Chapter 10: My First Encounter with Her

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Xiamen Gaoqi Airport

At six in the morning, the newly renovated glass curtain wall of Terminal 3 fractured the dawn light into scattered fragments.

Travel groups dragged their suitcases in a bustling crowd before the check-in counters, while the electronic screens continuously played the promotional video "Beautiful Xiamen."

When Jiang Ye tossed his backpack onto the X-ray conveyor belt, he caught the distinctive salty scent in the air—a unique aroma of a seaport city airport.

He had just finished a month-long internship with the crew of "The Left Ear," who were scheduled to continue filming at Dongji Island that day.

As for him, he needed to visit his uncle’s home first before heading to Yanjing.

School was about to start soon!

"Please show your boarding pass."

He was bending down to retrieve his ID when he suddenly heard the crisp sound of footsteps.

Turning his head, he saw a familiar figure.

Chen Duling stood bathed in the morning light, wearing a pale pink chiffon dress, its hem swaying gently in the breeze like a budding cherry blossom.

She was clearly dressed up today; her black hair fell smoothly over her shoulders, the ends curling playfully.

Her fair cheeks were adorned with light makeup, her lashes curled just right, and her lips glossed with a shimmering peach tint that caught the sunlight with an enticing gleam.

"What a coincidence," she feigned casualness as she looked up. "I... I came to pick up a classmate."

Jiang Ye raised an eyebrow, eyeing her empty hands. "Picking someone up without a sign?"

"None of your business!" Chen Duling was noticeably annoyed. "But you, leaving without a word?"

"Don’t goodbyes matter?"

"Well, Xiao Chen, I don't like farewells..."

"Don’t call me Xiao Chen!" she snapped like an angry rabbit, cheeks flushing crimson.

"Then what should I call you? Teacher Chen? Chen Duling? Or..."

"Call me Sister," she lifted her chin, revealing a slender, graceful neckline.

Jiang Ye shook his head. "In your dreams."

"Then... then..." Chen Duling bit her lip, voice lowering, "...call me Dudu."

The boy’s eyes lit up, emboldened, as he leaned closer: "That’s your idea, Dudu~"

The boarding announcement suddenly sounded, and Jiang Ye had to drag his luggage toward security.

Halfway there, he suddenly turned and ran back, stopping in front of Chen Duling to her stunned surprise.

"W-What are you doing?" the girl stepped back cautiously.

Jiang Ye took a deep breath. "Dudu, can I... hug you for a moment?"

Chen Duling stiffened instantly, her long lashes blinking rapidly.

"No!!!"

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"Dudu, don’t be so stingy. Isn’t a hug between friends a normal way to say goodbye?"

"Or do you have other thoughts about me?"

?????

Chen Duling stared down at her white leather shoes. After a long pause, she barely nodded.

Jiang Ye carefully wrapped her in his arms.

Her body was soft like a cloud, and a fresh gardenia scent drifted from her hair.

He felt her arms gently encircle his waist. Through the thin fabric, their quickening heartbeats were clearly palpable.

The only slight imperfection was that the sensation in front of him was a little lacking...

"Jiang Ye!" Chen Duling suddenly pushed him away, blushing as she tidied her disheveled skirt. "You should board now!"

The boy smiled and stepped back. "Got it, Dudu~"

At the security checkpoint, he looked back once more.

Chen Duling still stood in place, morning light gilding her outline, her pink dress fluttering like a painting.

She hadn’t expected him to look back. Flustered, she instinctively raised her small hand in a wave, then quickly lowered it, pretending to adjust her hair.

Jiang Ye etched this moment deeply into his memory. Turning toward the boarding gate, he couldn’t suppress the smile tugging at his lips.

……

In 2014, Xiamen Airlines had just upgraded their business class. The deep blue leather seats gleamed delicately in the morning light.

"Mr. Jiang, your seat is 2A."

The flight attendant took his boarding pass and swiped her finger gently across the tablet. "The flight is expected to last two hours and fifteen minutes. We have prepared..."

Jiang Ye sank into his seat, the knee space to the seat ahead generous and wide.

This 1.2-meter gap was far roomier than economy class.

"Here is your breakfast menu," the attendant handed him a booklet with a gilded cover. "You may choose between Xiamen satay noodles or a Western-style set."

"Satay noodles, please!"

The meal was more refined than expected, served in a bone china bowl with fresh shrimp and squid rings as toppings.

Jiang Ye ate while scrolling on his phone. The pay from the "The Left Ear" crew had just arrived.

His assistant script supervisor salary was 4,500 yuan, later raised to 8,000 as assistant director, plus a private bonus from Su Youpeng, totaling nearly 20,000 yuan that month.

The business class ticket from Xiamen to Mountain City had cost him 3,680 yuan—almost a fifth of his income.

"This is the life..." Jiang Ye sipped the coffee just handed to him by the attendant, gazing out at the receding silhouette of Egret Island.

Since being reborn, this life was meant for enjoyment!

His plan was simple.

To achieve financial freedom before 28, then travel the world with the girls.

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……

"Ladies and gentlemen, our plane will soon land at Mountain City Jiangbei International Airport, Terminal 2..."

As soon as he turned on his phone, it vibrated wildly.

On the screen, the name "Lin Xiaoman" bounced enthusiastically.

His cousin on his uncle’s side, two years younger, currently a second-year student at Tongliang High School in Mountain City.

"Brother! You’re in Mountain City?" The voice on the other end was so loud it made his eardrums ache. "Help me pick up some tiramisu from Qinyuan in the TL district! The one at Longcheng Tianjie!"

Jiang Ye held the phone ten centimeters away. "Kid, do I look like your personal errand runner?"

"Oh, come on! Brother...!" The sound of stomping feet came through the line. "My classmates say the new strawberry flavor is amazing! And..."

"Weren’t you supposed to bring me Xiamen pies?"

"They got squished in the suitcase."

"Jiang Ye!" The girl called his name angrily, then suddenly changed tack. "Hey, brother... my dad has some 30-year Maotai in his wine cabinet..."

"Want some? I’ll sneak it to you!"

"I definitely don’t want that! Lin Xiaoman, how could you do that? Your dad would be furious!"

"It’s okay, brother! I think we’re real siblings, family!"

"What flavor do you want? Is ten enough?"

"...Too many...!"

After hanging up, Jiang Ye shook his head and smiled bitterly.

Dragging his suitcase, he turned into Longcheng Tianjie. The sweet aroma of Qinyuan bakery already floated onto the street.

The door chimed as he entered.

His gaze was immediately drawn to a girl in front of the display case.

She wore a simple white T-shirt and light blue denim shorts, her hair tied in a high ponytail.

She bent down, staring intently at the tiramisu behind the glass, her nose nearly touching it.

Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, outlining the delicate curve of her neck and the slight flutter of her lashes.

The girl suddenly straightened up, and only then did Jiang Ye see her face clearly.

Her large, round almond-shaped eyes were striking, and a faint dimple appeared on one cheek.

Was it her?