This person really knows how to be reborn!

Chapter 52 Another Misplaced Trust

"Just kidding, just trying to lighten the mood, don't take it personally."

Zeng Cheng smiled and waved his hand, his brows no longer showing any teasing, only sincerity.

"Classmates, at our age, we are arrogant and overconfident, but in reality, we have nothing. However, I still hope that you can remember who you are now."

"Remember this clumsy yet passionate self, this humble yet arrogant self, this proud yet frank self, remember this self who had nothing but could give everything."

As he spoke, he raised his glass and toasted the group from afar.

"This toast is for everyone—"

Whether you achieve great success or remain unknown, I hope everyone can find their own destiny in the unexpected journey of life!

"Life is more than just the present hardships; it also includes bonfires filled with stories and poems painted with the moonlight. I hope that after half a lifetime of wandering, everyone can return still a youth at heart!"

Everyone listened quietly, and after a long while, thunderous applause broke out.

Zeng Cheng's words truly resonated with them, and they were naturally able to empathize with him.

Ye Qiong also clapped along, her eyes even reddening slightly.

Compared to these young people, she, in her thirties, has a deeper understanding.

What Zeng Cheng wanted everyone to remember—the dazzling youthful spirit—is indeed invaluable.

Is such that.

It is impossible for a person to simultaneously possess youth and the feeling of youth.

At the gathering, all the classmates drank alcohol, and they all drank too much. Even Zeng Cheng was about 70% drunk.

There was a little incident in the middle—Sun Jiangang, who had a falling out with Zeng Cheng some time ago, took the initiative to have a drink with Zeng Cheng and formally apologized to him, saying that he had lost his temper at the arcade that day and asked Zeng Cheng not to take it to heart.

Even the way they addressed Zeng Cheng was changed to "Brother Cheng"—even though Sun Jian was a few months older than Zeng Cheng.

Zeng Cheng drank this glass of wine.

Because he could empathize with Sun Jiangang—who didn't go through the same thing back then?

A teenager's possessiveness and jealousy when he has nothing are not, in essence, dog's balls, but they really shouldn't be ridiculed.

After finishing his drink, Sun Jian started talking non-stop.

"Brother Cheng, Xiao Qian has already talked to me and made it clear that she doesn't like me at all. I've been upset for days, but I've also realized that you can't force a relationship."

Zeng Cheng shrugged: "Gangzi, you can't say that. A forced melon may not be sweet, but it can quench your thirst."

Sun Jiangang: "???"

Zeng Cheng laughed heartily: "Gangzi, what I mean is, I'm quite pleased that you have such a clear self-awareness. Then again, there are plenty of fish in the sea, why be hung up on just one? You're not bad looking; once you get to university, you'll easily find a girlfriend!"

Sun Jiangang's eyes immediately lit up: "Brother Cheng—do you have any advice for me? With my looks and qualifications, what kind of girlfriend should I look for?"

Perhaps it was the keyword "girlfriend" that triggered the conversation, because many of the boys in the class who had never been in a relationship perked up their ears.

"This one—"

After thinking for a moment, Zeng Cheng held up three fingers.

"First, she has to make you happy; that's called emotional value."

"Secondly, she needs to have her own career, which is called a material foundation."

"Third, she should enjoy doing housework, and preferably be able to cook; that's called knowing how to manage a household."

Sun Jiangang's brows furrowed more and more as he listened.

"Brother Cheng, are you telling a science fiction story? A girl with so many good qualities, is that something I could find?"

"Let me finish. There's one more crucial point—" Zeng Cheng said seriously, raising his fourth finger, "Whatever you do, don't let those three meet!"

The students: "..."

Zeng Cheng's sudden outburst almost broke everyone's backs.

The party didn't end until almost 11 p.m.

The students in the class went home to find their own mothers.

After being upset and crying at the arcade that day, Xia Ning broke her promise and vowed never to talk to Zeng Cheng again. Before leaving, she took the initiative to talk to Zeng Cheng again, fueled by alcohol.

Under the dim yellow light at the entrance of the hot pot restaurant, Xia Ning, her eyes red, said, "Zeng Cheng, can't we really go back to how things were before?"

"Back to the past?" Zeng Cheng immediately frowned. "Xia, are you talking about the past when I was always fawning over you, like a lapdog being bossed around? When you were happy, you'd give me a bone, and when you weren't, you'd give me the cold shoulder, making me try every trick in the book to please you?"

Zeng Cheng also drank quite a bit today, so he certainly wasn't as restrained in his speech as he would be when he was sober.

Xia Ning bit her lip: "I really know I was wrong. Believe me, I won't treat you like that again."

Zeng Cheng rolled his eyes and casually summoned Li Xingzhi.

"Chih, do you remember what I told you a few days ago?"

Li Xingzhi was a little confused: "Brother Cheng, what did you say?"

Zeng Cheng started by saying, "Some people apologize to you—"

"It's not that I know I'm wrong, it's that I know I'm going to die!" Li Xingzhi immediately chimed in, "Brother Cheng, isn't that what you said? Just tell me I have a good memory!"

"Great!"

Zeng Cheng gave Li Xingzhi a thumbs-up, then looked at Xia Ning, who had a pitiful expression.

"So—Xia-kun, you understand what I mean, right?"

After saying that, he called to Li Xingzhi, hailed a taxi, and left.

Xia Ning stood rooted to the spot, tears welling up in her eyes. The streetlights shone on her delicate oval face, making her look like a mermaid crying to the moon.

Qi Jiahao's "hand warmer" update came just in time.

He said angrily, "Ningning, let's ignore that bastard Zeng Cheng. He'll regret it later. I'll take you home, okay?"

Looking at Qi Jiahao's ingratiating smile, Xia Ning suddenly pointed to the city stadium next to the hot pot restaurant.

Qi Jiahao immediately became excited: "Ningning, would you like to go for a walk with me at the stadium?"

Xia Ning looked disgusted: "Qi Jiahao, I wanted to tell you that the city stadium's running track was just renovated. It was done by my dad's company. It's made of plastic, and the quality is quite good."

"???"

Under Qi Jiahao's questioning gaze, Xia Ning added expressionlessly, "It's perfect for you to run laps."

Qi Jiahao: "..."

This boundless life, has it all been wasted again?

"Ningning—"

He clearly wanted to say something more, but Xia Ning was too lazy to listen. She simply told Qi Jiahao to "get lost," which was quite succinct.

It is said—or rather, just said.

On this moonless night, with only stars, a boy ran ten laps on the synthetic track of the city stadium.