The car has to wait for two more trains to arrive before leaving. It’s really too hot, and no one bothers to stroll around. Xing Nong fans herself with her tiny hand from time to time: "It’s still so hot in September, it’s unbearable."
Luo Ye chuckles lightly: "From what I’ve observed, it shouldn’t be a problem. Everyone living here is bouncing around energetically. You can’t be that delicate."
"Annoying!" Xing Nong rolls her eyes lazily and leans back in her seat: "I was just making a metaphor, ’metaphor,’ got it?"
"Luo... Luo Ye..." Liu Xing hesitates for a moment and calls out to Luo Ye. He notices Luo Ye’s suspicion and guarded demeanor, and even abstains from asking how Nie Cui is doing, which sours his heart a bit.
"Liu Xing, what’s up?" Luo Ye looks at him warmly and smilingly. There are only a dozen or so students scattered in the front of the train, with only the four of them at the back, making conversation quite convenient.
"Nothing... nothing."
"A grown man shouldn’t act all indecisive and mousy, okay?" Xing Nong glares at him: "Can’t you see Luo Luo is concerned about you but too afraid to ask? If you trust her, then speak up; if you don’t, don’t be all hesitant. Or if you want me and Yaoguang to leave you alone, just say it, okay? Be straightforward."
"No, I just didn’t know where to start..." Liu Xing gives a wry smile.
Luo Ye reassures him with a smile: "When you’ve sorted it out and feel ready to talk, then talk. Besides, it’s noisy on the train right now and there’s no rush."
"Thank you, Ye’er!" Liu Xing breathes a sigh of relief. His pride prevents him from speaking, but he also fears growing more estranged in the future, wondering then what the point of all this was?
His father’s death penalty is scheduled for execution at the end of this month, and his brother received a suspended death sentence, and even if he gets out eventually, it will likely be his late years. Before coming here, he went to see both of them, perhaps for the last time with his father.
His father wasn’t a good man—this was undeniable—but the love he had for him was unmistakable. Compared to his brother, he might just be the lucky one, hoping everything will turn out well.
All this while, Luo Ye has been discreetly observing Liu Xing, who has grown more somber than before. Anyway, anyone facing such circumstances wouldn’t be happy, regardless of the means he employed, being admitted to GF is an impressive feat.
Or perhaps, Nie Cui moving away was to sever ties with Liu Zhengxing? Otherwise, Liu Xing’s political review would be difficult to clear. Could it be... Nie Cui filed for divorce?
"Wow, can’t be, such a young kid got into GF University? Aww... I !" The muttering of Xing Nong pulls back Luo Ye’s wandering thoughts. Following her line of sight, she sees Wen Nan and a boy standing outside the train stretching their necks.
"Silly girl, that’s my cousin!" Luo Ye ruffles Xing Nong’s head and walks off the train, glancing sideways to see Qi Qianqian still chatting animatedly with Ye Qingzhu.
"Sister Ye’er!" Seeing Luo Ye disembarking, Wen Nan happily runs over, while the two soldiers in charge of registration glance at Luo Ye and check the time: "Probably have to wait about an hour more, don’t miss it."
"Thank you!" Luo Ye nods gratefully at them and meets up with Wen Nan: "Little Pumpkin, why are you here? Did you skip class?"
Wen Nan shakes his little head in disappointment: "Sis, I only start school tomorrow. Geez, you really don’t care much about me, huh? And here I am, always thinking of you!" He pulls the boy behind him: "This is my classmate and desk-mate, Lu Lu—a Lu as in ’land’ and Lu as in ’road’."
"Hello, Sister Ye’er!" Lu Lu quickly greets, slightly shorter than Little Pumpkin, with fine eyebrows and bright eyes, smiling with faint dimples on his lips, looking sunny and cute.
"Hello, Lu Lu, let’s go over there in the shade to talk." Luo Ye calls the two over to a shaded area behind the train. Xing Nong, who had been stretching her neck to watch them, gives Liu Xing a cheeky "Hehe" smile: "Well, we are fellow townsfolk after all, could you please take care of our luggage, if that’s alright?"
Liu Xing waves his hand: "Go on, it’s all pretty safe whether I watch it or not."
"Thank you, huh." Xing Nong grabs Mo Yaoguang and heads down from the train, Yaoguang can’t help but mutter softly: "Xing Nong, when you see a boy younger than you, why do you act like a cat that saw a fish?"
"We’re two of a kind, no one should laugh at the other, okay? Just indulging in a little special hobby, might as well satisfy it now, whom will I tease when I enter the school? If you’re not happy, just go back." Xing Nong says as she lets go of Yaoguang’s hand.
"Hey, hey... don’t be mad, who said I wouldn’t go? We came together, you can’t leave me behind." Yaoguang quickly follows.