Chapter 3: Dream Interpretation

Kong Linchao, the study committee member of the MBA student notification group, sent a message reminding everyone about the assignment.

Wei Lai glanced at it, realizing she had work to do tonight.

Two years ago, Wei Lai had taken the provincial university’s part-time Master’s degree exam on a whim. She hadn’t had high hopes, but surprisingly, she got in. So for the past two years, Wei Lai had experienced student life again. She went to school on weekends, hung out with her classmates, and even occasionally tackled assignments to keep things interesting.

At 6:30, Wei Lai reached the supermarket outside her residential complex, where she had arranged to meet Xiao Xiao. They planned to have hotpot at Wei Lai’s place that night.

As she parked her car, she saw Xiao Xiao waving to her from the supermarket entrance.

Xiao Xiao was the same age as Wei Lai, and they had grown up together. They went to the same school for elementary, middle, and high school, even being in the same class for elementary and middle school, as well as for the first year of high school. In high school, Wei Lai switched to the humanities track while Xiao Xiao studied science, which separated them slightly. In college, they both ended up in the same city and were still inseparable. Their parents were also very close, especially this year when Wei Lai was often alone at home. Xiao Xiao’s parents frequently asked her to bring over snacks and keep Wei Lai company. Their relationship was more than just friends, it was like sisters.

Xiao Xiao was wearing a slightly thicker brown trench coat today. She was tall and slender, had a pleasant appearance, and had a cheerful personality that made her a perfect match for Wei Lai.

The two of them strolled through the supermarket, chatting and laughing, browsing for half an hour and filling their baskets.

After Wei Lai paid for their groceries, they went out to the parking lot, loaded the two large bags of food into the trunk, and drove down to the underground parking lot at Building 16 with Xiao Xiao.

Wei Lai lived in the Si Ji Hua Cheng (Four Seasons Flower City) complex, which was located slightly north of the main city area. It was less than ten minutes by car to the district government. Sometimes, when she had to go to the district government for business, she appreciated the convenience of being close to home and could leave later and even wake up a bit later. Whenever she was assigned to go to the district government, Wei Lai was quite happy.

Once they arrived home, they changed into slippers and each carried a bag into the kitchen.

Wei Lai’s home was a typical three-bedroom, one-living room layout with a north-south orientation, allowing for good air circulation. The 140 square meter apartment had floor-to-ceiling windows in the master bedroom and living room, facing south, making for plenty of sunlight. Although it was on the eighth floor of an eighteen-story building, it was still very bright.

The apartment had been renovated two years ago in the trendy new Chinese style, which Wei Lai loved. The only drawback was that she wanted a walk-in closet, but there wasn’t enough room, so she didn’t get one. However, after her sister Wei Xuan got married and moved to the provincial capital, her sister’s bedroom became Wei Lai’s walk-in closet. When her sister came back, her clothes were temporarily stored in the closet. As soon as her sister left, Wei Lai would quickly claim back her space. Fortunately, all her clothes were neatly hanging on a row of hangers, so Shao Yufang could only joke, “Lai Lai, do you have so many clothes because you plan to open a clothing store?”

The two besties worked together, and soon, a steaming hotpot was ready on the table, half tomato broth, half spicy red oil, all bright red and tempting.

Wei Lai and Xiao Xiao not only had compatible personalities but also shared similar tastes. They both loved spicy and cold food. Although they knew it wasn’t healthy, they enjoyed it while they were young.

As they ate, they chatted. “Lai Lai, how’s your report for the discussion meeting going?” Xiao Xiao asked, popping a piece of cooked beef into her mouth.

“I basically haven’t started writing yet. I’ll do it tomorrow,” Wei Lai replied, placing a piece of beef on Xiao Xiao’s plate.

“Honestly, you’re going to see Cheng Yue. Are you nervous?” Xiao Xiao’s gossip radar was on high alert.

“No, I’m not nervous. There will be so many people there. He’ll be sitting at the head table, and I’ll be tucked away in a corner. Who would notice me?” Wei Lai responded nonchalantly.

“Don’t be discouraged. You have amazing looks and an amazing figure. You’ll probably be quite noticeable even in a crowd,” Xiao Xiao teased her.

“I’m planning to wear a heavy black padded jacket and hide in the crowd, haha,” Wei Lai laughed at her own joke.

“It’s not even winter yet. Are you serious about the padded jacket?”

“As long as I’m not embarrassed, anyone else’s awkwardness is their own problem.”

They laughed together, the sound echoing through the restaurant. You have to admit, any bad mood could be lifted with a little chat and a good meal with your best friend.

Xiao Xiao left around nine o’clock that night. Wei Lai showered, put on a face mask, and then sat down at her computer to do her homework. The assignment was to write a course paper of at least 5,000 words. It was a piece of cake for Wei Lai, who was a skilled writer.

Two hours later, a fresh 5,200-word course paper was ready. Wei Lai sent it to her WeChat group, closed her computer, washed her face, and immediately fell onto the comfortable bed.

It always felt like the day flew by. She would do one thing, then another, and before she knew it, time had passed. She hadn’t even had a chance to properly play on her phone today.

Even though it was already eleven o’clock, she couldn’t feel like the day was complete without spending some time on her phone. She felt like she was missing out.

I scrolled through Douyin for a while, then checked my phone again. It was already 11:30. Just as I was about to check my WeChat Moments, a notification popped up from the “Hancheng News” public account, another update about Cheng Yue. “District Party Secretary Cheng Yue Investigates Development of Characteristic Agricultural Industries,” published just moments ago.

Does the Propaganda Department even sleep? I was completely speechless.

I clicked on the content out of habit. It included a few photos of Cheng Yue conducting his investigation.

He was wearing a crisp light blue shirt, revealing a strong wrist, giving off an air of efficiency.

He wore a dark, tailored jacket over it, simple yet stylish. He was sporting dark straight-leg pants, with sharp creases, making him look even more upright.

Five years had passed, and he seemed more mature, but still very young overall. Wherever he goes, he’s the center of attention. I couldn’t help but think to myself.

That night, I had a dream about Cheng Yue. It was back when we were in college. I was hiking with Cheng Yue, and then he suddenly disappeared. I climbed and climbed, looking for him as I went. Finally, I reached the top, panting heavily, and Cheng Yue was already there waiting for me.

I woke up from the dream, with sweat dripping down my forehead. I grabbed my phone and searched for dream interpretations: “What does it mean to dream about hiking with the person you love?”

Zhou Gong (a legendary figure in Chinese dream interpretation) responded, “To dream about hiking with someone you love, this dream indicates that you will encounter many entanglements with that person in the near future. Life will bring misfortune, and wealth will be difficult to obtain. This is an unfavorable sign.”

An unfavorable sign? Does this mean that meeting him tomorrow will be unlucky? No wonder I’ve been restless lately.

I lightly patted my forehead, calmed down, and looked at the screen again.

“The person you love?” So, in my subconscious mind, Cheng Yue is the person I love?

I was shocked by this realization. I was going crazy! I couldn’t sleep at all.

I checked the time on my phone: 6:30 AM. Normally, I wake up at 7:30 thanks to my alarm clock, but today, I couldn’t sleep no matter what.