The next day, as the first rays of sunlight pierced through the thin mist.
Ye Jinyan had already gotten up; he had a habit of going for a morning run.
Before each morning run, he would drink a glass of warm water. Knowing this, the housekeepers would pour the water for him at the same time every day and let it cool down so that Ye Jinyan could finish drinking it and go out for a run after he got up.
Around six o'clock in the morning, Ye Jinyan, dressed in a pure black tracksuit, was standing by the table drinking water when he accidentally overheard the cook and housekeeper talking quietly. He didn't have a habit of eavesdropping, and after finishing his water, he was about to go out when the name "Tang Ning" reached his ears.
This caused Ye Jinyan to stop in his tracks, and then—
"I didn't realize Miss Tang Ning was so devoted! She was busy so late last night, and it turns out those dishes were just practice pieces. This morning she got up at four or five in the morning and went into the kitchen to remake yesterday's dishes, saying that freshly made food tastes better. Sigh, isn't that a bit too devoted? I heard before that the young master of the Jiang family wanted to break off the engagement with her. I wonder what he was thinking?"
"Who can disagree? Such a beautiful and outstanding girl, if my son could meet one in the future, I'd be laughing in my sleep."
...
Hearing this, Ye Jinyan realized that she had gone to so much trouble to make sure Jiang Yao ate well. It was four or five in the morning, probably before dawn. Did she like Jiang Yao that much?
Ye Jinyan chuckled and then ran outside.
On the way to school, he watched Tang Ning, who was riding in the same car as him, as if she were a precious treasure, tightly hugging several lunch boxes in her arms, her eyes filled with anticipation and joy.
After watching for a short while, Ye Jinyan felt a strange tightness in his chest and quickly looked away.
Goodbye, brother!
Upon entering the school, because their teaching buildings were not in the same direction, Tang Ning got out of the car first, greeted him cheerfully, and then turned to leave.
"Tang Ning..."
Ye Jinyan called her name subconsciously, and Tang Ning turned her head, her eyes filled with a slight doubt.
Looking into her eyes, Ye Jinyan paused for a moment, then gave her a faint smile. "It's nothing. I just hope you think about yourself more often. In the future, try to do less of these things that involve sacrificing your sleep to prepare lunchboxes. After all, you're just a student now. You need to get enough sleep to have enough energy to study, understand?"
"You...you knew?"
Upon hearing Ye Jinyan's words, Tang Ning's face flushed uncontrollably. She drew her toes on the ground before looking earnestly at Ye Jinyan inside the car. "Actually, I just don't want to have any regrets. I have three months. During these three months, I will do my best to win back A Yao's heart. Only if I try my best will I be willing to accept whatever the final result may be. But the premise is that I must try my best."
After Tang Ning finished speaking, word by word, she gave Ye Jinyan a bright smile again. "But thank you for your concern, brother. Also, I feel... you care about me a lot more than before, and I'm very happy. Thank you, brother! You should go now, or you'll be late. Bye!"
After saying that, Tang Ning hugged the lunchbox in her arms and ran towards the teaching building in front. She hadn't run far when she turned around and waved to him.
This scene made Ye Jinyan's lips curl up in a smile as he watched.
Did he hope that she would get what she wanted in three months?
He didn't know why, even though she had tried so hard, he should have genuinely wished her success in winning back Jiang Yao's heart, but...
He reached up and touched his chest.
It seems that's not the case here...
With such chaotic and complicated thoughts, Ye Jinyan didn't pay much attention to his classes all morning.
As soon as the morning bell rang, he arrived at the door of Class 7 in the first year of high school. At this time, Class 7 had just finished class, probably because the last teacher had stayed a little longer than usual.
Almost as soon as get out of class ended, Tang Ning immediately took out the lunchbox she had prepared in advance from her desk without thinking, and walked towards Jiang Yao, who was walking out of the classroom, and called out to him with a smile, "Ah Yao!"
Upon hearing Tang Ning's voice, Jiang Yao couldn't help but flash a hint of irritation across his face.
Because of the ambiguous words Tang Ning said before leaving yesterday, Yu Qing hasn't been able to say a word to him since. She used to chatter away in the dorm all the time, but not yesterday. There was only silence.
She didn't want to talk to him, and she didn't even buy him breakfast, so he came to class hungry. All morning, she preferred to read, look at the blackboard, or watch the scenery outside the window rather than look at him or pay him any attention.
Over the past six months, Jiang Yao, who had long since grown accustomed to Yin Yuqing's presence, was almost driven mad by her.
He spent the whole morning coaxing her before she finally agreed to have lunch with him so they could have a good talk.
Who would have thought that Tang Ning would reappear like a persistent ghost at this moment, and he really couldn't stand it anymore.
So when he saw Tang Ning smilingly hand him some kind of box, Jiang Yao, who could no longer suppress his anger, brushed Tang Ning's arm away without thinking.
If Xu Xingbo, who was standing behind her, hadn't been quick-witted enough to catch her, Tang Ning would probably have fallen to the ground, lunchbox and all.
"Jiang Yao!"
Upon seeing this, Ye Jinyan, who was in the corridor, immediately shouted angrily.
What are you doing!
Jiang Yao, who had impulsively pushed Tang Ning away, almost causing her to fall, felt a pang of guilt, but it vanished completely with Ye Jinyan's rebuke.
Still consumed by anger, he immediately scoffed, "Instead of asking me what I'm doing here, why don't you ask your dear sister what she's done? Haven't I made myself clear enough? Why did you insist on chasing me all the way from Sheng Ying to here? Why did you have to disrupt my peaceful and normal life? Do you even know what you call this? Relentless harassment! Don't you find it embarrassing? Don't you..."
Jiang Yao, who was about to say something more, saw Tang Ning's fingers, which were gripping the lunchbox so tightly that they turned white, and a tear that suddenly fell to the ground from her lowered eyes. His previously raging anger, for some reason, was as if a bucket of cold water had been suddenly poured on it. With a hiss, it vanished without a trace, leaving only a wisp of white smoke and not even a spark.
He opened his mouth, wanting to explain and apologize, but didn't know how to start. In the end, he simply pushed Ye Jinyan, who was standing in front of him, away and ran out without looking back.
"Ah Yao!"
Yin Yuqing glanced at the group of people in front of her, stamped her foot with a troubled expression, and then chased after them.
On the other side, as Jiang Yao ran, Tang Ning's tear kept replaying in his mind.
For ten years, the Tang Ning he saw was always the most proud and reserved. When she looked at people, her eyes were sincere and bright, and her chin was slightly raised. She always seemed to be able to solve any problem perfectly on her own. She never encountered any difficulties because she always overcame them with various means. She was always so smart, sensible, obedient and beautiful. She was the kind of child that all parents talked about.
Yuqing was different from her. No matter what she did, she was always in a daze. Apart from some trivial matters, she needed him to care for, remind, and look after her in everything. She was afraid of the dark, ghosts, insects, thunder, and all sorts of things.
She was almost the complete opposite of Tang Ning, but just now—
Ningning...
Jiang Yao closed his eyes, his heart pounding violently.
Just then, as his pace slowed, Yin Yuqing reached out and grabbed his hand, and then her hesitant voice rang out.
"Ah Yao, are you alright? Is it...is it because of me that you suddenly got so angry, that you acted like that towards Tang Ning...Sigh, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have stopped talking to you. I just...I just care too much about you as a friend, and I was afraid that you...so that's why...so that's why...Please don't be angry, okay? I don't want you to be angry. I...I'm really worried about you..."
She looked at Jiang Yao with a worried expression.
Looking at Yin Yuqing, who was so apologetic and uneasy, Jiang Yao didn't know how much time had passed before the throbbing pain in his heart finally slowly, slowly dissipated.
What's wrong with him? Why did he suddenly start to doubt his feelings for Tang Ning? The person he's always loved has always been Yu Qing, hasn't he? His feelings for Tang Ning are just a habit, a habit of caring for and protecting her as his own sister. Why did he suddenly waver?
He shouldn't have wavered!
He likes Yuqing!
Jiang Yao firmly told himself this in his heart.
Once he thought about it, the boy's previously furrowed brows immediately relaxed, and he gently patted Yin Yuqing's fluffy little head. "It's okay, it has nothing to do with you, I'm not angry anymore, don't worry so much. Just now... just now I was just... never mind, let's not talk about it. Didn't you always want to eat the beer duck at the cafeteria? I'll treat you to it now, okay?"
Seeing that Jiang Yao's expression had finally cleared up and that he even said he would treat her to a delicious meal, Yin Yuqing immediately smiled in agreement.
"Really? That's great! Then I'd also like to have a crucian carp and tofu soup!"
"Okay, okay, whatever you say, you little foodie."
"Hmph! Never mind, let's hurry up, lest the cafeteria closes down!"
With an excited expression, Yin Yuqing grabbed Jiang Yao's arm and ran forward.
As soon as Jiang Yao and Yin Yuqing left, Tang Ning immediately raised her head. Apart from being slightly pale, there was no trace of her having cried on her face.
When she saw the worry in Ye Jinyan's eyes, she immediately avoided his gaze, looking somewhat embarrassed.
"I...I'm not feeling well, I'll go out first, brother, you should go have lunch..."
Without thinking twice, she ran outside after saying that.
"Tang Ning!"
"No! Brother, please don't follow me. I just want to be alone right now, okay?"
Just as Ye Jinyan was about to give chase, Tang Ning quickly said this.
Hearing her say that, Ye Jinyan slowly stopped and stood there, watching Tang Ning walk quickly down the stairs and disappear from sight in a short while.
Tang Ning left, and Ye Jinyan didn't stay any longer either, leaving soon after.
As soon as the show ended, the students in the class looked at each other and then burst into discussion.
"Ugh, what's wrong with Jiang Yao? He's gone way too far! My goddess was holding a lunchbox, right? She was probably trying to hand it to him, right? But what happened? Ugh, I used to think Jiang Yao was a nice guy, but now he seems so rude!"
"Exactly! I don't know where he got so angry? Judging from what he said, it seems like the goddess only came to Jinsheng High School as an exchange student because of him? He really wasted his heart!"
"Goddess, please look at me! What's so great about that scumbag Jiang Yao? Look at me!"
...
Unaware that so much gossip had taken place in the class after she left, Tang Ning, clutching her lunchbox, wandered around the school like a headless fly, her face filled with confusion and sadness.
When she caught a glimpse of someone sneaking around her from the corner of her eye, a smile immediately spread across her face.
I've been waiting for you.
Yes.
She wasn't that kind as to give Jiang Yao the bento she made!
That's why, after observing for a whole morning, she deliberately walked right into the line of fire when she knew that Yin Yuqing was deliberately acting childishly towards Jiang Yao and that Jiang Yao was furious. On the one hand, it was naturally to evoke sympathy from Ye Jinyan, who knew how hard she had worked, and on the other hand, it was because she always made lunchboxes for someone else.
Xu Xingbai.
Yes, who else could be following behind her now but Xu Xingbo?
She has to admit that Jiang Yao is a very useful tool for her. In just a short while, Ye Jinyan and Xu Xingbai have increased her favorability rating by several points.
She was almost reluctant to complete the romance, after all, this kind of devoted and beautiful girl character is really heartbreaking and lovable!
Just as she realized this, Tang Ning, who had just turned a corner, hid without hesitation.
Then she saw Xu Xingbo following her to the corner. When he saw that she was gone, he immediately began to search anxiously.
"Hey!"
While he turned his back, Tang Ning reached out and patted his shoulder.
Xu Xingbo was startled, then slowly turned around and saw Tang Ning sling the lunchbox behind her back, tilt her head and smile at him, "Why are you following me?"
"I……"
"What? Are you worried that I might do something rash in a moment of despair?"
"I didn't mean that, it's just..."
"Alright, alright, no need to explain to me. Thank you for your concern, classmate," Tang Ning said with a smile.
She then turned and walked towards a set of stone tables and benches in front of her. After taking only a few steps, not hearing any footsteps following her, Tang Ning quickly turned around and waved to Xu Xingbai, "What are you standing there for? Come here!"
Upon hearing this, Xu Xingbai hesitated for a moment, but still followed.
It wasn't until she sat down at the stone table that Tang Ning realized that her move today wasn't just a double kill, but a triple kill! Look at the good spot she chose! She saw it! She saw the purple characters "Mu Sheng" flash by in the blooming camellia bushes on the left.
What good luck! Although she knew that Mu Sheng, as the school doctor, would spend some time in this spot at school during his free time, she only chose this place to try her luck. Who knew she would actually run into him!
Tang Ning's smile immediately became more pronounced.
After seeing Xu Xingbo sitting in front of her, Tang Ning placed the lunchbox she had been holding on the stone table, then sighed softly. As she opened it, she said with a hint of disappointment, "Well, I admit I was a little unhappy and sad just now... because I didn't expect A Yao to..."
"You and him..."
After hesitating for a long time, Xu Xingbo couldn't help but ask the question.
"Me and who? Jiang Yao? I like him."
Tang Ning stared intently at a pink and white camellia beside her, and said this without hesitation, her eyes soft and gentle.
Just then, Mu Sheng, who lived next door, saw everything clearly through the gaps in the camellia bushes.
Then the two heard Tang Ning chuckle again and say, "We're childhood sweethearts. We've known each other since we were six, and we were even... engaged... Because I'm the daughter my mother brought with her later, no one in my family likes me. It's that Ye Jinyan you see here. He used to be so mean. He would bully me and yell at me whenever he had the chance. I was terrified, but I was also afraid to tell my mother. She would worry. She's finally settled down, and I didn't want her to worry about me anymore, so I've always been afraid of her..."
"That's when I met Jiang Yao. He was dressed like a prince from a fairy tale. Everyone else looked down on me, wouldn't play with me, and isolated me, but he was so good to me, so incredibly good... We've been together for ten years, and I've never doubted that I wouldn't be his bride. But ever since I started high school... never mind, why am I bringing this up?"
Tang Ning blinked hard, trying to force back the tears welling up in her eyes, but her eyes were still moist. The not-so-strong sunlight above them shone into her eyes, making them appear as bright and dazzling as the finest black pearls.
"You probably haven't eaten yet, right? I made too many bento boxes. Would you do me a favor and eat one of them? I worked really hard making them; I got up at 4:30 this morning and was busy for a long time. Could you please try one?"
As she spoke, Tang Ning smiled and opened the lunchbox, and the aroma instantly filled the entire camellia bushes.
Her pleading posture made Xu Xingbo swallow back the refusal that was already on the tip of his tongue, and in the end he just silently accepted Tang Ning's lunchbox.
After actually tasting it, he realized that every dish she made suited his taste perfectly. He even had the illusion that the bento box was tailor-made for him by the girl in front of him.
"How is it? Does it taste good?"
"Hmm!"
Xu Xingbo nodded.
"I hope you eat more, there's still plenty left!"
Tang Ning's face showed the satisfaction of having her efforts recognized, and her beautiful phoenix eyes narrowed into two crescent moons with a smile.
Xu Xingbo's current favorability rating: 49.
Mu Sheng's current favorability rating: 8.
Ye Jinyan's current favorability rating: 18.
Jiang Yao's current favorability rating: 42.
Everything has gone up, even Jiang Yao... Could it be that her good brother said something to Jiang Yao?
It seems that it's not killing three birds with one stone, but killing four.
As long as your affection level increases, everyone will be her little cutie!
Tang, a womanizer with four men on her side, a devoted lover, a playboy, thought to herself.
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