Chapter 101: The spring scenery in full view is all illusion; witnessing the gentle ripples born in your heart lake. (Middle)

Chen Ou pedaled his bicycle out of the neighborhood gate.

"Oh, little Ou! Long time no see!" an elderly man with silver hair but sparkling eyes called out to him.

"Long time no see, Grandfather Xue Cheng!" Chen Ou stopped his bike and greeted the old man warmly.

The man had always looked after Chen Ou; he lived on the floor above his house. When Chen Ou was young, he would visit his home to play. As he grew older, he visited less often.

"Where are you heading? You look so dashing!" Grandfather Xue Cheng teased.

Chen Ou shook his head. "Grandpa, you're mistaken."

"Hmm?" Xue Cheng gazed at him curiously.

"I'm this handsome. Do I need to dress up?" Chen Ou replied honestly.

"You little rascal! Go play!" Xue Cheng scolded with a laugh and waved him away.

"Received! I'll visit you tonight!" Chen Ou said, then rode off on his bike.

Xue Cheng watched him go with a smile, then turned toward his own house.

Meanwhile, Chen Ou wove through the streets on his bike, backpack slung over his shoulder, and soon reached the doorway of a bookstore.

He stopped and smiled at the young man lounging behind the counter, yawning lazily.

"Little Lu!"

Little Lu raised his head sleepily and muttered, "Old Hong! Get the book Chen Ou wants!"

Shoppers inside paid no heed to the shout and kept reading quietly. A few who were disturbed lifted their heads and glared at Little Lu, who simply rolled his eyes.

Chen Ou chuckled softly. "You'd scare customers away..."

Little Lu turned and shot him another glare. "Scare them off, then... Yawn. It's not worth the effort. If my mom hadn't forbidden me from being too idle during summer vacation, I wouldn't be stuck here with Old Hong running the shop."

A young man in a red cap stepped out with a wry smile. "You have the nerve to say that. We agreed to open a bookstore together—no need to worry about profits, just to gain some experience. But you spend every day sprawled on the counter yawning. If I asked you to cover my shift during summer vacation, you'd refuse. I tell you, Little Huang is in his third year of high school and doesn't have time to help in the store. You should just work honestly at the counter."

Little Lu knew he was in the wrong and stayed silent, still lying down.

"Long time no see, Old Hong," Chen Ou greeted him.

"Yeah, summer vacation has almost lasted a month, and you said you'd come help but haven't shown up!" Old Hong looked at him resentfully.

Chen Ou scratched the back of his head and laughed awkwardly. "I still have to stream every day! Once my streaming time is enough in a couple of days, I'll come help!"

He patted his chest with a loud thump. Old Hong ignored him and said irritably, "I don't expect you to help. First, deal with Sister Ame. She's been looking for you these past two days. If you don't show up, your brothers might have to sell you out."

"Damn! Don't do that!" Chen Ou said quickly.

Little Lu clicked his tongue. "I mean, Ou, what exactly do you dislike about Sister Ame? She's pretty and gentle, and she's even your first love. She's rich and generous, and she's kind to everyone. I can't see any flaws."

Chen Ou scratched his face. "I can't see any flaws either. It's just... no spark. She's fine as a sister, but as a boyfriend... really no feeling."

Little Lu sent him a big white eye. Old Hong helplessly covered his face, then handed the book to Chen Ou and said, "Take it and go. If you stay any longer, Sister Ame will arrive."

Chen Ou snatched the book, clasped his hands, and tucked it under his arm. "Thanks, brothers. Tonight I'll treat you two to bubble tea!"

Little Lu held up two fingers. "Hotpot! Twice! Or I'll sell you on the spot!"

Chen Ou's mouth twitched. "Deal!"

He turned and walked away.

Old Hong watched his retreating figure and shook his head helplessly. Little Lu on the side sneered. "Why are you shaking your head? Before Little Huang and Little Xia's matter is resolved, you have no right to mock Chen Ou!"

Old Hong's movements froze. After a long pause, he turned with a smile. "That would be better than you, a single dog!"

Blue veins bulged on Little Lu's forehead.

"Single dog what's the issue! Single dog ate your rice!!!"

Chen Ou emerged from the bookstore and headed home. You can't blame an otaku for going out to play. Going out must be to run errands! After running the errands, of course the first thing is to go home and otaku.

But after just a few steps, Chen Ou was stopped.

His cycling speed wasn't fast, but his reaction was quick, braking in time so the person who had blocked him wouldn't be knocked over.

"Hey! Sis, are you robbing me? You stopped me so suddenly!" Chen Ou nearly fell off the bike, full of anger.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I just wanted to ask for directions, but no one paid any attention!"

Chen Ou heard the mangled English and looked up. What he saw was golden hair like sunlight, followed by eyes sparkling like stars, a face that was both dashing and delicate, and a black athletic outfit that couldn't hide her figure.

Chen Ou subconsciously swallowed.

He shook his head, stood up helplessly, picked up his bike, and asked, "Where would you like to go?"

The girl immediately brightened and showed him the paper she was clutching tightly.

Chen Ou stared at the Chinese characters on the paper, completely confused.

After a moment, he came back to his senses and said with a wry smile, "Nice, my house is right here. Follow me."

He pushed his bicycle forward.

Behind him, the foreign girl was first surprised, then happily followed.

"Hey, I'm Luona. Very happy to know you," the girl named Luona said in broken Chinese.

"Why didn't you ask for directions in Chinese just now?" Chen Ou asked curiously.

"Luona, please." Luona stubbornly replied in Chinese.

Chen Ou was speechless by her plastic Mandarin.

"You just came to follow me like this? What if I'm a bad person?"

"I trust my intuition," Luona said firmly.

Chen Ou looked at her face, which had an Eastern beauty, and said awkwardly, "That line really doesn't suit you..."

After the words left his mouth, Chen Ou himself was stunned.

"What are you talking about? What line?"

"We are... first meeting, right..."

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