like a girl, right?" Obviously, Bao'er misunderstood and thought we were reacting that way because of his appearance. Bao'er continued, "Cousin, this is the person I was just telling you about, they are..." "Yin Ruoyun, Yin Qiuju." Lu Qi smiled faintly, shining like a star.

  "Huh, you guys know each other?" I felt a bit embarrassed: "We're classmates," I didn't know if this guy would mention the thing about me stealing his spot. "Wow, really? Then we really do have an extraordinary fate!" Bao'er's face was full of excitement, "I totally believe in fate, our encounter today is arranged by destiny, otherwise how could it be so coincidental? The moment I saw you, I wanted to be friends with you, and now you're my cousin's classmate, isn't that like a match made in heaven?"

  I was speechless and couldn't help but laugh: "Bao'er, you really know how to associate things, this has nothing to do with that 'close relatives' thing, right?" I glanced at Lu Qi, a sly smile flashing across my face. Cui Hua's head had already lowered onto the table. "Ruo Yun, my house is just nearby, want to come over and play later?" Bao'er enthusiastically invited. "Uh, Bao'er, I really wanted to go to your house to play, but this afternoon there are still many things to do, how about another day?" I replied helplessly.

  Lu Qi stood up: "Bao'er, you go back home by yourself. I have something to take care of, tell Auntie and I'll head back directly." After finishing speaking, his body leaned in again, whispering in my ear: "Wait for me together." Then he quickly got up, glancing at me with a sly smile, before striding away rapidly. I touched the edge of my ear, the warmth of his breath still lingering, what was this guy doing? Wait for me together? Go home? My face felt a bit hot.

  "Come, hot pancakes are here! Eat them while they're hot!" Dad walked over with a big plate of pancakes. "I'll go get some congee." He noticed Bao'er and said, "Who's this?" I quickly explained, "This is my dad." Bao'er stood up in a hurry: "Uncle!" "Good, let's eat together then! I bought a lot," Dad said as he put down the plate. "No need, I just ate," Bao'er shook his head repeatedly. "If Cloud, you guys eat slowly, I'll go back first."

  "Hey, beautiful girl, everyone has left, hurry up and eat!" I smiled at Qiao Wei. It seems that Qiao Wei still has feelings for him in her heart. Afraid it's a case of the flower having intentions but the water being unfeeling! Sigh, just like myself back then, never daring to speak out my true feelings. (Download this book by entering or searching "book name + Ha Shi Ba") You can search for "Crossing Over: Re-walking the Road of Youth Ha Shi Ba" on Baidu to find the latest updates for this book!