Chapter Nine, First Encounter (Nine)

Words and actions: `` ... ... ''

After the meal, Cen Ning picked up her backpack and prepared to enter the house

What are you here for? He leaned against the railing, holding a cigarette in his right hand

There was no visible disturbance on the surface, yet Cen Ning felt somewhat strange inside, wondering why no one had mentioned him before. He bore a slight resemblance to Yan Xing, but his cold and indifferent demeanor seemed to be carved from the same mold; when he sat there, it was as if it were written on his forehead: "No entry for strangers"

Cen Ning looked at his indifferent demeanor, and a surge of anger suddenly rose within her. She gazed at him and repeated slowly, "You are injured."

"What are you doing?" Yan Xing raised his eyebrows, somewhat intrigued by Cen Ning's rare boldness

With a slight frown on his brow, he did not engage in conversation

His face was somewhat swollen

What is the purpose of that? It is not something I enjoy eating

Cen Ning turned around and saw Wei Pinfang suddenly say: "Have you met Xingzhi's younger brother?"

Perhaps, in the presence of their parents, no matter how old one is, they will always be a child

Wei Pinfang: "Then remember, that younger brother's surname is Xu, make sure you don't get it wrong later."

The New Year's Eve dinner was tasteless, and everyone put on a facade of peace, urging the younger generation to toast and offer drinks to Yan Guofeng. However, deep down, everyone knew that Yan Guofeng had been unable to muster any enthusiasm due to his two grandsons.

Not hungry

But you haven't eaten yet

Cen Ning: "... ... I will bring food."

"You shut your mouth." Yan Guofeng frowned and turned to Xu Nanru, "Nanru, you speak, what is the matter"

Where is the person

Wei Pinfang muttered to herself, and such adult words did not avoid Cen Ning in the slightest. Cen Ning was completely shocked; could it be that Uncle Yan was playing both sides?

I will go to the kitchen to make some noodles

Yan Guofeng did not allow anyone to send food to those two boys who were fighting, so everyone dared not show any signs of dissent

Cen Ning was unaware that there was another younger brother besides Yan Xing Yao, who was the same age as him

No..." Cen Ning suddenly felt a sense of being at a loss for words, her tongue felt dry, and the joy she felt upon receiving her report card was completely extinguished by the successive blows she faced upon returning home. "I have made progress."

Because it is New Year's Eve, Yan Guofeng's daughter, who usually does not stay at home, and his grandchildren have all returned. However, everyone looked at the scene and did not dare to step forward to persuade anyone.

"Mom," Cen Ning called out to Wei Pinfang, taking out the final exam report card from her backpack, "this... this is my exam result"

What are you doing during the New Year! Do you even consider me! Yan Guofeng was enraged, slamming his hand on the coffee table, causing the air to stiffen for a moment

Ning Ning

She spoke very softly, so softly that Wei Pinfang did not hear her at all. However, Cen Ning did not mind, as she did not expect any reaction from her at this moment. Her attitude and words had already hurt her. Therefore, Cen Ning was merely comforting herself instinctively: she was not pretending; she was making an effort

In the following period, Cen Ning rarely encountered Yan Xingzhi; even when they did cross paths, it was merely a brush of shoulders, without a moment's pause for a word.

It was late at night, and Cen Ning had been preoccupied with Yan Xing, so she quietly walked back to the villa from the small building

Then you are injured

Upon returning, Cen Ning helped Wei Pinfang in the kitchen. There was a distance between the kitchen and the living room, so Cen Ning did not react immediately when she faintly heard a gasp from outside.

Does it hurt, does it hurt?

It is quite similar to the act of walking, isn't it

"It's outrageous! Truly outrageous!" Yan Guofeng exclaimed, sitting on the sofa and panting heavily, "Let them go, let them go, there's no need to call for meals! We can take care of ourselves!"

The way of words and actions: "There is no particular reason, I simply cannot stand the other party."

Cen Ning hurriedly explained: "This is different, the one in elementary school is simple"

She was filled with anticipation to show him her report card, but his expression just now seemed rather terrifying

Wei Pinfang was too lazy to discuss these messy matters, but was also concerned that Cen Ning might say something wrong in front of the Yan family, so she explained, "Yes, because Xu Wanying only entered the family three to four years ago, and at that time Xu Nanru was already fourteen or fifteen years old. Xingzhi's biological mother has been dead for many years, and Xu Wanying is merely his stepmother."

Perhaps in a daze, Cen Ning, in a moment of confusion, did the boldest thing since coming to the Yan family: she stepped forward, snatched the cigarette from his hand, threw it on the ground, and extinguished it with her foot

Cen Ning suddenly found it somewhat difficult to look directly at Yan Su, and also suddenly understood why Yan Xingzhi's expression had been so poor today

... ...

To be honest, the image of Yan Xing has always been particularly mature in Cen Ningyan's eyes, so his sudden display of such youthful temper is quite unexpected for her

"Of course, the two of them, being half-siblings, will have some similarities." Wei Pinfang frowned slightly, her eyes carrying a hint of sarcasm, "Men really are not worth much; they marry one at home and flirt with another outside. Ha, Xu Wanying is truly fortunate, having endured for so many years, she has finally emerged victorious."

"That's great." Aunt Chen murmured to herself while placing some food on a plate, "I just saw Wan Ying sending it to Nan Ru. Sigh, after all, it's her own child that she treasures..."

The shattered object was a white porcelain vase on the coffee table, while on the floor, Yan Xing and Xu Nanru were entangled in a fierce struggle, their fists mercilessly striking each other's faces and bodies

Wait a moment!

The room was unlit, and Cen Ning glanced around but found Yan Xingzhi was not in the room. She walked in and placed the tray on the desk.

The room was very quiet. Cen Ning pressed the light switch and then realized that the balcony was not closed tightly. She walked forward and suddenly saw a person standing outside on the balcony

Xu Wanying was just present, she secretly wiped away her tears and said anxiously, "Dad, please don't be angry, they are just..."

Well

What does this little pain amount to for Yan Xingzhi

Later, New Year's Eve arrived. On that day, Cen Ning accompanied Wei Pinfang to the market to purchase ingredients, as everyone would gather around the dining table for the New Year's Eve dinner that night. Therefore, Wei Pinfang also planned to prepare several dishes for everyone to taste

Your words and actions: "You"

"What are you saying? He is your younger brother," Yan Su said angrily. "As his older brother, you should be more considerate in your actions! Is the training usually meant for hitting your own people?"

No

Cen Ning felt a slight bitterness in her heart, but she did not dare to comment further, only saying: "Auntie, do you have any boiled... boiled eggs"

You were able to rank in the top ten in elementary school, so why have you been performing worse since entering middle school

"You are back." Wei Pinfang came out of the room, "You haven't eaten yet, have you?"

... ... ... ...

What are you doing! Yan Su and Yan Guofeng also came out of the study upon hearing the noise. Yan Su stepped forward and pulled the two apart. The separated Yan Xingzhi and Xu Nanru remained calm; the two seemed to cool down in an instant, merely looking at each other indifferently, without saying a word

After the New Year's Eve dinner, everyone dispersed

However, Cen Ning did not answer him; instead, she grabbed Yan Xingzhi's collar with her other hand and forcefully pulled it down.

Yes, but Xu Nanru ... ...

In a moment of silence, Cen Ning stood by, watching Yan Xingzhi and Xu Nanru walk away under the angry gaze of their elders, and then each returned to their own rooms

Caught off guard by the suddenness of the words and actions, he truly found himself bending down due to the small figure in front of him. In the moment of his astonishment, the warm chicken rice brushed against the corner of his mouth

The night enveloped the capital, and the winter was so cold that it sent chills to the heart. Yet at this moment, Yan Xingzhi looked at the little girl whose nose was red from the cold, and for some reason, he blurted out.

Cen Ning showed a look of surprise: "Is it related to Aunt Xu's surname?"

Sure, that works. Cen Ning was eager to find a reason to see Yan Xing.

She had never considered that behind the seemingly glamorous and extravagant words and actions, there was such a story.

Yan Su: "You!"

What happened to him

No need, just take it away

Cen Ning nodded

"Oh, Ning Ning, you arrived just in time." Aunt Chen pulled her into the kitchen, "Look, it's so late and Xingzhi hasn't eaten anything, he must be starving. The old man dotes on you, so take him some food. Even if you get caught, he wouldn't dare scold you."

Xu Nanru's tone was calm, as if he were not the one who had just fought: "It's nothing, he also said, it's just that he couldn't stand the other party."

Earlier, she had learned some information from Aunt Chen, indicating that Yan Xingzhi and Xu Nanru had a conflict due to Xu Wanying. It seems that Yan Xingzhi's attitude towards Xu Wanying was cold, and he said a couple of things that Xu Nanru did not appreciate. Consequently, the two exchanged sarcastic remarks, and then they ended up fighting.

Cen Ning obediently greeted, and the other party glanced at her and nodded.

This attitude truly prevents Yan Guofeng from remaining calm

It was not until a piece of porcelain crashed to the ground with a loud noise that Cen Ning hurriedly ran out. However, upon seeing the scene before her, she was taken aback.

Cen Ning: "I, I this time ... ... "

The person on the balcony probably noticed that someone had turned on the light in his room, and just as he turned his head to look, he locked eyes with Cen Ning's exceptionally cold gaze

Oh! Look at me, I've forgotten all about this. Aunt Chen is busy preparing to boil the eggs, "Just a moment, it will be ready soon."

Hiss

The expression in her eyes grew increasingly cold: "One of our own? You wouldn't have dared to say such things when Mom was still around"

You two little rascals!

"Ning Ning, this is Nan Ru," Xu Wanying warmly introduced her as she approached the living room. "He usually lives at school, so you haven't seen him during your time here. He is my... second son."

Cen Ning bit her lip, feeling a mix of anger and grievance in her heart. This was the first time they had spoken in so many days, yet how could he be so cold? Moreover, how could he be so indifferent to his own well-being?

... ...

Cen Ning did not wait for Yan Xing's reaction and turned back to her room. When she came out again, she was holding a warm egg in the palm of one hand

Aunt Chen

Cen Ning nodded

"The results are out? How did you do?" Wei Pinfang had no extra expression, took a glance at the report card, "Class rank nineteen... You only ranked nineteen?"

The painful sound of words and actions abruptly pulled Cen Ning back from her heated state; she was momentarily stunned, her eyes trembling with fear.

After Cen Ning finished greeting, she returned to her small building. The matter of having a younger brother did not weigh heavily on her mind; it was just that the issue regarding her final exams lingered on her mind.

It hurts a lot

What is simple or not simple? How is it that others can perform well? Is your diligent study merely for show?

... ... ... ...

A few minutes later, Cen Ning ascended the stairs holding a tray. She knocked on the door several times, but there was no response from inside. Cen Ning hesitated for a moment and gently pressed down on the doorknob

A long silence

Do not explain for them first, Xingzhi, Nanru, you speak for yourselves