Chapter Three, First Encounter (Three)

The group of troublemakers led by Xue Xiaoxiao was well aware of their disruptive behavior. Upon hearing Cen Ning's words, he immediately understood. They must have caught wind of some rumors from somewhere, which is why they came to assert their dominance in front of Cen Ning

Cen Ning was taken aback, feeling somewhat at a loss.

With a slight raise of her eyebrows and extending her hand to gesture at her height, she smiled and said, "Are you not a child, hmm?"

"When will grandpa come back?" Cen Ning heard him ask Lao Gao

Cen Ning stood before him with a tense expression, listening to the laughter that seemed to emanate from his chest. For a moment, it felt as if she was seeing him smile for the first time, the way he looked when he smiled... it was truly beautiful

She also knows that Yan Xing does not like her, because in this world, there are very few people who like her

"Who asked you to help me?" Leaning back against the wall, with both hands resting on the stone steps, and her gaze slightly raised, she said, "Your reasons for bullying others are quite novel."

Thump thump thump

Xiao Xiao, go back and get it

What is going on

A sentence without a beginning or an end, and for a moment, I do not know to whom it is addressed

... ...

"Hello, why are you here? Why haven't you left yet? Did you not hear anything I said?" Xue Xiaoxiao stood up, looking at Cen Ning with dissatisfaction

As for Grandpa, she believes he would certainly be willing to help her, but unfortunately, Grandpa went to another place yesterday and is unlikely to return this week

Saying this, he brushed past her and walked in another direction

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

The moon emerged from behind the clouds, its rays scattered like stars upon the ground, also illuminating his face. He gazed at her with a calm demeanor, and she mustered the courage to meet his gaze in return

Xiao Xiao, you have become familiar with that group of kids

That... Cen Ning finally walked up to him, tilting her head up to look at Yan Xing, who was seated above.

I, I will really grow up!

I ... ...

On Friday evening, Yan Xing returned from school

The latter is exiting the field, he walked to the adjacent rest area, picked up the bottled water placed on the ground, took a few sips, and casually sat down on the steps

"Xiao Xiao," she interrupted with her words and actions, and said lightly, "It is permissible to bully others, but if you dare to bully me, do you know the consequences?"

Who is this little girl

The moon faintly appeared behind the dark clouds, its light shining down through numerous obstacles, casting a long shadow. Cen Ning silently followed behind him, repeatedly entangled in the question of whether or not to call out to him.

After walking for a while, Cen Ning saw him turn into a clearing, where many sports equipment were arranged. She saw him quickly flip himself onto the dark green horizontal bar.

With a fleeting smile, he said: "Or you can try to persuade me, and if you succeed, I will help you."

"Xiao Xiao, what are you doing?" A slightly older girl beside her tugged at her.

The open space is not far away; by the time Cen Ning arrived, there were already many people there

A group of children is sitting on the side playing, while the others are playing basketball on the nearby court

Cen Ning quietly took a breath and stepped forward.

I intended to say thank you again, but my words and actions faltered, and I suddenly turned back: "By the way, this—" As I raised the hand holding the cigarette, I added, "Keep it a secret"

"Come here." Suddenly, Yan Xingzhi spoke up

I want the camera, please come here at 1:00 PM tomorrow

Cen Ning frowned and said, "I will grow up."

That camera is very important

The girl named Xue Xiaoxiao said before leaving that Yan Xingzhi does not like her and it is impossible for him to help her with anything

Ah?

Xue Xiaoxiao felt a chill run down her back from being stared at, her voice weakened as she said: "I did not bully anyone"

One tall and one short, two lines of sight intersect in the air

Cen Ning shook her head, but after a moment of thought, she said: "She said I should move away"

His forehead was slightly damp as he suddenly raised his gaze towards her, his expression somewhat sharp.

Cen Ning was taken aback for a moment and quickly nodded: "Yes!"

His gaze remained indifferent and aloof, but he recalled that he had indeed said those words, so he jumped down from the horizontal bar and casually leaned to one side: "Go ahead, what is it"

Why did she snatch your camera

Did not understand

Cen Ning's mind was in a chaotic state, and after much editing and trimming, only the words and actions remained

Little guest, your words are indeed quite tactful

The numerous gazes of people, whether watching the performance or filled with confusion, made Cen Ning feel quite uncomfortable, but today she had a clear purpose, so she did not retreat.

With both hands tightly clenched in front of her, she looked at him, filled with urgent hope and naive innocence, "Then, can you support me?"

After finishing her meal, Cen Ning kept waiting for the time, and as soon as it struck 12:50, she rushed out of the small building

Thus, she gathered her courage and stepped forward towards him

Faced with the obvious astonishment in his expression, Cen Ning immediately said, "Is it possible to support someone even if you don't like them? Just this once, is that alright?"

How are you here? After a strange silence, the speaker finally broke the silence.

After more than an hour, he came down, having changed into a new outfit, replacing the school uniform with simple and comfortable casual wear

Xue Xiaoxiao was taken aback: "What?"

"What are you doing standing there?" With a lift of his gaze, he accurately looked at Cen Ning and said, "Come here."

As the sky darkened, Cen Ning saw Yan Xing ascend the stairs after finishing her meal. She did not dare to knock on his door, so she sat in the living room, pretending to watch television

Go home and tell mom? But Wei Pinfang absolutely detests cameras, and she would never be willing to retrieve it for her

Cen Ning paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and said: "I have something to discuss with you, I need your help."

It initially was a slight smile at the corners of the mouth, but later it turned into genuine laughter.

Words and actions bring joy: "Oh, you will grow up."

Cen Ning had never thought that Yan Xingzhi's words and actions would truly help her. At the moment he nodded, her heart blossomed with joy. At the same time, she felt that Yan Xingzhi seemed to be a little less difficult to approach. At least regarding keeping the matter of "smoking" a secret, she sensed that he was a bit more "ordinary".

The subtlety of her words and actions made her lips tighten, and her gaze sent a chill down one's spine: "Her camera, bring it over and return it to her immediately"

With a smile at the corners of his lips, he was amused by her silly and adorable appearance. He reached out a hand and patted the top of her head, saying, "Alright, you grow up well."

She ignored Xue Xiaoxiao and instead looked towards Yan Xingzhi

In that glance, she also saw what he was doing; one hand casually resting on his left knee, while the index and middle fingers of the other hand held a cigarette.

Meng Peiyan was taken aback for a moment and instinctively glanced at Yan Xingzhi, who remained silent, merely tossing the water in his hand aside. With a thud, the sound was not loud, yet it inexplicably tightened one's chest.

Cen Ning thought for a moment and mentioned the girl's name: "Xue Xiaoxiao"

Tossing and turning throughout the night, I finally endured until the next day

Cen Ning unconsciously took a step back, glancing at the spark at his fingertips, and said softly: "My camera was taken away by someone, and I want to get it back"

"Brother Xingzhi!" Xue Xiaoxiao pointed at her in disbelief, "Why are you speaking up for her? I am helping you!"

Cen Ning turned around: "Hey, you..."

As Cen Ning approached, the first person to see her was Xue Xiaoxiao. She had been sitting nearby, enjoying watching several older brothers play basketball, but upon seeing Cen Ning, she was filled with anger.

In terms of words and actions: "I understand, however... this kind of matter seems to be outside the scope of what I should assist you with"

"Hiss, are you from the last century? Your information is so out of touch. Isn't this just the little guest from the Yan family..."

His demeanor remained calm and composed, his expression still indifferent, yet as he looked at her hopeful face, he felt a twinge of softness in his heart. He remembered his grandfather saying that this girl's father had died, perishing on the way to Tibet.

Xue Xiaoxiao turned around: "Sister Peiyan, this is Cen Ning."

Cen Ning nodded affirmatively and said, "You mentioned that if I encounter something I cannot resolve, I can seek your help."

Tang Zheng no longer played with the ball, allowing it to bounce on the ground freely. His gaze shifted back and forth between the two individuals, and then he exclaimed "oh" before running to the side to find a spot, adopting the standard posture of an audience member

Cen Ning stood in place, not crying recklessly as that group of children had imagined, but her eyes did indeed turn red as she gazed at their departing figures

"The time is indeed very accurate." Yan Xing glanced at the seat beside him and said, "Please, have a seat."

The person with long legs and a tall stature walked quickly, and by the time Cen Ning stepped out, he had already distanced himself from her.

Old Gao was at home when something happened. He could say to him, "" He paused, for he noticed the little girl standing on the ground visibly trembled. He furrowed his brows and asked, "Is there something that requires my presence?"

Cen Ning immediately nodded: "The only thing my father left me."

She is too unfamiliar with this place; after they left, she didn't even know where to look for them

... ...

Cen Ning: "I am not a child"

"Camera?" The words and actions are incomprehensible, "Who took your camera?"

Approximately three days later

She is afraid of him, yet she has no choice but to force herself to get closer to him

Cen Ning let out a sound and obediently sat down

When the most cherished possession is taken away, even the timid will find a way to retrieve it

Xue Xiaoxiao was momentarily speechless: "Brother Xingzhi, how could you..."

The open space fell silent for a few seconds, and suddenly, Yan Xing let out a low laugh.

Cen Ning's eyes lit up: "I understand!"

However, the camera of the person who deeply loves her was stolen, so regardless of whether it is possible or not, she is willing to give it a try

"No, I do not know her," Cen Ning said nervously, speaking in a stammering manner, "They took my camera."

Have you been listening to me? Who brought you here? You—

He had his back to her, so she did not know what he was doing, and thought to herself that he was probably out for a stroll to clear his mind after the meal

He did not say anything further and turned to leave the room

After a long silence, Cen Ning thought for a while and finally spoke, "They say, I am you, my wife."

Xue Xiaoxiao's voice was clear and striking; as soon as she spoke, everyone around, whether playing or not, turned to look.

In that case, go back immediately and bring it back

His words and actions were genuinely interesting; he had imagined countless ways she might express herself, but he never expected her to bring up the matter so directly. He casually shook off the ash from his cigarette, slightly narrowing his expression and said: "Child, do you know what a wife is"