"Are you a college student?" Du Chang guessed, looking at Xu Nian’an’s age, he should be around 20 years old, the age to be in college."
Xu Nian’an’s face flashed a tinge of embarrassment as he said, "No, I’m a high school senior. I didn’t get into college this year."
"No problem, study for another year and you’ll definitely get in," Du Chang said encouragingly.
The college entrance exam had just been reinstated and there was a shortage of teachers, so very few could get into college.
"Hmm, my little sister and I will definitely get into college," Xu Nian’an said with conviction, never having doubted this point.
Whether it was his grades or his sister’s, they were among the top in their school.
"Oh, are you twins?" Du Chang’s gaze shifted back and forth between the siblings; although both were attractive, they didn’t look alike.
Xu Nian’an had long, slightly upturned eyes; the classic peach blossom eyes that curved like crescent moons when he smiled, ensnaring souls.
But Xu Nianhua was different with her round, limpid almond eyes.
Aside from their dissimilar eyes, their features didn’t resemble each other much either.
Still, with the brother handsome and dashing, and the sister bright-eyed and white-toothed, they were both a joy to behold.
"No, my sister is a year younger than me," Xu Nian’an cleared his throat, answering somewhat sheepishly.
Because the college entrance exam had only just been reinstated, Xu Nian’an hadn’t had the chance to take it last year, so he ended up in the same cohort as his younger sister, Xu Nianhua.
"My granddaughter is also a high school senior and will be taking the college entrance exam next year," Du Chang said wistfully, thinking of his own granddaughter. Glancing at Xu Nianhua, he couldn’t help but wish his granddaughter was half as sensible as Xu Nianhua; it would save him a lot of headaches.
"Then we’ll be in the same cohort. What’s her name? Does she go to Gaoliang No.1 High School as well?" Xu Nian’an casually inquired.
Du Chang shook his head and said, "She’s not in Gaoliang County."
Xu Nian’an didn’t have the habit of prying too deeply.
"Young lady, I’ll change your dressing now," Du Chang, being a doctor and all, took out some medicine and gauze, ready to redress Xu Nianhua’s wounds.
Xu Nianhua playfully said, "Doctor Du, you must charge us today, otherwise my brother won’t be able to explain to our parents. We can’t let you waste your medicine and efforts for nothing."
Xu Nianhua’s round, large eyes were especially expressive, as if they could speak for themselves.
Du Chang laughed heartily and said, "Alright, I’ll charge you."
Xu Nianhua finally relaxed, knowing it wouldn’t be right to take advantage of someone when they had fallen into his yard by accident yesterday and had already caused an inconvenience, and he hadn’t charged for the medicine administered then. If he continued not to charge, Xu Nianhua felt as though she’d be taking an unforgivable advantage of him.
Xu Nian’an stood like a post behind Xu Nianhua, wanting to see yesterday’s wound.
"Big brother, why don’t you take the Mung Bean Jelly to Doctor Du’s... grandson?" Xu Nianhua wasn’t sure whether it was a grandson or great-grandson, but she guessed it might be the former.
"That’s my great-grandson," Du Chang glanced at Xu Nianhua and understood in an instant that she wanted to get Xu Nian’an out of the way. He said, "Please trouble yourself to grab a bowl from the kitchen, then divide the Mung Bean Jelly into two bowls, and bring one to my great-grandson, Yicheng."
"Doctor Du, maybe later," Xu Nian’an glanced at Xu Nianhua’s bandaged arm.
"The Mung Bean Jelly won’t taste good if it gets warm, and Yicheng doesn’t like it hot," Du Chang said earnestly.
Only then did Xu Nian’an start walking, asking Du Chang where the kitchen was as he went.
"Thank you, Doctor Du," Xu Nianhua said with a bright, cheerful smile, believing that her gruesome wounds were best kept out of her brother’s sight.