Chapter 39 Jealousy: Pressing her tailbone, a gesture that was both threatening and flirtatious...
Cai Liming's injury assessment report has been released. There wasn't even a mark, let alone an injury. Everyone said that Cai Liming was making a mountain out of a molehill, but only Cai Liming himself found it strange.
He could feel that Qiao Bolin hadn't held back at all when he pinched him, and for a few seconds he really felt like he was about to suffocate. But now he looked perfectly fine. How could that be?
He was already in a bad mood, and when he and his brothers came out of the infirmary, they ran into Ning Jiu, who had rushed over after hearing the news.
Even though his face was pale with fright, Cai Liming still mocked Ning Jiu.
"Wow, Qiao Bolin got into a fight for you, that's quite something." He tried to sound casual, but couldn't hide the sourness in his tone. "But, a bright student like him, the teachers will probably protect him, so he probably won't get punished, right?"
Seeing that Ning Jiu remained unmoved, Cai Liming deliberately shifted his gaze to the scroll in her hand, a contemptuous smile playing on his lips.
"But you're lucky. He's there to protect you. If you really do poorly on your exams because of dating, no one will be watching you. Girls already struggle with science, how can they compare to boys? In the end, you'll still have to rely on someone else to protect you."
The emptiness instantly turned into a deathly silence.
Cai Liming's brothers looked at each other in bewilderment. After all, they were classmates who had fought side by side in their senior year of high school. Some of them tried to persuade him to say less, but were ruthlessly pushed away.
In the almost frozen atmosphere, Ning Jiu met his provocative gaze and smiled gently.
"Do you really think that girls are inherently worse at science than boys?"
Cai Liming was taken aback, not expecting her to react so calmly.
Ning Jiu's lips curled slightly, and she tilted her head towards him.
"How about we make a bet on our combined science scores in the college entrance exam, and see who's 'born' bad at it?"
Cai Liming's face stiffened, his Adam's apple bobbed, and he forced a chuckle.
"Let's gamble, what's there to be afraid of..."
Halfway through her sentence, she was met with Ning Jiu's emotionless gaze. Feeling embarrassed and flustered, she looked away, hurriedly pushed aside the classmates gathered around her, and turned to leave.
-
After the little incident, when Ning Jiu rushed to Lao Qin's office, Qiao Bolin just came out of the office.
A snap.
The door to the teachers' office was opened.
The boy was wearing a light gray hoodie, his posture was straight and he was silent, but the red mark exposed on the collar of the hoodie was eye-catching and immediately attracted Ning Jiu's attention.
"He pinched you too?"
Ignoring the fact that Lao Qin was still nearby, she stepped forward, grabbed Qiao Bolin's sleeve, and carefully examined the strangulation marks on his neck.
“You shouldn’t have acted impulsively,” she said, her brows furrowed, her tone revealing a worry she herself hadn’t realized. “Those materials were deliberately released by Wen Yi, and what you did played right into his hands.”
"So you care more about me?"
The boy's voice was still clear and crisp, but at some point, his words to her seemed to become more and more direct.
Ning Jiu was taken aback by his words and didn't respond immediately.
Old Qin stood there, recalling the scene from just now.
The door to the teachers' office wasn't thick, and the commotion outside was quickly noticed. Just then, he and Qiao Bolin had almost finished their conversation, so he prepared to let Qiao Bolin leave first.
Just as he was about to reach the door, the boy's well-defined fingers suddenly and without warning slammed into his own throat. The clean, swift movement caused his fingertips to dig deep into the fair skin of his neck. In an instant, a clear red mark appeared on his once-clean skin, and purplish bruises quickly seeped out from under his skin.
Seemingly oblivious to the slight contraction in Lao Qin's pupils, his expression remained excessively calm throughout, as if he felt nothing at all. Once everything was over, he even gave Lao Qin a gentle nod.
"Teacher Qin, you can go now."
Connecting that scene with the present, Old Qin was speechless for a moment.
Unexpectedly, after more than twenty years of teaching experience, he misjudged this brat. He looks so well-behaved on the surface, but his mind is full of jealous and competitive thoughts all day long!
-
Not long after the first mock exam, the second mock exam came. When the results came out, Qiao Bolin achieved the first place in the grade and the second place in the city despite his hand injury not yet being fully healed. Old Qin sat in his office and was greeted with a barrage of praise from the other teachers in the office.
"Second in the city! Your class really did a great job this time."
“I’ll tell you, this kid, Qiao Bolin, is brilliant.”
"Old Qin, it's such a blessing for you to be able to teach this student."
While receiving the praise, Lao Qin felt a little smug, but at the same time, he thought about the task ahead and felt conflicted.
Although Cai Liming was not injured in the last incident, he was quite frightened, and his parents made a scene at the school for several days before it was calmed down.
With the guaranteed admission spots almost finalized, and Qiao Bolin winning the gold medal at the CMO finals, his admission to Peking University seemed virtually guaranteed. But the problem was—
Whether or not Qiao Bailin is willing to accept the guaranteed admission.
He had communicated with Qiao Bolin's parents, and both sides were very open-minded about their child's development. Getting into Peking University through the guaranteed admission program was a sure thing, but he also had his own selfish motives. If Qiao Bolin took the college entrance examination and became the top scorer in the city or province, wouldn't he be the top scorer's homeroom teacher? That title would be so prestigious.
But for now, it all depends on the kid's own decision.
After the second mock exam, the school, unusually, showed mercy and gave students a half-day off in the afternoon.
Rather than calling it a holiday, it's more accurate to say that the East China University Admissions Consultation Fair was being held right next door, and the school took the opportunity to let interested students learn about the various universities.
Ning Jiu, Gao Hexin, and Li Mingyuan agreed to go together. A row of booths was neatly arranged inside the gymnasium. Each school had a roll-up banner and signboard in front of it, with red, blue, and green tones that made them easy to identify.
"Sweet wine only came in third this time, just two points behind Qi Ruiheng." Gao Hexin was dazzled by the wide variety of university posters, unable to take it all in. "She's already a shoo-in for Shanghai University."
“Sister Jiu’s score is more than enough for Shanghai University,” Li Mingyuan joked from the side, “she could practically go straight for Peking University.”
Since becoming familiar with Ning Jiu, Gao Hexin and Li Mingyuan have roughly figured out Ning Jiu's personality. When such a joke fell into Ning Jiu's ears, the latter simply rolled up the poster that had just been handed out and lightly tapped Li Mingyuan on the head.
"Speak less and watch more."
The group walked to the Shanghai University booth. Compared to the bustling activity at other booths, the area in front of Shanghai University was much quieter, with only a few students writing something at their booths and others chatting with professors.
Ning Jiu stepped forward and saw a girl with a ponytail carefully examining several photos on the booth, all of which were snapshots of people's expressions.
Just as I was about to leave, I heard a voice tinged with laughter.
"Hey kid, would you be interested in taking a few minutes to do a short psychological quiz?"
Ning Jiu looked in the direction of the sound and saw a smartly dressed woman with short, neat hair, wearing a light gray trench coat. She was slender but not aloof.
The woman smiled gently when her gaze fell on Ning Jiu.
"It's a psychological test about judging fake smiles. If you find it difficult, I can give you a hint—"
"The third picture."
Ningjiu's answer was almost decisive.
The girl next to her turned to look at her, and the short-haired woman's smile widened, without saying whether it was right or wrong.
"Can I ask you why you're so sure?"
“Psychology and physiology are inseparable. When a person laughs genuinely, the orbicularis oculi muscle will participate in the movement, and the eyes will squint, forming a shape similar to crow's feet,” Ning Jiu said. “Only the man in the third picture does not have this, so he is not laughing from the heart.”
Upon hearing this, a deeper smile appeared in the woman's eyes. She pulled out a simple business card from the side of the booth and handed it to Ning Jiu.
"You're absolutely right, that's the standard answer. This is an introduction to our department. If you're interested in psychology in the future, you're welcome to audit our open classes. We can discuss any questions you may have."
Her tone was light and cheerful. She paused slightly at the last few words, her gaze falling on an email address below the business card before quickly looking away.
Ning Jiu glanced down at the name and email address at the bottom of the business card.
Shen Zhiying, Professor of Psychology, Shanghai University.
Such a young face, and he's already a professor.
After thanking him and putting the item in his pocket, as he left the crowd, he heard Li Mingyuan's surprised voice from not far away.
"That can't be right, you must have seen it wrong."
Gao Hexin also found it unbelievable: "No, I really saw Qiao Bolin just walk by."
Upon hearing that name, Ning Jiu turned her head and looked in their direction, but she could no longer catch a glimpse of that figure.
Li Mingyuan still didn't believe it: "With Berlin's grades, she would definitely go to Peking University or go abroad. This is a university in East China, she shouldn't be here at all."
Although Shanghai University is already very prestigious, most students who can get into Peking University will choose to apply there.
Gao Hexin naturally understood this principle, which is why he was surprised, even astonished, by Qiao Bolin's presence at this consultation meeting.
“Maybe I really did see it wrong,” she shrugged. “Maybe they just came to check it out out of curiosity.”
-
As soon as the evening self-study bell rang, the nerves that had been tense all day finally had an outlet to relax. Footsteps echoed in the corridor, and no one wanted to stay at school for even a second longer.
Ning Jiu turned on her phone early, told Yuan Liangjing that she would be going back late today, said goodbye to her classmate, and turned to go to the psychology classroom on the fifth floor without any hesitation.
Since the psychology class was canceled in her senior year of high school, she hadn't been here for a long time. The corner no longer had those colorful posters and soft cushions; instead, there were rows of neatly stacked tables and chairs, making it look like a temporary meeting room.
"Ms. Luo was transferred to another school this semester, and now a different teacher is teaching psychology to the first and second year high school students."
The boy sitting in the corner turned his head, his expression and voice gentle, but the test paper from before was long gone from his desk.
"Why did you think of contacting me?"
Ning Jiu didn't believe that Qiao Bolin really didn't know why she came to see him today.
"Did you go to the East China University Information Session today?"
She stared at him intently, wanting to confirm this one thing.
His light-colored pupils reflected the drizzle outside the window. His originally calm eyes were now slightly rippling because of him, like the small river outside the South Gate, where ripples spread out in circles as the drizzle fell, creating tiny, sparkling waves.
She had no idea how attractive she looked.
For a fleeting moment, Qiao Bolin felt a secret pleasure.
Her emotions, at least for this moment, were for him.
Ding-dong.
Water droplets tap against the glass.
The only sound in the silent space was the patter of rain.
Ning Jiu's words fell into the rain, splashing and echoing.
He stood up slowly, his tone still devoid of emotion.
Joe Bolin: "Can't I go?"
Of course he could go, but why would someone who is guaranteed admission to Peking University through either direct admission or the national college entrance examination choose that place?
“If they could get into Peking University, most people would choose Peking University.” She tried her best to remain impeccable and not appear passive. “So I find it strange that—”
"Most people?" Qiao Bolin interrupted Ning Jiu, unusually. "Including you?"
"......"
Seeing that Ning Jiu did not answer, he remained patient and walked towards her step by step.
"You ranked third in your grade and fourteenth in the city in this mock exam. Based on last year's average score, you could get into Peking University." His grasp of her grades far exceeded her expectations. Unconsciously, the distance between them had shrunk to the point where there was almost no way out. "If it were you, would you go?"
Ning Jiu felt his hot palm pressing against her tailbone, sometimes gently, sometimes gently, like a threat, sometimes flirting. A strong, tingling sensation spread through her at an indescribable speed.
He knew her body too well; once he found that one weakness, he could render her powerless to resist.
“Of course I will go,” Ning Jiu heard herself say. “Why wouldn’t I go to Peking University if I can?”
She looked him straight in the eye without any hesitation. Qiao Bolin's eyes were calm, but it was precisely because they were so calm that for a moment she almost thought he could see right through her.
Just as Ning Jiu was about to say something, she keenly felt the slender fingertips that had been on her tailbone slowly moving upwards, from her spine, shoulder blades, and then to her fair and delicate nape. His burning kisses then rained down on her neck.
"Ning Jiu, you'd better not lie to me."
Qiao Bolin's voice was extremely tender, like ripples spreading across a calm lake, revealing sharp reefs hidden deep beneath the surface. Yet, the surging emotions hidden beneath his gentle tone almost made Ning Jiu tremble.
She forced herself to regain her composure.
"But I can't say for sure about grades. What if I don't reach the admission score for Peking University—"
"Then I'll go with you."
Qiao Bailin responded even faster than she had expected.
really.
really.
Even though she had expected it, Ning Jiu still thought Qiao Bolin was crazy when she actually heard him say those words.
"Are you crazy?" That's what she thought, and that's what she said. "Hasn't Peking University always been your goal? You've sacrificed so much for it, do you know what you're saying...?"
"Perhaps."
It was unclear which of her remarks he was responding to, but Qiao Bolin's expression remained unchanged, as if he were simply deciding what to have for breakfast the next day.
He gently took her hand in his, and with a soft yet undeniable force, pressed it against his face, stroking it slowly.
"I won't deliberately lower my grades, and I can't bear to break up with you after graduation."
The light in his eyes was bright and warm, yet it was like a scorching flame falling into her heart, instantly igniting a vast expanse of fire.
"Therefore, this is the best way."
-----------------------
Author's note: Sweet wine won't actually make Jobel do that, haha.
-
P.S.: Any university mentioned here simply refers to universities in different locations; there is absolutely no implied meaning whatsoever.
Next chapter: After the college entrance exam, there will be [yellow hearts][yellow hearts][yellow hearts]
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