Chapter One, First Encounter (1)
"I replied first, and will call tomorrow." In the end, actions spoke louder than words, and I left first. Of course, it had nothing to do with Cen Ning; I was simply tired of the calls.
Lao Gao walked back to Cen Ning's side and politely said: "Not a relative, but a guest invited by the old master"
After exiting this main road and turning right, the view suddenly broadened, revealing a large open space. In the open area, there was also a small square formation, where they were dressed in identical training uniforms, performing synchronized movements.
Cen Ning was somewhat mesmerized; those individuals were all tall and robust, and when they shouted slogans, it made her heart tremble in response
The year I turned thirteen, my father passed away
"What are you looking at? Hurry up and come over here." Unconsciously stopping in her tracks, Wei Pinfang turned back to pull her along when she saw that she had not moved.
"Madam Wei, we have arrived," said the man who got out from the passenger seat as he opened the door for Wei Pinfang
Lao Gao glanced at her, fully aware of what she was asking, so he nodded and said, "Yes, he is the eldest grandson of the Yan family, Yan Xing."
Without responding to his words and actions, he turned around and took the ball from the boy in the black sportswear. He stepped forward a few paces, jumped, and dunked the ball, which fell steadily into the hoop, all in one smooth motion
Lao Gao: "Why don't you stop playing basketball for now and come back?"
However, I don't know if it was due to being too nervous, but this kick only grazed the edge of the ball, causing the basketball to roll forward slightly before coming to a stop
They are in training. The man leading the way smiled and explained to her, This is quite common; we also train new recruits in our courtyard. This group here joined the army this year
He stands tall and walks with a commanding presence, contrasting sharply with the dismal state of the room.
the sound of a paper bag being torn
Cen Ning was momentarily taken aback, raising her gaze towards the cold-faced boy who had just asked her to pick up the ball
Cen Ning glanced at Wei Pinfang, who nodded in acknowledgment, signaling her to approach.
For the first time, Cen Ning, who had little experience in the world, felt that some people appeared to be very close, yet in reality, they belonged to another world that was very far away from her
The black sportswear, one of Yan Xing's close friends, Tang Zheng, widened his eyes and exclaimed: "No way, is this for real? Yan Ge, you are poisoning elementary school students!"
However, boys around the age of seventeen or eighteen often joke without any boundaries, having become accustomed to such behavior, so they do not take it seriously. He cast a casual glance at Tang Zheng, who, upon receiving that look, was so frightened that he hurriedly hid behind someone else
"Pfft! The little girl is really weak." A boy in a black tracksuit jogged up from behind that person, bent down to pick up the basketball on the ground, and said to the man who was leading Ning into the door, "Lao Gao, is the little girl you brought here? Who is she, a relative?"
Old Zhang's granddaughter is also in the first year of junior high, but she looks much taller than Cen Ning. Why does this child look so small
Someone beside asked: "Yan Ge, what is Cen family, and where is it from?"
Is your surname Yan
What? His words paused for a moment, and he lowered his gaze to look at Cen Ning again. This time, there was a clear surprise in his originally indifferent eyes. "You mean, this child?"
Cen Ning turned to look at her mother, who nodded at the people outside and then said to Cen Ning in a low voice: "What are you sitting there for? Get out of the car."
Wei Pinfang: "How did I tell you at home last night to behave yourself and not to ask too many questions?"
Cen Ning turned around, somewhat puzzled: "What are they doing"
As soon as these words were spoken, all the boys playing on the field looked at Cen Ning in surprise, including the one who had spoken coldly earlier, who also turned his gaze towards her
Time passed little by little, and at 4:20 PM, a long black sedan stopped at a gate where a sentinel was stationed. Cen Ning sat upright in the back seat, only glancing out the window after realizing they had arrived at their destination
Cen Ning pressed her lips together and lowered her head
To be honest, Cen Ning is still young, and her understanding of the term "fiancé" is not profound. She only knows that it refers to someone she has never met but who is expected to treat her well.
Cen Ning watched as the passerby walked away, glancing back at their retreating figures, his gaze slightly profound
Thump thump thump
"I am not a child," Cen Ning boldly replied, though her words were somewhat hesitant and lacked any sense of intimidation.
Before he could respond, his friend Xin Zhechuan placed a hand on his shoulder and said meaningfully: "I remember your grandfather mentioning that you have a fiancée, right? Hiss... the Cen family? It wouldn't be the legendary Cen family where your fiancée is from, would it?"
The several boys on the field were all laughing, their words and actions brushing against their back molars, revealing a strangely rebellious smile, "Are you thinking about this? Are you a freak?"
Mentioning her late grandfather made Cen Ning feel a bit upset; she sniffed and felt like crying
This is Old Cen's granddaughter," Yan Guofeng said with some emotion as he looked at Cen Ning, "Come here, dear child, let your grandfather take a good look at you
Before Cen Ning had the chance to look up, a cold voice had already sounded in front of her
Everything before her was unfamiliar: the buildings, the roads, the cars, and even the person who politely opened the car door for her... All of this was beyond her realm of understanding. Cen Ning clenched her hands tightly, feeling her palms slightly sweating.
At this moment, he gazed at her with an unruffled demeanor, his thick black eyelashes slightly lowered. Although he said nothing, it instilled a sense of invisible pressure in Cen Ning.
The voice is slightly deep, reminiscent of a surging spring in the dense mountains and forests. On the surface, it appears to be endlessly turbulent, yet when it reaches the eardrum, it conveys a sense of the mysterious and precious essence within
One foot kicked at Tang Zheng's calf: "Get lost."
From childhood to adulthood, she has received very little love and care, so in her mind, she imagines that the words and actions of those who are gentle and easygoing, who smile at her and treat her well.
"Alright." Wei Pinfang walked over and took Cen Ning's hand, then quietly asked Lao Gao, "Excuse me, was that child just now?"
Cen Ning has always been timid; when the teacher calls on her to answer questions in class, her entire face can turn crimson. How much more so when so many boys suddenly look at her. She instinctively shifted a little behind Lao Gao, glancing nervously at Wei Pinfang, who was a few steps away.
"The guest of Director Yan? Wow, such a big shot." With that, the person in the black tracksuit turned to Yan and said, "Brother Yan, you know him, right"
Cen Ning pressed her lips together, feeling somewhat hesitant, but under her mother's disapproving gaze, she obediently got out of the car
Child, kick the ball over here
At that moment, the sound of a ball hitting the ground came from not far away. As Cen Ning shifted her gaze from the formation, the ball had just stopped bouncing and leisurely rolled to her feet
... ... ... ...
It was just a glance; he did not say a word, yet Lao Gao immediately understood his meaning and respectfully explained, "It is a member of the Cen family, this young lady is called... Cen Ning."
Everything here seems like a scene that would only appear in a television drama. At the entrance stands a young man in military uniform, rarely seen, standing motionless as if he perceives them as air. Upon entering the gate, there is a spacious and splendid avenue, lined with large trees whose names she cannot yet recall. The trunks are straight and orderly, while the leaves intertwine, casting patches of shade.
Wei Pinfang nodded slightly and said in a low voice, "Yes, they just started the first year of junior high this year"
"I don't know him." The man slightly furrowed his brows and looked towards Lao Gao
That child is truly not compatible with any little delicate wife
Tang Zheng said with a smile, "I wouldn't dare, but, how about you head back first? After all... you have a little darling at home."
Cen Ning looked up from the sorrowful atmosphere and saw at the entrance Yan Xingzhi slightly tilting his head, walking in while sipping the milk in his hand
The boy behind Yan Xing was dribbling the basketball with curiosity, the ball thumping against the ground, echoing the pounding of Cen Ning's heart at that moment. ... She thought he must know who he was, as Lao Gao explained it to him, and he also had the surname Yan, so ... . ... He must be Yan Xing.
Creaking sound
The thirteen-year-old child is at least half a head shorter than her peers, and she appears particularly thin overall, with her skin exhibiting an abnormal yellowish tint
Ah... it's also my fault for not being able to provide her with a good life, Wei Pinfang said, her voice choking slightly.
This is different from what she had imagined. When her grandfather was alive, he actually mentioned this person, whether in jest or in earnest. In any case, at that time, she was somewhat aware that this person's words and actions were distinct from others in her eyes
Hahahahahaha
Isn't she a child? His eyebrows slightly raised at her words, as if he found what she said somewhat amusing, but he did not continue the conversation with her, only saying, "Lao Gao, take the guest to grandpa."
Cen Ning slowly raised his head to look at the person who had spoken not far away. The individual appeared to be around seventeen or eighteen years old, dressed in a white sports outfit, and wearing a pair of white and blue sneakers. He was tall, with cold and delicate features, and was particularly striking in appearance
Yan Guofeng was actually being quite tactful; Cen Ning not only appears young, but is also clearly malnourished
As Cen Ning followed the two prominent figures into the grand villa, her mind was still preoccupied with their words and actions. That cold gaze he had just given her, that surprised question... had completely crushed the small glimmer of hope she still held in her heart
Mother took Cen Ning to the Yan family, a place she had never been to before, but had heard that her fiancé lived there.
Yan Guofeng patted her hand and said, "Tsk, this child must be in the first year of junior high school now."
Brother Yan
But now, when she looks up at him, the little thoughts in Cen Ning's heart vanish completely. The person before her has cold, clear eyes, like the proud moon atop a mountain peak, and like the only flicker of fire in the depths of the night. He gazes at her with a cold and distant expression, as if she were merely an uninvited guest whose origins are unknown.
The man in the front passenger seat led the two individuals towards the main entrance, while Cen Ning appeared to obediently follow, yet her eyes were secretly surveying the surroundings.
Thus, Cen Ning carefully got up and sat beside Yan Guofeng. Yan Guofeng reached out and held her hand, his eyes slightly red, "It's a pity that Old Cen cannot see you grow up."
"Come here," Yan Guofeng called to him at that moment, "This is Cen Ning, you need to take good care of him from now on"
Please do not say that at all
Where did the basketball come from
She clenched her palm tightly, and feeling a sudden panic, she lifted her foot and kicked.
Lao Gao was also aware of the temperament of his ancestor, so he did not urge them any further. He simply said to Cen Ning and Wei Pinfang, "Let us go in first, as there are people waiting at home"
"Is this acceptable? Isn't this against the law?" Tang Zheng retreated behind someone else, dramatically covering his mouth, "That little brat just now? To be honest, I think this is not right. How could this girl, being so young, possibly do such a thing?"
After answering, he continued to walk forward. Cen Ning was somewhat curious about such a scene and couldn't help but look back repeatedly, thus the small figure fell behind a little further.
Yan Guofeng furrowed his brows and said, "It is not your fault, it is mine. I should have understood your situation earlier and brought this child over sooner. I truly feel sorry for my old friend."