Chapter 32 Birthday "It is your one..."
These past few days have passed uneventfully. Perhaps because of the monthly exams, Ning Yanzhao has rarely seen Zhou Luoyin, let alone An Nianyu, who seems to come to school infrequently anyway.
There are still many mysteries before us, but Ning Yanzhao still can't figure out the key to solving them, while time continues to pass.
Meanwhile, rather than wondering why she time-traveled again, whether it was related to the truth of An Nianyu's death nine years later, or whether An Nianyu and Zhou Luoyin were just simple classmates nine years later, Ning Yanzhao's birthday arrived first.
"Happy birthday, Yanzhao!" This morning, Ning Yanzhao was hugged by her mother as soon as she opened her bedroom door to go to school.
"Huh?" Ning Yanzhao had actually forgotten her own birthday. If her mother hadn't reminded her, she probably wouldn't have remembered that it was her seventeenth birthday.
"What's wrong? You've become so engrossed in your studies that you've forgotten your own birthday." At this moment, Ning Yanzhao's father also came over. Seeing her expression, he found it quite amusing and said this.
"Okay, Mom and Dad, I'll tell you the truth. It's true, I really forgot." Not only have too many things happened recently, causing Ning Yanzhao to overlook many things that she would have remembered in the past, but she has also just woken up and her mind is not very clear.
"Haha, it's okay, it's okay, Mom and Dad remember, we're just reminding you. Dad will pick you up from school tonight, and we'll go out for a big meal together. I'll give you your birthday present tonight."
"Don't we have to attend evening self-study sessions?"
"I'll ask the teacher for leave for you. You can leave one class early. The monthly exam just ended two days ago, and people need to relax too."
Since her parents had said so, Ning Yanzhao decided to "naturally" take a break this time, since she felt there were still many days ahead that would require her attention and effort. "Okay, thank you, Mom and Dad."
"You're welcome. Go to school now. By the way, do you want Dad to take you?"
"No need, you should all go to work quickly, don't let me delay you."
"Good, good, good, my good daughter is becoming more and more sensible."
"Okay, Mom and Dad, I'm off now."
"Please be careful on your journey."
"I will."
The daytime classes fly by, and now it's time for evening self-study.
There are four evening self-study sessions at No. 1 Middle School. During the evening self-study sessions, just like in the morning, there is a long break for physical exercises after the second period. It is about 20 minutes long. When the weather is nice, most students will use this time to run on the playground to relax their eyes and exercise.
Ning Yanzhao was still busy with some difficult problems from the first period of evening self-study, but the bell for the end of evening self-study always seemed to be as merciless as during an exam, the busier she was, the more merciless it was. It felt like she hadn't even finished writing a big problem before the bell rang.
"It's so painful, so difficult, I can't understand how this can be explained at all! I've clearly studied it once before!" Ning Yanzhao rubbed her forehead and muttered to herself.
"Never mind, I'll take a break. I can't write anything right now anyway. I need to be realistic about my abilities."
When Ning Yanzhao finished tidying up her desk and prepared to go downstairs for a run during the usual break between classes, she found that Jing Yiran was already gone.
"Did you really leave me behind and go ahead?"
"I'll go alone, my head really hurts."
"This damn question."
In this state of dizziness and exhaustion from doing homework, perhaps singing "I Want to Fly Higher" at the top of one's lungs would relieve the fatigue, but unfortunately, the conditions didn't allow it, and Ning Yanzhao couldn't bear the embarrassment.
Ning Yanzhao vaguely remembered a classmate who once sang "passionately" to relax, resulting in the entire school crowding around to watch—it was quite a spectacle.
Ning Yanzhao ran on the track. Although her body was a little tired, her mind was relaxed. The autumn wind brought a unique sense of peace. It was indeed the most comfortable season in the city.
When Ning Yanzhao closed her eyes and felt a gust of autumn wind, she opened them again and found some light in front of her.
"What's going on today? Is there some activity at school that I don't know about?"
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you..." The birthday song came from afar. Ning Yanzhao looked behind her and saw Jing Yiran holding a small cake. With her movements, the small candles on it trembled and swayed. Ning Yanzhao's heart softened.
"How did you end up here? I thought you were alone..."
"How could I possibly leave you behind and go ahead? I was just making preparations in advance."
"What if I don't go for a run today?"
"While I can't guarantee you'll come down for morning exercises 100%, I'm at least 99% sure."
Where do you get your confidence?
"Did you keep touching your forehead during evening self-study just now?"
"Yes."
"That's it. As far as I know, this is a sign that you're annoyed. You once said that if you're annoyed, running is the best way for you to relax, so I came here in advance to 'ambush' you."
Jing Yiran recalled the scene when she first learned about Ning Yanzhao's habit.
At that time, the two had become somewhat acquainted after Jing Yiran and Ning Yanzhao's mother exchanged cooking skills. As they spent more time together, they often spent time together during school activities.
It was during a junior high school spring outing. During their lunch break, the two of them were sitting under a tree eating the boxed lunches they had brought from home when suddenly a large insect fell from the sky. Jing Yiran, who was afraid of insects, couldn't help but scream and even knocked over Ning Yanzhao's lunchbox.
"I'm sorry." Jing Yiran didn't expect that she would not only lose her composure like this, but also knock over someone else's lunchbox. She immediately apologized with a embarrassed expression.
"It's okay. Look, I've caught the bug you're afraid of. You don't need to be afraid."
"Thank you." At that moment, Ning Yanzhao, who had caught the insect, was practically a god in Jing Yiran's eyes.
At that time, Jing Yiran did not know why Ning Yanzhao kept touching her forehead with her other hand while catching the insect.
Furthermore, after cleaning up the mess caused by the accidentally spilled lunchbox, Ning Yanzhao, despite not being full, claimed that she was full and needed to digest her food, and kept wandering around the park.
It wasn't until much later that Jing Yiran accidentally learned from Ning Yanzhao's mother that Ning Yanzhao had also been afraid of insects since she was a child. She guessed that she had bravely helped Ning Yanzhao catch the insects to reduce her psychological burden and get rid of her fear of insects.
Ning Yanzhao felt a tingling sensation in her heart from the touch of catching insects, so she used exercise to relieve her anxiety. Holding her forehead was another subconscious little action to relieve her anxiety and troubles.
Regardless, Jing Yiran originally thought Ning Yanzhao would be angry because of her overreaction, but in fact, this unexpected incident brought the two of them closer.
From that day on, Jing Yiran was convinced that Ning Yanzhao was indeed a very gentle person. She always helped others with the most direct actions without burdening them, even though she was often afraid.
"If you happen not to go downstairs for a run at this time, I will give you my gift after evening self-study. Either way, I won't lose out. Anyway, happy birthday again."
"I'm the one who doesn't lose out no matter what, right? Yiran, thank you so much."
"We've been good friends for so many years, there's no need for thanks."
After finishing the third evening self-study session, Ning Yanzhao planned to leave the classroom a period early, as agreed with her parents. Jing Yiran expressed her envy, but she couldn't leave school early because she didn't have a proper reason for asking for leave.
"It's okay, come to my house this weekend. My mom has another big meal waiting for you."
"Really? Then let's say that."
"Of course it's true, then I'll be going now."
Goodbye, and goodnight in advance.
Goodnight to you too.
After exchanging greetings with Jing Yiran, Ning Yanzhao quietly came out from the back of the classroom by herself. Fortunately, her seat was by the back door, so she wouldn't disturb the students studying inside.
Ning Yanzhao was in a good mood thinking about the delicious food she was about to eat. Although she tried to be as quiet as possible, her joy could still be heard in the sound of her footsteps.
"Ning Yanzhao." Suddenly, someone called out to Ning Yanzhao, who was lost in her own world. She turned around and saw An Nianyu standing at the top of the stairs, holding some notebooks in his hand. It seemed that he was going to take them to the teacher's office.
"It's you, hi."
"where you go?"
"I...I have something to do and need to go home first. My parents are waiting for me at the door."
"Wait a minute."
"good……"
As soon as she said one minute, Ning Yanzhao hadn't even finished reading what her former seniors had written on the wall on this floor when An Nianyu returned and stood behind her.
Ning Yanzhao was startled, but luckily she was somewhat immune to this kind of thing, because she had a colleague who also liked to appear behind other people like this, otherwise she might have screamed. This person never made a sound when walking.
"Here you go, this is a birthday present for you. Happy birthday!"
"How could you...? How could you know?"
"What you're asking is how I would know?"
"Yes." Ning Yanzhao nodded. She didn't think that An Nianyu, who was a classmate in the next class, would also know that it was her birthday today.
"If you're willing to put your mind to it, you'll naturally find out."
Is Ning Yanzhao now narcissistic enough to think that An Nianyu cares for her in ways that go beyond those of ordinary classmates? It seems she's overthinking it.
"Take it first, don't you have something to do and need to go back first?"
"Um... thank you."
"Then I'll be going now." An Nianyu said and turned to leave.
Good night, and best of luck with your studies.
An Nianyu didn't turn around, but Ning Yanzhao seemed to hear him chuckle when he said "blessing". However, as she went downstairs, she thought about it and realized that her casual "blessing" was indeed a bit outrageous.
Today has been full of surprises, leaving Ning Yanzhao completely bewildered. It must be like this. Never mind, let's go out first!
Ning Yanzhao was still a little afraid that her parents would find out and then ask about her like they were "watching the show." If that were the case, she would feel very embarrassed. So before leaving the school, she temporarily hid the birthday gift that An Nianyu had given her in her schoolbag, planning to secretly admire it in a secluded corner when she got home.
Ning Yanzhao's parents were waiting for her at the school gate as scheduled.
After a pleasant meal, Ning Yanzhao's parents presented her with their respective birthday gifts. Her father gave her a camera, and her mother gave her a high-quality coat. She was very pleased with both gifts, so she spent some more time coaxing her parents. Finally, the family happily returned home.
When Ning Yanzhao returned home with her parents, she quickly washed up, then mysteriously closed the door, thinking that she could finally open another gift she couldn't wait to open.
Ning Yanzhao carefully unwrapped the colored paper wrapping around the birthday gift and then opened the box.
The birthday present was a crystal ball, seemingly a simple and ordinary gift, but the "scene" inside was not the usual sparkly stuff, but an entire desert, where a little traveling figure was searching for his oasis.
From childhood, the desert has always held a mysterious feeling in Ning Yanzhao's heart, and it is her favorite natural landscape. It is amazing that An Nianyu was able to buy such a gift that touched her heart so easily.
Ning Yanzhao felt that she had received one surprise after another today, and each one was better than the last.
It's said that being noticed by someone you secretly admire is already a blessing, but to receive a gift that perfectly matches your wishes from someone you've always secretly admired, in a way you never expected, is truly an elevated experience.
Although Ning Yanzhao had always felt very happy growing up, this was the first time in her life she had experienced such joy. She was probably feeling elated.
"Thank you, I really like your birthday present." Ning Yanzhao knew it was very late and An Nianyu's QQ account was probably offline, but she still couldn't help leaving him a message before finally falling asleep peacefully.
Today was truly a good day, and Ning Yanzhao had a good night's sleep.
Basically, most people have dreamed of a "hero" in their hearts. Ning Yanzhao used to think that her "hero" would be someone who would run straight towards the oasis in her heart on a journey through a vast desert and firmly choose her.
In Ning Yanzhao's dream, the little figure that was just inside the crystal ball has now transformed into An Nianyu's face, and is walking towards her with determination...
Ning Yanzhao was still thinking in her dream that if An Nianyu could really be like the little person in that crystal ball, perhaps her crush was now getting closer to its goal.
Of course, this was just Ning Yanzhao's own idea; after all, it was just a dream.
However, Ning Yanzhao felt that she was indeed growing to like An Nianyu more and more.
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