Chapter 145
In fact, Chu Jiujiu and Han Shengyi have not seen each other more than once in the past few days. Two days ago, they met on campus. Han Shengyi stopped her and asked her why she was so busy recently. Chu Jiujiu avoided the question and gave a vague explanation, then ran away quickly. It seemed that she was worried that the information in her hand could not be delivered in time. In fact, she didn't want to stay with Han Shengyi for even a second.
Chu Jiujiu also felt that she had gone too far, but once a person's mentality changed, it was like opening a floodgate and releasing water; once it was released, it could never be taken back.
Ever since she knew Han Shengyi had a target, she hadn't thought much about avoiding suspicion, but her body had already reacted honestly. She had to stay away from Han Shengyi, as far away as possible.
It’s best to go far away so that others don’t know that they actually know each other.
Chu Jiujiu didn't realize how unusual her reaction was. Normal people would avoid suspicion, but not like her, avoiding it as if she were fleeing. This didn't seem like ordinary avoidance of suspicion, but more like... after the real person appeared, the spare tire should have disappeared on its own.
This metaphor is inappropriate, but it is the most accurate example to describe Chu Jiujiu's current mentality.
Chu Jiujiu usually studies well and keeps in touch with her teacher frequently. She said she was sick, but the teacher didn't even ask for a leave note and told everyone to open their textbooks. Classes had already started in the teaching building. Chu Jiujiu was wrapped in a thick quilt, feeling a little hot and stuffy. She kept her eyes open. She was the only one in the dormitory now. She couldn't sleep, but she couldn't get up either.
Until the alarm clock next to the pillow pointed to eight o'clock, which was the time for the first class to start.
Chu Jiujiu has several class schedules in her mind, and the one that is at the top of her memory is her and Han Shengyi's schedule. Today, not only her class has morning classes, but Han Shengyi's class also has them.
After hesitating for a while, Chu Jiujiu lifted the quilt, got out of bed, and tiptoed to the window.
Their dormitory is on the third floor. Unless Han Shengyi has super hearing, he will definitely not hear any movement in their dormitory. However, when people feel guilty, it is difficult for them to correctly judge the surrounding environment.
Chu Jiujiu hid behind the window like a thief. The school was too poor and had no curtains. There was only a piece of rag inherited about ten years ago, hung on two nails on the wall. Every day before going to bed, Song Xiaoying would hang the cloth on the window as a curtain.
Now that the cloth has been taken down, Chu Jiujiu can't even find a curtain to cover herself.
She stretched her neck cautiously. In the rain, there were only a few girls downstairs who had just returned from buying breakfast. The big red umbrella was no longer there.
Chu Jiujiu breathed a sigh of relief.
After a sigh of relief, she lowered her head again. It wasn't a good idea to hide like this all the time...
She thought Han Shengyi didn't wait for her, and seeing that class was almost time, he gave up and left. In fact, Han Shengyi left earlier than she thought.
Time goes back half an hour.
Chu Jiujiu didn't go out, so Song Xiaoying and the others put on large raincoats. Cao Lu always hated rainy days because raincoats were not good-looking. Every time she put on one, she felt like an old lady.
In front, Song Xiaoying and Shen Dongkui were discussing what to eat in the morning. Song Xiaoying didn't get along with her and would not easily pay attention to her, but Shen Dongkui, who was she, would just say a few words politely to anyone who spoke to her. Song Xiaoying took the initiative and pulled Shen Dongkui to her side first, and Cao Lu was left aside again.
The two of them were talking animatedly, not even glancing at Cao Lu. Shen Dongkui was merely introverted, not stupid. Since the start of school, Cao Lu hadn't had any major issues, but she'd been constantly making small moves. They were all adults (except Chu Jiujiu), so no one could fail to see through her ulterior motives. In the village, Shen Dongkui had always been most respectful of these types of people. Staying close to them wouldn't lead to major problems, but it would bring a constant stream of minor annoyances that would drive you crazy.
So when Song Xiaoying pulled her over, she not only did not refuse, but also cooperated quickly. Of course, at the beginning, they were just focused on their own conversation, but later on, they really forgot about Cao Lu.
Song Xiaoying and Chu Jiujiu have a good relationship, but in fact, after getting to know each other in depth, Song Xiaoying still feels that she and Shen Dongkui can talk to each other better, because they are about the same age and have both entered society. Although Chu Jiujiu has also worked sporadically in the research institute for a few months, she is still a blank slate and does not understand many things.
Song Xiaoying couldn't tell her everything at once. Some things could only be understood after experiencing them yourself. It was useless to hear it from others no matter how many times, as it would not resonate with her.
…
The two of them chatted as they walked, and only when they entered the cafeteria did they suddenly realize that Cao Lu was gone. They looked at each other, both stunned.
How can you get lost in school?
Cao Lu was not lost, she saw Han Shengyi at the door.
Standing inside the building, Cao Lu stared at him for two seconds before walking out, pretending to be casual. Cao Lu put her hands on her brows and lowered her head. She walked out dejectedly. When she was about to walk under Han Shengyi's umbrella, Han Shengyi quickly took two steps back, leaving Cao Lu exposed to the rain.
Cao Lu: “…”
Why does this person always play by his own rules?
At this point, Cao Lu could only make some adjustments. She looked up in surprise, and when she saw Han Shengyi's face, she was even more surprised. "Mr. Han? Why are you here?"
Han Shengyi glanced at her and didn't want to pay any attention to her.
But thinking that she was Chu Jiujiu's roommate, he asked, "Isn't Jiujiu out yet?"
"She," Cao Lu pulled up the hood of her raincoat, revealing her fair and tender face as much as possible, "She has a cold and asked me to ask for leave for her. She said she won't be going to class today."
It was obvious that the three roommates were asked to ask for leave for Chu Jiujiu together, but when it came to Cao Lu, she was asked to come alone.
Han Shengyi didn't pay attention to these things. He frowned and asked, "Does she have a cold? Does she have a fever?"
Chu Jiujiu was as strong as a calf. Ever since Han Shengyi knew her, she seemed to be immune to the word "cold". Except for the vomiting caused by reading too much, she basically never got sick.
Han Shengyi's first reaction was worry, and his second reaction was that he realized something was wrong.
At this time, Cao Lu also smiled, "Don't worry, she's just making excuses. She's actually fine. You might not know this, but she's surrounded by many romantic figures. Even our class monitor wants to invite her to the social gathering to dance. She's really conflicted now. She didn't want to go to class today because she didn't dare to see our monitor."
Cao Lu said this with great certainty, because that was what she thought. She looked up at Han Shengyi's expression and found that he really didn't know about this. Cao Lu felt even more proud.
"Look, you really don't know. Classmate Han, don't mind me. Jiujiu would never tell you, her brother, about this kind of thing. She only told me about it."
The hat was about to fall off again, so Cao Lu quickly lifted it up. She took a step forward and tried to get under Han Shengyi's umbrella.
"Mr. Han, I know you two have a close relationship, and you must be worried about her. I also think she shouldn't have kept such a big thing from you. So, if you want to know something in the future, just come and ask me. But there's one thing I'll only tell you: the big things. I'll keep some small things, some unimportant little secrets, for Jiujiu."
Cao Lu felt that she was very clever. This statement could not only bring her and Han Shengyi closer, but also make Han Shengyi realize that she was really doing this for Chu Jiujiu's own good. Many women don't like men to have sisters, but Cao Lu doesn't think so. Having a sister is the best. Sisters are their weak points, and they can be easily exploited.
Such a man is family-oriented. After they get married, she can slowly educate him and make him remember that his own family is the most important. All his brothers and sisters can be left to fend for themselves.
Cao Lu's mind was full of plans. She thought that Han Shengyi cared so much about Chu Jiujiu that he would definitely agree. But when she looked at Han Shengyi again, she found that his expression was very cold.
"If I want to know about Chu Jiujiu, I will ask her myself. There is no need for you to interfere."
Cao Lu was startled, "I didn't..."
Han Shengyi held up his umbrella and looked at Cao Lu with a hint of sarcasm in his eyes. "You seem to have misunderstood something."
"First, Chu Jiujiu and I are not siblings. Second, you think too much of us."
Cao Lu's face changed every now and then. She had never heard such ugly words since she was a child. Han Shengyi didn't scold her, but the ridicule between the lines and the contempt in his tone made Cao Lu realize one thing: Han Shengyi looked at her as if she were a clown. He had never taken Cao Lu seriously.
After saying this, Han Shengyi raised his head calmly, glanced at a window above, and then left with a gloomy face.
Cao Lu stood there, shaking with anger.
What the hell!
If I give you some colors, you will open a dyeing factory!
Don’t you know what it means to not bully the poor young? Don’t you know what it means to have too many enemies? I think you are stupid! You rely on your good grades and good looks to ignore others!
You are stupid, and Chu Jiujiu is stupid too!
You're already so old, and you've just been approached by a man, and before anything happened, you're so panicked that you don't even go to class. You're so ignorant and a country bumpkin!
Cao Lu cursed Han Shengyi and Chu Jiujiu in her heart, but after that, she felt relieved.
It was quite a coincidence that the first Chinese class today was about Lu Xun. The teacher talked about the various typical characters created by Lu Xun at the beginning, and also mentioned Ah Q in particular. Cao Lu was in a daze and didn't hear it. But even if she heard it, she wouldn't notice how much her behavior just now resembled Ah Q.
…
The rain didn't stop until the afternoon. Chu Jiujiu didn't have breakfast and was afraid of running into Han Shengyi at lunch, so she waited for an extra hour before running out. The aunt almost cleared away all the food, but when she saw her running over with a longing look on her face, her heart softened and she gave her twice the usual amount of food.
It can be considered a blessing in disguise.
Chu Jiujiu returned to the dormitory with her lunch box and sat in the dormitory. After eating her fill, she finally felt comfortable. She even had the energy to comment on it. "The potatoes in our school are really delicious. I wonder where they get them from. I'll talk to grandma later and ask her to see if she can buy this kind of potatoes in the future."
There were no classes in the afternoon, so Song Xiaoying's eyes were glued to her books. She could also chat with her, "Are you sure it's the potatoes that are delicious, and not the cooking of the aunties in our cafeteria?"
Chu Jiujiu took a sip of water and thought carefully. She said, "It must be potatoes. Grandma is a great cook. Weiwei's cooking is also delicious. And Chu Shao's stir-fry is also very fragrant. But when the potatoes are cooked, they are not as soft and sticky as those in the cafeteria. We buy vegetables nearby. The potatoes here should be pulled directly from the fields. The varieties may be different."
Speaking of this, Song Xiaoying put down her book and said, "I once saw people peeling potatoes in the canteen kitchen. You know what, the potatoes here are smaller than the ones we have back home."
Upon hearing this, Shen Dongkui also said, "It must be a newly introduced variety. When I went to the countryside before, the villagers also planted potatoes, but they planted large ones. Everyone said that small potatoes were delicious. I even applied to the village party committee to plant some new varieties, but the villagers only wanted large potatoes, not small ones."
Chu Jiujiu groaned, "That's perfectly normal. Everyone's hungry, so they definitely don't want to grow anything small. They say the bigger the better. They'd be happiest if it was the same size as a pumpkin!"
Song Xiaoying smiled and said, "Actually, size doesn't matter. It still depends on the production. However, some old people don't understand this and only look at size. Alas, my father is like that."
Talking about things in the village, the three of them suddenly became excited. Song Xiaoying missed home, Chu Jiujiu missed Qingzhu Village, and Shen Dongkui, having already left, also wanted to reminisce about the past. The three of them had common topics, and Cao Lu, who was sitting aside, wanted to roll her eyes more and more the more she listened.
They are all old-fashioned.
She didn't interrupt because she disdained to discuss such topics. It was not until they finished talking and there was a brief break in the dormitory that she took her book and walked over to Song Xiaoying's bed and sat down.
She asked Chu Jiujiu: "Chu Jiujiu, what is your relationship with Han Shengyi?"
She asked in a sarcastic and somewhat aggressive tone. Song Xiaoying and Shen Dongkui were both stunned, and Chu Jiujiu was even more confused, not understanding why she suddenly asked this.
Frowning, she replied, "Brother and sister, what's wrong?"
Cao Lu: "Really? I heard that you two aren't brother and sister. Your last name is Chu, and his last name is Han. How can you be brother and sister?"
Chu Jiujiu looked at her silently and didn't want to answer for a moment, but looking at Cao Lu's expression, Chu Jiujiu suddenly felt that she was here to catch her cheating. If she remained silent, it would seem as if she was guilty.
Pursing her lips, Chu Jiujiu said, "I met him when I was nine. At that time, we were both in the countryside. He lived with his grandparents, and I lived with my brother. My father was in the army, and my mother had passed away. I was young, and my brother was only twelve. We depended on each other for survival, but there were always some inconveniences. Later, his grandparents took care of us and treated us as their own grandchildren. Only then did we grow up well."
She looked at Cao Lu, "Do you have any problem with such a brother and sister?"
The air circulation in the dormitory began to slow down, and everyone sensed a tense atmosphere. Shen Dongkui looked at Chu Jiujiu and was a little surprised.
Chu Jiujiu was a very sunny girl. She thought she had been born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Even though she had experienced rural life, it was a very happy one, completely different from those who struggled. Unexpectedly, she actually had such an experience.
Song Xiaoying became even more displeased with Cao Lu.
You are sick, you always pick at other people's wounds!
Cao Lu looked embarrassed. The main point she wanted to ask was what their relationship was, but Chu Jiujiu's answer made it seem as if she was deliberately asking about her experience. Cao Lu felt that Chu Jiujiu did it on purpose.
Sitting in her original position, Cao Lu froze for a moment before changing her posture. She opened the book in her hand and snorted inaudibly, "If it's not a kiss, you should have said it earlier. It's not a big deal. If you keep it a secret like that, who would know what's going on between you two?"
This is over.
Song Xiaoying stood up and said, "Cao Lu, what nonsense are you talking about!"
Now we live in a new society, and the old social practices are no longer popular. Women can divorce and date men at will, but no matter which society they are in, being slandered by others is absolutely intolerable.
Cao Lu felt resentful and snapped the book shut. She asked back confidently, "What did I say? Wasn't I telling the truth? She was the one who kept it a secret. Don't blame me. Ask others and see if they will think the wrong thing."
Shen Dongkui frowned. She felt that Cao Lu's attitude was too irritating, but when she thought about what she said carefully, she felt that what Cao Lu said made some sense.
It is indeed easy to cause misunderstandings...
Song Xiaoying didn't care about that. She had been unhappy with Cao Lu for a long time. Before, she had always been keeping a low profile. Song Xiaoying would at most confront her a few times with some sarcasm, but she couldn't do anything serious.
She walked quickly towards Cao Lu, who was startled because Song Xiaoying looked like she wanted to fight with her.
With her physique, let alone a fight, even a slap from Song Xiaoying would knock her unconscious. The next second, Cao Lu was about to scream, but Chu Jiujiu suddenly grabbed Song Xiaoying's arm.
She shook her head at Song Xiaoying, who also came over and looked down at Cao Lu who was sitting on the bed. She said expressionlessly, "I'll give you one chance. Apologize to me."
Cao Lu was a little scared, but she risked her life. "Why?! Do you think you can bully others just because you're the vice-class monitor? I'm telling you, if you dare to bully me, I'll tell the teacher!"
Song Xiaoying really wanted to hit her. She was such an adult, yet she still complained about the teacher!
Chu Jiujiu wasn't angry. She asked Cao Lu again, "You won't apologize?"
Cao Lu stiffened his neck and said, "No!"
Chu Jiujiu suddenly laughed.
She had been feeling extremely upset these past few days, and was at her most irritable. Cao Lu insisted on bumping into her, so how could she refuse?
"Cao Lu, it's been twenty-seven days since the start of school. In those twenty-seven days, just from what I've seen, you've had affairs with sixteen men. Four of them are from our class, three from Class 1, five I met in the cafeteria while getting food, the second-place winner from Class 3 of the Chinese Department in the poetry recitation competition, the Party Secretary of Class 1 of the Physics Department who came to borrow a chair, Mr. Wu from the college office, and Han Shengyi."
Except for Chu Jiujiu, the other three were all confused.
Among them, Cao Lu was the most confused, because she herself didn't know how many people she had flirted with, but she remembered everything Chu Jiujiu said.
Her eyes widened in horror, "You're following me!"
Chu Jiujiu sneered, "Who do you think you are? Why would I follow you? It's my bad luck that I have to be in the same class with you and even my roommate. You're always hanging around me, and it's hard for me not to see you."
As she spoke, she turned her head to look at Song Xiaoying, "This is what I saw. There are probably more that I didn't see."
Song Xiaoying was stunned for a moment, then she smiled and nodded after realizing what was happening. "I understand now. It turns out she's attracted to your brother, so she's throwing dirty water on you. Oh, so be it. But Cao Lu, aren't you attracted to too many things? Do you think you're Wu Zetian, choosing your own concubines?"
Cao Lu was young after all, and her face and neck instantly turned red when someone said that to her. "You're talking nonsense!"
Chu Jiujiu looked at her innocently, "How can that be nonsense? How about we go out now and find these people one by one to see if they have spoken to you? Don't worry, I remember all their faces and I will never make a mistake."
Cao Lu: "Just because I've spoken to you, that's considered getting close to you? You're just seeking revenge!"
Chu Jiujiu spread her hands. "How can this be considered revenge? I'm the vice-class monitor and I interact with my classmates every day. I'm not like you, who spans majors and ages. You even targeted the teacher. If I remember correctly, you also said to Teacher Wu, 'Teacher, it's great to know you. I like teachers like you the most. By the way, are you married?"
Chu Jiujiu imitated Cao Lu's expression, her innocence tinged with a hint of green tea, so lifelike that Song Xiaoying was amused. She turned to Cao Lu and asked, "You are so shameless! You even didn't let the teacher go."
Cao Lu was speechless.
She was so angry that she almost cried. Seeing her expression like this, Chu Jiujiu looked at her with even more disgust. "I'm going to return your words to you now. You're the one who did this. So whether I have wrong thoughts or right thoughts is none of your business. If you still want to stay in school, then I advise you to behave yourself in the future. Even if I take the exam a hundred times, I can still get into this school. Can you do that? If you really want to fight me to the death, then you'd better think about it. Just based on this point, I have more confidence than you."
Cao Lu was immediately frightened.
She just wanted to get Chu Jiujiu involved in rumors, but Chu Jiujiu wanted to make her expel from school!
In this day and age, being surrounded by rumors, losing jobs and degrees are all very normal things. Cao Lu thinks of herself as being very innocent. In fact, doesn't she also hold the same idea?
Cao Lu didn't dare to say a word, but Chu Jiujiu hadn't finished speaking yet.
Taking another step forward and bending down slightly, Chu Jiujiu looked at Cao Lu's frightened expression. She raised the corners of her lips and smiled beautifully, "Also, stay away from Han Shengyi. You are too disgusting and don't deserve to talk to him."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
