Does this count as a date?

Watching Zhao Dongchuan's concerned expression and feeling the warmth from his arm, Runye's heart pounded like a small train, fierce and ardent.

At this moment, she actually lost herself in thought, recalling the scene when she taught the children what 'butterflies in the stomach' meant a while ago.

Is this what 'butterflies in the stomach' feels like for her right now?

"Runye... Runye!"

Zhao Dongchuan looked at Runye's dazed expression and thought she was scared silly, so he quickly called out to her.

Hearing his call, Runye came back to her senses, her face flushing instantly.

She quickly pushed away Zhao Dongchuan's hands.

"I'm... I'm fine..." Runye patted her chest, breathing heavily, and whispered.

"Comrade, what's going on with you? Didn't you see someone here?" Zhao Dongchuan's face darkened as he reprimanded the man on the bicycle.

"I'm sorry, young Comrade, I just turned the corner and didn't have time... and this female Comrade was walking too fast!"

The cyclist was a middle-aged man in his forties. He had already stopped his bicycle and spoke with a face full of apologies.

"Female Comrade, how are you? Are you injured?"

"I'm fine... Comrade, this is also my fault. I was indeed walking too fast..." Runye calmed herself down and smiled at the man.

"Alright, as long as you're okay..."

The man then turned to Zhao Dongchuan and said, "Young Comrade, your agility is remarkable. You came darting over from so far away and managed to save this female Comrade in time... You've saved both of us, and we both owe you our thanks!"

As he spoke, he gave him a thumbs-up.

Feeling that his attitude had been a bit off earlier, Zhao Dongchan also said somewhat awkwardly, "My attitude was not good just now, I apologize to you..."

"Hahaha, young men are often hot-headed for a beauty! I understand..." The man said with a laugh.

At these words, both Zhao Dongchuan and Runye became a little embarrassed.

"Well, you young people have a good chat... I'll be going now!"

"Alright, you go ahead!"

"Comrade, goodbye!"

Watching the man ride away on his bicycle, both of them fell silent, unsure of what to say... The atmosphere suddenly became a little awkward.

Finally, Zhao Dongchuan said, "Runye, let's go, I'll accompany you to do some shopping!"

"Don't you have to work?"

"My job doesn't require me to be in the office. I'm a writer now, big or small. Have you ever seen a writer who can produce good works in an office...?" Zhao Dongchuan teased with a laugh.

That scene just now seemed to have broken the barrier between them... Both of them had a tacit understanding; although it wasn't explicitly stated, they both already knew a little about the other's feelings.

Runye also returned to her usual quietness and straightforwardness.

The two of them strolled along, recounting their recent situations.

"Are your parents doing well in Beijing?"

Runye heard that Zhao Dongchuan had taken leave for Chinese New Year, and also asked with concern.

"They're doing very well. My mother's health has also improved! She's not as weak as she used to be..."

"Is Beijing fun?"

"It's alright. In winter, young people like to go ice skating at Shichahai, and in summer, they eat popsicles... drink beer... if they have a bit of money, they like to go to the Old Moscow Restaurant... young guys especially like to 'pai pozi'... 'cha jia'... or buy tickets to go on dates in the park..."

When he mentioned dating, Zhao Dongchuan's tone suddenly softened a bit.

Did he and Runye count as dating now?

It didn't seem so; they hadn't planned a date. Runye had gone to find Du Lili, and then left them behind.

Zhao Dongchuan was lost in thought.

"What does 'pai pozi' mean?" Runye asked curiously, her eyes wide.

Looking at her delicate, pretty face and tempting lips, with an expression like a curious baby, Zhao Dongchuan couldn't help but feel a surge of impulse. These cherry lips... they must taste good, right?

"Well, 'pai pozi'... to put it bluntly, it's when you see a beautiful girl you like, you try to strike up a conversation with her by provoking or bothering her... to make friends!" Zhao Dongchuan smiled slightly, explaining.

Runye frowned slightly and said, "Isn't that just being a hooligan?"

"Uh... if you want to understand it that way, it's actually not wrong!" Zhao Dongchuan gave an awkward smile.

"Then what is 'cha jia'...?"

"This 'cha jia' roughly means a group of young men with excess energy, who, over some trivial matter, gather people to meet in a certain place for a group fight!"

"Ah!!!"

"Are young people in Beijing all so fierce?" Runye looked at him with a surprised expression.

In Huangyuan, she had never heard of such things. Fights among classmates happened, but they weren't so rampant, and the scale wasn't so large.

"Uh, actually, most young people in Beijing are honest kids. A few... only a few people are like that. Some children from big compounds and troublemakers from the alleyways don't get along... so it's easy for trouble to start!"

"Have you ever 'pai pozi'?" Runye raised an eyebrow and suddenly asked.

Zhao Dongchuan thought back. The original owner seemed to have done this quite a bit, but he never succeeded and was ridiculed for it many times.

"No, I haven't done it. Am I that kind of person? I'm an honest man!" Zhao Dongchuan said with a chuckle.

Yes, I haven't done it. All that was done by the original owner, what does it have to do with me?

...The two chatted and walked, and Zhao Dongchuan occasionally bought some things for Runye. Runye didn't refuse either. Time passed quickly, and it was soon dinner time.

"Let's go, I'll treat you to dinner..." Zhao Dongchuan said.

"No... I'll treat you tonight... You bought me a lot of things, and... and saved me once, so I definitely have to treat you tonight..."

Seeing Runye's determined expression, he couldn't refuse... so he had to agree.

The two found a state-run restaurant, and Runye ordered several dishes according to Zhao Dongchuan's preferences... "Have you been studying recently?" Zhao Dongchuan suddenly thought of it and asked during dinner.

"Uh... no, I haven't read any books since I started working, and my state hasn't been very good lately!" Runye was a little confused, not knowing why he asked.

Zhao Dongchuan whispered, "I heard that the college entrance examination will resume after a while, with a unified test in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and Chinese... the promotion of 'blank paper heroes' will no longer be encouraged!"

"If you have an idea, you can try... I plan to take the college entrance examination..."

"This matter is not yet certain, it's just my guess... Don't tell anyone outside, you can think about it..."

With that, Zhao Dongchuan continued to eat.

Runye was also thoughtful. No wonder Xiaoxia has been doing math, physics, and chemistry problems recently, and often studies and reads with Shaoping. Could it be that Zhao Dongchuan has been guiding them behind the scenes?

...