Chapter 37: The Charming Misunderstanding

Xiao Hongwei sat in the front driver's seat, keeping an eye on the small actions between Chen Hanxing and Gao Jialiang in the back. Thinking back to what happened at the baozi shop the other day, he couldn't help but laugh inside. Chen Zhaojun, such an honest person, had a son who was so cheeky.

Xiao Hongwei came from a criminal investigation background, so he instinctively observed the people around him. Each of the young people's behaviors were different. 

Wang Zibo, probably because he was sitting in the passenger seat, was the most respectful, sitting very obediently. Gao Jialiang, even though sitting in the last row, was constantly trying to please Xiao Rongyu. Xiao Rongyu, meanwhile, alternated between playing on her phone and chatting with Gao Jialiang about school. On the surface, there didn't seem to be much, but she always subtly angled her knee towards Chen Hanxing. These small movements revealed some subconscious feelings. 

Chen Hanxing, on the other hand, was the most relaxed. He tilted his back to 160 degrees, bought a newspaper at the gas station, and spent the journey either reading the news or napping. Occasionally, he would ask about gossip from the police force, but rarely engaged in conversations with Gao Jialiang and Xiao Rongyu.

"This little rascal, and he still thinks Xiao Yu is childish," Xiao Hongwei caught this information from Chen Hanxing's subtle movements.

The conversation about school topics inevitably veered toward the student union because after military training, the rush for club recruitment started. Gao Jialiang proudly said, "Before the holidays, I passed the preliminary interview for the publicity department. When I return to school, I'll have the second round, so it shouldn't be a big problem."

Wang Zibo sighed with envy, "That's great. I went for an interview with the organization department, but I got eliminated and couldn't even make it to the second round."

"You guys actually went for the student union? I haven't even decided if I want to join yet," Xiao Rongyu seemed troubled. She was already getting attention from her classmates, seniors, and even male students from other schools. If she joined the student union, she could imagine how she would be surrounded by confessions all day.

"Chen, what about you?" Xiao Rongyu asked, seeing that Chen Hanxing was still leisurely reading the newspaper.

"I'm currently the vice minister of the external liaison department," Chen Hanxing said, not taking his eyes off the paper.

"Pfft."

As soon as Gao Jialiang heard this, he exaggeratedly pretended to spit out water, then mocked, "Hanxing, you've become so full of yourself ever since becoming class president. You're talking nonsense! If you're the vice minister, I'll eat all the poop from the sports stadium in Hong Kong City!"

Xiao Rongyu and Wang Zibo didn't believe him either. Who would make a freshman vice minister? But Xiao Hongwei, looking through the rearview mirror, noticed that Chen Hanxing's body language while speaking had very little fluctuation, which didn't seem like he was lying. He then asked, "Is it really rare for a freshman to be vice minister?"

"Basically impossible," Gao Jialiang said loudly. "Who would let a freshman be vice minister? Do you think he's Superman, here to save the world? Right, Chen Hanxing?"

"I don't want to talk to people who just want free food and drinks," Chen Hanxing ignored Gao Jialiang, leaned his head back, and soon fell asleep, snoring lightly.

"Cut." Gao Jialiang scoffed.

Xiao Hongwei was thinking it over. It was basically impossible, but there was still a slight chance.

...

It took four hours by private car from Jianye to Hong Kong City, but just before they reached their destination, Xiao Hongwei received a phone call. After hanging up, he said, "There's an urgent task at the bureau. I'll drop you off at the crossroads ahead."

"I have a lot of luggage," Xiao Rongyu pointed to the trunk. She had five or six suitcases when she arrived, and now had two or three. She couldn't understand how girls could fit so many things in their bags.

"No worries, Xiao Uncle. I can help Rongyu carry it," Gao Jialiang immediately volunteered.

"I can help too," Wang Zibo said, feeling like he couldn't just sit by and do nothing after riding in someone else's car.

Only Chen Hanxing pretended not to hear. After all, he wasn't without labor to offer.

"Then let Chen Hanxing help me," Xiao Rongyu decided, pointing at him.

Chen Hanxing had no choice. He thought to himself, if he had known, he would have gone back yesterday. He blamed Wang Zibo for insisting on saving that 100 yuan taxi fare.

It was around 4 PM, and the weather in Hong Kong City was at its best.

The early autumn breeze swept away the last traces of summer heat, leaving only the refreshing and comfortable air. The sun was warm and peaceful. Several elderly men in light clothes were playing chess by the roadside, and bicycles slowly passed by, occasionally stirring up fallen leaves.

Xiao Rongyu walked gracefully ahead, her ponytail swaying with her movements. Standing at nearly 1.7 meters tall, she was slim and elegant, and certainly not an unattractive sight from behind.

Chen Hanxing admired her secretly, but to his surprise, Xiao Rongyu suddenly turned around, her delicate, flower-like face directly facing him.

"What's wrong?" Chen Hanxing jumped in surprise.

"Why didn't you want to help me carry my luggage just now? You would've definitely rushed to do it before," Xiao Rongyu said, her black-and-white eyes showing some displeasure.

Chen Hanxing thought it wasn't a big deal. Wouldn't it be the same no matter who helped? But he changed his words, "I wanted to, but Wang Zibo and Gao Jialiang beat me to it."

"Really?" Xiao Rongyu asked suspiciously.

"Absolutely. I didn't want to fight them for it," Chen Hanxing said sincerely.

"Next time, don't be so polite," Xiao Rongyu frowned, advising him.

Chen Hanxing just wanted to drop her off and go home to relax, so he agreed to whatever strange requests she made. For example, when they passed by a sugar-coated hawthorn stand, Xiao Rongyu asked him to buy some.

Chen Hanxing shook his head. "I don't have any small change left."

It was true. He only had large bills in his wallet.

"That's okay. I have one yuan," Xiao Rongyu said, pulling out a coin and handing it to him. "You go buy it."

Chen Hanxing was taken aback. He wondered if women's thought processes were as complicated as triangles, taking unnecessary detours when they could have just bought it themselves. But to get it over with, he took the money and bought the sugar-coated hawthorn. Once Xiao Rongyu had one, her mood lightened. She smiled and ate one of the sweetened hawthorns, her lips sparkling with sugar.

"Want one?" she asked.

"No," Chen Hanxing shook his head. He wasn't too interested in sweets. But the more he refused, the more insistent Xiao Rongyu became, wanting him to eat one.

"Fine, fine, fine, I'll eat one."

Chen Hanxing sighed in resignation, silently swearing, "Next time I go home with Xiao Rongyu, I'll be a dog."

As she held the sugar-coated hawthorn to his mouth, he reluctantly opened it, but then froze. It was then that he saw his father, Chen Zhaojun, and a group of people walking across the street.

Chen Zhaojun was just as surprised to see his son there and was even more shocked to see a girl feeding him a sugar-coated hawthorn.

Neither father nor son greeted each other, and they both silently stored the moment in their minds.

After safely sending Xiao Rongyu home, Chen Hanxing declined the invitation to eat with her family and returned to his own home.

Liang Meijuan had just finished work, complaining about Chen Hanxing not notifying her in advance. She started taking food out of the fridge to thaw, and even Chen Zhaojun was involved.

"Chen Zhaojun, your son is getting too big for his boots. He doesn't even bother to call when he comes back for the holidays. Let's see if he brings a daughter-in-law home next time, just to surprise you!"

It was an offhand comment, but both Chen Zhaojun and Chen Hanxing exchanged a glance. In that brief moment of eye contact, these two bored father and son both turned their heads away at the same time.