Chapter 4
You may sleep in my room, I will sleep here
After that segment of the performance, Qiao Nuan released her hand and saw in the flickering light that He Jue blinked twice, appearing particularly innocent
Xie Qingyan, brushing her waist-length hair, watched television for a while, when she heard footsteps in the hallway. Before long, Qiao Nuan entered, holding a large watermelon, followed by He Jue.
Just then, Mama Qiao came out with the dishes and asked, "Who is Wu Zilin?"
Hmph, how could I not know that you have frequent and urgent urination
Steamed potatoes, cucumber with ham, Kung Pao chicken, pickled fish, crystal shrimp dumplings, tiger skin green peppers, and three delicacies soup, all of which are expertly prepared by Mama Qiao
I really need to go to the bathroom
"Hello, why are you like my mother, bending your elbow outward... hic."
Xie Qingyan could not help but laugh: "How is it that you have such a strong personality at such a young age? It will be quite remarkable in a few years."
Where is ... ... Actually, I quite envy you; having a younger brother to bicker with is quite fun. Now that Wu Zilin is not around, I have no one to argue with.
I believe it is he who will be driven to death by your anger
Oh dear... In any case, it definitely wasn't me who said that! After saying this, I put down the pillow and went to knock on He Jue's bedroom door to seek assistance
You haven't shown any interest in anyone throughout your three years of high school, what kind of boy do you actually like
This is not the first time the two girls have discussed their speculations about the future, but it is the first time that the future feels so tangible and close at hand, separated only by the distance of a single summer.
Qiao Nuan, how is it possible that you can eat such delicious food every day and not gain weight? It is simply against the laws of nature
Unfortunately, none of the ten Qiao Wen or Qiao Leng are as cheap and despicable as Qiao Nuan
"Only you are right." Mother Qiao laughed heartily
If there were no one like me, who would highlight the elegance of Qingyan
She closed the window, drew the curtains, and dimmed the lights. She spread a mat on the floor, brought over three or four cushions, and prepared some snacks before placing the disc into the player.
Come on, you and Wu Zilin are so sweet that it could make anyone sick. When have you ever had a fight? Aren't you afraid that the wind will blow your tongue away
He is eleven years old this year, and due to not having started puberty, his physique is somewhat slender. He began attending elementary school at the age of five and has just graduated from elementary school, making him one year younger than most of his peers.
It shouldn't be, isn't it a romance film
Qiao Nuan, do you want to be punished!" Xie Qingyan was both angry and amused, unable to help but reach out to tickle Qiao Nuan's waist, until Qiao Nuan laughed so hard that she could hardly breathe, repeatedly begging for mercy before he finally let go.
The film progressed very normally, and the completely non-ominous and terrifying scenes ultimately dispelled Qiao Nuan's doubts. The pillow was tossed aside, and her reliance on He Jue shifted to the potato chips. While munching on the chips, she began discussing the male lead's physique and appearance with Xie Qingyan
However, are we not just bullying you... hic...
The film was captivating, filled with laughter and tears. Soon, it reached the poignant farewell kiss between Molly and Sam, while Qiao Nuan and Xie Qingyan were both sobbing uncontrollably, clutching tissues.
"Eat quickly," Qiao's mother said, both amused and exasperated, as she tapped Qiao Nuan's bowl with her chopsticks. "Why so much nonsense? Can't you learn to be a bit more refined like Qing Yan?"
How many times have you said handsome, you infatuated one
But... hic, Mom and Dad are both asleep, it will wake them up... hic... them..." Qiao Nuan held the cup, looking at He Jue with tearful eyes
"Hey, how can you talk about me?" Qiao Nuan nudged Xie Qingyan with her elbow, "I don't know who it was that dragged me to the restroom right after class, just to pass by someone's classroom."
The final situation is: Qiao Nuan and Xie Qingyan are sitting together, one hand holding a pillow, while the other hand is tightly linked with He Jue, who has a look of impatience on his face
"Let's go to my house to take a shower and have a meal, and then stay up all night watching horror movies. Whoever is afraid is a little dog." Qiao Nuan held onto Xie Qingyan's hand and dashed back into the rain, running towards the bus station
Xie Qingyan and Wu Zilin are widely recognized as a model couple. They have been together since Qingyan started her first year of high school. During this time, regardless of how teachers and parents collaborated to suppress them, they remained steadfast and unyielding, akin to revolutionary fighters. The doctrine that "romantic relationships affect academic performance" was disproven in their case, leading teachers and parents to feel embarrassed to continue using this tired argument against them, allowing them to be together. Wu Zilin is one year older than Xie Qingyan, and after graduating from high school, he went abroad. The two have been in a long-distance relationship for a year, and their feelings for each other have not diminished in the slightest. The doctrine that "romantic relationships affect academic performance" was disproven in their case, leading teachers and parents to feel embarrassed to continue using this tired argument against them, allowing them to be together. Wu Zilin is one year older than Xie Qingyan, and after graduating from high school, he went abroad. The two have been in a long-distance relationship for a year, and their feelings for each other have not diminished in the slightest.
He snorted disdainfully, indicating his refusal to answer such a childish question
After the two had a quarrel and settled down again, Xie Qingyan said earnestly: "It is such a pity that we can no longer attend the same university."
"Don't be like that," Qiao Nuan nudged Xie Qingyan's shoulder, "We can still keep in touch by phone, and we can write letters too. By then, I will definitely find a particularly handsome boyfriend, one who is right by my side, and you will be so envious."
"It's nothing simple, just a disaster, just like your Wu Zilin."
"Then I will trouble you, Xiao Jue." Xie Qingyan helped Qiao Nuan up to wash her face and hands in the bathroom. When they came out, the snack bags in the living room had already been tidied up. He Jue had also turned on the light in his room and was lying on the cool mat in the living room, covered with a thin blanket, seemingly already asleep
The three years of high school quietly slipped away amidst the cycles of blooming and withering of the white magnolia outside the teaching building
It is so inhumane, isn't it... Sam is so handsome...
In order to reward her hardworking daughter, Ms. Zhao Yuezhi prepared a feast. As Xie Qingyan came out after her shower, she was immediately greeted by the rich aroma of the food.
"Qing Yan, her cousin." Qiao Nuan's face remained calm and her heart did not race
Children should not ask so many questions! Qiao Nuan reached out her hand and covered He Jue's eyes with it
Qiao Nuan hurriedly said: "Did we not agree not to inquire about the exam situation?"
Humans and ghosts follow different paths
The camera shifts to the scene of pottery making, and the gradually ambiguous visuals and music make Qiao Nuan and Xie Qingyan feel somewhat embarrassed, especially with an eleven-year-old child beside them
Who said that the one who is afraid is likely a little dog
She asked while drying her hair, "Is it the baked potato, Aunt?"
Why
"No questions allowed!" Qiao Nuan ran over to take the briefcase from Qiao Dad's hand and pushed him towards the bathroom, "Hurry up and wash up to get ready for dinner, we've been waiting for you for a long time"
Thank you for the compliment. Ah, trust me, when the time comes, you will be too busy rejecting the boys who pursue you, and you certainly won't feel lonely
He looked at the two girls, who were six years younger than him, and despite their age, were more naive than himself when watching a romantic movie. He helplessly said, "Sister Xie, you should go to bed now, don't stay up all night." Saying this, he pushed aside Qiao Nuan, who was crying and sniffling, and got up to pour her a cup of hot water.
After finishing their meal, the rain had stopped. Qiao Nuan washed the dishes and then held hands with Xie Qingyan as they went down to rent a movie. In the end, they lacked the courage to rent titles like "The Ring" or "The Mummy," and settled for a film that had some connection to ghosts: "Ghost." Since Qiao Nuan's parents went to bed early, they took over He Jue's living room.
What is there to regret? There are still Qiao Wen, Qiao Han, and Qiao Leng.
But... what if... should I go and call He Jue?
"Qingyan, do you think this will be scary?" Qiao Nuan hugged a pillow
That is in front of you, hic, usually he can drive me to my wits' end
Xie Qingyan secretly pinched Qiao Nuan's waist, and Qiao Nuan turned around and quietly made a face.
Qiao Nuan felt her covered eyes blinked twice, the eyelashes brushing against a slight itch, and then quietly closed again. A fleeting thought crossed her mind: this child has such long eyelashes, it's unfair
However ... ...
You do not know, Qing Yan, I also reflect every day, feeling guilty towards these innocently sacrificed chickens, ducks, fish, and meat
Xie Qingyan did not want to engage in idle chatter with her, so she turned off the lamp and lay down, shaking out the blanket to cover both of them. "By the way, Qiao Nuan, what do you most want to do now that you are in university?"
Xie Qingyan stuck out her tongue and said, "Aunt, if I gain weight, you must take responsibility—where is Qiao Nuan?"
Qiao Nuan put down the watermelon and raised her hand in protest: "Hey, hey, He Jue, I am two months older than Qing Yan, why don't you call me sister?"
Hmm..." Qiao Nuan thought seriously for a moment, and her hiccups unknowingly stopped, "Of course, it's about being in a relationship!"
Mother Qiao laughed heartily, "Your nose is truly keen. Don't you love eating this? Today, I've prepared a lot, ensuring you can eat your fill"
First and foremost, one must be handsome! Ideally, as handsome as Sam! One should be sunny, enjoy sports, and it would be best to play basketball, as the shooting posture of boys is just too handsome...
After waiting for about twenty minutes, Dad Qiao returned, carrying a sense of dampness with him. He looked around the room and smiled, saying, "Qingyan is here too, how did you do on the exam?"
He couldn't help but roll his eyes, utterly speechless in front of Qiao Nuan
The term "shota complex," which emerged many years later, can somewhat describe Qiao Nuan's current mood. However, at this moment, Qiao Nuan can only feel that it is utterly unreasonable for He Jue to emit such charm at such a young age.
Upon seeing Xie Qingyan sitting in the lounge chair, He Jue immediately greeted her obediently: "Sister Xie."
"Why can't we be together?" Qiao Nuan began to sob and hiccup at the same time
Well, I am extremely envious
Go call Xiao Jue, you can dry your hair first. We'll start eating when Qiao Nuan's father comes back.
The two individuals moved quietly, tiptoeing towards He Jue's room. He Jue's room was very tidy, with items on the desk and in the bookshelf neatly categorized, and the blanket on the bed folded meticulously. Xie Qingyan stuck out her tongue, "Xiao Jue is so understanding"
In July 1999, as they emerged from the college entrance examination venue, a torrential rain began to fall, finally alleviating the heat that had persisted for more than half a week. Qiao Nuan and Xie Qingyan did not compare answers; instead, they held their backpacks over their heads and ran into the dense curtain of rain. The rainwater poured down on them, bringing a refreshing and exhilarating sensation.
They ran all the way to the eaves of the park gate, looking at each other drenched like drowned rats, and both couldn't help but burst into laughter
I am asking Qingyan, not you
Qiao Nuan put down the potato chips and said softly, "He Jue... that... why don't you close your eyes for a moment?"