https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-17-Aspirations-Soar-Above-the-Clouds/13029405/
Chapter 16: Classmates
Chapter 16: Classmates
After parting ways with Sheng Hai, Chen Chuan was searching for his classmates when he suddenly heard someone call out from behind, "Chen Chuan!"
The voice was so loud that it caused students several dozen meters away to turn their heads.
Chen Chuan turned around and saw a tall and robust young man running towards him. The man was casually dressed in a blue-green tracksuit with its zipper wide open. It was none other than Ding Jiao, his middle school classmate and close friend.
Ding Jiao approached and wrapped an arm around Chen Chuan's shoulders, laughing heartily, "I knew you'd be here early."
Chen Chuan suddenly said, "Your zipper's open." Ding Jiao was startled and looked down.
Chen Chuan, expressionless, clarified, "I meant your clothes." Ding Jiao clicked his tongue, "Teasing me, huh?" He playfully grabbed Chen Chuan's neck.
At that moment, Ding Jiao's expression turned to one of surprise. He stepped back, gestured towards himself and Chen Chuan's heads, and exclaimed, "Wow, after not seeing you for a month, you've grown taller again, brother. In a couple of months, let's compare heights again. I can't let you get ahead of me."
Chen Chuan smiled and asked, "How have you been lately?"
Ding Jiao nonchalantly replied, "You know me. It's the same old story. I'm always with my dad, tinkering with those two-wheel vehicles. Even our meals are filled with the smell of algae oil. It's interesting, and occasionally we get to go out for a ride, but that's about it. I can already imagine myself turning into my dad in twenty years, but at least there's money to be made. What about you?"
Chen Chuan said, "I've found a place to go, but it's a bit challenging to settle in. I'll probably have to spend a few months on this. I'll tell you the outcome once it's confirmed."
Ding Jiao knew that Chen Chuan's aunt's husband worked at the Patrol Bureau and guessed that Chen Chuan might be trying to find a way there. This was a sensitive topic because Chen Chuan also had a cousin, so Ding Jiao sympathized and patted Chen Chuan's shoulder, "Still, if you need anything, count on your buddy. I'll help if I can."
Chen Chuan nodded and glanced around, "Did you see anyone from our class when you arrived?"
Ding Jiao replied, "I know, they're all here... Hey, I'm going..." He gestured towards Chen Chuan and took a step forward, but he couldn't move the latter. As a result, he almost stumbled and nearly fell.
Chen Chuan steadied him and said calmly, "Take it easy." Recently, he had been practicing with Lu Ke on throws and grabs, and it had become almost instinctive for him to control his center of gravity to prevent falls. When Ding Jiao pulled him just now, it naturally triggered a response.
Ding Jiao didn't think much of it and said, "It's not that I'm weak, the ground here is just too slippery. Let's go..."
The two headed towards their class's designated area, located slightly to the east. They found a shaded shelter with two rows of tables. One row was positioned along the edge of a platform, while the other row was separated by a passage wide enough for three people to walk side by side.
This area could accommodate around sixty people, but their class only had thirty-nine students, so there was ample space.
When Chen Chuan and Ding Jiao entered, several classmates had already arrived, greeting them enthusiastically.
After not seeing each other for over a month, the classmates were excited to meet and discussed some post-graduation matters. However, the conversation quickly shifted to other classmates, focusing on those who had found exceptional opportunities after graduation. These classmates were not only admired but also felt proud of their achievements.
Chen Chuan and these classmates usually had a neutral relationship, neither good nor bad. They chatted for a while and then took their seats separately since there were plenty of empty seats. Chen Chuan and Ding Jiao chose a table near the edge of the platform, offering a good view.
After sitting down, Ding Jiao grabbed a bottle of Sha Zhen soda from the table, shook it vigorously, and skillfully opened the cap. He poured the soda, bubbling with effervescence, into two cups for himself and Chen Chuan. Then, he eagerly took a sip and belched, exclaiming loudly, "Refreshing!"
Chen Chuan also took a sip, and the taste reminded him of a carbonated drink from his past life, but with a cleaner feel. "Will everyone from our class be here?" he asked.
Ding Jiao casually replied, "They should all be here..." Then, he realized, "You mean those few guys?"
Usually, they don't come often, so I don't think they'll show up today either."
Chen Chuan hummed in acknowledgment. Their class had thirty-nine students, but the roster listed forty-two.
These three additional students rarely attended school because they had private tutors. The reason they were enrolled at the First High School was that the school had a quota to recommend students to elite universities in Central City each year, and these spots were reserved for them.
They had been set apart from ordinary students from the beginning, and this had been the case in Yangzhi City's middle schools for decades, so no one found it unusual.
"Oh, by the way," Ding Jiao said, winking and raising his eyebrows, "since you're here today, your friend might show up too."
Chen Chuan shook his head. "I don't have much to do with her." He knew who Ding Jiao was referring to, but even if they had some connection in their past lives, it wasn't the kind of relationship others imagined.
Ding Jiao gave him a look of disbelief.
As they chatted, students from their class began to arrive one after another, greeting each other and catching up. Occasionally, someone would open a bottle of soda and clink it against others' bottles, and the atmosphere became lively.
Ding Jiao had already finished one bottle of soda and seemed to want more. He grabbed another bottle, opened it, and took a big gulp, drinking half of it in one go. Then, he asked, "By the way, is Gao Ming coming today?"
Chen Chuan thought for a moment and replied, "He's probably out of town and won't make it back in time."
Gao Ming was their classmate, but his mother was Gao Ming's aunt. So, besides being classmates, they were also considered relatives and had a good relationship.
The Gao family had a background in advocacy, and Gao Ming was taken as a student by a senior advocate at a young age. He started learning from this advocate in middle school, and after graduation, he continued to study under the same advocate, securing his future early on.
"Oh," Ding Jiao said, thinking for a moment before speaking in a low voice, "you know, Guan Xiaohui from Class 3, her father apparently owes a huge gambling debt to a gang, and they say he gave her to the gang as repayment. Her stepmother ran away with her sister, and now the gang members are harassing them daily. She had to hide at her relatives' place in the countryside. What a mess."
Chen Chuan recalled a girl with a gentle smile and an introverted personality. Ding Jiao seemed to have had a crush on her, but what Chen Chuan remembered most was that this girl had also practiced martial arts.
Just as Ding Jiao was speaking, he glanced to the side and slapped the table, calling out, "Hey, hey! Look over there, Han Laosan! He's entered Ink Orchid Group and is all decked out. I heard his father at the Water Supply Bureau pulled some strings for him."
Chen Chuan turned to look and saw a boy walking towards them, his hair parted in the middle, wearing a black imported suit. He looked decent, but he walked and talked with an air of pretension.
Several classmates surrounded him, and although they weren't from the same class, they were clearly trying to ingratiate themselves with him. When the students under the sunshade saw him coming, some of them immediately stood up and proactively approached him to greet him and ask for his contact information.
The boy seemed to relish this adoration and lingered outside for about ten minutes before being escorted in by the group. As he walked, he waved to the seated classmates and said, "Sorry, sorry, I'm late. I was held up by some company matters. Apologies, everyone."
Ding Jiao, sounding a bit sour, said, "Look at him, all smug. He's not even an official employee of Ink Orchid Group; he's just in their training program."
Chen Chuan recalled from his past life that this boy was named Han Shu. Because his grades were consistently ranked third behind Chen Chuan and another girl, Ding Jiao teasingly called him Han Laosan.
Perhaps due to their personalities, Han Shu, Ding Jiao, and Chen Chuan in his past life were often at odds with each other, and their relationship as classmates wasn't harmonious.
At this moment, Han Shu noticed Chen Chuan and Ding Jiao, paused briefly, pulled up his sleeves to reveal a silver-cased watch on his wrist, and then walked towards them.
...
...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
