Ning Jing froze, stiff in Ning Chen's embrace, utterly still.
Finally, Ning Chen broke the silence, "Where are you going?"
"To find you."
Ever since that night, Ning Jing found it difficult to even maintain a semblance of composure in front of Ning Chen. Thus, the moment Ning Chen asked, Ning Jing blurted everything out.
"Oh? You wanted to see me?"
Ning Chen's gaze was scorching, jolting Ning Jing back to reality. She pushed Ning Chen away.
"No, it's for Li Li."
Ning Jing took a deep breath and continued, "Um, Brother, I have something at school. Could you please accompany Li Li and then send her home?"
Before Ning Chen could react, Ning Jing had already fled.
Ning Chen watched Ning Jing's retreating figure, his thoughts unreadable.
Li Li felt extremely awkward at this turn of events.
After Ning Jing's figure completely disappeared from view, Ning Chen sat down.
Li Li and Ning Chen met each other's gazes. In less than a second, Li Li quickly averted her eyes.
Ning Chen sat on the chair, idly stirring Ning Jing's tea. His movements were relaxed, yet the angle of his lowered gaze and his straight back exuded an air of propriety and elegance.
Li Li, usually fearless and straightforward, felt an inexplicable connection to her most rigid great-grandmother when facing Ning Chen.
In Li Li's eyes, her great-grandmother was the absolute authority in the family.
Li Li's great-grandmother was a woman of striking bone structure. Even with age, her skin had wrinkles, but her nose was high, her lips somewhat thin, and her eyes still bright, sharp as a piercing gaze.
She didn't need to exert any pressure; simply looking at Li Li with a blank expression made Li Li stiffen, unable to help but lower her head. Su Dan Novel Network.
A single glance at Ning Chen in front of her reminded Li Li of the years she had endured her great-grandmother's family discipline – truly indelible shadows.
"Hello, since Li Li has something to attend to, I should be going now." Li Li couldn't bear to sit in front of Ning Chen any longer and hastily announced her departure.
"Since Ning Jing asked me to keep you company, Miss Li, you should stay a while longer."
Miss Li?
When did she ever know she had the surname Li?
Li Li's smile became increasingly strained, but her body obediently sat back down.
Time ticked by. In just a few minutes, Li Li felt as rigid as a brick.
Fortunately, Ning Chen showed no intention of conversing with her, saving Li Li from the added pressure of maintaining a graceful demeanor amidst extreme tension.
"Miss Yang, it's getting late. Why don't you stay the night?"
After sitting stiffly for about fifteen minutes, Ning Chen, who had been sipping tea, spoke again. However, his expression was not as warm or hospitable as his words suggested.
"No, thank you. I have things to do tomorrow, so I won't trouble you further."
Trouble, you?
Normally, Li Li would never use such refined words.
"Mm, I'll drive you back." Ning Chen gently placed the empty teacup back on the table and got up to get the car keys.
"You don't need to bother, I'll call my driver. He's just down the mountain, I can have him come over." Li Li politely declined.
"Miss Li, Ning Jing asked me to send you home. It would be best if you cooperated."
Ning Chen met Li Li's eyes, and Li Li instantly cowered, her head involuntarily nodding: "Yes, yes, okay, I'll cooperate."
With that, Ning Chen turned to get the car keys.
...
After they got into the car, Ning Chen kept his eyes on the road, and Li Li stared straight ahead, her back ramrod straight.
"Mr. Ning, I've arrived. Thank you for your trouble." The car finally stopped at her doorstep. Li Li, seeing the familiar house, breathed a sigh of relief and immediately got out of the car, giving Ning Chen a ninety-degree bow.
"Miss Li, you're too kind," Ning Chen replied faintly, then without any pause, immediately turned the car around.
"Miss has returned. Recently, Madam found a new type of tea and wanted you to try it," an old servant, who was sweeping the yard, immediately greeted Li Li as she turned.
Li Li responded and followed the old servant into the tea room, which her mother had designated for tea tasting.
"Li Li, come quickly and try this tea." Madam Yang, elegant and with a clear, sharp appearance, was holding a teacup and sniffing the aroma when Li Li entered.
Madam Yang loved tea the most, so she had a bit of every kind of tea at home. Li Li was not surprised to see a "new addition."
"Oh." Li Li took the amber-colored tea from Madam Yang's hand and downed it in one gulp.
Seeing this, Madam Yang frowned, a look of regret on her face as she took back the empty cup from Li Li.
"How many times have I told you? This tea must be savored slowly. First, appreciate the aroma, then the taste, and finally, the lingering aftertaste! How can you just guzzle it down like that!"
Madam Yang chided, then with renewed enthusiasm, poured herself a cup and savored it slowly.
Listening to Madam Yang's three-stage description, Li Li, for some reason, thought of Ning Chen, who had been lightly sipping his tea earlier.
The cup Young Master Ning was holding...
It must have been Ning Jing's!!!
Li Li belatedly recalled Ning Chen's insistence on "keeping her company" and his firm resolve to "send her home." She covered her mouth in astonishment.
"So, he was treating me like a mission?"
...
On the lawn of Imperial Capital University, Ning Jing, who was somewhat germaphobic, was uncharacteristically lying directly on the grass.
A few male classmates watched Ning Jing from a distance, pushing each other to see who would be the first to approach her.
Ning Chen, gradually approaching Ning Jing, noticed this scene. His eyes narrowed slightly, and his expression instantly darkened.
"Wen Xin, it's getting dark." Ning Chen knelt on one knee beside Ning Jing, took her hand, and gently pulled her up.
"Brother, why are you here?" Seeing Ning Chen, the confusion on Ning Jing's face instantly turned into flustered helplessness.
The two quickly stood together, but Ning Chen did not let go of Ning Jing's hand. Instead, he buried his head and leaned on her shoulder.
-------------------------------------
"Mu Qi, let go quickly!" Yun Shu Nian burst into the bedroom and saw Mu Qi lying pale on the bed, his body curled up like a shrimp, his mouth clamped tightly onto his own wrist.
"Mu Qi, open your eyes and look at me. I'm right here beside you, right here..."
Yun Shu Nian tried to pry Mu Qi's hand from his mouth, but despite her best efforts, a deep gash appeared on Mu Qi's wrist from his bite.