Chapter Nine, Crescent Moon

The matter concluded with Zhu Feng being punished by the math teacher to stand twice, as he had drawn a turtle in his homework notebook

The fallen leaves brushed against Jiang Sui's feet, prompting her to quickly turn her head and walk back home, passing by Liang Qian'er and the others who were watching the commotion.

The man said in a gruff voice: "The tire is flat, where is your boss?"

However, on one hand, Liang Qian'er, who has just turned twelve this year, has just entered the first year of junior high school, while Jiang Sui is still in the fifth grade. On the other hand, during the summer vacation, Jiang Sui has already offended her.

Jiang Sui closed her eyes, feeling utterly frustrated: "I saw nothing at all"

After Jiang Sui delivered the books that day, she did not see Chi Yan for a long time

Behind the young man stood several neatly arranged rows of motorcycles, most of which were the best-selling motorcycles of the 1990s, known as the "Suzuki King".

The mechanic paused for a moment and said, "Hmm."

She looked at Chi Yan with tear-filled eyes

Chi Yan was wearing a short-sleeved shirt, his arm muscles well-defined. He looked coldly at Zhu Feng, who suddenly found himself unable to speak, crying as he got up and ran away.

Zhu Feng is quite annoying with his sharp tongue, but Chi Yiming is not a good person either; her chubby little face still hurts now

Jiang Sui raised her head upon hearing this

At this moment, Chi Yiming was asked by a classmate about his brother with ill intentions. Jiang Sui frowned, staring at the stone in the Chinese textbook, and remained silent

In the next moment, he put down the screwdriver in his hand, took a few steps forward, and kicked Zhu Feng in the buttocks.

He shouted: "Teacher, it was Chi Yiming, it must be Chi Yiming. We went to physical education class in the afternoon, he definitely came back and tore my book at that time."

In the motorcycle shop, Chi Yan was originally expressionless while repairing a bike. He turned his head to glance at the little girl sitting on the ground, her pants with the little rabbit embroidery now soiled.

She walks unsteadily and cannot play shuttlecock with the girls. The child easily feels tired and wants to come back for a nap

However, she is truly afraid of becoming entangled with this unscrupulous Chi Yiming

If it were someone else, she would have sent it back long ago

Chi Yiming has not yet spoken, and Zhu Feng continues: "Oh come on, stop pretending, I know that's your brother. Just a couple of days ago, you snuck out of school to share his lunch, I saw it all. Does the school know you are stealing food?"

In October, the strong winds caused the dry leaves on the ground to swirl chaotically, and she saw Chi Yan.

The big eyes, glistening with tears, seem like the first rain that has fallen this autumn.

He ran his hand along the tire, holding a wrench in one hand and biting down on a screwdriver with his teeth, and began to change the tire

At that moment, the snail that Jiang Sui was moving had not gone far and ultimately could not help but quietly turn its head back.

Chi Yiming dashed out of school in a flash, while Zhu Feng was panting as he chased after him

She carried a small backpack and wiped her face clean. Chi Yan was still repairing the car, and Jiang Sui was not upset about what had just happened. It is a favor when others help her, and it is their duty when they do not.

During class duty, he is often the most proactive

Fortunately, the young girl had good eyesight; Jiang Sui paused upon seeing Chi Yan's distinctly knuckled fingers

Jiang Sui was in so much pain that her eyes were filled with tears

He no longer paid attention to the girls covering their mouths and watching the commotion, and he strode over to help the man push the cart

Jiang Sui carried a small backpack, and her little face looked quite aggrieved

Zhu Feng made a face and said, "What can you do to me?"

Zhu Feng shrugged and said, "If you say it doesn't exist, then it doesn't exist." He laughed sarcastically, "Why are you studying so hard? Do you want to fix cars with your brother too?"

Jiang Sui let out a sigh of relief, yet found Zhu Feng, this troublesome child, truly annoying. She had originally thought that this matter was settled, but during physical education class, Jiang Sui realized it was far from over

Chi Yan has properly fixed the motorcycle: "The boss has gone to dinner, I will take care of it."

Jiang Sui followed closely behind Liang Qian'er and the others, maintaining a distance that was neither too far nor too close

Chi Yiming walked to Zhu Feng's desk, holding a small knife in his hand, and took out his mathematics textbook to slash it open

Jiang Sui noticed that the fifth-grade children were very playful, yet Chi Yiming never went out to play except during physical education class. He seemed to always have endless books to read and endless problems to solve

Chi Yan quickly put down the iron lunchbox and said, "I have arrived."

After the assembly was concluded, Jiang Sui returned to the classroom

He then found Zhu Feng's math notebook and drew a turtle on it

Chi Yiming disdainfully wiped his fingers, yet felt something strange in his heart. Are all girls' faces this soft?

During the break exercises, after the eye care exercises, Zhu Feng from the class asked with a smile: "Chi Yiming, is your brother repairing cars under the Second Bridge?"

She finally no longer felt a sense of incongruity. The vengeful and particularly petty Chi Yiming was indeed the person she knew. However, this year he was without money and power, and could only engage in childish antics behind the scenes

Jiang Sui, with a soft and muffled voice, said: "I know."

He ran away, under the October sunset, the chubby Zhu Feng was panting heavily

Chi Yan did not speak either; he knelt beside the motorcycle, reaching out to check the tire.

The twelve-year-old girl pointed and asked, "Zhao Nan, is your brother fixing the car?"

Jiang Sui was left speechless and felt utterly miserable

However, before falling asleep, I heard a cautious footstep.

Not far along, a middle-aged man shouted: "Young man, come over and push the cart"

The crimson sunset fell upon Chi Yan, as he spread his palms. His hands, scarred and battered, were covered in dirty machine oil.

Liang Qian'er heard this and a trace of disdain appeared on her face. However, having been scolded by Jiang Sui during the summer vacation, she became more astute this time, knowing that Jiang Sui was behind her. Liang Qian'er chose not to speak of right or wrong, merely smiling and saying: "Oh, why do you care whether others have washed their hands"

Jiang Sui slowly walked to the Second Bridge, only to be ambushed by Zhu Feng. The chubby boy looked at her with an unfriendly expression: "Jiang Sui! Why did you lie!"

Jiang Sui could no longer focus on her homework, truly fearing that Chi Yiming would rush over and fight with Zhu Feng. However, after a long while, Chi Yiming said: "It's nothing much, step aside, I am going to do my homework. If you bother me again, I will tell the teacher"

The little girl walked away with her backpack on her own

That kick was merciless, and with a cry of "Ouch," Zhu Feng fell to the ground. The chubby boy immediately started crying, covering his bottom: "Waaah..."

Little Chi Yiming said in confusion: "What are you talking about? I haven't returned to the classroom. I am playing football with Zhao Shun and the others"

She had just been thinking that she did not dare to get involved with Chi Yiming, as this ordinary young boy was probably not a big issue

Zhao Nan's thin, pale cheeks turned bright red, and she angrily said, "How many times do I have to say it? He is not my brother."

She is not yet the extremely beautiful Jiang Sui of a few years later, but just a small girl with a bruised face and uncoordinated limbs, a little girl and a bookish girl. Zhu Feng will not show her any pity; he said fiercely: "If you don't go and clarify things tomorrow, don't think about coming home."

The girls in front were chatting and laughing when someone suddenly exclaimed: "Zhao Nan, isn't that your big brother?"

However, her ten-year-old soft body was grabbed by Zhu Feng by her small backpack, causing her to lose her balance and sit down on the ground.

Zhao Shun nodded: "Yes, Chi Yiming is with us."

Chen Shujun said: "Jiang Sui, goodbye, take care on your way home, and be careful not to fall."

Zhu Feng triumphantly said: "He can run away, but you certainly cannot escape!"

In the autumn colors of October, the gaze of the middle school girls was fixed on the young man who was intently changing a tire, his back dampened by sweat.

Chi Yiming believes that the differences in intelligence between people are too great, and only fools would stop moving forward

Jiang Sui: "... ..."

Chi Yiming, stop right there. Do not think that I do not know it is you! Do you dare to stop?

Even this little fool with a face full of bruises

Upon turning his head, he saw the cold and piercing gaze of Chi Yan

Jiang Sui remained quite calm, slowly raising her small hand to wave and saying, "Goodbye, Chen Shujun, I will be careful."

She thought for a moment, then walked over to his side. Her big eyes curved into two crescent moons, and although there were still tears in her eyes, her voice was soft and sweet, as if infused with the scent of milk: "Thank you, Brother Chi Yan."

Chi Yan had finished beating the person, and Jiang Sui Tao's peach blossom eyes were still shedding golden tears; she was in so much pain! She had sat her little bottom on a stone.

Chi Yan glanced at her delicate little hand and then turned to leave on his motorcycle

Jiang Sui sat behind him and happened to see the boy's back suddenly stiffen

She had never been so acutely aware that her ten-year-old self was a person with a rich inner life yet slow to react, a complete underachiever.

She couldn't help but think that being disliked by her future "beloved," Liang Qian'er, would surely be an unpleasant experience for her heart

Chen Shujun, who was standing nearby, had a particular fondness for Chi Yiming. Upon hearing this, she remarked, "Zhu Feng, you are so annoying; your hand is pressing down on my sketchbook."

Chi Yiming said: "You are not allowed to insult my brother"

Chi Yan wiped away his sweat

Zhu Feng found it uninteresting and had no choice but to leave

Teacher Chen frowned and then looked at the bright-eyed Jiang Sui: "Classmate Jiang Sui, you usually return to the classroom after physical education class. Did you see anyone tear up Zhu Feng's book?"

Jiang Sui raised her head to look at the sky upon hearing the words, as the withered yellow leaves of the phoenix trees were being blown everywhere, and the sky was indeed a dull gray.

As for the matter of car repair, I do not understand how all the boys in the fifth grade (1) class are aware of it

The road from school to home is somewhat long, as the school is located in a relatively bustling area

Jiang Sui was in so much pain that tears streamed down her face, and she hurriedly covered her face. Gritting her teeth, she was infuriated, having been pinched on the face by a ten-year-old brat.

In the first half of the journey, Chen Shujun and Jiang Sui walked together; this kind-hearted young girl would hold Jiang Sui's hand, fearing that she might fall. In the second half of the journey, Jiang Sui could have returned home with the girls from the courtyard.

Jiang Sui retracted her small hand, realizing that Chi Yan was indeed the later Chi Yan. She was only ten years old; had he already taken such a disliking to her?

However, Jiang Sui forgot that her reaction speed did not match her movements. Chi Yiming walked over.

After a while, Jiang Sui stood up by herself

The Chiyan in her memory is the arrogant and aloof Chiyan. The Chiyiming in her memory is the imperious second-generation heir.

When the teacher is lecturing, his gaze is most focused, seemingly filled with brilliance. When no one raises their hand, he will raise his hand to answer questions, and he is very happy to be praised. This boy particularly cherishes the opportunity to attend school

Chi Yiming suddenly turned around and met a pair of dark, slow-closing, peach blossom eyes.

Chi Yan was dressed in a blue short-sleeved shirt and shorts, his forehead glistening with sweat. In such cold weather, he seemed to be the only one still living in the height of summer

After a long while, she said with frustration: "Teacher, I did not see it."

Such bad weather showed no sign of abating even until school was over, and Chen Shujun affectionately pulled Jiang Sui along to go home: "Oh dear, I wonder if it will rain?"

Having spoken, he then spread his hands, blocking her path.

However, when time rewinds back to 1997, they seem to be nothing like they are later on

In the afternoon, Zhu Feng cried loudly.

The second period in the afternoon is physical education class, which was the most popular subject during elementary school, and the children swarm out eagerly

Jiang Sui slowly opened her eyes

Jiang Sui turned her head away, feeling a sense of confusion for the first time

Liang Qian'er and her companions happened to be walking in front, and upon hearing the words, someone turned back to take a glance, revealing a smile of gloating satisfaction

In the fifth grade, the math teacher was the strictest, and Jiang Sui looked on in astonishment

His mathematics book has been torn and is no longer usable

Chi Yiming almost burst out laughing

There are also some second-hand vehicles, with a shallow puddle of water accumulated under the wheels

The young boy squats by the roadside, engrossed in his meal

In October, autumn arrived, and the ginkgo trees on campus began to gradually turn yellow. When leaving in the morning, a strong wind was blowing, and Jiang Shuisheng wrapped Jiang Sui tightly in a pale yellow coat, while Jiang Sui tied her hair back in a ponytail at the nape of her neck

Someone whispered: "His hands are so dirty, could it be that he fixed a car and didn't wash his hands before eating?"

He held a pair of bamboo chopsticks, scooping rice from the iron lunchbox. In his bowl, there was a spoonful of pickled vegetables and a spoonful of boiled radish in clear water

Chi Yan looked up and saw behind the little girl in the courtyard a smaller girl with soft hair, whom he knew was named Sui Sui

After a long while of deliberation, I finally made up my mind and reached out with my soft little hand towards Chi Yan.

Acknowledging that Chi Yan is her brother is, for Zhao Nan, an utterly humiliating matter

Once, Jiang Sui was on duty with him and saw him picking up the used exercise books discarded by their classmates

Chi Yiming angrily said: "I didn't steal! I cooked the meal myself"

Xiao Jiang Sui has become a solitary person, struggling to walk home alone every day. Over the course of this month, she has fallen several times, sustaining various injuries, and her little face is always marked with wounds

Silently and cautiously asking, can you pull me a little?

This year, the children are very pragmatic. Although Jiang Sui has a good temper, she cannot run fast and is unable to play games together, so everyone naturally prefers to follow the graceful and attractive Liang Qian'er

The middle-aged man looked at him critically, his tone filled with dissatisfaction: "Don't pretend to understand what you don't. This motorcycle is new; I just got it. If it gets damaged, I won't let this go easily. Hurry up, I have other matters to attend to. If you can't handle it, call your boss over."

Chi Yiming was originally focused on diligently completing his homework, but upon hearing those words, he gripped his pen tightly and suddenly looked up

Chi Yiming studies very diligently

Chi Yiming snorted, extending his hand to pinch her face hard: "If you dare to report this, you're finished. His math book will be your math book next time, do you hear me?"

He touches his fingers, silly girl... a bit obedient