At the end of the military training of the first years, Yan No. 1 High School also ushered in its first weekend.
In the last class on Saturday, the chemistry teacher dragged on the class pass the bell as per usual, and the students below were also used to it and remained very focused. There was only a little movement in the back row.
âJiangziâ¦..Jiangziâ¦..â Shen Xu paid vigilant attention to the movement up at the front while calling to Jiang Chen under his breath. When the chemistry teacher up front turned to write on the blackboard, he quickly tilted his body and pushed Jiang Chen who was doing a practice question. When Jiang Chen looked over, he sat up straight. He covered his mouth and pointed to the back door: âLittle Brother Min is waiting for you outside, and there is also a pretty sister.â
Jiang Chen followed his line of sight to look back and was stunned for a moment. In the corridor at the back door, He Qianmin was talking to Yang Yun. The two stood by the window outside the corridor, apparently to avoid disturbing the class.
He Qianmin came here to wait for him after school, but did Yang Yun come here with him or because of other matters?
Jiang Chen pursed his lips slightly, and looked away.
Shen Xu had been paying attention to Jiang Chenâs expression the whole time, and when he saw this, he scooted over and asked, âYou know her?â
âHe Qianminâs mother.â
âSo young?â Shen Xu said in surprise, âI thought sheâ¦..â
âShen Xu!â The chemistry teacher up front turned around abruptly: âYou have been whispering to Jiang Chen since the bell for the end of class rang. Is it because you canât wait to get out of school, or have you two made an appointment to go out to play? I didnât finish this part and disrupted your plans, is that it? Or is it that you already know everything and can take the college entrance exam immediately? And Jiang Chen, are you already positive that you can score the top spot on the exam? And the rest sitting or lying in the back who are not listening to the lecture, anxious to get out of school, are you all like Jiang Chen? He has the ability not to listen to the lecture, and you also think that you donât need to listen to my lecture? You think itâs a waste of time for me to teach you a little more, donât you?â
Shen Xu stood up abruptly, raised his hand with an apologetic expression, and put on a very correct attitude of admitting his mistake: âTeacher He, I was wrong. I shouldnât have been afraid to disturb everyoneâs progress because I didnât understand the first step and leaned over to whisper to Jiang Chen instead. I shouldnât have disturbed your class because of my thirst for knowledge and made you angry. I will definitely raise my hand to ask you next time or wait until after class is over! I was wrong, Teacher He, Iâm sorry.â After finishing, he bowed seriously.
The words at the top of Teacher Heâs throat was blocked by his bow. Standing there, he grinded his teeth angrily. Shen Xu quietly raised his head a little. Seeing that Teacher He was silent, he cleared his throat and shouted at the volume learned from military training: âI was wrong! Iâm sorry to my parents, Iâm sorry to my teachers, Iâm sorry to my classmates! I really regret it! Teacher He, please forgive me for my mistakes!â
After a while of silence, the first burst of smothered laughter sounded, followed by uncontrollable bursts of laughter from the rest. Even Jiang Chen couldnât help but secretly roll his eyes.
Teacher He, nicknamed M2, was famous for his short temper, able to scold at a high speed and with a wide range like a machine gun. However, since he taught Shen Xu, he had encountered the biggest defeat in his life. Every time he was about to scold with class, scold to his heartâs content, he would be blocked by Shen Xu, who had an eloquent mouth and a humble attitude. From then on, Shen Xu became famous, a phenomenon in class 1.
Sure enough, after grinding his teeth for half a minute, Teacher He threw the book on the podium and was defeated again: âGet out, class is over!â
When he walked away in a huff, the whole class burst into laughter, slapping their desks and kicking their chairs in great amusement. The classroom became very lively indeed.
Luo Ze laughed himself prone on the table, giving Shen Xu a thumbs up: âIn terms of matching M2, I will only recognize you for the rest of my life, even his wife needs to come and learn from you!â
Shen Xu shook his head modestly: âIf you call me Papa, Papa can also pass on my secret technique to you.â
Luo Ze: âGo to hell!â
Jiang Chen tidied up his things, raised his chin to gesture towards the outside, and said, âIâll be leaving first.â
Shen Xu waved his hand: âSee you later!â
When Jiang Chen walked to the back door, he turned around and said, âGive me the practice test paper I asked you to do on Monday.â Then he left through the door without looking back.
A howl came from the classroom, and Jiang Chen greeted Yang Yun politely: âAunt Yang.â
âXiao Chen.â Yang Yun glanced at the noisy classroom and smiled softly, âYour class is so lively.â
Jiang Chen smiled: âThird year is very tense, everyone cherishes anything that can lighten the mood.â
Yang Yun was instantly attracted by this topic: âAre you under heavy academic pressure? Are you tired? If you study late every day, you must eat something healthy and nourishing to make up for it. Auntie knows someâ¦..â
âMomâââ He Qianmin interrupted Yang Yun and said, âMy brother doesnât need to study late at all. He is in cooperation with Li De, and he spends most of his extracurricular time working, but he is still the number one even if he doesnât need to study much.â
âIt must be very tiring to study and work at the same time.â Yang Yun said worriedly: âAuntie stewed pigeon soup with red dates and wolfberries at home today, which can strengthen the brain and improve memory. It just so happens that today is also Qian Yuâs birthday. She asked me to come and invite you to be a guest at our home and celebrate her birthday.â
âQian Yuâs birthday?â Jiang Chen looked at He Qianmin. He Qianmin had never told him about thus before.
He Qianmin coughed lowly: âI forgotâ¦..â
The two teenagers looked at each other, and Yang Yun laughed: âYou often forget even your own birthday, your sister wonât blame you. On the way home later, weâll stop by the shopping mall and you can just buy her a gift. Xiao Chen, if you are free in the evening, come back with us. Qian Yu has been looking forward to you attending her birthday party since a week ago.â
Jiang Chen hesitated, Yang Yun continued: âIf Qian Yu sees you, she will be very happy.â
âOkay.â Jiang Chen smiled and said, âIâll call home first.â
He Qianminâs eyes lit up: âBig Brother, you agree!â
âEn.â Jiang Chen said to Yang Yun, âI will be troubling you.â
âHow can that be?â Yang Yun smiled softly, while sighing in her heart that Jiang Chen was very polite, there was also a sense of loss that seemed to come from nowhere. She suppressed her inexplicable emotions, and stretched out her arms to tuck Jiang Chen and He Qianminâs arms on either side: âLetâs go, the driver is already waiting at the school gate.â
On the way to the Heâs, Jiang Chen called Yang Si. Hearing his motherâs gentle reminders and his fatherâs hearty laughter, he pursed his lips and chatted with them for a while. After hanging up the call, he looked out the window at the lessening traffic and the road that seemed to be leading to a place with more beautiful scenery. After a few seconds, he quickly looked away. His heart seemed to be pressed by something that was neither light or heavy, feeling guilt and resistance.
The atmosphere in the car was a little silent. Yang Si saw Jiang Chenâs expression from the rearview mirror, and said softly, âXiao Chen, Auntie still doesnât know when your birthday is? Next time when itâs your birthday, Auntie will remind Qian Min to bring you a gift.â
Jiang Chenâs eyelashes flickered. He quickly suppressed the emotion in his eyes, slightly moved his lips and said, âIn december.â
âThatâs coming soon.â Yang Yun said with a smile: âItâs already September, less than three months away.â
He Qianmin also turned his head and said, âBig Brother, so your birthday is in December, what date in December?â
Jiang Chen looked out the window and said with a faint smile, âThe 22nd.â
Yang Yun was startled, and He Qianmin also widened eyes. He muttered in a low voice, âWhy is it on the same day as himâ¦..â
After finishing speaking, he realized that what he said was inappropriate. He instantly raised his eyes to explain, but found that Jiang Chen was looking out of the window in a daze, as if he didnât hear what he said.
He Qianmin quietly breathed a sigh of relief, and his mood became high-spirited again: âBig Brother, I will definitely prepare a super cool gift for you at that time! Guaranteed to satisfy you.â
Jiang Chen smiled faintly, turned his head and asked, âWhat gift?â
âIf I tell you now, what kind of surprise would that be?â He Qianmin smirked: âIn short, I absolutely guarantee that you will like it!â
Jiang Chen bent his eyes and said, âThen Iâll look forward to it in advance.â
âJust look forward to it!â He Qianmin thought for a while, and then said: âActually, donât look forward too much, if you look forward to it too much, what would I do if you end up disappointed?â
Jiang Chen laughed: âDidnât you say that I would definitely like it?â
âI think you would like it.â He Qianmin said: âBut on your birthday, you must be in the happiest state throughout the whole process. Iâm just afraid you would feel a little unhappy after being disappointed.â
Jiang Chen was silent for a moment, then smiled and said, âI wonât.â
After saying that, the car stopped at the gate of the Heâs. He Qianyu, who had already been waiting at the gate, rushed over. Her eyes lit up instantly when she saw Jiang Chen getting out of the car. She couldnât hide her delight and shyly called out: âBrother Jiang Chen!â
Jiang Chen knelt down, looked at her and smiled, âHappy birthday, little princess.â
He Qianyu held back for a moment, then flew into Jiang Chenâs arms, hugging his neck and smiling, âThank you Brother Jiang Chen!â
âAlright already.â He Qianmin followed out of the car and said, âWhat are you doing hugging for so long, are you going inside or not.â
He Qianyu glared at He Qianmin, and the scene of seeing Jiang Chen for the first time flashed across her mind. She hesitated for a few seconds, leaned into his ear and whispered: âBrother Jiang Chen, can I make a wish to you?â
Jiang Chen smiled: âOf course.â
âI want you to carry me inside.â
Jiang Chen was taken aback, and He Qianyu blushed instantly, and quickly explained in a low voice: âI saw you carrying a little girl once, and I was so envious. My brother has never carried me like that before. I want to know how it will feel to have Big Brother carry me, thatâs whyâ¦..but if itâs not possible, thenâââ
Jiang Chen turned around, squatting down with his back to He Qianyu. He looked back and said with a smile, âCome on up.â
He Qianyu stared dazedly at Jiang Chen, and her eyes lit up little by little. She jumped on Jiang Chenâs back, and made faces at He Qianmin with joy.
He Qianmin snorted, but the corners of his mouth also curled up in a smile, âYouâre so fat, arenât you ashamed to have others carry you.â
He Qianyu hugged Jiang Chenâs neck, and in this position she was also a bit taller than He Qianmin: âIâm not heavy, right, Brother Jiang Chen?â
Jiang Chen smiled and said, âLight as a feather.â
He Qianyu took advantage of her height and pulled He Qianminâs hair. Under his glare, she raised her chin and said, âDid you hear that, Iâm super light!â
âHe Qianyu!â He Qianmin gritted his teeth: âDonât think that just because today is your birthday I wonât do anything.â
âIâm not afraid of you!â He Qianyu leaned on Jiang Chenâs shoulder and said proudly, âBrother Jiang Chen will protect me.â
Yang Yun and He Yanfeng looked at each other and smiled. He Yanfeng shook his head with a chuckle and said, âIâve never seen her be so affectionate to someone after just meeting a few times, and Qian Min has never admired anyone this much either. But after meeting Jiang Chen, itâs like the two of them had their fur smoothed, not only obedient, but also eager to compete for favor, and even their old father canât compare.â
Yang Yun looked at the three laughing children in the courtyard without moving her eyes away, and couldnât help but smile: âMaybe itâs because Xiao Chen has an affinity with our family, the first time I saw him, I liked him immediately, and the more I see him, the more I like him. I canât help but want to talk to him more and spend more time with himâ¦..Maybe this child just has such likable qualities.â
The conversation in the entrance hall traveled into the living room. He Qianjian stood up and looked out, seeing the He couple and Jiang Chen in the courtyard, his face darkened.
The conversation was still going on, Yang Yun seemed to think of something, and said with joy: âAnd Xiao Chenâs birthday is also on the same day as Da Bao, so it seems that he really does have an affinity with our family.â