Chapter 52: Revelry by the Sea (Part Two)

Just as Chen Erpao had predicted, with only the final lap remaining, Wang Xuemei suddenly surged ahead, overtaking several competitors in quick succession. She pressed close behind the leader, launching into her final sprint.

“Come on! Xuemei, you can do it.” Chen Erpao silently cheered her on in his heart.

Twenty meters, ten meters—only three meters left to the finish line. Wang Xuemei was still trailing the leader by a narrow margin. Determination flashed across her lovely face as she found a final burst of speed, but it was already too late. The first-place runner crossed the finish line.

Though Wang Xuemei hadn’t managed to claim first place, her second-place finish was already beyond Chen Erpao’s expectations. Watching her, face glistening with sweat, he wanted to hand her a towel, but the crowd of students and teachers made such an open gesture on campus inadvisable, so he could only watch quietly from the side.

After a brief rest, Wang Xuemei ran straight over to Chen Erpao.

“Sigh! I was so close! Since I didn’t get first place, are you still going to take me to Disneyland next week?” She looked at him with a touch of playful grievance.

“You said it yourself—how could I not take you? Otherwise, I’ll be stuck sleeping on the couch tonight!” Chen Erpao replied with a humorous grin.

Wang Xuemei glanced around, and seeing that no one was nearby, she rolled her beautiful eyes and pinched him hard at the waist.

“Will you keep me company tonight? I haven’t gone out shopping in days,” she said with a slight pout and a gentle smile.

Chen Erpao was about to agree wholeheartedly, but remembered he’d promised Chen Liu not long ago. His face showed a hint of awkwardness—who would have guessed Wang Xuemei would want to go out tonight?

“How about tomorrow? I’ll spend the whole day with you, no matter what happens—even if the sky falls or the earth splits, I’ll be by your side.” Chen Erpao put on an earnest expression, which dispelled most of Wang Xuemei’s displeasure and even coaxed a playful giggle from her.

“Alright then. I’ll go out with some girlfriends tonight. But remember what you promised—if you stand me up tomorrow, I’ll make sure you sleep on the couch, hmph.” Wang Xuemei teased with a mischievous smile.

Watching her sweet smile, Chen Erpao thought that if they weren’t standing on the sports field, he might have already pulled her pants down—let her talk about making him sleep on the couch; he’d just give her a good spanking first.

By just before six o’clock, the day’s competitions had ended. After seeing Wang Xuemei home, Chen Erpao immediately dialed Chen Liu’s number.

“Hello, Chen Liu! I’m coming to pick you up—let’s have dinner by the seaside together.”

“Alright, wait for me at the entrance, I’ll be right there.” Hearing Chen Erpao’s voice, Chen Liu was delighted and quickly agreed.

After waiting less than ten minutes, Chen Liu appeared. She wore a pure white long dress, her hair draped over her shoulders, presenting a completely different style from before. If, previously, she’d given Chen Erpao the impression of boldness and charm, now she seemed fresh and demure, like a shy young woman. Of course, it was only a change of attire—anyone could do that.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” Chen Liu apologized as she got into the car.

Chen Erpao looked her over with genuine appreciation, noticing her hair was still slightly damp and fragrant, her exposed shoulders glistening with droplets—she must have just showered.

With a casual smile, he replied, “Not at all, I just got here myself. You look beautiful tonight, like a princess.” He spoke without hesitation, flattering her shamelessly.

“Thank you.” Chen Liu smiled softly, then suddenly leaned over and her delicate lips brushed his cheek, light as a dragonfly on water.

Chen Erpao was unfazed, half-joking, “What was that just now? Something seemed to touch my face, but it was so quick I barely felt it.”

To his surprise, Chen Liu blushed—he wondered if she’d looked so bashful when she’d been pleasing Li Ziyang in the car the other day.

“Greedy,” she murmured, but this time she repeated the gesture slowly, letting her lips linger against his cheek. Chen Erpao could clearly feel their warmth.

After about half an hour’s drive, the car pulled into the parking lot at Sunshine Beach Park, which was already packed with upscale cars.

Naturally, Chen Liu slipped her arm through his as they walked toward an elegant restaurant in the park. Whether intentional or not, she pressed herself closer to him, letting him feel her softness and curves.

Inside, the restaurant was nearly full of young men and women in their twenties, the walls decorated with posters advertising a free beach party. The two found a seat by the window, looking every bit the affectionate couple in others’ eyes.

They had just finished ordering when four all-too-familiar figures entered—Nangong Yu, Murong Pei, Shangguan Ying, and Sima Hong, the four beauties, had arrived together. Nangong Yu’s cool demeanor and Shangguan Ying’s adorable expression hadn’t changed at all.

The four immediately spotted Chen Erpao and, like him, were momentarily stunned. It seemed fate had a way of crossing their paths wherever they went. Shangguan Ying, however, looked at him with undisguised annoyance, clearly thinking, “What a small world for enemies.”

“Hi, what a coincidence! Didn’t you say you’d treat us to dinner sometime? Why not tonight?” After exchanging glances, the four beauties strode over to Chen Erpao’s table, and Shangguan Ying flashed a rare, brilliant smile.

Chen Erpao widened his eyes, thinking these four stunners must have conspired to wring a lavish meal out of him—and seemed certain he wouldn’t refuse.

“Of course! Let me introduce you—this is Chen Liu, also from Lingnan University.” After all, it was just a meal, and dining with four gorgeous women at such close quarters was worth the price.

He and Chen Liu had already ordered, but with four more people, they had the waiter bring the menu again.

Nangong Yu, Murong Pei, and Sima Hong each chose a dish that was refined but not extravagant, but when the menu reached Shangguan Ying, she immediately ordered a bottle of red wine worth about two thousand yuan, followed by the restaurant’s two most expensive signature dishes.

Chen Erpao estimated the meal would cost nearly ten thousand yuan. A few days ago, that would have pained him enough for sleepless nights, but now things were different—he had money. Though he felt a slight twinge, he kept a bright, cheerful smile on his face.

Ye Qing had promised at least two chapters a day, and as promised, here's today's installment—word count: 2115.