Chapter 1154: Chapter 655: It’s His Turn Now (Part 3)

Yu Wen asked, “Do you agree?”

Shen Qing’e: “Mm.”

However, she thought for a moment, Jiang Ning had also helped her before, yet their relationship still fell apart.

Shen Qing’e’s expression changed.

Yu Wen’s shrill voice rang out, “Heartless, ungrateful mutt!”

Shen Qing’e suddenly felt very uncomfortable and wanted to take leave and go home.

…

Evening, at the river dam.

During school days, nothing was more joyous than skipping class with the teacher’s permission.

In Chuchu’s kitchen, or rather, the firewood room.

Jiang Ning and Tongtong were all gathered here.

Tonight, they didn’t attend the Evergreen Liquid party, having heard that the evening’s events weren’t exciting enough, and the dishes were repetitive; Tongtong and Chuchu had already tried them at lunch.

Xue Chuchu stood in front of the stove, pouring water into the ground pot. In the afternoon, when they left Evergreen Liquid, Aunt Gu handed them a few corncobs, saying they were purchased internally by Evergreen Liquid and were particularly fragrant when cooked.

So now, Chuchu was preparing to put the corn into the pot.

And then at night, she would make some egg pancakes, a shrimp paste dish, and spicy fried small fish, served as a meal.

Chuchu was in charge of cooking, while lighting the fire was left to Jiang Ning and Tongtong.

Maintaining the earth pot’s fire required staying close to the hearth, which was a tough task in the summer due to the heat from the stove.

Now it’s December, already winter, and lighting the fire also allowed them to warm themselves, making it quite a pleasurable task.

Xue Yuantong tried to compete with Jiang Ning for the right to tend the fire, unsurprisingly, she couldn’t win.

Jiang Ning occupied the only small stool before the hearth, sprawling comfortably.

Xue Yuantong stood like a lackey, anxious yet helpless.

She thought for a moment, then fetched a stool and sat beside him, after all, no one said only one person could sit before the hearth.

Jiang Ning lit the dry corn husks to start the fire with these easily combustible materials, and soon, the flames danced in the hearth, a wave of warmth dispelling the chill in the air.

Jiang Ning added a few small branches, making the flames grow more vigorous.

Xue Yuantong stared at the flames in the hearth, feeling their warmth, the bright firelight also illuminating her small face.

At this moment, time felt frozen; Xue Yuantong’s fair face was bathed in a faint golden hue, the flames flickering, dancing across her face, forming a lively play of light and shadow.

Xue Yuantong’s eyes sparkled like stars as she gingerly added a log to the hearth.

The log caught fire, she smiled ever so purely and innocently, full of childlike innocence.

Jiang Ning’s gaze landed on her, a trace of tenderness flashing through his eyes.

He adored Tongtong’s smile, but unfortunately, after experiencing too much hardship, Jiang Ning could no longer show such a smile, gradually shrouded in a sense of heaviness instead.

That afternoon, once home, Tongtong asked him about the Evergreen Liquid luncheon.

However, he did not tell Tongtong about what happened at the shooting range today.

There are many darknesses, violence, corruption, and evil desires in this world.

Jiang Ning specifically didn’t want her to face it.

Xue Yuantong had already suffered enough.

Having tasted life’s hardships, Jiang Ning just wanted to keep her smiling forever, as she always had.

From where he sat, Tongtong’s delicate nose and lips appeared particularly defined and animated, with smooth, supple skin showing no flaw.

He suddenly reached out and pinched her cheek, feeling its warm heat.

Xue Yuantong’s cheeks puffed slightly as her eyes widened, showing a hint of displeasure.

She wanted to put on a stern face to intimidate Jiang Ning, but her expression was just too adorable.

Jiang Ning found it amusing.

Xue Yuantong gave up, pouting and saying in annoyance, “Fine, fine, I’ll let you be, really!”

Saying this, she reluctantly moved aside a bit to let Jiang Ning warm up too.

The two of them moved closer together.

From the stove, Xue Chuchu saw their close interaction, feeling a tingle in her heart.

She put the lid on the pot, saying, “First, let’s cook it on high heat.”

Hearing her, Tongtong moved to the side, making space for Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning added a few sticks of firewood, then picked up a board to cover the hearth opening.

After a while, he lifted the cover, and the flames surged, the firelight brightening considerably, making Xue Yuantong wary of getting too close.

Though accustomed to tending fires, Xue Yuantong never delved into its principles, now murmuring:

“Cover the fire pit, then uncover, and the fire grows stronger.”

Tongtong’s crisp voice reached Chuchu’s ears.

Xue Chuchu, upon hearing this, furrowed her brows briefly, then her eyes sparkled with understanding, her lips parted slightly: “Beneath turbulent heat, myriad threads illuminate.”

“Oh,” Xue Yuantong exclaimed after hearing her response in verse, unwilling to lag behind, tilting her head in thought for a few seconds, then reciting, “Wildfire can’t quench, spring winds resurrect.”

Jiang Ning, seated by the hearth, glanced at Tongtong, then at Chuchu, planning to recite a poem to fit the atmosphere.

At this moment, Chuchu’s eyes turned towards him, cold and deep like a serene pool, further reflecting the starry depths.

Jiang Ning changed his mind, thinking for a moment, he said, “A smoldering burn is the fiercest.”