The seven-day National Day holiday passed in the blink of an eye.
During this period, Tan Jincheng and Zhang Xupeng had already discussed that staying at home like this was not a solution.
If they were idle for too long, their parents would definitely disapprove.
Besides that, the two also attended the class reunion organized by their class monitor.
These two good brothers usually didn't cause much trouble in class and had good relationships.
When the class monitor learned they had returned, he kept contacting them to attend the gathering.
Since there wasn't much else to do during the holiday, the two agreed to go.
The atmosphere of the class reunion was good, and the classmates were curious about their experiences at sea.
Tan Jincheng dared not spout nonsense now like he did in front of his younger siblings.
Among his classmates, there were quite a few who hadn't continued their studies and had already started working.
It wouldn't be good if they were really influenced to go to sea, as it was very tough out there.
Regarding their wages, the two also understated the amount.
In fact, to their classmates, their experiences were somewhat legendary.
They said they were going on a trip during the summer, but in a flash, before their admission notices arrived, the two ran off to work at sea.
After disappearing for over a year, the two were back.
For a group of young people under 20, no matter how much they described the hardships at sea, such an experience was enough to brag about.
The class reunion was held at a restaurant near their high school, and most of those who attended were classmates from similar family backgrounds.
Apart from being curious about each other's new lives after graduation, everyone had no intention of competing.
This was the atmosphere Tan Jincheng liked.
From the perspective of someone who had been through it, Tan Jincheng believed that youth should be purer and lived more authentically.
Unfortunately, young people 20 years later would find this difficult to achieve, not because they didn't want to, but because the pressures of life wouldn't allow them.
To some extent, the lives of Tan Jincheng's generation of post-80s were still happier compared to the post-90s and post-00s.
During the process of rapid social development, there were many opportunities.
Education was important, but not that important.
In his previous life, Tan Jincheng graduated from high school.
Apart from expanding his horizons by going to sea by chance, he didn't have many great opportunities.
Even so, he still reaped the benefits of social development, such as starting a business by accident and buying a house.
Returning to attend the class reunion after rebirth, a group of energetic young people recounted their new lives and chatted about their views on the future.
It was very pleasant, and he hoped this purity could last for a few more years.
"Tan Jincheng, I heard you're not going to study anymore?"
Just as Tan Jincheng was listening to his classmates boast, a pleasant voice sounded in his ear.
At some point, Zhang Xupeng, who had been sitting next to Tan Jincheng, had been replaced by Chen Shuyi, his high school deskmate.
"Yeah, I'm not studying anymore. Retaking the exam doesn't guarantee admission, so I just decided to drop it,"
Tan Jincheng said with a smile.
With a ponytail, a round face, and a petite figure, Chen Shuyi looked very cute.
Her large eyes looked at Tan Jincheng, showing a regrettable expression.
After all, in her opinion, Tan Jincheng's grades were quite good, and not attending university was truly a pity.
Don't misunderstand, the two had no special relationship.
Strictly speaking, if Tan Jincheng were to be polite, he would have to call Chen Shuyi "auntie."
Tan Jincheng's future maternal aunt, who had not yet married into the family, was Chen Shuyi's cousin.
In terms of their maternal uncle's side, Tan Jincheng was her junior.
His maternal uncle and aunt met through his mother's introduction for a blind date, but he never expected this connection with his classmate.
Tan Jincheng only found out about this in his second year of high school, and Chen Shuyi also learned it then.
Because of this, Tan Jincheng was often teased by Chen Shuyi.
Unbeknownst to her, the girl seemed to have truly adopted the role of an elder.
Over two years, the girl often used her elder status to urge Tan Jincheng to study hard, which made Tan Jincheng laugh and cry.
In her previous life, she married a classmate; oh, it was the class monitor who organized this reunion.
Tan Jincheng didn't know when their relationship developed, but he was certain it wasn't during high school.
In his previous life, when Tan Jincheng returned to Yicheng, if he met this girl, she would still unconsciously fall into the role of an elder, urging Tan Jincheng to date and marry soon.
It was funny, yet very warm.
"Aren't you going to try harder? Your original grades weren't bad. If you get a tutor for some extra lessons, getting into university shouldn't be a problem,"
Chen Shuyi pressed on.
"Little Tan, why don't you think about it again? Your little aunt suggests you retake the exam. If not, I can ask my brother to tutor you; he's studying at Yicheng Normal University."
Their conversation wasn't deliberately kept quiet, and soon, classmates nearby began to chime in.
"Go play somewhere else,"
Tan Jincheng scolded with a laugh.
Then, Tan Jincheng looked at Chen Shuyi again and said,
"No, I've already talked to my parents and Xupeng. We're going to Zhejiang Province in a few days to see if we can start a business."
"But doing business isn't something that needs to be rushed. You're not even 20 yet. Besides, wouldn't it be better to study more before doing business?"
Many Yicheng people go out to work and do business.
They are Huishang after all.
Babi Mantou, which ranked in the top three on Hangcheng's gourmet list in later generations, was created by an Yicheng person.
Although everyone was young, they didn't find doing business strange at all.
"We'll go and see first. If it's too difficult, it won't be too late to come back and study. It won't be a difference of many days."
Tan Jincheng had a bit of a headache; this girl was too enthusiastic, so he just brushed her off like that for now.
"Alright then, if you find doing business difficult, be sure to come back and retake the exam as soon as possible. Don't waste time, as it's already October."
"Okay, okay, I know, little auntie,"
Tan Jincheng teased.
The address "little auntie" startled Chen Shuyi, and it took her a while to react:
"What nonsense are you shouting? You've become so glib after being away for a year."
Although she occasionally liked to tease her deskmate, hearing the term "little auntie" truly made her a bit embarrassed.
Tan Jincheng would never have called her that before, even if it killed him.
"Hahaha, what the heck, Tan Jincheng actually called Chen Shuyi little auntie! He wouldn't even say it once in two years of high school!"
"Tan Jincheng, do you think I could be your little uncle-in-law?"
"Get lost!"
"Get lost!"
Tan Jincheng and Chen Shuyi said in unison.
After speaking, the two couldn't help but smile at each other.
However, he still had to thank that guy; the atmosphere between them finally eased, and Chen Shuyi no longer pressed about retaking the exam.
After a few rounds of drinks and dishes, it was time to part ways.
There was no sadness, for the next gathering would surely be in the near future.
The class monitor was responsible for paying the bill.
Everyone had already split the cost before coming, with adjustments for overpayment or underpayment.
There was no special treatment, nor any of the pretentious face-slapping plots found in online novels.
Everything was so harmonious.
Tan Jincheng and Zhang Xupeng waved goodbye to their classmates and walked arm-in-arm towards their residential area.
Next, the two were preparing to go to Yongcheng.
(End of Chapter)
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