A Photographic Memory

Sun Xiaoya took out her phone, casually opened a Toutiao account, and tapped on an article titled "Is It True That Drinking in Moderation May Help You Live Longer Than Exercise?" It was a little over a thousand words long.

"Here, I randomly picked an article. Take a look, and in a minute, we'll see if you can recite it from memory."

Zhang Shuai took the phone and began skimming through it at lightning speed.

Just thirty seconds later, he handed the phone back to Sun Xiaoya.

"I've finished reading. Listen up. It's time to witness a miracle..."

Zhang Shuai began reciting: "Chen, a fifty-year-old middle-aged man, had thought he was still in the prime of his life... After carefully asking about Chen's lifestyle, the doctor slowly explained that the main reason he had fallen ill..."

Sun Xiaoya held her phone while Lin Xiuwen leaned over to stare at the text on its screen. As Zhang Shuai recited more and more of the article, both women's mouths fell open, their eyes filled with disbelief.

"This shows that using a single study to conclude that moderate drinking helps you live longer than exercise is far too hasty... All right, I'm done. How was that? I didn't get anything wrong, did I?"

Sun Xiaoya lowered her phone and looked Zhang Shuai up and down as if he were some kind of monster. After a long moment, she finally managed to utter two words: "Holy shit!"

Zhang Shuai grimaced. "You're a girl. Don't swear every other sentence. Who are you trying to screw?"

Sun Xiaoya blurted out, "Can I screw you?"

Zhang Shuai couldn't help laughing. He gave Sun Xiaoya a thumbs-up and said, "Sun Xiaoya, you're the best of the best among women. You're awesome!"

Lin Xiuwen suddenly burst out laughing beside them, laughing so hard she swayed and nearly cried.

"Oh my god, I can't breathe! Sun Xiaoya, you're really something. How did I never realize you were this bold? You'll say anything!"

Sun Xiaoya actually blushed for once. Realizing she seemed to have blurted out what she really thought, she hurriedly changed the subject in embarrassment. "Zhang, you're incredible! You really have a photographic memory. I used to think that was something you only saw in TV dramas and novels. I can't believe I've seen it with my own eyes today. What an eye-opener!"

"So now you understand, right? I wasn't lying. Just because I can remember the names of so many AV actresses doesn't mean I'm some seasoned pervert. You misunderstood me."

"You may have a photographic memory, but that doesn't prove you haven't watched those kinds of videos. The two things aren't necessarily connected. It's like Mikami Yua being transgender. Who would've guessed she used to be a man?"

"You're talking nonsense. How could Mikami Yua be transgender? Her breasts are so big, they definitely aren't fake..."

At that point, Zhang Shuai seemed to realize what he'd said and suddenly fell silent.

"Heh, busted! And you said you hadn't watched any? See? My little trap exposed you. Now your true colors are showing!"

Sun Xiaoya laughed triumphantly.

Zhang Shuai scratched his head awkwardly. Sigh! This woman was way too cunning, with far too many tricks up her sleeve. One careless move and he'd fallen for it. The pure and innocent image he'd worked so hard to build had crumbled.

"You think you can act all innocent in front of me? No chance. I can expose you in a flash. And it's not just you—Lin Xiuwen, too. Don't let her innocent looks fool you; she's just as secretly lustful. If you ask me, so what if you've watched those videos? We're all adults. Watching a few is perfectly normal. Why pretend to be innocent instead of just admitting it..."

"Ahem!" Lin Xiuwen deliberately coughed twice. "Sun Xiaoya, if you're talking about Zhang Shuai, then talk about Zhang Shuai. Don't drag me into it!"

Sun Xiaoya was immensely pleased with herself, like a victorious general returning from battle. She excitedly kept talking without pause.

"Zhang, I don't get it. With a memory like that, you could get into Longhua University with your eyes closed. So why did you become an electrician?"

Zhang Shuai knew that although his memory had always been pretty good, it had never been this absurd. His newfound photographic memory might have something to do with practicing Big Dipper Long Fist.

These days, not only were his six senses sharper, but his mind had become much more capable, too.

"What, do you look down on electricians?"

"No, no, absolutely not! I just think you're overqualified."

"I'm only working as an electrician temporarily. I'm about to go to university and study something."

"I understand wanting to learn, but why study ancient writing? What, are you planning to become an archaeologist or a tomb raider?"

"Can't I study it just to cultivate my taste?"

"You're so young. What taste are you cultivating? If you want to screw someone, I..."

"Enough! Stop right there. Let's talk about something else. I give up!"

Zhang Shuai was truly at a loss with Sun Xiaoya. It seemed she'd had too much to drink that evening and was letting herself go completely.

After eating and drinking their fill, Sun Xiaoya and Lin Xiuwen were both a little tipsy. The two women suggested taking a walk around Civic Square.

After Sun Xiaoya paid the bill, the three of them walked for about ten minutes, chatting as they went, before arriving at Civic Square in Qingshui City.

Civic Square was in the center of Qingshui City, surrounded by high-rise buildings. The city lights sparkled at night. Although Qingshui City was only a third-tier city in the country, it had been developed quite nicely over the years as the Dragon Kingdom's economy grew.

Civic Square was especially lively at night. The musical fountain in the middle of the square sprayed water nonstop, its jets dazzling under the lights. It was a beautiful sight, and plenty of adults had brought their children there to play.

There was also a small city park on the western side of the square. Many benches lined the park's paths, and groups of residents sat on them to enjoy the cool evening air.

The three chatted as they walked, and before they knew it, they'd wandered deep into the park. They say it's a popular dating spot for young people.

Before long, they saw that many of the benches were occupied by young couples in love. Some leaned against each other, while others kissed without a care in the world. Their movements were particularly passionate, and their hands wandered everywhere, apparently searching for something mysterious.

Seeing the blush-inducing scene, Zhang Shuai felt awkward and couldn't help quickening his pace. Just then, he noticed Sun Xiaoya and Lin Xiuwen sneaking glances at him, with something unusual in their eyes.

Sun Xiaoya suddenly asked, "Zhang, have you ever kissed anyone?"

"No. My family was poor, so no girls were interested in me."

"You're so fake. It's not that no one was interested in you, is it? You're the one who wasn't interested in them, right?"

Hearing what seemed like a pointed remark from Sun Xiaoya, Zhang Shuai felt awkward and didn't know what to say.

When they reached a secluded spot in the park, Sun Xiaoya suddenly stopped.

"Zhang, you've never kissed anyone, right? Why don't we try it? We don't have to date. You can just consider it a friendly, free lesson in kissing..."

Zhang Shuai was sure Sun Xiaoya had drunk too much. How could she say something like that?

Was she stupid?

If she was going to say something like that, she should've waited until they were alone together. Making such a tempting offer in front of Lin Xiuwen left him in an impossible position.

Zhang Shuai looked toward Lin Xiuwen on his left again. She turned her head and faced away. "Don't look at me. If you two want to kiss, go ahead. I won't peek. Just pretend I'm not here."