Financial freedom starts from graduation

Chapter 280 Once Upon a Time
"Sister Xiwei, is this interesting to you?"

"Whether it's interesting or not, it doesn't seem to be up to you to decide."

"But sister, you...crossed the line."

"Yi Yi, what you said is even more meaningless. May I ask in what capacity you are intervening in this matter? As far as I know, Zhou Wang already has a girlfriend, and you are not one of them."

"Don't insult me ​​with such words."

"...Okay, I'll apologize to you, but shouldn't you apologize to me too? Do you know how long it took me to edit those photos?"

"If you delete them completely, I can apologize."

"Yi Yi, you're being boring again. Have you ever thought that some methods are not only for you to use, and your sister is not an orphan!"

"But you can't tell your family about this, right? My sister isn't an orphan, but sometimes she's very pitiful."

"..."

After saying this, Xia Xiwei fell silent.

Ding Yi put down his phone and looked at Zhou Wang with a smile: "How is it, this duck numbered 1.8 million tastes good, right?"

"It's okay... You didn't look very well just now, are you okay?"

Zhou Wang glanced at Ding Yi and asked with concern.

He didn't know who Ding Yi was messaging, but at a certain moment just now, he sensed Ding Yi's seemingly cold aura.

Perhaps it was because he had almost never seen the always sunny Ding Yi reveal that kind of cold expression. Even if it was only for a short second, Zhou Wang felt a little chilly.

"It's okay. Maybe it's because I ate too much dessert this afternoon. Now I feel a little nauseous~"

Ding Yi shook his head.

"Shall I ask Cherry to get you some medicine?"

Zhou Wang suggested.

Only Miao Ying came with the two of them, but she said she didn't want to eat roast duck, so she went to wait on the first floor. Yun Rou and Yun Lan stayed in the hotel.

Zhou Wang could see that the two girls really wanted to eat at Quanjude, but he didn’t know what happened when Ding Yi came in the afternoon. When Yun Rou and Yun Lan heard that they were going to eat with Ding Yi, they immediately shook their heads like rattles, so Zhou Wang didn’t force them.

"No, I'll just have some soup."

Ding Yi shook his head, then smiled and said, "I like you as a driver, and I think you have a good personality."

"Yes, he is very good. Although he doesn't talk much, his personality makes people feel relieved for some reason."

Zhou Wang nodded in agreement.

"How did you find it?" Ding Yi asked curiously.

"There's nothing special about her. I found her through a headhunting company. But her experience is quite special..."

While Zhou Wang was explaining, Ding Yi just rested his chin on his hand, staring at Zhou Wang, capturing every detail of his speech.

After Zhou Wang finished speaking, Ding Yi, who confirmed that Miao Ying and Zhou Wang probably had no ambiguous relationship, smiled even more charmingly, "If she needs language tutoring in the future, you can tell me. I know some online courses from famous schools that should be suitable for her."

"Okay, then I'll thank you on her behalf."

The meal was quickly finished with some chatting and laughing. The total bill for the two of us was 926, plus the 10% service charge, which was just over yuan.

It’s hard to say what the price is. For Zhou Wang today, it’s certainly nothing, but for ordinary wage earners, it’s obviously too high.

However, considering that many people come here with the intention of checking in and traveling, thinking of just having a meal and leaving, the number of people who can accept this price is actually greater than expected.

The prices of the Goubuli steamed buns next door are just as outrageous. It’s just a steamed bun, but you may not even be full if you spend hundreds of yuan. You can imagine how outrageous it is.

"Are you in a hurry to go back?"

Walking on the bustling streets of Wangfujing, the Waldorf Astoria Hotel was not far away. Ding asked after taking a look.

"Take a walk?"

Zhou Wang understood what she meant immediately, and smiled, just like he did when he was a freshman in college.

"Okay." Ding Yi smiled.

"wait a second."

Zhou Wang first turned around and found Miao Ying who had been following him silently. He whispered to her and asked her to buy a roast duck and bring it back to Yun Rou and Yun Lan. After Miao Ying nodded and left, he walked back.

The two walked side by side, along the brightly lit Wangfujing Street, slowly strolling towards Chang'an Avenue.

"So, you actually grew up in Beidu?"

Zhou Wang asked casually, but he was a little absent-minded, and his eyes couldn't help but turn his head to look at Ding Yi.

Ding Yi carried her Hermès small white bag to the other side, and her left hand hung at her side. As the two were relatively close to each other, Zhou Wang could probably reach it with just a stretch of his hand.

This scene made Zhou Wang feel a little dazed. There was a period in the past when the two of them often walked together on campus. It was the same at that time. Although Zhou Wang was not a coward at that time, he always did not dare to really hold this hand.

It's quite funny to think about it. Now Zhou Wang has been able to clearly realize that when a girl walks with you in this posture, it actually means...

She is willing to let you hold her hand.

"No, only my grandma and grandpa have always been in Beidu. I have been to many places with my parents, but the small county town is actually the one I am most familiar with... Hehe, didn't expect it, did you?"

Ding Yi blinked his eyes and said, "Maybe I have spent more time in the countryside than you."

"If you say so, then it is possible. I only went back to the village during the winter and summer vacations..."

Zhou Wang thought about it and smiled.

There were people coming and going on the street, but it was a big city after all, and even during the leisure time after dinner, most people were in a hurry, passing by the two of them with tired or numb looks.

"For some people, this is a shopping paradise, but for others, it's just a passageway for commuting to get off work every day."

Zhou Wang said softly with a slight sigh.

"Super first-tier cities can have higher incomes, but they will also inevitably bear greater pressure. Everything in the world always becomes unified in contradiction."

Ding Yi shook his head, showing no sympathy.

Zhou Wang was stunned for a moment, and after looking at Ding Yi, he said thoughtfully:

"I used to think I was more rational than you, but now I realize that you seem to be much more sober than me."

"Why do you have such an illusion?"

Ding Yi glanced at Zhou Wang, his eyes as clear as water, "If you were really rational, you wouldn't use evasive means to deal with our relationship."

Zhou Wang opened his mouth, speechless for a moment.

"But I can't say that you are completely sentimental. If you were sentimental enough, why would you be so hesitant to hold my hand at this moment?"

Ding Yi spoke again in a very soft voice at this time.

Zhou Wang felt somewhat helpless. It is said that if a girl is too smart, it will put a lot of pressure on boys. His eyes were so subtle, but Ding Yi still noticed it.

Just as Zhou Wang was thinking about what to say, a scream suddenly sounded from the street.

As Zhou Wang was looking at him in astonishment, two girls who looked like high school students ran over from the entrance of Wangfujing Watch City and stopped the two people who were walking.

"Excuse me, are you...are you Zhou Wang?"

One of the girls, who had a ponytail and a few freckles on her face, asked Zhou Wang with a little excitement.

Another girl quickly took out her cell phone, turned on the camera, and started recording a short video.

Seeing this, Ding Yi silently moved away.

"If there is no other Zhou Wang who is more famous than me, then that should be it."

Zhou Wang didn't expect that his "fan" group would spread to high school students. He nodded and smiled.

"Ah, it's really you. Can I...can I take a photo with you?"

"of course."

The two girls took turns taking photos with Zhou Wang, but what bothered Zhou Wang a little was that they didn't know whether they had no such awareness or they were too excited to remember it. When they hugged Zhou Wang's arm, their movements were too tight, which always made Zhou Wang feel like he was committing a crime. Fortunately, they didn't pester Zhou Wang for too long. After getting Zhou Wang's autograph, they walked away, looking back every few steps.

At this time, Ding Yi came back and smiled: "Now I know why you don't dare to hold my hand. It turns out that it's because you have an idol burden..."

"I'm not an internet celebrity, nor a star. I don't have any baggage!"

Zhou Wang also got annoyed, so he strode forward and directly pulled up Ding Yi's smooth palm. Because he used a little too much force, Ding Yi couldn't stand steadily for a moment and fell directly into Zhou Wang's arms.

But she was not panicked, nor did she struggle. She just supported Zhou Wang's chest with one hand and looked at him with a smile.

The lights are dim, the traffic is busy, and the young men and women looking at each other form a picture with timeless meaning.

Zhou Wang quickly coughed lightly, avoided Ding Yi's gaze, and walked forward with her hand, and Ding Yi followed obediently.

Crossing Wangfujing Street is Chang'an Avenue. From east to west, the famous square is in front.

In fact, Zhou Wang will definitely come to watch the flag-raising ceremony tomorrow morning and visit the Forbidden City, but it is also nice to take in the night view of the square at this point and visit the surrounding areas, which can be regarded as completing some tasks that belong to tourists in advance.

Pass the Great Hall and the Museum, then follow the long street next to the Forbidden City all the way to Beihai Park.

The last city walk was in Hangzhou with Jiang Qingkui, and this time it was in Beijing with Ding Yi.

Different people have different mental states.

Zhou Wang was particularly relaxed because Ding Yi always had this ability: no matter whether you spoke or not, she would never make you feel uncomfortable.

Generally speaking, Zhou Wang hates shopping, but as he chatted with Ding Yi from time to time, feeling the fresh fragrance like the evening breeze in the forest and the slippery feeling of sweat on his palms, Zhou Wang suddenly wished that this road would never end.

Faint sounds of music were heard from the front. Unknowingly, they had arrived near Houhai. In their sight was Houhai's famous bar street.

The lights of the bar reflected on the rippling water. The urban men and women in the feasting and revelry chose to drink alcohol, and then in the wanton hustle and bustle, threw all their unhappiness into the river.

Just at the bridgehead, Ding Yi suddenly stopped, turned around and looked at Zhou Wang with a smile:

"Hey, do you want to keep going like this?"

"..."

Looking at the girl in front of him who seemed to have all the charms in one, Zhou Wang remained silent, because he knew that Ding Yi was not asking this question at the moment.

If I say that I have no feelings for Ding Yi anymore, that would be a lie.

The white moonlight cannot be killed. It will only brew into a river in your heart, which will either surge silently or dry into a mark. Time will let you feel relieved, but it will not let you forget.

Unfortunately, Zhou Wang knew that Ding Yi was different from his senior schoolmate and Su Yajing. To accept her, Zhou Wang would have to give up too much.

She is as bright as the sunshine, and where the sunshine reaches, there can be no shadow.

"Thank you... Thank you everyone. The next song is dedicated to your youth!"

At this time, as a loud microphone sounded, outside the door of the first bar in Qiaotou, the singer who was singing at the door picked up the microphone and gave a brief explanation, then began to play the guitar in his arms.

As soon as the music started, there were many shouts of surprise inside and outside the bar, including from people passing by.

Ding Yi and Zhou Wang were also attracted and looked over slightly.

"The little yellow flower in the story has been floating since the year I was born. The swing of my childhood has been swinging with my memory until now. Re So So Si Do Si La... The day I skipped school for you, the day the flower fell, that room in the classroom, how could I not see it..."

After listening for a while, Zhou Wang suddenly laughed.

“It’s quite fitting.”

"uh-huh……"

Ding Yi also nodded and smiled, but then his smile faded. He stared at Zhou Wang, "Don't tell me that this is your answer..."

After Ding Yi finished speaking, without waiting for Zhou Wang to answer, she suddenly moved closer and leaned slightly on Zhou Wang again. When Zhou Wang looked over, she quietly closed her eyes.

Her eyelashes trembled slightly, and her flawless white face turned slightly red.

This was the first time Zhou Wang saw Ding Yi looking nervous after knowing each other for so long.

"I really want to ask you again, will you wait or leave..."

Just at this moment, the resident singer sang the line before the chorus, and his singing came to an abrupt end with the accentuation of a guitar strum.

The crowd around held their breath.

Zhou Wang hesitated for a while, but finally lowered his head and gently kissed Ding Yi on the forehead.

Ding opened his eyes and just looked at Zhou Wang, as if asking him: "What is this?"

"Once upon a time, there was someone who loved you for a long time, but unfortunately, the wind blew away the distance..."

At this time, the strumming of the guitar sounded again, accompanied by the singer's passionate singing and the chorus from the audience.

When Zhou Wang wanted to say something, Ding Yi had already raised his finger to cover his mouth, and then smiled:
"Do you know, Zhou Wang, there is actually another version of "Sunny Day"..."

Zhou Wang didn't understand, but Ding Yi didn't explain any further. She just wrinkled her nose, snorted, then let go of Zhou Wang's hand and walked to the other side of the bridge.

"I'm home now. Tomorrow morning, you come to this place and someone will take you to see her."

As she spoke, Ding Yi had already walked away with her hands behind her back. Zhou Wang could only hear her humming faintly:

"On this windy day, I tried to hold your hand..."

Zhou Wang stood there silently for a while, then walked to the door of the bar, put a thousand-yuan tip on the stage, turned around and left amid the singer's repeated thanks, and soon disappeared in the crowd.

……

When Zhou Wang returned to the courtyard suite at the Waldorf Astoria, the director of the credit card center of a branch of China Merchants Bank in Beidu had been waiting for him there for a long time.

"Mr. Zhou, this is your card. Please activate it yourself..."

The other party came to give him the CMB multi-currency VISA unlimited credit card. Zhou Wang took it in his hand and took a look at it. The appearance of the card was just average, even a little ugly, which did not quite meet Zhou Wang's aesthetic taste. But considering that the limit was 3000 million, Zhou Wang put up with it.

Moreover, this kind of card is more useful abroad and can save you a lot of trouble... Zhou Wang always has to go out and have fun.

Following the guidance of the director of the credit card center, Zhou Wang successfully activated the card quickly.

After sending the other party away, Zhou Wang linked the card to WeChat and Alipay, and randomly topped up 10,000 yuan of phone bills to try it out. After confirming that there was no problem, Zhou Wang went to bed.

……

Silent all night.

At four o'clock in the morning of the next day, Zhou Wang got up and went to watch the flag-raising ceremony accompanied by Miao Ying.

In fact, Zhou Wang got up not too late, but still did not get a front row seat. However, Zhou Wang did not care about this. He just wanted to witness the solemn moment that every Chinese citizen should experience.

After watching the flag-raising ceremony at around six o'clock, he went to the nearby alley to have breakfast. When Zhou Wang arrived at the bridgehead of Houhai again, it was exactly seven o'clock.

The middle-aged driver who had just been seen yesterday was waiting here. When he saw Zhou Wang, he walked over quickly. After saying hello, the driver took Zhou Wang to the entrance of an alley.

"Mr. Zhou, Miss Jiang Mo will pass by here soon. Also, this is my phone number. If you have any needs, not limited to cars, you can call me at any time. Just call me Lao He."

After handing Zhou Wang a business card, the driver Lao He left.

At this time, a light drizzle was falling from the sky. Miao Ying, who had checked the weather forecast in advance as instructed by Jiang Qingkui, took out the umbrella she carried with her, opened it, and stood behind Zhou Wang, silently shielding him from the rain.

Zhou Wang lit a cigarette, stood under the rain, and stared quietly ahead.

I don’t know how long it took, but a figure appeared at the end of the alley.

She was tall, and even with one hand holding the umbrella, her face could be clearly seen.

Her ascetic facial features, light makeup, and expressionless face made it impossible for the rain to conceal the cool aura emanating from her.

Her other hand was holding a book, covering her chest. She was wearing a tight white shirt and a conservative black skirt. Even so, her slim and well-proportioned curves were slightly revealed.

Zhou Wang was a little dazed, because Jiang Mo's outfit was exactly the same as the one she wore when they first met at the Provincial Library...

Time seems to overlap at this moment.

He met her again.

Jiang Mo was busy walking with her head slightly lowered, and did not notice Zhou Wang on the side of the road. It was not until she passed by that Zhou Wang smiled and followed her silently.

(End of this chapter)