Ning Xue was mistaken about this point – regardless of whether Xia Xiaolan saw her as a competition or not, she had no intention of letting Ning Xue see the Jinsha Pool construction site.

This might seem a bit unsympathetic, but that’s just how Xia Xiaolan was. She could repay Ning Xue’s past kindness in other ways, but she wouldn’t joke around with her own business. After all, Ning Xue would see the complete residential complex eventually – there was no rush.

After National Day, Huaqing Continuing Education College held its entrance examination. Comrade Shao Guangrong took the test, and Kang Wei even came back from Pengcheng to support his good friend. Shao Guangrong scoffed: “You came back to see your girlfriend and used me as an excuse!”

While saying this, Shao Guangrong had Kang Wei in a headlock, his tone revealing obvious jealousy. Kang Wei’s face showed the glow of someone who had found true love, no wonder Shao Guangrong was irritated at the sight.

Zhou Cheng and Kang Wei seemed to have found the right person right away, while Shao Guangrong had dated so many girlfriends but never met someone he truly wanted to be with.

Xia Xiaolan had a clear perspective on this issue: “If you’re jealous of Kang Wei, now that the exam is over, go develop a proper relationship yourself. When you approach relationships with a casual attitude, you naturally attract people with similar mindsets.”

Wasn’t it just about not being careful enough the first time dating? This happens all the time – meeting the wrong person helps accumulate experience for when the right person comes along, making you treasure them more.

Shao Guangrong released Kang Wei, feeling somewhat embarrassed. “I want to focus on my studies first. I took the exam, but I don’t know if I passed yet.”

Shao Guangrong was worrying unnecessarily. Xia Xiaolan had previously given him this summer’s national college entrance exam papers, and he had scored 459 points on one set. While this score wouldn’t get him into Huaqing through the regular college entrance exam, it wasn’t low – it could get him into an undergraduate program in Beijing.

Shao Guangrong had felt quite regretful then, wishing he had tried taking the actual exam. The opportunity was missed, and if asked to study another year for the ’86 college entrance exam, even he felt the preparation period would be too long to maintain. After all, he had a job, and he was doing quite well, being highly valued at his workplace – how could he devote himself entirely to studying?

Having verified his capabilities, Shao Guangrong felt less regretful. At least he knew he had the ability to attend university and wasn’t inferior to others, which eased his mind.

“Comrade Shao Guangrong, excessive modesty is just another form of pride. You’ve studied for so long – how could you not pass this exam?”

Huaqing’s continuing education entrance exam was essentially an adult college entrance exam, aimed at people seeking further education, and Shao Guangrong was quite competitive among this group.

Xia Xiaolan’s words acknowledged his abilities, making Shao Guangrong grin as he put Kang Wei in another headlock: “Kang Zi, when are you going to invite your girlfriend out for a meal?”

Kang Wei glared at him. When Shao Guangrong needed favors, he called him “brother,” but now that he had paid back the money he owed, he was calling him “Kang Zi” – he was just shameless. Though Shao Guangrong was actually older than both Kang Wei and Zhou Cheng, his Ferning made him call Zhou Cheng “brother”… it was a childhood trauma, being unable to beat Zhou Cheng, what else could he call him but “brother”?

Calling him brother meant avoiding beatings, and he’d gotten used to it from childhood, even though he was older than Zhou Cheng.

While Shao Guangrong wanted to meet Single Yujun, Kang Wei sighed, “Sister-in-law Xiaolan, last time I invited Little Dan to Pengcheng, she didn’t agree.”

Kang Wei had enthusiastically planned the trip but was met with cold water, not knowing what had upset his girlfriend. Xia Xiaolan was overwhelmed hearing this – after all, it was her idea.

Xia Xiaolan should have considered that she had modern perspectives, while Dan Yujun was truly a girl born in the 60s, living in the 80s. This was Dan Yujun’s first relationship, and when Kang Wei suggested going to Pengcheng just the two of them, she had her concerns.

Xia Xiaolan and Zhou Cheng had become very close in a short time, but Dan Yujun wasn’t like her.

Xia Xiaolan thought for a moment, “Maybe you should invite more people to go together?”

Kang Wei muttered to himself: “But I don’t know Little Dan’s roommates and classmates…”

Even Xia Xiaolan glared at him now.

Shao Guangrong commented sarcastically from the side: “There’s one of Little Dan’s classmates right in front of you!”

“Kang Wei, most people favor romance over friendship, but you’re particularly severe.”

Xia Xiaolan spoke with mock gravity. Kang Wei became nervous, “Sister-in-law, I’m just not thinking straight, you know my brain was hit by a car, so I’m not very smart now.”

Shao Guangrong cursed Kang Wei for being shameless, using his accident to gain sympathy.

After they finished their banter, Xia Xiaolan said, “Why don’t we ask Senior Dan if she wants to go to Ji Bei Province this weekend? I want to see Zhou Cheng. Last time when I went fishing at the reservoir with Zhou Cheng, we could hunt in the back mountains. It would be more lively with all of you there.”

Xia Xiaolan meant for Shao Guangrong to come too – it was the weekend, and he had just finished his exam, so it would be nice to relax.

Since Kang Wei didn’t drive, Xia Xiaolan and Shao Guangrong could take turns driving there.

Both agreed to the proposal and when Kang Wei asked Dan Yujun, she agreed readily this time.

On Saturday morning, Shao Guangrong brought out Kang Wei’s 212 and brought along an unfamiliar girl wearing dramatic eye makeup and red lipstick, clearly someone who hung around the streets… Shao Guangrong had found himself a date to avoid being single.

“This is Sister-in-law Xiaolan. Little You, you better show respect.”

Despite her flashy appearance, Little You had a nice temperament, politely greeting Xia Xiaolan in a gentle voice.

Xia Xiaolan also softened her voice, “Hello Little You, since this is our first meeting, please don’t feel nervous.”

A temporary date might not be seen again, but Xia Xiaolan didn’t treat her dismissively. Who was anyone to look down on others? Everyone had their way of life, and Shao Guangrong and Little You were both willing participants.

Because of Little You’s last-minute addition, the three women sat in the back, with Shao Guangrong driving and Kang Wei in the passenger seat.

“Senior Dan…”

Dan Yujun responded graciously, “Xiaolan, you can just call me by my name from now on. We’re classmates at school and friends outside – don’t you agree?”

Hearing Dan Yujun’s words, Kang Wei puffed up his chest – having such an excellent girlfriend in every way made him particularly proud.

Shao Guangrong gave Kang Wei a withering look, his smugness was painful to see – it’s just a girlfriend as if no one else had one. Shao Guangrong looked at his date Little You through the rearview mirror, sitting between Xia Xiaolan and Dan Yujun, the contrast was stark.

Perhaps it was time to find a serious girlfriend?

But no more blind dates – he feared his family would introduce someone like Tong Lili again, he’d rather stay single.

This trip to see Zhou Cheng wasn’t boring at all. Xia Xiaolan and Dan Yujun were already familiar with each other, and though Little You were reserved at first, by halfway through the journey, she had opened up and was quite amusing.

Xia Xiaolan thought to herself that she was about to experience group dating.

Something she never had in her previous life – in this second chance, she was making up for all her regrets.