Chapter 14 Get soaked, come to my house.
silence.
Utter silence.
Words that should have been ambiguous sounded as if they were simply a discussion of academic issues in Qiao Bolin's candid voice.
Ning Jiu thought that he always had the ability to make the unclear things clear.
At the same time, you can use similar intimate words politely.
Even so, Yuan Qi still noticed the slight dissatisfaction under Qiao Bolin's expression, as if his throat was blocked.
He lowered his head and touched his nose.
"Fine, then forget it."
After the meeting ended, Qi Ruiheng finished organizing the materials, said goodbye to Ning Jiu and Qiao Bolin, and left.
Before leaving, Gao Hexin secretly gave Ning Jiu a thumbs-up.
......
The moment the door closed, I released her hand, and the huge conference room became utterly silent.
Ning Jiu had just finished filing and organizing the documents when she turned around and saw Qiao Bolin waiting for her beside her.
Unlike the lowered gaze greeting before the meeting, and unlike the occasional eye contact during the meeting—
Right now.
Straightforward, inquisitive, and undisguised.
"sorry."
Ning Jiu originally thought he would at least lay some groundwork, but she never expected his first words to be an apology.
"I was emotional that day," the usually calm boy said, pursing his lips slightly, his handsome eyes filled with sincere apology. "I didn't dislike you."
Ning Jiu's perfect smile shattered for a moment.
Gao Hexin is such a big mouth.
From Qiao Bolin's perspective, this was the first time he had apologized to a girl so earnestly.
His upbringing left him with no experience in handling such matters. The reason he waited until today to speak up wasn't because he was too proud, but because he had been thinking about something these past few days—
Joel Berlin: "We can actually be friends, right?"
"???"
Who the hell wants to be your friend?
In the instant Ning Jiu was taken aback, she missed the fleeting, mischievous smile in Qiao Bolin's eyes.
Her mind raced, trying to figure out if she had really gone too far these past few days.
She was the one who said she wanted to play with him, she was the one who stopped talking to him after being rejected, and she was the one who shook off his hand at noon.
Now, it is the people who were offended by her fearless words who have turned around and apologized to her.
During those few seconds of silence, Ning Jiu's emotions underwent an unprecedented shift, eventually turning into self-doubt.
Lost in her own thoughts, she failed to notice how expressive her face was.
cute.
Qiao Bolin could only think of this word to describe Ningjiu at this moment.
The girl's skin was snow-white, making her eyes appear naturally shimmering. Her slightly upturned eyelashes shifted between shadow and iris on her eyelids, and her beautiful light pupils were slightly enlarged. There was a hint of disbelief in her eyes, almost as if she had "Dude, you didn't say you had such a good temper" written all over your face.
Perhaps thinking about maintaining her public image, she coughed lightly after realizing what was happening and quickly composed herself.
"Um... no need for friends."
She hasn't yet developed a hobby of treating her romantic interests as friends.
“Is that so?” Jobel’s voice carried a slight hint of regret. “Alright then.”
Qiao Bolin had no intention of dating during high school, and he maintained clear boundaries while being polite when interacting with girls.
But right now, I really want to tease her.
I genuinely want to be friends with her.
He maintained the upper hand and pressed his advantage, asking, "So, what about what happened last time—"
Pretend it never happened?
From a certain perspective, Qiao Bailin had full control over his decisions, whether it was his performance, his emotions, or the consequences of doing something.
He could sense that Ning Jiu didn't dislike him, and even wanted to be friends with her.
Therefore, he was willing to take the initiative to humble himself and admit the mistakes that he shouldn't have taken the blame for, hoping to completely let bygones be bygones of what happened in that PE class.
Based on past experience in handling interpersonal relationships, even if they can't become friends, Ning Jiu will most likely not refuse his subsequent requests—
"no."
The girl's voice was as soft as ever, with a hint of cunning.
The words that Jobelin was about to say were abruptly cut off.
Ning Jiu noticed his frustrated expression, and her mood, which had been quiet all day, easily brightened up.
She mimicked his tone.
"Didn't Qiao say that if you joke too much, you'll easily take it seriously?"
She tilted her head to look at him, her eyes innocent: "I will remember this well and dare not joke with you again, so—"
"That matter is unforgettable."
"......"
-
"So, so, so? After Qiao Xueshen kept you here, what happened? Did you two open up to each other and confide in one another...?"
The following day, the bright sunshine beat down harshly on every student diligently performing the third set of broadcast gymnastics.
As soon as the music for the morning exercises was turned off, everyone around groaned in dismay. Taking advantage of the chaos, Gao Hexin pounced on Ning Jiu from behind and whispered in her ear.
Li Mingyuan happened to be walking by and was startled when he heard Gao Hexin's words.
"Holy crap, Gao Hexin, you're not shipping Ning Jiu and—" He glanced at the dazzling young man beside him, then looked away guiltily, his voice lowering, "...Berlin, right?"
"So what? I love reading stories where mortal enemies turn into lovers. I'll totally ship them!" Gao Hexin made a face at Li Mingyuan.
Li Mingyuan exclaimed "Holy crap!" again: "What kind of mortal enemy is Ber? Shipping can be unpopular but not weird."
"What's so weird about this?!"
Gao Hexin hugged Ning Jiu even tighter and turned to smell the pleasant fruity scent on Ning Jiu's body.
"Besides, our Sweet Wine is cute and smart, what boy wouldn't like her!" She turned her head and gave Ning Jiu a bright smile. "You agree, right, Sweet Wine?"
Although Gao Hexin and Li Mingyuan argued back and forth on this topic, it was clear that it was purely a good-natured joke and they didn't take it seriously.
Ning Jiu sighed inwardly. She really wanted to say that even though Qiao Xueshen considered her a purely platonic friend, she still wanted to sleep with him.
It's such a sin!
However, on the other hand—
Ning Jiu looked up at the tall, upright boy at the top of the stairs.
Even when surrounded by other boys, he stands out from the crowd at a glance.
Someone who knew Qiao Bolin came over to say hello. After saying something, he held up a basketball and imitated the basketball moves Qiao Bolin had made the previous week, clearly in a teasing tone.
Qiao Bolin put his arm around the boy's shoulder, didn't stop him, and even joined in the fun, eventually making the boy feel embarrassed.
On a bright sunny morning, the sunlight dampened the backs of the young boy and girl, but he remained ramrod straight, a habit clearly cultivated from childhood.
Sweat soaked his school uniform, glistening past the small mole beside his Adam's apple, vaguely outlining the strong, undulating back muscles, an unspeakable sexual tension somewhere between a boy and a man.
As Ning Jiu withdrew his gaze, he clearly felt many faint gazes directed at him from the vicinity.
His magic is like the moon attracting the tides.
Such a person.
How can I be content with just being friends?
......
After the long break, we had two classes. The first class in the afternoon was, as usual, Chinese.
Lao Qin didn't finish discussing "Border Town" yesterday, so let's continue with the previous questions today.
"Based on the excerpt from the text, let's explore what love is?" He held the book, his calloused hands rubbing against the creased edges, took another sip of hot water, and asked in the local dialect of Pianjiang City, "I believe that after hearing the story I told yesterday, you students already have your own answers. Who would like to share their thoughts first?"
It's a rather personal question, and if you don't answer it well, you might give away your secret or expose the most precious secret in a young person's heart.
Before the atmosphere got heated, no one raised their hand. Old Qin already had his own way of dealing with this situation.
He coughed, then called on a few students who were usually active and willing to answer questions. After listening to their answers, he scanned the expressions of everyone and picked out someone in the corner who was throwing notes.
"Cai Liming, tell me, what do you think love is?"
Cai Liming stopped throwing notes at Dong Yi, looking nonchalant.
"Love is about expressing your feelings, and then..."
He didn't continue speaking, but his smile said it all.
The surrounding boys chuckled knowingly. Old Qin realized he had made a mistake; this guy was getting more and more unserious. He quickly changed his target.
"Hey—Berlin, Qiao Berlin, why don't you tell everyone what you think love is like?"
His voice was slightly hurried, clearly indicating that he wanted to come and save the day, but after exiting the classroom, he found that half of the class's eyes had instantly shifted to the boy who had stood up.
......
It seems I called it wrong again.
Qiao Bolin naturally felt the gazes directed at him. When he looked up, he saw Li Mingyuan winking at him.
"Answer anything, Qiao Xue Shen," Li Mingyuan mouthed smugly, "Anyway, the school forum will explode the next day~"
Li Mingyuan's words were not an exaggeration. Various private gossips about Qiao Bolin circulated on school forums and by word of mouth, ranging from family background to scandals, although most of them were not true.
But as long as Qiao Bolin answers a question in this class, whether his answer is detailed or brief, serious or casual, there will be one more potential viral topic for future forum gossip.
Campus heartthrob Qiao Bolin's ideal type/view on love (ps: personally attested)
Who understands the significance of the six words in parentheses?
Qiao Bolin understood what Li Mingyuan meant. The surrounding gazes grew increasingly eager, and even the classmates who usually claimed not to be curious or gossipy now turned their eyes on him like wolves.
He recalled the answer he had prepared earlier and spoke without any burden.
"Teacher Qin, actually I—"
Splash splash splash.
A sudden, violent gust of wind outside the window caused the tree branches to sway violently, producing a dense rustling sound.
The sky seemed to press down almost instantly, raindrops pounded against the windows with a loud bang, the air became damp almost immediately, and the classroom became restless.
"The sky was so bright just a moment ago, and now this downpour has come out of nowhere."
Someone made a comment, which carried a hint of barely perceptible excitement.
It's hard not to love a moment outside of order; during my student days, torrential rain was always the most exciting.
It was as if the daily order was torn open by the sound of rain, and a cool breeze carrying a damp scream rushed in through the crack. Every drop of rain was blown sideways by the gale, carrying the restlessness unique to youth.
The rain continued to fall, landing on the ground and the windows, splashing up huge sprays of water, accompanied by gusts of fierce wind, evolving from a state of restlessness to a state of frenzy.
Seeing that the situation was not right, Lao Qin said that he would study for a while and went to the corridor to make a phone call. After talking for a few minutes, he walked back to the classroom with a serious expression and gave instructions immediately.
"Everyone, go home now."
"ah???"
The students were genuinely excited and agitated by the downpour, but when they heard that school was really going to end because of the heavy rain, they started to feel uncertain.
"I haven't told my parents yet."
"The meteorological bureau just issued a typhoon warning. After discussion among the school leaders, it was decided that school would be dismissed early today," said Lao Qin. "I have already tagged all the parents in the parents' group. You can wait in the classroom first. If you are unsure whether any parents will be coming, please come to me to confirm."
"Wow, pinch me! Am I dreaming? Are we really going to have to wait until classes are suspended?"
"Tonic medicine, huh? I'm looking forward to going out and having fun this weekend..."
It is obvious.
What's more appealing than the male god's views on love is the suspension of classes and early dismissal from school.
Upon hearing the news, Dong Yi and Li Mingyuan, who reacted quickly, had already packed their schoolbags and were ready to go out.
Several children who didn't bring umbrellas gathered around Lao Qin while he called his parents.
The classroom was bustling with noise, and so was the area outside the door; the once quiet classroom had instantly transformed into a noisy and chaotic world.
Watermarks, crowds, gale.
Since it's all a complete mess...
Let's drink it while the chaos is at it!
Ning Jiu didn't plan to call Lao Qin to ask if Yuan Liangjing would come to pick her up.
Anyway, Yuan Liangjing will take the bus to pick her up. With his bicycle, it would probably be overturned as soon as he steps out in this weather.
She went to the restroom, took out her phone and sent a message to Yuan Liangjing telling him not to come pick her up, and then prepared to take the bus back to Rongye Street as usual.
Fortunately, I had a spare umbrella in my backpack, so I wasn't in too much of a mess when I got to the bus stop.
Ning Jiu, bracing herself against the force of the strong wind blowing her umbrella away, struggled to reach the school gate, her face covered in hair.
The humid, stuffy, and sticky air rushed into my nasal cavity.
She took a deep breath, expressionlessly brushed the hair away from her face, turned her half-wet schoolbag around, and hugged it to her chest, protecting it with her hands as if it were a precious treasure.
People can get wet, but books must not.
Halfway there with my schoolbag, I saw a familiar figure in a familiar spot.
Unlike before when he was surrounded by people, this time he voluntarily squatted on the ground, and no matter how his parents tried to pull him away, they couldn't move him.
"Waaaaah! I don't care!!! I'm taking it home!"
The glasses were soaked by the rain, and the little girl was still protecting the cardboard box, trying her best to pull it away.
His mother grew increasingly angry, and after the boy with glasses cried, she couldn't hold back any longer and slapped him across the face.
"How many times have I told you? No dogs allowed in our house! You've been secretly keeping one outside, Wu Zhihao, are you asking for trouble?"
After being slapped by his mother, Wu Zhihao cried louder and louder.
"If it stays out all day without food, it will die..."
"I don't know if it's dead or not, but I'm so angry with you!" The mother was furious. She picked up Wu Zhihao and carried him to the car. "You're doing this to me during a typhoon. You really think I have a death wish."
With a bang.
Even the loudest cries were shut out as soon as the car door closed.
Ning Jiu quietly witnessed this farce unfold, watching the black sedan speed away.
The cardboard swayed precariously in the gale, seemingly empty inside, and was battered and bruised by the torrential rain.
......
By the time Ning Jiu realized what was happening, she had already picked up the soaking wet cardboard box from the roadside.
I glanced inside and saw the thin little Border Collie huddled in a corner of the cardboard box.
Even though she's been abandoned by her owner, the little guy still has the leisure to sleep; he has a better mindset than her.
As Ning Jiu picked up the cardboard box, she mentally went over what she needed to do next—
Bringing it to Yuan Liangjing's shop is impossible. It's such a small place, it's already cramped for two people, how could they possibly raise another Border Collie?
It's raining so hard right now, it's not realistic to call the shelter to have someone pick me up; I can't afford to waste that much time.
The best course of action now is to find a nearby pet shop to board your pet for a few days, and then call the shelter after the rain stops.
Pet boarding at a pet store...
Thinking of this, Ning Jiu felt a pang of heartache for her already depleted wallet for a few seconds.
This was probably the most embarrassing moment for her when she arrived in Jiangcheng.
With her backpack on and a cardboard box on top, and the umbrella already small, Ning Jiu's forehead and temples were soaked. She could feel the raindrops hitting her back, like snake tongues sticking to her skin.
When it rains, it pours.
The rain poured down, and people hurried about.
The surrounding light and shadows swirled and shifted, yet they made his imposing figure even clearer.
Even in the worst weather, the raindrops seem to fall on him with a gentle, almost delicate touch.
The moment she turned around, Ning Jiu cursed inwardly and prayed that Qiao Bolin would not see her.
She really had no desire to let anyone see her in an unpleasant state, especially not him.
Subconsciously, Ningjiu still harbored a subtle competitive spirit towards Qiao Bolin.
This awareness may stem from comparing grades, or it may come from a silent jealousy in some way.
In short, this feeling comes out of nowhere, and it's not so easy to get rid of it completely.
Her fingertips, which were holding the cardboard box, turned slightly white. She slowed her steps and decided to take a detour to the nearby pet store.
One step, two steps, three steps—
His long, slender fingertips, still damp with moisture, gently touched her palm.
The umbrella ribs bumped against each other, making a soft "thump" that struck her heart.
The boy's clear voice, amidst the raging wind and torrential rain, was like a light pebble thrown into a turbulent sea.
Immersed, spread, creating delicate ripples.
He asked.
"Do you need any help?"
-
Qiao Bolin's umbrella was bigger, and his backpack wasn't as heavy as Ning Jiu's; he lifted the cardboard box effortlessly.
Ning Jiu was a little tired after this incident, and her pace slowed down unconsciously, as if she was thinking about something.
Qiao Bolin noticed Ning Jiu's thoughts and slowed down his long legs.
"What's wrong?"
"...You don't understand."
Ning Jiu's tone wasn't very friendly.
Amidst the wind and rain, Qiao Bolin saw him in his most disheveled state.
She's already decided to give up and doesn't want to pretend anymore.
"Are there any pet shops around here?" Her eyes darted around the area, recalling seeing the shopping district from the bus. "I plan to board it at a pet shop first, and then call an animal rescue center or something when the rain stops."
Qiao Bolin glanced at the little guy inside the cardboard box and answered quickly.
“Yes,” he said, seemingly very familiar with the area, “but they probably can’t be fostered now.”
Ning Jiu: "Why?"
“Given this weather,” his voice was half-submerged in the howling wind, “the shops must have closed early too.”
What he said made sense. Ning Jiu glanced at him and suddenly took the cardboard box back from his hand.
"Then I won't trouble you to come with me, Qiao," she said, not really in the mood for pleasantries in this awful weather. "I'm a bit stubborn, I always need to confirm things before I'm convinced. Where's the pet shop? I'll go take a look first."
Qiao Bolin hadn't expected Ning Jiu's action. He pointed in a direction, and the girl actually walked straight in that direction.
Water droplets clinging to the collar slid down the fabric, leaving dark watermarks along her slender waistline. The soaked fabric clung to the curve of her back, trembling slightly with her rapid breathing.
The wind and rain were so fierce that even the trees and fences on the side were blown into terrifying shapes.
She seemed completely unafraid, her slender wrists gripping the small umbrella tightly. Rainwater dripping along the umbrella ribs landed precisely on her thin shoulders, soaking her cuffs completely. From a distance, it looked as if she were about to be submerged by the slanting raindrops.
What's the difference between holding an umbrella like that and getting caught in the rain?
After crossing the road, Ning Jiu walked toward her destination. Suddenly, she felt a lightness in her palm, and the cold, wet pain that had been patting her back disappeared. When she realized what was happening, a warm touch had already warmed her palm.
The wind and rain around us subsided, and even the sound of raindrops hitting our heads became quieter.
Qiao Bolin exchanged his umbrella with hers, speaking calmly.
"Let's go see it together."
"Whatever you want."
After crossing the artificial bridge, the rain intensified, and there were hardly any people in sight.
Upon arriving at the outskirts of the nearby commercial area, Ning Jiu saw the pet shop that Qiao Bolin had mentioned.
It's a restaurant with a very large storefront, the kind that looks like it offers a reliable environment and service.
However, the inside of the transparent glass was pitch black, and as expected, the door was closed.
have to.
Ning Jiu closed her eyes in despair and quickly accepted this reality.
Are there any other pet stores around? There really aren't any—
She could take it with her to Yuan Liangjing's rented apartment for a few nights.
Before he could finish speaking, Qiao Bailin suddenly approached.
Ning Jiu was startled by his suddenly enlarged handsome face. Before she could recover, she heard him say something.
Keep the change, please.
"......"
Dude, are you even speaking human language?
Ning Jiu didn't speak, but her expression and eyes conveyed the same meaning.
Qiao Bolin was amused by her disdainful expression.
Because of the changed umbrella, Ning Jiu no longer had to suffer from the ravages of wind and rain, but Qiao Bolin did the exact opposite.
The tall boy, standing over 1.8 meters, looked particularly out of place holding a small umbrella. Not only his cuffs, but also his collar and calves were thoroughly soaked by raindrops, revealing his well-defined abs. Paired with his handsome face, the rain did not make him look disheveled; instead, it made him even more devastatingly handsome.
She lowered her head slightly, her wet hair clinging to her high brow bone, her nose and Adam's apple also covered in water droplets. Compared to her usual unapproachable demeanor, she now subtly revealed a softer, more endearing quality.
Seeing his expression, Ning Jiu felt a little embarrassed.
Qiao Bailin leaned closer, and she realized what he was about to say, so she turned her ear to listen carefully.
The boy's breath warmed my earlobe, causing a subtle burning sensation.
Qiao Bailin: "That's not what I meant."
Another thunderclap, loud and clear.
"Actually, there is another way besides going to a pet store."
The raindrops fell like a waterfall of pearls, cascading down in an endless stream.
"My home is nearby."
On a sweltering and humid typhoon day, the sound of rain added to the ambiance, dampening her heart.
He said.
"Come to my house."
-----------------------
Author's Note: Aa ...
The next chapter will be released early Monday morning.
P.S.: It's hard not to love a moment outside of order. —From the internet
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