Chapter 26: A Casual Appointment
by xennovel“Dad’s heading out. Where are you two meeting? I can give you a ride,” Xu Zhiquan offered.
Xu Chen replied, “Go ahead, Dad. I’ll take the bus myself.”
“Fine, fine. I might even slow you down,” Xu Zhiquan said with a grin.
He walked over, ruffled his son’s hair affectionately, then picked up his messenger bag and left.
Once his father was gone, Xu Chen pulled out his phone and dialed the “leader’s daughter.”
The girl from the experimental high school was named Feng Qingqing. No one knew exactly which town official her parents were.
But since Xu Zhiquan cared so much—and it might help the family business—Xu Chen had to play along and treat her well.
On the other end, Feng Qingqing’s voice sounded sweet and clear. After a quick chat, they agreed to meet at the town’s Youth Palace.
The Youth Palace was a relic of a special era, vaguely echoing its Soviet roots. In many places it had faded from view.
“I’m a bit far away. You might have to wait,” Xu Chen told her over the phone.
“No problem. Take your time.”
Xu Chen went back to his room, quickly tidied up, changed into clean clothes, and got ready to leave.
But finding his bus card ate up another five minutes.
In this era there was no mobile pay. He’d lost so many cards—it was a real waste.
He boarded Bus 13, heading toward the town center.
Tomorrow afternoon he was meeting Xie Bingran to practice running at the middle school track.
Xu Chen decided to buy Xie Bingran a new pair of running shoes.
Though she went by the fierce nickname “Bing Ge,” her family wasn’t well off.
For the past few days she’d been wearing a dirty old pair of black canvas shoes.
Since he was heading into town anyway and had to entertain Feng Qingqing first, he’d stop by the shoe store later.
A future Asian champion needed a decent pair of runners!
Only problem—he hadn’t asked her shoe size…
No matter. He’d buy several pairs and return the wrong ones.
In town, the specialty store always accepted refunds with a receipt.
He also needed to swing by the Internet café when he had time.
He’d submitted an ad for HuiShuang Shenbao last week but hadn’t heard back.
No calls or texts had come through.
He wasn’t sure if any emails or QQ messages had arrived.
One hundred fifty thousand yuan in cash—his first earnings—was still waiting!
……
As Xu Chen plotted his day, his phone suddenly buzzed.
He checked it and saw a message from Feng Qingqing:
“Xu Chen, just a heads-up!”
“I have a boyfriend. I agreed to meet you only to appease my parents.”
“So let’s keep this simple: hang out in the afternoon and just be friends…”
Xu Chen stared at the text, speechless.
Before they’d even met, was Feng Qingqing afraid he’d fall for her?
She seemed like another confident, self-obsessed little goddess who assumed everyone adored her.
Still, seeing her message actually put him at ease.
His father had strong-armed him into this, insisting it was the daughter of a leader, which had stressed him out. He’d been wondering what attitude to take.
But since Feng Qingqing had already set clear boundaries, there was no need to fret.
Xu Chen opened a reply and typed:
“Feng Qingqing, I’m in the same boat.”
“Perfect—let’s just go through the motions and treat each other as friends…”
……
……
Meanwhile, in the Youth Palace reading room.
Feng Qingqing sat at a table, phone in hand.
On the table before her lay the latest issue of Mengya magazine.
That publication had been a must for literary girls of the time.
Feng Qingqing’s raven hair fell to her shoulders. She wore a white hairpin and a pure white dress.
Her delicate beauty gave off the fresh charm unique to a girl her age.
Beside her sat her chubby best friend.
Next to the pretty Feng Qingqing, this plump girl looked every bit like her foil.
Indeed, every beauty needed a supporting leaf.
Whether Feng Qingqing had chosen this “green leaf” on purpose was anyone’s guess.
Her chubby friend popped a candy and asked, “Did you send the text?”
“Sent it,” Feng Qingqing replied.
Her friend smiled:
“You really look down on him? After all, it was your parents who set this up.”
Feng Qingqing pursed her lips.
“It’s not that I look down on him. I’m just afraid of being pestered by some boy.
His family sounds well-off but they’re just local.”
“You know me—I’m destined for the big city.”
Her friend chuckled, “True. The guys people date here are always scions of city leaders or bank presidents.”
“If their family only ran a factory in town, it doesn’t match our status.”
Feng Qingqing sighed helplessly:
“I get my dad’s point—he wants to keep me close and won’t let me go elsewhere.
Even for a boyfriend, he wants someone local.”
Her friend rolled her eyes, “If my dad could introduce me to someone who runs a factory, I’d be thrilled.”
Feng Qingqing laughed, “Then I’ll set you up instead!”
Her friend grinned, “You’re serious? I’ll hold you to that!”
Feng Qingqing’s eyes flicked as an idea struck her.
“Okay, here’s the plan: we’ll hide when he arrives.
If he’s handsome, I’ll come out.
If he’s so-so, you’ll pretend to be me…”
Her plump friend rolled her eyes dramatically.
“So you’re into handsome guys after all!”
……
……
Twenty minutes later, Xu Chen arrived in front of the Youth Palace.
He looked around, saw no sign of a female student, and texted Feng Qingqing:
“I’m here, standing by the Youth Palace entrance.”
A few minutes later, a girl in a white dress and matching hairpin stepped out—it was Feng Qingqing.
“You must be Xu Chen? I’m Feng Qingqing.”
Xu Chen put on a polite, official smile.
“Hello! I’m Xu Chen.
Haven’t had lunch yet, have you? What would you like to eat?”
“Anything is fine,” Feng Qingqing said.
Xu Chen thought for a moment. “There’s not much in town. There’s a fried chicken shop up ahead—let’s go there.”
“Sounds good!”
Xu Chen smiled, gestured “after you,” and headed to the chicken joint with Feng Qingqing.
After they left, the plump friend finally emerged from the Youth Palace.
Her phone buzzed with a new message from Feng Qingqing:
“He’s quite good-looking. You can head home…”
Her friend rolled her eyes, then stomped off in a huff.
……
At the fried chicken shop.
Xu Chen stayed courteous—after all, Feng Qingqing was the daughter of a local leader, and their family business was at stake.
Once he’d seated her, he went to place their order.
He asked what she’d like. She again said, “Anything is fine.”
Not wanting to overthink it, he ordered small portions of several items.
He also considered a girl’s tastes and stopped by the bakery next door, picking up vanilla orange juice, strawberry sundaes, tiramisu, and the like.
When the dishes filled the table, Feng Qingqing sat across him, blinking in surprise.
She pressed her lips into a smile but stole a few glances at Xu Chen.
This guy…
Beyond his good looks, he seemed surprisingly attentive.
He was sharper than any boy she’d met before.