She initially thought it was in Fang Ze's or one of the other people's rooms, but when she pressed her ear to the door to listen, there was no sound.
I know most of them went to internet cafes.
Shi Ling sent a WeChat message to Fang Ze.
Fang Ze's phone was ringing loudly, and he could hear it even while wearing headphones.
Seeing that it was Shi Ling, I read it with difficulty.
Turning to Chi Cheng, she said, "Brother Chi, Shi Ling asked where you are, saying you might have taken the wrong notebook."
Chi Cheng then checked his phone and found several WeChat calls from Shi Ling.
He frowned. Rather than replying now, he decided to pretend he hadn't seen it and coax her later when he got back.
He said, "Don't reply. It's probably not an important notebook, otherwise I would have remembered it already. I'll look for it when I get back."
Fang Ze was already overwhelmed with his own problems. "Fine, damn it, can anyone help me up?"
Shi Ling glanced at the several barbecue stalls, then casually put on a black and white striped long dress. Her hair was still wet, which dampened the front of her dress.
Someone nearby whistled at her.
Shi Ling became increasingly annoyed.
When she arrived at the nearest internet cafe, she glanced around and spotted Chi Cheng in the crowd.
He was dressed like a gamer, casually wearing a T-shirt and loose shorts.
Wearing headphones, my fingers flew across the keyboard.
Shi Ling thought for a moment, then turned around and went downstairs without calling him. She sat down outside the barbecue stall downstairs from the internet cafe.
I randomly picked something and wanted to see how long he would play it.
As the group descended the iron stairs, Chi Cheng's neck ached from playing, so he turned it around a bit.
Wang Jiajian gasped.
"Holy crap, Shi Ling is a fucking fairy."
Liu Zuowei was puzzled, "What the hell is he doing?"
Wang Jiajian reached out to stop them and pointed downstairs.
"Shh, look, I didn't even know Shi Ling smoked. Look at her white hands, holding a cigarette, it's so damn sexy. I wish she was holding me."
Upon hearing this, Chi Cheng didn't even have time to think about punching him before his heart skipped a beat.
Since the two got together, Shi Ling has never smoked again.
She was originally a well-behaved student with good habits; she started smoking simply to mimic someone who had just experienced heartbreak.
He didn't even have time to react before they took his arm around his shoulder and led him downstairs.
Wang Jiajian took the initiative to go up and greet them, but Shi Ling only glanced at them and then nodded perfunctorily.
Wang Jiajian pulled out the chair opposite her and was about to sit down.
Shi Ling spoke coldly, adopting an unapproachable demeanor, "Sorry, I'm waiting for someone."
Wang Jiajian had originally intended to tease her with a playful smile, "Waiting for me?"
Shi Ling's eyes revealed impatience. "No."
Wang Jiajian felt somewhat embarrassed, seeing that her attitude was indeed extremely cold, and it didn't seem like she was faking it.
He awkwardly withdrew his hand.
Chi Cheng followed them back with a somewhat stiff expression.
After walking a few steps, he said, "I'm going to buy a pack of cigarettes. You guys go back first."
"Together?"
Chi Cheng shook his head.
He waited until the others had walked away before turning back to walk towards Shi Ling.
Shi Ling didn't want to put on airs, but seeing his eyes were bloodshot from playing games, her tone became even colder.
"Having fun?"
Chi Cheng dared not tell the truth, "No, they insisted that I come. I only came out for a short while."
He reached out to touch Shi Ling's hand; she was clearly underdressed, and the night was a bit chilly, so her hand was icy cold.
Chi Cheng covered her mouth and nose with his hand. "Baby, I was wrong. We'll talk about it when we get back."
Shi Ling frowned. "Why aren't you replying to my WeChat messages?"
Chi Cheng: "I didn't see it."
Shi Ling looked at him scrutinizingly, then scoffed, "Do you think I'd believe that? You also think playing games is wrong, otherwise why wouldn't you tell me?"
Of all the days, Chi Cheng only played for a little while today. He explained, "I only played for a short while, just today. I've been studying hard lately."
Shi Ling pulled her hand back. "You call that studying seriously?"
It's already the last week of the test preparation course, it will be over soon, and the next IELTS test is next week.
Chi Cheng wasn't in a good mood during the day either. He was either sleepy or couldn't concentrate, and would secretly play on his phone or something.
Chi Cheng looked at her with disdain in his eyes, feeling somewhat displeased. His male pride was at play; his IELTS score was indeed lower than Shi Ling's.
Chi Cheng, realizing he was in the wrong, lowered his head and admitted, "Baby, I promise I'll study hard until the exam."
He turned her shoulders and looked directly at her. His eyes were exceptionally beautiful; when he smiled, they held a hint of roguish charm and a touch of allure, and when he looked at you intently, they were filled with sincerity. Especially when his eyes were bloodshot from playing games, he looked even more pitiful.
Shi Ling disliked arguments and quarrels. He had already had his fun, and there was no point in pursuing it further. He had already said so much, so she coldly accepted his hand and went back with him.
**
This matter was considered closed, but when the two took the exam in Hong Kong, because Chi Cheng registered late, they were not assigned to the same exam room.
Chi Cheng originally planned for the two of them to stay in the same room that night, and he would rush to the test center in the morning. Shi Ling thought this was her last IELTS test and didn't want him to affect her performance.
So he took Shi Ling to the hotel. It was just past eight o'clock, and before he could even have a chance to do anything in bed, Shi Ling told him to go back to the hotel where the exam was being held.
Chi Cheng knew she was preparing seriously, so he didn't mind. After all, they would have plenty of time to spend together after the exam.
Moreover, the two of them can also take a trip around Hong Kong and enjoy the night view of Victoria Harbour from Victoria Peak.
The feeling of revisiting a familiar place is indeed subtle. Last time, Shi Ling even called him to ask if he was in Hong Kong. Their relationship was still unclear, and Chi Cheng didn't want her to have the upper hand in everything.
Unexpectedly, when they returned to Hong Kong, they were already strolling hand in hand. It's not that life is unpredictable, but the way they looked at each other back then made them realize that their story was bound to happen sooner or later.
Chi Cheng finished his oral exam early, but Shi Ling finished late. He thought about it; he was also going abroad soon, so he arranged to meet up with a classmate in Hong Kong and would pick Shi Ling up after her exam.
Sometimes, when the two men start chatting, it can go on and on without end.
Chi Cheng saw that it was almost time to pick up Shi Ling, so he sent her a WeChat message asking her to wait a little longer.
Shi Ling said she was just going to buy some things at a nearby pharmacy and told him not to rush over.
She finished her exam early today, just after 4 p.m., which is far from dinner time.
Chi Cheng said that was fine, and he would come over later to walk around with her.
When he arrived at Shi Ling's exam hotel, he called her, but Shi Ling said she had already wandered far away.
Chi Cheng smiled, thinking she was too embarrassed to say she was lost, and told her he would come to pick her up.
Shi Ling said no need, she would be back soon.
Chi Cheng knew Shi Ling's personality; she was a woman of her word.
I didn't force you.
Shopping in Hong Kong is tax-free, especially on weekends, when every cosmetics store is packed with people.
Shi Ling uses very few cosmetics, at most sunscreen and lipstick.
While waiting for her, Chi Cheng casually bought her two items.
However, Shi Ling did not return after waiting. He even wondered if he was late and Shi Ling was a little angry.
When a woman is angry, you always have to guess why, and you should never ask her if she's angry.
Chi Cheng called again, and Shi Ling's tone was somewhat strange.
It was quite noisy around her place, with even broadcast announcements.
Chi Cheng frowned. "Baby, where are you? Shall I come pick you up?"
Shi Ling walked to a place that seemed quieter.
"Chi Cheng".
She paused, then said, "Listen to me, don't be angry."
She said, "I'm at the airport."
Chi Cheng was somewhat incredulous. "Baby, don't tease me. Turn on location sharing, and I'll come find you. Give me a chance to show you the way!"
Shi Ling said, "Okay."
The next second she turned on location sharing, confirming that she was indeed at the airport.
Chi Cheng's lips were a little dry, so he licked the corner of his mouth.
Where are you going? I'll go with you.
Seeing that he wasn't angry, Shi Ling slowly said, "I have to go back to school to finish my thesis in City C. I didn't tell you because I was afraid you would have to come with me."
Chi Cheng remained silent for a long time.
Shi Ling's announcement came over the loudspeaker again, and she said, "Don't bother coming, I'm already in the waiting area, we'll be taking off soon."
Her tone became more relaxed, as if she were comforting him, with a hint of laughter and teasing.
"Pass your IELTS exam soon, then come visit me."
Chi Cheng was speechless for a moment. He sighed and said, "Have a safe journey. Let me know when you arrive."
The author has something to say: [1] This is from "Camel Xiangzi".
Just to clarify, as you've probably noticed, the flashback storyline is almost finished. It will soon connect with the present-day storyline. To avoid confusion, I plan to write it in chronological order.