"Wow, such a beautiful hairpin."
Fei Jiayi opened the bag and saw beautiful hairpins and scarves, all in her favorite orange color.
Fei Jiayi’s was orange, Zhou Wanwan’s was white, Ding Guo’s was a bright yellow, Chang Hui’s was a tranquil gray, and Liao Jinling’s was a vibrant green.
"Nianhua, your second brother isn’t selling scarves for a living, is he? These scarves are really pretty and warm." Fei Jiayi cuddled the scarf, happily fiddling with the hairpin on her head, looking good no matter how she wore it.
"Nianhua, I can’t accept these things," Zhou Wanwan handed back what she was holding.
Chang Hui did the same.
Though Ding Guo liked it, seeing everyone else doing so, she too handed back her items.
Liao Jinling and Fei Jiayi made the same gesture.
Xu Nianhua looked at the items handed to her and sighed helplessly, "What are you all doing? When I was in the hospital, you didn’t hesitate to bring me all sorts of things. And not to mention your notes, thanks to them, I could keep up with the teacher’s lessons even though I wasn’t at school."
"My second brother went to the wholesale market to stock up on hairpins and scarves to sell. So, to thank you for taking care of me before—and also for the care in the future—he specifically asked me to give these to you."
Xu Nianhua puffed her cheeks, blinking her big eyes, and said, "Don’t you all want to help me anymore? My leg still needs half a month before I can walk. Are you really going to leave me in the lurch?"
Xu Nianhua was naturally pretty, with those round, expressive eyes which seemed to speak for themselves. She was already cute enough on a normal day, but now, trying to look even more adorable, she was simply irresistible to Fei Jiayi and the others.
"How could we possibly ignore you?" Fei Jiayi was the first to express her stand.
"Exactly," Ding Guo followed up, saying, "Nianhua, please don’t look at me like that. It’s not just the guys; even I, a girl, feel my heart thumping wildly."
Ding Guo dramatically clutched her chest as if smitten.
Her act made everyone laugh.
Zhou Wanwan said earnestly, "Nianhua, we’re roommates, and it’s right for us to help each other. We can’t accept these gifts."
"Wanwan, just stop refusing already. My brother sells these at a wholesale price; it doesn’t cost much. If you won’t accept them, what, do you want my brother to personally deliver them to you?" Xu Nianhua teased them on purpose, saying, "Ah, my second brother is very handsome. If any of you are interested, I can set you up."
This remark from Xu Nianhua made all the dormitory mates blush. Fei Jiayi draped the scarf around her neck like a treasure, saying, "Thanks to your brother. However, as for matchmaking, forget it, I’m still a student."
Fei Jiayi had seen Xu Nianhua’s second brother, who was sunny and handsome, but Xu Nianhua’s direct words were too much, even for the straightforward Fei Jiayi, who felt a touch of shyness.
As for Zhou Wanwan and the others, they quickly accepted the gifts, fearing Xu Nianhua might blurt out something even more earth-shattering.
The New Year of 1981 arrived, and Xu Nianhua’s leg was improving day by day.
On January 10th, Xu Nianhua could basically walk, so she moved back to the dormitory. When leaving, Pei Yining was very reluctant, saying, "Nianhua, your leg still isn’t fully healed. Stay a few more days, then go back to school."
"Besides, the holidays are just ten days away. You might as well stay here until the break and go straight home." These past days, Pei Yining had gotten used to accompanying Xu Nianhua. The very thought of her returning to school suddenly made Pei Yining feel particularly lonely.