The younger generation, starting from where the wind blows...

Chapter 141 Long time no see
After delivering the luggage, Shao Xingchi returned to the hotel entrance.

Zhang Guangzheng also went to deliver the luggage, leaving only Wang Niulang at the door.

"Why did it take so long? Did you encounter a difficult customer?"

"No."

Shao Xingchi was a man of few words.

There was clearly a lot of information being concealed in his words.

It was peak check-in time, and Wang Niulang had to keep his eyes and ears open at all times, so he didn't have time to question people seriously.

At that moment, another taxi stopped in front of the hotel.

Seeing that the guest had opened the car door himself, Shao Xingchi went straight to the back of the car, opened the trunk, and prepared to take out the three suitcases inside.

"Young man, be careful not to bump it. My box contains fragile items."

The middle-aged man who got out of the back seat spoke up to remind him.

The voice and tone sounded very familiar.

Shao Xingchi subconsciously raised his head, and a familiar face came into view.

"You are... Uncle Chen Bo?"

The middle-aged man felt like he had seen Shao Xingchi somewhere before, but he was surprised when Shao Xingchi called out his name.

"you are?"

Before Shao Xingchi could answer, a surprised voice suddenly rang out from behind the middle-aged man.

"Shao Xingchi!"

A young man carrying a backpack ran over, grabbed Shao Xingchi's arms tightly, and said excitedly:
"I heard from Uncle Shao that you went to repeat your senior year. Why did you come to Peking University?"

After that, the young man turned to Chen Bo and introduced him:
"Dad, this is my high school classmate, Shao Xingchi, who is Uncle Shao's son."

Chen Bo's expression changed.

“Oh, it’s Bingyi’s child. Your father and I have been colleagues for many years.”

They just don't get along very well. A few months ago, the two had a big falling out over competing for special subsidies and publishing a book.

Later, Shao Bingyi took the initiative to ask Chen Bo for help, and their relationship returned to normal.

Chen Bo never expected that Shao Bingyi, such a proud man, would just stand by and watch his son run off to Yanjing alone and become a hotel doorman.
At that moment, a middle-aged woman's voice came.

"What are you two doing standing here? What happened?"

Chen Rui's mother, Gu Alian, came over.

Chen Rui quickly introduced Shao Xingchi's identity to his mother.

Gu Alian could tell at a glance that Shao Xingchi must have had a falling out with his family and had run away to Yanjing to work.

Whether for the sake of her husband and son, or out of her responsibility as the district head, she had to get to the bottom of this.

"Xiao Shao, are you having some trouble? It's okay, tell Auntie."

Shao Xingchi quickly shook his head.

“Aunt Gu, I work here. I just started recently… Let me help you take your luggage upstairs.”

Chen Bo and Chen Rui both stopped Shao Xingchi.

"No need, no need, we can do it ourselves."

“Uncle Chen, this is my job. If I let you carry your own luggage and the supervisor sees it, I will have my salary deducted.”

After Shao Xingchi said that, Chen Bo and Chen Rui stopped trying to stop them.

In reality, Shao Xingchi was lying to them. Although the hotel required the doormen to help guests with their luggage, if the guests refused, the hotel would naturally follow the guests' request.

Shao Xingchi wanted to use work to cover up his embarrassment and the inferiority complex caused by the difference in his social status.

When Wang Niulang saw Chen Rui and his family of three walking towards the door, he immediately straightened his back, smiled, and greeted them:

"Welcome to Fairfield by Marriott Hotel, three guests."

As she pushed open the glass revolving door, she glanced at Shao Xingchi, who was following behind her.

His eyes were clearly asking if he needed her to take his place.

Shao Xingchi shook his head and carried two suitcases into the lobby.

After Yang Tao guided Chen Rui and his family of three to the front desk to complete the check-in procedures, she also noticed that it was Shao Xingchi who helped them with their luggage.

She led the group to the elevator, just as one elevator arrived at the first floor.

The elevator doors opened, and Xu Hongdou and her family of four walked out.

Upon seeing Yang Tao, Liu Guiqin immediately wanted to greet her.

Xu Hongmi tugged at Liu Guiqin's sleeve to remind her mother that Yang Tao was entertaining other guests.

Only then did Liu Guiqin see Chen Rui and his family of three preparing to enter the elevator, so she could only smile and wave at Yang Tao instead.

Yang Tao smiled and nodded in this direction.

After seeing Chen Rui and his family of three into the elevator, Yang Tao turned around and saw that Xu Hongdou and his family of four had already walked out of the lobby.

It looks like she's going back to school with Xu Hongdou.

Seeing Xu Hongdou's family waving goodbye to her through the glass wall, Yang Tao also raised her hand and waved back.

Inside the elevator, Gu Alian and Chen Bo talked about Xu Hongdou, who had just brushed past their family at the elevator entrance.

"That girl is really beautiful. That's why I told Xiao Rui to definitely apply to a university in Beijing. What you see and experience in a big city like this is something that our small town can't compare to at all."

Seeing that his wife could steer everything in this direction, Chen Bo felt truly helpless.

In fact, Chen Bo was quite supportive of Chen Rui going to Honghuai Normal College to study archaeology and research the history of the Grand Canal, just like him.

Unexpectedly, less than half a month after the start of the semester, and just two days after military training, Chen Rui suddenly called to say that he wanted to drop out of school and take the college entrance examination again next year.

This made Gu Alian extremely happy. She personally went to the school to pick up Chen Rui and brought him back. She tried to find out any information about him by asking around, but she couldn't get any details out of him.

However, Chen Rui did mention that he plans to apply to universities in Yenching University next year.

My first choice is the Archaeology program at Peking University.

Gu Alian was very satisfied with the school, but Chen Bo was very satisfied with the major...

But no matter what, Gu Alian is so happy that she can wake up laughing in her dreams these past two days because Chen Rui has changed his mind.

Just then, Gu Alian was going to Yanjing for a business trip and training, and Chen Bo also took leave from the cultural center, so the whole family came to Yanjing for tourism.

One of the important purposes was to accompany Chen Rui on a tour of Peking University's campus.

"Xiao Rui, what's going on with your classmate?"

Gu Alian asked Chen Rui a question.

Chen Rui didn't hear it because he was wearing headphones, but Chen Bo patted him on the shoulder before he took off his headphones.

After Gu Alian repeated the question, Chen Rui shrugged.

"All I know is that he had a falling out with his family before the college entrance exam, deliberately tore up his admission ticket, and didn't even go into the exam room."

Gu Alian then looked at Chen Bo:

"Shao Bingyi didn't mention this to you?"

"He may have made up with me on the surface, but he's still resentful inside. How could he possibly tell me this?"

Gu Alian thought that made sense.

Don't make a family scandal public.

Not to mention Shao Bingyi's prideful nature; he would never talk about such a thing.

Just as Chen Rui was about to put on his headphones again, Gu Alian called out to him.

"Xiao Rui, I remember there are two boys in your class who are close to you. They both got into universities in Beijing. Did you contact them before you came here?"

"I've contacted them, and I'm planning to invite them out for a meal later."

Chen Rui replied with a calm expression.

Gu Alian nodded, and was about to ask the next question when the elevator arrived at their floor.

Shao Xingchi was already pushing a luggage cart and waiting at the room door.

He came up via a freight elevator specifically for transporting luggage, arriving even earlier than Chen Rui's family.

Chen Rui and Chen Bo went up together and took the suitcases down.

Gu Alian opened the door and invited Shao Xingchi in to sit down.

Shao Xingchi declined, citing that he was at work.

Just as he was about to leave, Chen Rui put a hand on Shao Xingchi's shoulder.

"What time do you get off work?"

"Nine p.m."

"Let's grab a late-night snack together tonight. I'll invite Xie Wanghe and Zhou Haikuo over later."

"You guys make the arrangements, I won't go."

"Is something wrong?"

"Yes, something's up," Shao Xingchi said against his will.

The real reason was low self-esteem, and also a lack of desire to listen to Xie Wang's lectures.

Seeing this, Chen Rui did not press the matter further.

Just as Shao Xingchi was about to leave, Chen Rui suddenly remembered something else.

"I heard from Xie Wanghe that Xia Fenghua has also come to Yanjing?"

"Yes, she came too."

Do you have her phone number? I'd like to—

Chen Rui deliberately didn't say the reason, because he knew that Shao Xingchi would definitely be able to guess what he wanted to say.

The main reason is that Ma Siyi's name is not suitable to be mentioned in front of her parents, especially her mother Gu Alian.

Shao Xingchi gave Xia Fenghua's phone number to Chen Rui and then left.

The back looks a little lonely.

Chen Rui sighed and stood in the corridor, preparing to call Xia Fenghua.

Gu Alian came out of the room and asked Chen Rui who Xia Fenghua was.

"There's a girl in my class, she—"

Chen Rui originally wanted to say that Xia Fenghua hadn't gotten into university and had also come to Yanjing to work, but when he saw his mother's scrutinizing gaze, he suddenly changed his mind:

"She also got into a university in Yenching, so we decided to meet up for a meal together."

Gu Alian immediately became interested.

"Really? Which school did she get into?"

"she--"

Chen Rui hadn't figured out how to cover up the lie yet. Chen Bo called Gu Alian from his room, saying he couldn't find something in his suitcase.

Gu Alian went back to her room to help Chen Bo find his things, while Chen Rui took the opportunity to grab his suitcase and go into the next room.

After closing the door, Chen Rui immediately called Xia Fenghua.

"Chen Rui? You've already arrived in Yanjing?"

"Yes, my mom is coming here to study, so I came along a little earlier. Um—"

"You want to ask about Siyi, right? She's doing fine. We're just about to go to the cafeteria for lunch."

"canteen?"

"Didn't you see the video posted by Old Boys on the Internet about the Maple Tree Cafeteria at Yanjing University of Economics and Business? Right now, the most famous university cafeteria in the country is Yanjing University of Economics and Business's braised pork trotter rice."

"You're going to eat at the Yanjingmao cafeteria? But don't you have to swipe your student card at university cafeterias?"

"My boss helped me borrow a senior's meal card, and Siyi and I basically eat at the three canteens in Yanjingmao now."

"Your boss?"

"Yes, he is a student at Yanjingmao University. He started his own campus entrepreneurship project, and I am working for him now."

"Great!"

Chen Rui's eyes lit up.

He was just wondering how to cover up his lie to Gu Alian, but now he has a solution.

On the campus of Yanjingmao University.

Xia Fenghua put down her phone with a troubled expression and turned to look at Ma Siyi beside her.

"What should I do? Chen Rui asked me to pretend to be a student of Yan Economics and Trade University, and he's going to bring his parents to the school for lunch later."

"Did you promise him?"

While Ma Siyi asked the question aloud, she was actually wondering whether she should avoid the situation since Chen Rui had brought his parents along.

"You helped Xie Wang borrow 30,000 yuan from Chen Rui, and now Chen Rui is asking me for help. How can I refuse?"

Xia Fenghua was extremely helpless.

I thought Ma Siyi would be just as conflicted as I was, but I didn't expect her to be so decisive this time.

"Then you should help him this once."

Xia Fenghua looked at Ma Siyi.

"What about you?"

“I’ll go with you to see Chen Rui and his parents, and we’ll return the 20,000 yuan to him while we’re at it.”

Xia Fenghua was stunned on the spot.

"Siyi, where did you get 20,000 yuan?"

Ma Siyi certainly didn't have that much money, so she had to borrow from someone right now.

Xia Fenghua was about to call Xie Wanghe and Zhou Haikuo, but Ma Siyi stopped her.

She has already decided who to borrow money from.

Fairfield by Marriott Hotel

Gu Alian and Chen Bo had just put their luggage away and were discussing who Xia Fenghua, whom their son had mentioned, really was when there was a knock on the door.

Chen Bo went to open the door and found that it was Chen Rui.

"Dad, Mom, are you ready yet? My classmates are waiting for us at school."

Gu Alian came out and asked curiously, "You mean Xia Fenghua, the one you just mentioned?"

"Yes, her school is just a few minutes' walk from the hotel."

Yenching University of Economics and Business?

"Correct."

Gu Alian and Chen Bo exchanged a glance, both seeing the shock in each other's eyes.

This school has a pretty high admission score among 211 universities.

Someone from Chen Rui's class actually got into this school?

I've never heard anyone mention this before.

"I just called Xia Fenghua and jokingly said I wanted to eat the most popular braised pork knuckle rice at her school. She took it seriously. Knowing that we were staying at the Wanfeng Hotel, she insisted that I take you to eat at her school's cafeteria."

Chen Rui continued to explain.

Chen Bo and Gu Alian had already sensed that something was wrong.

Aside from Ma Siyi, I've never heard of Chen Rui having such a good relationship with any other girls in the class during high school.

This child must be hiding something from them.

The tacit understanding developed over many years of marriage allowed Chen Bo and Gu Alian to reach a consensus with just a glance.

Let's not rush to find out the truth. Let's go with our son to meet Xia Fenghua first.

The family of three left the hotel. Chen Rui wanted to say goodbye to Shao Xingchi as they left, but he didn't see him.

Only after asking Wang Niulang did I learn that Shao Xingchi had gone to deliver luggage to the guests upstairs again.

After asking Wang Niulang for directions to Yanjingmao, Chen Rui walked with his parents to the school gate.

While still on the other side, Chen Rui saw the girl he had been longing for, standing with Xia Fenghua.

He immediately abandoned his parents and ran over.

"Siyi!"

The thousand words in Chen Rui's heart ultimately boiled down to one sentence:
"haven't seen you for a long time."

Ma Siyi smiled and nodded at Chen Rui.

"Yeah, long time no see."

Before the two could exchange pleasantries for long, Chen Bo and Gu Alian also came over.

Hello, Aunt Gu!

Hello, Uncle Chen!

Ma Siyi took the initiative to greet the two of them.

Gu Alian stepped forward and grasped Ma Siyi's hands.

Gu Alian had heard everything about the Ma family's troubles from Chen Bo.

Seeing Ma Siyi again now fills me with mixed emotions.

Most importantly, the biggest question that had been bothering me these past few days has been answered.

Chen Rui scored over 600 points on the college entrance exam but insisted on applying to Honghuai Normal School, a second-tier university, all for Ma Siyi.

Now, he has dropped out of school to retake the college entrance exam, aiming for universities in Yenching University, still for Ma Siyi.

This girl seems to be the "calamity" that her son is destined to face.

(End of this chapter)