A short separation at the start of the school year
Nanqi led Song Zhao to an open space, removed a few tree branches by hand, and then placed the firework tube in the center.
“Come on, count to three, two, one,” Nanqi said, raising an eyebrow as she looked at Song Zhao.
Song Zhao said excitedly:
"three"
"two"
"one"
Nanqi quickly lit the fuse, then ran to Song Zhao's side. With a "whoosh," a bright spark shot into the sky, and with a "bang," it bloomed into a huge, multicolored flower. Immediately afterwards, a second and a third shot up in succession, filling the night sky with more colorful and dazzling sparks. The cold, dark night was suddenly warmed, and the people embracing each other felt exceptionally warm.
Nanqi stood behind Song Zhao and hugged her, gently covering her ears, "These fireworks were set off for you, are you happy?"
Song Zhao clapped her hands excitedly and screamed, her smile extremely bright, "So happy, thank you, baby!"
Nanqi had been setting off fireworks since she was a child, so these kinds of fireworks were nothing special to her, and she wasn't as excited as Song Zhao. However, she did have an unexpected bonus today, which was seeing such a childlike side of Song Zhao.
She didn't record it with her phone; instead, she kept the moment in her heart.
The next day, Nanqi packed Song Zhao's things and took her back to her home. On the way there, Song Zhao went shopping and bought some health supplements and jewelry as New Year's gifts, which she planned to give to Wu Hua as well.
"Are you going to my house to propose marriage?" Nanqi said.
"That won't do. My proposal is too simple. Even without auspicious clouds, I'll have to drive there and fill the trunk completely. Otherwise, how can I bring my precious daughter home?"
Nanqi chuckled and said, "Then you have to get my approval for what you give me. Otherwise, you'll spend all your money and I'll be left starving."
"You still scheme against your mother like this?"
"Anyway, I can't suffer." Nanqi smiled, her eyes crinkling.
Wu Hua was already used to Song Zhao's visits; in the first half of the year, Song Zhao had come to her house more times than Li Jia and Duan Peng combined. In addition, Nan Qi's improved grades last semester made her like Song Zhao more and more. From the moment she entered the door, she couldn't stop smiling, bringing out all kinds of snacks and preparing an exceptionally lavish meal.
Nan Yue was very enthusiastic towards her brother-in-law, always serving her food and praising her. Song Zhao was surprised to find herself so popular in the family and felt flattered.
Nanqi explained to Wu Hua that Song Zhao's parents were busy and went back to work on the third day of the Lunar New Year. They didn't want her to live alone at home, so they brought her over to stay for a few days.
Upon hearing that Song Zhao was coming to stay, Nan Yue started imagining things and couldn't help but laugh out loud, making Nan Qi and Song Zhao blush. Wu Hua said, "Look how happy you are now that your sister Zhao Zhao is coming."
Nan Yue smiled and said, "Yes...you bet, I really like Sister Zhao Zhao."
"How about the three of you share a room tonight? You can talk about whatever you want."
"No, Mom, I don't want to share a room with them. I want to share a bed with you."
Nanqi added, "Yes, Mom, Yueyue's and my beds aren't very spacious. Besides, there's an age gap between us and Yueyue, so we don't really have much in common."
Wu Hua glanced at her and said, "Fine, Nan Yue will sleep with me."
That night, Song Zhao lay in Nan Qi's bed, resting his head on her shoulder, and sighed, "I'm worried that with Yueyue in this state, you won't be able to hide it from your mother anytime sooner or later."
"Don't worry, she's tight-lipped. Even if my mom suspects something, she'll cover it up. She was just a little excited to see you today, and her mind was full of dirty thoughts."
"That means she really approves of my abilities," Song Zhao said, raising his head with a lecherous grin.
"Tch, don't overthink it. She just approves of your money."
"Money? I didn't give her any money," Song Zhao asked, puzzled.
"You forgot, that annual VIP card, she said it was worth ten thousand."
"Oh~" Song Zhao said suddenly. "She wants that card, I'll send her two more."
Nanqi's pupils dilated in shock as she exclaimed, "Are you crazy? She's so young, why do you keep sending her such expensive things?"
“That’s nothing of value to me.”
Nanqi rolled her eyes at her Versailles-like remarks.
"In short, she's still young. It's not good for her to keep showering her with sweet words; it will distort her views on spending."
“Um… I didn’t expect that.”
Actually, Nanqi and Nanyue are only two and a half years apart, but Nanqi has always taken care of her, and over time, she has become no different from an elder.
Song Zhao felt that teenagers were already capable of making judgments, and using expensive items wouldn't have any negative impact.
However, she had no choice but to listen to Nanqi, so from then on she could only secretly give this sister-in-law benefits.
Song Zhao couldn't resist sliding his hand down again, but Nan Qi stopped him first, saying, "This is my house, are you crazy?"
"I'm just doing it for fun, I won't do anything else."
"That won't do either," Nanqi said, blushing. "I can't control myself..."
Song Zhao understood immediately and replied, "Oh."
"When will there be a second time?"
Nanqi said, "Let's wait until school starts."
"That's still several days away."
"Can't wait?"
Song Zhao nodded hurriedly.
"Then you can go sleep in Yueyue's bed."
"Why are you still separated?"
"No, it's just sleeping in separate beds. The next step is to separate from each other."
"No, I don't want to." Song Zhao hugged Nanqi even tighter. "Then can you wait?"
"cut…"
During the day, Nanqi took Nanyue and Song Zhao out for a stroll. They watched a movie and ate popcorn together.
As Nan Yue left the cinema, she spotted a watch with a strap that looked like white jade and a dial surrounded by small diamonds.
The sales clerk immediately took the watch out of the store and said, "Young lady, you have excellent taste. This style is very beautiful and perfect for young people like you."
Nan Yue took it, touched it, and waved her hand, saying, "I don't want it anymore."
Nanqi also pulled Song Zhao over, "What's on your mind?"
"No, I didn't like any of them," Nan Yue said.
Song Zhao glanced at the label and then remained silent.
Nanqi saw a long line ahead with a lot of people, glanced at the billboard and said, "They have ice cream puffs over there, 3 for 10 yuan, perfect for the three of us!"
Song Zhao glanced around and said, "Then I'll go buy it. You two sit in the lobby for a while."
Nan Yue said, "No, I'll go instead."
Nanqi hooked her arm around Nanyue's neck and said, "Don't try to take credit now. This is your brother-in-law's turn to shine."
"Oh~".
Nanqi and Nanyue sat to one side, with Nanqi scrolling through her phone.
A moment later, Nan Yue teased, "Sis, how was it between you two last night?"
"I slept quite well, but my bed was indeed too narrow."
"That's not what I meant. I'm asking you about the whole process, from top to bottom."
Nanqi was so angry that she quickly covered her mouth with her hand: "You're a minor, can't you think more simply?"
"I've already given up my room, can't I even listen to some gossip?" Nan Yue said indignantly.
Nanqi glanced at her and said, "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but we didn't do anything except sleep."
Nan Yue looked at her with a disgusted expression, "Your brother-in-law is so handsome, and he's throwing himself at you, how can you still resist?"
"Mind your own business! I can do it!"
"What can it be?" Song Zhao asked curiously as he walked over, holding a bag of cream puffs.
Nanqi said guiltily, "No, it's nothing."
"Wow, it really tastes like ice cream!" Nan Yue exclaimed excitedly after taking a bite.
"Eat up, and I'll go buy more after you're done," Song Zhao said.
"That's enough, that's enough. If she wants to eat, let her go buy it herself. Don't worry about her," Nanqi said.
"Brother-in-law, you see? You're going to suffer with such a tightwad in the future."
Song Zhao smiled and said, "You can't say that about your sister."
Nanqi stuck out her tongue and said smugly, "See? Your brother-in-law knows who he's related to."
"Fine, fine, you two are family, and I'm the only outsider, okay?" Nan Yue said irritably. After finishing the cream puff, she walked ahead alone.
Song Zhao whispered in Nan Qi's ear, "Why don't we go and coax her?"
Nanqi said, "Don't mind her, she'll be fine in a bit."
Song Zhao said, "You can ignore her, but I can't. I finally got the reputation of being a good brother-in-law, and I can't let all my efforts go to waste."
Nanqi scoffed, a slight smile playing on her lips, and said, "Go ahead."
Song Zhao caught up with him in a few steps, saying, "Your sister and I were just joking with you, don't mind it."
Nan Yue shrugged and said, "I know, I'm not angry. It's just that when I walk with you two, I feel like a third wheel. I'm afraid I'll blind you."
Song Zhao took a small box out of the inside pocket of her trench coat and whispered, "Don't tell your sister."
Nan Yue opened the box, and was first surprised, then her eyes crinkled with laughter. It was the watch she had been staring at for so long.
Nan Yue still declined, saying, "I can't accept this. My mom and sister wouldn't agree, and I have no reason to take it."
Song Zhao said, "Consider this a thank you gift for helping us get together these past few days."
Nan Yue pursed her lips, forcing herself to hide her smile, "Hey, thanks brother-in-law."
"Good girl." Song Zhao patted her head and said affectionately.
After appeasing Nan Yue, the three of them left together. Nan Qi walked in the middle, holding Nan Yue's hand with one hand and interlocking her fingers with Song Zhao's with the other.
Before they knew it, it was the eighth day of the new year, and school started. In the first week, the school unprecedentedly arranged a mock exam for the senior students, selecting a few top students from each class to go to the "elite class" to strive for admission to top-tier universities. Song Zhao's grades remained the same, so he was naturally assigned there as well.
After Song Zhao left, Nan Qi found her days particularly difficult to endure. Although they couldn't talk to each other in class before, Nan Qi could still see her all the time, tug at her clothes, and secretly pass her little notes. Now, all of that was gone.
As soon as the bell rang, Nanqi wanted to rush over and hold Song Zhao's hand for as long as possible.
"If I had known that we would be separated when school started, I would have preferred that school hadn't started at all," Nanqi complained.
"I didn't know either. If I had known we were going to be divided into different classes, I would have gotten a few more questions wrong so I could be with you."
"No, that won't do. Your future is more important," Nanqi said nervously. "Let me tell you, don't do anything like those stupid things you see on TV, like deliberately leaving out a few big questions on the college entrance exam just to get into the same school as your boyfriend."
Song Zhao rested her chin on her hand and said, "Then don't you want to go to the same school as me?"
"I do want to, but that's only if I try my best to keep up with you." Nanqi sighed and said, "But it's too difficult, and this idea is too unrealistic. I'll try my best to get into the same city as you, as close as possible. If I fail, it's okay, I can take the old-fashioned green train to come see you."
"No, it's always you who gives in to me. Can't I be the one who gets into your city or takes the train to see you?"
“You can come to me, but nothing else will do. Our family needs someone who can earn money to support us in the future. Someone like me can only make ends meet, let alone support a family. Our family will have to rely on you in the future.”
"Hmm, that makes sense."
Song Zhao paused, then said somewhat dejectedly, "Starting next week, we'll be in closed-off learning. The school has arranged dormitories for a few of us, and we'll be eating and living on campus. That means I won't be able to go home with you after school anymore."
"Ah..." Nanqi pouted, looking unhappy.
"I'll try my best to visit you whenever I have time. Even if I'm not by your side, you have to try your best too."
"Okay," Nanqi said dejectedly. "Then starting next week, I'll write a diary and tell you every day how much I miss you and how painful it is. After you finish your college entrance exam, I'll show it to you together and make you feel so sorry for me."
Song Zhao frowned instantly, staring blankly at her, as if he was thinking about something.
"Oh, I was just kidding, don't do that."
Seeing that Song Zhao was still unhappy, Nan Qi quickly hugged her and rubbed her face against her cheek: "Don't be unhappy, okay? I won't tease you anymore."
"I'll miss you so much too." Song Zhao hugged her, his voice a little choked up.
"Then let's agree that no matter how busy we are, we'll still say good morning and good night to each other, okay?"
"Okay, I'll say it every day."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com