Chapter 23: The Trouble of the Bus Beauty (Part One)

As I slowly walked down to the bottom of Su Xin’s apartment building, I finally let out a long sigh, shaking my ears that felt as though they’d suffered a heavy blow, and couldn’t help but give a helpless, bitter smile. During dinner just now, Chu Zhengsheng had been relentless in questioning me about the SX chat software, trying every trick to persuade me to sell him my program. I could only keep refusing him tactfully, which eventually made him lose interest, leaving only a few words about meeting again in the future.

And Su Xin? That little girl had been eyeing me with a peculiar, probing gaze ever since I started heading downstairs, as if the old me and the current me were fundamentally different. At first, I rather enjoyed being inscrutable in others’ eyes, but after a while, that sort of look lost its appeal. So, under Su Xin’s puzzled yet admiring gaze, Su Guohui’s stern face, and Chu Zhengsheng’s incessant nagging, I quickly finished dinner and brought my visit to Su Xin’s house to an end, stepping outside.

Strolling through this government housing complex, the willows swayed gently in the breeze, carrying the faint, fragrant scent of earth to me, making me feel intoxicated. Perhaps, as the saying goes, it’s not the wine that intoxicates, but the drinker themselves. This afternoon was already destined to be the first step in changing my life. With Su Xin’s computer, I was finally able to achieve my first goal. As the proverb says, the first step is always the hardest; now that it’s done, I believe things will go smoothly from here. Right now, I just wanted to hurry home and wait for calls from the companies I’d sent my technical proposals to. Although I knew there was no rush—after all, it was still the middle of the night in the US, and no one would be checking emails at this hour—I still felt a thrum of anticipation. What reassured me most was that my mother had said early this morning that she had to work overtime at the factory and wouldn’t be home for the next two days. This would give me plenty of time to patiently wait for those companies’ replies. The more I thought about it, the happier I became. I laughed, leapt up, and plucked a leaf from an overhead plane tree in my excitement.

“Well, isn’t this Xiao Qiang? What brings you to the government housing complex?” Just as I was feeling elated, a discordant voice sounded behind me. I turned, and my face immediately darkened. The speaker was none other than my rival in love, Xia Jianren.

“Heh, hello, Xia. From the tone of your voice, it sounds like I’m not allowed here?” My tone was still even, knowing it was better to avoid trouble if I could. After all, Xia Jianren’s family background was significant, and it was wise not to provoke him unless necessary.

Xia Jianren laughed loudly and said, “No, no, that’s not what I meant. I just happened to know your family lives in the old district in the east of the city, so I was a little surprised to see you here, that’s all.”

“You’re investigating me?” Instead of getting angry, I sneered. It looked like he really did see me as a threat.

“Investigate? Do you really think you’re worth it?” Xia Jianren gave me a mocking glance and laughed, “I just thought maybe, as a self-funded student, your family background might be a little better, so out of curiosity I had someone look into it. But honestly, I was disappointed. Tsk, a poor student, putting on airs like a fool. Are you really living up to your hardworking parents?”

“Whether I am or not is my business, Xia. It doesn’t seem to concern you.” I forced down my anger and replied as casually as I could, “We’re classmates, after all. There’s no need for this kind of sarcasm, is there?”

“Hmph, do you think I like being classmates with paupers like you?” Xia Jianren’s face darkened, and he snapped, “Let me warn you, Xiao Qiang, Su Xin is not someone you deserve! You’d better keep your distance from her, or you’ll regret it!”

I’d long known that Xia Jianren harbored feelings for Su Xin, so I retorted coldly, “Whatever happens between Su Xin and me is our business—not yours. Do you think you’re so great just because your family’s wealthy? The more you try to keep me away from her, the more determined I am! What exactly do you think you can do to stop me?” I hated nothing more than people using their status to pressure others. In my previous life, perhaps I would have tolerated it, but in this life, I’d already decided to pursue Su Xin—there was no way I’d just hand her over.

“You said it! Don’t come crawling to me like a dog later!” Xia Jianren’s face grew darker, and he said angrily, “You think someone like you is worthy of Su Xin? Go home and look in the mirror! What can you give her? Do you have money? Do you have power? All you do is talk big—useless trash!”

“It’s not your place to decide whether I’m useless or not! We’ll see about that. Xia, I have things to do—I’ll be going!” There was no point talking to him any further. In my heart, I was already planning that, as soon as I had the ability, I’d deal with this guy first.

Watching my departing figure, Xia Jianren’s lips curled into a mocking, sinister smile as he muttered, “You brought this on yourself, Xiao. Don’t blame me for being ruthless! I’ve already made all the arrangements—you’d better get ready to surrender!”

I didn’t hear his harsh words; I only felt that my earlier good mood had completely vanished after seeing him. I walked straight out of the government complex and boarded the bus home.

In 1997, the buses in City C were still quite shabby, without even air conditioning. I found a seat by the window, hoping to catch a breeze to dispel the heat inside the bus. Watching the rows of late-20th-century buildings slide past outside the window, my thoughts grew heavy. Su Xin—the beautiful girl I had secretly loved in my previous life—this time, I was determined to win her heart and give her a lifetime of happiness. Yet, my failed confession today still left me feeling a little sad. I knew I’d blurted it out in the heat of the moment, forgetting that Su Xin and I, in this life, had only been classmates for a few days, not the close friends we’d been before. Thinking of the days ahead, my heart filled with anticipation, and I couldn’t help but smile at the thought of Su Xin acting coy in my arms. Yes, as the saying goes, when destiny has great plans for someone, it first tests their will. I had to keep striving.

With that thought, my mood gradually improved, and my confidence returned. Feeling much better, I drew my gaze away from the window and looked around inside the bus.

This route wasn’t too crowded, but as we drew closer to the city center during rush hour, more and more people squeezed on at each stop. My eyes wandered over the crowd until, suddenly, something caught my attention: beside the rear bus door stood a very beautiful girl. That’s human nature—when we see something lovely, we can’t help but steal a few glances. She looked quiet and gentle, with short hair that just grazed her ears and fair skin that gave her an air of innocence. Even seeing only her profile, I could sense a gentle beauty radiating from her. But as I was admiring her graceful figure, I suddenly noticed—unintentionally—a hand reaching stealthily into the pocket of her blue shorts from behind!

A pickpocket! That was my first thought. It wasn’t unusual; there were always thieves on public buses, and since the girl wasn’t carrying a bag, her bulging pocket would make it obvious to anyone that she had a wallet. Instantly, I was torn: should I help her or not? Bus thieves were notorious, often local bullies, part of large gangs; if I spoke up, I might invite trouble for myself. But if I didn’t help, could I still call myself a man? If I hadn’t seen it, it would be one thing—but having witnessed it, if I did nothing, I really would be a coward.