Chapter 37.2
Editor: Jodi
The next morning, Xu Ling woke up and knocked in the [Four Golden Suns] group, but no one replied.
Xu Ling: “?”
Was it a cloudy day? Not a single sun had risen? What was everyone busy with?
*
Meanwhile, a porsche drove in slowly at the mouth of the mountain near Qing’an Town, then the window on the passenger side rolled down.
“Kid.” The man asked, “Is Qing’an Town this way?”
“Over there.” The “kid” by the roadside stood up and pointed in a direction enthusiastically, “Just keep driving straight.”
“Thanks.” The man muttered to himself, “The locals here are quite simple and honest.”
Xu Ling had set up a table in the courtyard, and at eight o’clock, Li Haoyue arrived.
At nine-thirty, Ning Sheng arrived.
At ten-thirty, Lu Peng arrived.
“Studying?” Xu Ling asked.
“Let’s eat first.” Lu Peng said, “I’m starving from running here.”
Xu Ling: “…… Can you do anything else?”
Lu Peng: “It’s your life’s big event.”
Xu Ling: “?”
“Little Bell!” Xu Ling’s mom came into the courtyard, “Your dad said he’ll be coming later, but he somehow drove the car out of the province.”
Xu Ling: “?”
“Tsk.” Ning Sheng clicked his tongue.
Because it was still the New Year, lunch was a feast, full of Qing’an Town’s special snacks, which Ning Sheng loved.
Then after lunch, Lu Peng was surrounded.
“These are the math problems I picked out for you. You have to finish them within a week.” Li Haoyue said.
“These are the language problems I customized for you. You have to finish them in three days.” Xu Ling said.
“These are the English problems I prepared for you carefully. You have to finish them today.” Ning Sheng said.
Lu Peng: “……”
“This is too much.” Xu Ling poked Ning Sheng, “Lu Peng’s brain isn’t good.”
Lu Peng: “Dog Xu, don’t you think you’re worse?!”
“Have you prepared for your floral art exam?” Ning Sheng turned and asked, “If not, why are you barking?”
Xu Ling: “……”
The learning atmosphere at the car wash was exceptionally good today.
Lu Peng was working on fresh problems, Li Haoyue was helping Lu Peng with his holiday homework, and Xu Ling was staring at a bouquet of flowers, deep in thought.
Ning Sheng was holding a book, ready to hit anyone who slacked off.
“I’m raising my hand.” Xu Ling started.
Ning Sheng: “Speak.”
“Are you taking personal revenge?” Xu Ling asked him. “How many times have you hit me?”
Ning Sheng: “Nineteen times.”
Xu Ling: “…..”
“Princess.” He tossed the flowers aside, stretching his long legs as he sat back in the chair. “Tell me, what have I done?”
Ning Sheng: “You’re ungrateful, disloyal, treacherous, and ready to betray—”
Xu Ling grabbed his wrist, yanked the book away, and flipped it open—
Sure enough, “The Dictionary of Derogatory Terms”.
“When did I do a whole book’s worth of bad things?” Xu Ling asked.
Ning Sheng: “You’re about to.”
Xu Ling: “…..”
“Ning Ning, let’s talk this out reasonably, okay?” Xu Ling rubbed his temples. “Your temper has really flared these past couple of years.”
“Whatever.” Ning Sheng said in response. “You and your real dad go ahead. I’ll find myself a new dog.”
Xu Ling suddenly understood.
Oh, so this was what all the fuss was about.
Ning Sheng: “You’re still laughing?”
Ning Sheng: “Get lost.”
Ning Sheng: “I won’t concern myself with you again from now on.”
“Little Bell.” Aunt Xu called from outside. “Your dad’s here.”
Then a man, dressed in a sharp suit, walked into the backyard of the car wash and handed Xu Ling’s stepdad a box of cigarettes.
“This yard is really spacious. Xu Ling, it’s been a while, do you miss your dad?” The man asked.
Peiqi snorted twice from somewhere in the yard.
The man: “….”
He gave an awkward laugh. “You’ve got some livestock stored here, huh?”
“It’s my pet.” Xu Ling explained quickly.
The man: “Qu-quite unique.”
Then he glanced at Lu Peng who standing nearby and froze.
“Have I seen you somewhere before?” The man asked. “You look….. really down-to-earth.”
Lu Peng, flustered: “No.”
“Have some tea, you two have a nice chat.” Aunt Xu said, bringing a tray over.
“Dad doesn’t mean anything by this.” The man started. “I just wanted to ask if you’d like to go study in S City. The conditions there are better, and your grades are really good. Qing’an Town is too small, it’s not suited for someone like you.”
A rooster strutted by and pecked at the man’s polished shoes.
Xu Ling’s dad picked up his teacup and took a sip.
Then he sprayed the tea out.
Xu Ling: “???”
Xu Ling: “Was it too hot?”
He stood up to grab a towel.
“Dog Xu.” Lu Peng followed and whispered quietly, “I just saw Princess sprinkle some salt into the teacup.”
Xu Ling: “……”