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Ning Ci firmly planted himself between them, his shoulders broad and back straight, his tall and graceful figure like an indestructible shield, an immovable wall, firmly protecting Cheng Buxi behind him.
As long as he was there, the sense of territory and belonging immediately surged, majestic and full of security.
Jiang Yang clearly recognized him. The viciousness from before had mostly dissipated. Seeing this stance, he assumed they were together and asked with a forced smile, "Master Ning, your girl?"
Hearing this, Ning Ci turned slightly and looked her up and down, as if pondering whether his words were true or false.
Really? It didn't seem like it. When had this little ancestor become his? If that were the case, would he be tossing and turning, thinking about her day and night? He'd be laughing in his dreams.
But he had to say, her look today was stunning—Chanel style, side braid, and a gold brooch on her chest.
Ning Ci narrowed his eyes, thinking, dressed so finely, who was she planning to see?
His gaze swept from top to bottom, then bottom to top, his admiration completely undisguised, shining brightly.
Cheng Buxi glared back at him angrily, her eyes black and clear like amber gems, as if saying, What are you doing here?
Missing you, of course.
His legs had a mind of their own. Somehow, they just ended up at your school, wanting to ask you to dinner.
Jiang Yang was left aside like a dispensable backdrop, a catalyst in a campus idol drama to heat up the relationship between the leads, barely even a living person. A fire burned inside him, scorching his organs, but he didn't dare to act out.
His family was in the medical equipment business, specializing in basic consumables for hospitals like syringes, gauze, and needles. It was a decent-sized company with some local reputation, but in this industry, the true leader was the Ning family.
Kangning Pharmaceutical Group dominated the industry. Families like theirs, who made supporting equipment, basically had their entire lifeline in Ning's hands. The orders that leaked through Kangning's fingers were enough to keep Jiang's family well-fed. On the other hand, if the eldest brother was unhappy, he could cut off their channels or switch suppliers with just a word.
Jiang Yang's jaw clenched painfully, but he had to back down.
Ning Ci turned back. He was more than half a head taller than Jiang Yang, who wasn't even 180 cm. Ning Ci stood at 189 cm and played basketball, so his imposing presence was clear.
Looking down at him from above, he raised an eyebrow and let out a light laugh from the depths of his throat, "Oh, really?"
As if even he found it hard to believe, he muttered to himself, "Am I that lucky?"
He put on a look of great surprise, glancing at the girl behind him. "I have such a close confidante? How come I didn't know?"
Cheng Buxi's heartbeat quickened a few beats.
Facing him, Jiang Yang could only hold it in, forcibly.
Since childhood, his father had warned him countless times: when dealing with the Ning family, especially the two young masters, he had to be extremely careful, lower his head when necessary, and never offend them in any way.
His family's wealth seemed glamorous, but at its core, it was shallow, entirely dependent on the Ning family for shelter. If the Ning family abandoned them, bankruptcy would be just a word away.
"Ah, I just heard it from someone else..."
As he spoke, he glanced at Cheng Buxi again, but she was completely hidden behind Ning Ci.
Knowing he had touched a nerve, Jiang Yang tried to offer a smile and leave. "Isn't this a case of family fighting family? Misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding. I have things to do, so I'll be going."
"Hold on. Did you apologize?" Ning Ci stopped him.
"Leaving already, huh?" He frowned sharply, his voice not loud but carrying an undeniable weight. "I seem to recall you were pretty cocky just now. Spreading rumors about a girl doesn't require an apology?"
With that, Jiang Yang's feet were pinned to the spot again.
Ning Ci had no intention of letting him off.
Jiang Yang's face twitched, but he had no choice. He humbly said to Cheng Buxi, "Classmate Cheng, I'm sorry. I sincerely apologize. What I did just now was wrong. I was being foolish. Please don't hold it against me."
Cheng Buxi was very surprised. In her memory, this spoiled brat was outrageously arrogant, not even afraid of the police, yet he was as docile as a lamb before Ning Ci.
Since it had come to this, she didn't make things difficult. She grabbed Ning Ci and turned to leave.
-
After getting rid of the nuisance, she asked him, "How did you get here?"
Ning Ci raised an eyebrow, his bright eyes falling on her flawless, rosy cheeks, and said in a teasing tone, "Just passing by."
Passing by? As if anyone would believe that. S University was far from her school, one at the east end and the other at the west end, taking nearly an hour by subway. Could it really be so coincidental?
Just as she was about to question him, he said, "Don't worry about that. Are you hungry?"
Now that he mentioned it, she really was hungry. She pursed her lips, thought for a moment, and said, "A little."
"What do you want to eat? My treat." He lowered his eyelashes, reverting to his usual nonchalant demeanor.
Cheng Buxi didn't refuse. "I want stinky tofu."
"Stinky tofu, huh?" Hearing what she wanted, Ning Ci let out a short, melodious laugh, tinged with playfulness. "A young lady like you, with such a heavy taste."
He was tall, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, sturdy and resilient, a blend of youthful charm and masculine appeal.
Cheng Buxi pouted, unimpressed. "I haven't had it in a long time. Besides, stinky tofu is delicious."
It felt like as long as she was with him, all the unpleasantness vanished like bubbles—how magical.
"Fine, fine. Whatever you want." He pretended to tease but was actually amusing her. After saying that, he turned around and started looking for a stinky tofu stall for her.
Watching him through the dim light, he was intently scanning the other side of the road, like a hunter searching for a food stall.
Every move he made was graceful and extraordinary, the wind lightly ruffling his bangs as they brushed against his brow, seeming to sweep across her heart as well.
For some reason, a line of poetry came to mind: