Chapter 143

Cao Lu looked at Han Shengyi's back in shock and was unable to recover for a long time.

He actually ignored me?!

Cao Lu, who was known for her one trick, was hit hard, but it was undeniable that her interest in Han Shengyi became even stronger.

The more the other party rejects her, the more challenged she feels. To put it in a positive way, this quality means becoming more courageous with each challenge. To put it in a negative way, it means being a masochist.

…

Cao Lu deliberately approached Han Shengyi today.

In fact, Cao Lu wanted to get close to Han Shengyi since the first time she saw him.

She is good-looking and an alumnus. And based on her meticulous observation of Chu Jiujiu, Chu Jiujiu comes from an extraordinary family. So as her brother, Han Shengyi must also be from a wealthy family.

The only thing that made her feel strange was that the two people had different surnames, but Cao Lu didn't dwell on it for long. There were many brothers and sisters with different surnames. Maybe they were cousins, or maybe their parents were divorced and they were half-siblings.

Divorce is not common, but that is for ordinary people. In the future, the richer people are, the higher the divorce rate will be. And here, the more powerful people are, the higher the divorce rate will be.

Cao Lu didn't mind this because she was very confident in herself. As long as she could capture Han Shengyi's heart, she believed that she could capture his heart for the rest of her life.

…

With this idea in mind, one can imagine how much psychological trauma Han Shengyi's turning a blind eye to her has caused her.

Chu Jiujiu didn't know about this. She came back from outside the school when it was dark and found that Cao Lu was not sticking to her as usual. Chu Jiujiu felt a little strange.

Drinking water and shrugging her shoulders, Chu Jiujiu no longer paid attention to this matter.

——

The days that followed were no different. Chu Jiujiu had never lived such a fulfilling life since she was born. She had something to do almost every minute. Even when she was helping out at the research institute, she had time to rest, even if it was only a few minutes, she could use it to daydream and clear her tired mind.

My mind isn't tired now, but my body is.

Chu Jiujiu herself didn't realize that she was exercising twice as much as when she was at home. Her body lines were becoming more and more beautiful. It wasn't noticeable when she wore loose clothes, but if she changed into the foreign clothes that Wen Xiuwei bought for her, it would be immediately obvious.

There was a small mirror in the dormitory. Chu Jiujiu had to stand very far away to see her whole body. She held a top and a pair of pure white pants, and compared them on herself vainly.

I don’t know if it’s her illusion ~ Her figure has improved. Look at her arms, they have thin muscles now!

Chu Jiujiu thought that she would buy a cheongsam to wear during the Chinese New Year this year. When she wore a cheongsam before, everyone just praised her for being cute, but now that she has grown taller, she should look elegant and fashionable when she wears it.

When Song Xiaoying came back from washing clothes and saw Chu Jiujiu like this, she tiptoed over and dubbed for her from behind.

"Oh, why am I so beautiful~"

Chu Jiujiu blushed and immediately put down her clothes, "What nonsense are you talking about!"

Song Xiaoying was happy, "I'm not talking nonsense, this sentence is clearly written on your face."

After hearing what she said, Chu Jiujiu subconsciously touched her face, realizing that Song Xiaoying was just joking. Chu Jiujiu scooped up some water from the basin beside her and was about to splash it on Song Xiaoying, but the latter dodged nimbly and changed the subject, "Okay, okay, you want to go out again?"

Chu Jiujiu nodded. "Isn't there a poetry recitation competition tomorrow? Fang Cheng asked me to help set up the venue."

The squad leader and deputy squad leader are really miserable. They have to go wherever there is a need. They look good, but they face endless troubles behind the scenes.

Song Xiaoying was also used to her always going out, but today, looking at the clothes that Chu Jiujiu picked out, the pure white three-dimensional pants, and the bright red puff-sleeved top, Song Xiaoying knew without even looking that if Chu Jiujiu went out wearing this, she would definitely get a lot of attention on the street.

She is already eye-catching enough, and now she is wearing such a bold color. The combination of beauty and gorgeous clothes makes her even more eye-catching.

Song Xiaoying looked at her teasingly: "Jiujiu, why are you wearing such nice clothes when you go out with the squad leader?"

Chu Jiujiu paused while tidying up her clothes. She looked up. There was no one else in the dormitory at the moment. She looked at Song Xiaoying and smiled mysteriously. "Do you think it looks good too?"

Song Xiaoying nodded repeatedly, "It looks good."

She looked at Chu Jiujiu expectantly. Gossip is the nature of all human beings, and Song Xiaoying is no exception.

Urged by her eyes, Chu Jiujiu tossed her hair and said proudly, "Then I'll tell you, I'm going to defeat Fang Cheng!"

Song Xiaoying was stunned.

Chu Jiujiu fondly touched the clothes in her hands. "This is what my family's Weiwei bought for me. She bought it last year, but I've never been willing to wear it. White doesn't last long, and red is too festive. I originally planned to save it for important occasions. But now, in order to make the teachers remember me faster and to get more attention from everyone, I have no choice but to resort to this desperate measure!"

Lifting her head, Chu Jiujiu said firmly, "I don't want to live under Fang Cheng's shadow for four years straight. Why? Just because he scored more than ten points higher than me in the college entrance examination, I can only be a deputy? I don't believe it. I study harder and work more diligently than him, and the teachers still ignore me. Don't you all say that I have a very attractive face? Then I am looking forward to recruiting more teachers. The class leaders will be re-elected next semester. Then, I will definitely become a regular!"

After announcing her lofty ambitions, Chu Jiujiu walked out holding her clothes in her arms with a proud and confident look. There were a few wrinkles on her pants, so she planned to borrow an electric iron from the dormitory manager to iron them.

Song Xiaoying: “…”

Song Xiaoying watched her leave with admiration.

She was mistaken. She thought that the clothes Chu Jiujiu was holding were shining with the beauty of gorgeous clothes, but in fact, it was the fiery brilliance of a battle robe!

…

Chu Jiujiu had been in high school for so many years, but she had never thought about becoming a class leader. Not only in high school, but even as a child, she had no interest in leading others. Unexpectedly, once she entered university, she changed her mind.

If someone interviews Chu Jiujiu, they will find that she is crying wide noodles tears in her heart.

She doesn't want to change her gender either.

But she was the deputy monitor, yet she was doing the same amount of work as the monitor. She felt it was unfair! There's a saying that goes, "You've come a long way," and she felt that since she was the monitor, she had to be the best!

After changing clothes, Chu Jiujiu came to the auditorium. There were already quite a few people there. They were all class monitors, assigned by the teacher to do odd jobs.

Looking at the scene where everyone was busy pasting big words, Chu Jiujiu felt complicated.

Even after entering college, she still couldn't escape the fate of doing odd jobs...

Sighing, Chu Jiujiu found the academy teacher, said something to him, and then joined the main group.

The poetry recitation competition was an activity of their own college. The main participants were the big names in the Chinese Department. In addition to helping to set up the venue, they also had to confirm where their class would sit tomorrow. Chu Jiujiu was moving two chairs to the position designated by the teacher. She had just moved over and was stunned before she walked out.

Carrying two stacked chairs was a bit difficult for Chu Jiujiu. Fang Cheng saw this from the side, so he walked over quickly and took the chair away from Chu Jiujiu.

"I'll take care of all this. You can go help them put up the posters."

Fang Cheng finished speaking, but Chu Jiujiu didn't move. Fang Cheng called her, "What are you looking at?"

Chu Jiujiu came back to her senses and was stunned for a moment. She shook her head and said, "It's nothing. I just saw someone I know."

"Another acquaintance?" Fang Cheng muttered.

He also felt that Chu Jiujiu had too many acquaintances in this school, so many that he began to doubt whether he was actually attending a top school...

He put the chair over first, then returned it, and then asked, "What acquaintance?"

There was nothing to hide about this matter. Chu Jiujiu whispered, "I think I saw the daughter of our former teacher. Her parents are professors next door. How did she get here?"

Fang Cheng smiled: "Some people just don't like the school next door and only like our school. Like you, since there is a teacher who taught you in the past there, why don't you go to the school next door?"

After hearing this, Chu Jiujiu also smiled and said, "That's true."

It is said that you cannot judge a book by its cover. Chu Jiujiu could not help but feel ashamed of her superficiality for a second. She had only met Deng Shan twice, and each time was when she was paying New Year's greetings. Deng Shan always looked disapproving of everyone. She subconsciously felt that Deng Shan could not be a class leader. Even if she could, she should be the one next door. But think about it, this is an era that only cares about grades. If Deng Shan did very well in the exams, no matter what her personality was, the position of class leader would be hers.

After realizing this, Chu Jiujiu stopped paying attention to Deng Shan, and she had no intention of going over to talk to her.

Because Deng Shan doesn't like her.

When she went there for the first time, Deng Shan disliked all of them. When she went there for the second time, Deng Shan and Deng Guoyuan had lived together for a whole year, and the thorny feeling in her had become more subtle. She was nice to everyone in their group, but she was still treated with disdain.

Chu Jiujiu didn't know why, but she couldn't help but care about it. She was troubled for several days, and only after Han Shengyi's persuasion did she stop thinking about it.

If the other person doesn't like her, why should she pursue him? They are not in the same major anyway, and there are not many opportunities to meet.

…

It was only four o'clock in the afternoon when the arrangements were made. Everyone was used to having dinner at six o'clock, so except for a few key persons who were kept by the teacher, the rest of the people dispersed.

Most people took out their textbooks from their bags and prepared to go to the classroom or library to study. Chu Jiujiu hadn't decided where to go yet. Fang Cheng walked up to her and said, "Are you hungry? Why don't we go to the cafeteria and sit there for a while? The food will be served in half an hour."

You know what, Chu Jiujiu was really hungry.

I do nothing but physical activities every day, how can I not be hungry?

Touching her flat stomach, Chu Jiujiu shook her head and said, "I'm not going. Brother Shengyi has a lot of classes today and doesn't finish school until six o'clock. I'll go there after five o'clock and save a seat for him first."

Fang Cheng looked at her, wanting to say something but holding back. Finally, he sighed and said, "Okay, let's go to the library?"

This time Chu Jiujiu nodded, quite happy. "Okay, let's go together."

The library was a heavily crowded area with freshmen. Chu Jiujiu and Fang Cheng walked around for a long time but couldn't find any empty seats. Finally, they came out and sat in the VIP room which was originally for guests. The sofa was so soft and made of unknown material that Chu Jiujiu couldn't stand up as soon as she sat down. It was too soft and uncomfortable. No wonder no students were willing to come here.

Chu Jiujiu and Fang Cheng sat opposite each other, each holding a book in their hands. Chu Jiujiu came here to study quietly, but Fang Cheng didn't think so.

He always looked for Chu Jiujiu to chat, and since there were not many people around, the two of them could talk freely.

Fang Cheng mainly asked about things related to Han Shengyi, "So, he's not your biological brother?"

Chu Jiujiu corrected him, "He's not my biological brother, but he's better than my biological brother. Chu Shao used to be the best to me, but now that he's so busy and Weiwei is here, the one who treats me the best has become Brother Shengyi."

Fang Cheng: "That's pretty impressive."

Chu Jiujiu looked at him and always felt that his flattery was a bit perfunctory, and as if there was something else behind his words.

"What's so great about it?" Chu Jiujiu asked him.

Fang Cheng put down the book he had barely read, and after pondering his words for a while, he spoke: "I think your family model is quite impressive."

"Other families are all together as a family, but yours is two families, oh yeah, now it's three families, Wei... No, the Wen family and yours are quasi-in-laws, so it's normal for them to be close to each other, but the Han family has no relationship with yours at all, and you two can still be so close, it's not easy."

He was clearly praising them, but Chu Jiujiu still had a subtle feeling in her heart. She also put down the book in her hand and asked, "Anything else?"

Fang Cheng didn't understand what she meant.

Chu Jiujiu looked at him and asked, "Besides these, do you have anything else to say?"

In fact, Chu Jiujiu was a bit aggressive at this time.

When people interact with each other, sincerity is important, but in addition to sincerity, there is another very important point, that is, implicitness.

Anyone born and raised in China understands this principle, and Chu Jiujiu understands it too. She didn't ask Deng Shan why she hated her, which was a sign of her reserve. The problem was that, after encountering certain situations, Chu Jiujiu was no longer willing to uphold this fine virtue.

Seeing that he remained silent, Chu Jiujiu urged him again, "Speak now, don't tell me half of the story and hide the other half."

This is why beauties can only be admired from afar and not touched. Everyone has flaws, but not everyone can tolerate these flaws.

Anyone else would have felt uncomfortable and wanted to leave, but Chu Jiujiu was lucky. The person across from her was Fang Cheng. They were both trained as research talents from a young age. Chu Jiujiu was straightforward, and Fang Cheng was even more blunt. The so-called reserve was only for others; it was unnecessary when meeting someone similar.

Fang Cheng also looked at her, "Then I'll tell you?"

Chu Jiujiu nodded and said, "Hurry up and tell me."

Fang Cheng touched his head a little embarrassedly. "You and Han Shengyi have a very good relationship. I think not everyone can understand. Those who can't understand will misinterpret your meaning. Of course, this does not include me. I can understand, and I envy you."

Fang Cheng was speaking the truth, but Chu Jiujiu still felt it was very subtle.

This is strange, what's so subtle about it?

Chu Jiujiu was lost in thought. Fang Cheng across from her didn't notice and continued to chatter to himself, "I'm envious, but if this situation really happened to me, I'd probably be distressed because it would be hard to find a partner. Oh, my mom asked me to go home next week because she said she's introduced me to another girl."

Okay, Chu Jiujiu doesn’t need to think about it anymore.

A subtle point has emerged.

Object, and object again.

Since she was ten years old, she had been looking forward to Chu Shao finding a partner. She always thought that she was a very cheerful child. Even if Chu Shao was with Wen Xiuwei, she would lose some of the attention from her grandparents, but she didn't care at all.

Chu Jiujiu believes that although she may have bad intentions occasionally, she is essentially a very good child. She is willing to sacrifice herself for everyone, but she has no chance to show it now. If she has the chance, she will definitely make the most correct choice.

But now, she wasn't so sure.

Because she found that she didn't seem to want Han Shengyi to find a partner.

Everyone told her that once Han Shengyi found a partner, he wouldn't treat her the same way anymore, and maybe even ignore her altogether. Chu Jiujiu always laughed off the childhood promises they made. They were both very naive back then, and she felt those words didn't count.

Although it doesn't count, but... she still remembers it.

Some secret thoughts appeared in her mind. Chu Jiujiu frowned and felt very bad.

How could she have such an idea? She actually hoped that Han Shengyi would not fall in love and not meet the so-called "partner".

Everyone wants to get married and start a family, and Chu Jiujiu is no exception. She does not hate marriage. On the contrary, she is particularly looking forward to it. She wants to have a sweet love affair one day in the future and meet someone who makes her heart beat. She thinks that must be a very romantic and happy thing. In this case, how can she deprive Han Shengyi of the right to do so?

Chu Jiujiu was depressed. On the one hand, she despised herself for being so selfish. On the other hand, she began to think about what she would do if Han Shengyi really had a girlfriend.

There is no other way. Just like others said, just stay away from them... avoid suspicion, stay away from them, so as to avoid small conflicts between the couple.

As soon as the words "husband and wife" appeared in her mind, Chu Jiujiu's resistance became even stronger.

Chu Jiujiu was very depressed. Fang Cheng was indeed a straight man. He was still complaining about the blind date. He didn't even realize that he had been talking for such a long time. You know, he was a famous man who was concise and would not talk if he could.

He usually didn't talk because he felt that no one he could talk to was either too old or not smart enough. Chu Jiujiu was neither of those two, so from the beginning, he liked chatting with her. She was too young at that time, only sixteen years old. Actually, she is not that old now, only seventeen.

However, being in the same campus blurred their concept of age. Fang Cheng no longer remembered that he was five years older than Chu Jiujiu. He only knew that he admired Chu Jiujiu very much.

She is smart, cunning, and bright like a little sun. She is also very beautiful. Today's clothes are very suitable for her. They not only make her temperament more outstanding, but also make her look more mature.

Chu Jiujiu lowered her eyes, seemingly listening to Fang Cheng's words, but in fact, she had been distracted for a long time. It was not until Fang Cheng asked her a question that she came back to her senses, "What did you say?"

Fang Cheng repeated patiently, "I'm saying, do you want to go to the National Day social gathering?"

He smiled, but it was a different smile than usual. He was a little nervous. "There are fruits and snacks at the social gathering, and there will be music. We will all listen to music, dance, and eat together. It's quite fun."

Not seeing any reaction from Chu Jiujiu, he continued, "Can you dance?"

This time, Chu Jiujiu shook her head and said, "No, I've never learned to dance."

Fang Cheng's smile became more sincere. "I can. I can teach you."

This was his hint that he wanted to invite Chu Jiujiu to be his dance partner. Chu Jiujiu was indeed slow-witted, but if he didn't talk about feelings but only about dancing, she would still understand.

She was a little confused.

Although she and Fang Cheng were together every day, and the time they spent together was almost more than the time she slept, dancing was still different after all. Ballroom dancing required them to hug each other's waists.

After being slow for seventeen years, finally, on this joyous day, after being reminded by classmate Fang Cheng, Chu Jiujiu suddenly had a flash of inspiration and belatedly realized something.

Why did Fang Cheng ask her this? Was he interested in her?

Thinking of this, Chu Jiujiu became even more conflicted.

She didn't hate Fang Cheng, she actually liked him quite a bit, but was this the same kind of liking? What kind of liking was that?

In an instant, many thoughts flashed through her mind. In the end, Chu Jiujiu didn't say anything final. "I, I'll think about it."

When Fang Cheng saw her blushing, his face quickly turned red too. He had been on blind dates countless times, but this was the first time that Fang Cheng felt embarrassed.

Next, it was time to read seriously. No one spoke. When the time was almost up, Chu Jiujiu left. Fang Cheng's face was still a little hot, so he didn't follow her.

——

Han Shengyi's class stayed late today. Ten minutes after the bell rang, students came out one after another.

Han Shengyi squeezed past the students in front of him and walked out quickly. His classmates were already used to it. They all knew that Han Shengyi had a regular beautiful female dinner partner, but no one in the class knew that she was Han Shengyi's sister.

It's not that others haven't asked about her, but he's never introduced Chu Jiujiu in that way. Whenever someone asks about her, he always says that she lives in the same alley as me.

At this time, others would say, "Childhood sweethearts," and Han Shengyi smiled and said no more.

Then, everyone understood.

…

Han Shengyi arrived late. Chu Jiujiu not only took a seat, but also prepared two servings of food. She sat in a prominent position, picking at the rice grains on the plate. When Han Shengyi saw her, he slowed down his pace. When he came in front of Chu Jiujiu, he was breathing normally and walking leisurely, not looking hurried at all.

Sitting across from Chu Jiujiu, he smiled softly, "Have you been waiting for a long time? The teacher talked a little more today."

Chu Jiujiu straightened up quickly when she saw him coming. She didn't care that Han Shengyi was late and asked him, "Brother Shengyi, do you know about the National Day social gathering?"