Watching Zhou Li’s expression, Leng Xuan of course knew she wasn’t speaking her true feelings. After a brief moment of contemplation, he had already made up his mind and didn’t force her to say more. He simply said "goodbye" and left.
Seeing Leng Xuan walk away like that left Zhou Li with an indescribable feeling. She turned to look at his retreating figure, feeling that there was a mysterious aura about him. She couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was, but she knew he was different from other people her age. As she was lost in thought, suddenly someone tapped her on the shoulder. She startled back to reality and turned around to find her brother, Zhou Jingpeng, leaning on his crutch. Her face flushed as if her thoughts were exposed, and she said, "Brother, you... you’re here. Have you had your meal?"
"I’ve eaten! haha, Sis, who was that guy?" Zhou Jingpeng looked at Leng Xuan’s fading silhouette and said, "When I came over, Little Li Zi from the barbecue stall said there was some trouble earlier and that guy chased them away. Seems like he’s got some skills. By the way, you weren’t bullied, were you?"
"Brother, I’m fine, don’t worry," Zhou Li said with a blushing face. "The person just now, he... he’s a classmate of mine."
"A classmate?" Zhou Jingpeng was taken aback by Zhou Li’s shy appearance. Then he laughed and said, "Sis, you seem to be blushing. It looks like you two are more than just classmates, right? Don’t tell me my sister is in love?"
"Ah, no way, brother!" Zhou Li’s face reddened even more as she glowered at Zhou Jingpeng.
"Haha, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about!" Zhou Jingpeng felt more convinced by her reaction. Although he was worried, he knew that he couldn’t be too restrictive when communicating with young people. Instead, he wanted to coax the truth out of a casual conversation. So, he chuckled and said, "Come on, tell your brother how you know him, what’s he like, where’s he from, and who’s in his family?"
Zhou Li really wished she could crawl into a hole. Annoyed, she said, "Brother, I... I’m not talking to you. I’m going back!" With that, she turned and ran away, her face still flushed. She could still hear Zhou Jingpeng saying from a distance, "The food is kept warm in the pot. Just eat well and then study. You don’t need to come and help me again!" To which she replied, "Got it!"
Watching his sister’s retreating figure, Zhou Jingpeng shook his head and sighed helplessly, "It seems she’s really grown up! But still, studying is what’s most important... Sigh."
Just as he got into the car, Leng Xuan was greeted by Li Mengjie’s interrogative tone. "Hey, why did it take you so long to buy groceries?"
Leng Xuan turned to look at her and, of course, didn’t feel like sharing what had happened. He replied with an exasperated laugh, "I say, Miss Li, how about you go buy groceries tomorrow, and I’ll sit in the car and listen to music, is that okay?"
"Don’t even think about it!" Li Mengjie laughed and then said, "What’s the matter, Cold Bodyguard, can’t take a couple of words from me? Don’t forget what you promised me this morning..."
"Alright, alright, you win," Leng Xuan interrupted, fearing she’d mention the incident with Xiao Yun. So, he quickly cut her off with a flurry of nonsense, "When I was buying groceries just now, I suddenly felt unwell, and after a long search, I finally found a public restroom. Then I went in and had a bit of a ’sit-down,’ which is why it took me a bit longer..."
Ling Xuejiu gave Li Mengjie a puzzled look, wondering ’What happened this morning? Why is Leng Xuan so obedient to Xiao Jie?’ But as soon as Leng Xuan finished speaking, she couldn’t help but exclaim, "Stop! Please, can you not be so disgusting!" As she said this, she gave Leng Xuan a disdainful look, but Li Mengjie just laughed out loud, as if she found it rather amusing.