"Yeah," Su Baijin was frank, albeit a bit embarrassed. It’s said that chasing a guy is like trying to catch sand, was Su Baijin hoping for a moon closer to the water by moving in here?
"You live here, don’t you know if there is a vacancy? Otherwise..." Su Baijin thought again, "You can give me the landlord’s contact, and I’ll talk to them myself. Just so happens my lease is up. I’m looking to change places and I think your place looks good, the rent here should be affordable, right?" And her gaze was fixed directly on Qin Xiangnuan.
This comment about "the rent not being too expensive" was actually addressed to Qin Tongnuan with an unspoken message that if Qin Xiangnuan could afford it, why couldn’t Su Baijin?
Qin Xiangnuan gripped her pen tightly and scrawled a character on the paper.
"You should talk to Brother Jian if you want to contact the landlord. You can go and ask him."
Qin Xiangnuan kicked the ball to Jian Zhiqing. If he wanted to let Su Baijin move in, then let her. If not, it was none of her business.
In fact, she knew Su Baijin really wanted to be the proverbial ’moon closer to the water’. That excuse about her rented place being up, did she take her for a fool? Nowadays, teachers are provided dorms by the school, and it doesn’t even cost anything. Why not live there instead of spending money to rent outside? School life can be busy, with lesson planning and marking homework. And if you’re the class head, you’d have to stay at school late before returning home. Living on campus is so convenient; living outside seems like too much of a hassle.
Su Baijin’s expression brightened, but she realized she had revealed too much and quickly composed her facial expression.
She cleared her throat, "Alright, let’s continue with the lesson," but she hadn’t taught for long before she put down her book and began asking about other matters.
"Xiang Nuan, when does Zhiqing get off work?"
Jian Zhiqing shook her head, "I don’t know, he comes back when he feels like it," she wanted to add ’We’re not close,’ but such pretentious words, she thought it best not to utter. As for when Jian Zhiqing would return, she really had no clue.
Lately, it seems like his work has been busy, so his return time isn’t very fixed. However, there’s always a portion of food kept warm in the pot for him. When he comes back, he reheats it himself. The taste of the food is not bad; even reheated, it’s quite good.
Today she also made fried meatballs, which go well with rice. Even without other dishes, this alone is very satisfying.
Of course, she only spaced out for a moment before she continued to memorize English vocabulary. Finals were coming up, and if she could rank in the top three this time, she would be content and have a good year.
Su Baijin stayed and didn’t leave, but as evening approached, Jian Zhiqing still wasn’t off work.
"Mr. Su, would you like to stay for dinner?" Qin Xiangnuan stood up, ready to start cooking. She was getting hungry.
"Is that really okay?" Su Baijin was somewhat embarrassed, but eventually she blushed and suppressed her hesitation, "Then I’ll trouble you."
"It’s no trouble at all, I’m just one person," Qin Tongnuan smiled. Indeed, she didn’t see it as a big deal—it was just an extra bowl and an extra pair of chopsticks, that’s all. She could certainly afford to host a meal.
And eating alone is indeed lonely without both the big and the little ones, just her by herself.
Even though Su Baijin had her motives and wasn’t simple-minded, at least Qin Xiangnuan wouldn’t be eating alone.