Chapter Twenty-six: The Heart of Youth Is Ever Spring

On the morning of the first day of the new year, after breakfast, Zhou Xuan found himself alone at home—his parents had gone out to enjoy themselves—and discovered he was at a complete loss for things to do.

Thinking back, Zhou Xuan remembered his phone conversation with Liu Yixue the previous night; she, too, had said there was nothing much to do today. So, Zhou Xuan got on his motorcycle and headed toward town.

Riding out of the mountain area, passing through the township, and after another ten minutes or so, Zhou Xuan arrived in the county seat.

His first stop was the infamous Fallen Street, to check on the status of the software testing. Entering the computer room, he saw it was packed to the brim; gamers filled the place wall to wall.

Zhou Xuan couldn't help but exclaim inwardly—every computer had several people waiting behind it. As always, the New Year was the busiest time for internet cafés. Not only did the prices rise, but the place was perpetually overrun.

"Hey, Brother Wei, you're here today too? There's really no need to stay on guard these days. You should go home and keep your mother company," Zhou Xuan said as he walked in, spotting Wei Lian chatting with the owner.

Wei Lian's face lit up with a broad smile when he saw Zhou Xuan. "Happy New Year, Zhou Xuan! I didn't have much to do, and I can check on how the management system is running here. If any issues crop up, I can fix them early."

"Thanks for your hard work, Brother Wei. Any problems with the system these last few days?" Zhou Xuan asked.

"So far, nothing at all. Honestly, this software is fantastic!" Wei Lian gave Zhou Xuan a meaningful look, as if to say his software was so good there wasn't a single bug.

Zhou Xuan replied with pride, "Of course! Someone paid a hefty sum to have it custom-made. How could it not be good? What does the boss think?"

"It's excellent! Things have been so much easier these few days. After the holidays, I'm planning to hire someone to look after the shop, so I can stay home more often, relax, have tea, and play cards. Life will be so much more comfortable," the owner said joyfully.

"That's great. Well, I'll be off then. Brother Wei, there's no need to sit here every day—just enjoy the holiday and only come by if something really needs your attention," Zhou Xuan said as he prepared to leave, reminding Wei Lian that there was no need to spend the whole holiday at the computer room.

"Hello, Yixue? It's Zhou Xuan." Zhou Xuan called Liu Yixue, dialing her family's landline.

A sweet voice answered on the other end, "Oh, Zhou Xuan, is that you?"

"Why wouldn't it be me? Didn't you say you didn't know what to do today? Want to come out? I'll take you for a ride."

"Really?"

"Of course! So, are you coming?"

"Where are we going?"

"Let's go to the East Gate. There are lots of sandbanks by the Yangtze River, and we can pick out some pretty pebbles."

"Alright then. Wait for me at the Garden in the center of town. I'll be there in about twenty minutes."

"I could pick you up. Which neighborhood are you in?"

"No, you can't pick me up. If my mom sees you, it wouldn't be good. Even if she doesn't, if a neighbor sees, it still wouldn't be good."

"Alright, I'll wait for you at the Garden," Zhou Xuan agreed, surprised by Liu Yixue's caution, but then he remembered they were still just in middle school. Given her family situation, her reaction was perfectly understandable.

Zhou Xuan waited at the Garden for half an hour before Liu Yixue finally arrived, a little late.

Today she was especially beautiful, in a creamy-white down jacket and tight jeans that accentuated her long, slender legs, drawing every eye.

"Zhou Xuan!" Liu Yixue called out in delight. She hadn't expected Zhou Xuan to come into town to spend the first day of the new year with her.

"Happy New Year, Yixue! You look stunning today!" Zhou Xuan's compliment brought a delicate flush to her cheeks, leaving her momentarily speechless.

He handed her a helmet. "Since you're worried about being seen, why not wear the helmet?"

Liu Yixue hadn't expected Zhou Xuan to be so thoughtful. She nodded. "Alright."

Then Zhou Xuan took her on his motorcycle, heading toward the East Gate. Perhaps because it was her first time riding with a boy, Liu Yixue gripped the bike frame tightly, keeping a small but deliberate gap between them.

But as they neared the East Gate wharf, the road grew bumpy and uneven, making the ride jolt and shake. Liu Yixue had no choice but to wrap her arms around Zhou Xuan's waist—well, not really around his waist, more like she clung to the pockets of his jacket.

Still, their bodies came into intimate contact, and with every bump, Zhou Xuan felt the warm softness against his back, stirring restless thoughts in his heart.

Thankfully, that rough patch of road didn't last long. After a minute or two, Zhou Xuan rode up onto the sandy bank at the East Gate.

They got off and walked toward the riverbank together.

The sand was strewn with pebbles, overgrown with weeds, and littered with debris from the Yangtze.

Zhou Xuan and Liu Yixue strolled along, chatting idly.

After a few minutes, they came to a water channel. Both wore shoes and couldn't cross. Zhou Xuan glanced at Liu Yixue and smiled, "Let me carry you across."

"Ah!" Liu Yixue exclaimed in surprise, then, seeing Zhou Xuan looking at her steadily, grew a bit shy. "Alright, then."

With a grin, Zhou Xuan took off his shoes and rolled up his trouser legs. It wasn't even February yet, and the sand was icy cold on his bare feet.

Liu Yixue picked up his shoes, blushing as she climbed onto his back.

Zhou Xuan felt the softness against his back and, holding her thighs, stepped quickly through the biting cold water, crossing in just a few strides.

It was probably her first time being carried so intimately, and Liu Yixue buried her face deep, mortified.

Zhou Xuan felt the warmth of her slender figure pressing against him and, even through two layers of fabric, the surprising elasticity of her thighs. He almost didn't want to set her down.

Perhaps realizing they'd gone quite a distance, Liu Yixue remembered herself after thirty meters and said, "Zhou Xuan, you can put me down now."

"Oh, alright." Zhou Xuan reluctantly let her down and smiled at her shy expression.

"Let's leave our shoes here. There are lots of pebbles over there—let's go!" Without waiting for a reply, Liu Yixue skipped ahead.

Chuckling, Zhou Xuan followed, barefoot and careful.

The next while was spent picking through stones and shells along the riverbank.

People say collecting rare stones can be profitable, but after two hours searching, neither Zhou Xuan nor Liu Yixue had found anything especially beautiful, leaving them slightly disappointed.

But results weren't what mattered; it was the experience of searching together. For those in love, even two hours of picking stones could pass without a trace of fatigue.

As lunchtime approached, they each chose a small stone and set off to eat. Heading home for lunch was not an option, and, as expected, very few restaurants in town were open on New Year's Day. Still, after riding around half the county, Zhou Xuan managed to find one open eatery.

They ate a simple meal. Though they'd wanted to continue their outing in the afternoon, Liu Yixue said she couldn't stay out all day, and Zhou Xuan could only acquiesce, taking her back to the Garden.

"Thank you, Zhou Xuan!" Liu Yixue said as she got off the bike, then suddenly kissed him on the cheek.

As she hurried away, Zhou Xuan was left standing there, grinning foolishly.

"The school beauty kissed me! Ah, the sweet confusion of youth! Heh heh..."