Chen Nan was utterly confused. What was this situation?
Jiang Xiaomi could cry too? And to cry so heartbrokenly without any reason?
"Hey, hey, hey, Heroine Jiang, you can’t possibly be that timid, right? Those trash are long gone," Chen Nan pondered and guessed that Jiang Xiaomi might have been scared.
After all, even though she often acted tough, and was even ranked with three other boys as one of the campus’s four major tyrants, she was still a girl. Facing a situation today where life and death hung by a thread, getting frightened was only human nature.
Moreover, when she was taken hostage, she chose to sacrifice herself rather than be a burden to Chen Nan!
This courage and sacrifice made Chen Nan feel a touch of emotion.
Even Su Qingqing and Liu Tiantian didn’t keep calling out "stinky Xiaomi, stinky Xiaomi," instead, they held Jiang Xiaomi’s hand, silently comforting her.
However, contrary to Chen Nan’s expectation, hearing his consolation did not stop Jiang Xiaomi’s crying; instead, it became even more sorrowful.
Her already not-so-large chest heaved dramatically as she choked out, "Brother Nan, I’m sorry... it’s all because of me that you got hurt."
Chen Nan was taken aback.
Jiang Xiaomi shrank back, frantically shaking her head, "I promise, I won’t be a burden to you anymore..."
Then it dawned on Chen Nan.
This crazy girl wasn’t frightened; she felt guilty and remorseful for being used to threaten him by the Sky Sword Sect Disciples earlier!
In Jiang Xiaomi’s view, Chen Nan was threatened and now badly hurt, all because of her.
Understanding Jiang Xiaomi’s thoughts, in that instant, Chen Nan’s hard heart seemed to crack open a bit,
A complex, indescribable emotion quietly emerged within him.
Not long ago, when he and Huo Xinya pretended to be lovers for two days, they accidentally ran into Jiang Xiaomi on the street. There, he deliberately displayed an intimate lover’s gesture in front of Huo Xinya, all in hopes that Jiang Xiaomi would give up on him, leaving her no hope, thus avoiding her falling deeper.
However, everything that had just happened shook Chen Nan.
A girl who was willing to give unconditionally for him and even courageously risk her life, could he truly ignore her?
Could he pretend not to see her efforts, harden his heart, and just pass her by?
At that moment, Chen Nan wasn’t sure anymore.
Even the coldest, toughest man might find himself moved when faced with profound devotion.
If previously he could control himself, rejecting Jiang Xiaomi’s advances, then after this recent event, Chen Nan could no longer ignore Jiang Xiaomi’s deep feelings for him.
Glancing at Jiang Xiaomi, who was still hanging her head in self-blame, he remained silent for a while before speaking, "Silly girl, this isn’t your fault. It’s because I offended someone, and you got dragged into it."
Jiang Xiaomi shook her head vigorously, involuntarily gripping his arm tightly, just about to say something.
Chen Nan steadied her shoulders, and the other hand gently patted her head, "No need to say more, as long as I’m here, nothing will happen again."
Hearing his words, Jiang Xiaomi stopped crying and lifted her head in surprise.
Her originally wild and untamed eyes, now red and tear-filled like those of a rabbit, glistened with tears.
Was this still the wild Jiang Xiaomi?
Chen Nan was somewhat surprised. He had seen this girl pretend to be gentle and ladylike before, but that awkward demeanor only made him want to laugh.
Now, however, Jiang Xiaomi was not intentionally acting, yet she inadvertently revealed a different kind of charm.
Jiang Xiaomi was also quite surprised.
Had Chen Nan taken the wrong medication?
Why was he speaking to her in such a gentle tone?
Blinking somewhat dazedly, Jiang Xiaomi said with a trace of disbelief, "Big Brother Nan, did you just say that you’ll protect me in the future?"
Chen Nan hesitated again.
After all, Su Qingqing was watching him right there.
Suddenly, he felt guilty, as if he was swearing eternal love to Jiang Xiaomi right in front of Su Qingqing.
Chen Nan was incredibly conflicted for a moment.
After a long silence, Chen Nan smiled, "Of course, we’re friends, we’re brothers."
Joy instantly filled Jiang Xiaomi’s heart, sweet as honey, making her entire being feel sweet.
There were still unwiped tears in her eyes, but her delicate little face was already blooming with a smile, "Big Brother Nan, you’re really great!"
Though Chen Nan only mentioned friendship, brotherhood, without any confession or a hint of ambiguity, Jiang Xiaomi could feel that his gaze towards her was no longer as cold and decisive as before.
Chen Nan couldn’t help but smile bitterly.
Su Qingqing’s expression was somewhat sour.
Although Chen Nan had simply promised to protect Jiang Xiaomi in the future, to her, it sounded as much like a confession of love.
However, after suppressing the jealousy in her heart, Su Qingqing said nothing.
She asked herself if she were Jiang Xiaomi, she would also sacrifice for Chen Nan without hesitation.
"Hmmph, stinking idiot, bad idiot, just messing around and angering me to death!" Su Qingqing grumbled angrily, quite displeased as she glanced at Chen Nan.
Though she was just whispering to herself, Chen Nan’s hearing was terrifying.
As long as there was no external interference or disturbance in his mind, even from dozens of meters away, he could hear the mutterings of nearby people.
Su Qingqing’s words, of course, did not escape his ears.
Pretending not to hear, Chen Nan laughed, "Alright, since there is nothing wrong, we should hurry to school. I don’t mind being late, but I’m worried about you guys getting punished by the teacher."
Seeing Chen Nan trying to change the subject, the Black Feathered Chicken, which had just been slapped away, cluelessly came closer again.
It glanced at Su Qingqing, then at Jiang Xiaomi with a smirk, "Damn, such beautiful girls, one after another vying to throw themselves at you, looks like, Chen, your ultimate goal of wooing beauties worldwide is within reach."
With a painful screech, the cheeky chicken was once again flung away.
"You brat, you’re getting rough with Grandpa Chicken again, what, afraid Grandpa Chicken will expose your beastly desires?" the Black Feathered Chicken shouted furiously in midair, unsure who the real beast was.
Instead, Jiang Xiaomi, upon hearing the Black Feathered Chicken’s words, far from being shy, excitedly exclaimed, "Black Chicken, are you saying, Nan brother will take this old lady?"
Su Qingqing also had a speechless look on her face.
And to think she was jealous over that idiot, looking at her calling herself "old lady" all the time, she clearly wasn’t necessary for him, what a fool, even if he were blind he wouldn’t fancy her!
Seeing Jiang Xiaomi returning to her usual self, Chen Nan was speechless, and took out his phone to call Poison Wolf.
Someone had to clean up the mess in the park after all.
(End of third update, asking for monthly tickets, if the number of daily tickets exceeds a hundred, another update tonight.)