The website went live

That evening, Su Ruochu sat in the study, reviewing her notebook of mistakes.

Her mother was cooking in the kitchen outside.

She heard thunder rumbling outside as lightning flashed, warning of an approaching downpour.

Su Ruochu suddenly remembered that Chen Fan was probably still at the computer school.

He probably hadn't brought an umbrella.

With barely a moment's hesitation, Su Ruochu grabbed a raincoat and an umbrella and hurried out.

"Mom, I'm going out for a bit. I'll be right back."

Before her mother could answer, Su Ruochu had shut the door and dashed away.

She rode her bicycle to the computer school, arriving out of breath.

The lights were still on inside, and she spotted that familiar figure through the window.

Sweat beaded on her forehead as Su Ruochu glanced down at the umbrella in her hand.

Suddenly, she hesitated again.

When she had made the decision earlier, she had barely thought about it.

Now that she stood at the entrance, she felt at a loss instead.

For the past few days, Chen Fan had gone straight to Honghai Computer School after class to build his website.

He worked late every day, too busy even to eat.

What he didn't know was this.

Su Ruochu had secretly come here to see him twice.

But she hadn't gone inside. She had only stood outside and stolen a look through the window.

Su Ruochu had seen a Chen Fan who was completely different from the one at school.

He sat before the computer, his ten slender fingers flying across the keyboard as he worked with an interface she couldn't understand at all.

Zhou Honghai occasionally came over to watch, and sometimes the two of them would get into heated discussions.

But every time, Zhou Honghai conceded defeat.

In those moments, Su Ruochu felt as though Chen Fan was shining.

On her way home that day, the image of Chen Fan concentrating at the computer kept surfacing in her mind.

And Su Ruochu had another secret she hadn't told anyone.

That night, she had actually dreamed about Chen Fan.

They had both gotten into college and become a couple.

Like other college couples, they went on dates, ate together, went shopping, held hands, and even embraced and kissed...

After waking up, Su Ruochu had shyly pulled the covers over her face.

Yet she couldn't help recalling the way Chen Fan looked when he was concentrating.

Su Ruochu, you must be crazy!

Blushing, she silently scolded herself.

Now, Su Ruochu stood outside the computer school, unable to decide what to do.

I must be crazy!

Once again, she silently scolded herself.

Would he get the wrong idea?

Should I just leave the umbrella by the door?

Just as Su Ruochu wavered...

A shout interrupted her thoughts.

"Done!"

Inside, Chen Fan shouted excitedly.

"Did it work?"

Beside him, Zhou Honghai jerked his head up, then quickly stood and hurried over.

"You finished it?"

"Quick! Let me see."

Zhou Honghai eagerly opened the website Chen Fan had created.

"Domain Name Network?"

"What kind of website is this?"

Zhou Honghai was a little surprised, unsure why Chen Fan had chosen such a name.

But soon, he was stunned by how polished Chen Fan's website looked.

In those days, websites were still in their earliest, experimental stages, nowhere close to looking attractive.

But the Domain Name Network Chen Fan had built drew entirely on the successful experience of websites from the future.

Domain Name Network was essentially a forum.

Users could register accounts, make posts, offer bounties, and buy and sell.

Not only was its interface clean and attractive, but it was also divided into all sorts of specialized sections.

There were interesting sections such as "Trading marketplace," "Auction hall," "Purchase inquiries," and "Collection valuations."

"This is just..."

After browsing for a while, Zhou Honghai couldn't help marveling.

"It's just so... incredible!"

"I've never seen such a beautiful website."

"With this skill alone, you could easily apply for a job at one of those major internet companies."

Chen Fan smiled.

This was nothing yet.

Because his time was limited.

The forum was little more than a mud-brick house, crude and bare.

He would have to keep adding new features before it could be considered truly complete.

"Is this website for trading domain names?"

Zhou Honghai had clearly heard of the business, too, and couldn't resist asking.

"Do you think there's money in domain trading?"

Chen Fan smiled. "Whether there's money in it isn't for me to say. I'm only providing a trading platform for people who believe there is."

Zhou Honghai gave Chen Fan a knowing look.

"You're not telling me the whole truth."

Then he shouted excitedly, "When are you planning to launch this website? I can't wait. I want to be your first customer."

"It's going live right now."

Zhou Honghai froze.

"Right now?"

"For something this important, shouldn't you go home and pick an auspicious day, then bathe and change before launching it?"

Chen Fan rolled his eyes.

"There's no need for all that fuss."

"Besides, the college entrance exam is in three days. I don't have that much time to waste."

Zhou Honghai was dumbfounded.

"You really are... not one to stand on ceremony."

Chen Fan stretched.

"Honghai, thanks for all your help these past few days."

"Oh, stop. We know each other well enough by now. No need to be so polite."

Zhou Honghai couldn't help asking, "Summer vacation starts after the entrance exam. You promised you'd come over whenever you had time."

Chen Fan knew what he was after.

Summer vacation was usually a crucial enrollment period for computer schools like this. Zhou Honghai wanted to use Chen Fan's reputation to advertise.

Chen Fan didn't resent that little self-serving motive.

Besides, Zhou Honghai had let him use the computer for free all this time.

"No problem."

As he spoke, he slung his schoolbag over his shoulder.

"I'm heading out."

"It's windy outside, and it's about to rain. Why don't you take a taxi home?"

"No need. I'll be home in no time on my bike."

Chen Fan waved goodbye to Zhou Honghai, went outside alone, and hopped onto his bicycle, speeding away.

Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled overhead. Suddenly, raindrops began pelting down.

Damn!

It really was pouring.

Chen Fan let out a startled cry and was about to pedal faster when he glanced to the side and froze.

Screech!

Chen Fan braked hard and stopped.

"Su... Ruochu?"

Hardly able to believe his eyes, Chen Fan quickly wheeled his bicycle beneath the eaves of a roadside shop.

Su Ruochu was sheltering there, looking at him helplessly.

She had hesitated outside for ages and had originally planned to slip away unnoticed.

But unexpectedly, Chen Fan had come out just then.

"What are you doing here?"

Chen Fan was a little surprised.

Su Ruochu wasn't wearing her school uniform, but a thin white dress.

On her feet was a cute pair of slide sandals.

Her pale calves were bare.

As the wind howled, Su Ruochu could only clutch the fluttering hem of her dress with both hands.

Looking at Chen Fan before her, Su Ruochu felt a little nervous.

She hurriedly held out the umbrella.

"I... I saw it was going to rain, and I thought you might not have brought an umbrella, so..."

She couldn't finish, her cheeks flushed red.

With her face burning and her head lowered, she offered Chen Fan the umbrella.

"Take this umbrella home."

Chen Fan gazed intently at the girl before him.

The fierce wind tossed her hair and sent her skirt fluttering.

The heavy rain had already begun to fall.

Raindrops struck the sweltering road, splashing up mud as the warm, damp scent of earth washed over them.

The muggy heat of a moment ago had suddenly turned wonderfully cool.

Driven by the wind, the rain swept beneath the eaves.

Su Ruochu's hair was wet, and part of her dress had been soaked, clinging damply to her body.

She looked so delicate and vulnerable that it made his heart ache for her.

Seeing Chen Fan staring at her, Su Ruochu's heart began to beat faster.

"D-don't get the wrong idea. I just happen to live nearby, so I brought it over on my way... ah..."

Before she could finish, Chen Fan suddenly stepped forward.

He reached out and pulled Su Ruochu's soft, slender body toward him.

He held her tightly in his arms.

"Mm..."