How can an ant like you dare sneak a peek at me?
Walking out of the apartment complex, Zheng Dingding once again counted the money in her hands, a total of 498RMB, which she kept in her wallet. When she looked up, she found the sun shining brightly down. Today’s weather forecast predicted a nice sunny day. This type of weather was usually suitable for taking a stroll or finding a place to sit down and have something to drink and then take a nap.
Zheng Dingding took out her mobile phone and went online to search for a suitable place nearby. The restaurant map showed a bookstore located 800 meters away from her current location called “Not a Bookstore”. According to reviews, the atmosphere was calm and the store provided tea, coffee and snacks. It matched what she was looking for and she decided to go there to kill time.
“Not a Bookstore” was at a remote location and Zheng Dingding had to circle the place twice before she found the two-storey villa. When she pushed the door inside, the smell of fine ink entered her nose, and right in front of her was a half-moon-shaped bar. The wall behind the bar displayed Western books and newspapers from abroad.
Zheng Dingding ordered a hot beverage and some snacks at the bar, then went to pick two travel novels from the walnut shelf. After applying for a library card and borrowing the books, she went up to the second floor and sat at the window seat. After a while, a cute young waitress brought her drinks and snacks up. Zheng Dingding took a sip of her coffee and a bite of her chocolate chip cookie, finding the addition of brown sugar lovely. The cookie was sweet and decadent, and she appreciated that the chocolate chips were of pure dark chocolate.
As she enjoyed the food while reading, the soft jazz in her ears made her so sleepy that she narrowed her eyes and slowly fell asleep.
The moment Ning Weijin made it upstairs, he witnessed such a scene: Zheng Dingding, sitting by the window, leaning against the sofa with her head lolling, asleep with her eyes closed and the book on her hand resting on the edge of the sofa close to falling.
Such a beautiful girl, wearing an orange sports hoodie and ankle-length jeans, appeared youthful and neat. Her skin was so clear that it was unfair, flawless under the sunlight. Her long hair was in a high ponytail that hung on her left shoulder.
He stood there for a while before walking straight inside. Reaching the window seat where she was, he glanced down at her face and was about to leave when the book in her hands fell with a bang to the floor.
Zheng Dingding opened her eyes and, seeing Ning Weijin standing in front of her, blurted out in surprise, “Professor Ning, why are you here?”
Ning Weijin bent over and personally picked up her book that fell on the ground, handed it back to her and said quietly, “I come here sometimes to read.”
Zheng Dingding took the book and thought, “This place, “Not a Bookstore”, is so close to the apartment complex. It’s normal for Professor Ning to come here to read, although it was rare to find men who would actually sit down and read in this era. However, a studious professor such as him would obviously be an exception.
“What a coincidence,” she said, “I just went to your house to deliver the order. I found this place on the way back so I came in and sat down for a bit.”
Ning Weijin looked down at her, seemingly uninterested at her redundant explanation.
Zheng Dingding felt awkward under his gaze.
After a while, Ning Weijin nodded, then went to his seat. Sitting down, he took out his mobile phone and scrolled through his text messages with his head down.
Zheng Dingding was wide awake and continued reading. Occasionally turning her head back, her eyes inadvertently passed Ning Weijin. On his table was a glass of water, a pen, a cell phone and a journal. A thick book was rested on his leg, which he was reading through carefully.
Zheng Dingding’s phone suddenly blared loudly. She quickly pressed the answer button and quietly said “hello” into the phone. She glanced at Ning Weijin. Fortunately, she hadn’t disturbed him, as he didn’t even lift his head. He stayed quiet, in his own world.
“You’re Zheng Dingding?” An unfamiliar, mature female voice.
Zheng Dingding: “May I ask who this is?”
“I am Wen Zixin’s mother.”
Zheng Dingding’s heart dropped: “Is there anything I can help you with?” She stood up as she spoke and walked quickly to the second floor bathroom.
Seven minutes later, Zheng Dingding came out of the bathroom, her pace slow and heavy, and her expression was no longer easy-going as before. After sitting back on the sofa, she took a long time to digest the previous conversation.
Wen Zixin’s mother had frankly spoken to her with attitude.
“Zixin told me you’ve always liked Chen Xun. After they broke up, you were the one always by his side, supporting him and encouraging him. From this, I gather that you must be a very nice girl. However, there’s something I don’t think you know yet, and that is, this time Zixin was admitted to the hospital, she received a full body checkup. It showed that she has a slight problem in her uterus and the chances of her being able to conceive is very low. This actually concerns Chen Xun as well, since before graduation, she went to the hospital to have an abortion. At that time, her condition was quite poor. Something happened during surgery. The pain she suffered was enough to kill her and she hasn’t had it easy since then. I didn’t inform Chen Xun of this before, but he’s already found out before he came over this time. He couldn’t help but blame himself.”
......
“I know that elders should not intervene with the matters of the younger generation, but I think you have the right to know, you should be aware of the cause and effect of this matter and you have to understand that between Chen Xun and Zixin, they were in love for four years, although they were broken up because of a misunderstanding. I once felt that they had no fate together, but now that Zixin got into an accident, Chen Xun’s actions moved my heart. He was so busy with his career and so many other things, yet he was willing to let everything go at such a crucial time, instead choosing to accompany her. This means that his feelings for her have never changed. He still likes her. Do you understand? Zixin told me that he feels responsible towards you, so he hasn’t been willing to reject you. Then, let me tell you, you better not to take this responsibility and try to bind him morally to you. It’ll make everyone suffer.”
......
Back then, the one who was opposed to Wen Zixin and Chen Xun’s relationship was Wen Zixin’s mother. Now, the one persuading Zheng Dingding not to intervene between their relationship is also Wen Zixin’s mother. Clearly, she was a woman who was good at judging the situation. Originally, she had opposed because she felt her daughter deserved better. Now, she wholeheartedly supports Chen Xun. After all, Chen Xun’s standing in society was becoming more and more stable, his company was worth $2 billion USD, he owned two properties and an invaluable Dutch Spyker.
Look, there are people in this world with face-changing skills better than the Sichuan opera.
No one remembered that, when Chen Xun was at the early stages of building his company and was short of funds, Zheng Dingding had lent him 60000RMB in the name of “shareholding”.
That’s the real example of sending charcoal in snowy weather (providing help in somebody’s hour of need). The investments and sponsorships worth hundreds of millions of dollars that came barraging in after Chen Xun rose to fame was entirely different.
Zheng Dingding silently looked at the beautiful candlestick with blue-violet mosaic in front of her. Her chest felt stuffy, there was a sense of anger, frustration and unwillingness that couldn’t be expressed. Towards the end, she unconsciously sneered.
The bright skies outside had dimmed, and there was even a sign of rain.
When Zheng Dingding walked downstairs and saw the heavy rain outside the door, she frowned and became even more annoyed. She decided, anything could be believed but the weather forecast.
Ning Weijin was standing behind her returning his book. The waitress at the bar spoke warmly in concern, “Professor Ning, the rain is so heavy, are you driving back?”
“Yeah.” Ning Weijin signed his name fluidly like water.
Once he finished signing, Ning Weijin walked towards the door, and passing by Zheng Dingding, he said, “Excuse me.”
Zheng Dingding took a step aside. Ning Weijin pushed open the door, the wind and rain outside immediately rushed in, moistening the velvet fabric on his wide shoulders.
It was raining so hard, it seemed that she would not be able to return home for a while. Zheng Dingding was somewhat sad.
Ning Weijin turned around and looked at her face, “You didn’t bring an umbrella?”
Zheng Dingding was quite surprised he would even ask, and nodded.
“Stand here and wait.” Ning Weijin said, went out the door and walked briskly into the rain.”
The waitress behind the bar asked curiously, “Do you know Professor Ning?”
"I am his patient." Zheng Yi answered truthfully.
The waitress laughed, her eyes in a knowing glance, “Ah…”
Zheng Dingding thought, “It seems that Professor Ning comes here often for the waitress to even know his field and what he does.”
A few minutes passed. Ning Weijin drove over, rolled down the window and handed out a black umbrella. Zheng Dingding pointed at her own face, trying to confirm whether it was meant for her. She ran down the steps, took the umbrella from his hand and opened it to cover her body while solemnly thanking him.
“You’re welcome.” Ning Weijin’s voice was as cool as the rain as he reached out to take a tissue from the compartment. He wiped his fingers carefully and used his eyes to point at the intersection on the right, casually saying, “It’s easier to grab a taxi if you go to that intersection.”
“Okay, thank you.” Zheng Dingding said, “Don’t worry, I’ll for sure return your umbrella to you.”
“No worries.” Ning Weijin gave her one last look. Retracting his eyes, he rolled up his car windows and started driving back towards the apartment complex.
With Ning Weijin’s umbrella, Zheng Dingding safely went to the intersection on the right, finally grabbing a taxi after waiting for twenty minutes.
Zheng Dingding arrived home and took a hot bath. When she came out, she saw the black umbrella placed at the entrance from the corner of her eyes. It had a slender handle and was dripping droplets of rain. It looked like a work of art under the light. She walked over and studied the umbrella carefully. She discovered a low-ley logo imprinted on the leather of the handle.
Professor Ning’s taste was not bad, Zheng Dingding evaluated in her heart. HIs suit was G&H, he was driving a Porsche, even his umbrella was Alexander McQueen.
Coming back to her room, Zheng Dingding booted up her laptop and opened QQ. Upon entry, a friend request message immediately popped up. Clicking it open, it read, “Dear shopkeeper, this is your loyal Taobao customer Ning Weixuan.” She hesitated for a moment before confirming.
Having added each other as friends, Ning Weixuan began to chat with Zheng Dingding.
It means jade, not circle (Ning Weixuan): *smiley face* Did you see my brother at “Not a Bookstore” just now?
Flowing water tinkles (Zheng Dingding): How did you know?
It means jade, not circle: The waitress at “Not a Bookstore” is my good friend. She texted me, telling me she saw my brother drive back in the rain and giving you his umbrella.
Flowing water tinkles: Then how did you guess it was me?
It means jade, not circle: Your name was on your library card.
Flowing water tinkles: *sweat drops* Yeah, thank your brother for lending me the umbrella. If it weren’t for him, I would definitely have come out as a drowned rat.
It means jade, not circle: What is there to thank, he didn’t even personally send you home, left you on the side of the road. How ungentlemanly.
Flowing water tinkles: This…
It means jade, not circle: *teasing emoji* But, you know what, he’s rarely so proactive towards girls. I think his actions today mean that he has a good impression of you in his subconscious.
Flowing water tinkles: Haha, you’re overthinking it. He just did me a favor since he’s a good person.
It means jade, not circle: No! He’s not so kind-hearted. He doesn’t usually care about strangers. Even if a puppy on the side of the road injured its leg, he wouldn’t lend a hand at all, so his actions today are quite special.
Zheng Dingding didn’t know how to reply. She’s helpless towards this meddlesome sister who loves to set her brother up.
It means jade, not circle: How about, you think about it? Although my brother’s a bit aloof, has serious mysophobia and quite the superiority complex, he’s actually a good person.
Flowing water tinkles: I told you last time, I already have someone in mind.
It means jade, not circle: Just consider it. I’m not even asking you to properly date him. Why not assess him a bit more?
Zheng Dingding typed a string of words, deleted, typed, deleted… She still didn’t know how to reject Ning Weixuan’s good intentions. There’s no way she can say, “Your professor brother and I are from completely different worlds, I’d feel intense pressure dating him. Don’t mention him anymore, I don’t even dare to think about it.”
As she was hesitating, Ning Weixuan sent over a folder.
It means jade, not circle: *smiley face* I’m gonna go watch TV now. Have a look at this.
Zheng Dingding opened the folder, inside was all photos of Ning Weijin.
Him in a graduation gown standing in front of the school gate with a certificate in his hands. Him standing on the podium presenting a PPT. Him wearing a white coat at work. Him wearing a suit with another businessman. Him sitting on the sofa, with both legs stretched out and listening to music with his headphones. Him sitting on the floor playing with some toy models. A closeup of his hands in latex gloves during surgery. Him standing on the edge of the swimming pool in a swimsuit, his lean and strong figure visible. Him in a black sports shirt running on the treadmill in the gym, his back muscles thick and defined, naturally emitting male hormones…
The more she looked, the more Zheng Dingding was embarrassed. At the last picture, her heart suddenly skipped a beat.
Ning Weijin’s face was so close to hers, so close that she can see every lash on his eyelids. He was sleeping, looking relaxed under the faint light. His face wasn’t facing the camera. His brows contained none of the usual aloofness and arrogance. His nose was very straight, his lips were elegant, his black hair kept very short but had a wet sheen to it, as if he had just finished an intense exercise and accidentally slept while resting.
He was so close, it seemed that in the next second he would open his eyes and look back at her coldly and proudly, breathily saying, “How can an ant like you dare sneak a peek at me?”
It felt as if she was actually there. Zheng Dingding quickly clicked the X button on the upper right corner.
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