After a while, the discussion about this matter at school gradually subsided.
Because everyone noticed that Jiang Cheng started appearing at school much less often.
He frequently took leave, sometimes not coming to school for several days in a row, and his presence became even less noticeable than before, to the point that everyone almost forgot there was such a person in the school.
In the corridor, in the water room, in the stairwell, in the cafeteria... Pei Xi never ran into him again.
One day, Pei Xi asked him on WeChat, and Jiang Cheng's reply was very concise, only saying that he was a little busy.
Another half month passed, and the end of the semester arrived. Winter was deepening, and the cold winter was here as scheduled.
As soon as the holiday began and the final exam results were released, Jiang Cheng's name, like a fixed program, was restarted and reappeared in everyone's sight.
At the dinner table, Pei Zhi looked at the report card on his phone, paused for a moment, and then his expression became indifferent again.
Pei Xi picked up a chicken wing and put it in the bowl, observing his expression, and asked with a smile, "How is it?"
Pei Zhi put down his phone and raised one eyebrow slightly. "If we don't count Jiang Cheng, I'm number one."
Pei Xi: "..."
She was hearing this expression for the first time, and it was quite novel to her.
The perennial runner-up snorted, somewhat indignantly, and said, "That kid even took so much leave, yet he still managed to pull ahead of me by twenty-eight points. Is he even human?"
After saying that, Pei Zhi also picked up a chicken wing and took a big bite.
What does it mean that he studied diligently day and night during the review week? Does it count as hard work?!
Pei Zhi took another big bite.
So he wants to remove Jiang Cheng from the picture!
In their human world, Pei Zhi is number one!
Pei Xi was amused by Pei Zhi's indignant expression, but then, as if remembering something, the curve of her lips faltered.
Speaking of taking leave, upon reflection, she realized that she hadn't seen Jiang Cheng in a very long time.
The last time they met was half a month ago. She was standing in the corridor after school when she saw his back as he hurriedly left on the playground.
—If this counts as a meeting.
He seemed really, really busy, so busy that she didn't even have the heart to bother him.
Pei Xi took out her phone, looked at the long-dormant snow scene profile picture, clicked on it, hesitated for two seconds, wondering if she should send him a message to ask how he was doing lately.
My finger hovered over the screen, but before I could press down, a bell rang at the door.
"I'll go open the door," Pei Zhi mumbled, swallowing the last bite of chicken.
He got up, walked to the door, looked at the face shown on the video doorbell, paused for a moment, and pressed the answer button.
"Hello."
A clear, gentle voice came from the other end of the doorbell: "Pei Zhi? It's me."
Pei Xi was startled when he heard the voice. He got up, walked to the door, and saw the face on the screen.
"Brother Langxuan?" she exclaimed in surprise, "You're on vacation?"
The person on the other end of the doorbell nodded. "They just got back yesterday."
"Pei Xi, please open the door for me." Lu Langxuan lifted the box in his hand, smiling broadly. "I've brought you some delicious food."
Pei Zhi pressed the touch switch on the doorbell.
The screen went out, and Lu Langxuan entered the courtyard gate.
Pei Zhi opened the door to the house in advance, saying as he walked, "Lu Langxuan told me when he came back yesterday, but I forgot."
Pei Xi smiled helplessly.
Lu Langxuan is one year older than Pei Zhi and just started university last year in Anshi.
Pei Zhi never called him "brother," always addressing him by his full name.
Pei Ruoyun and Lu Langxuan's mother were on good terms. The two had worked together in the clothing market selling clothes and bags. Later, Lu Langxuan's mother married Lu's father, who was in the leather business at the time. After the marriage, the Lu family's factory grew bigger and bigger, and they had many collaborations with Pei Ruoyun. The two families had always had a good relationship.
The Lu family lived in the same community as them, just one building apart. The two families would visit each other and have meals together during holidays.
A short while later, Lu Langxuan came out carrying two large suitcases.
His features weren't as refined as Pei Zhi's, nor as cold and sharp as Jiang Cheng's. He wore a pair of silver-rimmed metal glasses, and his temperament was gentle and mild, without any aggression, which was quite fitting for his name.
“My mom bought a few grouper and wild yellow croaker and asked me to bring two over to you. I’ll have your aunt cook them for you.”
Lu Langxuan handed the things in his hand to Pei Zhi.
"Thanks." Pei Zhi accepted it.
Pei Xi smiled and thanked him, "Thank you, Brother Langxuan."
"You're welcome." Lu Langxuan smiled gently.
"Come in and sit down." Pei Xi led Lu Langxuan to the sofa, while Pei Zhi went to the kitchen to put the fish down.
Lu Langxuan sat down on the sofa, and Pei Zhi came out of the kitchen and brought him a glass of water.
Lu Langxuan accepted the thank you, took a sip of warm water, and then smiled and said, "I've been going to university, so I can only come back once every six months. When I left, it was summer, and when I came back, it was snowing."
Lu Langxuan is the kind of person who is better at studying and is not very interested in games or basketball. So, although the two families have a good relationship, Pei Zhi is not really that close to him because they don't have many common topics.
It's more about the friendship between the older generation.
Upon hearing this, Pei Zhi half-jokingly said, "You two are in college and high school, while I'm in my final year of high school and I'm the one suffering the most."
Lu Langxuan smiled and said, "There are still six months left. Just hang in there and it will pass."
Pei Zhi raised an eyebrow, neither confirming nor denying.
"Oh, right, there's one more thing." Lu Langxuan said, holding his cup and looking at the two of them, "I've finally come back, and I've invited a few friends to go to karaoke later. They're all friends, seniors that Pei Zhi knows from this year. Shall we go together?"
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