Volume 10: Pro and Con
Chapter 17: A Stroll and Idle Talk
“Chen Jianing, do you know which one to choose for this question?”
“Classmate Chen Jianing, do you think Teacher Chen will have a dictation quiz next class?”
“Jianing, do you remember where Auntie put the bracelet she gave me last time?”
“Chen Jianing…”
“Jianing…”
Life is made up of various questions. At least, that’s how it seemed to Chen Jianing. Questions from parents, questions from teachers, questions from classmates, questions from strangers. All she could do was “answer.” But, in truth, she was very clumsy with her words, unable to clearly describe a thing or articulate a point of view. She would sometimes repeat a sentence at length, watching the eyes of the person who had asked her the question become more and more bewildered. Over time, everyone came to think of her as a “weirdo.”
She didn’t want to be treated as an outcast.
She remembered when she was in the sixth grade, she was sitting in front of the TV, watching a foreign variety show. On the show, the host asked the guest all sorts of tricky questions, but the guest always brushed them off with all sorts of absurd answers. That guest said that as long as you deliberately don’t tell the truth, everyone will think your thoughts are inscrutable, and thus you can handle all sorts of difficult problems with ease. The little Chen Jianing took this sentence to heart.
That’s right. As long as she deliberately spoke sarcastically, told some obviously flawed lies, no one would think she was clumsy with her words. Instead, they would think she had another answer in her heart. If she spoke sarcastically enough, they wouldn’t know if she was telling the truth or a lie, and naturally, no one would look down on her. Yes, what Chen Jianing was truly afraid of was being “looked down upon.”
She had always been the shortest in her class, the slowest to develop. The sense of inferiority brought on by this physical lag was very strong. She didn’t like standing with tall girls, didn’t like being told by the gym teacher, “Chen Jianing, you stand in the front row,” didn’t like being asked by the school nurse if she had graduated from high school yet.
As long as her mouth was full of lies, she could stand above the crowd on a spiritual level.
She had a very strong sense of self-esteem, which was why she couldn’t stand being accused of plagiarism, couldn’t stand being treated as a weirdo by them.
When Lu Li asked her why she always loved to speak sarcastically, many images flashed through Chen Jianing’s mind. During holidays and festivals, when her mother took her to visit relatives, she would always tell them that she was clumsy with her words. She didn’t want to be seen as a fool, not at all. Looking back now, the habit of speaking sarcastically was probably formed back then.
Over time, speaking sarcastically became her shield, the last line of defense protecting her frail and lonely figure. Even if she was exposed, she could still cry and say she was lying, couldn’t she?
…
Lu Li couldn’t understand Chen Jianing’s thoughts. He just felt this girl was awkward. If not for the ill-fated connection from their past life, he probably would never have wanted to get involved with a girl like this in his entire life. Lu Li looked at Chen Jianing’s disdainful face and smiled. “Alright, Senior Chen, you don’t have to hit me so hard even if you don’t think much of me. Let’s go, let’s go home.”
Watching Lu Li’s back, the Little Tiger felt a little regretful. Would it have been better to be more frank just now? But Lu Li said he was just joking… If she had really admitted it, wouldn’t that be equivalent to having her ultimate move baited out by a basic attack? Wouldn’t that be very embarrassing?
She felt a sense of loss. “Hey, Lu Li.”
“Mm?”
“…” Forget it. This is fine. Maintaining a friendship with Lu Li was enough. She told herself. Lu Li still had An Baili, and Wen Hupo. They were both more outstanding than her. What right did she have to squeeze in? What if she couldn’t even be friends with him then…
“Senior, what’s wrong?” Lu Li asked.
“I said, thank you for today. I had no idea starting a company was so troublesome.” Chen Jianing changed the subject. “Just one recruitment session has so many details…”
“Don’t think it’s over. We have to continue recruiting. Besides recruiting, we also have to define the authority of each department, and make another trip to the tax bureau…” Lu Li counted on his fingers. “There will be times when I’m too busy to get away. You’ll have to handle these things then.”
A small, inexplicable joy welled up in Chen Jianing’s heart. “Are you going to teach me everything?”
“Nonsense. Since you’re the general manager, don’t even think about slacking off.” Lu Li was worried this Annoying Ghost would be afraid of hard work.
Chen Jianing stood on her tiptoes slightly, her steps becoming cheerful. “Aiya, I can’t help it. Since you’ve begged me like this, I can only help you. Do I have to come tomorrow too?” She jumped in front of Lu Li, leaving him with a small, delicate back, her face unseen.
“Of course.”
“You’re not going to accompany An Baili and Wen Hupo?”
“This is a critical period for the company’s establishment. They’ll understand.”
The Little Tiger huffed and put her hands behind her back. “Then I guess I’ll have to help you. You should know, I, your senior, am also a very busy person. Not only do I have to prepare my term paper, but I also have to deal with a sea of suitors. My time is very precious.”
The term paper, maybe. A sea of suitors? Lu Li smiled but didn’t expose the Annoying Ghost. “Yes, the admirers of our Senior Chen line up from the northeast gate of Mulan University to the southwest gate, even breaking down the school gates!”
Chen Jianing smiled with extreme smugness. “Hmph, it’s good that you know.”
“Then does Senior have anyone she’s interested in?”
Chen Jianing subconsciously turned her head. “My standards are very high. I don’t look at ordinary men at all.” Perhaps because the reflection of the setting sun concealed their expressions, she gained a bit more courage. “But if you’re asking if there is someone, then yes, there is indeed one.”
“Oh? What kind of person is he?”
“He’s two meters tall.”
“Whoa, a little giant.”
“He’s handsome and imposing.”
“Mm, you have good taste.”
“A broad back and a solid build, a very righteous boy.” Every time she talked about this topic, it was like she was reciting an answer. This girl probably didn’t even realize it herself.
“Then what’s his personality like?”
“…His personality is very good. Although he’s not a good person, he’s very considerate to those around him.” Chen Jianing’s tone was not as high as before. “Anyway, when I’m with him, I feel like time passes so quickly, and there’s no pressure. I can say whatever I want, do whatever I want, and he never gets angry or dislikes me…”
Seeming to feel she had said too much, Chen Jianing suddenly stopped.
“Why are you walking so slowly? We’re almost back at the villa. I haven’t even slept in my new room yet.” She changed the subject stiffly. “Lu Li, how much is the monthly rent?”
“What monthly rent?”
“I mean, if I live at your place, don’t you charge rent?”
“Oh, that. Er, a hundred yuan a month?” Lu Li said uncertainly.
“That’s so expensive. The electricity bill for a semester at Mulan University dorm is only a hundred yuan.”
“Then fifty yuan?”
“How about twenty-five yuan~”
The two of them walked further and further away under the setting sun, only the faint sound of their bargaining mixed with the chirping of orioles drifting in the air.
