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墨書 Inktalez
Feng Ning peeked out from the gap, glancing around as students gradually returned from lunch to take their afternoon rest. She gestured, "We can go now."
Avoiding the peak hours, the two of them exited the girls' dormitory. Jiang Wen was adamant about not returning to the dorm in this state. Feng Ning had no choice but to lead him to a small pavilion in the nearby bamboo grove to temporarily escape the rain.
Fifteen minutes later, Zhao Binlin arrived at the scene.
He silently observed them, unable to utter a word for a long time.
"What happened here..." Zhao Binlin asked hesitantly, "What kind of trouble did you get into?"
Jiang Wen's collar was half wet, the chill seeping into his bones. He uncomfortably tugged at it, ignoring Zhao Binlin. Feng Ning responded, "It's a long story."
Both of them had streaks of dirt on their clothes and pants, and Jiang Wen sneezed repeatedly. Everyone looked at him, and he turned his head to glare fiercely at Feng Ning.
Feng Ning shrank her neck in guilt.
Their little interaction caught Pei Shurou's attention. She handed her bag to Jiang Wen, saying, "How did it end up like this?"
It was hard to imagine that someone who usually had such severe cleanliness issues could end up looking so disheveled, dirty like a refugee.
Pei Shurou was tall and slender, wearing a knee-length poppy red wool coat, a gray plaid long skirt, and short tassel boots.
Feng Ning admired inwardly: No wonder she was voted the school beauty; just look at that aura! That figure!
Jiang Wen zipped up his jacket, put on his hat, and then donned a mask.
Seeing him fully armed, Feng Ning couldn't help but express her thoughts: "Aren't you being a bit over the top?"
"Not at all," Zhao Binlin replied with an enigmatic smile. "You wouldn't understand; in this school, there are probably enough girls who admire our top guy to form a special squad. This image is absolutely unacceptable."
The rain fell steadily as they brought three umbrellas. The two boys shared one umbrella while Feng Ning and Pei Shurou each took one. Feng Ning curiously asked, "Why do you call him the top guy?"
"Because she is as beautiful as a flower, naturally stunning."
Feng Ning let out a long "oh," laughing mischievously, "So did he take any customers?"
Jiang Wen glanced at her with indifference, while Zhao Binlin smoothly replied to the suggestive remark, "Hehe, her value is too high; no one can afford her for now."
Feng Ning recalled how the girls in her class often discussed Jiang Wen's good skin in secret. She thought about it and said, "It's a pity not to use that face as a woman."
Jiang Wen retorted, "It's also a pity not to use you as a man."
Their interaction was laced with subtle tension, completely forgetting the others around them.
As they walked along,
"My shoelace came undone; help me with the umbrella," Feng Ning said to Zhao Binlin.
However, when she handed over the umbrella handle, Jiang Wen naturally took it instead. Pei Shurou couldn't help but pause for a moment before quickly recovering.
Feng Ning squatted down with her dark red backpack, oblivious to the expressions of the others.
The three of them stopped to wait for her. Zhao Binlin held the umbrella for Jiang Wen while half of his body was outside, helping Feng Ning stay dry.
Not only was it raining, but it was also windy; Feng Ning was freezing. Shivering as she reached the fork in the road, she waved her hand dismissively at them, saying, "I'm heading back first."
Seeing her figure disappear in an instant, Zhao Binlin turned around and said, "Are you two bad luck for each other? Every time you meet, something goes wrong."
Pei Shurou bit her lip and looked deeply at Jiang Wen. "Are you two close with her?"
Zhao Binlin immediately chimed in, "I'm okay; Jiang Wen is closer."
Jiang Wen was busy playing on his phone. He clicked on Feng Ning's WeChat profile picture and fiddled with the settings for remarks and tags. After turning off the screen with his thumb, he casually replied, "She's just a jinx."
Zhao Binlin leaned closer, saying, "Why do I feel like you're in a good mood? What were you guys up to just now? It can't be that you were having a wild time, right?"
Jiang Wen put away his phone. "Can you think of anything other than that?"
"What's going on? Are you really that impatient when you're with your brothers?" Zhao Binlin's expression was full of amusement. "Oh, I'm so heartbroken. You were so patient helping that girl with her umbrella just now, you little simp." He casually told him to get lost.
Pei Shurou walked beside them, gripping the umbrella handle tightly. She smiled nonchalantly and changed the subject. "Where's Xi Gaoyuan?"
"Oh, he's been trying to patch things up with Lin Ru after their breakup. Probably busy sweet-talking her right now," Zhao Binlin said, not really caring. "Why do you care about him?"
She began discussing her plans for the winter break. "Didn't he say he wanted to go to Hokkaido? Since we have a holiday coming up, how about we take a trip to Japan before the New Year?"
Zhao Binlin perked up. "Sounds great!"
Pei Shurou turned to Jiang Wen. "Wen, are you going?"
"Let's see," Jiang Wen replied absentmindedly. "I might have something to do." Hearing this, Zhao Binlin couldn't help but ask, "What could possibly be more important?"
Jiang Wen sneezed twice in quick succession. "I need to stay home with my sister."
Zhao Binlin was taken aback. "You? Staying home with her? For what?"
"To help her with her homework."
Zhao Binlin elbowed him playfully. "No kidding! Are you really not going?"
Jiang Wen shook his head lightly. "There's a competition next semester; I need to study at home during the break."
*
Back in the dormitory, two people had already left, and Meng Taoyu was packing her things. She was startled by Feng Ning's appearance. "What's wrong, Ning Ning?"
"It's nothing." She waved her hand casually, "I just tripped on the way."
Feng Ning took off her damp coat and went to the bathroom for a hot shower. When she came out, she saw Shuang Yao sitting in a chair.
"Have you packed your things?" she asked while drying her hair.
"Yeah." Shuang Yao frowned, "Damn, this physics exam was so difficult. I think I'm going to fail. How do you feel about it?"
"Me? It's whatever."
Meng Taoyu said goodbye to her, "Ning Ning, my mom is waiting downstairs. I have to go."
Feng Ning replied, "Okay, be careful on your way."
Meng Taoyu pulled her suitcase to the dormitory door, hesitated for a moment, then turned around, "Ning Ning, if you have time during the break, can I come visit you?"
Feng Ning readily agreed, "Sure, just remember to message me in advance if you want to come."
"Okay."
With only the two of them left in the dormitory, Shuang Yao straightened up a bit, "What about the BBS situation?"
"What about it? I don't care," Feng Ning said. Suddenly remembering something, she added, "Oh right, I ran into Pei Shurou today."
"What happened with her?"
"She looked pretty good; she's even more beautiful in person than in photos." Feng Ning stuffed her winter vacation homework into Shuang Yao's backpack—she had just washed it.
Shuang Yao thought for a moment, "Isn't she close with Jiang Wen?"
"How would I know?"
"You don't care?"
Feng Ning found it puzzling. "Why should I care about that?" Shuang Yao scrutinized her expression. "Really? Then why do I feel like you've been entangled with Jiang Wen lately? Didn't he carry you to the infirmary when you injured your ankle? And then he helped you find your phone."
"He's quite fun," Feng Ning replied.
Shuang Yao seemed to ponder this, her tone suggesting there was more to it. "And then?"
Feng Ning continued, "He's also fun when he's angry."
"Is that all?"
"Uh-huh."
Shuang Yao observed her expression, smiling mischievously. "After all this time, I don't believe you don't like him at all. Is it because Jiang Wen comes from a wealthy family that makes you feel inferior?"
Feng Ning sighed deeply. "Sister, could you please be a bit more imaginative?"
*
During the break at home, Feng Ning spent two days finishing her winter vacation homework.
Zhao Huiyun scheduled tutoring sessions for Monday and Wednesday mornings and afternoons, each lasting two hours. Feng Ning had never formally tutored anyone before, so she prepared a lesson in advance.
Before heading out, she checked the weather; it looked fine. Just to be safe, Feng Ning took an umbrella with her.
On the way, she bought a sandwich for breakfast and entered the address Zhao Huiyun sent into Gaode Map.
The Jiang family is in business and believes in feng shui. Their house is not in the bustling city center; although it's a standalone villa, its decor leans towards the traditional style, with trees and flowers planted in the corners of the yard and very few modern elements.
Jiang Wen opened the door. His hair was still messy, and he wore a loose low-necked pajama top with one button undone, revealing part of his prominent collarbone.
Feng Ning pulled her hair out from the white scarf.
The temperature outside was below zero, and her face was frozen red. As she spoke, white mist escaped her mouth. "Hi, good morning, Jiang!"
"What are you holding?" He seemed a bit lethargic.
Feng Ning handed him a plum blossom she had picked up from the roadside. "I found this on my way here. Smell it; it's quite fragrant."
An aunt called out anxiously, "Xiao Wen, why did you come downstairs without a coat? You already have a cold!"
"You have a cold?"
Jiang Wen lazily lifted his eyelids. "Yeah."
Feng Ning then noticed his heavy nasal tone and thought to herself that it must be from getting caught in the rain earlier.
After changing into slippers, Feng Ning followed him inside. Just then, a man walked towards them.
The man had a sharp jawline and handsome features, dressed in a black suit, perfectly embodying the elite banker image from an American drama set in Wall Street.
Seeing them, he asked, "Is this Xiao Rou's tutor?"
Jiang Wen replied with a simple "Mm."
The man nodded and said nothing more as he brushed past them.
After he left, it took Feng Ning several seconds to regain her composure. She floated over to Jiang and asked, "Who was that just now?"
"My cousin."
Feng Ning excitedly exclaimed, "Damn, how is your cousin so handsome? Is he a celebrity?"
Jiang Wen's expression remained neutral as he coldly laughed, "Wipe your drool, love-struck."
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she asked, "Does Cousin have a girlfriend?"
Jiang Wen suppressed his irritation and replied calmly, "What does it matter to you?"
"Don't you think he's handsome?"
He was used to bickering with her: "Not really."
Feng Ning, undeterred, continued, "How old is Cousin? Maybe I still have a chance?"
Jiang Wen paused, his expression darkening. "Aren't you supposed to have someone you like?"
Feng Ning pondered for a moment. "When did I say I have someone I like?"
"You did," Jiang Wen said coldly, barely holding back his anger.
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