PART 10 Guess Your Heart, I Am Annoyed! Annoyed! Annoyed!

"How could it be such a person?" Lin Fengmian's lips curled into a wicked smile, and his eyes were filled with amusement as he looked at me

He remained silent, pressing his hand on my shoulder to signal me to wait in place, while he slowly leaned over.

"Cheng Baozhu, you should wear it!" Xu Pinxin took the scarf and stepped down the stairs, wrapping it around me layer by layer, like wrapping a large zongzi. "Women, sometimes you shouldn't be too strong; give men a chance to show themselves." He winked at me with a smile, and with a sudden tug on the short ends of the scarf he held, I was caught off guard and found myself in his embrace. "Women, sometimes you shouldn't be too strong; give men a chance to show themselves." He winked at me with a smile, and with a sudden tug on the short ends of the scarf he held, I was caught off guard and found myself in his embrace

The vehicle is crowded with people, making a lot of noise; it has been noisy for as long as the vehicle has been in motion.

"How can this be? I have my little Lu at home, how can I eat wild game! I still understand this basic ethics and morality." Cress screamed, pointing at me and scolding, "You want to change the subject again, let me tell you, fate is something that cannot be relaxed for a moment, it must be pursued. Whether it's Lin Fengmian or Xu Pinxin, you must settle on one properly!"

Just after turning a corner, there was Yonghe Soy Milk. He winked at me and said with a smile, "Baozhu, come in and have a bowl of soy milk with me." I was really feeling quite tired, and after pulling him out, I just wanted to find a place to lean against. Hearing his suggestion, I immediately agreed.

"It is truly boring!" Lin Fengmian articulated the grievances in my heart. His eyes gently roamed, returning from outside the glass door, gliding over the arm of Xu Pinxin that still rested on me, and he let out a sound from his nasal cavity, with a tone of disdain that nevertheless revealed an air of nobility. He pulled away Zheng Mo's arm and directly pushed open the glass door, walking out.

"Well, let's not discuss this topic for now. Xu Pinxin seems to... have something unclean." I stiffened my body, my eyes fixed on the smoke, which continued to rise in that direction, without pause, and surprisingly, it was even increasing.

When soldiers come, they are met with generals; when water comes, it is covered by earth; if the sky falls, there are tall individuals to support it

I let out a deep breath and suddenly felt relaxed

No, I have to go. I am parched, as I see the thief glaring at me fiercely

I grasp the box, my face filled with confusion

"Baozhu, please be honest, do you really like Lin Fengmian?"

Cheng Baozhu, are you sure? This is your..." Lin Fengmian raised her head, her lips twitching

So early, and such a coincidence, I encountered Lin Fengmian while drinking soy milk. He was dressed casually, wearing a loose light gray sweater paired with light blue and white jeans, which made him appear even more handsome compared to when he was in a suit.

Well, life offers few opportunities to strive, so what harm is there in expressing it now

Zheng Mo suddenly became excited, his lips curling up high as he hurriedly extended one hand to shake mine, while tightly wrapping the other arm around Lin Fengmian, saying: "So you have mentioned me to others?" His tone seemed a bit happier. Lin Fengmian did not respond, staring out the door as if a flower had bloomed there.

"Baizhu, I am serious. How about you come to Delong and be my assistant? I enjoy taking care of you." Xu Pinxin tightened his arms around me, gently nodding his chin on top of my head.

"Okay, Baozhu, that also depends on whether Lin Fengmian will keep you." Xu Pinxin's voice conveyed a sense of assured victory, sending a chill down my spine

The phone rang repeatedly in my pocket, and I wedged the travel bag between my legs, reaching into my pocket. "Boom," my scalp began to tingle, as I distinctly grasped another hand.

She smiled at me even more strangely, extended a finger, and threw me a flirtatious glance, saying: "Wait a moment..." Tick-tock, she quickly ran to the inner room, took out an ancient wooden box, and handed it to me

I forcefully pulled away Xu Pinxin's hand that was still resting on my shoulder, shot him a fierce glare, half-pushed open the glass door, and felt a dull pain in my stomach; it was better to skip breakfast.

I pulled the glass door to its maximum, turned around, smiled at him, and said: "Xu Pinxin, that is your poor judgment; Lin Fengmian and I have always existed in two different worlds"

Just ahead is the terminal station, crowded and chaotic. If he wants to take revenge on me, it would be as easy as pie. Sweat trickles down from my forehead, and my bangs stick to my forehead, damp and wet. When the wind blows, it feels cool and refreshing.

I suddenly stiffened my back, but my hands gradually relaxed

I sloppily drank the millet porridge she had cooked, smooth and greasy, hardly even bothering to open my mouth

How do I confess my feelings? I asked while holding chopsticks

The car moved slowly, and my heart sank little by little, while the thief's eyes never left me.

I slightly tilted my shoulder, subtly creating distance from Xu Pinxin, and forced a smile as I called out: "Manager Lin, good morning." At some point, I had unconsciously become unfamiliar with the name Lin Fengmian, referring to it instead as Manager Lin.

That is good, childhood sweethearts and sweet lovers, it is better to meet by chance than to invite each other, let us have breakfast together instead. Zheng Mo's expression relaxed, and his arm, which was around Lin Fengmian, hung down loosely.

I turned back with great difficulty, and the thief behind me had a desperate and pained expression, yet his mouth was moving incessantly. Suddenly, I recalled a television report that mentioned thieves often hide blades in their mouths, ready to attack when necessary

The exhibition center in Yangzhou is located near the gymnasium, closer to Shouxihu Lake, where there are more people. On the way there, the crowd was bustling, and Lin Fengmian frowned while carrying my travel bag and asked: "Cheng Baozhu, should we leave this bag at the hotel?"

This idea seems quite good, I grip the box tightly, push it open, and the shiny mirror reflects my contemplative face, but as for the idea proposed by Sister Cuis, I really cannot be certain

Do not talk to me, I have already fallen asleep. I close my eyes and desperately self-hypnotize, this is how it is, Sister Cuis's method, no matter how foolproof, will still have a significant flaw.

Zheng Moruo slightly curled her lips, casually draping one arm over Lin Fengmian's shoulder, her entire body leaning against him, not responding to Xu Pinxin's words, yet her hostile gaze remained fixed on me.

"He is the person I like." I immediately interjected, with remarkable speed, staring at him without even blinking, trying to discern some emotion from his face

Without looking at his expression, I yawned and returned to the community

He did not refute me, he merely smiled

I asked hesitantly, standing a foot away from her, "What is the difference?"

"Why not leave it in my car?" The clear voice was quite familiar

Ah? How did I talk to Lin Fengmian? I deliberately tried to think about it, but I really can't recall. The underground parking lot is dark and gloomy, I bit my lip and looked around.

Xu Pinxin laughed out loud beside me, quickly walking while carrying a travel bag

I must deal with Lin Fengmian when I go to Yangzhou on Monday

"Pearl, did you hear what I said?"

Treasure

Lin Fengmian gave him a faint smile, yet her eyes remained fixed on me, unmoving.

"Cheng Baozhu, how do you talk to Lin Fengmian? Can you speak to me like that when we are together?" Xu Pinxin asked earnestly as he tossed my luggage into the trunk.

"Feng Mian, clear broth? Without sugar?" A stranger emerged from behind the counter, breaking the eerie silence. His cream-colored casual suit accentuated his tall figure to perfection, and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses made his face appear even more refined. Occasionally, a gaze filled with intense hostility flashed from behind the lenses, directed at me, making me feel utterly uncomfortable

Zheng Mo was not annoyed; with a radiant expression, he pointed at Lin Fengmian and said, "Cheng Baozhu, I heard Fengmian describe you, and I originally thought you were a delicate little girl, but I didn't expect you to be so..." He paused for a moment, tilted his head in thought, and then continued, "—so full of personality. Seeing you in person, you are quite acceptable."

"Feng Mian, I have developed feelings for someone. Can you help me see what he is like, whether he is good or not?" I gritted my teeth and took the plunge, pulling out a small box from my travel bag and handing it over. "It contains his photo; you will know once you open it."

I forgot, he is indeed my manager; it is he who gives the orders, not I

I was speechless; the consequences of that incident were quite severe. During the Monday morning meeting, I prepared two copies of a self-reflection letter in both Chinese and English, reading it aloud to the entire school. From that moment on, I became renowned in the community

No matter how significant the matter, I can handle it with ease and comfort

My heart is filled with unease, as if it is tightly bound by countless strands of the finest steel wire, and it feels as though I have fallen into an abyss; although only a minute has passed, it seems to have lasted a lifetime

Leaving Huafeng means leaving Lin Fengmian, which means that every day, every hour, every minute, I will never see him again

I calmly watched her while sipping my porridge, and she was so angry that her eyes rolled. This sister always hides her concern behind her outbursts, but I like it

I should have chosen a strong and explosive mode of expression; such romance, such subtlety, such cultural depth, and such warmth are simply not suitable for me

His hand naturally reached for mine, warmly holding my hand, calming my heart. His gaze shifted, coldly looking at the thief by the front of the car, causing the thief to shiver involuntarily and pretend to walk away nonchalantly

Who am I? I am Cheng Baozhu, living a life of joy! How can I feel anxious because of your ambiguous words?

Boldly confess once, facing Lin Fengmian

Important tools, special treatment, taking this opportunity, I will definitely confess everything that needs to be confessed

The door of Yonghe Soy Milk is always shining brightly. Without getting closer, I saw a familiar figure in front of the counter, and I couldn't help but pause, stopping in my tracks

Is what we pursue obtained or is it fate? I smile wryly, as I fish the chopsticks in the bowl again and again

"You used to be able to eat six bowls! Do you think I would forget?" Cressida looked at me with a mournful expression, making me feel uneasy all over. "Baizhu, you said, if you boldly confess once, perhaps things might not be as you think."

I dragged a large travel bag, took bus route 17 and then transferred to route 2. The crowd was overwhelming; I stood in the bus with both feet barely fitting, having to balance on one leg. It's not surprising that there are so many people; the weather outside is beautiful, and everyone who is able-bodied has gone out to travel. Who wouldn't want to join in the crowd?

The ones in line are all little girls and boys. Lin Fengmian turned around to take a look, her eyelids twitching slightly, and gritted her teeth as she said: "Five minutes, go quickly and come back quickly"

I smiled faintly, waiting for her next round of bombardment

The vehicle passed one station after another, yet the thief did not get off. I began to feel anxious.

"Precious pearl? You do get up early when you don't have to work!" Lin Fengmian caught sight of me at a glance, and as her eyes slid past Xu Pinxin beside me, her brows furrowed slightly, almost imperceptibly.

Cecilia immediately became excited, shifted her body closer to me, and asked, "Do you prefer romantic or intense expressions?"

What is there to be afraid of? Cheng Baozhu, at worst, just scream!

The wind was bleak, I pulled down the scarf that Xu Pinxin had wrapped around my neck and threw it at him. For a person who was cold both in body and spirit, this little warmth was utterly ineffective

Two worlds, yet a world apart

I only asked a brief question, and he responded with so much; I was somewhat taken aback. It is evident that he is quite concerned about Lin Fengmian, and looking at him only deepens my feelings of frustration.

However, none of these are the main point... The main point is that such an elegant and romantic way of confession surprisingly resulted in such a lewd outcome

I looked up in confusion and thought to myself: "I do not know"

This world has become strange, as those who have been stolen from are filled with fear and trepidation, while those who steal money act with complete boldness and audacity

The air here is so good that it can be called a ghost! The exhaust fumes from the car are making me feel faint, yet I endured and ultimately did not refute him

Of course, the original topic naturally came to an end

I turned my head and cautiously asked, "Xu Pinxin, what do you mean?"

However, Sister Tris does not think so

Lin Fengmian looked at me, snatched the travel bag, and while helping me carry it, shook her head and sighed: "A woman, no matter how independent, is still a troublesome composite!"

He is Zheng Mo? My gaze slid towards Lin Fengmian, then passed over Zheng Mo

I was truly furious, suddenly regained my strength, and blurted out: "What do you mean by motion sickness? I encountered a thief!"

Early on Monday morning, I carefully wrapped that wooden box in a cloth and tossed it into the innermost part of my travel bag

"Did you come specifically to pick me up?" I looked at him, feeling sweetly delighted inside

Everyone in the vehicle turned to look at me, and following my gaze, they instinctively distanced themselves from the thief. The thief, startled and frightened, pointed at me and silently mumbled. I gritted my teeth at him, turned my head away, my heart pounding.

I looked at her, then at the box, and finally made a resolute decision

It turned out to be a little rascal sneaking a smoke, and Xu Pinxin and I exchanged glances, unable to hold back our laughter together

You say you do not know, then let me ask you, why have you been unable to sleep and eat these days

I reached into the travel bag and grasped the small box tightly

Aren't you feeling carsick?

God, please grant me more courage. Even if I am rejected at this moment, I will not be afraid. With so many people around, the noise and chatter will at least prevent me from feeling so lost that I shed tears

Cui Si suddenly became angry and slammed the table, shouting: "You went back, and before you used to block the alley to stop boys from confessing, why are you now so timid and withdrawn?"

I smacked my lips and filled another bowl

He does not intend to continue the conversation, and I am certainly unable to extract his words. In that case, I do not wish to delay even for a minute. I shrugged at him and smiled, saying: "First of all, I am not hungry, so I will not accompany you to eat at the roadside stall; secondly, I have never liked to force others, if you are unwilling to speak, I will not listen. Goodbye, Mr. Xu, I am going home to catch up on sleep"

I took out my phone, pressed the button, and the voice was weak and feeble: "Hello..."

Lin Fengmian's body slightly stiffened for a moment, but then returned to its rigid state.

Just give him the box and say to him, "I like someone, can you help me see how it is?" His photo is in the box. Of course, Baizhu, the inner lid of the box is a mirror. When he opens it, he will naturally understand.

With these two men who are not emotionally invested in me, what can I use to pursue my destiny

I nodded slightly, not avoiding the situation, and gracefully extended my hand, speaking to him with a neutral expression: "Indeed, I am Cheng Baozhu, and you are Zheng Mo? I have heard about you from Manager Lin."

"Feng Mian?" Zheng Mo was taken aback for a moment, then came to his senses, looking at me with a strange expression. He also pushed open the glass door and ran out, leaving Xu Pinxin and me standing silently in the middle of the hall

Precious Pearl, do you know how many girls in the world dream of finding a man like Mr. Xu, who is wealthy, young, and handsome? The most remarkable thing is that he, upon seeing my beauty, has not the slightest thought of infatuation!

Shall we go take a look? My voice was as low as it could be, and I bent down, striking a walking pose

I swallowed and continued to ask: "Feng Mian, are you and Zheng Mo a couple?"

The driver of the car swiftly took the travel bag from Lin Fengmian's hands and tossed it into the luggage compartment of the vehicle

With a creak, the vehicle came to a sudden stop. I stood up, realizing that I had reached my destination. The thief looked at me, pointed beneath the vehicle, and laughed arrogantly. My hand, which was holding the travel bag, suddenly became quite sweaty.

Of course, Baozhu is acceptable; the woman I, Xu Pinxin, have my eyes on is one in a thousand. Xu Pinxin imitated Zheng Mo's manner, resting his hand on my shoulder and lazily rubbing his chin against my hair. I wanted to break free, but his grip tightened, holding me completely in his embrace.

The ringtone in the pocket rings joyfully

"Are you saying that Lin Fengmian is feeling jealous?" Xu Pinxin asked ominously from behind me, his tone so cold it sent shivers down my spine. "He has always felt differently about you than others; can he really have feelings for a girl?"

He crossed his arms and looked at me as I explained, with a hint of understanding, which made my face flush with embarrassment

Who would have thought, he merely paused slightly, smiled faintly and said: "Not really."

Lin Fengmian's eyes flickered, evading my scrutiny, and were fixed far away on a certain point outside the glass door, lost in thought.

As Lin Fengmian and I turned our heads, we found it was Xu Pinxin, who was smiling at us with bright, sparkling eyes, yet her gaze remained fixed on the hands that Lin Fengmian and I had inadvertently intertwined.

What a boring dialogue, I mutter to myself.

I was extremely angry, turning rigidly away, not wanting to argue with him any further

I leaned numbly against his chest, his heart beating heavily and slowly. I couldn't help but laugh; a businessman who can even control his heartbeat is truly terrifying

Damn, brother, people can scare each other to death! A little kid, about thirteen or fourteen years old, suddenly stood up from the side of the car, skillfully holding a cigarette between his fingers

"Self-indulgent, the air inside is not good, I came out to get some fresh air." Lin Fengmian immediately felt uncomfortable, pointing at my large bag and saying, "It's only three days, why bring so many things?"

Fate, what fate! You've let it slip away, do you still expect a second Xu Pinxin to pursue you?

What is most unbearable in the world is not failure, but the feeling of uncertainty before either failure or success; that feeling is enough to bring down a hundred heroes

"Zheng Mo, it truly is a place where we meet everywhere!" Xu Pinxin said without a smile, his gaze drifting away, filled with disdain.

The feeling of loss and helplessness that surrounds me after being rejected will linger on, and I am very afraid of it

The smoke paused briefly, only to become dense again shortly after, swirling in clusters as it spread out against the dark, cavernous ceiling, ultimately fading into nothingness

Ah? I turned my head, nodded slightly, and replied perfunctorily: "I heard you, I am recalling the way I used to converse with Lin Fengmian." The smell of gasoline is everywhere here, and I really do not like it

"Cheng Baozhu, you are a coward!" Cuis sits on the sofa, glaring angrily.

Cris laughed heartily and said with great satisfaction: "What is meant by explosive? You just charge straight in, take control, and if he refuses, then it's considered over."

Sister Cui's face was as dark as the bottom of a black pot on the stove. I knew she had a habit of applying face masks while sleeping, and if she got angry, it would definitely crack, so I hurried out the door before she could explode.

The mirror on the lid of the box had long been shattered, scattered in pieces at the bottom of the box. Originally, where the mirror was affixed, there lay an old newspaper underneath, featuring a large color photograph. On it, in black letters on a white background, it read: "Nanjing × × Hospital, Urology Department Master ... ... × × × Director ... ... " How ridiculous! I closed the box, nearly covering my face in disbelief; this so-called master turned out to be a middle-aged man who was both overweight and bald!

I bit down on my chopsticks; this proposal is quite good and may be feasible. It has stirred a slight feeling of excitement in me.

I did not respond to Xu Pinxin, as I saw a strange plume of smoke rising from the side of his car, which was very eerie and appeared particularly terrifying in this dark underground parking lot

Cold sweat dripped down from my forehead, I cleared my throat and asked, "How romantic is that?"

"Cheng Baozhu, all three shared cars have left, where are your people, where are your people?" Lin Fengmian was quite irritable, his voice raised significantly! After a while, he hesitantly asked, "Baozhu, why do you seem so weak? Are you feeling unwell?"

I shrugged my shoulders and couldn't help but chuckle; daydreaming in broad daylight is not good. Lin Fengmian, his expression might be one of annoyance towards me

How can one endure such days

My heart suddenly ached, and I broke free from his embrace, saying: "I like Huafeng, I do very well there." I said this to him with utmost seriousness, and I also said it to myself, "I like working there"

That is also fine, then I will trouble you, General Xu. The hotel is still a certain distance from the exhibition center. Lin Fengmian calmly released my hand, and people were coming and going around us. I was bumped on the shoulder by a porter coming towards me, and I stumbled a bit on my feet

The street is much quieter than usual, even the Shandong aunt selling pancakes has not set up her stall. A gust of wind blows by, and I can't help but sneeze, suddenly realizing that my clothing is extremely impractical, leaving a large area of my neck exposed

Huh? Wait a moment, I pulled out a travel bag and said: "The luggage should be placed at your feet." There is also an important item inside, how can it not be by my side

He smiled faintly, and the gentle breeze seeping through the window made his hair sway lightly, looking both handsome and gentle. With a hint of pride in his smile, he said: "Baizhu, just call me Fengmian. Don't worry about the hotel; I have a contact."

"Are you Cheng Baozhu?" This seemingly unprovoked statement carries a tone as petulant as that of a small boy whose toy has been snatched away, exuding a sense of arrogance

I raised my eyebrows, why have I not heard of such powerful news

I nodded and said, "Sure, as long as I don't bring it up, you can throw it anywhere you like"

"Cheng Baozhu, is this all there is?" Lin Fengmian, tall and standing by the car door, visibly let out a sigh upon seeing me. "Hurry up, the shared ride is gone, we need to take the express bus."

You speak to him very casually, but you seem quite reserved with me, just like..." He sighed and said softly, "as if you are guarding against something.

Precious Pearl, this is not my idea, does Old Man Ma know? The one who wrote "Das Kapital," he used this tactic when courting his beloved, what a wise person he is, so romantic!

Pfft, I almost sprayed the mouthful of millet in my mouth out. "Sister Cuis, that is dog poop stuck to his eyes. After a while, who knows, he might give up his reserve and start pursuing you instead."

"Manager Lin, what should we do about the hotel?" I cleared my throat softly, drawing his gaze away from the window.

I forgot that the next day was Saturday, and I estimate that Xu Pinxin also forgot. Early in the morning, before 8 o'clock, he arrived punctually to report for duty

I am waiting for him to reprimand me; this question is indeed too private. I am fully on guard, anticipating that he will refuse to answer.

Ahem. I lightly coughed, tapped the edge of the bowl with my hand, and rolled my eyes at Sister Cuis. I have eaten four bowls of millet porridge; is that considered not being able to eat?!

"Precious, be careful." Xu Pinxin took my hand, casually grabbed the travel bag, and flashed a smile at Lin Fengmian, saying, "Manager Lin, I'll be right back."

"Baozhu, you don't have a princess syndrome too, do you? Waiting for me to open the door for you?" Xu Pinxin reached out a hand from behind, pushed the glass door open over my shoulder, while his other hand naturally rested on my waist, pulling me in.

Cui Si sat cross-legged, a look of self-satisfaction on her face, and said, "Well, celebrity autobiographies, I read them often, Bo Ji · Xiao Si paired with Clinton..."

Xu Pinxin saw me shrinking my neck, took off his scarf, and directly wrapped it around my head and face. His grip was a bit strong, making me want to grab my neck. When he saw me rolling my eyes and sticking out my tongue, he couldn't help but laugh, extending his index finger and thumb to surprisingly pinch my tongue that was sticking out. I did not expect him to be so abrupt, and for a moment, I felt extremely awkward, having to pretend as if nothing had happened.

I hesitated on the steps at the door, wavering, with Xu Pinxin standing behind me, instinctively wanting to escape

What? He turned his head and looked over as well, his body stiffening, but his hands immediately reacted, pulling me behind him

"Good morning, Manager Lin, are you here for breakfast as well?" Xu Pinxin casually rested his chin on my shoulder and leisurely waved at Lin Fengmian.

I saw a long line forming from a distance, and I was exceptionally excited. I pointed at the line and shouted, "Manager Lin, if you don't mind, you can queue up for the giveaway first; I'll drop off my luggage and come over." I noticed that the gift was a thin paper fan, round in shape, with an image of a young girl in ancient attire printed in the center, featuring large eyes, a high nose, and a small mouth, which was quite beautiful

Lin Fengmian had already straightforwardly rejected me, so why should I humiliate myself further? That fellow Xu Pinxin, getting close to me, is probably also for the sake of Lin Fengmian, although I do not know what connection they have between them

His eyes were pitch black and deep, staring at the lid of the box for a full minute without speaking

"Ah? What kind?" I was filled with confusion. Inside was a mirror; he looked into it, yet he shouldn't have had that expression. Could there have been some change? With a chuckle, he laughed out loud, a hint of dimples appearing, utterly enchanting. He turned the box lid towards me, and I took it, focusing my gaze, and the muscles on my face involuntarily twitched in response.

Women who fall in love tend to be somewhat foolish, but I am not; I do not even dare to confirm my own feelings. From the past until now, I have merely been ambiguously expressing a slight affection for Lin Fengmian. Therefore, I am not foolish; I am also aware of analyzing my current situation.

If he really refuses, I will consider it a resolution for myself, so that I am not always left in suspense.

He casually took the box, his eyes scanning me with a hint of indifference, a smile playing on his lips. His long index finger rested on the lid of the box, pausing slightly before he gently applied pressure, effortlessly pushing the box open

He did not respond, merely smiled, and pointed to the wonton stall by the roadside, saying to me: "Let's have a meal together, I am hungry"