Love Me in Another Universe

Chapter 56. The Return of Hong Kong

June 29, 1997, Sunday.

In the morning, Gao Xinglang and Guan Xuchen were taking a bus to the Oriental Times Square.

"Lang, how did you find out that there's a stamp expo at the Times Square and they're selling stamps to celebrate the return of Hong Kong?" Guan Xuchen asked with great curiosity.

"I just happened to see it in the newspaper." Gao Xinglang smiled and said. "How could you not know it, Soupy, when you're a stamp collector yourself? It was you who gave me that set of Forbidden City stamps, and that's what got me started on stamp collecting."

"I'm not really a 'stamp collector'," Guan Xuchen replied, looking a bit sheepish. "I don't know much about the ins and outs of it. I just collect stamps because I think they're beautiful."

Then he added, "I've been too busy studying for the final exams recently; I haven't had time to read the newspaper."

"I see. No wonder you ranked 35th in the whole grade," Gao Xinglang said approvingly. But noticing the slightly unhappy look on Guan Xuchen's face, he asked, "What's the matter, Soupy? Are you not satisfied with your scores?"

Guan Xuchen shook his head and let out a sigh, "The scores are not my biggest concern. It's just that when I think about not being in the same class as you next semester..."

"Oh." Gao Xinglang also looked a bit downcast and helpless. "I really want to stay in the same class as you too. But I'm not very good at liberal arts, and I like physics..."

"If only I were as good at physics as you..." Guan Xuchen said with a look of disappointment, "I really want to stay in the same class as you, Lang."

"That's also what I want. But as the old saying goes, 'You can't always have things your own way." Gao Xinglang sighed, and then laughed heartily. "But we'll still be in the same school after all. Maybe we'll be in neighboring classes. After class, we can still go to fetch water together just like before, and we can hang out together in our spare time as well."

"Yeah, that's right," A smile returned to Guan Xuchen's face. "The most important thing is that you and I will always be the best of friends!"

"Of course!" Gao Xinglang responded without a moment's hesitation.

The two of them arrived at the Oriental Times Square on Liuhua Road and found that many shops were still not open yet. Gao Xinglang took out the ticket for the stamp expo from his trouser pocket, glanced at it, then looked at his watch. He let out a sigh of relief and said, "So the expo won't start until ten o'clock. It's only 9:15 now. Soupy, how about we go outside and have a bowl of wonton noodles, and then come back to see the expo?"

"Sure, sure!" Guan Xuchen agreed cheerfully. But all of a sudden, he seemed to spot something. Pointing ahead, he said to Gao Xinglang, "Lang, look. Why are there so many people queuing up ahead?"

Gao Xinglang followed Guan Xuchen's finger and saw a long line of people stretching up the stairs from the first floor. The two walked over and looked up along the line, but they couldn't see the front of it. They wanted to walk up and find out what was going on. However, after taking a few steps, a middle-aged man stopped them and said with a hint of dissatisfaction, "Kids, get in line."

Guan Xuchen smiled politely and explained, "Sir, sorry. We just wanted to see what this line is for."

"It's for buying the Hong Kong handover stamps," the middle-aged man replied gruffly.

Gao Xinglang and Guan Xuchen reluctantly returned to the first floor. Guan Xuchen noticed a young man wearing glasses standing at the end of the line. He looked gentle and approachable. So Guan Xuchen went up to him and asked.