Chapter 16: Town

Fen Yue Town wasn’t poor.

In fact, it ranked among the province’s wealthier towns.

As the hub for Tong County’s tourist attractions, it buzzed with activity—especially in summer, the peak season.

Still, it was just a town.

Its liveliness had limits.

For Sang Shen, coming from a big city, even its busiest days paled compared to an ordinary city center.

He stepped off the bus with Yin Xing in the town’s heart, greeted by a wave of noisy bustle.

Street vendors lined the roads, selling local snacks or bamboo baskets and bins.

Rickshaws parked everywhere, clogging the narrow streets, making it hard even for people to pass.

Unlike cities, no traffic police were in sight. The flow of people and vehicles relied on an unspoken understanding.

Though, more often, local drivers preferred honking to communicate.

The beep-beep-honk-honk never stopped after they got off.

Compared to the quiet village, this place brimmed with human energy, a comforting sense of being part of a crowd.

“Oh, Yin Xing, lots of young women around. You… don’t feel sick with your eyes open?”

“…Fine if I don’t get close.”

“Alright, let’s stick to the sides.”

Sang Shen grabbed her wrist gently.

“Tell me if you feel off.”

“…Everything feels off.”

“Uh… no helping that. Let’s take the alleys, fewer people than the main road…”

Sang Shen coughed, leading Yin Xing into a side lane.

In his past life, he’d gone to a big bike shop and overpaid. Later, he learned locals bought from a small shop on a slope, selling refurbished second-hand bikes—same models, often half the price.

With good picking, used bikes rode just fine.

“So many people… Next month, when students are on break, it’ll be even crazier. You know, I used to love the town’s swimming pool when I was here alone. Not just to cool off, ahem… summer meant lots of young girls there…”

Before Yin Xing could respond, he continued.

“But… after seeing your memories, I’ve lost some interest. Hard to believe so many women in the future are like that…”

“Women and petty men.”

Yin Xing’s words stopped there. A young woman approached from the alley’s other end. Yin Xing instinctively closed her eyes, her brows furrowing at the overpowering perfume.

Even Sang Shen muttered, “Damn, that perfume’s strong. And her makeup’s intense… you okay? Wanna stop and rest?”

“…Keep going.”

“Speaking of the future, besides your girlfriend, did other women… hurt you?”

“They’re best at playing weak, bullying others.”

Yin Xing took a deep breath.

“Treat them like beasts, and they respect you more.”

“But after all that, how didn’t you see your girlfriend was the same?”

“…I thought she was different.”

Yin Xing turned, staring earnestly into his eyes.

“So, there’s no difference. All women are the same.”

Sang Shen nodded, half-joking.

“Maybe we’ve been fooled by stories. Men are the purest, most sincere, kindest, best gender.”

Yin Xing blinked, her expression odd, then shook her head as if convincing herself otherwise.

Sang Shen dropped the topic, shifting to their plans.

“Once Uncle gets our household registration under his name, we can enroll in the town’s high school. I found our transcripts—we’ll get in.

There’s an entrance exam, but it doesn’t matter how you do. You’ll get in, just different classes.”

Her silence didn’t stop his chatter. Her quietness made him more talkative.

“It’d be nice to get a good class, but… I’ve forgotten most of my textbook stuff. You’ve probably forgotten more, working longer than me.

No big deal, though. If we study hard, teachers will like us, and we won’t have to deal with troublemakers.

During the entrance exam, I was so worried I’d fail and miss out. Turns out, it’s just for class placement. You get in no matter what. Some kids scored lower than me but got into top classes through connections…

Isn’t it true that in small places, connections matter more? That’s why I like big cities—no need to rely on strings for everything. Oh, I haven’t had the town’s egg burgers in ages.

If we see one, I’ll treat myself. Bit pricey, but life needs some joy, right?

What bike should we get? A bigger one? Or something comfy for you? Though bike seats seem the same—maybe add a towel for cushion.

When I worked in the city, I really wanted an electric scooter. So convenient, comfy—just expensive. I was saving up before crossing over, but that money’s gone, haha…

Is the town still like this in ten or twenty years? Any bigger, prettier buildings? Is it as bustling as S City now?”

“…Shut up.”

Yin Xing finally had enough.

“Talking keeps things lively. It helps me relax, you know? If I’m quiet, I overthink. You’re probably the same, right? Gotta be, since we’re the same person…”

Yin Xing’s eyelids drooped, tired.

“…Too many questions.”

“No worries, you don’t have to answer. I don’t mind. Pick what you wanna respond to.”

Sang Shen grinned.

“Think of me as a doctor, and we’re talking to heal your heart! Pretty cool, huh?”

Yin Xing didn’t reply, just shook off his hand, maybe showing annoyance.

Or maybe signaling—they’d arrived.

“Wow, that was fast. Past the town hospital already?”

Sang Shen glanced back, surprised, then hurried to a small repair shop.

A few worn-out second-hand bikes sat out front. The owner was leisurely patching a tire on an old 28-inch bike.

No one else was around, so the owner worked slowly, unhurried.

“Boss.”

“Hm? Buying a bike?”

The owner looked up, instantly reading their intent.

“Yeah… I want a cheap second-hand one. Just these out front?”

“More in my yard out back.”

The owner sped up, dipping the inner tube in a dark basin, pinpointing the puncture.

“What style you want? Any requirements?”

“Easy to ride, since I’ll be biking far after school.

And sturdy, since I’ll carry someone.”

The owner glanced at Yin Xing, her pale green hair and eyes not fazing him.

“Needs to carry someone and ride easy, right?”

“Yup, exactly.”

“A geared bike’s best for you.”

“Geared? That’s pricey, right?”

“For cheap, maybe a Giant.”

“How much?”

“Men’s bike, with a crossbar. Got two—one older for 120, one newer for 180.”

“Uh… kinda steep.”

Sang Shen gave an awkward smile.

“You get what you pay for. Brand’s better quality.”

“No-name’s fine. It won’t break right away, right?”

“For good quality, it’s heavier. No-name’s lighter.”

“Alright… as long as it rides smooth, I’ll pedal harder.”

“Then no need to check the yard. That one out front’ll do.”

Sang Shen followed the owner’s gaze to a blue bike, old-styled but heavily worn, paint chipped.

It’d been well-used—scratches everywhere.

“This one’s good. Looks old, but no missing parts. Everything’s solid, hubs aren’t warped, fenders intact.”

“How much?”

Sang Shen braced for haggling.

“Fifty. Take it, and I’ll swap the brake pads, put on a new chain, lube it up, and throw in a plastic basket.”

The price was already a deal. He could probably shave off five or ten more, but Sang Shen felt too shy to push.

The owner seemed honest…

“Uh… can I add a lock?”

“Rear wheel lock? Five yuan.”

“Alright… let’s do it?”

Sang Shen glanced nervously at Yin Xing, seeking her input.

“…With the lock, fifty.”

Sang Shen flushed, embarrassed, and looked at the owner.

“Fine, I’ll toss in the lock for free. Fifty total. If it breaks, bring it back here to fix—for a fee.”

“Got it, got it…”

Sang Shen hadn’t expected the haggle to work, excitement bubbling as he turned to Yin Xing.

She found it unremarkable, ignoring his gaze, saying softly—

“Twenty years later, this place still hasn’t been torn down…”