Chapter 31 Senior Year
When Nan Jiu arrived at the hotel, Nan Zhendong was standing outside smoking. She walked over, but didn't see Liao Hong and Xiao Kai. She asked, "Where are they?"
"After Xiaokai came down, he said his stomach hurt again, so his mom took him upstairs to the bathroom."
Nanjiu glanced at the hotel lobby. The hotel was located near the old street and was busy with guests. It was also a new hotel with nice decoration, so the price was naturally not cheap.
She retracted her gaze and asked Nan Zhendong, "Did you book the hotel or did Uncle Song?"
"We booked it before we came."
"Did you transfer the money to him?"
Nan Zhendong said nonchalantly, "I asked him how much it cost per night, and he told me not to worry."
"He told you not to worry about it, and you're not polite?"
Nan Zhendong put out his cigarette: "Should I fight with him for this little money?"
Liao Hong and Xiao Kai walked out of the elevator. Nan Jiu glanced at them and stopped arguing with Nan Zhendong.
Liao Hong and Xiao Kai were strolling through the old street for the first time, looking at everything new and stopping as they went. Nan Jiu, however, absentmindedly pulled out his phone and looked up prices for the hotel they'd just stayed in. While Nancheng hotel prices weren't as high as those in first- and second-tier cities, summer, with peak tourism, had increased prices. The hotel they were staying in cost several hundred yuan a night, and a week's stay would have cost at least two or three thousand. Nan Jiu glanced up at his father. This was the "few bucks" Nan Zhendong was talking about. Red envelopes for weddings and funerals in Maoer Lane were only a couple of hundred yuan.
Nan Jiu turned her gaze back to her phone, transferred three thousand yuan to Song Ting, and told him that it was Nan Zhendong who asked her to transfer it.
Xiao Kai bought a bunch of random things in the old street and brought them back to the teahouse to show Grandpa Nan. Grandpa Nan was surrounded by his fat grandson and his eyes were narrowed with joy.
Nan Jiu no longer found such scenes annoying, nor was there anything to be jealous about. In her eyes now, Xiao Kai was just a child who knew nothing. Just like how she used to act in front of Song Ting, why would she bother with a child?
Before dinner, Nan Jiu walked into the kitchen to serve the food. Song Ting was putting the dishes on the plates. She whispered to his back, "Take the money."
Song Ting didn't look back. He picked up the pot with one hand and poured the soup on the dishes.
The evening at Mao'er Teahouse was unusually lively with the arrival of the eldest son's family, and Grandpa Nan was naturally delighted to see his children and grandchildren. Ever since the eldest and second sons had a falling out, and the eldest son's divorce, the extended family hadn't been able to gather together for many years. With the eldest son and his wife present, Grandpa Nan announced his intention to hold a grand birthday celebration the year after next and invite everyone back. The "everyone" he was referring to, naturally, was all his children and grandchildren. Grandpa Nan asked the eldest son what he thought. Nan Zhendong had no objection, and even acted a bit like the eldest son, supporting the grand celebration.
The eldest brother's attitude was a way to give the second brother a way out. Old Man Nan was thinking of using this opportunity to mend the relationship between the two brothers. He didn't have many years left, so he wanted to see his family live in harmony.
Song Ting took a couple of sips and then headed to the tea shop. After he left, they continued their meal until around eight or nine. Old Man Nan was in a good mood and wasn't in a rush to go to bed early. They chatted about details like whether to set up a few tables in the teahouse or go to a restaurant.
Nanjiu got up and put the dishes into the kitchen. After washing the dishes, he went upstairs to take a shower and then returned to his room.
Song Ting did not take the money until she went to bed.
......
Today, Nan Zhendong and his family planned to visit Qiheng Mountain, a scenic spot near Nancheng. Last night, Nan Zhendong had asked Nan Jiu if he wanted to go. The thought of climbing over 200 steps in 37-degree heat, especially with the three of them, didn't pique Nan Jiu's interest and he flatly declined.
Nan Zhendong felt embarrassed to bother Song Ting all the time after hearing what Nan Jiu said yesterday, so the three of them took a taxi and left the hotel early in the morning.
When Nanjiu woke up that morning and opened the teahouse door, he saw a calico cat sprawled out sleeping at the entrance. Hearing the door open, the cat rolled over, stretched its legs lazily, and, with its proud head held high, swaggered into the teahouse. It then hopped lightly onto the counter and lay there motionless.
Nanjiu turned around to look at it, puzzled. The calico cat's eyes narrowed into a line, and it was also looking at her.
"No, where are you from? Do you think you own the house?"
Nan Jiu was just about to take the cat down when Aunt Wu walked into the teahouse and told her, "The cat is Song Ting's. There's no need to chase it away. It will go away on its own soon."
Nan Jiu's fingers had just reached the back of the cat's neck when, after hearing Aunt Wu's words, he straightened them again and stroked its furry little head. The calico cat raised its head and purred comfortably.
Aunt Wu reminded her: "You'd better not touch that cat. It's very fierce. Everyone in the store except Song Ting has been scratched by it."
Nanjiu refused to believe in evil, and the more she couldn't provoke him, the more she insisted. While Aunt Wu was busy in the back, she grabbed Little Sanhua and scooped him up into her arms, teasing him. The kitten, well-fed and plump, nestled in Nanjiu's arms like a pool of liquid. Nanjiu pinched his cheeks, the more he pinched, the more he piqued his pleasure. He lowered his head and prepared to suck on them.
A voice interrupted her at an inopportune moment: "Xiaojiu, come here."
Nan Jiu turned around and saw Song Ting standing behind her. She asked, "Call me?"
Before Song Ting could answer, the calico cat in Nan Jiu's arms suddenly jumped out and landed at Song Ting's feet. Its body was almost twisted into a knot, and it rubbed against his trouser leg in a seductive and charming manner.
Song Ting bent down and stretched out his hand. The calico cat curled up on his arm and was picked up by him with one hand. Song Ting stood up and took the cat to open a can of food.
Nanjiu stared at his back in a daze: "This cat is called Xiaojiu? Was it the one you called just now? Why did it use my name?"
Song Ting's three questions didn't elicit a prompt response. He held the cat in one hand while selecting a can of food with a different flavor from the many cans he had with the other. He opened the can with one hand, and after the calico cat had taken a bite, he replied calmly, "It came to this alley on September 9th of last year. It was named after the date '9'." He turned around slowly, his gaze cold and detached, "What do you think?"
Nan Jiu opened her mouth, swallowed her words, and stood up to help Aunt Wu wipe the table. She thought Song Ting was worried about her and pinned his longing on a cat. It turned out that she was overthinking it.
After finishing the can, the calico cat lay at the door and licked its fur for a while. Then it turned its head and saw Nanjiu sitting on the bamboo chair. It took a few small steps and jumped onto her lap and took a nap.
Song Ting came out of the kitchen and saw this scene, his expression froze. Xiaojiu was not close to people, and he fed it every day to make it let down its guard against him. The first time he saw this cat was late at night when Song Ting came back from outside. A big orange cat in heat was chasing this calico cat all over the alley. The skinny calico cat was forced into a dead end by the big orange cat, and turned around and bit it fiercely. The two cats wrestled with each other, and their fur flew everywhere. In the end, the big orange cat, which was a circle bigger than the calico cat, was beaten by it and ran away howling. The little calico cat had scratches all over its body, and stared at Song Ting with vigilant and ferocious eyes. Song Ting opened the door of the teahouse and found some meat for it. When he opened the door again the next day, the calico cat was squatting at the door.
At first, it only ate at the door, never entered the teahouse, and refused to let Song Ting touch it. It was not until winter came and the weather outside was too cold that it finally lowered its proud head and took the initiative to crawl into Song Ting's arms to keep warm.
The sound of a cat purring has a special hypnotic effect. Nanjiu's hand was still occasionally stroking Sanhua's fur. After a while, her hand stopped moving and she dozed off.
"Nanjiu?" A familiar voice pulled her out of her hazy consciousness. She was still wondering who it was when she opened her eyes and saw Liu Yin standing in front of her in a light blue dress.
Nanjiu straightened up: "What a coincidence, you came back to see your parents?"
Liu Yin smiled unnaturally: "I'm divorced and moved back home now."
Nanjiu looked slightly stunned, as if it had only been a short while since he heard she'd gotten married, and now she was getting divorced. But if you think about it, it's been two or three years.
Nanjiu pulled a chair over to her and asked her to sit down: "Why did you get divorced?"
Liu Yin sat next to her, adjusted the hem of her skirt, and replied, "I thought he was great at first, but after living together I realized that even if he's great, it's useless if he's not the right person. In the end, it still didn't work out."
Liu Yin did not elaborate on the reasons for the divorce. The trivialities of marriage could hardly be described in a few words.
"When did it happen?"
"We divorced after the New Year. I feel relieved now. Fortunately, we didn't have children."
"You are still young, you can find any man you want."
Liu Yin laughed: "I don't dare to look for it randomly."
Nanjiu's hand unconsciously stroked the cat's head: "That's true. Marriage is always the same in the end. Instead of relying on a relationship for your life, you might as well find a way to make yourself comfortable."
Liu Yin looked at her with surprise in her eyes. Nan Jiu's words sounded like those of someone who had experienced marital trauma, but in reality, she had only just graduated from college.
Liu Yin sighed, "Even if I look for someone else in the future, I'll have to find someone who's good-looking. At least when we have a fight, I can look back at that face and most of my anger will go away."
Nan Jiu saw Liu Yin staring at her all the time, so she turned her eyes to the side, her eyes slightly raised, hiding a bit of shrewdness and charm: "Do you enjoy this skin?"
Liu Yin chuckled. They sat together and talked about men. The atmosphere seemed to have returned to their teenage years, except that the topics were bolder and more explicit than before.
As they spoke, Liu Yin looked inside the teahouse. Song Ting was serving a table of regular customers, and her gaze lingered on him for a moment. Nan Jiu also glanced inside out of the corner of his eye.
Liu Yin extended her index finger and gently touched Sanhua's fur, then immediately retracted it and said to Nanjiu, "I usually don't dare to touch Jiujiu when I come here. He twitches his fur the moment I get close. Why is he so obedient on you? Does he recognize you as one of his family?"
From Liu Yin's words, Nan Jiu could tell she came here often. As for why, it certainly wasn't just to pet the cat. Nan Jiu lowered his head, his gaze landing on Sanhua: "You call it Jiujiu?"
"Song Ting calls it Xiaojiu. When I hear him call it that, I think of you. It always feels a bit awkward."
Song Ting walked back behind the counter. Liu Yin glanced at him, stood up and walked over.
Nan Jiu leaned on the old bamboo chair, changed his sitting position, and slowly moved towards the teahouse.
Liu Yin and Song Ting were standing behind the counter and talking. The noise from the teahouse drowned out Liu Yin's voice. Nan Jiu couldn't hear what she was saying. He could only see Song Ting nodding from time to time.
Her eyes drifted between the two of them, looking back and forth. Song Ting averted his gaze without warning, and their gazes collided in mid-air, without a sound or warmth.
Liu Yin's gaze followed. Nan Jiu raised the corner of his lips, gave them a meaningful smile, and turned his back to them.
Old Master Nan came out and saw Liu Yin, and said to her, "Miss Liu, you're here? Stay for lunch."
Liu Yin smiled and replied, "No, my mother is ready and waiting for me at home. I'll go back first and come back this afternoon."
Old Man Nan smiled and walked Liu Yin to the door: "Then come over for dinner tonight."
"My classmate is getting married tonight. I'll definitely come next time." She said hello to Nan Jiu, who was sitting at the entrance of the teahouse. "I'm going home first."
Liu Yin returned home, and Old Man Nan was still waiting at the door. Nan Jiu raised his eyelids and looked at the old man: "Why are you so attentive? Do I need your help?"
Old Master Nan retracted his gaze: "What do you know, Liu girl is divorced."
"I know, she just said that, and then what?" Nan Jiu glanced at his grandfather.
Old Master Nan turned around and glanced at Song Ting, lowering his voice and saying, "She and Song Ting know each other very well. I think Miss Liu still has feelings for him. If you have a chance, try to persuade your Uncle Song."
Nanjiu looked at the old man with a cold and calm expression, without saying a word, and then put Xiaojiu on the ground. Xiaojiu was sleeping soundly, and meowed at Nanjiu in dissatisfaction. Nanjiu got up and walked towards the room. Old Man Nan asked her, "Where are you going?"
"It's too early to get up. I'm going to catch up on some sleep."
Song Ting glanced up at her and called Xiaojiu over. He bent down and picked up the little thing. Its fur was still warm, emitting Nanjiu's unique warmth with a hint of sweetness.
Nan Jiu woke up in the afternoon and just as she opened the door, she heard Liu Yin's laughter. She was sitting in front of the tea cabinet, with Old Man Nan standing next to her. Song Ting was packing tea inside the cabinet, facing the side room. When Nan Jiu left the room, he saw her first and glanced up at her. Then Old Man Nan also glanced at her and said, "Are you planning to have lunch and dinner together?"
"I'm not hungry anyway." Nan Jiu replied and went upstairs.
At the second-floor window, Nan Jiu saw Liu Yin carrying two boxes of packaged tea and saying goodbye to Old Man Nan. She looked up and saw Nan Jiu at the window, and waved to her: "I'll come play with you tomorrow."
Nan Jiu nodded at her with a faint smile on his face.
Nan Zhendong and the others didn't come over for dinner that night, saying they were exhausted and went straight back to the hotel to lie down.
After the last group of customers left the teahouse in the afternoon, there was no business. Aunt Wu went home early and the teahouse closed.
Song Ting went back to the attic for a while, and when he came down again, Nan Jiu appeared at the corner of the second floor. She was wearing a light beige high-waisted shorts suit that perfectly outlined her graceful curves.
The setting sun shone through the porch window, shrouding her in a thin golden veil. She stood there, silently filling his entire field of vision.
Song Ting's gaze paused, then retracted again, but he didn't stop and walked straight downstairs. Nan Jiu took a step aside, blocking his way, and asked, "Why don't you take the money?"
He stopped on the steps, lowering his gaze to look at her. "You're quite filial, even knowing how to help your father with favors." The corner of his mouth tilted slightly, and light spilled from his side, pressing heavily downward. "Does your father know?"
Nan Jiu frowned. She didn't expect Song Ting to see at a glance that the money was not paid by Nan Zhendong.
"I'm not trying to help him. My dad and his friends asked to stay in a hotel, so you shouldn't have to pay for it. They're staying for several nights, and the cost isn't just two or three hundred yuan."
A short sigh escaped his throat. "So you're the one paying for it?" He stepped down, regardless of whether she was blocking his way or not. "Are you going to settle it with me so clearly?"
The pressure suddenly intensified, and Nan Jiu instinctively retreated, leaning against the handrail. Song Ting turned, and suddenly they were standing on the same step. The space became cramped, squeezed by an invisible aura. He raised his hand, passed over her shoulder, and firmly placed it on the handrail behind her.
He took a step closer, his tall figure instantly occupying her sight, and the sudden shadow completely enveloped her: "Are you so anxious to draw a clear line?"
As he spoke, the fabric of his trouser legs accidentally brushed against her knees, causing a fine numbing sensation that suddenly rose from the small piece of skin where their knees met.
The sudden "donglong" sound of the cane hitting the ground was particularly clear in the closed teahouse. Then, Mr. Nan's usual cough came from the bottom of the stairs.
An uncontrollable heat surged up Nanjiu's ears and cheeks, and her breath choked at that moment. She suddenly raised her eyes, glaring with fire, and moved her mouth: "Are you crazy?"
Seeing her panic, a smile slowly spread from the corner of Song Ting's mouth to the tip of his brow. With a dangerous magnetic field, his provocative eyes lingered on her face: "I thought you were fearless." He let go of her hand and took a step back.
Realizing that he was trying to scare her, Nan Jiu angrily said, "If you're willing to pay, go ahead. It's up to you."
She turned and walked away quickly. When she passed by Old Man Nan, her face was still brimming with anger. Old Man Nan glanced at her in confusion: "What's going on? Why are you so angry?"
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