Chapter 16
Lu Jiyu was originally a little worried that if he rejected Jiang Wan, she would continue to pester him.
As a result, people change their minds faster than they change their attitudes.
"So..." The girl opposite asked without thinking, "Perhaps your friend would be interested?"
"You mean, Zhou Zifang?"
Lu Jiyu suddenly didn’t understand what the definition of a good figure was.
Before Zhou Zifang entered his senior year of high school, thanks to his frequent basketball practice, he had a respectable figure. But during his senior year, thanks to his mother's meticulous care, he not only gained thirty pounds, but also lost most of the muscles he'd built from playing basketball. For a while, Zhou Zifang found it difficult to accept. In the evenings, when he was feeling emo, he'd call Lu Jiyu and make a hasty resolution, vowing to lose weight. The next day, he'd be eating hot pot and barbecue again, looking like a completely different person from the one who'd claimed to be losing weight the day before, and naturally, he'd gained even more weight.
Lu Jiyu actually practiced it before.
It's not that he specifically looks for someone to train with. After all, he is young and exercises regularly. Every inch of his muscles are fresh and distinct, and there is no need for overly deliberate sculpting. It's just that Lu Lin sometimes gets a lot of VIP membership cards for gyms, but never has time to use them, so he will give them to Lu Jiyu. Lu Jiyu is usually very busy with his studies, and is basically not in the local area during the winter and summer vacations, and he has never thought about it. It was just that during the first semester of his second year of high school, the school organized a social practice investigation to other places during the summer vacation. The time was set for the end of July, and every student was required to participate. It happened that the son of a friend of Lu Lin was going to take the high school entrance examination, so he asked Lu Jiyu to give him extra lessons. The two things happened to coincide, and Lu Jiyu simply postponed his plan to leave the city, intending to stay there until the end of July.
To find something to do, he used Lu Lin's gym membership and went to the gym for a casual workout. Lu Lin's private lessons were incredibly expensive, but he rarely showed up. Seeing Lu Jiyu coming, the trainer's eyes were filled with ambition: "I must get this customer to renew their membership for another ten years." Lu Jiyu initially went only once every two or three days. Still, the trainer wasn't satisfied, constantly sending him WeChat messages.
If it were just ordinary WeChat messages, the kind where a coach urges students to go to class, Lu Jiyu would have tolerated them. The problem was that the coach kept sending inexplicable messages, either reminding him to dress warmly because it was cold, or reminding him to remember to bring an umbrella when going out because the weather forecast predicted rain. He also kept asking if Lu Jiyu had eaten and what he had eaten, constantly emphasizing that 30% depended on practice, and 70% depended on diet.
The coach's frequent WeChat posts inevitably caught the attention of those around him. Lu Lin caught him once and confronted Lu Jiyu, demanding he was in a relationship with a girl. Lu Jiyu, helpless, explained his situation word for word. Finally, half-believing and half-doubting, Lu Lin let him off the hook. Later, fearing further trouble, Lu Jiyu deleted his WeChat account. Lu Lin caught him again, this time demanding he goad him into such a situation if he wasn't guilty.
Lu Jiyu is so tired that he doesn't care who he loves.
What's wrong with him feeling guilty?
Then Zhou Zifang also saw the coach showing concern for him once.
He almost jumped up on the spot.
"Something's happening!"
"No. A gym trainer. A man."
"Damn—a man? I told you this face is trouble, it really attracts both men and women. Have you ever thought that the reason you haven't been attracted to girls in all these years might be because you're gay? It's not that I'm pessimistic, it's just that men are more dangerous, so you must take precautions—"
When they said this, the two of them were squatting on the side of the road, each with a bowl of instant noodles. Lu Jiyu said nothing and sternly pressed Zhou Zifang's head into the instant noodle bucket, "You're done playing, aren't you?"
The words people around him said were of little consequence, and Lu Jiyu had assumed he'd just let them go. But then, whenever he went to the gym again and came into contact with the trainer, he felt something was off. Shortness of breath and reddened skin weren't the only symptoms, and his heart was pounding.
Lu Jiyu turned to glance at the coach correcting his posture. His expression remained impassive, but inside, he was completely utterly wrecked. Could it be that Zhou Zifang was right? Was he actually a closeted person, and just didn't know it? Although he'd never been in a relationship, when he was little, he'd seen pretty and cute girls at school. While he couldn't really say he was attracted to them, he'd still feel happy.
This problem troubled him for several days, until his shortness of breath and reddened skin became increasingly severe, and Lu Jiyu finally realized he might be suffering from an allergy. The symptoms weren't serious, and he went to the hospital for some medication, which he took for a few days and improved, but they couldn't find the allergen. When he was almost recovered, he asked his fitness trainer to urge him to exercise again, but the allergy symptoms returned the same day.
Later, I finally figured out that there was probably an ingredient in the hand cream that the coach often used, and Lu Jiyu was allergic to it.
No wonder Lu Jiyu felt uncomfortable all over as soon as he started to guide her movements.
When Zhou Zifang learned about this, he nearly dislocated his jaw with laughter, and he kept chasing him, calling him "Princess and the Pea" for a long time. This annoyed Lu Jiyu so much that he simply cut off their friendship. In the end, Zhou Zifang tearfully performed a scene of eating two large bowls of peas in front of him, only to coax him back.
Until this incident, Lu Jiyu never went to the gym again.
But until now he has maintained a good figure, thin but not frail, thin but not loose.
Jiang Wan was actually a little desperate and was trying all kinds of treatments.
A "cheap" model that Jiang Huainan had arranged to work with before his trip suddenly stood up, and the class was about to start. Jiang Wan had no place to stay and no money to find a new model.
"He's a bit out of shape, but that has its advantages. It will be easier to bargain for him later."
It turns out that she had this plan.
Lu Jiyu took a step back calmly: "Then why are you still looking for me?"
"You're different." The rain outside seemed to have intensified, a few drops drifting into her collar. Jiang Wan hunched her neck and took a step forward as Lu Jiyu retreated.
"You look quite expensive."
"I came to you first because we might be more familiar with each other than Zhou Zifang. Even though we're not that familiar, but isn't this kind of money-making opportunity meant to be introduced to someone you know better?"
…
She really doesn't know how to talk. Hearing her praise people makes me feel uncomfortable. Lu Jiyu reached out and lifted the collar of his T-shirt, his eyes cold and speechless. "Thank you so much."
"You're welcome." Jiang Wan accepted his thanks. She sighed slightly, looking a little annoyed: "After thinking about it, I still feel that it's not very reliable. If it really doesn't work out, I'll just cancel the class first and talk about it later."
She was really bad at playing hard to get. While pretending to be annoyed, she didn't forget to observe his reaction out of the corner of her eye.
what to do.
I think it's kind of funny what's going on.
Lu Jiyu crossed his arms and said slowly, "Why don't you go look for Chen Wulin?"
This is really a bit mean.
"Chen Wulin?" Jiang Wan immediately shook his head: "He is not that kind of person."
What do you mean he is not that kind of person?
Lu Jiyu suppressed his emotions, his face cold and indifferent: "Tell me, what kind of person is this?"
Jiang Wan couldn't really explain it, but he didn't want to say too much about Chen Wulin in front of outsiders: "Anyway, he's not the same type as you and Zhou Zifang."
Lu Jiyu and Zhou Zifang both shared a similar trait: a distinctly free spirit. Lu Jiyu, in particular, possessed a sense of profound spiritual and material contentment, allowing him to act with a certain spontaneity. As for Chen Wulin, Jiang Wan couldn't quite put his finger on it. He clearly had everything he needed, yet there was a constant tension in his nature.
"That's it?" Lu Jiyu put one hand in his pocket and glanced at her with a raised brow, obviously not satisfied with the answer.
Jiang Wan pointed at the takeout bag in his hand and said, "It tastes better if you put the crispy pork in the microwave to cool it down."
Lu Jiyu wanted to tell him to stop looking, but he straightened up and glanced casually toward the alley entrance. Zhou Zifang was strolling over, bag in hand. He had his phone to his ear, probably on a call, and judging by his nonchalant way of swaying from side to side, it was obvious his mother was calling him home.
"You seem to care a lot." Lu Jiyu had originally wanted her to go back to her own home, to prevent Zhou Zifang from running into her and causing trouble. But the first thing he said was nonsense.
Jiang Wan had no idea of Lu Jiyu's thoughts.
Chen Meiyun was taking a shower in her bedroom, and it would probably take a while for her to recover, so she was in no hurry to go back.
"By the way, which school do you plan to apply to in the college entrance examination?"
Lu Jiyu raised his eyebrows and asked, "Why are you asking this?"
"What about you?"
"What?" Jiang Wan muttered, as if she'd heard something and thought it was Chen Meiyu looking for her. She leaned out into the fine rain to peek downstairs, but seeing nothing, she leaned back under the eaves. This back and forth, she got drenched again. A few raindrops clung to each of her long eyelashes, glistening and priceless.
Jiang Wan shook his head.
Lu Jiyu thought to himself, you are a dog.
"Aren't you also a senior this year?"
"Did Chen Meiyu say that?" Jiang Wan thought about it and this was the only possibility. Chen Meiyu usually kept her mouth shut, but once she met a handsome guy, her mind automatically became invisible.
"When you were locked in your bedroom, I saw a high school math book with your name on it in the studio."
Jiang Wan nodded calmly: "Yes, I was supposed to take the college entrance examination this year, but my dad forced me to drop out of school and stay at home to work in the painting studio. How is it? Is it miserable?"
"Although it's miserable, I haven't given up hope in life. I still work diligently every day to make money." Jiang Wan originally wanted to act with tears in his eyes, but unfortunately his acting skills were still a little lacking.
Lu Jiyu looked at her serious nonsense and was a little curious about how this person's brain circuit worked.
"How about this, my family is still in need of a nanny. Why don't you come to my house to work? I'll give you five plastic bottles a day?"
Jiang Wan was dissatisfied: "Capitalist!"
Lu Jiyu stretched out a hand and made the sign "four." His slender fingers showed distinct bones and vibrant veins. In an instant, even the five plastic bottles vanished.
Jiang Wan: "Evil capitalists!"
Lu Jiyu no longer had any interest in beating around the bush. A sense of alienation twisted in his clear pupils: "So, can we continue chatting today?"
Jiang Wan knew he was a smart guy, and beating around the bush seemed disrespectful: "I'm a senior in high school, yes. I'm not in school because I got 50 extra points from F University. I'm flattered, so I'm not going to school anymore."
Lu Jiyu was not surprised by her status as a top student, but was surprised by her attitude.
If anyone else mentioned this, they would have a hint of pride in their eyes. But the girl opposite her acted as if she were discussing someone else's business, showing no emotion at all.
Lu Jiyu had a former junior high classmate who also attended Jiayuan. He vaguely remembered that classmate telling him about a school goddess. She was the type with both talent and beauty, and his friend had praised her quite a bit at the time. Lu Jiyu wasn't particularly interested in such topics, so he didn't really listen, but he knew there was a pretty, academically gifted girl in Jiayuan.
Now, after pulling out these hazy memories one by one, dusting them off, and comparing them one by one, he knew that the super goddess his friend had mentioned was Jiang Wan. Lu Jiyu had never doubted Jiang Wan's excellence. When they first met, her eyes were bright and clear, and she was born with a smart energy and a bit of stubbornness. She was full of vitality and endless possibilities.
"Well, so if you have any questions about your studies in the future, you can come and ask me." Jiang Wan continued somewhat unnaturally.
Lu Jiyu knew that she had misunderstood him because of his German school uniform, but this matter could not be explained in just two or three sentences. He was about to follow up her question when someone in the alley bought a family KTV and suddenly a loud singing voice came out, startling both of them a little.
It's a song by Tu Honggang, sung by a middle-aged female voice with a smoky throat. It has a different charm and a unique style.
"Serve the country with loyalty!" Jiang Wan's eyes suddenly lit up: "My favorite song in elementary school."
"What a great taste." Lu Jiyu sighed, then lowered his head. Forgive him for only thinking of a cheesy description in such a soul-stirring patriotic song: The billions of stars in the sky are far less beautiful than the moment in your eyes.
How unsophisticated. Lu Jiyu. He couldn't help but curse himself inwardly.
It was clear Jiang Wan truly loved the song; the lingering drizzle outside couldn't dampen her enthusiasm for joining in the fun. She crouched on the walls flanking the staircase, tiptoeing to peer in the direction of the sound. Her long, untied hair cascaded down, obscuring most of her face. There were no streetlights in the area, only the gentle glow from a few scattered shops along the way, illuminating the chilly, rainy night.
Her nose, seen from the side, was tall and delicate. Raindrops slid down from her eyebrows to the tip of her nose, falling into the dust and disappearing into the night. Her extraordinary and unique temperament was vivid and etched in people's hearts at this moment.
A kind of cold yet vigorous and lingering youthful heroism.
Inch by inch, raindrops fell from the boundless sky, like the broken lines in a text book. Straight, disjointed, of varying lengths. Like the young man's hesitant outpouring of emotion.
The only umbrella in the house had just been taken away by Zhou Zifang.
But what does it matter whether you have an umbrella or not?
Jiang Wan tilted her head and glanced at the young man who had stood beside her without her noticing any moment. She naturally reached out and pointed to a room downstairs in the distance, amidst the light rain. "That's right there. Have you seen the lady in the canteen? She's the one who sang it."
So, it doesn’t matter whether you have an umbrella or not.
Anyway, maybe I can still accompany you in the rain.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
