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The college entrance exams were finally over, and regardless of how well or poorly everyone had performed, there was a collective sense of relief.
Hu Ruoyun seized the opportunity to ask Tong Caiying, "How did it go?"
Tong Caiying replied with a relaxed expression, "I think it went okay."
Seemingly casually, Hu Ruoyun mentioned, "The new Beer Duck next to New Daxin is hiring servers. Are you interested in a summer job? I think it pays around 120 yuan a month."
Tong Caiying's eyes lit up. "I'll ask about it when I get back." She gave him a grateful look.
Before the exams, Hu Ruoyun had made plans with Brother Biao, Jiang Qiuying, and Zhao Hongtao to celebrate their completion with a nice meal together.
Hong Tao had already received his high school diploma and was in the process of completing his formal employment paperwork. Once everything was finalized, his income would significantly increase. He was vying for the "treating rights" for this gathering: "You always pay when we eat together; this time, I'm not giving you that chance!"
As someone who had been through it all, Hu Ruoyun believed that high school classmates were the most precious connections to cherish at different stages of life. In elementary school and middle school, everyone was still immature; friendships were merely playmates. In college, most people prioritized practicality and utility, losing that purity of friendship. Only high school friendships remained genuine and sincere. However, he also valued and cherished the few remaining classmates from middle school (including Li Xiangqian) from the bottom of his heart.
When he arrived at the agreed restaurant with Brother Biao, Zhao Hongtao was already there, having ordered dishes in advance and prepaid 200 yuan at the front desk.
— This classmate was certainly more reliable than the character described in The Little Black Chubby One's skit: “When it’s time to settle the bill, he digs into his pockets with one hand, pretending to be on a call or acting drunk…”
Jiang Qiuying arrived fashionably late, accompanied by an unexpected guest: Zhang Meina.
Zhang Meina spoke before she even entered fully: "Sorry for crashing your gathering!"
Zhao Hongtao had been out in society for over a year and was quite adept at social interactions; he stood up to greet her warmly: "She's our classmate Qiuying and also our friend! Come on in!"
Hu Ruoyun quickly joined in to welcome her as well.
It was hot outside, so they all ordered chilled beer, with each girl having her own glass.
As Hong Tao poured drinks for everyone, he asked Brother Biao, "Debiao, now that the exams are over, what are your plans for this time?"
Brother Biao replied carefree, "Haven't thought about it yet; I just want to have some fun for a few days first," as he took a big gulp of beer.
"What about Qiuying?" Zhao Hongtao continued to inquire.
Jiang Qiuying smiled brightly. "My aunt's youngest daughter is going into Junior Three now. She asked me to stay at her house for a month to tutor my little cousin."
"I’m going to the Provincial Capital," Hu Ruoyun said before Hong Tao could ask.
Zhang Meina's eyes lit up. "When are you planning to go? I want to visit my brother for a few days and was just looking for someone to accompany me!"
Jiang Qiuying paused for a moment, glancing at Hu Ruoyun with a hint of concern.
Hu Ruoyun readily agreed, "Sure!"
She continued, "Tomorrow morning at eight. I’ve arranged to meet Mao Na’s dad at the bus station, so just come on time."
Zhang Meina's mood suddenly dropped as she said regretfully, "I still need to go home first to tell my parents and pack some clothes... Tomorrow... I might not be able to make it."
Jiang Qiuying let out a sigh of relief.
After chatting and finishing a few bottles of beer, Zhang Meina asked Hu Ruoyun, "How long will you be staying in Jiangcheng? If it’s for a while, we could hang out together there!"
Jiang Qiuying turned her gaze back to Hu Ruoyun.
Hu Ruoyun remained unfazed. "I’m just going with Mao Na’s dad to check on her. I’ll probably be back in a day or two."
Zhang Meina replied, "Oh, then maybe there won’t be a chance."
Jiang Qiuying asked Hu Ruoyun, "Isn’t summer vacation starting in the city? Doesn’t Sister Mona’s school have a break?"
Hu Ruoyun explained, "They’re under a commissioned training program, so their schedule doesn’t align with the school’s. She said they do have summer vacation, but it might not start until the end of July."
In reality, after dinner that day, Hu Ruoyun took the bus home, packed a few changes of clothes, and told her parents she was going to the Provincial Capital. Zhao Meirong was delighted and packed a big bag of treats for Hu Ruoyun to take to Mao Na.
The next morning, Hu Ruoyun set off early with her things and took the bus back to Annan County City. At the ticket counter in the station, she bought a ticket for the bus to Jiang City and headed off alone to the Provincial Capital.
Mao Na had advised her to keep her distance from Zhang Meina; if she didn’t avoid suspicion, it would be hard to explain later even if nothing happened.
Looking at Jiang Qiuying's expression, she felt that any misstep could lead to disapproval.
At that time, there were no highways from Annan to Jiangcheng yet; they had to pass through four toll stations on Provincial Road. The driver kept picking up passengers along the way. They left Annan around nine in the morning and didn’t reach Jiangcheng until nearly one in the afternoon.
Not bothering to eat, Hu Ruoyun followed the travel route mentioned in Mao Na's letter. She took Bus No. 9 from the long-distance bus station and got off at the Huayuan Road Post and Telecommunications Design Institute stop.
Worried about getting lost due to her poor sense of direction, she even sketched a “transportation route map” on some draft paper.
The city was crowded with people; on the bus, most passengers had to stand as there were hardly any seats available. They traveled several stops without seeing anyone get off.
Suddenly, a woman’s voice rang out: “My wallet! Give me back my wallet!”
Then Hu Ruoyun saw a short-haired woman in her thirties who had been fiddling with her camera suddenly grab hold of a young man in his twenties whose hair was longer than hers and wouldn’t let go!
The man glared at her fiercely, "Don't talk nonsense! Who took your wallet?"
The woman refused to let go, "I saw it! It's in the pocket of the coat draped over your arm!"
A passenger stood up to support the woman, "If you didn't take it, just turn your pocket inside out for her to see!"
Unbeknownst to them, the two men near the door, one with a little mustache and the other with a buzz cut, were in cahoots with the pickpocket. They each revealed a shiny blade, "What are you shouting about? Mind your own business!" The entire bus fell silent.
The man with the little mustache was forcefully pushed away by the woman and broke free from her grasp. "Get out of the way! Let me off!" The passengers hurriedly made space for him, creating a narrow passage, while those at the door squeezed aside to let the three men through.
The bus was about to reach its stop, and the three pickpockets were ready to flee as soon as the doors opened.
Hu Ruoyun felt a surge of adrenaline and shouted at the driver, "Don’t open the door!"
As he spoke, he climbed up using the overhead handrail and squeezed himself closer to the door. He didn't approach directly but used a pull-up motion to launch himself into the air, kicking the long-haired man standing on the highest step in the chest.
Due to the limited space, Hu Ruoyun's kick wasn't very powerful, but it sent the long-haired man tumbling towards the door, landing right on top of his two accomplices on the next step down. For a moment, they all became entangled together, their blades nearly cutting each other.
Hu Ruoyun then moved forward, grabbing the long-haired man's hair and yanking him towards himself before shoving him away. The little mustache man and buzz cut were pinned beneath their fallen comrade.
With someone taking action and the situation turning favorable, five or six passengers stood up together to subdue and restrain the three men. When they searched the long-haired man's clothes, they indeed found a woman's wallet hidden inside.
The evidence was undeniable.
As the bus reached its stop, someone used a nearby public phone to call the police while others held onto the three pickpockets...
Soon after, a police car arrived to take the three thieves away. They also asked the victim and several brave citizens to go to Xifeng Road Police Station to give their statements.
Despite Hu Ruoyun's reluctance, it was a necessary procedure.
By the time they finished giving their statements, two hours had passed. The woman who lost her wallet repeatedly thanked everyone and insisted on taking a group photo with them and several officers from Xifeng Road Police Station. She handed Hu Ruoyun a business card that read Lai Wen from Jiangcheng Evening News Agency, Social News Department Reporter.
After leaving Xifeng Road Police Station and transferring onto another bus, they finally arrived at Post and Telecommunications Design Institute just before five in the afternoon. Hu Ruoyun felt both exhausted and hungry but was relieved to see the entrance of Jiangbei Postal and Telecommunications School right in front of him.
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