Who wants to take the civil service exam after being reborn?

Chapter 576 "An Old Married Couple"

Song Shiwei is still very pretty.

She could hold the title of "campus belle" even in a comprehensive university like Sun Yat-sen University, so her appearance at a more sedentary university like South China University of Technology immediately attracted the attention of many male students.

She went out to discuss a collaboration in the afternoon, wearing a white Chanel blazer and white low-heeled leather shoes.

The tailoring of this luxury garment was extremely demanding, perfectly fitting her slender and upright figure.

Her long hair was meticulously pulled back into a smooth and full "flight attendant bun," revealing her slender swan neck and defined jawline.

Her skin was fair, and the cafeteria lights reflected on it, making it look like a piece of fine porcelain.

"To be honest, it's a real shame that Weiwei is at Sun Yat-sen University."

Mu Jiawen shook her head and said, "If she hadn't stayed in Guangzhou for you, I really would like to see what those boys from Tsinghua and Peking Universities would look like when they're pursuing her."

"what?"

Chen was stunned for a moment; in fact, he had heard similar words more than once.

Professor Lu once said that Wang Changhua had also joked about it, and even Huang Bohan, who was closest to her, had expressed doubts. It's not surprising that Mu Jiawen, a staunch supporter of Song, thought the same way.

However, only Chen himself knew the truth.

During the time when they were filling out their college applications, the two probably didn't have that deep a relationship.

At the time, Song, the school beauty, only had a slight liking for him, nothing more.

Why does everyone now think that Sweetie stayed in Guangzhou because of me?
Did she tell you this?

Chen asked with a smile.

"No, she also said it wasn't because of you."

Xiao Mou, like a famous detective, said confidently, "But I know her so well, she's just too shy to admit it."

Chen Zhe pursed his lips, watching Song Shiwei approach, suppressing his question for now, and said with a smile:
"From a distance, I thought he was some big star, he has such an elegant demeanor. But upon closer inspection, I realized he was the big boss, President Song."

Song Shiwei hadn't seen her boyfriend for a while. Although she would call him, she couldn't help but miss him.

What's wrong with a cool and aloof girl?

When she likes a boy, she feels a sense of longing, just like many girls, but she's not good at expressing it.

Especially after seeing Chen's parents during the Mid-Autumn Festival, the relationship became different.

Faced with her joking boyfriend, Song, the school beauty, actually gave him a reproachful look, and then gently sat down next to him.

In the cafeteria, it seemed as if you could hear countless heartbreaks.

Oh, so she already has a boyfriend.

Of course, in a university like this, it's rare to encounter a "proud and arrogant person" who "has a boyfriend by his side but still goes around provoking him and asking for his contact information."

Stealing a few extra glances was already the limit for these shy young men.

Of course, Chen was also very cautious now, not making any moves in public and maintaining a relatively "safe" distance, but he used friendly words to inquire about the details of the afternoon's discussions.

What is meant by "safe distance"? It means that even if a photo is taken, there is still room for interpretation.

It's not to the point of holding hands or putting your arm around each other's waist; that kind of relationship clearly indicates something's not right.

Because of the "unexpected events" during the Mid-Autumn Festival, Director Chen is now particularly cautious, as he is well aware that another incident would inevitably lead to an explosion.

"What would you like to eat? I'll get you some food."

After chatting for a short while, Huang Bohan handed over his work to other employees and came over to ask his friends for advice.

Chen smiled slightly, thinking to himself that starting a business is truly a great learning experience.

In the past, Da Huang would never have asked; he would have just filled his own meal first and then tossed the meal card over.

Can you help me get the food?

Don't you guys have legs?
"Ask Chen Zhe."

Mu Jiawen pulled Song Shiwei to her feet: "Weiwei and I will go over there and pick out some spicy hot pot."

"You can't handle spicy food very well, so make it bland."

Chen gave Sweet Sister some caring advice.

"Don't worry, I promise I won't stop you two from kissing."

Mu Jiawen was just joking.

"What do you want to eat?"

After the two beautiful women left, Huang Bohan asked his best friend.

"Just give me one of your orders."

Chen was playing on his phone when he casually remarked.

Huang Bohan scratched his head: "I won't eat with you guys, I'm going to help out at the store."

After listening, Chen locked the screen and put down his phone: "The milk tea shop has been open for so long, why would we need you, the boss, to keep an eye on everything? I know you're worried that sitting at the same table with Xiao Mou might be a little awkward."

"However, sometimes the more you avoid it, the more it shows that you haven't completely let go."

Chen explained, "I wasn't planning on inviting you, but since we bumped into each other in the cafeteria, it would seem too deliberate for you to avoid me."

Huang Bohan hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

He quickly served two plates of food, and soon Song Shiwei and Mu Jiawen returned with their own plates of spicy hot pot.

Chen peeked over and saw lotus root slices, kelp, tofu sheets, fish balls, leafy greens...

The ingredients in the small bowl from the Song Dynasty were quite plentiful, but the broth was thick and white, with almost no trace of chili peppers.

"Why don't you just rinse some water and boil some pots at home?"

Chen glanced at Mu Jiawen's bowl again and continued to mock, "You're almost the same. To be honest, your spicy hot pot could drip into my eyes."

"You seem to be able to handle a lot of spicy food."

Xiao Mou bluntly exposed Chen Zhe's boasting: "Last time I ate at Weiwei's house, wasn't it because of the spiciness of a stir-fried beef dish that you were 'hissing and laughing'? Right, Weiwei?"

"Ah."

Song Shiwei responded, picked up a spinach with her chopsticks, and slowly chewed it like a little rabbit before eating it.

Chen found it funny again and was about to make a joke.

"People around here aren't good at eating spicy food."

Unexpectedly, Mu Jiawen was still harping on the previous topic.

I don't know if she's lost her mind, but she actually said, "People in Sichuan and Chongqing can really eat spicy food. Weiwei, do you remember when we were in high school..."

Actually, when Xiao Mou said this, Chen knew things were going to get bad, but it was too late to stop it.

"...Yu Xuan from our high school? She's supposed to be able to handle super spicy food, but it's strange, I've never seen her have any pimples..."

Mu Jiawen opened her mouth and "biu" shot out an arrow, which hit Director Chen right between the eyebrows.

Song Shiwei paused slightly in her hand movements, then picked up a piece of yam and listened to Xiao Mou's explanation with a blank expression.

Chen wanted to punch Mu Jiawen, but he didn't dare.

They wanted to speak up and stop it, but were worried that their intentions would be seen through.

Yu Guang glanced at Song Shiwei discreetly. Her long eyelashes drooped, casting a very faint gray shadow under her eyelids, blocking all inquiring gazes.

A young girl's thoughts are truly unfathomable.

Chen had no choice but to give Huang Bohan a wink.

Huang Bohan, who had been keeping quiet and acting like a nobody, received his brother's plea for help, but he didn't know what to do.

However, Mu Jiawen is getting more and more outrageous. Today, she seemed to have eaten some chewing gum, rambling on and on about Yu Xian's past in high school, and even curiously guessing whether she has a boyfriend now.

This is actually normal. College students often talk about the most popular people from high school, especially Xiao Mou, who loves gossip. Little did she know that this name was recently a sensitive one.

"Yu Xian is the kind of girl who has a temper like a chili pepper."

Mu Jiawen analyzed with an air of seriousness: "So if she's looking for a boyfriend, I reckon he'll be someone emotionally stable and very patient. She always encouraged boys with poor grades to study more back then, so maybe she likes boys with good grades. Who knows, maybe her current boyfriend is from a 985 university..."

"Bang bang~"

Suddenly, Song Shiwei snapped a piece of tofu in half, and the pieces fell into the soup.

Chen's eyelids twitched.

Although this action may have been unintentional, Director Chen couldn't help but think of his own fate, so he urged Huang Bohan again with his eyes.

Having no other choice, Da Huang could only bite the bullet and say, "Um... Mu Jiawen, do you know that the gymnasium over the north playground has been repaired? Many people take walks there every day. Why don't you go for a stroll after you finish eating?"

"Really?"

This drew Mu Jiawen's attention back, and she said with great interest, "I remember that it's been under repair for almost several months now. Let's go, let's go, we have to go and take a look."

So, with Director Chen feeling extremely awkward, the meal was finally finished.

Huang Bohan didn't want to go with them, but Chen Zhe was worried that Mu Jiawen might go crazy again, so he forcibly dragged him along.

As they went downstairs, Chen Zhe acted like a rare gentleman, because the stairs in the university cafeteria were a bit slippery, so he reached out his arm to Song Shiwei, intending to take her hand.

This gesture, besides being "thoughtful," also subtly implies "comfort and appeasement."

"It's so sour~" Mu Jiawen deliberately covered her cheek, as if the "sour smell" of love had made her teeth fall out.

Song Shiwei looked up at her boyfriend, her eyes clear and bright, then shook her head and said, "No need..."

Before he could finish speaking, Chen suddenly grabbed him.

Still want to refuse?

No!

Song, the school beauty, tried to break free, but found she couldn't shake him off. She could only pout and let this shameless guy lead her.

This is the kind of treatment only a legitimate boyfriend can receive.

Once they reached the first floor, Chen Zhe let go of her hand, and Song Shiwei and Mu Jiawen walked ahead.

Chen Zhe and Huang Bohan walked behind, but Chen Zhe would listen in from time to time to prevent Mu Jiawen from starting to talk nonsense again.

The North Playground of South China University of Technology is actually the oldest playground on campus, and the gymnasium next door has a history of several decades, which is why it needs major repairs every few years.

However, it is adjacent to an artificial lake, so the scenery is quite nice. Many students would rather run here than go to the brand-new rubber track on the west playground.

"Let's sit on the stone steps for a while."

Mu Jiawen trained with the etiquette team for a long time today, and she started complaining of being tired as she walked from the cafeteria.

Director Chen was thinking of separating them, so he quickly said, "Then you and Huang Baihan can rest, and Song Shiwei and I will take a walk."

Without waiting for Mu Jiawen's reply, he snatched Sweet Sister away like a thief stealing his love.

"what?"

Xiao Mou was a little dumbfounded. There were quite a few couples sitting on the stone steps, and her relationship with Huang Bohan was not appropriate.

But then she thought again, since those things are in the past and she has let them go, why bother dwelling on these messy thoughts?

So Xiao Mou readily agreed, "Then let's sit down and wait for Weiwei."

"Ah... okay!"

Huang Bohan hesitated for a moment, then nodded decisively.

Xiao Mou was somewhat surprised.

If it were the old Huang Bohan, he would probably have hesitated for a long time. In fact, since the class reunion during the summer vacation, Mu Jiawen has felt that Huang Bohan has grown very quickly.

There's definitely a big gap between him and Chen Zhe, but he's much better than the average second-year student.

The two chose a clean spot on the stone steps to sit down. The moonlight was perfect tonight, and there was a gentle breeze on their faces.

The fragrance of osmanthus, wafting from an unknown source, drifted on the wind and permeated everyone's minds.

On the playground, Chen Zhe and Song Shiwei had already blended into the flow of runners.

They walked very slowly, with heavy footsteps passing by them from time to time, like a sudden rainstorm.

"Would you like to link arms with me too?"

Chen Zhe caught a glimpse of a couple; the girl gently took her boyfriend's arm, and the two leaned against each other sweetly.

"Oh--"

Song Shiwei responded.

"Um...you take the arm."

Chen waited for a while, but when he found no movement, he urged them on.

"Oh--"

Song Shiwei simply responded, without making any further movement.

Chen became a little anxious, so he simply grabbed her hand, stuffed it into the crook of his arm without saying a word, and held it tightly.

Song, the school beauty, turned her head away, and it seemed like she snorted, but it wasn't very clear.

The sound was like the fragrance of flowers in the wind, faint yet elusive, drifting gently into the cool night, making it difficult to discern clearly.

Chen Zhecheng finally got what he wanted and said comfortably, "Let me tell you about what happened in Hong Kong. I couldn't explain it clearly over the phone before."

"Good~"

Song Shi slightly moved his arm.

But instead of pulling out, I adjusted the angle to snuggle closer to him more comfortably.

then.

He said, and I listened.

It was as if everything in the world had quieted down in the hazy moonlight.

"Tsk tsk~"

Mu Jiawen, standing on the stone steps, watched as Chen Zhe and Song Shiwei had already completed a round, and couldn't help but sigh:

"Now we look so compatible, like an old married couple. At first, it was a bit hard to get used to."

"Hoho~"

Huang Bohan smiled. Xiao Mou probably didn't know that Chen Zhe and Yu Xiaohua walking together actually had a kind of tacit understanding like an "old married couple."

Big Yellow picked up a small stone from somewhere and started drawing circles on the edge of his shoe.

When Chen Zhe and Song Shiwei's figures were once again swallowed up by the running crowd, Mu Jiawen shrugged her shoulders with a sense of boredom and saw that Huang Bohan had already drawn a "bullseye" on the sole of his foot.

"Huang Bohan is talking less and less, but he's becoming more and more mature."

Xiao Mu thought to himself.

This "steadiness" is different from his previous "tongue-tiedness".

[Composure] means knowing the reasons behind something, but not saying it.

【拙舌】means someone who doesn't know the reason but wants to show off, resulting in a big embarrassment because they lack sufficient knowledge.

How's the royal tea lately?

Mu Jiawen took the initiative to ask, "I heard you say during dinner that the Sports West branch is going to officially open on National Day."

"hold head high."

When Huang Bohan heard Xiao Mou's question, he stopped drawing circles and nodded slightly in response.

“That’s one of the liveliest places in Guangzhou. Everyone says it will surpass Shangxiajiu and Capital Road in the future.”

Xiao Mou asked with normal concern, like a friend: "Have you encountered any difficulties?"

"Well……"

Huang Baihan thought for a moment: "The money is fine, although it's a bit tight, we can manage. If it gets too much, I'll borrow some more from Chen. It's just that we've encountered some problems with the development of the new product..."

Huang Bohan threw the small stone in his palm into the grass, sighed and said, "When making fruit tea, in order to improve efficiency, some fruits need to be cut up in advance."

"But if left out for too long, the flavor will be lost quickly, and it won't be fresh after a while."

Huang Bohan said with distress, "It's a little better at school, where the students' expectations aren't that high. I'm worried that competing with those milk tea shops outside of school will become a major weakness."

No milk tea shops make fruit drinks yet; Royaltea is the first, and there's no experience to draw upon or learn from.

"Then what about storing it in the refrigerator?"

Mu Jiawen made a suggestion.

“It’s already been put in.”

Huang Bohan shook his head: "At most, it will delay things a little."

"That……"

After thinking for a moment, Mu Jiawen added, "What if we soak the fruit in a diluted vitamin C or citric acid solution?"

"What do you mean?"

Huang Bohan didn't quite understand.

"You just want to keep the fruit fresh, right? Vitamin C is a strong reducing agent that can effectively inhibit enzyme activity and prevent browning. Citric acid lowers the pH value, which can also inhibit enzyme activity. Then put it in the refrigerator to store it..."

Mu Jiawen explained the principles at length.

"This……"

Although Huang Bohan is not a biochemistry major, he has studied biology. VC is vitamin C, and citric acid is also a natural edible preparation.

But will it really work?

Seeing Huang Bohan's skeptical look, Xiao Mou rolled her eyes: "Why don't you try it tomorrow and you'll know?"

As soon as he finished speaking and looked up, he suddenly stopped.

—At some point, Song Shiwei and Chen Zhe had disappeared.

They probably saw that the two were very focused on their discussion, so they didn't disturb them and quietly left.

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(End of this chapter)