Chapter 7: The Exposed Unrequited Love Affair

  What does being young and reckless represent? Is it a white-collar worker who wears a suit jacket on public transportation, even in the sweltering heat, and would rather keep their tie tightly knotted than loosen their collar to relieve themselves of the heat, yet secretly yearn for the past when they were running wildly on the soccer field, covered in mud, making countless girls scream? Or is it facing a superior who spews out harsh words, yet enduring the urge to throw a punch at his face, as if it were ten years ago? Or perhaps, in the past, one would be excitedly watching the fireworks on festive days, but now walks hastily and apathetically through the crowds of people setting off firecrackers, wearing a windbreaker.

  Used to cry over a boring soap opera, now being tortured by life. Facing the men and women around me who have become numb to sex and separate as soon as it's light out, I'll be indifferent under the seductive gaze of those girls with lip gloss, toss some money on the table, get up, and leave with a cold laugh.

  The phrase "reckless youth" has a magical and cursed power, because once it is mentioned, it represents the tragic decline and disappearance of an era. Because we have lost our edges, obscured our passion, and blurred our dreams, so when this phrase is given more glory and legend, it always comes at the cost of us being devoured by decay.

  We are gradually growing old in the irreversible flow of time, both physically and mentally.

  But for Su Can, sighing about the recklessness of his youth doesn't necessarily mean he's already old, on the contrary, he's just starting to forge his own youthful recklessness, his own almost forgettable yet now re-moldable glory.

  The No. 1 Middle School of the city will always have endless topics to talk about, and every day there are new things that make people's hearts beat or ache. In this circle where learning is respected, family status is honored, and all kinds of gossip are used as a driving force for life, after going through the exploratory period of insiders, it has begun to shift its attention to other classes, upper and lower floors, and even other grades.

  What is considered a highly concerned thing, beautiful women must be necessary, just like later generations whether it's Ajoy, World Expo, or Olympics, will use beautiful women as a gimmick. The beauties of each class and grade are dug out one by one, their daily life trajectory, the people they come into contact with, and the routes they take, will all become the focus of attention for many people.

  It was as if when Xiao Yunyun appeared at the door of Class 5, Grade One, and shyly asked a boy to pass on a message, "Please call Su Can for me," it would cause a huge stir.

  There may be few witnesses to the Coca-Cola incident, and many people still have a half-believing and half-doubting attitude. However, when the class flower of Class 3, Xiao Yunyun, really appeared at the door and asked to see Su Can by name, it was only then that the students of Class 5 suddenly woke up with a start, realizing that the rumors were not entirely unfounded.

  At this moment, Su Can was chatting with Xue Yi Yang in his seat and getting along well with some boys and girls around him. It's a pity that Xue Yi Yang didn't study public relations in the future and went to repair fighter jets instead. At least the former wouldn't cause criminal accidents, and he could still do a good job.

  Chen Lingshan also joined their group, and the main reason she got along with Su Can was because of this circle of friends in Class One. After the confrontation event in class, more people started to get close to Xue Yi Yang and Su Can, and Chen Lingshan's close friends were among them. She herself was a lively girl, so it didn't take long for her to blend into their group. However, she seemed to be more familiar with Xue Yi Yang, occasionally teasing Su Can in a rather reserved manner.

  For Chen Lingshan, Su Can indeed caught her attention and sparked her interest.

  Chen Lingshan's perfectly curved and beautiful face, as well as her eyes that seemed to be filled with stardust, would occasionally stir up Su Can's faint heartache for the distant past.

  Just as Chen Lingshan noticed Su Can's gaze with some heat, making her face slightly red, someone suddenly patted Su Can's shoulder and said, "Hey, there's a beauty looking for you!"

  The circle that had gathered inside the classroom suddenly dispersed, revealing a clear view. Xiao Yunyun stood at the door, wearing a pink long-sleeved T-shirt and slim-fitting jeans, her slender waist swaying gently, like a butterfly in flight.

  "Is anything wrong?" Su Can came before Xiao Yunyun, with a faint smile.

  A loud, strange cry came from behind, and Xiao Yunyun's face suddenly flushed with a hint of red as she gazed at Su Can with bright eyes. "Nothing... my birthday is in a week, I'd like to invite you to the party... will you come?"

  Won't be, and the daughter of Xiao Fei, the planning department director who is sworn enemies with her uncle, actually invited herself to her birthday?

  Su Can tidied up her thoughts and asked, "Hmm, does your parents know?"

  Xiao Yunyun nodded, "Mm, my parents heard that they would invite you and were very happy. They really hope to see you, after all last time... the impression you gave was too deep..."

  Su Can felt relieved, and his uncle had become the acting director. He had underestimated his uncle. If Xiao Fei became the director, he would give Zeng Quanming a hard time. But now that his uncle was in charge, the situation was completely different. The two men used to fight each other fiercely because they were in the same position and on the same front line. Only when someone with similar status and identity appears will jealousy and confrontation arise. Once the opponent is far superior, it can only be awe and submission. His uncle had a more open-minded attitude than Xiao Fei, so it seemed that Xiao Fei's fear of being severely punished did not materialize. That's why he had a different opinion about Su Can, and his attitude towards Zeng Quanming also changed greatly.

  However, this is an opportunity after all. Since Big Uncle became the director of the Municipal Construction Bureau, there is still a long way to go. Xiao Fei has become his subordinate. If they are at odds with each other and intentionally create trouble in private, it's not impossible that they will both suffer losses in the end. Big Uncle's work will also be affected. It's better for him to take the lead and resolve the conflict between the two of them. Xiao Fei can acknowledge and support Big Uncle, which is the best outcome.

  "Okay, I'll definitely be there. And... thanks for the invitation, and also for the Coke last time."

  Xiao Yunyun's bright and beautiful eyes blinked, "Cola... do you like it? Otherwise, I can bring some for you every time we have physical education class?"

  The physical education class time of Class 3 and Class 5 coincides, but when Xiao Yunyun said this, Su Can was startled. If Xiao Yunyun buys drinks for herself every physical education class, what is their relationship? How will others look at Xiao Yunyun?

  Seeing Su Can's stunned expression, Xiao Yunyun burst out laughing, her smile was extremely captivating. "I'm just kidding around with you!" Then she ran out, not forgetting to turn back and say, "So it's settled then, I want a birthday gift that's very thoughtful!"

  In the following days, an absolutely explosive piece of news suddenly broke out.

  Su Can, who has recently been rumored to be pursued by the class flower Xiao Yunyun from Class 3, had secretly liked Chen Lingshan!

  It's no longer a secret for those who met Su Can during the summer vacation, but Xue Yi Yang, the culprit, looked at Su Can with a bitter face. During the summer vacation, he revealed that Chen Ling Shan was just talking casually, and they wouldn't have more contact. Who knew that when school started, Su Can mistakenly entered Class 1 of Middle School, and they were even in the same class!

  After the news spread, people have a natural tendency to choose the best and ignore many things. For example, in the sentence "Su Can once had a crush on Chen Ling", the two words "once" disappeared in the process of word of mouth...