Chapter Fifty-two: By the Shores of Chongwu

Not long after the school sports meet ended, in order to foster camaraderie among classmates, the class committee began planning our first class outing. After repeated votes and discussions during the class meeting, the destination was finally chosen: Chongwu, known as the hometown of the Hui'an women and often called the "Beidaihe of the South." Since we still had classes on Saturday morning, we decided to set off at 2 p.m.

After class, I had lunch with Huang Xin, then we went to the supermarket to pick up some essentials for the trip. By the time everything was ready, it was almost one o'clock. Huang Xin needed to return to the dorm to fetch a few things, so I found a cold drink shop on Student Street, ordered a glass of green tea, and began killing time in front of the television.

"Li Xiaobei, why are you here alone?" I was absorbed in the show when suddenly someone called my name. Before I could tear my gaze away from the TV, a girl had unceremoniously plopped down in the seat opposite mine.

A glance told me it was Xiao Lei. Xiao Lei was my high school classmate and one of Meizi's closest friends. Since her college entrance exam results were less than ideal, she, like me, chose the preparatory program at this school. She was in Class 2, while I was in Class 6. Although we were at the same school, the distance between our teaching buildings meant we rarely interacted, save for the occasional phone call at night to chat idly.

Xiao Lei turned and called to a group of girls at the next table, “You guys go ahead and order; I’ll chat with my friend for a bit.” Then she fixed her gaze back on me, resting her chin on her hands, her stare unwavering. “You still haven’t answered my question.”

“Oh, our class is heading to Chongwu this afternoon. The bus isn’t here yet, so I’m just killing time,” I replied honestly.

“So where’s your girlfriend?” Xiao Lei glanced around, her curiosity piqued.

“She went back to get something... Hey, don’t be so nosy! What girlfriend? We’re not even at that stage yet!” Although I had tried probing Huang Xin’s feelings over the phone, each time she dodged the topic, her answers vague, leaving me at a loss. And so we remained in this ambiguous state. Maybe she just needed more time to think it over.

“Oh? Well, you’d better work hard. By the way, Xiaobei, are you really going to let me sit here all this time without offering anything?” A mischievous glint flashed in Xiao Lei’s eyes, a rare hint of allure.

“What?” I was momentarily confused. What did she mean by that? Could it be... My mind began to wander in wild speculation.

“Idiot! I’m thirsty…” Xiao Lei shot me a helpless glare. “No wonder you haven’t won her over yet, you’re so slow!”

Her remark snapped me back to my senses. Clearly, being around beautiful girls dulled my wits. I hurriedly called over the server and ordered a green tea for Xiao Lei as well. We chatted a bit longer before Huang Xin called to say she’d arrived at the entrance to Student Street.

Realizing it was almost time to go, I said goodbye to Xiao Lei and left the shop.

The chartered tour bus we’d arranged was already waiting at the street’s entrance. By the time I arrived, several boys were busy loading things onto the bus. After all, it was our first group trip in college, and an irrepressible excitement shone on everyone’s face.

Chongwu wasn’t far from the school. The bus ride was short, and before long, we’d arrived at our destination.

The weather was splendid and the sea breeze refreshing. As soon as we got off the bus, we all dashed eagerly toward the damp, glistening beach. Like children, we chased each other without restraint, shrieking with wild laughter. In the distance, the sky seemed to melt into the sea, a seamless expanse of blue, making me wish I could dissolve myself into that union of sky and water.

As dusk fell, the lighthouse on the cliff flickered to life, its beam sweeping through the growing darkness. Lights from distant buildings began to twinkle on one by one.

Night finally descended, and the beachside stalls came alive with noise and laughter. The salty tang of the sea breeze drifted through the air as we gathered around round tables beneath the tents, feasting on beef skewers, chicken wings, squid, and saury, each dish filling the air with mouthwatering aromas.

“Xiaobei, is she your girlfriend?” After a few drinks, Liu Bo, sitting at my table, seemed a bit tipsy. He pointed at Huang Xin, who was sitting beside me, a sly grin on his face.

“Heh, yeah, what of it?” Although Huang Xin and I hadn’t made anything official, I didn’t care how she’d react; I nodded without hesitation.

Huang Xin shot me a look of annoyance but didn’t protest. Instead, she quietly lowered her head.

“Look at what you’ve done—now Huang Yu, the great smoker, has turned into a drunk tonight.” Following Liu Bo’s gaze, we all looked toward the back of the tent, where Huang Yu was relentlessly downing drinks, one after another, showing no sign of stopping. Soon, he was slumped over the table, retching loudly.

To be honest, I felt a twinge of sympathy for Huang Yu, but since we were rivals in love, there had to be a loser, and I certainly didn’t want it to be me. Reality could be cruel like that.

The beach at night had a flavor all its own.

After we’d eaten and drunk our fill, we spilled out of the tents and lit fireworks on the sand. The brilliant bursts soared into the sky, but their beauty was fleeting—gone in an instant, leaving only silence.

Tired from the excitement, I joined Lin Jie, Huang Xin, and a few close friends to climb onto a giant reef. Sitting side by side on the rock, Lin Jie, never one to keep quiet, started telling ghost stories. I’d heard his tales countless times back in the dorm and wasn’t interested, so I leaned against Huang Xin, tilted my head back, and gazed dreamily at the night sky, letting the sound of the sea fill my senses.

“Let’s go to the beach and watch the stars together during the holidays. The night sky there is truly beautiful.”

“You said it! No backing out, okay? Xiaobei, let’s pinky swear.”

“Come on, we’re not kids anymore—pinky swears, really?”

“Nonsense! Who says we’re old? Hmph! Xiaobei, are you swearing or not?”

“Fine! Of course I’ll swear, my dear wife.”

“Pinky swear, hang it high, no changes for a hundred years.”

...

That winter, our promise still echoed in my ears, but who knows where she is now.

“It only has… nine fingers!” Lin Jie’s sudden shout shattered my thoughts, startling me so badly I nearly fell off the rock.

This time, I was truly frightened.

“Come on, Xiaobei, you scare too easily! Out of all of us, you’re the only one who gets this jumpy.” After all those ghost stories, Lin Jie was finally satisfied at having spooked someone. He slapped the rock in delight, as if he’d just won the lottery.

Was it really that dramatic? Ignoring Lin Jie, I lay down on the rock, exhaustion washing over me.

Because we hadn’t prepared thoroughly enough, there weren’t enough tents. The girls managed to find a place to sleep, but the boys weren’t so lucky. I had to make do by laying my head on an empty table and catching what rest I could.

At the table next to us, a group played cards through the night, their loud voices never ceasing.

A little after five in the morning, the sun was about to rise...