0109: A sudden storm?
“Then we’ll head back.” After staying for another half hour, the two were preparing to leave when Mr. Bai called out to them.
“Ji Yun, how much did you spend on clothes? You shouldn’t have to pay for that.”
“Uncle, it really wasn’t much,” Ji Yun quickly waved her hand.
“No, it’s not right. Actually, Xiaoxiao’s not been eating well or dressing properly, and that’s been a heavy burden on my heart. This is something parents should be doing.”
“Then Uncle Bai can give 200 yuan,” Ji Yun offered flexibly; the outfit only cost about 500 yuan in total.
“Xiaoxiao, take the money.”
“Dad, actually…”
Bai Xiaoxiao knew exactly how much was spent, but Ji Yun winked at her across the room. She took the 200 yuan and passed it to Ji Yun.
“Uncle, take care of yourself. We’re heading off now.”
“Mm.”
“If you need anything, just say so. We’ll help as much as we can. Xiaoxiao and I get along well.”
“Good, good, good kids. Thank you.”
As the two walked out of the hospital room, Bai Xiaoxiao hurried after them and grabbed Ji Yun’s hand.
Then she glanced at Xu Lin. “That Xu Lin, I have something I want to talk to Ji Yun about.”
“Oh.” Xu Lin nodded and headed toward the elevator.
He looked back at the two girls leaning close together. Their relationship had suddenly grown so close—it was quite nice, after all, they were both my girls.
Yet now he felt a pang of jealousy—my girls whispering secrets and not letting me hear!
After waiting four or five minutes, Ji Yun returned with a light step and hooked her arm around his.
“What were you two talking about?”
“Want to know?”
“You girls must have girl stuff; it’s okay if you don’t say.”
Xu Lin tried to turn the tables, but Miss Ji Yun wasn’t fooled in the least.
“Then I won’t say.”
“?” I’m curious — and now you won’t tell me?
“Let’s go~” she smiled playfully. Actually, they hadn’t said much—only one interesting thing: she asked the other girl,
“Do you like Xu Lin?” The other hesitated and didn’t answer, but in the end, she seemed at ease.
After all, Xu Lin was her family’s benefactor, and she wasn’t someone who would forget the shy, introverted boy who had helped her in her toughest times.
He called himself her angel; since you’ve helped me so many times, isn’t that you’re my angel too?
---
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Xu Lin noticed Ji Yun’s slightly dreamy smile. Has my charm level just automatically gone up?
“You look good.” Ji Yun curled her lips, reached out her finger, stood on tiptoe, and gently brushed his bangs aside.
“Showing your eyebrows makes you look even better!”
Feeling her fingers trail down his cheek, Xu Lin involuntarily blushed, which only made Ji Yun’s smile brighter.
“Ahem! Class president, you’re learning bad habits—flirting now? Are we going home next?”
“Of course, you can’t run away!” Ji Yun grabbed him suddenly, her gaze sharp and cold, somewhat like Chu Qingchan’s.
It was the first time Xu Lin had seen such an expression on gentle Ji Yun, but it was rather nice.
“Not running. Going to your place?”
“No, nobody’s home at mine.”
“Hey, hey, I have to scold you! Class president, I’m such a righteous model student; don’t think I’m that kind of person!”
“Is there anyone at your place?”
“No, and I have to work late until eight.”
“Then let’s go to my place.”
“Okay.” Xu Lin didn’t know why she suddenly agreed, but honestly, he really wouldn’t do anything reckless.
Still, as a boy, he hoped someday to become a man, but he wasn’t that casual.
Half an hour later, Xu Lin first went home to grab his laptop and backpack, then went to Ji Yun’s house. This was actually his first time visiting her home.
At Ji Yun’s door, just as he knocked, the door behind him opened. Wearing a white turtleneck sweater and a black mini skirt, the woman with the most enviable legs beckoned him.
“Yo, Mr. Xu, you’re back! Long time no see, you’ve been quite busy.”
Chu Qingchan gave him a cold glance. Xu Lin felt a bit guilty—these days, besides school, he was just at home writing his novel.
He hadn’t talked to her in a long time, hadn’t texted or invited her to dinner. She must be upset.
“Big star Chu, sorry, I’ve been so busy I haven’t had time to chat or eat with you.”
“What about eating with the teacher and Hei Pi sister?”
“...” Ji Yun! You little tattletale!
“It’s serious business!”
“Oh?”
“Let me in first, and we’ll talk.”
“Come in.”
They sat down in the living room. Xu Lin didn’t see class president Ji Yun anywhere.
---
“Where’s Ji Yun?”
“She just went out to buy something, preparing to cook for us.”
“No need to trouble her so much. We’ll have dinner at home; we’re family after all.”
“Who’s family with you? You better be ready to come back with me to Huangjing and meet my father, then it’ll be okay.”
Though Chu Qingchan said that, she knew she couldn’t go back now—not until she fulfilled the promise to her father. Otherwise, she had no say at all.
More importantly, Xu Lin’s father would certainly have strong opinions about him. If only she could be like Chu Fengyi.
With her own achievements, bringing Xu Lin home would probably be fine. She never thought that the self-proclaimed most free-spirited person would sometimes envy her.
But there were more important things to handle next!
“Xu Lin.”
“Yes!”
“Don’t be so jumpy. Sit down. What’s this important business you mentioned?”
“Seeing you so busy every day, I have to give the big star an explanation. No, I mean Teacher Guan. She’s always asking why I haven’t gone.”
“Classes and writing the novel take up all my time. Today’s the weekend; finally some free time—but it’s for serious business.”
Then Xu Lin recounted his day’s schedule, carefully filtering out the chat with Ji Yun.
“That’s not right. Something’s missing~”
Chu Qingchan propped her cheek with her hand, teasing on her usually cold face. She leaned back strategically and crossed her legs elegantly.
“What’s not matching?”
Xu Lin kept a calm face and showed a questioning look, but his heart was starting to race. He felt like he was being watched.
“You confessed to Ji Yun, didn’t you?!” Chu Qingchan slowly stood, towering over him.
Xu Lin broke out in cold sweat. What’s going on?! How did she know? Was there a bug on me?!
My entire plan for the twelve zodiac signs hasn’t even begun, and I’ve been caught already?!
Did Ji Yun tell Chu Qingchan? Impossible. Why would she do that? No reason!
No... could it be that class president Ji Yun wanted to eliminate the competition? Ji Yun, so soft and sweet, have these tricks?
If that’s true, what should he do? He must choose whom to protect. If he says nothing, he might lose both.
In a second, his mind turned to mush, and all his calm dissolved utterly.
“System, say something! What do I do now?!”