Jiang Lin rode his bicycle to Chen Jiangshan’s house and called out, “Jiangshan, let’s go.”
Chen Jiangshan stumbled out, still fastening the heel of his shoe.
“Why are you only coming now? I overslept! Don’t you usually get up early?”
Then he added, puzzled, “Aren’t you going to pick up Tang Yue today?”
Normally, Jiang Lin would wake up 20 minutes earlier to pick Tang Yue up and even bring her breakfast. They always had plenty of time on the road, so Chen Jiangshan never expected to be this late today.
He hadn’t even had time to eat breakfast or wash his face. Grumbling, he slung his schoolbag around his neck, jumped onto his bicycle, and chased after Jiang Lin.
“You’re really not being fair.”
“Are you stupid?” Jiang Lin shot back. “Didn’t I tell you yesterday that I’m completely done with Tang Yue? You thought I was joking?”
Riding one-handed, Jiang Lin pulled out the handkerchief and saw the large white steamed bun inside.
In their area, wheat-based food was the staple, so every household steamed buns. This one was as big as a large bowl.
Just as he expected, his mother had sliced it open and tucked a fried egg into each layer.
The eggs were golden and fragrant, the oil giving off a rich aroma.
Combined with shredded pickled vegetables and homemade chili paste, the taste was irresistible.
“You’re serious?” Chen Jiangshan stared at him in disbelief. “I thought you’d change your mind this morning.”
He simply couldn’t believe that Jiang Lin, who had been utterly devoted to Tang Yue, had really changed.
Jiang Lin stopped his bicycle with his foot, broke the bun in half, and handed one part over.
“Damn… I’m actually getting Tang Yue’s treatment today. Not bad, brother. If you’re really this determined, I’d gladly skip meals for you.”
“Alright, alright. Hurry up and eat so we can go. Don’t be late.”
The two boys sped off like the wind.
Jiang Lin felt a rush of excitement, as if he had returned to his youth. Back then, his body had been in terrible condition… lying in a hospital bed, barely clinging to life.
Now, at eighteen, his body was filled with vitality, pulsing with youthful energy.
Meanwhile, Tang Yue sat in her room, clutching her schoolbag.
As the sky outside grew brighter, unease crept into her heart.
Their family didn’t even own a clock. They were too poor to afford one.
Normally, Jiang Lin would come to call her. There was no way he would ever let her be late.
But today… something felt wrong.
“Mom, has Jiang Lin come? Did you stop him at the door?” Tang Yue asked anxiously. “I feel like I’m going to be late.” Follow the newest chapters on g.com.
Her mother shook her head. “You’re blaming me wrongly. Jiang Lin hasn’t come at all. Maybe it’s not time yet?”
“Mom, look at the sky.”
Tang’s mother glanced outside and felt something was off. Even without a clock, people could roughly tell the time by the light.
She hurriedly called out toward the neighboring yard, “Third Aunt, what time is it now?”
“7:30.”
The moment Tang Yue heard that, tears immediately welled up in her eyes.
“Mom, I’m late! Class starts at 7:40.”
“That damned Jiang Lin! Why didn’t he come to pick you up?” Tang’s mother was equally frantic, but there was nothing she could do.
Tang Yue grabbed her bag and rushed out.
Her schoolbag was filled with books, heavy on her shoulders. Usually, Jiang Lin carried it for her.
For the first time, she realized just how heavy it was.
“Hey, slow down! The road isn’t easy to walk on,” her mother called after her.
Watching her daughter run off, Tang’s mother felt uneasy.
Jiang Lin seemed different lately… had her daughter angered him too much?
Maybe she should talk to her daughter later and tell her to soften her attitude.
If they really offended Jiang Lin and the Jiang family fell out with them… what would happen to their hardship subsidy?
By the time Jiang Lin and the others had already started class, Tang Yue finally arrived at the classroom, panting.
Her voice trembled as she called out, “Report…”
She looked utterly disheveled.
The usually proud campus belle now had messy hair, was drenched in sweat, and her face was streaked with dirt.
Her tears had left muddy tracks across her cheeks, making her look like a smudged kitten.
The boys in the class couldn’t help but stare in shock.
They had never seen their campus belle like this.
Normally, Tang Yue’s two braids were neatly combed and glossy, her fair skin radiant. A single glance over her shoulder could captivate countless admirers.
But now… she looked completely ordinary.
The Chinese teacher paused mid-lecture. Seeing it was Tang Yue, he couldn’t bring himself to scold her.
Pretty girls often received a bit of leniency.
Tang Yue lowered her head, tears falling like raindrops.
Clutching her bag, she walked to her seat in humiliation, shoved the bag inside, and quietly wiped her tears.
Then she suddenly raised her head and glared at Jiang Lin.
But Jiang Lin didn’t even glance at her.
He sat upright, eyes fixed on the teacher, listening attentively as if nothing else existed.
Not even the corner of his eye shifted toward her.
Tang Yue grew even more furious.
She felt that Jiang Lin was utterly despicable. It was a good thing she had never agreed to date him.
A man like this was narrow-minded… petty to the extreme.
Just because she had rejected him yesterday, he didn’t even come to pick her up this morning.
Compared to Gu Xingzhi, Jiang Lin was nothing but trash.
As soon as class ended, Tang Yue’s two lackeys rushed over to Jiang Lin’s desk.
Standing in front of him, they said aggressively, “Jiang Lin, go apologize to Tang Yue right now.
She was late today because of you. Are you even a man?
Being angry is one thing, but how can you break your word and not go pick her up?”
Jiang Lin lazily lifted his head.
“Are you two deaf? Can’t you understand human language?
I made it very clear yesterday—I’m completely done with Tang Yue. I have nothing to do with her anymore. Why should I pick her up?”
“I’m not that cheap. And you two… what benefits did Tang Yue give you to make you come here and bark at me? What are you even worth?”
“Jiang Lin, how can you be so excessive? Even if Tang Yue doesn’t like you, you can’t just give up halfway.”
Of course they were anxious.
If Jiang Lin stopped being Tang Yue’s devoted follower, who would they rely on for free food and benefits?
In County No. 1 High School, there were some students from better-off families… but those were either workers’ children or officials’ children.
Those people would never look at village kids like them, let alone let them share in their advantages.
Someone like Jiang Lin… such a gullible benefactor… was not easy to find.
“I’ll make it clear one last time. I’m not interested in Tang Yue anymore. I won’t follow her around like some fool again. So you can get lost.”
“Jiang Lin, you’ve gone too far. If you don’t apologize, Tang Yue will never forgive you.”
“If you can’t understand human language, then get out. I don’t want to repeat myself.”