Chapter 23: Addiction/possessiveness are terrifyingly strong.
The seven-day National Day holiday is the only time high school students can catch their breath before winter break. No matter how heavy their studies are, they have to take a break, either by organizing a party or staying home to catch up on anime. They can't just stay at home doing practice problems until the seventh day ends.
Gao Hexin invited Ning Jiu to a board game cafe in Biancheng District, saying that the decor was very photogenic and the games were easy and fun, with no limit on the number of players and no brainpower required. Almost half of the class wanted to come.
The board game cafe is located on the third floor of an office building. It was almost evening when Ning Jiu arrived. Following the signs, she found the corresponding door number. As soon as she pushed open the door to the private room, a aroma mixed with milk tea and popcorn wafted out.
The private room was cozy, with several large anime character posters hanging on the walls. Several familiar faces had already arrived and were noisily gathered around a long table, grabbing dice and game cards. Some were even sitting cross-legged on the carpet.
"Ning Jiu!" Chen Po waved to her, his eyes crinkling with laughter. "Come over here, we've prepared lots of milk tea and snacks!"
Ning Jiu looked around and found that in addition to the students from Class 8, there were also a few students from Class 5 whom she had seen last time. In the corner, there were two first-year high school girls wearing school uniform skirts, excitedly taking selfies with their drinks.
Song Yunhe and Yuan Qi also arrived and were watching with great interest around the table where dice were being thrown.
"Hey, Sister Chen Poyao," Tao Qingqing said, leaning over as she ate a bag of tomato-flavored potato chips, "It's almost 5:30, right?"
She asked casually, then blinked, her tone becoming somewhat expectant: "Will your classmate Qiao be coming?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the girls standing nearby exchanged silent glances.
Chen Poyao shrugged, saying she didn't know either, and turned to look at Qi Ruiheng, who was distributing milk tea to the people around him.
"Ruiheng, what did Berlin say?"
“He said he’s in the East District of the city now, which is quite far from here, so he might be a little late—” Just then, it was Ning Jiu’s turn, and Qi Ruiheng pointed to the drinks on the long table, “Ning Jiu, which one would you like to drink?”
Ning Jiu was eating a small cake that Gao Hexin had given her, and asked with her cheeks puffed out, "Do you have any that aren't cold?"
"Yes," Qi Ruiheng tested the temperature by pressing the back of his hand against the inside of the milk tea cup, then handed a hot cup to Ning Jiu. "Is red bean boba milk tea okay?"
“Okay,” Ning Jiu said, taking it. “Thank you, Gu.”
Gao Hexin, who was sitting next to Ning Jiu in the booth, noticed something and leaned closer to her. "You're not... about to get your period, are you?"
"Hmm, it's probably because I ate ice cream yesterday, it came early."
I felt weak when I woke up this morning. At first, I thought it was because I wasn't used to the holiday schedule. But now, I have a slight ache in my lower abdomen, and I belatedly realized that it's my period.
She often feels weak and bloated during her period, her abdomen aches terribly, and she feels limp and weak as if her bones have been removed, making it difficult for her to even speak.
Thinking of this, Ning Jiu sighed softly.
"Tsuruko, if I go back early, it's probably because I can't hold on any longer. I didn't mean to spoil your fun."
“What’s the big deal? I feel like I’m half dead every time I have my period,” Gao Hexin hugged Ning Jiu with empathy. “Besides, I came here today to watch the drama unfold, but it looks like I won’t be able to. I’ll just come with you and take care of you.”
"Eating melon seeds?"
“Yeah, didn’t you notice that Chen Poyao and Goddess Song are both here today?” Gao Hexin’s eyes lit up. “If Qiao Bolin really dares to show up… I’ll definitely have to sit in the front row of this chaotic scene.”
According to Ning Jiu's observation, the popularity of the CP between Qiao Bolin and Song Yunhe is almost at the school level. Compared to the former, who are equally matched in both arts and sciences, the students in Class 8 seem to be more into Qiao Bolin and Chen Poyao. Although neither of them has shown much interest, their good looks, grades, and experience as classmates in the third year of junior high school make them quite a couple to ship.
After Gao Hexin's recommendation, Ning Jiu realized that there was actually a hidden battleground in this ordinary gathering, and her earlier desire to leave early was left behind in the private room.
Qiao Bolin texted that there was a traffic jam on the elevated road and he didn't know when he would arrive, telling everyone not to worry about him. Gao Hexin, Chen Poyao, and a few others started playing the latest and most popular board game.
Ning Jiu was pulled aside by Li Mingyuan to play mobile games. Hearing the board game players chatting and playing, Song Yunhe asked in a soft voice.
"I haven't been to the East District in a long time. Is there anything fun to do there now?"
Qi Ruiheng drew a card from the deck and casually replied, "It's nothing, it's just that the CMO math competition finals will be held in Beijing in November, and Qiao Bolin will have to go to the East District of the city to practice with the provincial team for the next few months."
“So that’s how it is,” Song Yunhe said with a sudden realization, her tone tinged with disappointment. “It seems I still don’t understand him very well.”
It's always heartbreaking to see such a beautiful woman in such a state. Gao Hexin opened her mouth to say something, but suddenly heard Chen Poyao ask.
"By the way, Berlin's birthday is coming up soon, what birthday present are you planning to give him?"
Gao Hexin was taken aback: "Really? His birthday is coming up soon?"
"Yeah, October 8th, the first day after National Day, is terrible." Qi Ruiheng sighed and played a card. "Last year I gave them a space model, but I'm tired of giving them the same one this year. I haven't decided yet."
What information did Chen Poyao glean? "Why a space model?"
Qi Ruiheng paused, then looked up: "You didn't know?"
Everyone stopped what they were doing.
Qi Ruiheng said, "His grandfather is an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the chief designer of that well-known aerospace project last year. He has admired his grandfather since he was a child and has always been very interested in aerospace."
Enemy double kill.
The game sound effects came from the corner. Ning Jiu released her fingers from the controls and looked at the light gray interface on the screen that showed the character respawning. She heard Li Mingyuan's puzzled voice in her ear.
"Sister Jiu, why did you stop moving just now? You could have easily turned the tables on him."
He finished speaking but received no response for a long time. He turned his head and was startled.
"Hey, Sister Jiu, why is your face so pale? Are you feeling unwell?"
Li Mingyuan's voice caused quite a stir among those around him. Ning Jiu was helped up by his arm and slowly stood up, taking a deep breath.
Who understands the feeling of menstrual cramps and stomach pain occurring at the same time?
The conversation abruptly ended. Gao Hexin and Chen Poyao rushed over to help, but Ning Jiu gently shook her head to indicate that she was fine. She then told them that she would just go to a private room outside for some fresh air.
“It’s really nothing,” she patted Li Mingyuan on the shoulder. “Just go downstairs for some fresh air. We’ll play another game when I come back up and make up for the lost stars.”
There's a small coffee shop on the first floor of this building. It's not a chain store; it's more like a privately owned leisure spot.
Ning bought hygiene products from a nearby convenience store, then sat by the window and asked the waiter for a cup of brown sugar water.
Ning Jiu thought drinking brown sugar water would make her feel better, but her abdomen still felt heavy and uncomfortable. To distract herself, Ning Jiu opened her phone and randomly scrolled through short videos. It seems that the big data had heard their previous conversation at the board game store, as it was recommending videos to Ning Jiu about boys' birthday gifts, aerospace models, and board games.
Ning Jiu's mood became increasingly irritable as she scrolled through the app. Just as she was about to exit, the next video that automatically slid out caught her attention.
What kind of personality do boys born in October typically have...?
...slipped away.
How to tell if a Libra man is interested in you...
It slipped away.
"Libra men are two-faced; they appear gentle on the surface, but their actual sexual desire and possessiveness are terrifyingly strong..."
Slipped away!
Ning Jiu couldn't understand why, even though she had only spent a little more time watching the first video, she kept seeing similar videos afterwards.
She wanted to turn off the video app, but accidentally pressed the wrong button again. Her phone vibrated, and a pink heart appeared on the screen.
Well, I even liked and saved it.
The loud, robotic female voice continued from the other end of the video.
"Libra men are masters of disguise. On the surface, they are gentle and refined, with high emotional intelligence and an irresistible charm. In reality, they have strong physical needs and are extremely possessive of the women they like. They are skilled at gradually winning over their partners step by step."
After listening to the last sentence, Ning Jiu turned off the screen expressionlessly, but then felt someone pat her head.
"Joe Bolin?" She sensed something was wrong, turned around abruptly, and met his smiling eyes. "When did you get here?"
He said, "It was right when they heard me described as 'gentle and refined' and 'having high emotional intelligence'."
"......"
This time, Shinsha is dead.
Ning Jiu bit her lip, trying to stand up. Her toes had just touched the ground when she swayed unexpectedly and was caught by Qiao Bolin.
The latter glanced at the brown sugar water on the table: "Are you feeling unwell?"
"No, go on up."
Ning Jiu was stopped by him as she tried to leave. She felt Qiao Bolin's hand touch her forehead, then slide down to her cheek and pinch it. She made a soft "hmm" sound and slapped his hand away.
What are you doing?
“You don’t have a fever,” Qiao Bolin withdrew his hand, his tone tinged with concern, “You just don’t look too well. Do you need me to call in sick for you?”
Upon hearing this, Ning Jiu looked up at him.
How will you help me ask for leave?
Qiao Bolin: "Literally, you stay here, I'll go up and ask for leave for you."
Ning Jiu thought about the scene and immediately shook her head.
"No need, no need, hurry up and go up."
She had originally come down the stairs, but Qiao Bolin noticed she wasn't feeling well and pulled her to take the elevator.
Ahead of them was a group of primary school students, probably also out playing during the National Day holiday. They could faintly hear words like "video games" and "escape rooms".
The office building was quite tall, and the elevator wait time was relatively long. Ning Jiu was in so much pain that she beckoned Qiao Bolin to squat down.
Since he pinched my cheek earlier anyway, pinching his cheek now is just revenge.
Qiao Bolin's skin was fair, though not as thin as hers, but after rubbing it for a while, it started to turn slightly red. Ning Jiu didn't expect that his skin, as a boy, would be so smooth, and she seemed to get addicted to rubbing it.
He let her rub him, his gaze fixed on her gradually rising smile, and asked casually.
Do you believe in astrology?
“I don’t really believe it,” Ning Jiu said without hesitation. “It’s just the Barnum effect in psychology.”
Zodiac signs, Chinese zodiac, and tarot cards.
These things are nothing more than exploiting human nature, which is itself a vague concept.
The more abstract the words and phrases, the easier it is for people to find matching memories and thus fit themselves or others into them.
"But you know what, even if you just apply a formula randomly, the point that's most accurate for each person is different." She changed the subject. "Don't you agree, Mr. Charming Qiao?"
She rubbed it a little too hard, and Qiao Bolin made a fake hissing sound.
“You know that’s not very accurate, yet you still bring it up against me,” he said in a low voice, a tone she had never heard before that carried a hint of grievance. “Ning Jiu, I have a temper too.”
"...What did I say to you?"
Ning Jiu refused to admit it and reluctantly let go of his hand.
Seeing that Qiao Bolin's face was red from being rubbed, and that her finger marks were clearly visible, he guiltily looked away.
As the elevator reached the first floor, couples emerged one after another, the girls in love impeccably made up and dressed in eye-catching clothes.
As soon as the elevator doors opened, the group noticed Qiao Bolin standing in the corner.
He was only wearing a white T-shirt today, revealing the thin muscles with clearly visible veins on his forearms. The simple attire only accentuated the smooth and sharp features of his eyebrows and eyes. The girls let out a soft "wow," whispered to each other, and couldn't help but turn back to look even as they reached the door.
The elevator was packed with elementary school students, and the two of them were squeezed into the corner, their arms touching. Ning Jiu could even feel his breath brushing past her ear.
With a "ding," we arrived at the third floor.
The elevator doors opened.
Because she wasn't feeling well, Ning Jiu walked exceptionally slowly, and Qiao Bolin walked quietly beside her.
There was a sudden commotion at the entrance of the board game store. She wanted to distance herself from Qiao Bolin, but the door was suddenly opened, and a group of people came out laughing and joking. They all stopped when they saw the two of them.
"Ning Jiu, Qiao Bolin, did you come up together?" Chen Poyao was silent for a moment, then immediately ran over to support Ning Jiu. "You're in so much pain, you could have gone back first. You don't have to push yourself like this."
Song Yunhe stopped next to Li Mingyuan, glancing at Qiao Bolin next to Ning Jiu, hesitant to speak.
Qiao Bolin looked at Qi Ruiheng: "Why are you at the door?"
Li Mingyuan put his arm around Qi Ruiheng's shoulder and walked to the front, jokingly saying, "Isn't this to welcome you?"
Qi Ruiheng nudged Li Mingyuan with his elbow, signaling him to stop joking.
Song Yunhe spoke up from the side: "My friend is coming soon, but can't find the entrance. We're going to go down and buy some McDonald's to bring back."
Li Mingyuan suddenly remembered something: "Did he say which road he's on now?"
"He's..." Song Yunhe looked down at her phone, then suddenly paused, "He said he found him—"
Another "ding" sound.
Everyone looked toward the elevator entrance.
The boy wore a black mask and a baseball cap; his slender and upright figure couldn't hide his charisma.
The girl standing next to him wore a red dress and had her long, slightly wavy hair dyed the most popular rose brown color at the time, making her stand out among the group of black-haired students.
"Senior Yunhe, the friend you mentioned... is it Wen Yi?"
Someone nearby said something, and Song Yunhe smiled and greeted Wen Yi and Ke Shini.
"Yes, and Shini, a new friend we met at the cultural festival."
Ke Shini was clearly familiar with such social situations, and she quickly struck up a lively conversation with Song Yunhe.
Compared to Ke Shini's familiarity, Wen Yi seemed much colder.
He took off his baseball cap, his red hair from the cultural festival fading back to black, the black mask stretched taut by his prominent nose, and his lazy, upturned eyes swept around before finally settling on Ning Jiu's gaze, and then—
He raised an eyebrow without any hesitation.
-----------------------
Author's Note: The real battleground is about to begin! [Sunglasses]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
