Chapter 36: In front of the door "As long as you like it, it's good."

Yan Ning ran to his car.

The back door opened.

Yan Ning sat down, breathlessly.

Although Lin Xinci was urging her daughter to come out quickly when she called just now, but now, when she saw Yan Ning's appearance, she felt a little distressed and blamed her:

"Why are you running so fast? Eating cold air on an empty stomach will give you a stomachache."

Yan Xiangrong smiled and said, "Kids recover quickly, so it's okay for them to run around once in a while."

Lin Xinci frowned unhappily. "Don't think one or two times is no big deal. If it accumulates over time, won't it become a serious problem?"

Yan Xiangrong didn't say anything else.

Yan Ning kept her mouth shut and listened to the lecture. She carefully brought the balloon still tied to her wrist into the car, and only closed the door after making sure there was no risk of it being pinched by the door.

A heart is still beating non-stop.

Soon, we arrived at the restaurant for the dinner.

Yan Ning took off the balloon in advance and tied it to the handle of her canvas bag. After confirming again and again that it was tied firmly and there was no danger of it flying away, she followed her parents out of the car.

In the box.

Grandpa and grandma, my aunt's family, including Shen Gefei who was studying in another city and happened to be on vacation and had time, had all arrived.

Yan Ning greeted his elders and received a birthday red envelope.

After that, we ordered and the dishes were served. The meal turned out to be no different from previous years.

until.

At the table, the meal is almost finished.

Over there, the aunt just put down her chopsticks and wiped her mouth with a tissue. Shen Gefei, who was sitting next to Yan Ning, quickly turned around and whispered a warning:

"Be careful, I think we're going to 'siege' you again."

really.

As soon as Shen Gefei finished speaking, the aunt looked over and started asking questions:

"Ningning, how's school going lately? Are you adjusting well after the division of subjects? How are your grades?"

Yan Ning was about to speak.

Shen Gefei rushed to put a hard-to-peel crab on her mother's plate and complained:

"Mom, you're not a school teacher, so what advice can you give me about grades? Besides, Ningning's grades are much better than mine back then. Your educational experience won't be of much use."

Just then, Lin Xinci came back after urging the food to be served.

Lin Xinci glanced at Shen Gefei:

"How can you say that? The whole family needs to pool their wisdom. Your mother's experience in educating you will certainly be useful."

Shen Gefei once said that when she was a child, her parents were busy with work, and for a long time, Lin Xinci took care of her.

Even about Yan Ning's name——

The word "Ning" means peace and tranquility.

It seems to be related to the fact that when Lin Xinci was pregnant, Shen Gefei was naughty and broke his arm, and had to recuperate at home for half a year.

Perhaps it was because of the bloodline suppression that had started since childhood, so until now, Shen Gefei did not dare to act rashly in front of Lin Xinci.

Shen Gefei secretly stuck out his tongue and gave Yan Ning a helpless expression.

Yan Ning was used to it.

She talked about her recent studies at school and a series of report cards like calling out the names of dishes.

We talked about study for a while.

Yan Ning also heard a lot of clichés from the elders.

Finally, after singing the birthday song and making wishes, it was time to share the cake.

Shen Gefei passively listened to the education for the whole night, and couldn't help but think of his dark time in high school.

At that time, her parents didn't set high standards for her grades, and they all felt tired. Then they looked at her aunt who had high expectations, and Yan Ning, who was always well-behaved and obedient...

Shen Gefei was unwilling to bear it after all. He took the cut cake from Lin Xinci and asked indirectly:

"Aunt, when will you stop being so strict with Ningning?"

Lin Xinci turned around and glanced at Yan Ning.

Not far away.

Yan Ning sat next to her grandparents and talked to them. She picked up a piece of strawberry from the cake with a fork and was about to put it into her mouth.

Lin Xinci turned back and said casually:

"After she's eighteen."

The strawberries dipped in cream have a sweet and sour taste on the taste buds.

so.

Two more years.

Yan Ning's eyelashes drooped for a moment.

Although two years still sounded long and difficult, she couldn't help but start to have some vague expectations for the time after two years.

After the dinner.

My grandparents are going to stay at my aunt's house and will return to the suburbs tomorrow.

Yan Ning goes to school tomorrow morning, and Yan Xiangrong goes to work tomorrow. After he drives Lin Xinci and Yan Ning, mother and daughter, to the downstairs of Huize Community, he has to go back to the staff quarters of the Institute of Materials.

The car has just been parked.

The trunk is open.

Inside was a set of exquisite ceramic dolls that Yan Xiangrong had bought for Yan Ning as a birthday gift last month while he was on a business trip. The shop had a wide variety of dolls, and Yan Xiangrong had taken many photos for Yan Ning to choose from.

There were also several large bags of various supplies that Lin Xinci had bought at the supermarket before.

There were quite a lot of things, and each of the three of us had to carry several things. Although Yan Ning volunteered, saying that she could carry the ten-pound bag of flour.

But, in the end, apart from the set of porcelain doll gifts, what she got were only two very light little things.

When Lin Xinci was about to close the car door, she suddenly glanced over.

Yan Ning suddenly had a bad feeling.

Sure enough, the next second.

Lin Xinci raised her chin to indicate.

"If you don't have any use for this balloon, just throw it away. It will be garbage if you take it home."

Yan Ning's heart tightened.

Subconsciously tightening the string tied to the backpack, he said hurriedly:

“It’s still useful!”

Lin Xinci's brows were about to frown.

Yan Ning quickly changed the subject, "Dad is carrying so many things that it's hard for him to get the key. I'll go open the door for him!"

Flee the scene.

It’s not early.

As soon as they got home, the things they brought back were piled up in the living room. There was no time to clean up, so Lin Xinci urged Yan Ning to wash up and get ready for bed.

Yan Ning did as he was told.

The bedroom door is closed.

The lights were turned off as well.

Yan Ning listened at the door for a while, and after confirming that Lin Xinci had also returned to the room, he tiptoed to the wardrobe, opened the door, and took out the balloons that he had hidden inside when he returned.

Then she went to her desk and turned on the lamp to its lowest setting.

It's quiet at night.

Tonight, those memories of the amusement park, like frames from a movie, were replayed in Yan Ning's mind.

She could hear the thumping of her own heartbeat.

There is excitement and nervousness.

She carefully placed the balloon on the table.

Only then I realized——

The bow at the end of the balloon was tied in the same way as the one tied around her wrist before.

My heartbeat seems to be a little faster.

Like a little hammer.

Chattering in the chest.

She slowly opened the double-layer balloon, bit by bit, and finally, from inside, she found -

A small blue and white dolphin pendant.

Memory suddenly jumped to a long time ago.

That afternoon.

The heavy curtains blocked the sunlight outside the window. Sparkling water with sea salt and lemon flavor bloomed between the lips and teeth. On the projection screen, light and shadow intertwined, and the gripping movie plot unfolded scene by scene.

She actually doesn't remember.

After watching the movie, when she and Lu Chen were still unfamiliar with each other, did she ever tell him that her favorite character in the adventure animated film was the little dolphin that was always happy and free?

But now.

He gave her the same character pendant.

Wish her freedom.

At this moment, the blue and white dolphin lay quietly in her palm. She slowly held it, feeling the slightly cool touch bit by bit, and it gradually warmed up and became infected with her temperature.

My heartbeat unconsciously relaxed.

The nervousness was replaced by another kind of feeling that I had hardly experienced and could hardly describe...

Yan Ning thought about it carefully, and probably, it can be generally called -

Very happy.

So, it was clearly late at night and it was clearly the time to rest.

But Yan Ning didn't feel sleepy at all.

Under the not-too-bright light.

Yan Ning placed the little dolphin safely on a corner of the table.

Then, she opened the dark green notebook that was already half used, stuck a pink sticky note on a new page, and quickly wrote down the plan for tomorrow that she had already thought of.

Then, he took out the code paper from the interlayer of the notebook and wrote the three words "Amusement Park" stroke by stroke in the corresponding position.

After putting the notebook away.

She carefully put away the deflated balloons, the golden plastic sheets used for decoration inside, and the thin ropes used to tie the balloons. She then took the canvas bag she was carrying when she went out today and took out the packaging bag of the bracelet Xin Jing had given her from the zipper bag inside.

Finally, he bent down, opened the cabinet door under the desk, and took out a dark blue folder from the side.

The folder was very thick, and in the transparent envelopes on the front dozen pages were neatly packed the test papers of various subjects, big and small, that she had taken since she started high school.

Because Yan Ning has the habit of copying down and organizing wrong questions, this folder is not used very often in daily life.

As for her study materials and other items, Lin Xinzhi usually doesn't touch them because she is afraid of messing up the order.

Yan Ning flipped directly to the end of the folder.

In the last two transparent bags, one—

It contained a movie ticket stub, two cut-up milk tea cup sleeves, and some small odds and ends, which were all souvenirs left behind when Yan Ning and Xin Jing occasionally went out to play together.

Yan Ning also put the bag containing the bracelets he received today into the bag.

There is another one——

Inside were two math papers.

In the blank space on the side, there was pencil handwriting similar to hers, which was from a few months ago when she was overwhelmed by the heavy workload of cram school.

Lu Chen stepped forward.

I helped her write the test paper and highlighted the key questions, so that she finally got a little bit of rest time.

At that time, I put away the two papers simply to remind myself to remember to thank Lu Chen.

And now.

Yan Ning put the balloons into the bag as well.

It seems that the purpose is purer.

I just want to preserve these things well.

Yan Ning is still wearing the bracelet given by Xin Jing on his left wrist.

Although the school prohibits wearing accessories, the weather is not that hot now, so you still need to wear a coat in the morning and evening.

So, hidden by long sleeves.

Yan Ning planned to wear the bracelet for a while and then put it away for safekeeping.

And the little dolphin pendant.

Yan Ning picked it up from the table, and in a blink of an eye, he saw his light blue schoolbag placed aside.

She tried it.

The little dolphin in blue and white is hung on the zipper of the backpack. It is not conspicuous but very suitable. It is a perfect combination.

Meet the little dolphin's small black bean-like eyes.

Yan Ning couldn't help but curl his eyebrows again.

Another Saturday.

Yan Ning carried her light blue schoolbag and went to the opposite door.

Lu Chen hadn't arrived yet, and only Grandpa Zhao and Grandma Cen were in the living room.

In fact, because he didn't need many things, Yan Ning usually came here later with only a canvas bag, or simply came with the things in his arms.

The reason why I carry a schoolbag this time is, of course——

I wanted Lu Chen to see the little dolphin hanging on it.

It was probably similar to the feeling I had when I secretly showed Xin Jing the bracelet on her wrist at school.

She wants the other person to know that she treasures this gift.

I want the other person to be happy as well.

Yan Ning suppressed his slightly restless heart and thought so.

After greeting the two elders, Yan Ning walked to her usual seat with familiarity.

But the placement of the schoolbag made her a little confused.

Putting it directly on the table would be too deliberate, after all, she had never done this before, but putting it on the chair was worried that the height was not enough and Lu Chen would not be able to see it later.

After a quick thought...

Yan Ning finally placed his schoolbag upright against the back of the chair. After taking out the pencil case and notebook from it, he only zipped it halfway, and the pendant on it just stopped at the highest point, higher than the height of the table.

Set against a light blue background.

Then a little dolphin jumped out of the water joyfully.

Perfect.

Yan Ning was quite satisfied with this solution.

Not long.

Lu Chen is here.

Lu Chen sat down.

However, after Lu Chen and Yan Ning's eyes met, he slightly pulled the corner of his lip, but he didn't understand at all. Her glance to the side hinted at her, and he glanced casually and then retracted his gaze. Then, he took out the test paper from his backpack and lowered his head to do the questions.

Yan Ning: ...

She was a little anxious.

But Grandpa Zhao stayed in the living room all afternoon, and Yan Ning had no chance to chat with Lu Chen or pass him a note.

During this time, she tried to move her schoolbag twice, making a slight noise, but it did not attract Lu Chen's attention.

Before I knew it, it was time for Yan Ning to leave after class as usual.

Although helpless, we can only fight again next week.

Thinking this, Yan Ning packed his schoolbag, stood up, said goodbye to Grandpa Zhao, and was about to leave.

But I don't want to.

opposite.

Lu Chen also stood up.

Meeting Yan Ning's gaze, he smiled and said casually:

"I'm going to the gym."

Willow, dark, flower, bright!

It was obvious that the two of them hadn't seen each other for a long time and just happened to leave together.

If this isn’t a great opportunity sent by God, then what is it!!!

Yan Ning suppressed his excitement and deliberately slowed down his pace, watching Lu Chen quickly pack the things into his black messenger bag. The two of them walked out the door together, one in front and the other behind.

The door is closed.

Yan Ning almost couldn't wait to turn sideways, and the little dolphin on the schoolbag jumped with joy.

The space in front of the door is cramped.

Of course, Lu Chen had already noticed that hint of blue and white.

He lowered his gaze, his dark eyes focused and filled with a faint smile as he looked at the person in front of him.

"I like you very much—"

Hear this.

A moment.

Lu Chen was suddenly stunned.

Even the perfect smile in his eyes was cracked because he was too surprised.

Yan Ning turned around and fiddled with the little dolphin hanging on the side with his fingers. He was just worried that Lu Chen didn't notice it, and he didn't realize the small problem in his punctuation at all.

She raised her eyes and looked at Lu Chen.

Very happy, continued to speak quickly:

"——Give me my little dolphin, I will let it live well on my schoolbag!"

Big ups and downs.

Not good for the heart.

This is Lu Chen’s personal experience at this moment.

Just meeting that pair of sparkling almond-shaped eyes that were brighter than stars.

He felt no regrets.

I couldn't help but be infected by her happiness.

One second later.

Lu Chen covered his lips, coughed lightly, and then curved the corners of his lips and said sincerely:

"As long as you like it."

-

The weather is getting hotter day by day.

Since he no longer needed to wear a coat in the morning and evening, Yan Ning had no choice but to take off the bracelet Xin Jing gave him and put it away carefully in the cabinet beside the bed.

June passed quickly, followed by final exams and then summer vacation.

The night before the official holiday.

After dinner.

Lin Xinci announced a news:

"Starting tomorrow, you will go to the general summer training camp."

Yan Ning didn't have time to say anything.

Lin Xinci handed over a brochure, and then introduced the training class, how excellent the teachers were, and how good the students' grades were.

Meaning.

There is no room for negotiation.

You must take this class.

Yan Ning understood what her mother meant, but when she saw the schedule above—

From Monday to Saturday, the daytime is full of classes, and only on Sunday is there a column marked "Self-study/Q&A".

So...

"Over there, Teacher Zhao..."

Yan Ning raised his head and looked for a pause in Lin Xinci's words. Before he could finish his question, he was interrupted by Lin Xinci with a wave of his hand:

"I won't be going this summer. I've already told Teacher Zhao and the others."

His fingertips unconsciously pinched the corner of the brochure.

Yan Ning lowered his eyes silently.

After a while.

When Lin Xinci's endless chatter finally ended.

Yan Ning nodded and replied calmly:

"I know, Mom."

So, starting from the next day, Yan Ning started attending classes again, moving from one school to another.

Every day is repetitive and dull.

It seems that there is not much difference from before.

Saturday came in a flash.

In the afternoon, when leaving home, Yan Ning subconsciously, or perhaps habitually, raised his eyes and glanced at the closed door opposite.

There are still differences.

The day before yesterday, when Yan Ning came back from school, he happened to meet Grandpa Zhao and Grandma Cen who were coming back from buying groceries downstairs.

Yan Ning helped the old man carry a bag of vegetables, chatted for a while, and promised to visit the man next door when he was free. Although this "free time" seemed a long way off, the possibility of running into him again was still very high.

And Lu Chen.

Probably, we can only wait until school starts again.

Maybe we'll have a chance to see each other again...

Go to cram school.

Yan Ning is usually one of the first students to arrive in the classroom, and today was no exception. There were only two or three people sitting in the classroom.

The air conditioning in the room is turned on very high.

Yan Ning, carrying his schoolbag, chose a seat in the first row near the door, a place where he would not be directly blown by the air conditioner.

Then, I took out the homework from other courses from my bag and started doing the questions.

I have math class in the afternoon.

Because it was the first class, the teacher came very early and brought a large stack of tutorial materials, which he distributed at the podium.

After Yan Ning came back from getting the textbooks, he lowered his head and carefully read through them for preparation.

Gradually more and more people came into the classroom.

There were noisy sounds of people greeting each other and chatting. The room was quite large, and there were relatively not that many students. There were still many empty seats everywhere. Most of these sounds came from the back row, far away from Yan Ning.

A figure walked by.

The noisy chatter in Yan Ning's ears suddenly faded away as if someone had pressed the volume button.

The brain has just received but not yet processed the information.

Her shoulders.

Someone patted me lightly from behind.

Yan Ning subconsciously turned his head back.

In the next moment.

Meet a pair of dark eyes filled with smile.

She was completely stunned.

And that person.

"This classmate,"

The young man's eyes were bright, he spread out one hand, leaned forward, and asked with a smile:

"Can you lend me a pen?"

This person...

it turns out--

It’s Lu Chen???

Yan Ning was dumbfounded.

The afternoon sun is pouring down and the cicadas are chirping outside the classroom.

Lu Chen sat behind her.

And her.

Became classmates.