Chapter 27: Lighten Up a Little?

After eating a simple meal, Tao Zhiming returned to the library to find Lin Xiyu still in the same posture as before—hunched over her desk, studying intently. From behind, her loose sweater gave no hint of her figure, but the small patch of skin at the nape of her neck was illuminated by the afternoon sunlight, fair and soft, like the tender sprout of early spring.

Tao Zhiming walked past her without disturbing her and returned to his seat. It was Lin Xiyu who, upon hearing his footsteps, glanced up at him. Tao Zhiming smiled at her, pointed at his own book, and then lowered his head to resume reading.

A faintly strange feeling stirred in Lin Xiyu’s heart. This Tao Zhiming was a little different from others at the Eastern University. Here, the local people were either exceedingly polite and reserved or rather rude and arrogant. But he seemed merely curious because she was from Xia Country.

The library was silent, broken only by the turning of pages and the scratch of pens on paper. Tao Zhiming skimmed through his books quickly. He was only searching for certain information, so he swiftly skipped over irrelevant content.

Time slipped by, and when he heard movement in front of him and glanced at the clock, it was nearly five o’clock.

“Ah!” Tao Zhiming hurriedly packed his things. Without his phone, he had been more focused, but it seemed he still needed a watch. He stuffed his belongings into his bag and, carrying a pile of books, walked over to Lin Xiyu, noticing the slight change in her expression.

He quickly understood and smiled, saying, “Luckily, the sound of you getting ready to leave reminded me—I almost forgot I have a gathering with friends tonight.” Lin Xiyu’s expression cleared; she nodded in understanding.

She glanced at the books he’d taken from the shelves and asked curiously, “Aren’t you studying management? Why are you reading economics materials?”

“...Just looking for some information,” Tao Zhiming replied casually, then asked, “Shall we leave together?”

Lin Xiyu nodded; she had been preparing to go anyway.

Tao Zhiming returned his books first. When he came around the shelves, he saw Lin Xiyu, holding several books, waiting to check them out at the desk.

Now he could see she was about one meter sixty-five, the books pressed against her clothes outlining a few side curves.

He walked over and waited with a smile. Listening to her speak with the library staff, it was obvious she struggled with the local language.

After she finished, Tao Zhiming walked beside her, keeping a polite distance. “Once the semester starts, I can help you practice the language if you have time. I’m pretty fluent in both.”

“Really?” Lin Xiyu’s eyes brightened. “Some classmates have tried teaching me, but they don’t know Chinese…”

“You’re living in the international student dorm, right?” Tao Zhiming used terms she’d be familiar with. “It’s still a bit of a commute.”

“It’s alright, I’ll get home before dark…”

Tao Zhiming thought for a moment and said, “Let me give you my home phone number. Since you’re new here, if anything comes up, you can ask me.”

He deftly pulled a notebook and pen from his bag, wrote down his name and number, tore out the page, and handed it to Lin Xiyu.

“Thank you…” Lin Xiyu hesitated, then took the slip of paper.

While putting his things away, Tao Zhiming asked with a smile, “I’m twenty-one this year. How old are you?”

“…I’m twenty.”

“Twenty?” Tao Zhiming was astonished. After a moment, he exclaimed, “You’re in graduate school at twenty? How did you advance so quickly?”

Lin Xiyu answered a bit awkwardly, “I started elementary school a little after turning four, and I skipped grades…”

“A prodigy!” Tao Zhiming sincerely gave her a thumbs-up. “So you’re like Sister Lin from the novel. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Take care on your way home; I’m in a hurry, so goodbye for now.”

He left her with that nickname and strode off in another direction, his steps light and swift.

Lin Xiyu watched his departing figure, her earlier unease gradually replaced by curiosity.

Had he really read “Dream of the Red Chamber,” even though he grew up here? What did he mean by “Sister Lin”…?

…

When Tao Zhiming returned home, Yoosuke Ueno was already dressed and pacing anxiously. “Why are you so late? It’s terribly rude to be late!”

“I was so absorbed in my studies, I nearly couldn’t tear myself away!” Tao Zhiming waved a hand. “Go hail a cab; I’ll be right down!”

“Honestly!” Yoosuke Ueno obediently headed out first.

Tao Zhiming put down his things and quickly washed his face. There was no need to dress as formally as Yoosuke; as long as his face wasn’t too oily, it would suffice.

He flashed a smile at his reflection—good looks really did breed confidence.

Suddenly Lin Xiyu’s occasionally flustered face floated into his mind, her expression at his parting words especially endearing.

His trip to the library had truly been worthwhile: he’d found useful information and happened upon a remarkable young woman.

A girl who started university at fifteen or sixteen and could still be charming dressed simply and without makeup—Tao Zhiming, who once thought himself old at heart, felt revived.

Because of Lin Xiyu, his enthusiasm for tonight’s “gathering” dimmed a little.

Maybe he should just offer paid tutoring?

Once in the cab, hearing Yoosuke announce their destination, Tao Zhiming clicked his tongue. “So, you’re planning to go out for fun after dinner as well?”

“…What are you talking about? Isn’t this the place we always go?” Yoosuke put on a stern face.

“No problem with that,” Tao Zhiming’s eyes gleamed. “So, after dinner, where are we going? A bar? A disco? Or a hotel?”

“…Are you the devil?” Yoosuke glanced nervously at the driver. “We’re just having dinner!”

“What a waste of time,” Tao Zhiming said seriously, remembering something. “But, I’ve left all my money in my account. Did you bring enough cash?”

“…You are a devil. I gave all my money to you!”

“I know you well,” Tao Zhiming pressed, “How much did you bring? A hundred thousand?”

Yoosuke gritted his teeth and nodded.

Tao Zhiming grinned. “And you say you aren’t planning anything for after dinner?”

A normal meal wouldn’t cost more than ten or twenty thousand, unless they went somewhere extravagant. They were just students, not yet at the adult level of spending—where, in a few years, a single dinner or bottle of wine could cost tens or even hundreds of thousands. At this stage, Runa Onodera only earned about two hundred thousand a month—a result of her hard work.

Clearly, Yoosuke was well prepared tonight.

Tao Zhiming watched his friend urge the driver on, excitement written all over his face.

He shook his head—youthful energy, after all.

Should he be younger at heart too? Live a little?

He realized he’d already been here nearly a week. He’d turned down special invitations from Yuhe’s president, rejected Onodera Runa’s overtures, declined Sumitomo’s nighttime gatherings—living like a diligent wage earner.

As night fell and the city lights glittered, a strange light shone in Tao Zhiming’s eyes.

Since coming to this vibrant Tokyo, he had yet to truly experience its nightlife.

The future held too many uncertainties.

But for now, things were taking shape—he ought to savor something real.

Otherwise, for whom was he working so hard?

Tao Zhiming made up his mind.

Their dinner spot was actually close to home, right in Roppongi, Minato Ward. They took a taxi only to save time.

Roppongi hadn’t yet reached its peak; in another two years, it would be packed with discos, swarming with young people, becoming one of Tokyo’s six most famous nightlife districts.

That’s why Tao Zhiming teased Yoosuke for his ulterior motives—he’d brought enough money and chosen this location.

If Kyoko Okita and the others had no objections, they probably knew what to expect.

Young people in the ’80s—seeing the local girls here and then thinking of Lin Xiyu—the cultural gap was huge.

Recalling Lin Xiyu’s plain, unadorned outfit that clashed so much with Tokyo’s style, Tao Zhiming felt an inexplicable irritation.

Why did she keep coming to mind?