Jiang Qiao forgot all about the answers after the exam, but Zhao Jianjun seemed to be there specifically to torment them.
The more Chunming didn't want to know the answer, the more he showed off to Jiang Qiao.
"Oh dear, I forgot. It's over after the exam. Even if you tell me, I won't remember. Forget it, don't bother. Just thinking about it gives me a headache. I need to go home and get some rest. I've been exhausted lately."
Chunming naturally agreed with Jiang Qiao's statement: "Are you leaving or not? If you're not leaving, then we're leaving."
Zhao Jianjun grumbled irritably, "You two are really not being fair. I was just feeling uncertain and wanted to find a good student like you to practice with. You're so honest, you forgot everything as soon as you left the house. Let's go home."
Chunming rolled his eyes, but didn't say anything else. Such blatant showing off, and the emotion was clearly not one of worry. If he still couldn't understand, he would be the kind of fool his master talked about.
"Zhao Jianjun, who was that girl just now? She seemed to know you quite well?"
Jiang Qiao was just trying to make conversation, not wanting the atmosphere to become too awkward.
Zhao Jianjun acted as if nothing had happened. "Oh, you mean that woman from earlier? She used to be our neighbor. We bumped into each other, exchanged a few words, what's wrong? Do you know her?"
Jiang Qiao smiled and shook his head. "Where would I be to meet her? But that woman is quite pretty."
Zhao Jianjun turned his head and looked Jiang Qiao up and down. Without saying a word, even Chunming could understand the meaning behind his eyes.
"What? Don't tell me that Qiao'er is not as good-looking as the other person. That's because Qiao'er hasn't grown up yet. Maybe when she grows up, Qiao'er will be prettier than anyone else."
Zhao Jianjun nodded perfunctorily, "I didn't say anything. Qiao'er will definitely grow up to be very beautiful."
To be honest, Jiang Qiao, although she's a little fairer than before, still doesn't look very good overall and can't compare to others at all.
Jiang Qiao tugged at Chunming and said, "I don't care about my appearance, so you don't need to say anything. So what if I'm ugly? My grandpa said, 'No matter how ugly you are, you're a treasure in the family.' Anyway, as long as he finds me pleasing to the eye, that's all that matters. I don't care what others think of me. We're not making money based on our looks. Let's go. It's so hot, don't you guys mind the sun?"
Jiang Qiao still hasn't gotten a single truth out of Zhao Jianjun. She feels that the woman might also be a stepping stone for Zhao Jianjun.
Chunming simply didn't ask any questions, and the other person accompanied them home in a cool and aloof manner.
"Hey, isn't that Brother Ning Hao?"
Jiang Qiao took a closer look and realized it was none other than Ning Hao, that show-off. Knowing full well that his appearance was rather eye-catching, this guy still wore a white shirt and leaned against the wall by the door. With that nonchalant attitude, even Zhao Jianjun couldn't help but want to complain.
"What is he planning to do? Isn't he afraid that someone will kick down the threshold of our compound?"
Chunming, unusually, agreed, saying, "Exactly—"
Jiang Qiao stared intently at Ning Hao. Despite his roguish appearance, Ning Hao's eyes betrayed him. The cigarette was almost burning his hand, and he was completely oblivious.
"Brother Ning Hao—"
Before Jiang Qiao could even greet him, Zhao Jianjun ran over enthusiastically.
Seeing Jiang Qiao return, Ning Hao's somewhat vacant gaze finally returned.
"Hey, how was it? Did you do well on the exam?"
Ning Hao flicked the cigarette butt to the ground with a cool gesture and rubbed it a few times.
Zhao Jianjun was unusually modest this time, saying, "It's alright, but the results aren't out yet, so no one can say for sure."
In front of Ning Hao, Zhao Jianjun really didn't dare to be arrogant. Ning Hao was practically a legend in their compound. Before, whenever someone mentioned him, they would shake their head and say that the kid was irresponsible. But who knew that after he joined the army, it was as if he had been given a cheat code. He changed completely and even got into military academy. Sometimes, even he himself was secretly impressed.
Ning Hao smiled and said, "Alright, everyone hurry home. Jiang Qiao, I need to talk to you."
Chunming greeted Ning Hao and then followed Zhao Jianjun back home.
However, as he walked further in, he began to regret it. What was he afraid of? He hadn't done anything wrong. Yet, standing in front of Ning Hao, he felt a kind of pressure that made him feel somewhat at a loss.
They're not that far apart in age, so how come this person can do this much while he can't?
Chunming was also reflecting on whether his cultivation was not up to par. He thought he should practice properly with his master.
Jiang Qiao stared intently at Ning Hao. "You're on vacation? Something on your mind?"
Ning Hao smiled and said, "What worries could I possibly have? I'm well-fed and warmly clothed, much better off than most people. Little girl, this time you should be fine, right?"
After saying that, he immediately started ruffling Jiang Qiao's hair. "Let's go back inside and talk."
Actually, Ning Hao didn't have anything serious to say; he just wanted to take Jiang Qiao out for a walk, to which Jiang Qiao could only apologize.
"No, I have to go see my mom. She's about to give birth, and I have to leave tomorrow. I can probably help her take care of her during her postpartum period."
"Huh? They have no one else in their family, and they're counting on a young girl like you?"
Jiang Qiao shook her head. "Right now, I'm the only one who can be of use, so there's nothing I can do. Have you been free lately?"
Ning Hao sighed. He never needed to pretend in front of Jiang Qiao.
Don't even mention it—
Thinking of his father, Ning Hao's eyes dimmed. He hadn't cared much about him for so many years. He didn't know what had gotten into him this time, that he would go all the way to see him and then tell him to go home.
“I had a fight with my husband. He called me a bastard, and I said he's the bastard. How could he have given birth to such a bastard son like me if he wasn't a bastard? Since he's already abandoned me, why did he bother coming back to me…”
Ning Hao was clearly in a bad mood, and he rambled on and on about his meeting with his father to Jiang Qiao.
Jiang Qiao frowned. "What do you mean? He's starting to pay attention to you again? It can't be that simple. If he's paying attention, does he have to go back to that house?"
Putting aside your strained relationship with those younger kids, your stepmother isn't exactly a saint either. Why would she want you to go back? Is she plotting something bad?"
Jiang Qiao's eyes darted around and landed on Ning Hao's face. "Is he going to introduce you to someone?"
At your age, you're at the point where you should be looking for a wife, and considering your looks, it's hard to say. I have a feeling your stepmother is trying to get you to marry above your station.
Ning Hao scoffed, "She really dares to think that way. Does she really think I'm a puppet?"
Seeing Ning Hao's roguish smile, Jiang Qiao shook her head. "With someone like you, it's no wonder people have designs on you—"
Jiang Qiao chatted with Ning Hao while packing her things, while Ning Hao's eyes followed her. He was reluctant to leave, but even watching her busy made him feel at ease.
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