Chapter 28 It's becoming increasingly difficult to tell who's manipulating whom. ...
On Friday night, Gao Hexin and Li Mingyuan invited Ning Jiu and others to Tengyue Pavilion near Jianglan Experimental School for Suzhou cuisine.
Qi Ruiheng was initially reluctant to go because he hadn't done well on his midterm exams. Li Mingyuan walked ahead and said in a slightly joking tone, "Ruiheng, don't tell me you're in a bad mood. If I took your midterm score back with me, my mom would frame it."
Li Mingyuan was right. Qi Ruiheng performed steadily this time, ranking fourth in the city and among the top forty. However, the second and third place teams surged too fast, giving him the illusion that he had regressed.
Gao Hexin was amused by him and hit him with his hand like a hammer. Qi Ruiheng couldn't help but laugh, and his mood improved a lot.
He turned to look at Qiao Bolin, noticed the band-aid on his collarbone, and let out a soft "Huh?"
"Berlin, when were you injured?"
“A few days ago,” Qiao Bailin said in a natural and calm tone, “he was accidentally hit by a basketball.”
Qi Ruiheng's words immediately attracted the attention of the others.
Gao Hexin glanced at Qiao Bolin's band-aid-covered wound and remembered that a few days ago, after the exam, all the boys in the class had made plans to play basketball on the playground.
"Wow, really? The battle was that intense?" Her interest was piqued. "I wish I had gone to watch after school that day."
......
They were all students after all, and neither needed nor had the money to book a luxurious private room. Gao Hexin recommended the one her father had taken her to last time. The room was just the right size, and the decorations were not extravagant. Several ink paintings hung on the walls, and the wooden windows were half-open. When the wind blew in, it carried a coolness unique to autumn, which softened as it was washed away by the heat inside.
Most of them were visiting Tengyue Pavilion for the first time, so they ordered a few common Su family signature dishes. Ning Jiu looked at the crab roe soup dumplings and stir-fried river shrimp that were being served one after another, her shallow eyes full of curiosity.
Gao Hexin turned his head and saw her expression, finding it adorable.
Is this your first time trying Suzhou cuisine?
"No, not really," Ning Jiu said, "but this is the first time I've had such an authentic one."
Come to think of it, this seems to be the first time she has experienced such a rich atmosphere of Jiangnan.
Actually, everything this week has been quite magical. Whether it was the moment the results were finally released or now being enveloped in the sweet aroma of glutinous rice lotus root and osmanthus wine, it all feels like quietly climbing a slope. Although we are still far from the top, we have finally seen some flat areas.
She wasn't used to eating xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), and when she took a bite, the soup inside burned her quite badly, causing her to start coughing. Li Mingyuan quickly went to find some napkins, but just as he got the box, a napkin was already handed to Ning Jiu.
Because of the blind spot, only Ning Jiu noticed that when Qiao Bolin handed her the paper, he didn't initially intend to put it in her hand.
She thanked him softly, then looked down to wipe the soup from the corner of her mouth, but her mouth still felt burning hot, probably from a burn.
Having observed the interaction between the two throughout, Gao Hexin finally couldn't suppress her gossipy nature and leaned over to whisper to Li Mingyuan and Qi Ruiheng.
"Don't you guys think that Qiao Bolin is...?"
Is this a bit too much of a favor?
Ning Jiu's personality and appearance are indeed very likable, but given Qiao Bolin's personality, even if he's trying to be friendly to a new classmate, there's no need to go to such lengths.
Qi Ruiheng hesitated, then said, "Actually, I felt that they—"
"Wow, you guys are serious?" Li Mingyuan said in surprise. "Weren't you guys saying that Qiao Bolin was a bug-level character? How could someone like that possibly date in high school?"
He glanced in that direction again. Qiao Bolin had already returned to his seat, and Ning Jiu was drinking a beverage to cool down. The two didn't even exchange glances.
Li Mingyuan shrugged, looking like he was saying, "You're overthinking it."
Qi Ruiheng and Gao Hexin exchanged a glance but said nothing more.
The three of them were discussing something when Ning Jiu heard her phone vibrate. It was a message from Qiao Bolin.
Is [Qiao Bolin] serious? Should I go to the hospital?
Ning Jiu sent a "NO" emoji, and then another message came in.
[Joe Bolin] Go to the restroom, I'll show you.
Ning Jiucai didn't believe what he said.
Ever since that ten-second eye contact experiment, their meetings in the psychology classroom after school these past few days have taken on a different meaning.
Sometimes he would kiss her through his fingertips, just like last time; other times, she would be soothed by him that she would leave bite marks on his collarbone or wrist, and when he came to his senses, a patch of his skin would be covered with her marks.
She can hardly tell who's messing with whom anymore.
[Ningjiu] I don't want it, you go to the bathroom yourself.
After sending the message, he turned his phone face down on the table and joined Gao Hexin's conversation.
After everyone had finished eating, Li Mingyuan suddenly chuckled wickedly, finally revealing his true colors. He opened the game software, and the familiar sound effects rang out.
"There are five of us now," he chuckled twice, "perfect for forming the Friday ranking-up team!"
Gao Hexin was picking up the last piece of glutinous rice lotus root with his chopsticks when he heard this and almost burst out laughing. His chopsticks tilted, and the piece of lotus root fell back into the bowl.
"So you invited me here to dinner just to lure me in as your tool?" She glanced at him, her voice full of undisguised contempt. "Li Mingyuan, have you no shame? Did you earn your place at Xingyao by using your looks?"
"I've noticed you're becoming increasingly gentle with your insults lately, it's almost unbearable." Li Mingyuan tacitly acknowledged Gao Hexin's lack of offensive power. "Everyone, come on in! I'll get a room~"
Ning Jiu opened the game software and saw for the first time that Qiao Bolin's game status showed as online and his rank as the highest level.
Ning Jiu wasn't the only one surprised; Qi Ruiheng nudged Qiao Bolin's arm with his elbow.
"I can't tell, when was this posted?"
"I played a few games with friends during last winter break," he said succinctly. "It's been more than half a year since I last played, so I'm a bit rusty."
As it turns out, the more modest someone like George Blanc talks, the less trustworthy they are.
After several rounds, with each game pushing down towers within ten minutes, the team, playing together for the first time, surprisingly displayed a remarkable sense of teamwork.
The final dinner party ended perfectly amidst cheers as Li Mingyuan finally reached the King rank.
The five drinks collided together, creating the powerful effect of baijiu (Chinese liquor).
"I told you Fridays are the fastest for ranking up," Li Mingyuan said, getting a little carried away. "Speaking of which, should we actually order a bottle of wine, red or white, it doesn't matter, our parents won't know anyway..."
Upon hearing this, Qi Ruiheng and Gao Hexin considered it for a moment and both expressed no objection.
Li Mingyuan became interested and was about to call the waiter outside the door to come in when he heard a click.
Ning Jiu turned off her phone screen, her tone remaining as gentle as ever.
"You guys drink, I don't drink."
There was a moment of silence in the private room. Gao Hexin glanced at Ning Jiu curiously, as if he wanted to say something, but ultimately swallowed his words.
“Since you’re not drinking sweet wine, then I won’t either,” Gao Hexin chuckled, making a clicking sound with the straw, “I’m afraid my cheap old man will smell the alcohol and cause me trouble when I get back.”
Two of the five girls made it clear that they wouldn't drink. Although Li Mingyuan felt a little sorry, he naturally didn't force them, and the matter passed by in a calm and uneventful manner.
After finishing their meal, the group said goodbye downstairs. Ning Jiu walked towards the bus stop and, while waiting for the green light at the intersection, suddenly felt a warm touch on her face.
She grasped the boy's wrist and took the warm drink from his hand.
I took a sip; it tasted like stewed pear with rock sugar.
When did you buy it?
“Just now,” Qiao Bolin said, standing at a comfortable distance from her, “it’s good for your throat. If your throat still feels uncomfortable the next day, remember to go to the hospital.”
Ning Jiu sometimes finds Qiao Bolin to be frighteningly meticulous.
In the second half of the meal, she didn't say anything more, but she only ate the cold dishes. He still noticed this subtle action.
When the red light turned green, the road on the other side was narrower, and the small area was sparsely covered with fallen sycamore leaves, making a soft rustling sound when you stepped on them.
The streetlights stretched their shadows long, casting them diagonally across the ground. Under one light, they seemed exceptionally close.
Ning Jiu glanced at his profile, softened by the light and shadow, and spoke up to remind him.
"Your house doesn't seem to be in this direction."
“I’m going to the convenience store to buy something,” Joel Bolton said. “It’s just across the street.”
The next street is where the Jianglan Experimental School bus stop is located.
He spoke so naturally that Ning Jiu couldn't think of a reason to refute him.
In recent years, the city management in Jiangcheng has been very strict. During the day, you can hardly see any street vendors. It is not until the city management officers go off duty in the evening that the street corners gradually become lively.
Ning Jiu ignored him and strolled leisurely among the vendors. They were all common food stalls, steaming hot food rising into the air. Just as she was about to look away, her eyes caught sight of a stall that looked a little different.
The shop didn't sell fried skewers or oden. Instead, it set up a small table covered with a blue cloth, on which were displayed various phone cases and screen protectors, as well as a few old-fashioned wired headphones hanging with small hooks, swaying gently in the night breeze.
Nowadays, most people choose to use wireless Bluetooth headphones, and it's been a long time since I've seen anyone selling wired headphones.
She slowed her pace and stopped in front of the stall, and the boy beside her also stopped.
Ning Jiu asked the vendor, "Boss, how much are the wired headphones?"
"It's all clearance sale now," the vendor laughed. "One pair is 20, two pairs are 30, and we'll throw in a small pendant."
She looked over at the stall and saw a soft, yellow puppy keychain. The puppy was cradling a heart in its paws. She gently touched it, and the built-in light turned on, accompanied by a sweet "I love you~" sound.
Ning Jiu was surprised that this little pendant could talk. Just as she was about to speak, the voice beside her spoke first.
"Boss, I'd like to buy two pairs of headphones."
Qiao Bolin took the headphones, put one pair in his pocket, and handed the other pair, along with the dog keychain, to Ning Jiu.
"Um?"
She didn't answer immediately, but looked up at him, her stray hairs gently blowing across her forehead in the breeze.
Did I say I wanted it?
“No,” he said, his hand still outstretched, as if he would rather not take the wine than withdraw it, “It’s something I wanted to give to you.”
Fingertips touch, warming each other in the autumn breeze.
Ning Jiu carefully hung the puppy keychain on the zipper of her backpack, plugged her phone into the headphone jack, and opened the music app.
Compared to Bluetooth headphones, wired headphones are tangible; the thin wires feel warm to the touch as they wrap around your fingers, hanging down from your collar and curving gently along your body.
She put one earbud in herself, and as she held the other, she suddenly turned her head and beckoned to Qiao Bolin with her finger.
He obediently lowered his head and cooperated, letting Ning Jiu tiptoe and slowly approach him, placing the other earplug into his ear.
The two were very close; her fingertips were slightly cool as they brushed against his skin, sending a slight electric current through him.
The song playing randomly in my headphones was "Summer Breeze," and apart from the slightly off-season, everything else was perfectly fitting.
They walked from the crowded stalls to the next intersection, the streetlights dim and the shadows of the trees along the sidewalk dappled and swayed.
A red thread climbs up from her palm, twisting and tangling, connecting both ends.
The wind gently caressed her eyelashes, and Ning Jiu closed her eyes, feeling the wind brush against her cheeks, bringing just the right amount of soft touch.
She wrapped the cable around her fingertips and couldn't help but hum along to the accompaniment in her headphones.
The warm, lazy sea breeze blows to the high mountain peaks
The wind from Wenshan Mountain has become a mountain breeze.
Suddenly remembering something, she looked up at him, only to be caught off guard by Qiao Bolin's gaze meeting hers.
Both of them were taken aback.
After a moment of silence, Ning Jiu looked away, her ears slightly red, and asked an unexpected question.
"I've always wanted to know—from a geographical point of view, shouldn't the wind blowing in at night be a land breeze because of the difference in thermal properties between land and sea?"
Although she hadn't studied geography for a while, she still had a question about this lyric.
As soon as she finished speaking, Ning Jiu saw that Qiao Bolin only paused for a moment before a smile suddenly appeared on her lips.
The next second, a boy's clear laughter came from beside her.
This was the first time she had seen him smile so happily. His voice was incredibly pleasant, his well-defined knuckles were placed near his mouth, his shoulders were trembling slightly, and his eyes were sparkling as he looked at her.
“Hey, I’m serious,” Ning Jiu didn’t expect his reaction. After reflecting on her question, she realized it wasn’t really a funny one. “I’ve really thought about it for a long time.”
"Um."
Qiao Bolin smiled and lowered his head. His hot breath brushed against her, and for a moment she thought he was going to bury his face in her neck. The redness on the tips of her ears began to spread to her face.
He stopped halfway through his action, as if realizing something.
The warmth in his neck vanished in an instant, and Qiao Bolin stopped laughing, indicating to Ning Jiu that he was also seriously considering the issue.
He naturally reached out to tidy the strands of hair that had been ruffled by the wind on her cheek.
"Perhaps they are taking a walk during the day, unlike us."
The way he said "we" made it seem natural, yet it carried a subtle hint of intimacy.
The autumn night air was slightly cool, and the glass billboards beside them reflected the dim yellow light, casting their slender shadows into them.
The boy's clear and melodious voice rippled in the evening breeze, carrying with it a clean and pleasant fragrance of sycamore trees.
At that moment, Ning Jiu felt that Qiao Bolin, like the city, possessed a gentle, quiet strength.
"Beep beep—"
As they turned the corner, a car headlight suddenly flashed on, and a large truck with its hazard lights flashing swerved past from the side. Qiao Bolin instinctively grabbed Ning Jiu's hand and led her to the other side of the main road.
The headphones were ripped off the moment their wrists were squeezed together because of their intertwined movements. The next song started with its intro, the guitar strumming chords, and the lazy, husky male voice had just begun when it abruptly stopped.
Ning Jiu lowered her eyes, feeling a little regretful.
She silently pulled off the other earphone attached to his ear, turned to leave, but was pulled back by a burning hot hand.
"The car hasn't left yet, be careful."
His strength wasn't heavy, but it firmly held the distance between them. His hand smoothly moved behind her back, landing on her waist, and tightened subtly.
Ning Jiu's skin was thin, and her waist was especially sensitive. She couldn't help but tremble when he touched her, leaning her body against his shoulder. By the time she realized what was happening, her nose had already bumped into the boy's well-defined collarbone.
The car headlights flashed by, and the street returned to silence. A sharp click sounded particularly clear in the dim light.
Ning Jiu was startled and tried to push Qiao Bolin's chest, but couldn't push him away.
The hand he placed on the back of her head suddenly tightened, forcing her face to bury itself in his burning neck. His heartbeat pounded heavily against her nerves, each beat like an electric current, sending a shiver down her spine.
The touch in his arms was too soft. Qiao Bolin's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and a few veins quietly bulged on the back of his hand hanging by his side.
The next moment, she looked up unexpectedly.
Across the street, Tao Qingqing had just managed to put her phone away when she suddenly felt a chill run down her spine. She knew something was wrong and hesitantly looked up, only to meet Qiao Bolin's calm, almost indifferent gaze.
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Author's Note: "Summer Breeze" perfectly captures the mood of this chapter. [heart emoji]
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