Chapter 957: Chapter 554: Willing_2

Chen Siyu was equally curious: “Yes, yes!”

Jiang Ning appeared calm and spoke confidently: “Because I’m strong.”

…

Evening self-study session.

Wu Xiaoqi was called to the office by the class teacher, Shan Qingrong, and lectured for two periods before he was finally let out during the last class.

As he returned to the class, he was greeted by the attention of all his classmates.

Cui Yu responded: “Xiao Qi, well done! You didn’t embarrass our class 8!”

Wu Xiaoqi touched his face, which had some band-aids stuck on it, having been scratched twice by someone.

Since no weapons were used, the injuries were minor.

After a brief commotion, the class returned to normal.

Wu Xiaoqi found his deskmate, Miao Zhe, to discuss:

“How much for a 1,500-word reflection on fighting?”

Miao Zhe said: “Up to you.”

Wu Xiaoqi immediately pulled out a hundred-dollar bill.

Miao Zhe took the bill, handed over an A4 paper, and at a glance, Wu Xiaoqi saw it was filled with writing, starting with:

[Respected Teacher Shan Qingrong:

Hello!

I am very sorry to submit my reflection on fighting today…]

Wu Xiaoqi snapped back to reality, incredulous: “You’ve finished it already?”

Miao Zhe: “Had nothing to do during the first two periods, so I casually wrote it.”

Wu Xiaoqi paused for a bit, suppressing his shock. He looked at Miao Zhe’s slender figure and thought about the revenge battle, then shook his head:

“Too bad you can’t fight.”

Miao Zhe: “I generally don’t fight.”

Wu Xiaoqi: “I understand. You’re not built for fighting, too thin and small.”

Miao Zhe didn’t argue.

…

Night, by the river dam.

Tongtong stayed home chatting with her mom.

Xue Chuchu originally didn’t want to ask Jiang Ning to play games, because after all, she had been accidentally touched the other day, and Jiang Ning’s words afterward made it awkward.

But after some inner turmoil, she still came, otherwise, wouldn’t it seem like she was hiding something?

Xue Chuchu didn’t want Jiang Ning to have that impression of her. She insisted on going to Jiang Ning’s room to continue the unfinished game.

Since she arrived, the room was filled with a faint fragrance. She sat quietly, in a black dress, the soft fabric clinging to her body, her curves gracefully enchanting.

Her naturally cool temperament, matched with the inherent mystery of the black dress, simply complemented each other and made her seem untouchable.

She held the controller, her eyes showing indifference, occasionally because of the game screen, her mouth would slightly turn up, melting away that coldness.

Jiang Ning lazily leaned on the sofa. Being with a girl like Xue Chuchu, the surrounding air seemed to flow more smoothly.

He commented: “Super Mario 3D World’s quality is actually quite good, but it’s a pity that the Wii U console didn’t perform well, which affected its sales.”

Xue Chuchu couldn’t understand things in the gaming world, she shared her view: “If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t even know this kind of game console existed.”

Jiang Ning said: “Your concept of game consoles is probably those old Little Ba Wang consoles from childhood, like Super Mario, Ninja Turtles, Adventure Island.”

“Right.” Xue Chuchu added, “The mobile games Tongtong plays, those games… aren’t very refined.”

Jiang Ning chuckled: “Indeed.”

Xue Chuchu: “But a good game is one that can bring happiness.”

Saying this, they collaborated again and passed another level.

While they were playing, Boss Yang from the rural tourism resort reciprocated a favor and brought over a plate of barbecue, including grilled lamb skewers, tendons, grilled squid, and so on.

Jiang Ning accepted it all, and Boss Yang left satisfied.

Xue Chuchu hesitated to speak.

Jiang Ning noticed and asked: “What’s up?”

Xue Chuchu, rarely sharing her inner thoughts, said: “Isn’t it too much of a debt of gratitude? He’s sent things several times.”

She grew up in a poor family, and in her heart, she was really scared of owing favors, afraid she couldn’t repay them. Even in difficult times, Xue Chuchu tried not to ask others for help.

“If we owe, then we owe. Between people, it’s the back and forth that brings us closer. A little barbecue is no big deal.” Jiang Ning said nonchalantly.

“But, this barbecue is expensive…” Xue Chuchu muttered quietly, her hands tightly clasped. She once heard Boss Yang counting accounts, these lamb skewers sold for three yuan each.

Seeing her worried, frail appearance, Jiang Ning felt inexplicably touched, he picked up a skewer and spoke with great confidence:

“Do you think… I can’t repay this little favor?”

He chuckled lightly, it was like an Immortal descending to the mortal world exerting absolute control.

After saying this, Xue Chuchu glanced at him, her eyes like a pool of water shimmering.

Jiang Ning, using his Divine Sense, confirmed that she wasn’t looking at the skewers in his hand, but was staring at his face.

Xue Chuchu paused and spoke: “I rarely see you like this, before you… rarely talked like this.”

“Like what?”

Xue Chuchu: “A bit… childish.”

“Uh.” Jiang Ning felt a bit helpless; he rarely acted arrogant, and it ended up being criticized.

As the thought just arose in his mind, he noticed Xue Chuchu’s lips slightly lifting into a delightful curve, more captivating than ever: “But I think it’s nice…”

…

What Xue Chuchu said was true, it was indeed her sincere thoughts.

The old Jiang Ning was always too mature, whatever he said or did, he was too composed, unlike people his age.

Who would have thought, he would show this kind of expression?

Jiang Ning felt awkward by Chuchu’s words, his heart was somewhat speechless.

“Eat.” He handed her two lamb skewers.

Xue Chuchu gently took them, trying to prevent a repeat of the last situation, otherwise, she’d really feel embarrassed to come next time.

“Today’s barbecue feels tastier than last time, the chef’s skills have improved.” Jiang Ning commented.

“Yes.” Xue Chuchu ate quietly, her lips opening and closing without making a sound.

As usual, Jiang Ning opened a can of herbal tea, enjoying the night with barbecue and herbal tea.

Boss Yang, having set up a rural tourism spot nearby, ensured he never lacked barbecue at night.

“Barbecue is really expensive; the first time I ate it was at my uncle’s place, a few people set up a stall and grilled by themselves.” Jiang Ning shared.

“Yes, it’s too expensive.” Xue Chuchu finished one skewer, took a tissue, and shyly wiped the oil off her lips.

She shared her past, her voice soft, almost enticing: “The first time I had barbecue was one winter, a very cold winter. My mom went to buy vegetables on the street, then brought home a huge bag from her coat, it took a while to unwrap, revealing the skewers inside.”

She slowly recounted, “Tongtong and I were together, eating them with buns.”

Jiang Ning commented: “With so many layers of plastic bags, could it taste any good?”

“It was delicious!” Xue Chuchu seemed to be answering her past self, smiling sweetly.

“After Tongtong finished eating, she took me outside in the freezing winter to collect scrap, planning to sell it at the recycling station for money to buy more skewers.” Feeling in the mood to talk, she extended her delicate fingers.

Jiang Ning’s Divine Sense swept over, her fingers were whitened and slender, the fingertips smooth, as pleasing as polished white jade.

“After it snowed, Tongtong and I brushed away the snow to find metal; the highest price was for copper, but we never found any…”

She spoke a lot, some good, some bad, like her fingers swelling from the cold, or when Tongtong spotted a wild rabbit and rushed off to catch it, only to step into a snow pit.

After a while, she seemed to realize she was being a bit rambling, pursed her lips, and apologized: “Sorry, I’m saying too much.”

Jiang Ning leaned against the sofa arm, his eyes smiling warmly: “Say more, I like listening.”