Chapter 8

When Li Mu walked out of the barbershop with a can of mousse in his hand, it was as if he had become a different person.

His beard was long gone, and his hairstyle had undergone such a significant change that he had transformed from a well-behaved student into a bad boy like those in Hong Kong films and Korean dramas of the future. Coupled with his casual attire—worn-out cotton T-shirt, floral shorts, and flip-flops—he exuded a lazy and carefree charm. In this era, he was undoubtedly a handsome guy with both good looks and a unique aura.

As soon as Li Mu stepped out of the barbershop, Chen Wan arrived on a brand new Giant mountain bike. The young and beautiful girl, with her curvaceous figure, riding such a cool mountain bike, was truly a feast for the eyes.

Chen Wan's outfit today was very fresh: a beige and pink striped T-shirt that hugged her figure, and light blue skinny jeans. Especially when she was riding, her well-defined buttocks were particularly noticeable. She wore a pair of white Converse canvas shoes, and her simple, fresh, and eye-catching outfit was far superior to the bell-bottomed girls on the streets.

Although Chen Wan was three years older than Li Mu, in his eyes, a girl in her early twenties was still just a big girl, not quite a woman.

However, this big girl was just too beautiful, making even this thirty-something man feel a bit restless.

Li Mu was staring at Chen Wan when she looked up and their eyes met. Her face turned red instantly.

She didn't recognize who Li Mu was, but the moment their eyes met, she felt as if she had been electrocuted, feeling extremely nervous.

Girls of this era had never experienced a guy like Li Mu. Usually, they saw either hairy men or so-called fashionable teenagers dressed in all sorts of bizarre and colorful outfits.

Chen Wan lowered her head, not daring to look at Li Mu again, and instead hurriedly entered the barbershop. After looking around, she found no one except the shop owner, and muttered to herself, "Li Mu, you really aren't trustworthy. You said you'd meet me here, where did you go!"

Disappointed, Chen Wan decided to go to Li Mu's house directly, since he had given her the address. Just as she stepped out, she saw the handsome guy who had just given her an electric shock, grinning at her and saying, "Sis Wan, how could you not recognize me after just one night?"

"Ah..."

Chen Wan stared at Li Mu for a while, then asked in shock, "You... you're Li Mu?"

"Who else?" Li Mu shrugged, hands in his pockets.

Chen Wan's face turned red instantly.

Li Mu realized he really enjoyed seeing Chen Wan's blushing face. This young woman was already very beautiful, and when she blushed, she became even more alluring.

Accepting the reality, Chen Wan couldn't help but ask, "Oh, why did you shave your beard and cut your hair like that? You don't look like a student anymore."

"The college entrance exam is over," Li Mu said matter-of-factly, waving his hand. "Let's go home."

The way Li Mu casually said "home" made Chen Wan both shy and anxious. She stomped her foot and pointed to the new Giant mountain bike, saying irritably, "The bike is for you, you push it!"

Li Mu was taken aback. "Why did you buy me a bicycle?"

"To compensate you. Your bike was damaged by me."

"But I don't really need it. I'm going to college soon."

"What about when you go out during the summer to visit friends? You'll need a bike, right?"

"Sis Wan, if I ride this bike to the internet cafe, it'll probably be stolen within ten minutes!"

Li Mu could tell that this Giant mountain bike was of professional quality, with a lockable front fork, indexed shifting, and Shimano disc brakes, shifters, and derailleurs. In this era, it would cost at least 2,000 yuan.

"Would it really be that easy to steal?" Chen Wan hadn't considered this issue. She didn't go to internet cafes, and she had never lost a bike.

Li Mu sighed. "You really don't understand the hardships of life. In this era, don't ride a bike worth more than 200 yuan to an internet cafe. You don't even know this."

"What's a 'white rich and beautiful' girl?"

"It means you are white, rich, and beautiful."

"Smooth talker!"

After a playful scold, Chen Wan continued, "Then don't ride it to the internet cafe. In Shanghai, people who ride these bikes are usually outdoor enthusiasts. You've heard of cycling, right?"

"I've heard of it..." Li Mu said, "But I'm still a student. Do you want me to start cycling to Tibet or something?"

"Of course not. It's just for you to use as a means of transportation."

"How much did it cost?"

"It didn't cost much, just over 500 yuan."

"You're lying! Over 500 yuan? Sell me 100 of them, why don't you? You can't even get this gear for 500 yuan!"

Chen Wan suddenly realized that she had been passive in front of Li Mu all along.

Feeling embarrassed and angry, she asked, "Bad boy, why so many words? If you don't want it, I'll leave, and we won't contact each other again!"

"Want, want, want." Seeing her angry, Li Mu quickly said, "I'll take it, okay?"

Li Mu knew that Chen Wan came from a good family and wanted to compensate him. His constant refusal was a blow to her, so he decided to accept it.

Straddling the mountain bike, Li Mu patted the front bar and gestured to Chen Wan, "There's no rear seat, sit here?"

Chen Wan felt her eyelids burning, and she glared at Li Mu, blushing and angry. "I'll walk."

She had never felt this way before, being teased by a boy three years younger than her, and she seemed to have no way to fight back. Chen Wan couldn't help but recall the boy she had hit yesterday, and now, seeing his new appearance and aura, she sighed inwardly.

There are some people who don't need age to be charming.

Li Mu was one of them.

Li Mu guessed that Chen Wan wouldn't agree to sit on the front bar, so he pushed the bike, and Chen Wan walked beside him, drawing quite a bit of attention.

In the strong summer sunlight, the two walked side by side, their good looks and unique aura making them stand out.

Although Li Mu had shaved his beard and changed his hairstyle, making Chen Wan almost not recognize him at first, many people in the neighborhood had watched Li Mu grow up. Seeing the two walking together, they were only slightly surprised before recognizing Li Mu.

As Li Mu brought Chen Wan to his house, many parents in the neighborhood were already discussing it.

"Did you see? Li Daoping's son, Xiao Mu, just brought a beautiful girl home. How can I describe her? In the whole neighborhood, you can't find anyone as pretty as her!"

"Li Daoping is truly blessed. His wife, Xiao Yunfang, was a top beauty in her time, and now his son has found such a beautiful girlfriend."

...

Li Mu's home wasn't much decorated, but it was very tidy. The yard was filled with flowers and plants that Li Mu's mother had planted, most of which were in bloom, making it very beautiful. Chen Wan was immediately captivated when she entered.

Parking the bike in a storage shed, Li Mu said to Chen Wan, "Sis Wan, why don't we have lunch together? I have a childhood friend coming to take me to KFC. Why don't you join us?"

"Childhood friend?" Chen Wan pouted. "I won't go, I don't want to trouble you. I'll sit for a while and then leave."

Li Mu, seeing that she was misunderstanding, explained, "What trouble? My childhood friend insists on going to the internet cafe. If you have nothing to do, why don't you come along? It's more fun with a beautiful girl around!"

"Go to the internet cafe?" Chen Wan thought for a moment. "Okay, I don't have anything to do this afternoon, I'll go with you and sit for a while."

"Come in and sit for a while first."

Li Mu invited Chen Wan into the living room, gave her a glass of water, and she curiously toured his home.

The decorations in Li Mu's home were very characteristic of the era. His father had a photo wall with black-and-white wedding photos of his parents, black-and-white travel photos from their youth, and information about the location and date under each photo. In the color photos, there were pictures of Li Mu, including his 100-day photo, 10-month photo, and first birthday photo. Additionally, there were annual photos with his parents from age one to eighteen.

Chen Wan was very interested in these photos and couldn't help but praise, "Your parents were truly a perfect match in their youth!"

"Right?" Li Mu said proudly. "Our family genes are really strong, which is why I'm so handsome."

"Sure, sure."

...