Chapter 3: Second Year of High School
After Nan Zhendong left, that evening, Old Man Nan closed the teahouse door and sat on the carved mahogany chair in front of the teahouse, leaning on his cane. He angrily scolded Nan Jiu, "Who told you to cut your hair so short? Do you think it looks good on you? What kind of clothes are you wearing?"
Nan Jiu leaned lopsidedly against the peeling pillar, her T-shirt hanging too short from her shoulders. When she moved her arms, her belly button, adorned with a diamond, was exposed. Her pants hung loosely around her hips. They had no elastic or waistband, only a drawstring, which she hadn't tied, leaving them hanging like two pig intestines.
Old Man Nan didn't understand the layers, perms, and dyeing of hair salons. He only knew that Nan Jiu's hair looked like it had been gnawed by a dog. It was not only messy but also blocked his eyes. The more he looked at it, the angrier he got. The girl he had sent away years ago was so clean and fresh, but his son had brought her back like this.
Just as Old Man Nan was about to curse in anger, the door of the teahouse was opened from the outside. Song Ting, dressed in black, returned in the night. Old Man Nan took back his words and looked at Song Ting: "How did the talk go?"
"There's basically no problem. I'll go to the mountains again next week."
After saying this, Song Ting noticed someone was in the teahouse and turned his gaze to look at Nan Jiu. She was pale and thin, as thin as a piece of paper. The childishness on her face had faded, and her eyes were full of indifference when she looked at people.
Old Master Nan said to Nan Jiu with a forced smile, "Look for yourself. Even your Uncle Song can't recognize you. Call someone."
"I recognize him." Song Ting withdrew his gaze, turned around and locked the door.
Nan Jiu yawned silently. Song Ting still didn't argue with her.
The bed in the side room where she had slept for three months was still there, its covers drawn. Old Man Nan pointed at her with his cane, "Why are you still standing there? Are you planning to stick to the wall instead of sleeping? Clean up the room yourself. Your Uncle Song has been gone all day. Don't bother him. You're already such a grown-up girl."
"Everyone has been running all day." Nan Jiu straightened up, muttered, and went to the side room.
Old Master Nan was furious: "This girl really needs to be taught a lesson."
"It takes some patience to communicate with a girl of this age." Song Ting added hot tea to Mr. Nan's cup and went upstairs.
When he finished his shower, Nanjiu's bed was still unmade. He had to remove the bedspread and move the mattress, which was thick and heavy, much more difficult to adjust than the single beds at school.
Song Ting knocked on the open door and Nan Jiu turned around.
"Let me do it."
Song Ting lifted the mattress with one hand. He quickly removed the bedspread, pulled out a clean pillowcase and mat, and then filled a basin with warm water and scrubbed it repeatedly.
Nan Jiu wanted to go forward to help, but Song Ting was so nimble that she couldn't help at all. She simply sat on a small stool against the wall, supporting her chin and waiting.
Half-dried hair plastered to his cheekbones, his hard profile adding a touch of rebelliousness. As he bent to make the bed, his back muscles flexed, broad and powerful, his lower back slumping inward, muscles clinging to his bones. Nan Jiu had previously thought he looked more mature than before, but after showering, he changed into a cotton T-shirt and gray sweatpants. Looking at him now, he looked essentially the same as a few years ago, save for a tanned, dark-skinned athlete's look.
"How old are you?" Nanjiu asked curiously.
"Eight years older than you." Song Ting didn't look back, bent down, picked up the basin and went out.
Nan Jiu sat on a small stool, counting her years. Song Ting glanced at her when he returned. She was still huddled on the stool, just like she was four years ago. The only difference was that the little girl had grown into a big woman.
"Let the mat blow for a while, and you can sleep on it after you come back from taking a shower." Song Ting said after wiping it for the last time.
Nan Jiu took out clothes from the suitcase and went to take a shower. Old Man Nan was sitting at the counter counting receipts. When he saw her coming, he asked, "Did you ask Uncle Song to help you pack again?"
Song Ting sat at the tea table opposite him, checking his accounts. Nan Jiu lied to them, "No."
After she finished speaking, she glanced at Song Ting with a guilty look. Song Ting didn't expose her, tapping the calculator in front of him without raising his eyelids.
After Nan Jiu went upstairs, Old Man Nan said to Song Ting, "Don't let her do what she wants. You should teach her a lesson. Let her do her own things in the future, and you can assign her any work in the store."
Song Ting raised the corner of his mouth slightly and pressed the reset button.
The teahouse's bathroom was on the second floor, used solely by Song Ting. The old man, now elderly, disliked climbing stairs and mostly washed in his own room. When Nan Jiu arrived with her pajamas, Song Ting had already cleaned the bathroom. He had taken the razors and men's toiletries from the bathroom into his own room and mopped the floor dry.
The last time Nanjiu came, she was still young. In the summer, the bathroom was so hot and stuffy she'd always leave the door ajar to let in some cool air. Once, Song Ting went to sleep in the attic and, passing by the second floor, heard singing coming from the bathroom. He realized she'd left the door open. After that, Song Ting would deliberately avoid her showering. If Nanjiu came upstairs with her clothes, he'd sit in the tea room and wait for her to finish before going upstairs to sleep.
Nanjiu showered slowly, singing as she did so, taking her time, sometimes staying up late to watch TV. Song Ting dozed off several times while waiting. Of course, Nanjiu hadn't known any of this before; she'd assumed Song Ting was on night duty at the teahouse.
Fortunately, when she came back this time, she knew to lock the door.
The big cauldron on the roof of Maoer Teahouse was gone, and the teahouse was equipped with cable TV. Nanjiu was no longer interested in television, preferring to immerse herself in online games.
Old Man Nan asked Song Ting to arrange a job for Nan Jiu. However, a few days after he came back, Nan Jiu got in touch with the little friends he used to know in the alley and stayed out all day without being seen.
Nan Jiu and Song Ting were busy during the day and had no time to keep an eye on her, so Nan Jiu always took the opportunity to sneak out. Fortunately, even though she was having fun, she always came back in time for dinner.
......
After Song Ting left, Old Man Nan told Nan Jiu he'd gone to the mountains. Nan Jiu didn't ask which mountains or what he was doing there. She wasn't interested in Song Ting's affairs and rarely spoke to him. Firstly, Nan Jiu had a biological uncle, and she couldn't feel close to this adopted uncle, who was a few years older than her but a generation older. Secondly, Song Ting wasn't particularly enthusiastic towards her, so she naturally didn't try to please him.
Song Ting had been gone for five days, keeping Old Man Nan very busy. Nan Jiu was usually lazy, but she was always available when it mattered most. Seeing that the old man was so tired that he could barely stand up, Nan Jiu stopped going out and got up early to help Old Man Nan with his work. At this time, she actually hoped that Song Ting would come back soon. As long as he didn't come back, she couldn't get away.
Monday afternoons usually had fewer visitors. Seeing that Nan Jiu seemed restless, Old Man Nan allowed her to go out for half a day.
Nan Jiu was like a wild horse that had broken free from its reins. Once released, he had no idea where to return home. Even by nightfall, he still hadn't returned. Old Man Nan, leaning on his cane, went in and out several times, peeking out at the entrance of the alley. He didn't see Nan Jiu, but he did see Song Ting.
Song Ting was carrying two large bags of tea. Seeing Old Man Nan standing at the door of the teahouse, he quickened his pace to greet him: "Is the shop not busy?"
"It's okay, we're almost there now. Xiao Jiu hasn't come back yet."
Song Ting placed the tea leaves inside the door and asked, "When did you leave?"
Wrinkles formed on Old Man Nan's face. "He disappeared after lunch."
"I'll go look for it." Song Ting didn't have time to enter the house and strode towards the alley again.
......
That night, Song Ting asked Grandpa Nan to wait for news at home. He ran to many places and finally found Nan Jiu in an Internet cafe.
Nanjiu had come out of the alley with Li Chongguang, who lived in the forked alley. Li Chongguang was two years older than Nanjiu and had been in the same class as Liu Yin. They'd played video games together at her house as children. Li Chongguang knew a group of uneducated young men from the neighborhood and had brought Nanjiu, who had nowhere else to go, to the internet cafe to play games.
When Song Ting found the place, a skinny young man was leaning over, grabbing the mouse in front of Nan Jiu, with a shifty look on his face. Song Ting's figure pressed down behind the man, grabbed the young man's collar, and lifted him back to a chair nearby. The man turned around and was about to curse, but after seeing who was coming, he suddenly changed his words: "Brother Song."
Someone in the internet cafe recognized Song Ting and asked him in a hoarse voice: "Hey, when did you come back?"
Song Ting turned a deaf ear and said to Nan Jiu, "Go home."
Nan Jiu turned around and saw that it was Song Ting. He was stunned for two seconds and said perfunctorily: "You go back first, I'll finish this game."
Song Ting didn't leave, instead pulling up a chair and sitting a few steps away. He was tall and imposing, having returned from the mountains without changing his clothes. He wasn't wearing his usual crisp casual clothes; a brown leather belt held up his black short-sleeved shirt, and his frayed trousers were rolled up and piled over his boots. The faint blue light from the computer screen crept across his sunken eye sockets and straight nose, adding a touch of sharpness and oppression.
Although he didn't urge them, once they sat there, none of the laughing, joking, and swearing friends uttered a single word. And not only did they all sit at attention. Teamwork is key in team battles; without communication, there's no atmosphere, and the game is naturally boring.
Nan Jiu sensed that the atmosphere was not right, leaned over, and asked Li Chongguang, "Why are you afraid of him? He's not my family, he can't control me."
"That's not it..." Li Chongguang said hesitantly, looking troubled. "Did your grandfather tell you about him?"
"What's up?"
Li Chongguang glanced at Song Ting. Song Ting's eyes slightly tilted, glaring at him coldly. Li Chongguang changed the subject: "It's okay, just pretend I didn't say anything."
Nan Jiu slammed the mouse on the table unhappily, turned around and curled his lips: "I know the way back, can you please not stay here?"
"This round is over." Song Ting reminded, his slightly raised eyes were sharp, and even without any expression, his words still had a weight that could not be ignored.
The target of his warning was a teenage girl in the midst of her rebellious phase. Nanjiu wasn't buying it. With her rebellious nature taking over, the more he tried to discipline her, the more she rebelled. Nanjiu picked up her mouse again and moved on to the next round. The young men in her group were still looking around, unsure whether to start.
Nanjiu glanced over and said, "Open it! Why are you all standing there?"
The young men looked back at Song Ting, and seeing that he didn't say anything, they gradually withdrew their gaze and moved on to the next round.
Nan Jiu tilted his lips at Song Ting through the reflective screen, with a hint of provocation in his eyes.
The owner of the Internet cafe, Zhuang, came out from the back room. Knowing that Song Ting didn't smoke, he took out his own good tea, made a cup of tea for Song Ting and brought it to him.
"I haven't seen you for a while. Have you been busy lately?"
Song Ting raised his hand to take the tea: "Same as always."
"Why are you here today..." Boss Zhuang asked politely.
Song Ting raised his chin towards where Nan Jiu was sitting. "Old Nan's granddaughter." He lowered his head and took a sip of tea, then said gently, "Underage."
Boss Zhuang's face turned pale and he immediately promised: "There will definitely not be a next time."
Boss Zhuang went to speak with the network administrator, and instantly, all the computers in Nanjiu's row were disconnected. The young men, fiercely engaged in a battle with their online rivals, were suddenly forced to log out. They were furious, stood up, and began to lash out, slamming their keyboards and demanding an explanation.
The internet cafe was in chaos. Boss Zhuang came over and asked the young people for their ID cards, leaving them speechless. Nan Jiu locked eyes with Song Ting. He sat there calmly, sipping his tea.
Not only did Nan Jiu's game get disrupted, but she also lost face in front of her new friends. She stormed over to Song Ting and demanded, "Did you ask the boss to cut off our internet? My dad can't control me, so why should you? My grandfather calls you his godson, and you really think you're my uncle?"
Nan Jiu's shouting brought a sudden silence to the once bustling internet cafe. She was so enraged that she didn't notice the young men standing beside her retreating silently, staring at Song Ting with fear. The other onlookers also turned their attention to Song Ting. The atmosphere grew strange and tense, but Song Ting ignored them, lowering his head to finish his tea.
Nan Jiu saw that he didn't react, and his fist felt like it was hitting cotton, which made him even angrier.
"I won't go back with you, what can you do to me?"
Song Ting showed her what to do with his actions. He put down his teacup, grabbed Nanjiu's wrist, and walked out. Nanjiu's stubbornness surged, and she swung her arms, struggling with all her might, but Song Ting's strength easily crushed her. Fueled by both a violent temper and a rebellious streak, Nanjiu pinched and choked Song Ting like a furious little lion. Song Ting's face was stern, veins bulging on his forehead. He was being harassed by a girl who had barely reached his chest, and no one dared to step forward.
Boss Zhuang broke out in a cold sweat upon seeing this. He was afraid that if this girl continued to cause trouble, Song Ting would give her a shoulder throw. A few years ago, there had been a disturbance at Mao'er Teahouse, and he had personally witnessed Song Ting subduing several people. With that muscular body, even a big man couldn't withstand his punches.
No one dared to stop the young man playing games with Nanjiu. Only Li Chongguang was still loyal. He ran to the door of the Internet cafe and persuaded Song Ting: "If you have something to say, talk it over nicely. Don't be so aggressive."
Song Ting looked at him and asked coldly, "Am I fierce?"
"No, no."
"Go aside."
"Oh, okay."
Nan Jiu looked at Li Chongguang's figure retreating to the side and rolled his eyes to the sky.
The network administrator came up to Mr. Zhuang's side and stared at the figure leaving the internet cafe. "Who is that girl? She's so fierce?"
Boss Zhuang narrowed his eyes meaningfully: "Apart from Old Nan's people, who would dare to pluck the hairs from a tiger's back?"
The author has something to say:
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This chapter's red envelopes are randomly dropped
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