Chapter 456: Did You Regret It?
Don’t tell her that her mom did this purely because she shunned Qiao Nan’s poor family background and preferred the rich to the poor?
Zhai Hua was taught by Old Master Zhai to be truthful and honest. She could not accept such things the most.
Furthermore, Zhai Hua was clearly aware of her own mother’s background. In terms of family status, her mother was worse than Qiao Nan. Didn’t her mother become the wife of the chief? Why could her mother do that and not Qiao Nan?
If Zhai Sheng had not forbidden her from doing so, she would have questioned Miao Jing and clarified why her mother was so contradictory and strange. It was too unacceptable!
What exactly was her mother thinking of!
Zhai Hua’s worried mind was in a knot because of this matter.
“I don’t like that person either, but your dad was happy to do so. Did I have a choice?” Miao Jing expressed that she would not bear the blame for this. All the while, Zhai Yaohui was the one who wanted Qiu Chenxi to be married to Zhai Sheng. If Zhai Yaohui had not adopted this attitude, would she have agreed?
The mother-daughter pair unanimously boycotted Zhai Yaohui. This made Zhai Yaohui’s face turn black. “We’re now at someone’s house.” They should not speak about everything in front of outsiders. Wouldn’t that be ugly and shameful? They were not fearful of being a laughingstock!
Zhai Sheng looked like he was deep in thought as he glanced at Qiao Nan. He then stood up. “Dad, Mom, I’ll send you back. It’s almost time for Qiao Nan to go to school. It’s not convenient for us to stay here.”
“Yes, yes, yes, Nan Nan, please don’t be late.” At the sight of the time, around four o’clock, Miao Jing quickly stood up.
“Don’t.” Zhai Hua smiled as if she was implying something. “Qiu Chenxi was so crazy today. We’ve all seen that. The matter between Zhai Sheng and her fell through but this concerns only our two families. Yet, she actually came to create trouble for Nan Nan and wanted to settle scores with her. She’s too unreasonable. Judging from what happened just now, who knows if Qiu Chenxi will come back and kick up another fuss? Why don’t we do this? Zhai Sheng, pass me the car keys. I’ll drive Dad and Mom home. You might as well send Nan Nan to school. No matter how unreasonable Qiu Chenxi is, it won’t be that easy for her to enter Ping Cheng High School.”
“Should we do this?” Miao Jing hesitated for a while.
Zhai Yaohui glared at Zhai Hua, who seemingly wanted the show to carry on. “You’ve thought of it so thoroughly. Why don’t we do this? Zhai Sheng sends us back while you send Qiao Nan, in case there’s a misunderstanding when others see them.”
So, his daughter already knew about Zhai Sheng and Qiao Nan. Only Miao Miao and he were kept in the dark.
“That won’t do.” Zhai Hua declined. “I just came back after completing a mission and my body feels very weak. I need to have a good rest. What if Qiu Chenxi comes and creates a fuss again? I may not be able to stop her. Hence, Zhai Sheng is more reliable.”
Anyway, she felt that Nan Nan was quite good. She was more than a hundred times better than Qiu Chenxi.
If her father could accept Qiu Chenxi, why couldn’t he accept Qiao Nan?
Today, she would help Zhai Sheng and Qiao Nan in the same way that her father brought Qiu Chenxi and Zhai Sheng together in the past!
Zhai Yaohui’s face turned black with fury. The daughters of other families were akin to a warm cotton jacket of their parents, but her daughter was born to anger him!
“Mom, what do you say?” Would Zhai Hua be afraid of that glare of Zhai Yaohui? Even if she did, she would not show it in front of others. Moreover, Miao Jing was on her side.
After thinking, Miao Jing said, “What Hua Hua said makes sense. Zhai Sheng, you’ll send Nan Nan to school. Your sister will send your dad and me home.”
“Alright.” Zhai Sheng looked at Zhai Hua with gratitude.
Zhai Hua raised her eyebrows as if to say, ‘Don’t be anxious to thank me. Next time, remember to help me when I have a problem.’
“Mom, it’s late. Let’s go back.” Taking the car keys from Zhai Sheng’s hands, Zhai Hua brought the aware Zhai Yaohui and the clueless Miao Jing away and left Qiao Nan and Zhai Sheng alone.
Zhai Sheng’s face turned sullen slightly. Without a word, he entered Qiao Nan’s bedroom and took Qiao Nan’s schoolbag. “Have you packed all your stuff? Did you miss out anything?”
“No.”
“Then, let’s go, in case your dad hears anything when he comes back.”
“Oh.” Qiao Nan shrank her neck. Was Brother Zhai angry because he heard something?
“Why did you say that to my mom?” True enough, while they were walking along the quiet road, Zhai Sheng asked in a sullen tone. “Did you know what it means when you say that?”
Qiao Nan mustered her courage as she lifted her head and looked at Zhai Sheng in the eye. “I knew. It means it will be a few more years until we could be together.”
“Are you sure?” That it was just marrying a few years later and not giving up their relationship?
“I’m certain!” She did not wish to hurt Auntie Miao, but this did not mean she would hurt herself. “Brother Zhai, you must have confidence in me. Besides the matter regarding Auntie Miao, I have not done anything that would make you misunderstand me. Moreover, I’ve discussed the issue about Auntie Miao with you long ago. In the past, I’ve already told you that unless Auntie Miao is willing to accept me, it’s impossible between the two of us. But now, at the very least, I will definitely work hard together with you until Auntie Miao can accept me.”
“Isn’t it just getting married and getting on with life? Why is it so troublesome?” This was a hundred times more troublesome than all the missions he had completed thus far.
He remembered that he spent about three months to carry out his most difficult mission. However, the problem between Qiao Nan and him might not even be able to be resolved in three years, let alone three months.
Qiao Nan’s heart trembled. She said in both a serious and joking manner, “Yes, it’s so troublesome between us. It may be even more so in the future. Brother Zhai, are you regretting it now? Do you wish to find someone who’s easier for you to marry?”
Zhai Sheng paused in his steps and looked at Qiao Nan seriously. “A soldier does not run away from problems. No matter how difficult the problem before me is, I will also take out my greatest courage and energy to overcome this tall mountain of a hurdle! Nan Nan, do you regret it?”
After all, he was the one who took the initiative right from the start. Nan Nan was more passive and had more concerns than him.
“If I regretted it, why would I tell Auntie Miao that today?” Qiao Nan felt relieved. In the beginning, she was the passive one in the relationship, but she was fully committed to it. “Brother Zhai, actually, you don’t know. I’ve never felt confident in front of you. Your family background is better than mine. As an individual, you’re also capable. And taking into consideration Auntie Miao’s feelings, you can find someone better without me. But without you, it’s not possible for me to find someone that I like so much.”
Zhai Sheng grabbed Qiao Nan’s hand and held it tightly. “To me, only you’re the best.” So, this was the reason Nan Nan was uneasy?
“Nan Nan, I’ve always thought that you’re young and don’t know much about relationships.” He was older and already knew what he wanted. Hence, he took advantage of the situation by taking action first.
Chapter 457: The First Intimate Contact
He used hard means to conquer Nan Nan and did not give her any options. While Nan Nan was still ignorant of matters related to the heart, he forcefully stamped the seal of the Zhai family on her.
He fully believed that he would definitely be very good to Nan Nan and give her happiness. There was no doubt that he was the right choice for Nan Nan.
However, he only knew now that he and Qiao Nan were of one heart and mind. She cared about him and he had a very important place in her heart. The love that he gave was reciprocated. What could be more wonderful than this in the world?
Qiao Nan smiled bitterly. She was still young? She was an old woman that was ‘more than forty years old’. How young was ‘young’?
In the previous life, she did not even get married. In this lifetime, she got involved with someone like Zhai Sheng. Since she got together with him, she had been suspecting if her reborn and everything that happened thereafter was only a dream.
At some point, she might open her eyes and awake to reality. She would be back to that cold and lonely rented apartment. She would again face Qiao Zijin who was already having a glorious life but continued to suppress her. She also had to face her mother who would force her to agree to donate one of her kidneys to Qiao Zijin.
From an extremely unfortunate situation to a fortunate one, this change made Qiao Nan often feel that she was in the clouds, stepping on something soft and unreal. She had an unrealistic feeling of floating in the air.
In terms of love affairs, very few would not think about personal gains and losses. Anyway, Qiao Nan could not do that.
“Brother Zhai, you should believe in me.”
“I do and I always will!” The look in Zhai Sheng’s eyes and his tone became firmer and determined. “Nan Nan, you have to remember. Other people’s attitudes will not change my feelings toward you. You’re the only one who can influence my judgment and decision.”
“Brother Zhai, this is also what I wanted to tell you. I’m used to being bullied by my mom and sister. There’s a sense of slight stubbornness that I can’t change in my bones. You’re the one who started this, but I’m true to you. Unless you don’t want me, don’t believe in the others’ words. Similarly, I will only believe your words. However, if you really don’t want me, Brother Zhai, I will definitely not turn back. Never!”
Sensing Qiao Nan’s determined and devoted love which was similar to his love for her, Zhai Sheng felt an upsurge of emotions in his heart. His eyes were shining as he pulled Qiao Nan strongly into the small dark alley beside them…
Before Qiao Nan could react, her lips had been planted on by similarly soft, thin, and hot lips that sent sparks through her body.
Not only Zhai Sheng’s lips were hot, but even the air that he exhaled from his nose was also so hot that it nearly made Qiao Nan melt.
This kiss of Zhai Sheng did not have any skills to speak of. It even seemed rough and clumsy. Besides kissing with strength, there were not many other actions. Two pair of lips were plastered together and it was difficult to differentiate the breathing between the two people.
However, such a simple kiss which was not even tinged with lust already made the two of them shudder with excitement!
Qiao Nan’s legs were wobbly and her body was crumbling.
Zhai Sheng’s arms, as strong as steel, were holding onto Qiao Nan’s waist, pressing her against him. Their bodies were pressed tightly against each other, just like their lips. There was no gap between them at all.
Qiao Nan’s eyes were in a daze, her face flustered in red, while Zhai Sheng’s eyes were increasingly brighter and sharper. It was as if he was a hunting leopard that had secured his prey and was prepared to pounce on and completely devour it. He would conquer it entirely by himself and definitely not let anyone else touch it.
How could Qiao Nan, who did not even have a kiss in her previous life, endure such fervent and abundant love from Zhai Sheng? It was akin to a volcano eruption. She was like dough that did not have any ability to resist.
Qiao Nan was truly thankful that her man was a soldier who had perseverance and self-control that were as strong as steel.
If it was other men, Qiao Nan could forget about going to school with the situation today.
Before Qiao Nan could react from her state of daze, Zhai Sheng gasped heavily and buried his head into Qiao Nan’s shoulder. His whole body was stiff, turning as hard as steel. His breathing was hotter than before.
When Qiao Nan regained her senses, she already felt that she was not just being hugged by Zhai Sheng. She was seemingly trapped in an extremely tiny cage and surrounded by hard iron bars on all four sides. It even made her feel a little painful.
“Zhai… Brother Zhai, I still need to go to school. If I don’t make a move now, I’ll… I’ll be late.” At this moment, Qiao Nan jumped to her senses and realized how inappropriate she and Zhai Sheng had behaved earlier.
Kissed! She and Brother Zhai actually kissed!
All of a sudden, Qiao Nan did not know if she should be pleased that she finally had her first kiss in two lifetimes or feel embarrassed at the situation at hand.
There was a strong reaction in a certain part of Zhai Sheng’s body. When Zhai Sheng, who was unable to even move his legs, heard Qiao Nan, his teeth even turned itchy. Through the clothes, he bit her collar bone without reservation and said, “Even if it’s a girl, you can’t do that too. Be careful when you’re bathing in school, understand? When you reach school later, just say that you like to eat spicy food and Uncle Qiao prepared very spicy Sichuan dishes for you if someone questions you. Understand?”
At the sight of the red and slightly swollen lips of Qiao Nan, which was even redder than her face, Zhai Sheng said in satisfaction.
He was the one who kissed and caused Nan Nan’s swollen lips!
Qiao Nan did not know whether to laugh or cry. He was too petty. Moreover, she did not have the habit of being naked in front of people of the same gender. “Brother Zhai, don’t tell me that there are barriers when you bathe in the camp with a group of guys!”
If that really was the case, where did the joke of picking up the soap come from in the 21st century?
“I’m a regiment commander. I have my own bedroom and bathroom!” Zhai Sheng refused to mention that when he first joined the army as a new recruit, of course, he had to bathe together with everyone.
At that time, Zhai Sheng did not feel anything at all. However, at the thought of Qiao Nan revealing her body in front of other women, Zhai Sheng felt extremely uneasy and was definitely unable to accept that. Otherwise, he would not have bitten Qiao Nan’s collar bone.
Given his strength, there would be a mark even if he did not break the skin. It would take two to three days to disappear.
Unless Nan Nan wished to explain to her classmates, Nan Nan had to cover herself more with her clothing for the next few days at least.
“Brother Zhai, I’m really going to be late if I don’t go to school now.” Qiao Nan’s eyes were red and her body turned stiff. It was not because of other reasons. It was because she had felt the existence of that ‘heavy machine gun’ with a strong murderous feel against her abdomen.
Although one had not eaten pork, they would have seen a pig running away.
At the thought that Zhai Sheng was already twenty-three years old, a young and impulsive age, Qiao Nan was scared out of her wits. Wasn’t it just a tight kiss? Why did it turn out this way?
“Z-Zhai… Brother Zhai, y-you have to calm down.”
Chapter 458: Escape from the Mouth of the ‘Wolf’
The sullen voice of Zhai Sheng could be heard. “If I’m not calm, do you think you’ll still be able to stand here without any scathe? Let me relax.”
“Relax! You have to relax!” Qiao Nan was so scared that she dared not move. Her stiff body maintained the same position until half of it turned numb.
Finally, Zhai Sheng took a deep breath in Qiao Nan’s shoulders. He then stood up and slowly separated himself from Qiao Nan. He also helped Qiao Nan smoothened her slightly wrinkled clothes. “Alright, I’ll send you to school.”
“Okay, okay, okay!” Ah, she had escaped from the mouth of the ‘wolf’.
Zhai Sheng really knew how to control himself. It was only when Qiao Nan reached the school safely that she heaved a huge sigh of relief. Fortunately, it was Brother Zhai today. She dared not think otherwise.
“Nan Nan, why are you standing there in a daze? Not going to the classroom?” Zheng Lingling happened to arrive at the school at this time.
“Oh, it’s nothing. I was thinking of a question.” Qiao Nan felt guilty and quickly used studies as an excuse.
“Nan Nan, you’re already very conscientious in your studies. Give us a break.” Did Nan Nan need to be so diligent and think about the solution to a problem even when she was on the road?
Fortunately, her parents were not aware of this. Otherwise, they would definitely use this point as an example and asked her to learn from Nan Nan. Not any typical person could pick up such a learning attitude from Nan Nan.
“Nan Nan, why is your mouth swollen? Did you eat spicy food again when you went home this time?” As guessed by Zhai Sheng, with how Qiao Nan looked, any sharp-eyed person would be able to notice that. However, Zhai Sheng did not expect that the people who knew Qiao Nan were not curious about Qiao Nan’s odd look. They even thought that it’s normal. “Nan Nan, you love spicy food so much. This always happens each time you go home. Yet, you don’t have any pimples growing on your face despite eating so much spicy food. Heaven is too unfair!”
Zheng Lingling already wished to strangle Qiao Nan. This was because she belonged to the category of people that would easily get pimples after taking spicy food.
“My dad and I have been liberated,” Qiao Nan replied guiltily.
“You and your dad are so pitiful.” Zheng Lingling knew a little about the situation of the Qiao family. She also heard that Ding Jiayi and Qiao Zijin went somewhere else and were not in Ping Cheng. Qiao Nan and her father who loved spicy food had endured so many years of not having them because of Ding Jiayi and Qiao Zijin. At the thought that they became so crazy about it after being liberated, Zheng Lingling did not know what to say as well.
As a family, it was so painful to have to live their lives in this way.
“One needs to be forward-looking and should not always live in the past. At the very least, my dad and I are doing fine now. We can eat spicy food whenever we wish to now, no matter how spicy the food is.” Qiao Nan smiled.
When Qiao Nan was not at home, although Qiao Dongliang would not shortchange himself, he also did not bother to prepare any exquisite or complicated dishes. It was enough that he could have a simple and full meal. Nevertheless, when Qiao Nan was home, Qiao Dongliang would always prepare many dishes according to both of their dietary preferences. Of course, all these dishes would be spicy. It was to the point of having no kick without any spice.
The way the father-daughter pair ate was as if they had endured more than a decade of non-spicy diet and had to make up for the loss in the shortest time possible.
Fortunately, Qiao Dongliang’s and Qiao Nan’s bodies were healthy enough not to encounter any problems with such a diet. There was no symptom of constipation. On the contrary, Qiao Nan’s skin became better than before.
“That’s true. A good life is awaiting you and your dad.” Zheng Lingling agreed. Qiao Nan was so strong in her studies. Although not every college graduate would be able to land a good job in the future, Zheng Lingling felt that while others might not, Qiao Nan would definitely be able to do so.
As long as Nan Nan was successful in her own right, all the other things did not matter.
Besides, judging from her observation, Nan Nan and her father were not muddleheaded. Most likely, they would not be bullied by others again.
“Ah, right. I have something to tell you. You decide for yourself whether to go.”
“What do you mean by whether to go?” Qiao Nan, who was walking toward the classroom, was pulled back by Zheng Lingling.
“I forgot about it suddenly as I rarely see you being so distracted. When I entered the school, do you know who I saw?” Zheng Lingling smiled in a mysterious manner.
“My dear secretary, can you not play this trick with me? What’s there to guess? How will I be able to guess it?” Qiao Nan rolled her eyes. She hated the game of ‘guessing’. The scope was too wide and the target was fuzzy. What was there to guess?
“Chen Jun. That senior who came to our school before last year. Do you have any impression? I remember that Xu Tingting liked him so much. He’s at the school entrance. He initially wanted to come in but was held back by the security guard.” Since Qiao Nan’s mother came to the school, the security guard kept a tighter watch than before. People who were not from their school were definitely not allowed entry. They would only ask them to leave. “He seemed to remember me and asked me to pass a message to you. He’s waiting for you at the entrance. Do you want to go and meet him?”
“No.” Upon hearing that it was Chen Jun, Qiao Nan’s expression changed slightly and she immediately declined. “I don’t even know him, and neither do I know him well. Did he tell you why he is looking for me? I’m not going to see him.” The Wang family was already in trouble. Most likely, Wang Yang could not be bothered about the matter of the Chen family now.
Since that was the case, she did not mean anything to Chen Jun anymore. Why did Chen Jun still look for her?
“Are you really not going to see him?” Zheng Lingling was a little surprised. “Nan Nan, seriously, you don’t care about anything else besides your studies. Don’t forget that you’re a lady.” Which lady did not like suave guys? Even if they would not be together, it would be good to admire and glance at them a few times.
She was one example. When Chen Jun called her just now, she took the chance to take a few more glances at him. Chen Jun was so good-looking.
If what Xu Tingting had found out was real, then Chen Jun was really someone good-looking with good family background. Who would not want to take a few glances at such a good man? Nan Nan was simply the wonderful and extinct one amongst the ladies.
In the face of Zheng Lingling’s doubt and puzzlement, Qiao Nan proudly lifted her chin. Zheng Lingling felt that Chen Jun was a rare commodity and a good man because they had not seen the world. Chen Jun could not be compared to Brother Zhai at all.
In front of a shiny and bright pearl such as Brother Zhai, it would be strange if she was willing to take a few more glances at Chen Jun, this piece of fish eye.
“Chen Jun is still waiting at the school entrance. What should we so?” Zheng Lingling was stunned.
“You promised Chen Jun to pass the message. Then, I’ll have to trouble our dear secretary to make a trip to tell him that I’m not available to see him.” Qiao Nan patted Zheng Lingling’s shoulders. “You’re a class committee member. It’s your responsibility to share the worries and resolve the problems for your classmates. I look up to you.”
“Don’t kid with me. Take it that I owe you this.” Zheng Lingling ground her teeth. She could only make the trip for Qiao Nan’s sake.
Unexpectedly, Zheng Lingling was back after a short while. She even passed Qiao Nan a slip of note. “This was given to you by Chen Jun. He said that you will definitely go and see him after you read this. What is written in the note?”
Chapter 459: Suggestion
Qiao Nan grabbed the note and did not really wish to open it in front of Zheng Lingling.
It was good that before Qiao Nan could say anything, Tang Mengran came to pass a message to Zheng Lingling. “Lingling, Teacher Liu asked you to go to his office to see him. Hurry. Teacher Liu is waiting for you.”
“Aye.” Zheng Lingling immediately put Qiao Nan’s matter aside and rushed to Teacher Liu’s office.
Once Zheng Lingling left, Qiao Nan quickly turned her back and opened the note. There was not much content in the slip. There were only two phrases: Zhai Sheng, small alley.
When Qiao Nan first saw these four words, she was momentarily stunned. She also did not realize what they meant.
But when Qiao Nan recalled what happened on the way when Zhai Sheng sent her to school this evening, she started to realize what Chen Jun wrote in this note meant.
So, Chen Jun saw what she and Brother Zhai did?
“It’s so difficult to meet you.” Chen Jun, whose back was facing the entrance of Ping Cheng High School, said with a hint of sarcasm on his face when he heard footsteps coming from behind him. He had even believed that Qiao Nan was a fairy from heaven that was pure, sincere, and kind.
In the end, the reason why he did not succeed was not that Qiao Nan was wholeheartedly focused on her studies, but because he was not good enough and did not meet Qiao Nan’s expectations at all.
He really could not tell that the seemingly simple and pure Qiao Nan was even more scheming than him. She wanted more and was even greedier than him.
He had underestimated Qiao Nan in the past. From a certain perspective, Qiao Nan, this woman, was really quite ‘suitable’ for him.
“Senior Chen, why did you look for me this time?” Qiao Nan pursed her lips.
“If you didn’t know why I was looking for you, would you come and meet me now?” Chen Jun sneered. “An honest person talks openly. If you don’t want others to hear about your relationship with Zhai Sheng, then you should know what I want.”
“First of all, what is it about Brother Zhai and me? We’re open and honest. Your threat to me is nonexistent. Secondly, I don’t know you very well. All this while, including today, we only met thrice. What kind of person are you? What are you thinking of? How would I know?” Staring at Chen Jun, that nervous mind of Qiao Nan when she was on the way here finally relaxed.
She had known that given Brother Zhai’s alertness, he would have found out if Chen Jun had been following them.
The greatest possibility for Chen Jun to write her such a note was that Chen Jun initially came to look for her today. However, he did not expect to see Brother Zhai by her side.
Hence, Chen Jun followed them from a distance and hoped to find an opportunity to get close to her when Brother Zhai left.
While they were on the way, Chen Jun saw Brother Zhai pulling her into a small alley and they only came out after a while.
As to how Chen Jun was going to threaten her, he must have imagined and guessed it himself.
Even if Chen Jun guessed it correctly, what could he do to her if she refused to admit it?
Chen Jun was speechless for a while. “Your reaction is quite fast. You don’t seem like a simple eighteen-year-old student who has not stepped into society at all.”
“I’m certainly not quite easy to lie to. So sorry to have disappointed you,” Qiao Nan smiled and replied in Chen Jun’s face.
Chen Jun hoped to trick her into saying something?
No way!
Chen Jun stomped his feet a few times in a sullen manner. He silently vented the negative and dark feelings in his heart.
Yes, he was following Qiao Nan and Zhai Sheng from a very far distance along the way.
With Zhai Sheng’s ploy, the Wang family had been controlled by the Zhu family. Hence, there was no hope for his father’s promotion this year. He initially looked for Qiao Nan as he wanted to find out more about the truth of the matter, but he did not expect to see Zhai Sheng with her.
Chen Jun was not a green lad who had not seen the world. At the sight of the distance between the two, Chen Jun knew that Zhai Sheng had a close and intimate relationship with Qiao Nan.
When he saw Zhai Sheng pulling Qiao Nan into a small alley and coming out only after some time, as a man who had toyed with many women, could he not know what Zhai Sheng was thinking of? Would he not be able to guess what happened between the two after Qiao Nan was pulled into the small alley?
It was this moment that Chen Jun understood why Zhai Sheng would collaborate with Zhu Chengqi all of a sudden to suppress Wang Yang, affecting Chen Jun negatively as a result.
In fact, he no longer needed to trick Qiao Nan. He already knew the answer.
Nevertheless, the more this was the case, the more sullen he felt and could not accept the outcome. “Qiao Nan, you’re an utter disappointment. I’ve always thought that you’re a pure and good lady, and that you’re definitely different from other ladies who value a person’s status more than their character. I didn’t expect that you’re the same as those bitches who only look at one’s family status and not the individual themselves! I was even moved by… Bah!”
So, the women in this era, regardless of age, even high school students, were already so practical.
It was not that he was not good enough or that he had lost his charm. Qiao Nan’s standards were too high. She had long had her eyes on Zhai Sheng. In comparison to Zhai Sheng, of course, he was nobody to Qiao Nan.
“Don’t give me a mouthful of nonsense. If you’ve said enough, I’m going back.” Qiao Nan let out a breath and glanced sideways at Chen Jun. She then turned and wanted to leave.
“Qiao Nan, if you dare to leave now, I’ll tell the whole world about your relationship with Zhai Sheng, and also what Zhai Sheng and you did today. Qiao Nan, don’t be silly. Given your status, do you think you’ll really be able to marry Zhai Sheng and enter the Zhai family? Although it’s the 20th century now and a new century is coming, there are still rules in the upper-class society. Zhai Sheng is only toying with you. After he’s sick of you, he will definitely abandon you and cast you aside. Zhai Sheng is different from you. Even if he has a past, it won’t be difficult for him to marry another woman who is more outstanding and chaste. But you can’t. If you become the ‘used shoe’, not every man can accept you. Even if you can lie once, you won’t be able to keep the truth forever. At that time, you still have to divorce.”
Therefore, before anything happened, it was best that Qiao Nan quickly come to the realization. It was better to repent and mend her ways before it was too late.
“Qiao Nan, given your intelligence, you should know that Zhai Sheng is not suitable for you. Zhai Sheng loves you now, but how long can his love last? Before he’s sick of you and abandons you, why don’t you take the chance now to spare more thoughts for yourself when he still has feelings for you? You should consider and plan for your future. Qiao Nan, you’re living such a life now. In my view, you, more than anyone else, are someone that needs to plan more for your future. Qiao Nan, don’t give up and also don’t miss such a good opportunity.”
Qiao Nan was not stupid. She understood what Chen Jun meant immediately.
Qiao Nan tugged the corners of her lips and sneered. “Then, what do you suggest?”
Chapter 460: Backup Plan
“A straightforward person does not hide his intentions. Qiao Nan, I can give you all that you wish for.” Chen Jun lifted his chin confidently. “Qiao Nan, you can choose to believe me. Similarly, I will not disappoint you. The only greatest difference between Zhai Sheng and me is that I need to spend a little more time before I can give you what you want to have.”
Of course, if Qiao Nan could agree today, then the time he needed to spend would be greatly lessened.
Qiao Nan and Chen Jun did not understand the matter between Qi Minlan and Qiu Qin. Nevertheless, their current situation was similar to that of Qi Minlan and Qiu Qin in the past. Most shockingly, Chen Jun made the same choice as the Qiu Qin in the past. As long as he could gain from this, it was not an issue at all to marry a woman who loved another man.
As long as this woman was currently chaste and would wholeheartedly spare a thought for him after marriage, then that would be enough.
“Hahaha.” Qiao Nan sneered thrice. “Chen Jun, I must say that you have been thinking too much. You’re just wasting your time.”
“Qiao Nan, you’re rejecting me? Have you thought about it carefully?” Chen Jun’s expression changed. Could he have overestimated Qiao Nan’s rationality and intelligence? “I don’t need you to reply to me immediately. I can give you a few days of time. As long as you can give me an answer before I return to college, then that will suffice. Of course, if you still have any reservations, I can give you more time. You know my address at the college. After you have sorted your thoughts, you can write to me directly. However, Qiao Nan, you have to remember that my patience only lasts until the end of this summer vacation. I hope you won’t make a wrong decision that will disappoint me.”
Thereafter, Chen Jun turned and left without any hesitation. Having made his point, he did not intend to continue to pester Qiao Nan.
Qiao Nan’s red lips formed a straight line. No, there was something odd about Chen Jun’s behavior today.
Chen Jun must have seen Brother Zhai and her gone into a small alley from afar today. He definitely did not see what they did in the alley. He had simply made a guess. As long as she and Brother Zhai refused to admit to this, not many people will believe it even if Chen Jun used this as a threat and announced it to the world.
Hence, why did Chen Jun leave so confidently as if he was certain that she would eventually sort out her thoughts and agree to his request today? That she would rather give up Brother Zhai and be with him?
“Xiao Qiao, what’s wrong? You look like you are out of sorts. Your mom and sister are not in Ping Cheng. Logically, you should feel quite happy nowadays. Why are you frowning and sulking? Did your mom and sister come back to look for you?” At the mention of Ding Jiayi and Qiao Zijin, Zhu Baoguo felt his head hurt. He was more annoyed about it than when he talked about Wang Yang.
“It’s nothing. I didn’t rest well when I was home this time. I’m just a little tired.” Qiao Nan shook her head.
“I heard from Zheng Lingling that Chen Jun came to look for you today. Did you see him?” Zhu Baoguo rolled his eyes. He could not help bringing up the main topic that he wanted to ask about.
“I’ve seen him.”
“Why?!”
“Why not?” Qiao Nan replied.
“Don’t you know that he’s up to no good toward you? The reason he…” Zhu Baoguo lowered the volume of his voice to prevent other classmates from hearing him. “He appeared previously in your life and even visited your house during the Lunar New Year not because he really liked you. This matter was all Wang Yang’s fault. Wait, shouldn’t you already know?”
“Your dad told you?”
“That… Could my dad keep this from me? I kept feeling that there was something odd about what happened recently, so I went to ask my dad. He told me everything.” Zhu Baoguo was proud of that. His father had said that he would not tell him a word if Zhu Baoguo could not sort this out himself.
“Oh.”
“Oh? What oh!” Zhu Baoguo was angered. “Nan Nan, you’re so silly. You clearly knew that he’s not interested in you. He’s hired by Wang Yang. All the good things and words that he said to you were lies. Why did you still meet him? Nan Nan, don’t tell me that you’ve taken a liking to him?”
“You’re someone who’s going to take the science course in the future, but look at what kind of logic you have. Does meeting him mean that I like him and have romantic feelings for him?” Qiao Nan rolled her eyes at Zhu Baoguo. “Alright, you should take good care of your own matters. Wang Yang suffered a setback at your dad’s side. How do you think your dad knew about the cause of this?”
“Were you the one who told my dad?” How could that be?!
“Otherwise?” Qiao Nan snorted. “Are you still worried now?”
“No, no. Xiao Qiao, you’re so smart. Why would you need me to worry about you? Hahaha, I’ve been too confused by attempting too many questions recently. Don’t take it to heart. Don’t mind me.” Zhu Baoguo smiled in a more relaxed manner.
Zhu Baoguo did not have further questions, but the doubts in Qiao Nan’s heart were still not cleared.
Today, Chen Jun left in such a carefree manner. He even gave her so much time. He did not have any intention to force her into a decision. She did not believe that Chen Jun did not have any backup plan!
Qiao Nan had been thinking about this. Before she could get an answer to it, the answer suddenly appeared in front of her, establishing its existence.
“Nan Nan, have you heard that there’s a new student who will be transferred to our class? Is that person sick in the mind? This semester is ending soon. In the second half of the year, we’ll be going to a different class. How could they transfer school at this time? Did the school agree to it? Is that student pulling out and does not want to take the college entrance examination anymore?”
Tang Mengran’s tone was full of resentment.
It was not easy for Tang Mengran to maintain her place in class one. Even with Qiao Nan’s help, her best results were considered average in the class. If her performance faltered slightly, she would be ranked amongst the last in the class.
If the student could be transferred to class one of Ping Cheng High School, then that meant the student’s results must be excellent.
With another classmate of excellent grades, the possibility of Tang Mengran being kicked out of class one was higher. Hence, of course, Tang Mengran disliked this student.
Fang Fang lifted the glasses up her nose bridge. “Didn’t Nan Nan tell you this matter before? Regardless of how formidable this student is, there’s not much time left in this semester. As for the issue about class divisions, the school will do so based on humanities and science courses. With your grades, it’s not difficult to get into the humanities course at all. You won’t be affected by this new student. What’s there for you to worry about?”
“That’s true. But how could I let my worries down?” Tang Mengran held her face in distress. “It’s not like all of you don’t know that my grades are the poorest among all of you in the dormitory. I’m the worst amongst you all, so I’m not confident. If there’s any slight movement or happening, I have to be more alert in case I become a muddleheaded ghost that doesn’t know what happened.”
“Poor Tang Mengran, did your parents give you any pressure?” He Yun sighed. She felt that life as a student was bitter.
In school, they had to take examinations and compare their grades every day. At home, they still had to listen to the nagging of their parents.