After that day, every few days, Jiang Xuanxuan would come and have a chance encounter with them.
For kids from wealthy families, making friends seems to involve a gift offensive. One minute it's a scented eraser, the next it's a custom-made mooncake from Xinghualou, then a set of imported drawing pencils…
Jiang Xuanxuan didn't bother us that day, so Zhou Pengfei quietly asked Yang Yajing, "Why does Jiang Xuanxuan always give us gifts? And why can't we refuse them?"
“They’re rich. My mom says that rich people buy friendships with money!” Of course, Yang Yajing’s mother never said that, but what would a ten-year-old know if she didn’t say it that way?
"What if she suddenly runs out of money?" Zhou Pengfei continued to ask.
"Whoosh!" Yang Yajing made a very exaggerated gesture.
"What's all the 'whoosh'?" Zhou Pengfei didn't understand.
"Are you stupid? Of course, all the sparrows that were circling the rice grains flew away!"
"Pfft! Your analogy is so vivid!" Zhou Pengfei couldn't help but laugh. "Hey! You always speak with such a perfect storyline?"
"That's right! Otherwise, why would you be friends with someone as interesting as me?" Yang Yajing continued to boast.
In her previous life, when she crossed paths with Zhou Pengfei, she was also a talkative little chatterbox. It was only later, after realizing she had fallen for this handsome young man and being constantly compared to him by Jiang Xuanxuan, that she started to care about her appearance.
Later, due to unforeseen circumstances and her family's dire poverty, she gradually lost her confidence and courage, to the point that she never dared to admit that her pen pal was her.
"I have another question." Zhou Pengfei's curiosity was really strong today.
"Why have you turned into a walking encyclopedia of questions today?" Yang Yajing teased him with a smile.
"With your straightforward personality, how could you possibly want to be friends with Jiang Xuanxuan, who speaks in a way that's hard to understand?"
"Because you don't understand it, you won't get stuck on the details and have bad feelings!" Yang Yajing said with a laugh, but her next sentence was very serious: "There are different types of friends. Someone like you who only knows how to draw and doesn't interact with people will suffer in the future!"
"You found out again?" Zhou Pengfei said dismissively. "How old are you anyway? You talk just like my dad!"
"Really? Call me 'Dad' and let me hear it?" Yang Yajing was still being mischievous. "Listen carefully when adults talk. Smart people—like me—learn it in no time!"
"Proud!" Zhou Pengfei winked at her irritably.
Sigh! How many years has it been? Ever since we graduated from junior high and went our separate ways, she hasn't seen Zhou Pengfei with such a lively and carefree expression, has she?
As Zhou Pengfei grew up, he always seemed to have worries and burdens, becoming more reserved and steady, and talking much less.
Hopefully, in this life, she can try her best to make Zhou Pengfei happier and more optimistic!
She'll have to work really hard to achieve this!
In his previous life, Zhou Pengfei's reserved nature stemmed largely from owing Jiang Xuanxuan many favors. These favors ranged from personal connections to business obligations…
In this life, Zhou Pengfei wants to protect herself! If she's going to owe anyone, it should be Yang Yajing; she absolutely cannot let Jiang Xuanxuan beat her to it!
But she has no money right now! How can she get money to help Zhou Pengfei and make connections that can help him before she turns eighteen?
This is also what makes Yang Yajing feel most helpless.
Jiang Xuanxuan was born with a silver spoon in her mouth, dealt a winning hand. How can she ensure she's dealt a winning hand as well?
There is no solution at the moment.
However, she still has eight years, which is plenty of time to make a good plan!
In the 1990s, Jincheng had just experienced the reform and opening up. Goods became more abundant, and food coupons and oil coupons gradually faded from daily life.
Western holidays are also becoming popular among the new generation, such as the upcoming Christmas.
"Yang Yajing!" Zhou Pengfei saw Yang Yajing playing hopscotch on the playground as usual that day. "Do you want to come with me to listen to hymns at church on Christmas Eve?"
"Christmas Eve? You're so fashionable?" Yang Yajing knew he wasn't fashionable, but that was how she answered him back then.
“No! My family is Christian, and we go to church on Christmas Eve.” Zhou Pengfei shook his head. “I don’t have much in common with my cousins, so I think it would be boring.”
“Great! I’d also like to see how you religious people celebrate Christmas!” Yang Yajing nodded. “Is church fun?”
"Don't you like singing? The choir in the East Hall is wonderful! And there's lots of food too!" Zhou Pengfei was delighted to hear Yang Yajing agree.
"Wow! There's food? Then I definitely won't stand you up!"
"Stand me up? What stand me up?" Zhou Pengfei didn't understand again.
"It just flew away with a whoosh! No food...whoosh!" Yang Yajing made that exaggerated gesture again.
"Oh! So you can be bribed with food too?" Zhou Pengfei deliberately imitated Yang Yajing's mature manner.
"Hehe! That depends on the person!" Yang Yajing didn't deny it. "If you have food, I'll follow you around every day!"
"You little rascal!" Zhou Pengfei laughed heartily.
Zhou Pengfei always felt comfortable around Yang Yajing. He didn't have to exhaust himself trying to guess what she was thinking or what she was saying. She meant what she said, and if she said something wrong or teased him, she wouldn't get angry.
Although Zhou Pengfei's family was not wealthy, they were a scholarly family, and he was always respectful in his actions and speech. Meeting Yang Yajing was the first time he felt that he didn't have to be so careful.
Especially her smiling face; she laughs heartily whenever she wants to, without having to pretend to be a pampered young lady, covering her mouth and bowing her head, putting on airs.
In her previous life, Yang Yajing herself told Jiang Xuanxuan and the others that they were going to the church. But in this life, she doesn't know how Jiang Xuanxuan found out, but somehow she did find out again.
"Is Yangyang going to church with Brother Pengfei?" The next day, Jiang Xuanxuan came to the small garden again.
"Huh? How did you know?" Yang Yajing blinked her big eyes at Jiang Xuanxuan. "You planted a spy among us?"
"Huh? Xuanxuan didn't!" Jiang Xuanxuan immediately felt wronged. "Xuanxuan thought that Xuanxuan was Yangyang's good friend, and Yangyang would invite Xuanxuan to go together."
Ever since she stopped being allowed to call her "sister," Jiang Xuanxuan has been calling Yang Yajing "Yang Yang." I wonder if it's because "Yajing" doesn't suit her personality at all, and she just can't bring herself to say it.
Yang Yajing knew she had more to say, so she didn't answer, but just pretended not to know, watching her and waiting for her to continue.
Sure enough: "Did Xuanxuan do something wrong? Did Yangyang dislike her? Xuanxuan will definitely correct herself. Xuanxuan is still young and doesn't understand things. Yangyang, you must forgive Xuanxuan?"
"Did she do something wrong? Do you know that?" Yang Yajing didn't answer Jiang Xuanxuan's question, but turned to Zhou Pengfei with a confused look.
Zhou Pengfei shook his head, and Yang Yajing echoed, "I don't know either!"
"Yangyang hates me. He won't even invite Xuanxuan to Christmas Eve. Xuanxuan must be in the wrong!" Jiang Xuanxuan was still putting on an act, looking extremely aggrieved.
"Did you bully her?" Zhou Pengfei looked at Jiang Xuanxuan's expression, somewhat puzzled.
Yang Yajing found it amusing. Was Jiang Xuanxuan experiencing a bout of masochism? However, she didn't intend to expose her yet. Besides, how would a ten-year-old from the 90s know what self-harm meant?
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