I Want to Blow Up Balloons

Fang Bai walked beneath the shade of a tree by the roadside and waited, his eyes fixed on the main entrance of the dormitory's first floor as he paced back and forth beside the tree.

About three minutes later, he suddenly saw a Large Swing Skirt swaying out from the stairwell. He was instantly delighted and was just about to step forward to greet her when disappointment surged through him, and the corners of his mouth sank slightly.

It wasn't Qin Shuyu.

It was the same kind of Large Swing Skirt, but the figure was different.

Barely two minutes later, hurried little footsteps echoed from the stairs, drawing closer to Fang Bai's ears. At the same time, a swaying pink butterfly-patterned swing skirt came into view.

Fang Bai smiled, smiling happily!

The instant she saw Fang Bai, she froze for a moment, then smiled too. Her eyes curved into two bright crescent moons, and her lips lifted gently to reveal a row of pearly white teeth that gleamed like pearls.

Holding up her skirt with her fair hands, she ran lightly toward Fang Bai. The girls beside her curiously turned back and saw a boy smiling as he walked toward their dorm entrance.

Before long, their eyes met. Fang Bai took her hands and smiled as he looked at her lovely face.

Qin Shuyu lowered her head shyly, a blush tinting her cheeks.

"Shu Yu, wait a second."

Fang Bai saw the Chubby Girl behind her walking toward them while clutching her stomach, panting heavily. He stepped forward, handed her five yuan, and thanked her.

"Classmate... you're... too polite. Thanks. I never expected Qin Shuyu really was your girlfriend." The Chubby Girl braced one hand against the nearby tree and held her stomach with the other as she thanked him between gasps.

When Qin Shuyu had heard Fang Bai's name earlier, she had still been a little dazed. Her classmate said he was her boyfriend, and after receiving the business card, she simply said, "Thank you," and ran downstairs. Now, she thanked the Chubby Girl again.

"I won't disturb you two anymore. I don't want to be a third wheel lighting up both ends.

"Oh, right, handsome, could you give me one of those business cards? I think it's pretty romantic." The Chubby Girl had started to leave, but then turned back to ask Fang Bai for a card.

"Of course."

Fang Bai took a business card from the small pocket of his backpack and handed it to her.

Ten minutes later,

At the New Gymnasium, the lawn by the lake was covered with golden fallen leaves. Under the sunlight, they shimmered with a golden glow.

The lake water sparkled, reflecting the blue sky and the brilliant colors of the trees.

Fang Bai and Qin Shuyu sat shoulder to shoulder on a bench, feeling the autumn breeze brush against them. It brought a faint chill that felt refreshingly pleasant.

Qin Shuyu did not ask many questions. She just kept smiling, occasionally nodding with a soft "Mm-hmm."

Fang Bai knew Qin Shuyu's personality. He told her about his business, including helping her father find orders and his monthly exam results, but he did not mention the awkward matter of becoming sworn brothers.

"Shu Yu, don't tell your dad about what happened between me and him. Just pretend you don't know. I'm afraid he'll chase me down with a hammer. Once the time is right, I'll tell him myself."

"Mm, I'll listen to you. How are your fingers recovering now?"

Qin Shuyu was very happy and deeply shocked by what Fang Bai had done. She would not blame him, nor did she care whether his grades were good or bad. Anyway, even if Fang Bai could not make money, she could work and support the family.

"They're recovering pretty quickly. It surprised me a little." Fang Bai showed her, moving his three fingers.

The Golden Finger had helped him recover twenty percent, and another month had passed. His condition was now even better than it had been two years later in his previous life.

It was just that this kind of injury required an extremely long time to recover from.

Fang Bai opened his backpack, gave the newly bought BP Pager to Qin Shuyu, and told her his number.

"I'll give you some money in a bit for you to deposit in the bank. From now on, don't be stingy with yourself. If you want to call me, just call. I make money quickly now, and your dad's business is doing well too. Once you graduate, you can manage all the money full-time. Hehe."

"Okay. Don't work too hard."

Qin Shuyu gladly accepted Fang Bai's gift and money. In her eyes, they were family. Fang Bai gave her money, so she was the household financial manager.

The two sat together for a long time and talked about many things. Qin Shuyu liked tilting her head up to look at Fang Bai's face and listen to him speak, occasionally adding a word or two herself.

About an hour later, they left the lakeside. Fang Bai had Qin Shuyu return to the dormitory to get her passbook and bag.

More than ten minutes later,

Fang Bai held Qin Shuyu's hand as they left campus and took a taxi to The Bund to shop and sample food.

The Bund was a bustling place in Shen City, steeped in history. Since it was the weekend, there were quite a lot of people around.

Qin Shuyu had been in college for two months and had never visited The Bund before. Whenever she came across food, she hugged Fang Bai's arm and said she wanted to eat this and that.

"Fang Bai, I want a jianbing guozi."

"Okay, let's buy one."

"Fang Bai, I want that delicious QQ Nai Nai Pearl Milk Tea."

"What milk tea?"

"Fang Bai, I want cotton candy."

"This looks a little unhygienic."

"It's pretty. I want some."

"Okay, I'll buy it for you." Fang Bai bought her a stick.

Qin Shuyu happily accepted it. The corners of her lips rose slightly, and her eyes glittered with curiosity and anticipation.

She gently bit through the outer layer and put it into her mouth, savoring it carefully. The soft spun sugar melted on her tongue, releasing a sweet fragrance.

Her expression gradually shifted from curiosity to satisfaction. She licked her lips and closed her eyes slightly, her gaze carrying a trace of relaxation and delight.

To be honest, Fang Bai had never eaten cotton candy. Seeing how much she enjoyed it, he could not help asking, "Silly girl, is it really that good?"

"Mm, it's so good. I want another one."

"That won't do. There's lots more food ahead. Aren't you going to eat any of it?"

"Fine, then I'll let it go for now. Hehe."

When they reached a barbecue stall that specialized in selling live roasted scorpions, Fang Bai saw her approach the stall with curiosity in her eyes, even licking her lips.

"Fang Bai, what's that? It's so fun. Things that are fun should be delicious, right?"

Fang Bai quickly pulled her away. She could not eat that thing, while the owner behind them tempted her, saying, "Miss, have a taste. It's delicious."

Half an hour later, full and satisfied, the two unknowingly wandered to Yu Garden. They went in for a look around, since no ticket was needed at this time.

As they left Yu Garden, they passed a storefront. Qin Shuyu stood outside and curiously looked at blue plastic-packaged goods with price tags in the glass display case. "Fang Bai, the balloons here are so expensive. I want to blow up balloons for fun."

Fang Bai was already a little tired, but Qin Shuyu was not. He had been walking behind her, only to find her standing in front of a shop she really should not have been looking at yet, waving at him. Once he saw what it sold, he hurriedly pulled her away. The passersby around them gave them looks of surprise and envy.

Even the shop owner could not help laughing and gave Fang Bai a thumbs-up. "Little brother, impressive."

After being pulled away, Qin Shuyu walked for more than ten meters, but her eyes were still full of curiosity as she tugged at Fang Bai's sleeve. "Fang Bai, what was that? Why didn't we buy it?"

"Didn't you see all those curious looks around us?" Fang Bai could not help laughing. Qin Shuyu really had never seen these things. She truly did not understand.

"I didn't notice. I just wanted to blow up balloons."

Seeing the curiosity in her eyes, Fang Bai had no choice but to lean close to her ear and roughly explain. Qin Shuyu's cheeks instantly turned red. She immediately covered her face with both hands, crouching down and not daring to look directly at Fang Bai.

Holding back his laughter, Fang Bai lightly patted her shoulder and gave a small cough. Qin Shuyu then said in a low voice, "Fang Bai, you're not allowed to say it!"

"What did I say just now? I think I said we should go over to the Bund Scenic Avenue."

"Mm, mm. Fang Bai, let's hurry." Qin Shuyu stood up and pulled Fang Bai along at a brisk pace, though her face was still red.

They covered the five hundred meters in a few minutes, and Qin Shuyu's face had returned to normal.

Fang Bai stood before the riverside railing with both hands resting on it, quietly gazing across the river.

After watching him for a long time, Qin Shuyu could not help asking curiously, "Fang Bai, what's so interesting on the other side of the river?

"It's completely desolate."