Chapter 55 Why did Gao Wen come to City A?

Saturday afternoon.

Gao Wen didn't go to the yoga studio; she took half a day off to wait for her thesis advisor to hold an online meeting.

Before the meeting, she was still chatting and laughing with Fang Han about renewing the lease. Fang Han said, "I've already spoken to the landlord, and he replied that he'll prepare the contract and we'll sign it when he comes back from his trip at the end of the month."

After he finished speaking, he added, "He's a bit slow to warm up; I reckon he'll drag it out until the last day."

"It's okay, I'm not in a hurry, as long as I don't rent it to anyone else." Gao Wen smiled, looking down at a thick stack of papers and materials, frantically reviewing them so she wouldn't be unable to answer her advisor's questions later.

When the online meeting started, Gao Wen put on her headphones, and Fang Han sat opposite her without saying a word.

Although Gao Wen had anticipated being scolded, she didn't expect her mentor to hurl insults for three hours straight without using any profanity. The mentor berated them as various "piecemeal monsters," "Frankenstein monsters," and "utterly incomprehensible monsters"...

Everyone was on edge. Gao Wen was quite serious, but she probably got angry after the mentor scolded her so much that she didn't give him a good look.

The first draft itself had many problems, so it's normal to get criticized.

Fang Han's mind wasn't on work; he was watching Gao Wen the whole time. Seeing her somber expression, he got up, cut some mango, and placed it beside her.

"Take it away, take it away." Gao Wen's eyes narrowed, silently refusing. She dared not eat anything and quickly pushed it away.

If her supervisor didn't drink water, she dared not drink any either.

Isn't that just asking for death?

After three hours, the online meeting finally ended. Gao Wen closed her laptop and slumped onto the table, her eyes vacant, looking utterly exhausted.

"well--"

After Gao Wen sighed again, Fang Han pushed the sliced ​​mango to her side and said with a smile, "It's okay. After this scolding, the mentor will be much more peaceful next time."

Although Fang Han couldn't hear the contents of the meeting, he could guess what it was about.

Who hasn't gone through this?

"Don't laugh." Gao Wen was deep in thought when she saw Fang Han sitting up straight again with a nonchalant expression. She pouted and said with a bitter face, "Not laughing at others is also a form of kindness."

"Everyone has their own experiences; a high-achieving student like you can't possibly understand them!"

Fang Han: "I—"

“You wouldn’t understand my pain. It’s more painful than attending a hundred classes.” Gao Wen interrupted him, raising her voice. She hugged her thesis materials and slumped down again, kicking her long, slender legs under the table twice. She let out a drawn-out howl, “I want to cry. Do you know what it feels like to want to cry? I’m in so much pain.”

Seeing that she was indeed in a bad mood, Fang Han suggested, "Shall I take you for a walk?"

"I'm not going," Gao Wen said, hugging her thesis tightly.

“Staying here will only make you feel worse. Go for a walk, and you'll feel better when you come back. Don’t keep getting stuck in anxiety and worries. Change your environment. I feel like this when I can’t write my thesis,” Fang Han added.

Gao Wen looked up at him with a mixture of belief and doubt.

"Really, I'm not lying to you." Fang Han's eyes were deep black, with a clear and gentle light that seemed to see right through him.

"I don't want to go out; I feel very depressed."

"Let's go." Fang Han stood up, walked to Gao Wen's side to help her pack up her documents, picked up a piece of mango and handed it to her, "Have some fruit to calm down, let's go for a walk, you'll feel better when we come back."

Gao Wen put the mango in her mouth, took a bite, and the juice was sweet. She dragged her feet toward the door.

"It's cold outside, do you want to put on a coat?" Fang Han asked.

Gao Wen shook her head and continued walking out.

Fang Han jogged back to his room, grabbed a coat, and then went out.

As Gao Wen stepped downstairs, she breathed in the fresh air, and her furrowed brows relaxed.

The two strolled slowly along the paths in the residential area. They had originally just been taking a walk, but as they walked, they ended up heading towards the night market street they had visited earlier. To their surprise, they found that the alleyway across the street was also quite lively in the afternoon.

The roadside was lined with stalls selling not only fruits and vegetables, but also various snacks, desserts, braised dishes, fried skewers, and more.

"Bananas, 1.99 per pound, clearance sale!"

"Haicheng green oranges, three catties for ten yuan, three catties for ten yuan, come quickly!"

"Don't miss it if you're passing by! Grilled fish, grilled fish, fragrant grilled fish."

......

Gao Wen stood at the intersection, watching the bustling street with people coming and going.

She wouldn't have come to a place like this before. Even Fang Han said, "Let's go down, there's a large fresh food supermarket at the next intersection."

Gao Wen shook her head and turned to walk into the alley.

For some reason, she now felt that this place had a particularly warm and down-to-earth atmosphere. Not far away were towering skyscrapers and glamorous shopping malls, and not far away, there was such an ordinary place.

Prices are cheap, fruit is fresh, and the place has a lively atmosphere.

The alley was crowded. Fang Han followed closely behind Gao Wen and asked, "What do you want to buy?"

Gao Wen: Just browsing.

She couldn't very well tell Fang Han that she wanted to be exposed to more human presence.

Many times, Gao Wen felt a sense of unreality. She wanted to break free from the constraints of the so-called "plot" and do things she had never done before. In fact, she did not dislike this place.

Fang Han didn't press further, but instead walked slowly alongside her.

Gao Wen strolled around and bought three handmade cakes for five yuan.

She ate one piece, and Fang Han ate two bites.

Made on-site with high-quality ingredients, the taste is in no way inferior to that of cake shops and restaurants.

Gao Wen didn't recognize many of the things, but Fang Han could tell her a thing or two. She couldn't help but ask, "Do you often come to places like this?"

“I used to come here often when I was little,” Fang Han nodded. “These kinds of places are hidden in alleys. They have some local traditional food, but mainly cheap and fresh local fruits and vegetables. The elderly don’t like big supermarkets with all kinds of products, and supermarkets are relatively expensive.”

The older generation endured many hardships and lived very frugally. The fruits and vegetables in the alleyways were fresh and cheap.

Gao Wen understood; she had forgotten that Fang Han was raised by the older generation.

However, Hu Hong is a very open-minded mother. Judging from Fang Han's condition, he doesn't seem to have any psychological problems typical of "left-behind children" and is perfectly healthy.

The alley wasn't long; after passing through it, there was a wide street and a large shopping mall.

As darkness fell, the mall lit up with dazzling lights.

The two walked into the mall.

This place is a completely different world from the alley we just passed.

The first floor mainly sells cars, mobile phones, and jewelry.

Gao Wen wasn't interested in cars or cell phones, but when she walked past the jewelry counter, she couldn't help but be attracted by the dazzling jewelry. Such glamorous things really had a natural allure for her.

Gao Wen hadn't originally planned to linger, but her gaze was drawn to a diamond necklace, and she slowly stopped in her tracks.

The design is very small and delicate, with a round shape that highlights the central diamond. It is exquisite and elegant and suitable for frequent wear.

The sales assistant, with her sharp eyes, immediately stepped forward: "Miss, this is our store's latest style, handmade. Feel free to try it on if you like."

"No need, thank you," Gao Wen politely declined.

Before leaving, she subconsciously glanced at the price: 118,888

The price isn't exactly affordable, but thankfully, it doesn't feel out of reach to her now.

She's still the same person; she likes expensive and flashy things.

However, the fact that she can afford it seems to be something to be even happier about.

Gao Wen thought for a moment, a faint smile appearing on her lips. She turned to Fang Han and asked, "How about I treat you to a movie?"

Seeing her smiling happily, Fang Han glanced at the necklace a couple more times out of the corner of his eye, and nodded: "Sure, what movie would you like to see?"

She invited him to a movie, and he always felt he had to reciprocate in some way.

He remembered that her birthday was at the beginning of next month.

“Anything is fine. Let’s see what popular movies are out recently,” Gao Wen said, heading towards the escalator. Seeing that Fang Han was walking slowly, she reached out and pulled on his sleeve, leading him in that direction. “Let’s go see which floor the movie theater is on.”

Fang Han was pulled away by Gao Wen, and he glanced back at the shop name and memorized it.

Inside the movie theater.

It's currently a popular time, and the good seats are basically all taken; the remaining seats are closer to the front.

The movie started as soon as Gao Wen and Fang Han sat down.

When you're close enough, the screen's light reflects off, making it much brighter.

The two bought a small bucket of popcorn and two glasses of juice as a token gesture, and sat down properly.

As soon as Fang Han sat down, Gao Wen leaned over and asked, "Do you come to the movie theater often?"

"No," Fang Han shook his head. "Very few."

As far as I can remember, it happened only a few times, and it was organized by the school back then.

Gao Wen was initially embarrassed, but upon hearing his words, her expression immediately relaxed, as if she had found a like-minded friend. She immediately smiled and said, "I rarely come either, only a handful, unless there is an organization that requires me to come."

She doesn't have many close friends, nor has she ever been in a relationship. However, quite a few male classmates have invited her over, but she ignores them all.

I've been busy making money and studying these past few years, so it's impossible for me to come to the movie theater alone.

Hearing Gao Wen say that, Fang Han's lips curled up.

The two people, who were sitting properly watching the movie, had no idea that they would be surrounded by two couples.

Even with the bright lights in front of the screen, the sweet and sour smell of romance couldn't be blocked out.

As the movie transitioned and the lights dimmed, Gao Wen reached for the popcorn bucket in Fang Han's hand. Suddenly, she saw the couple behind Fang Han kiss, making a "pop" sound.

Gao Wen was stunned: "???"

The boy even said, "Baby, give me another kiss."

Gao Wen: "???"

"Pop—"

Fang Han clearly heard it too. He cleared his throat awkwardly, held up the juice, and asked her, "Would you like some juice?"

"Baby," Gao Wen said as she took the juice, a soft, coquettish voice coming from behind her, "Can I have a sip of juice? I love you!"

"???" Gao Wen quickly took the juice and sat there stiffly.

Fang Han also sat up straight, looking straight ahead.

The two of them were no longer able to concentrate on the movie; their bodies were tense, and their hearing became exceptionally sharp.

"Baby, give me a bite of fries."

"Give me a kiss, *smack*"

"Kiss kiss—"

"Stop touching me!"

...

If Gao Wen were given another chance to choose, she would never invite Fang Han to the movies.

No one told her that couples would do such sneaky things in front of everyone in a movie theater.

That's really going too far, isn't it?

Fang Han was also unaware that his ears were burning hot, he was completely at a loss, and he didn't even dare to look at Gao Wen, nor did he dare to make any overstepping moves.

This movie was an ordeal for both of them, leaving them with a jumbled mess of thoughts.

Finally, the movie ended, and Gao Wen got up, followed by Fang Han.

The two couples next to them were still embracing, seemingly reluctant to leave.

Gao Wen walked quickly toward the exit, and Fang Han followed.

She walked quickly, and her body swayed as she went down the steps.

"Slow down." Fang Han gave her a strong hand to steady her, and Gao Wen immediately regained her balance. Her fair and delicate face flushed, and she quickened her pace, leaving behind the words, "I'm going to the restroom."

"good."

Gao Wen calmed herself down in front of the bathroom mirror for a while before coming out.

Fang Han stood outside waiting, his face showing no impatience, as gentle and kind as ever. When she came out, he slowly walked towards her.

Gao Wen could feel that her heartbeat changed in an instant.

That was a feeling she had never experienced before.

"Let's go," Fang Han said.

Gao Wen: "We're going back now."

Fang Han nodded.

The two walked towards the escalator. Gao Wen went up first, followed closely by Fang Han. They stood on the same step, the distance between them immediately shortened, and they stood side by side.

As they approached the bottom of the stairs, the escalator suddenly shook, and Gao Wen instinctively reached out and grabbed Fang Han's arm.

He reacted even faster, reaching out to support her.

The two: "..."

Gao Wen watched as she held Fang Han's hand, then casually let go, and whispered, "You scared me."

After getting off the escalator, Gao Wen quickened her pace and walked forward. She was unaware of how fast she was walking. Fang Han had long legs, so keeping up was not difficult for him.

As Gao Wen stepped out of the mall, a gust of cold wind swept over her, and she finally felt the chill.

However, the next second, a coat was draped over her shoulders: "It's cold, wear this, be careful not to catch a cold."

Gao Wen looked at the coat draped over her shoulders, did not refuse, and turned her head to smile at Fang Han, saying, "Thank you."

Let's go.

......

The two walked side by side toward the roadside. Not far behind them, Song Jie, carrying a little girl, jogged after them, wanting to get a better look, but in the blink of an eye, she disappeared.

Song Jie stood there, flustered, as long-forgotten memories surfaced.

Why does it seem like she sees Gao Wen?

Why did Gao Wen come to City A?

-----------------------

Author's note: This book won't be very long. The current plan is to finish the main text this month, with a short post-wedding epilogue of tens of thousands of words, and then a pre-life epilogue.

It will end next month.

My next book is called "The Tragic Female Supporting Character's Character Collapses." I'll post a detailed synopsis after I'm done with this busy period. Please add it to your favorites for pre-order!