Chapter 31 Vulnerability
Lu Jin said in a nonchalant tone, "I don't think this is an important matter."
Therefore, he didn't need to tell Lu Ci.
“Having such a beautiful senior as a neighbor must be a source of pride, how can you say it’s not important?” Lu Ci said gently, “And it seems that senior treats you quite well.”
Lu Jin always leaves for school very early and doesn't come back until very late. In order to go to and from school with him, Xia Zhen's schedule is similar to his. As a result, although Lu Ci knows that someone has moved in across the street, he has never met the person across the street.
If Lu Ci hadn't returned late today due to club activities, he wouldn't have happened to witness this scene.
The girl looked beautiful when she bent over to talk to the boy in the wheelchair, her eyes crinkling as she smiled.
Lu Ci was testing the waters, even though he didn't think the pretty girl would fall for someone like Lu Jin.
But who knows if Lu Jin is just a toad trying to eat swan meat?
Lu Jin showed no emotional fluctuation, and his tone was completely calm. "If you were like me, you might also receive the same special treatment."
No.
Lu Jin felt as if his heart had been violently clenched.
He should know very well that her feelings for him were not out of pity; every glance she gave him, every touch she gave him, was a testament to her affection for him.
But now he has to deliberately belittle her feelings for him in front of someone he dislikes.
This feeling was more unbearable than any of his previous injuries.
Yes, how could anyone like someone like him?
Lu Ci suddenly felt happy again. Indeed, for a young lady who knew nothing of human suffering, seeing a monster like Lu Jin who was different from ordinary people might make her curious or feel sorry for him. In short, it would definitely not make her like him.
Lu Ci asked with a smile, "Are you going out tonight?"
Lu Jin raised his eyes, but his gaze remained as cold as ever.
It's 8 PM.
Xia Zhen sat bored on a bench in the corner of the community, holding a small pink lunchbox containing steamed buns that she had asked Aunt Fang to make.
Why isn't he here yet?
The steamed buns she brought weren't as hot anymore.
Was he bullied again?
Xia Zhen felt increasingly uneasy about the situation. She glanced at the sky and saw that the stars and moon had all come out; it was already very late.
She remembered something, took out her phone, and opened the pink-icon simulation game. In just one day, the people in the little house had changed.
The little boy seemed to have grown a bit; he was a bit taller, and he was sitting on the corner of the bed looking at an unknown book.
He was very well-behaved, and in this room where he was all alone, his quietness had a magical effect that calmed people's minds.
Xia Zhen noticed that he had no injuries, which meant that Lu Jin should be safe now. Could it be that the Lu family was not allowing him to go out?
With unease in her heart, Xia Zhen didn't sleep well that night, but she still got up early the next morning.
Xia Zhen had expected to see the boy waiting for her as usual when she stepped out of the elevator, but when she saw another figure beside him, the expectant smile on her face cooled down considerably.
Lu Ci greeted her warmly, "Good morning, Senior Xia Zhen."
Xia Zhen replied, "Good morning."
She looked openly at the boy in the wheelchair and said with a smile, "Good morning, Lu Jin."
Lu Jin gave a faint "hmm," and that was all he did.
If you can ignore the bloodshot in his eyes, you'd probably think he slept well last night.
The usual two-person journey to school now involves three people.
Lu Ci was like a caring younger brother to his older brother. He pushed Lu Jin's wheelchair and would often ask if Lu Jin felt cold in the morning. Compared to his friendliness, Lu Jin's attitude seemed too indifferent.
Indifference is good.
Lu Ci felt pleased; Lu Jin was an unlikable person to begin with.
Xia Zhen followed Lu Jin at a leisurely pace, a smile playing on her lips, and casually asked, "We don't usually see Lu Ci at school, why are you up so early today?"
Lu Ci answered naturally, "Yesterday my brother said he wasn't feeling well, and I was worried about him, so I went to school with him. But I didn't expect that Senior Xia Zhen would go to school with my brother during this time, and we are even neighbors."
Xia Zhen said apologetically, "To be honest, it was my fault. I didn't tell you when I moved in. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I will definitely prepare a gift for you later."
“That’s not what I meant,” Lu Ci said gratefully. “I wanted to thank you for taking care of my brother during this time.”
"Lu Jin and I are classmates, so it's only natural."
Lu Jin kept his eyes down, remaining silent as always.
When they arrived at the teaching building, Lu Ci suddenly said, "Senior Xia Zhen, can I have a word with you alone?"
Xia Zhen smiled and said, "Okay."
Lu Jin did not react, but his hands were already gripping the handrail tightly.
Lu Ci smiled and said, "Brother, why don't you go into the classroom first?"
Lu Jin didn't reply; he looked at Xia Zhen.
Xia Zhen handed him her schoolbag, saying, "Could you take this schoolbag inside for me?"
"……good."
The boy lowered his head, quietly walked around the corner of the corridor, and disappeared.
Lu Ci glanced around and, seeing that no one else was there, sighed. "Senior Xia Zhen, I just wanted to say that if my brother did anything that you disliked, I hope you can be understanding of him considering his special physical condition."
Xia Zhen blinked innocently, "I don't think Lu Jin has anything that's annoying about him."
“That’s because you haven’t known each other for long, so there are some things you don’t know.” Lu Ci hesitated for a while, and finally said helplessly, “My brother has a strong sense of self-esteem and is very stubborn. Even if someone wants to help him, he just thinks that person wants to make fun of him.”
She replied, "Really?"
Lu Ci nodded. "Take our elementary school days, for example. Not long after my brother returned to school after his leg became disabled, his temper became extremely irritable. He was complained about several times by his classmates and other parents in the class group chat. Some classmates thought he was difficult to get along with, and others thought he always had a strange smell because he had once lost control of his bladder in the classroom..."
Realizing he had said something inappropriate, Lu Ci quickly shut his mouth, looking apologetic. "I'm sorry, I was just talking nonsense. Please don't take it to heart."
Seeing the surprise in Xia Zhen's eyes, Lu Ci knew he had said enough. He looked a little embarrassed and said, "I want to talk to Senior Xia Zhen for a bit. I just want to say that if my brother has done anything wrong, I will apologize to you on his behalf. My brother has a strong sense of pride, so please understand."
Xia Zhen nodded, "Okay, I understand."
How much would such a refined and beautiful girl despise her deskmate after learning that he had once lost control of his bladder?
Compared to Lu Jin, how much more likable does his younger brother become?
Lu Ci suppressed the expectation in his eyes, said goodbye to Xia Zhen, and went upstairs with a smile.
Xia Zhen's face turned cold.
She felt a chill run through her body, and when she reached the corner of the corridor and saw the person in the wheelchair, she stopped.
The boy's eyes were red, but his face was especially pale. He gripped her schoolbag tightly with both hands, so tightly that the veins on the back of his hands bulged and his knuckles turned white.
He seemed to have lost all his strength; his back was bent, and his body was trembling slightly, so fragile that it was easily broken.
His red eyes were fixed on her, misty with tears, but the next moment, he looked away.
Xia Zhen's heart tightened, and she walked over, "Lu Jin..."
He turned slightly to the side, avoiding her hand.
Xia Zhen simply reached out and cupped his face against his will, making him turn to look at her. "Don't run away from me."
His eyes were dull and lifeless; even when he was facing her, they were empty and devoid of light.
This boy can be really stubborn if he gets fixated on something.
Xia Zhen lowered her head, revealing her snow-white teeth, and quickly stepped back.
The pain made the boy's breathing slightly sluggish.
The boy had a cut on the corner of his mouth, but even though he felt pain, he didn't utter a sound.
She sighed helplessly, then suddenly felt reluctant. She gently stroked the corner of his lips with her fingertips, muttering, "It's clearly sweet."
His eyelashes trembled slightly, and a faint light slowly emerged in his eyes, flickering gently.
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