Chapter 18 遭遇根據您的要求，直接翻譯標簽內的文字如下：Chapter 18 Encounter

fficers at the level of Deputy Section Chief from state-owned enterprises who openly expressed their dissatisfaction with Hong Xiaotian for organizing such a tendering and bidding session. However, Ho...Chapter 18: Encounter

The pleasant and crisp ringtone of Tang Wu's phone, which was in her locker at the poolside changing room where everyone had gathered, went unanswered.

Cong Cong was somewhat popular among the boys at the swimming pool, but once the initial novelty wore off, she found that the few boys who showed interest in her were not to her liking.

Some of them lacked good looks; a senior with an acne-ridden face and a vacant smile left her uninterested. Others seemed overly forward, or had such inappropriate comments and stares that they must have been thinking about where in the school district it was cheapest to rent a room for hot water and Durex condoms.

This made her feel there was no romantic atmosphere; instead, she felt uncomfortable. Cong Cong, who still fantasized about finding a gentlemanly senior prince charming at the university, found herself disillusioned. Dealing with these easily attracted seniors forced upon her by their initial interest in her had become increasingly unnatural and unwilling.

Seeing Cong Cong's forced expressions among the boys, Ruan Sige and Tong Tong, lying on the beach chairs, giggled. Cong Cong gave them a look that said, "You guys are not coming to my rescue even though I'm drowning."

Tong Tong turned to joke with Ruan Sige, saying, "It serves her right for getting into trouble by picking up boys every day; we should have kept our distance from someone as attractive to others as honey is to bees."

Ruan Sige thought about it and said, "I sometimes admire Cong Cong's confidence. She can always show herself without reservation anywhere, no wonder so many people like her. But being pestered by people she doesn't like must be quite a challenge."

While saying this, Ruan Sige glanced at Su Can’s direction and remembered that on the first day of school, she noticed him because of the sound his heavy suitcase made as it dragged across the pavement. What attracted her was also the man beside him who could not be called towering.

Their presence managed to evoke a soft sentiment in all of them about leaving home and entering university life, even though none of them openly acknowledged this feeling.

And within such a short time after enrollment, that boy had risen above the freshmen like a helicopter, becoming a well-known figure among his peers.

He was mistaken for an advisor, he sent flowers at the welcome party, he stood up to the baseball team captain and finally emerged as Tang Wu's boyfriend.

This series of events threw Ruan Sige off her usual way of thinking. Students arriving in luxury cars escorted by bodyguards were not necessarily destined for a life of extraordinary attention. Similarly, kids coming from afar with suitcases full of dust could suddenly become unexpectedly attractive.

Feeling somewhat dull interacting with the muscular boys, Cong Cong found that her swimsuit was uncomfortable to wear. She thought that the breast enlargement massage she had done during the holiday really worked; this summer's measurements were so tight it was exaggerated.

Cong Cong finally escaped from the swimming club members who volunteered to teach her various swimming techniques by claiming to go to the bathroom. For the first time, she felt being surrounded by male chest muscles was a burden and adjusted the back straps of her bikini in front of the mirror.

Suddenly feeling something was amiss, she turned around to see a six-year-old boy staring at her with a cheerful expression.

Unfortunately, Cheng Congcong discovered that the little guy was actually a boy. A six-year-old boy might not know much about the world, but Cheng Congcong couldn't find any clue on his face smeared with snot and saliva that he lacked awareness of gender differences.

In response to this, Cheng Congcong screamed and gritted her teeth, shouting, "Get out! What kind of wild brat is this"

A flush from the toilet nearby was followed by a woman in her thirties, who had changed clothes, pulling that kid with her. She looked at Cheng Congcong unhappily and retorted something along the lines of "You are such an adult and yet you make a fuss over a little boy; it's not like looking at him will make your flesh fall off."

Then she dragged the child out, but before leaving, the child who was extremely indignant made a face at Cheng Congcong.

Cheng Congcong was proud and naturally found it unbearable to be stared at by a six-year-old boy with saliva dripping from his mouth. However, there was nothing she could do about it, so she bit her teeth in frustration.

Although she had constant admirers in her life and actively participated in various activities with extensive social connections, Cheng Congcong desired to be admired. This vanity even she herself did not deny, but as she grew up, the nickname of "a thousand-year-old fox" was given to her precisely because her private life wasn't debauched.

During eighth grade, she lost her virginity. Along with a different boyfriend in second year high school, there were only two men who entered and then left her life.

The relationships had emotional foundations; as for those men who rashly believed she was "easy to take down", she didn't hesitate to slap them away.

Even Cheng Congcong sometimes admitted that deep in her bones, she remained a traditional girl. If the person staring at her while she was adjusting her bikini wasn't a little boy but any senior from outside the pool, Cheng Congcong would have reacted just as fiercely as Tang Wu did this morning.

Cheng Congcong cupped water in her hands and splashed it on her face. Reminding herself to stay calm, she walked out.

Su Can entered the restroom with some depression. He felt that being popular wasn't necessarily a good thing; even going to the bathroom had someone accompanying him. After urination, Cai Long, a former classmate from No. 27 High School, wanted to wait for Su Can. Su Can could only say, "You go ahead, I'll be out in a moment."

The other party seemed to think it wasn't appropriate for the two of them to stick together so closely, thus returning to the swimming pool first. As such, what Su Can thought would be an exclusive day with Tang Wu was disrupted by others.

Su Can rubbed his short hair dry under the shower and felt a sense of relief as he cooled down after touching Tang Wu's surprisingly supple waist.

When exiting the door, he saw Cheng Congcong, who had a look of murderous intent on her face, coming out from the opposite passage.

In fact, it was undeniable that Cheng Congcong looked quite beautiful; otherwise, the roommates would compare her to Tang Wu. However, there was one thing not so good about her: her long eyebrows carried a hint of ferocity, and when she was unhappy, she seemed even more sharp-tongued.

Su Can was slightly stunned when he encountered him. He wondered who had offended this girl. However, as Tang Wu's roommate, he waved his hand and smiled.

Cheng Congcong quickly changed her expression from the previous coldness to a usual gentle and cheerful demeanor. She puffed out her chest as she walked over and gave Su Can a light smile, asking, "How did you get to know Tang Wu" She needed to gauge this boy's background based on Tang Wu's taste.

Su Can thought it was quite a long story and replied, "She was my class monitor in junior high school. We both graduated from the same high school and later attended the same university."

Cheng Congcong smiled with amusement, "Oh, you got lucky then. Tang Wu is talented and beautiful. Since you're already dating her, you should treat us to a meal as a courtesy. If you don't say anything or make a move, does it mean that you didn't know about your relationship until today and are trying to avoid paying"

Su Can was speechless. "Of course not. Where do you guys want to eat Chuanfuji doesn't like spicy food, but I heard there's a Macau Hot Pot place nearby."

"That depends on your budget. If you're well-off and have plenty of money, we can go to the Shenzhou Cuisine Art Kitchen where the seafood is really good. Alternatively, if you're not so rich, we don't mind having dinner in this hotel's restaurant. But if your monthly living expenses are less than 3000 yuan or your personal savings haven't reached 10,000 yuan, then a more affordable choice would be Chuanfuji or Macau Hot Pot. Don't try to keep up appearances; it doesn't matter much. Anyway, many things have to make do with what's available, right"

Cheng Congcong blinked her big eyes at Su Can. It was the moment of truth where she could gauge his family background based on his reaction and expression—whether he came from a wealthy and affluent family or an ordinary one.

The economic foundation determines ideological consciousness. Even if a minor character possesses backbone and integrity, in this modern society full of material desires and limited resources, there will inevitably be times when they fall hard or get injured.

This little girl is testing me. Su Can understood the implication—that his decision to treat them to dinner showed how much he valued their relationship. Having a candlelit dinner at an upscale restaurant in Shanghai or sitting in an affordable yet famous old brand's establishment while watching cars pass by was all part of it.

Imagine Tang Wu's boyfriend treating her dorm mates to somewhere special, that would be quite the covert and boastful topic on campus.

"I haven't decided yet." Su Can scratched his head.

Hesitating and looking around nervously with evasive language, his score was only hovering around passing level.

Cheng Congcong sneered inwardly. She thought Tang Wu's boyfriend must be outstanding, but her own high school sweetheart had once invited the whole class to a luxurious overnight room at KTV without hesitation. Although they eventually broke up, no one could match what he did until now.

"Then take your time and think about it. No rush." As Cheng Congcong prepared to pass by him with an obviously condescending tone,

she suddenly felt the ribbon tied to her bikini being pulled off quickly.

The little boy who had come back after leaving earlier tugged at the ribbon and ran away gleefully, taking revenge.

Standing tall, Cheng Congcong felt a sudden chill in her chest as the small part of her body seemed to drift down towards the pool floor. Su Can stood right in front of her, looking extremely innocent.

Cheng Congcong didn't scream or gasp as expected; instead, Su Can’s eyes swept over her body harshly before he brushed past her saying, "I didn’t see anything." He secretly praised Tang Wu's roommate for her great figure.

In a much better mood now, Su Can walked towards Tang Wu who was sitting by the poolside and took her hand. Pointing to the bar counter in the swimming area, he said, “Let’s go buy some drinks.”

Outside the swimming complex was a hallway leading to the hotel's restaurant. The PVC anti-slip floor of the pool turned into small steps that then connected with the marble tiles of the hotel corridor. A few potted plants separated the sand chairs by the pool from an external bar counter, and people passing through the corridor could easily see this scene. From the second-floor dining room, one could also look down directly at the swimming complex.

Tang Wu got up to follow him with a nod and lightly held Su Can's hand. Feeling Tang Wu’s soft chest pressing against his arm made Su Can feel uncomfortable.

Su Can’s swim trunks suddenly became tight.

The moment Tang Wu’s gaze happened to sweep over, she tightened her grip on Su Can’s arm involuntarily and quickly averted her eyes, her heart racing.

Feeling extremely embarrassed, Su Can ignored the sharp glances from Cheng Congcong as he continued walking hand in hand with Tang Wu past her.

The two of them arrived at the corridor separated by potted plants.

A group of shadowy figures could be seen approaching.

"Why isn’t the child answering the phone This is unusual."

"No one in their dormitory answered either. Perhaps she’s studying or in the library, without her cell phone or with it on silent—both normal scenarios. It’s our fault for coming unexpectedly and not giving them a heads-up."

Mu Xuan was making the call while Tang Father spoke nearby to some other people, exchanging greetings amiably.

In that evening, as Tang Wu walked out of the swimming area with Su Can in tow, both of them dressed only in swimsuits and without any prior warning or preparation, they encountered Tang Father and Tang Mother who had yet to leave Shanghai for their business trip.

(To be continued)lly compared to students like Zhang Xian and Zhu Zhiyu.All of this stemmed from every step Su Can took since his rebirth, carefully cultivated by him."Su Can."As he descended the administrative buildi...