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Twenty-Ninth Period (3)
T/N: Translated by Jen on Broken Jinsei! Please do not repost my translations! All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
Jiang Huihui had the chocolate and Yakult Zhou Yanli gave her divided into three shares, taking them with her to class the next day.
Those two girls thanked her. To be able to eat something like this out here in the middle of nowhere, they were both pleasant surprised, asking where she got them.
Jiang Huihui answered vaguely, saying that her family had brought them for her when they came to see her.
They instantly showed an envious look, “Your family is so good to you! I asked my dad to come, but he refused, saying it’s too far out and the road is too difficult to travel.”
Hearing their words, even though she hadn’t eaten the chocolate yet, she still felt a sweet taste spreading in her throat.
She nodded, her voice very light, like as if she was saying it to herself, “En, very good.”
Over the next few days, they would come every night, bringing her late-night snacks, while also helping her study.
Zhou Jinwei looked over the mistakes on the test, noticing that all her mistakes were made in the same place, “Actually, your approach to solving the problem is perfectly fine. It’s just that you lack confidence in yourself, so you tend to be hesitant and a bit too cautious.”
Zhou Jinwei put the cap back on the pen, “Jiang Huihui.”
She was still pondering over his words just now. Hearing him say her name, she was startled, “Hm?”
With a serious look in his eyes, he told her “There’s nothing to be afraid of. Just treat it as a chance to test yourself. It’s okay, even if you fail.”
I-it’s okay?
As if reading her thoughts from her distracted expression, Zhou Jinwei relaxed his face and gave her a what can be considered gentle smile, “It’s okay. Even if you fail, it’s okay.”
His looks were on the cold side, especially his eyes and brows. When looking at someone, he would always carry a subtle air of superiority.
This condescending look was equally directed at everyone.
Was it her imagination? She saw a kind of hard to describe feeling in his eyes.
Jiang Huihui’s heart suddenly got pierced by something.
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but the cold air rushed in. She quickly covered her mouth and sneezed into her hand.
Immediately after, she lowered her head, too embarrassed to meet his eyes.
Zhou Jinwei’s lips slightly curved, a subtle smile also reflecting in the bottom of his eyes.
“Good luck on your exam.”
Those five words lingered, gentle like the spring breeze in April.
Jiang Huihui stood by the window, holding her pen. Even after they’d disappeared in the distance, she still remained there, unable to tear her eyes away.
It’s okay.
Even if you fail, it’s okay.
Those were Zhou Jinwei’s exact words just now.
She lowered her head, looking a bit dazed.
She clearly hadn’t exercised, so why was her heart racing…this quickly?
–
The next morning, Jiang Huihui and the other students took the bus together to the exam site.
It started at 11 in the morning and ended at 3 in the afternoon.
Quite a few of the students participating in the competition were locals of Suhe.
Their families were already waiting outside.
All moms and dads, or grandpas and grandmas.
That’s why, Zhou Yanli and Zhou Jinwei, these two high schoolers, just seemed all the more out of place.
Zhou Yanli anxiously paced back and forth, like a parent fretting over a child, muttering nonstop under his breath, “She probably didn’t forget her pen, right? What if she falls asleep in the middle of the exam? F#$%, shouldn’t have gone to see her last night.”
Zhou Jinwei was a bit annoyed at his rambling, “You think she’s like you?”
Zhou Yanli surprisingly didn’t retort him.
Indeed, Jiang Huihui wasn’t him, so probably won’t make this kind of stupid mistake.
Although Zhou Jinwei wasn’t like Zhou Yanli, nervously shaking his leg, he still kept looking down at his wristwatch, calculating the time.
When the bell signaling the end of the exam rang, Zhou Yanli walked up to the retractable gate along with the other family members.
Since he was tall, he didn’t have to stand on his toes or crane his neck like the others.
He stood with his hands in his pockets and his chin slightly raised, his eyes scanning the crowd for that petite figure.
As the people inside gradually trickled out, the place became noticeably deserted.
A moment ago, Zhou Yanli could still pretend to be indifferent and calm, but now, he thoroughly lost his composure, hating that he can’t charge right in.
Why hasn’t she come out yet? It can’t be that she messed up the exam and is hiding inside crying?
F@#$! The more he thought about it, the more he panicked.
Zhou Yanli went to talk to the security guard, asking to be let in to look for someone.
The security guard’s stance was firm. Anyone not affiliated with the school was not allowed in.
First try courtesy, then use force—–when reasoning doesn’t work, one can only resort to force.
Making out his intention to force his way in, Zhou Jinwei went over to stop him with a frown, “Can’t you be a bit more level-headed?”
He flung aside his hand, his eyes filled with displeasure, “Jiang Huihui is crying her eyes out in there, yet you’re so rational.”
It seems he has already accepted his imagination as reality.
Zhou Jinwei’s eyes shifted from him to the courtyard behind the gate.
“Who says she’s crying?”
Zhou Yanli blanked for a moment and looked along his line of sight.
Jiang Huihui wore a pink knitted dress today. On top was a light almond-colored knitted sweater with a Peter Pan collar. The scarf was just wrapped around her neck once, with one end hanging before her chest, and the other end draped behind her back.
Her long hair was loose, her straight bangs also let down.
As if knowing that they’d be waiting outside for her, she ran over the whole way. Her backpack had slid down to her forearm, but she didn’t bother adjusting it back in place. Her scarf and soft hair had also gotten shaped by the wind.
She couldn’t wait to tell them the good news.
The sunlight in this moment particularly favored her, casting a soft, pale golden light over her.
She brimmed with vitality, like a flower grown anew, imbued with love.
She came up to them, out of breath. Her almond eyes curved into crescent moons, like a clear, sparkling sea. They were filled with joy and a touch of excitement, still having yet to catch her breath, “I…checked the answers with the teacher. If there’s no other problems, then I only missed three questions.”
Zhou Jinwei pressed his lips together and faintly smiled, “Very impressive.”
Jiang Huihui’s cheeks were flushed, half from exhaustion, half from the wind.
She was like having fought a triumphant battle on her own.
In an unfamiliar environment, anxiety easily arose.
But when she walked out of the exam hall and saw the two who had been waiting outside for her, all the anxiety disappeared without a trace.
That feeling of wanting to share her joy with others, it was her first time experiencing in her long seventeen years of life.
Zhou Yanli was not at all stingy with his praise, having her praised into the skies.
Jiang Huihui was a bit embarrassed, her face even redder than before. She let him lower his voice, her eyes darting around, fearing that someone might hear.
Zhou Jinwei took Jiang Huihui’s backpack from her shoulder, “Let’s go eat. Are you hungry?”
Jiang Huihui nodded, “A little.”
Zhou Yanli was the one that picked the place to eat. This time, it was similarly a roadside barbecue stall.
Right beside them was the sea, even able to see a lighthouse hidden among the waves.
The scenery was not bad, but…….
Zhou Jinwei glanced around disdainfully, unwilling to sit down.
Zhou Yanli mockingly said, “Young master, why don’t you just treat it as experiencing what life is like for us ordinary, poor folks?”
These words coming from his mouth weren’t convincing at all. Since childhood, he had always traveled by private car or private jet.
As the only one who was genuinely considered poor, Jiang Huihui accepted the menu from the owner and carefully looked it over.
Zhou Yanli saw that there was beer and immediately wanted to order some, saying to treat it as celebrating in advance.
The other two refused at the same time.
Zhou Jinwei knew exactly how poor his tolerance was, passing out with just half a glass.
While Jiang Huihui felt that it was better for minors to not drink alcohol.
However, their objection was futile——Zhou Yanli had already let the owner bring a case over.
He popped open three bottles and handed each of them a bottle, “In any case the alcohol content is low in this.”
He poured himself a glass, then went to pour Jiang Huihui’s, asking her, “Have you ever drank before?”
She looked at that glass of fizzing liquid before her and shook her head, “No…”
“Then just treat it as an experience.” Zhou Yanli heartily raised his glass, “Come on, let’s toast.”
Jiang Huihui eagerly raised her glass. Zhou Jinwei although had a gloomy look in his eyes, he still raised his glass too.
Three glasses clinked together.
Ten minutes later, Zhou Yanli and Jiang Huihui, one was vomiting on the left, while one was vomiting on the right.
Zhou Jinwei sat between them with a dark expression, tending to the two drunks.
“…..”
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