Chapter 7

Qiao Nuan and He Jue sat on the cool chair watching television after washing their faces and hands. Qiao Nuan picked up an orange, slowly peeling it while chatting with He Jue about matters at school

He won't be back for lunch, but Xiaojue's mother is coming. Quickly put down your things and go wash your face with Xiaojue

"Military training, ah, I still don't want to get tanned." Qiao Nuan's tense nerves finally relaxed. She thought that although He Jue had a bit of a poker face and a bad temper, it was still much easier than facing Gao Lang.

Aunt Zhang! Qiao Nuan called out warmly.

I said with a hint of helplessness in my tone, "What are you so nervous about? I won't eat you."

Qiao Nuan was taken aback, smiled slightly, yet still insisted on maintaining distance, "My parents are rather traditional"

Gao Lang fell silent at once, and Qiao Nuan couldn't help but applaud her own reaction. Before Gao Lang could make any further move, Qiao Nuan hurriedly said, "Senior, I didn't sleep well last night and I'm a bit tired. I'll take a nap for a while, please wake me up when we arrive." After saying this, she leaned her head against the car window and closed her eyes.

Senior, doesn't your home have one more stop?

The two individuals continued to speak as if no one else were present—of course, Qiao Nuan was being intentional, while He Jue showed no interest in acknowledging Gao Lang at all—Qiao Nuan had just introduced He Jue: "This is Gao Lang, a senior one year ahead of me." Then she pointed to He Jue and said: "Senior, this is my neighbor, He Jue." Gao Lang and He Jue merely nodded at each other.

He insists on giving it to me—hey, what do you mean, little ghost

She indeed did not sleep well, and after experiencing the highly tense military parade, she felt an indescribable fatigue as she relaxed, and soon fell asleep.

Standing at the door is He Jue's mother, Zhang Rong, wearing a light gray dress. Her hair is styled in a bun, and she has applied delicate light makeup, giving her a capable and elegant appearance

Fortunately, it wasn't long before they arrived at Longquan Street. Qiao Nuan stood up with her backpack, and Gao Lang also stood up, unceremoniously making his way to the back door of the vehicle

Xiao Jue's family situation is special, and you are not unaware of this. Aunt Zhang has been unable to take care of He Jue's life for many years, so it is normal to be a bit more courteous to him

Upon quickly reaching the sixth floor, Qiao Nuan knocked on the door and heard a familiar voice from inside respond, "Coming!" As the door opened, a wave of delicious food aroma rushed out. Qiao Nuan exaggeratedly inhaled through her nose and then embraced Mama Qiao, saying, "What delicious food have you made?"

He slightly frowned and said, "No need, it's quite comfortable here, why spend that money."

The car was parked downstairs, and Qiao Nuan, with her backpack on her back, waited for He Jue to lock the car before they walked upstairs together. This building is quite old, with dense ivy covering the exterior; when the wind blows, the green waves ripple layer upon layer. In the summer, just seeing it seems to cool the mood a bit. However, the hallway has been in disrepair for years, and the stairs are uneven, making it easy to trip in the dim light.

After chatting for a short while, a sudden knock on the door was heard

If you are not accustomed to talking to me, you can rent a house near the school—would you like me to hire a nanny for you

What does this have to do with Shanshan?" Gao Lang frowned

Qiao Nuan released Qiao's mother and let out a soft "oh." When she looked at He Jue again, she noticed that his expression had unknowingly darkened. Qiao Nuan felt a bit puzzled, but she understood that unless He Jue took the initiative to speak, it would be impossible to ask anything.

When will Qingyan return

It has been more than half a year since we last met, Qiao Nuan, you have become more beautiful again. You just finished military training, right

He shook off her hand and looked her up and down, saying, "You are so tanned."

Gao Lang raised an eyebrow, about to respond, when he suddenly heard a rapid ringing sound behind him. He turned around and saw a bicycle rushing towards them. Gao Lang quickly grabbed Qiao Nuan's arm and stepped aside to the roadside, only to see the bicycle, kicking up dust, come to a steady stop beside them. A slender young boy got off the bicycle, gripping the handlebars, furrowed his brow at him, and asked: "Who are you?"

"... has tanned—Auntie, please come in quickly"

Qiao Nuan smiled awkwardly and said, "I fell asleep... I'm sorry."

Qiao Nuan smiled vaguely and said, "I was just speaking casually without me..."

He stood up, walked over to take the things from Mother He’s hand, and called out softly, "Mom."

Mother He held He Jue's hand, carefully examining him with a somewhat agitated expression. She opened her mouth, and after a moment, she patted his shoulder and sighed in a somewhat hoarse voice: "You have grown taller again"

Gao Lang remained silent, his expression dark, yet his tone was still polite: "It is my duty. Please take care of your safety."

No, I think it looks quite normal

We have nothing to hide, so why be afraid of being seen by others

However, what Qiao Nuan could not understand was that while He Jue was not warm towards He Mama, He Mama's attitude was excessively reserved, as if she were afraid of offending He Jue. Yet, they only chatted about trivial matters such as "Is math difficult?" and "Is the homeroom teacher good?", leaving her unable to discern the reason behind He Mama's strange demeanor. She divided the peeled orange into two halves, handed them to He Jue and He Mama, and then stood up to say, "I will go wash my hands, you two chat first, Auntie." With that, she ran into the kitchen.

Qiao Nuan nodded hurriedly, then looked at Gao Lang, revealing a smile full of apology: "Senior, it's fine to drop me off here. I will go back with Xiao Jue. Thank you so much for today."

She will only arrive tomorrow—where is Dad

At this age, Xiao Jue is just growing taller—Auntie, come and sit down quickly. Saying this, she went to pour tea for Mother He. Mother Qiao also came out to greet her, telling Mother He to make herself at home

He paused in silence for a moment and said, "He will take you home"

I really am not nervous ... ... Well, I am a little nervous. Senior, you are so outstanding that I am afraid I might do something foolish. I am not as eloquent as Shanshan ... ...

Mom Qiao tapped her head and laughed, "All you know is to eat—Xiao Jue, come in quickly, what a coincidence you all are here."

Do not think about saving money for me; your comfort in living is the most important thing

Mother He pulled He Jue to sit down together, sipping tea while asking him about his studies and life. Qiao Nuan moved a small stool to sit opposite them, peeled an orange for Mother He, and listened to their conversation, occasionally adding a few comments.

Until they disappeared from sight, Gao Lang turned around and slowly left

Uncertain of how long she had been asleep, Qiao Nuan was jolted awake by a violent bump. She opened her eyes, only to find that she was not leaning against the car window, but rather resting on Gao Lang's shoulder. She instantly became fully alert, straightened up, and unconsciously wiped the corner of her mouth, "How did I ... ... "

Qiao Nuan asked in a low voice while washing her hands, "Isn't He Mama and He Jue arguing?"

Mother Qiao entered the house and, seeing He Jue sitting in the living room, hurriedly called out: "Xiao Jue"

Gao Lang had not yet had the chance to respond when Qiao Nuan beside him exclaimed softly, "He Jue!" She then stepped forward to compare heights with the young man, saying, "How is it that in just one month you have grown so much taller? What kind of feed have you been eating?"

Gao Lang smiled and suddenly reached out to pat her on the head, saying, "Children shouldn't overthink."

He let out a light snort and fell silent.

Gao Lang shrugged and said, "You came over by yourself."

Qiao Nuan nearly suffered cardiac arrest due to his completely unconscious action, but she immediately understood that this was nothing more than soothing a kitten or puppy, devoid of any ulterior motives. She thought that Gao Lang was too powerful, employing a form of indiscriminate attack, and resolved never to be alone with him again

Qiao Nuan followed behind, and no matter how much she declined, Gao Lang was unwilling to give up on his idea. She had no choice but to keep her distance from Gao Lang while being vigilant and attentive to her surroundings.

What are the accommodation conditions at the school? Are you accustomed to living there?

Qiao Nuan let out a soft "oh" and wanted to continue asking, but suddenly heard the crisp sound of a teacup falling to the floor in the living room

"Isn't this the time for the holiday?" Qiao Nuan pushed Qiao Mama's back as they walked inside

Mother He paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Well, it's up to you. If you need anything, be sure to let me know. Is your allowance sufficient?"

Didn’t you say he is a senior

He decided to get back on the bicycle, naturally taking over Qiao Nuan's backpack, and asked: "Shall we go back together?"

As the bicycle turned a corner, He Jue lowered his head to look at Qiao Nuan, who was wrapping her arms around his, and asked, "Who is this Gao Lang?"

Gao Lang did not look back and said, "Here you go."

Gao Lang couldn't help but chuckle at her thieving-like behavior, and he playfully teased her by deliberately leaning closer to her. Qiao Nuan, while dodging, anxiously said: "Senior, please don't come over, it would be bad if my parents saw us"

Qiao Nuan felt that Gao Lang seemed to have set a trap, with nets closing in from all directions, just waiting for her to throw herself into it. She controlled her emotions, avoided his gaze, and replied nonchalantly: "Senior, your impression of me is quite different from Shanshan's description."

He did not look at He Mama, but instead turned his gaze to the hands of Qiao Nuan that were in motion, "That's good."

Indeed, it is said that it is not easy to take time off, so come back and take a look—quickly go wash your face

Where has it become normal? Will you speak to me with such a cautious attitude, fearing that I might get angry?

"There is really no need." The tone of the statement is somewhat abrupt

He Jue suddenly sat up straight, looking towards the door, his expression a mix of tension and barely concealed anticipation. Qiao Nuan sighed, after all, he was still a child. She patted He Jue's shoulder and stood up to open the door

Qiao Nuan listened to the conversation between the two and felt that He Jue's attitude was not very warm, especially compared to when He's mother returned during the New Year. However, He Jue was at an age where he was somewhat rebellious, so this kind of indifferent reaction was to be expected. Moreover, since He's mother was transferred to City B, their communication had indeed become very sparse.

"Take care, senior," she said as she got on He Jue's bicycle and waved goodbye. He Jue pedaled forward, ringing the bell a few times, and the bicycle headed into the alley, the wind lifting the corners of her shirt and skirt, like two white butterflies flying deep into the narrow lane

Qiao Nuan was taken aback and hurriedly looked at He Jue, noticing that He Jue also had a look of surprise on his face. "Aunt Zhang came back for the eleventh?"