Chapter 333: Reunion with Song Qinghuan

Fang Zhou and his friends were staying in a villa community nestled on a mountaintop. The area had about ten villas, complete with shared amenities like an outdoor pool, a golf course, and a basketball court. It was the perfect spot for a fun-filled two or three-day getaway.

After finishing their meal, they decided to move outside to burn off some calories. The villa, rented courtesy of Li Siming’s generous budget, offered plenty of recreational options.

“Why waste the opportunity?” Li Siming had said. “We’re here, we’ve spent the money; we might as well enjoy it to the fullest.”

Everyone scattered to find activities that piqued their interest. For Fang Zhou and Li Siming, the swimming pool held the most allure. Both had been part of their high school swim team, though Li Siming had to quit due to poor grades, leaving Fang Zhou to swim alone. The pressures of college and work had since distanced them from such hobbies.

Seeing the pool now rekindled their excitement. “How about a race?” Li Siming suggested, a playful challenge in his eyes. “Loser washes the winner’s dirty socks tonight.”

Fang Zhou smirked, already stripping off his shirt. “You sure you can handle it? I don’t think you know what you’re up against.”

“Big words,” Li Siming retorted, also removing his shirt to reveal knee-length shorts. “Don’t cry when I beat you.”

The two stood at the pool’s edge, ready to dive in. Zhang Zhiyin and Fang Wenjing exchanged amused glances, finding their behavior amusingly childish.

“Men will be boys, right?” Zhang Zhiyin laughed.

“Indeed,” Fang Wenjing agreed. “These little bets are just their way of bonding.”

Just when they thought they could sit back and watch, the guys roped them into the action. “Wenjing, you’d better console Li Siming after I wipe the floor with him,” Fang Zhou called out.

Li Siming shot back, “Don’t listen to your brother’s lies, Wenjing. When he loses and refuses to wash his socks, you’ll have to help him out. But I won’t let that happen. A man’s word is his bond!”

The girls laughed, seeing the word “childish” written all over their faces.

“How about I add a little incentive?” Zhang Zhiyin called out. “Winner gets a full tank of gas on me!”

Fang Zhou’s eyes gleamed. “Well, thank you in advance, Madam Author!”

Li Siming hummed in response, stretching and preparing for the race. “Alright, Wenjing, Zhiyin, count us off!”

Wenjing found a clipboard from somewhere, raising it high. “Ready, set, go!” she shouted, dropping the clipboard as the two men dove into the pool with powerful strokes.

Zhang Zhiyin took her position at the finish line to judge the race. Both swimmers moved quickly, their muscles rippling through the water. It was a sight to behold, almost poetic in its beauty.

Fang Zhou swam freestyle while Li Siming chose the butterfly stroke, which looked more professional but drained more energy. Predictably, Li Siming’s initial lead began to waver as he tired. Fang Zhou, maintaining a steady pace, closed the gap and eventually overtook him, touching the pool wall first.

“Fang Zhou, 48 seconds. Li Siming, 50 seconds,” Zhang Zhiyin announced, clicking the timer.

Fang Zhou beamed a victorious smile. “I won! Don’t forget, no hiding when it’s sock-washing time.”

Li Siming, though defeated, accepted his loss gracefully. “Alright, I’ll wash them. But how about another round? This time, we bet on the latest 4090 graphics card!”

Fang Zhou’s eyes widened in surprise. “You’re on!”

Zhang Zhiyin and Fang Wenjing didn’t understand the tech talk but figured another race was in the works. They watched eagerly as the guys prepared for round two.

Just then, another group of young people arrived at the pool. Their stylish outfits hinted at wealth, and among them were a few young women.

“Is this the pool they mentioned? The water looks good,” a clear female voice rang out, catching everyone’s attention.

In the water, Fang Zhou’s expression changed at the sound of the voice. He turned slowly, his eyes locking onto a girl in shorts and a white T-shirt. It was Song Qinghuan, someone he hadn’t seen in months.

The sight of her sent a jolt through him, his heart pounding. The poolside was suddenly charged with a new, unexpected tension.