A Guide to Wasting Life - Chapter 9
It was quite evident that Xu Nianzhu didn’t have a great sense of direction-a flaw she’d had since childhood. Even after walking the same complex path multiple times, she could still manage to get herself lost the next time.
But this didn’t stop her adventurous spirit. Oftentimes, staring at a map, she’d purposefully choose random little side paths to challenge herself.
Of course, the outcome was always predictable, and she inevitably got the “lesson” she deserved. Each time, she would solemnly promise it wouldn’t happen again.
Xu Nianzhu turned around immediately, giving Zhou Qi an awkward smile before walking back to his side. He slowed his pace to let her catch up.
The closer they got to Xi Lake, the busier it became.
Just when Zhou Qi thought Xu Nianzhu would spend the entire walk staring at her feet, she unexpectedly spoke up:
“What’s your plan for tomorrow?”
“I have one,” he nodded.
Xu Nianzhu let out a soft “Oh” under her breath, kicking a small pebble on the path. Her voice unintentionally dropped in volume.
“What’s the plan?”
Zhou Qi chuckled, “To spend it with you.”
“…” Seriously? So flashy. Xu Nianzhu gave Zhou Qi a playful glare.
But his genuinely earnest expression somehow amplified the charm of those two words, leaving Xu Nianzhu feeling a little dizzy. Unable to resist, she said, “Then how about we go watch a stand-up comedy show tomorrow night? I’ll get the tickets, and let’s invite your friend Lin and his… uh, wife too.”
For some reason, the word “wife” felt awkward on her tongue. She hesitated a bit, then lightly pressed her cheek with the tip of her tongue, as if to smooth it out.
“Sure, I’ll ask them,” Zhou Qi replied, glancing at her. Seeing her expression so focused-eyes on her nose, nose on her heart-adorably wooden, he couldn’t help but smile.
Catching his gaze, Xu Nianzhu tilted her head, confused.
“What are you smiling at?”
Zhou Qi didn’t bother hiding his smile. Calmly, he replied, “Is there something else you’re curious about?”
“There is.” Xu Nianzhu didn’t hold back.
“Go ahead and ask.”
His tone was indulgent.
With her “all-access pass,” Xu Nianzhu didn’t bother beating around the bush and went straight for the point.
“Where are you staying right now? Is it nearby?”
Not just nearby-at the same hotel as you, Zhou Qi thought to himself, but kept it to himself. With a small chuckle, he replied, “I don’t come here often, maybe two or three times a year. And I don’t stay for long each time. Usually, I stay at a hotel or crash at my friend’s place. So yeah, I guess it’s nearby.”
“Are you not from around here?” Xu Nianzhu momentarily drifted off, puzzled. “You’re not going home?”
“Yes, I lived here until the second year of high school, then I moved,” he replied slowly.
“Then we’re quite similar. Over the years, I’ve only gone back two or three times a year, and even when I do, I prefer to stay in a hotel,” she noted, discovering another point of connection between them.
Zhou Qi simply responded with a sound of agreement.
“You tonight-”
“Then tonight-”
They spoke in unison.
Xu Nianzhu’s eyes widened, her heart racing.
Zhou Qi was about to say “you go first,” when he saw Xu Nianzhu hurriedly lower her head and rush up the low steps towards a group of photographers set up along the riverbank, completely missing the chance to finish his sentence.
Huh? Zhou Qi was startled, as if the warmth and softness from where he had just held her hand still lingered. He watched her figure gradually run away, smiling suddenly.
Just as he was about to move, someone gently nudged his elbow. Zhou Qi turned to see a similarly aged boy who pointed toward the girl running ahead with a smirk, completely at ease. ”
See, the boyfriend’s charm can’t compare to that of the lake. She isn’t even holding your hand anymore; she’s run off already,” he added, playfully pulling a sad face. Clearly, he was someone in a warm relationship.
Zhou Qi curved his lips into a smile but said nothing, exchanging a knowing glance.
As if sharing warmth, a few minutes later, the boy suddenly patted him on the back and grinned. “Bro, I’m going to chase after her.”
Zhou Qi took a few steps forward and returned the favor by patting the guy on the back, smiling as he gave him a little push. “Yeah, go after her,” he said.
Not far away, Zhou Qi watched Xu Nianzhu, partially blocked by the crowd. He suddenly recalled how, when they were leaving the mountain a couple of days ago, she had departed ahead of him, and he had stood at a distance watching her back. After walking a few steps, she had suddenly turned around and waved goodbye again.
What Xu Nianzhu didn’t know that day was that her unexpected turn had caused his heart to race for quite some time. So much so that he hadn’t even noticed how long Lin Yichen had been standing behind him after buying the wristbands and prayer beads.
It wasn’t until he felt an arm suddenly drape over his shoulder that Zhou Qi turned to see Lin Yichen.
“Got everything?” He recovered his thoughts and was about to ask when Lin Yichen instead questioned him, “Senior, is that the girl you mentioned who took the photos?”
At that time, Xu Nianzhu had already walked quite far. Zhou Qi smiled, let out a sound of acknowledgment, and raised his hand to gently turn Lin Yichen’s head away from his casual curiosity, nudging him toward the parking lot.
“Let’s go see the light show at the Qiantang River tonight,” he agreed to the invitation he had previously declined.
“Changed your mind?” Lin Yichen asked.
“Yes, let’s go for a stroll.”
After saying that, he instinctively turned his head and happened to see Xu Nianzhu looking back at the spot where they had just been. Perhaps not noticing anyone, she moved a little closer and peered quietly.
He immediately stopped in his tracks and sent her a message.
She replied quickly, saying, “Sounds good! Please be careful on your way.” She added a very cute emoji.
He sent one back.
Xu Nianzhu responded again.
He replied.
She continued to send messages.
Lin Yichen poked his head out of the car, curiously asking Zhou Qi what was making him smile so happily.
Zhou Qi turned off the screen, still smiling, and jokingly said, “I’m in a ‘competition.'”
Hmm, a competition of emojis.
……
This was the beginning, and it was the first time he felt a desire to get to know a girl, but not just in a casual way.
Pulling his thoughts back, Zhou Qi shook his head and chuckled softly as he took out his phone.
But it seemed… she had no intention of looking back today, running with great focus and leaving people behind effortlessly.
It must be that the scenery here is too beautiful. Unconsciously, Zhou Qi found that thought arising from deep inside him as he watched people by the lake spread their arms, slightly tilt their heads back, and enjoy the moment in such a carefree state, which made him feel unexpectedly delighted.
In fact, it was indeed like that.
Just a few minutes ago, he had been full of energy, feeling something was off while running and thinking, “What’s the panic? Can Xu Nianzhu really eat me?” At that moment, she was completely enchanted by the beautiful scenery.
She found a suitable spot to stand still and took out her camera.
The sky at that moment was a blend of orange and purple-red, mixed with a variety of colors like a palette, reflecting on the shimmering surface of Xi Lake, so enchanting that it made her feel an urge to dive right in.
This reminded her of her last visit to the top of Yulong Snow Mountain, where she had been breathing in the thin air, gazing at the thick, snow-white clouds below-so fluffy they seemed like they could carry a person. She had wanted to jump down then too.
At the highest elevation, she walked back and forth, slightly excited. Seeing many people being assisted down due to exhaustion made her unable to help but marvel at how good her physical fitness was.
It was then that Xu Nianzhu suddenly realized she’d forgotten something-or rather, someone. A whole person.
She cleared her throat, a little sheepish, and turned around.
She didn’t even need to look hard. Amidst the crowd, she immediately spotted Zhou Qi, leaning against a tree a few meters away, his presence strikingly noticeable.
No one could resist something beautiful, and she was no exception.
Just as Xu Nianzhu was about to approach him and apologize for her abrupt departure, she saw a woman in a floral sundress and a plain scarf approach Zhou Qi as well. The woman wore a smile and, even from a distance, exuded an elegant aura.
That was fast, she thought, a touch of disbelief colouring her expression. Her smile faltered.
Over there, the woman handed Zhou Qi his phone, pointed in a certain direction, and then proceeded to explain something in a rather broken manner. Zhou Qi glanced in the direction she indicated, politely nodded at the appropriate moments, tucked his hands back into his pockets, and took a couple of steps back.
Forget it. Out of sight, out of mind, she thought.
Xu Nianzhu ducked her head, diligently taking out her phone. She pretended to be engrossed in editing a picture, casually adjusting the parameters, but her attention was entirely focused on the pair. After a while, she couldn’t help but sneak a quick glance upward. To her surprise, she found Zhou Qi looking back at her.
What? I got caught again? Her heart did a little skip; her breath hitched.
Suddenly, her phone vibrated. Three WeChat messages popped up in rapid succession.
Hesitantly, she opened them, first reading the one from Zhou Qi:
Zhou Qi: [Don’t overthink it.]
Attached was a sticker of a puppy resting its chin on its paws – the very same sticker she’d sent him previously.
Xu Nianzhu chuckled at this. A faint smile played on her lips, a soft “Oh” escaping her as she remained looking down. She didn’t reply immediately. Then she noticed a small red notification dot next to a new contact in her address book.
She tapped on it, not quite processing the name in the contact information before a cheerful female voice interrupted her thoughts.
“I guess this is the girl you were talking about?”
Xu Nianzhu looked up, slightly surprised and a little flustered. The speaker was a stunningly beautiful mixed-race woman who was waving at her.
She was so breathtaking that Xu Nianzhu found herself momentarily captivated.