Chapter 8

Qiao Nuan could never forget the look in He Jue's eyes at that time, so vacant and cold, as if it were a deep pool of water. When a stone is thrown into it, it makes no sound at all. It seemed as if He Jue's soul had also sunk into that deep pool, never to return.

Mother He, in a fit of rage, shouted loudly towards the door: "If you have the ability, then just leave and don't come back!"

Mother Qiao forced a smile and advised, "Xiao Zhang, don't be angry. He Jue is still young and doesn't understand. Qiao Nuan, you go watch over Xiao Jue and make sure he doesn't act carelessly and get into any danger"

Qiao Nuan waited for a while before finally hearing him utter a sound of acknowledgment. Qiao Nuan felt helpless, thinking that this little brat was truly difficult to deal with. Realizing that they wouldn't be leaving anytime soon, she sat down on the cool mat and turned her head to look at He Jue

After a full minute of stalemate, He Jue ultimately succumbed.

He let out a light snort

Qiao Nuan was just feeling happy when He Jue suddenly opened his eyes and cast an unhappy glance at her

He decisively shook off Qiao Nuan's hand that was gripping his arm, saying, "What business is it of yours?"

Qiao Nuan remained silent for a long time, unable to come up with any appropriate response. However, she understood that He Jue's intention was not to seek comfort, but merely to find someone to confide in

However, not long after, Qiao Nuan once again encountered that kind of gaze, and it was at He Ba's remarriage ceremony. That day was January 16, which also happened to be He Jue's ninth birthday. Qiao Nuan had thought more than once that He Jue was truly born to evoke her maternal instincts, as he could effortlessly torment her to the brink of despair with just a glance or a gesture.

Qiao Nuan was taken aback and quickly turned her head to look at He Jue. However, he covered his face with his arm, making it impossible to discern any expression.

Is it loose or not

He resolutely did not respond, unlocked the car, and glanced at her

In the end, Qiao Nuan followed He Jue to the rooftop of the teaching building. The top floor was originally locked, but it had been pried open by someone, disguised to look like it was still locked. Qiao Nuan was not surprised by this; her high school had seen quite a few such tricks, although the teachers usually turned a blind eye.

Qiao Nuan waved her hand at the door and said, "Understood"

Alright, alright, you go to sleep. I won't watch anymore, do you think anyone is eager to watch you?" Saying this, I pulled out a newspaper from under the bamboo mat and casually read the "news" that caught my interest.

Qiao Nuan quickly jumped onto the back seat of the bicycle, holding He Jue's waist, otherwise he would have a slight chance to act spoiled

Although the sun is large, it is cool under the awning, and before long, a gentle breeze begins to blow, occasionally lifting strands of hair. I do not know how much time has passed, when Qiao Nuan changes to a new newspaper, turns to the supplement, and prepares to start reading, but suddenly hears He Jue, who she thought had fallen asleep, softly ask: "Do you still remember the matter of my parents' divorce?"

The place he rode through is W No. 7 Middle School, which is an excellent school, and the chances of advancing to the best high school in W City after graduating from junior high are very high

The rooftop is quite spacious, with some bricks, sand, and asbestos tiles piled up in the corner. Against the wall, there is an undismantled plastic awning, beneath which a small resting area has been arranged—a thick layer of newspapers covers the ground, topped with a mat, and on one side, a couple of old books serve as support for two pillows.

Later, He Jue's parents finally concluded their prolonged tug-of-war and completed the divorce formalities. On the day He Dad moved out, He Jue stood at Qiao Nuan's doorstep, pursing his lips, and did not say a single word from beginning to end. He Dad waited for a long time but was unable to hear him say goodbye.

Qiao Nuan made a sound of acknowledgment and walked towards the door

Although He Jue has grown quite a bit taller, he is still only in the first year of junior high school and his physical strength is still somewhat lacking. As a result, he did not scare Qiao Nuan, but instead ended up exhausting himself.

He decisively picked up the bicycle key from the coffee table, took one last glance at Mother He, stepped over the debris on the floor, and quickly walked towards the door

How dare you speak to your mother like that!" Mother reprimanded, her chest heaving with anger, and her hands clasped around her shoulders trembled slightly.

Who did this? Qiao Nuan was astonished by the creativity of the little ghosts. She used to think that stacking a few bricks on the rooftop to make a couple of small stools was quite impressive, but it was clear that she had underestimated the hedonistic spirit of today's children

He Jue's parents had a tumultuous marriage, filled with fierce arguments that lasted an entire year. Almost every few days, Qiao Nuan could hear the sounds of intense disputes coming from the apartment next door. Both of He Jue's parents were exceptional individuals, which made them proud and unwilling to back down. However, pride is the most intolerable aspect of marriage, and for two equally strong-willed individuals, separation was an inevitable outcome. At that time, He Jue was only seven years old. Every time Qiao Nuan encountered He Jue in the hallway on her way home, he would hang his head low, tightly pursing his lips, and slowly ascend the stairs step by step. When he reached the door, he would hold the key, hesitating for a long time before finally opening it. Eventually, Qiao Nuan could no longer bear to watch and invited him to her home to do his homework. He Jue was very sensitive to the emotions of others, and it took Qiao Nuan a long time to help him relax in her presence.

When she ran to the first floor, He Jue was unlocking the bicycle, and Qiao Nuan hurriedly took a few steps forward and grabbed the handlebars.

He glared at her fiercely and said, "Let go."

He did not answer her, lying on his back on the cool mat under the book.

Qiao Nuan knew that He Jue's grades had always been excellent, although he was not necessarily very diligent. For such a naturally gifted person, Qiao Nuan had always felt both envy and jealousy.

He parked the car in front of KFC, and Qiao Nuan jumped down from the back seat. She looked inside and frowned, saying: "Why eat this kind of nutritionally deficient food when there are good meals at home?"

Qiao Nuan sighed, resignedly taking a seat in the back, muttering, "What a troublesome little rascal"

He decided to park the car at the back gate of the school. Qiao Nuan jumped out of the car and looked at the closed door, "How do we get in?"

Mother Qiao heard the increasing noise and came out of the kitchen. She looked at the scattered fragments on the floor, then glanced at the furious Qiao Nuan and the cold-faced He Jue, and asked: "What happened here?"

Little decision, you ... ...

"I do not oppose her getting married; I would be very happy if someone could take care of her. I just..." He did not continue. For a moment, the empty rooftop was filled only with the sound of the wind and the breathing of the two people, so quiet that it felt somewhat uncomfortable.

She did not understand why a seven-year-old child would possess such a look of despair. She only hoped to never see it again, to never want to see it again.

"What are you looking at me for?" He Jue asked with a frown

He locked the car and did not respond. He took a few steps forward, grasped the vertical bars with one hand, stepped on the horizontal bar, and after a few climbs, he reached the other side of the door. In no time, he landed steadily, turned around to look at Qiao Nuan, his gaze filled with a sense of pride.

He Mama is a person whom Qiao Nuan knows well. Her strong-willed personality has not only remained unchanged since her divorce but has intensified. After the divorce, she devoted herself entirely to her career and has now reached a management level, inevitably becoming accustomed to giving orders and being very autocratic in certain matters. Whether it was leaving W City to go to B City or helping He Jue enroll in Qizhong instead of the Sanzhong that He Jue preferred this year, He Mama has always been assertive and unquestionable. Therefore, this matter is likely the same; she has long made her decision and is merely notifying as a formality. Regardless of whether He Jue agrees or not, the marriage will certainly take place. It is just that He Jue's agreement would make the entire situation appear more pleasant and dignified.

Qiao Nuan opened her mouth but did not respond, gently shaking her head

"How outrageous! If you have the ability, then knock me down and step over me." Qiao Nuan defiantly glared back.

Do not loosen

My mother is getting married... She called me before, and this time she came back specifically to inform me of this matter. He Jue's voice was very flat, so flat that it was almost devoid of any emotion; however, when he mentioned the word 'specifically,' there was a subtle emphasis in his tone. He had not yet entered the period of voice change, and his voice was clear with a hint of softness. Therefore, this deliberate suppression of emotional expression in his tone instead sounded somewhat awkward.

It seems that something has broken; I will go take a look

He Jue had a faint circle of dark circles under his closed eyes, and his youthful face showed a hint of fatigue. Qiao Nuan always found He Jue's appearance very pleasing, having completely inherited the good genes of his parents. Although Qiao Nuan had hardly seen He Jue's father since his parents' divorce, she remembered that He Dad was quite dashing. In due time, He Jue would undoubtedly become the object of admiration for young girls. At that time, as his older sister, she would also have the opportunity to gain some face. In due time, He Jue would undoubtedly become the object of admiration for young girls. At that time, as his older sister, she would also have the opportunity to gain some face

A shattered teacup lay on the ground, with tea and tea leaves spilled everywhere. Qiao Nuan carefully stepped over it and tugged at He Jue's sleeve, "... What happened?"

He Jue ignored her, looking at He's mother, and coldly said: "What is there to discuss? You go your own way, and I will go mine. I do not need you to interfere."

However, Qiao Nuan did not imitate him; she stepped forward a few paces to examine the lock carefully, and then gently pushed it, causing the door to open with a sound.

"Do not go too far." He Hejue looked at her coldly

Do you remember what happened...?

He deliberately rode very fast, swerving awkwardly while going downhill, intending to scare Qiao Nuan into getting off the bike. However, to his surprise, Qiao Nuan held on tightly, not making a sound no matter what difficult maneuvers he attempted.

Qiao Nuan walked into the living room and saw He Jue and his mother standing face to face. He Jue was breathing heavily, and his gaze towards his mother was as cold as if it had been soaked in ice water. He's mother was holding her shoulder with one hand, her face a mixture of surprise and anger.

The response to her was a series of thumping footsteps descending the stairs

He Jue ignored her completely and locked the car before walking straight in. Qiao Nuan, feeling helpless, found a place to make a phone call home, and then hurriedly resolved the lunch issue with He Jue at KFC

"Xiao Jue..." Qiao Nuan called out in a tone of admonition, and then tugged at He Jue's sleeve.

Oh no, the door was actually unlocked. I really didn't do it on purpose, Xiao Jue

I won't let go... either go back to eat or take me with you, in any case, I won't let go

Are you planning to take a nap here

It was nearly 2 PM when she stepped out, and the sun was scorching. Qiao Nuan raised her right hand to create a small shade in front of her eyes, squinting as she looked around, "It's so hot, let's go back."

You should also pay attention to safety and have a good talk with Xiao Jue

He Jue's face immediately fell.

Aren't you going to sleep? I see that it won't affect you.

Mother Qiao and Qiao Nuan were both startled. Mother Qiao glanced into the living room and asked, "What happened?"