At Lin Xiuwen's Home

The next day.

Zhang Shuai arrived at the driving school early in the morning. Coach Wu led the group of twenty-four students onto the school's bus, and they headed to the test center.

After sobering up, Sun Xiaoya seemed to have forgotten what had happened the night before. She chatted and laughed with Zhang Shuai and Lin Xiuwen as if nothing had happened, talking about how nervous she was before the test.

Zhang Shuai breathed a sigh of relief. Sun Xiaoya was as talkative as ever, her little mouth rattling on like a machine gun. She had clearly settled her nerves and returned to normal.

At the test center, they first put their phones and other belongings in smart lockers. The lockers opened by scanning a code and cost three yuan per hour, so many students put their things together to save money.

Sun Xiaoya scanned the code to open a locker and kindly said to Zhang Shuai, "Handsome, why don't you put your phone in here with ours?"

Zhang Shuai shook his head. "No need. I'll scan for my own locker."

Sun Xiaoya's expression darkened a little. She thought Zhang Shuai was stubborn to the point of being inconsiderate.

Seeing her reaction, Zhang Shuai explained, "I brought a USB drive with me. I don't want to risk losing it, so I'd rather store it separately."

Sun Xiaoya was reassured. Jokingly, she said, "You haven't got a bunch of Japanese adult films saved on that USB drive, have you?"

Zhang Shuai quickly shook his head. "I never watch that stuff."

Sun Xiaoya shook her head in disbelief. "No way. What single man doesn't watch adult films?"

"Maybe I'm the exception."

Sun Xiaoya grinned. "Later, have Xiuwen set you up with some of her private collection. She's got loads of that stuff, all films starring famous AV actresses—and uncensored, too. The good stuff."

Zhang Shuai was surprised. He glanced at Lin Xiuwen beside him with a strange look. He couldn't believe that a girl as quiet and refined as her would watch those kinds of films.

Lin Xiuwen was both embarrassed and annoyed. "Sun Xiaoya, don't just blurt out nonsense. I don't have a private collection of those films. Don't slander me."

Sun Xiaoya replied, "So what if you've watched them? What's there to be ashamed of? Weren't all those films I have ones you found for me?"

Lin Xiuwen hurriedly explained, "You asked me to find those films for you. I never watch that stuff myself!"

"Heh. Do you think I believe you? If you haven't watched them, why did you recommend certain films to me? How would you know which ones were exciting and good?"

Lin Xiuwen's face turned scarlet with embarrassment. Was Sun Xiaoya deliberately exposing her in front of Zhang Shuai? She was doing it on purpose!

Sure enough, Sun Xiaoya suddenly asked Zhang Shuai, "Handsome, do you believe Xiuwen? She says she never watches that kind of film. Do you believe her?"

Zhang Shuai said:

"I believe her. I never watch that kind of film either. Those actresses—Mutou Lan, Yoshizawa Akiho, Aoi Sora, Matsushima Kaede, Kamiya Hime, Ozawa Maria, Takagi Maria, Yamamoto Azusa, Sakuragi Rui, Seto Yui, Itsuki Mariko, Hoshino Hikaru, Shiraishi Hitomi, Yuki Hitomi, Shiraishi Hiyori, Aida Momo, Asakura Mai, Kobayashi Hitomi, Yuki Maiko, Miho Yuki, Komuro Yuri, Kuroki Kaoru, Asaoka Mirei, Misato Mari, Iijima Ai, Kitahara Rina, Akimoto Tomomi, Kawai Satomi, Hosokawa Yuriko, Aso Sanae, Matsuzaka Kimiko, Kawashima Kazumi, Ozawa Nami, Hayama Reiko, Kanazawa Fumiko, Suzuki Momoka, Ozawa Madoka, Suzuki Manami, Shiratori Chikako, Nakatani Kyoko, Ichikawa Kaori, Ninagawa Kyoko, Uesugi Mikako, Yoshida Mikako, Hase Kyoko, Misakizaki Kyoko, Tachibana Riko, Uehara Takako, Ishikawa Shion, Oshaku Yuka, Nanba An... I don't know a single one of them. I've never even heard their names."

Sun Xiaoya and Lin Xiuwen were dumbfounded.

It was the first time they'd heard anyone rattle off the names of so many AV actresses. How familiar did you have to be with Japanese stars to remember so many awkward names?

Anyone who could remember that many names had to know something about Japanese adult films. No one would believe otherwise.

Zhang Shuai grinned. "Well? Now that I've said so many names, do you think I watch these films all the time?"

"Of course," Sun Xiaoya said. "That's like saying 'the more you deny it, the more you admit it!' You've given yourself away!"

Zhang Shuai smiled. "See? That's a classic case of jumping to conclusions. The truth is, I really haven't watched those films. I saw those names online, that's all. So just because Lin Xiuwen found films for you and recommended some doesn't mean she watched them herself."

Sun Xiaoya gave him a peculiar look, glancing from Zhang Shuai to Lin Xiuwen. She let out a cold laugh. "So you went to all that trouble just to defend Xiuwen, huh? You've really gone out of your way! But..."

Zhang Shuai asked, "But what?"

"How could you remember a whole string of such awkward names without watching the films? Is that even possible? Your brain isn't a computer. Even memorizing them would be hard."

"Why wouldn't it be possible? I have a photographic memory. I saw them once online and remembered them."

Sun Xiaoya suddenly turned to Lin Xiuwen beside her. "Xiuwen, do you believe him?"

Lin Xiuwen hesitated, not daring to answer.

Sun Xiaoya smiled triumphantly. "See? Even Xiuwen doesn't believe you. A photographic memory? Heh. Do you think we're little kids you can fool?"

Zhang Shuai sighed. "See? You don't believe me when I tell the truth. Just because you can't do something doesn't mean no one else can."

Sun Xiaoya gave a rueful smile. "Now you're getting philosophical? All right, all right, I believe you. Come on, let's go take the test!"

After storing their belongings, the students passed through security and waited in the examination hall.

Before long, the electronic display in the waiting hall showed the names of the next group of test-takers. Zhang Shuai, Sun Xiaoya, and Lin Xiuwen were all on the list, along with their assigned vehicle numbers.

They got up and entered the test area. Zhang Shuai found his assigned car, got in, and placed his ID where instructed. Once it had been verified, the test began.

Zhang Shuai's test went smoothly. He completed all the required tasks at top speed and scored a perfect hundred.

After finishing, Zhang Shuai left the test area and retrieved his belongings from the locker. He waited a while before Lin Xiuwen finally came out.

Lin Xiuwen was very excited. She told Zhang Shuai that she hadn't passed on her first try, but got a perfect score on her second.

After a little while, Sun Xiaoya came out, equally excited. She had been too nervous to perform well on her first try, but scored ninety on her second and passed.

Zhang Shuai quietly listened as the two girls excitedly chattered about the nerve-racking test. After a while, he reminded Lin Xiuwen, "Lin Xiuwen, I've got the USB drive with me. Can you help me with it?"

Lin Xiuwen said, "What secret are you hiding on that USB drive that makes you so impatient? All right, all right. Let's go to my place now, and I'll help you with it!"

The three of them left the test center, hailed a taxi, and went straight to Lin Xiuwen's home.