"These two are so close they're practically sharing pants, it's really amazing."
"You can say that again. But then again, they've been classmates since elementary school, so it's not surprising they're close."
"I wonder how much money these two have actually made. I feel like Tan Jincheng has changed a lot, but Zhang Xupeng hasn't changed much."
"Really? I don't feel it. But Tan Jincheng got tanned and isn't as handsome as before; his skin used to be fairer than many girls in the class, so now I feel much more balanced."
"I don't think so. I actually think Tan Jincheng is more masculine than before; fair Gu is handsome, but dark Gu is cooler."
Chen Shuyi stared at Tan Jincheng's receding back, the sound of her classmates' discussions in her ears.
As his deskmate, she could feel Tan Jincheng's changes.
Most females mature earlier than males.
While boys were still immersed in boring roughhousing and games, girls were already reaching the age of first love.
In later generations, Tan Jincheng's height wouldn't be considered tall, but for a child growing up in an era where resources were relatively scarce, Tan Jincheng, at 175 cm tall, didn't appear short.
What girls envied most was Tan Jincheng's skin.
During his student days, Tan Jincheng had fair skin and a delicate appearance; his brows had a hint of Gu Tianle's early years.
Tan Jincheng had a good temper and was lively and outgoing; his academic performance wasn't exceptionally good, but it was above average.
His image as a sunny big boy was quite popular among his classmates.
Tan Jincheng himself didn't know these things, but Chen Shuyi did.
Even she harbored a subtle fondness for Tan Jincheng.
In her second year of high school, after learning that her cousin had become Tan Jincheng's future aunt-in-law, Chen Shuyi often found excuses to approach Tan Jincheng and even adopted the demeanor of an elder.
However, this guy was truly a bit slow-witted.
In fact, Chen Shuyi could sense Tan Jincheng's perfunctory response to her recent persuasion; he was merely being polite and unwilling to openly refute her.
For some reason, Chen Shuyi always had a feeling that perhaps they would have a chance to meet again in the future.
But in Chen Shuyi's estimation, after Tan Jincheng's departure this time, he wouldn't have much interaction with everyone else.
They had reached a fork in the road of their lives.
"I hope you get better and better in the future, and I hope I do too," Chen Shuyi murmured to herself, watching Tan Jincheng's back.
October 10, 2004, Sunday.
Early in the morning, Tan Jincheng got up; Tan Lihua and Zhang Suzhi also got up.
A mother worries when her child travels far.
Last time, Zhang Suzhi thought it was a simple trip, and although she worried a bit about travel safety, it wasn't like this time.
This time, her son was really going out to work, truly stepping into society.
Anyone could preach big principles.
In these years, it was not uncommon for young people aged seventeen or eighteen, or even younger, to go out to work.
But when it came to her own son, it was still somewhat hard to accept.
Seeing his mother's low spirits, Tan Jincheng comforted her,
"Mom, this time I'm just going to take a look, and I'll be back soon. If I find the business isn't good, I'll come back and study."
Zhang Suzhi glared at Tan Jincheng,
"Just keep fooling us. You won't be studying again."
Tan Lihua continued,
"You've grown up and have your own ideas. Your parents won't, and can't, stop you; but remember, be careful out there, and don't cause trouble."
"Yes, I know,"
Tan Jincheng nodded.
"You and Peng Ya should look out for each other out there. Call home more often to let us know you're safe."
"Making money isn't important; what's important is taking care of your health out there."
"Okay, I know, I will pay attention."
In his previous life, Tan Jincheng had three major regrets: first, missing out on university; second, the changes that occurred in his own family; and third, becoming estranged from his parents due to being busy with work later on.
Tan Jincheng had now come to terms with the regret of not attending university.
As for his own small family, it was too early to talk about that.
His parents were what he could make up for the most right now.
When he left home in his previous life, his parents also gave him countless admonitions; back then, Tan Jincheng only felt impatient, his mind filled with the freedom of being unleashed.
Now, Tan Jincheng would no longer have such thoughts.
"Dad, Mom; you two go back to sleep for a bit. It's still early, Mom, you need to rest."
It was just past six in the morning.
There was no train from Yicheng to Yongcheng, so they could only take the early bus.
In previous years, before they bought a car, Tan Jincheng often didn't want to come home for this reason.
The minivan would also stop midway at an unknown roadside 'black shop' for a meal, ostensibly for a rest stop.
The fee was a uniform 30 yuan, and the food was hard to swallow; if you didn't eat, they'd give you a bucket of Kangshuaifu instant noodles, also 30 yuan, whether you ate it or not was up to you.
Speaking of Yicheng's traffic conditions at the time, Tan Jincheng was indeed speechless.
After breakfast, bidding farewell to his parents, Tan Jincheng, with his backpack, embarked on his second journey away from home.
At the community gate, he met up with Zhang Xupeng, and the two took a taxi towards the bus station.
"Why are you only carrying a backpack?"
Zhang Xupeng asked, surprised to see Tan Jincheng traveling light.
He, on the other hand, had a large suitcase filled with many things.
"I won't be staying for long, why bring so many things? The climate there is similar to home."
"We only stayed a few days after disembarking last time. How do you know the climate is similar to home?"
"You're already a poor student, did you forget the latitude after being at sea for a year?"
"Huh? I didn't think about that. Oh, right, where do we go first after we arrive? This time I'm listening to you, so you need to make the decisions."
"Don't worry, I'll lead the way."
"Get lost, I'm older than you, aren't I?"
"Not necessarily, you'd have to compare to know."
"What do you mean? Compare what?"
"Nothing, go to sleep. I didn't sleep well this morning."
For a journey of about 600 kilometers, the driver wouldn't take the highway all the way.
Including stops on the road, they would normally arrive in Yongcheng by evening.
Last time when the two came ashore to go home, they couldn't buy tickets and had to transfer buses, which is why they arrived during the day.
A trip to Yongcheng would take over 10 hours on the road; if it was for work, it really wasn't a good choice.
The favorite cities for Yicheng people to work were Huijing and Hushi; more often, they also chose cities in Susheng.
As for Zhesheng, Hangcheng and Huzhou were predominant, while those in Yongcheng mainly engaged in decoration.
Construction workers from Wansheng could be found all over the country.
At 7:30 PM, Tan Jincheng and Zhang Xupeng got off the bus, finally arriving.
This was Tan Jincheng's second time setting foot on this strange yet familiar land in this life.
(End of chapter)
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