Chapter Eleven

  Ning stayed with the old lady at the hospital for a whole night. The old lady had severe stomach pain, but she endured it, Ning leaned against her bed and gently massaged her. The old lady didn't sleep, "Xiao Si——" she called out hoarsely.

  She responded with a soft "uh-huh".

  "Going back to school tomorrow, isn't there an exam? Grandma is fine."

  He puckered up his mouth. There were eight patients in this ward, and at night, even the slightest movement would be magnified many times over. "There's no exam tomorrow."

  "Listen. I'm going home tomorrow, it's too hard to stay in this hospital." The old lady said in a low voice.

  Her hands paused in their action. "Grandma, let's take a good look this time." Her voice was shaking with fear and unease.

  The old lady grasped her hand, "I'm clear about my body. I had it checked by Li Dafu from the front street before, he's an experienced Chinese doctor. The tumor in my belly is of a cold nature."

  He rubbed his nose and felt a slight soreness in his throat.

  The old lady didn't mind much, "I'm already 70 years old, what's there to be afraid of? My little one is the bravest, don't worry. Listen to Grandma's words, go back to school tomorrow and take the exam well. Only then can Grandma be at ease."

  He didn't say anything.

  The old lady chattered on about the past. "You were quite mischievous when you were young, just like a boy. You would climb trees and jump into rivers, doing all sorts of things. Do you still remember that new pair of sandals I bought for you?"

  Ning nodded in gratitude.

  "You're really something. The first day you wore them, you dropped the shoes into the river and then didn't dare go home, sitting by the river wiping away tears. I looked for a long time."

  She pressed her face against the old lady's body, feeling that warmth. "Granny, thank you."

  The old lady smiled lightly, "My little one is the strongest, no matter what happens, she can face it. In case Grandma in the future..."

  Either biting her teeth, "No, grandma wants to accompany me."

  The old lady took a deep breath and said, "Grandma will be with you, watching you graduate from college, watching you get married..."

  Ning didn't sleep well that night, and her mind was preoccupied with the old lady's situation. The next afternoon, the old lady still insisted on being discharged from the hospital. Ning's aunt had no choice but to ask Ning what to do.

  In the end, she had no choice but to be discharged from the hospital. The doctor also said that the tumor in the old lady's belly was benign, but further examination is needed below.

  Either when she returned to school, Ge Ying saw her and said, "Why is your complexion so poor?"

  Rubbing his face, "I didn't sleep all night."

  "How's your grandma?"

  It doesn't matter if I said it or not.

  "As one gets older, this is also inevitable. It's good if it's benign, but still need to be careful."

  Ning nodded, "She knew it a long time ago. If she hadn't fainted this time, she would have kept it from us forever."

  "Your grandma is afraid you'll worry, and it's also for your own good."

  "Are there still seats left in the library?"

  Ge Ying shook her head, "I didn't go today. It's no fun going alone. I locked your book in the library cabinet."

  "By the way, there's an internship opportunity at "Hengyu" during the winter break in our department. Local students are given priority. Do you want to go? It comes with a salary."

  "Is it 'Ring of the Universe'?"

  Ge Ying nodded, "Right, such opportunities are rare."

  He responded with an absent-minded "oh".

  "You seem uninterested. I thought..."

  "First get through the final exams. Have you seen my notebook?" She looked around but couldn't find it.

  "The neighboring dorm borrowed it and they made a copy downstairs." Ge Ying quickly stood up, "I'll go get it back. This time everyone is counting on you, who let the class leader go abroad."

  She thought of He Bai Chen, that sunny big boy, and she silently let out a sigh.

  Then comes a week of tense final exams. I'm with Ge Ying in the library every day, the library has air conditioning and hot water, now the location is particularly tense.

  However, Ning always has a seat. Because many people ask her to borrow notes, she is very willing to help her occupy the seat.

  Although Ning is busy with various part-time jobs, her grades have always been the best in their class for the past three years. Ge Ying has had a lot of contact with Ning and knows that she doesn't spend much time reading books, but she is very diligent in class. While others play games or sleep, Ning never does.

  The last day of the exam, Ning handed in her paper early and rushed home with her bag. In the past few days, through phone calls, the old lady's spirit had improved a lot, but she was still a little worried and wanted to take the old lady to the hospital for another check-up during the winter break.

  Whether walking on Sanjiang Road, looking at the alumni dragging their luggage back home, she secretly felt fortunate that she had not chosen a university in another place when she was young.

  When her phone rang, Ning took a look and it was another call from an unknown number. She glanced at it and continued walking forward with the phone in hand.

  He Baiyao saw her actions clearly in the car and couldn't help but narrow his eyes, starting the car to chase after her.

  She saw her phone was still ringing and she felt annoyed, her mouth twitching, "What a hateful guy."

  He Baiyao honked the horn twice, and Ning instinctively leaned towards the side. Her body was about to be squeezed into the flower bed, and she couldn't help but turn her head to look at the car next to her. At first glance, wasn't this the same car that she had thrown ice cream onto the other day?

  She was sizing up the space when the car window slid down. It was as if she saw a fleeting surprise in the owner's eyes.

  "Why didn't you answer your phone?" He Bei Yao pulled over beside her and asked sideways.

  It's just an eyelid jump, "If it's not a familiar number, I usually don't answer."

  He Baiyao raised his phone and said directly, "I made the call."

  No matter how hard you grit your teeth, so what? You think you're someone, and I'll take whatever you dish out.

  "I have something to say to you, get in the car." He Bo Yao said simply.

  Ning looked at him inquiringly, "Oh, Mr. He, if you have anything to say, just say it here."

  He Baiyao's fingers moved slightly. "Not convenient, is it? With people coming and going." He mentioned intentionally.

  She looked around and indeed saw many people glancing over. She furrowed her brow, "I'll wait for you on that road up ahead."

  As she spoke, she strode forward. Along the way, she couldn't help but wonder what game He Bo was playing. He Bo had already gone abroad, so why did he still come looking for her?

  She saw his car parked by the side of the road and walked over. "Mr. He..."

  He Baiyao opened the car door, which meant it was time to get in.

  "Is there anything else you'd like to instruct me on, Mr. He?"

  Does he have instructions? No, he doesn't.

  "It's nothing, didn't you say last time that your salary hadn't been paid yet? The principal of your school invited me to come, and I happened to bring it along."

  Ning was taken aback, and her heart fluctuated instantly. Lately, the family's economy has been quite tense, and Grandma got sick again. Four thousand yuan may not be a lot, but for her, it's still a big sum. However, why is he so kind-hearted?

  He Baiyao slightly moved the corner of his mouth and said, "Let's find a place to sit down."

  Ning thought for a moment, "There's a coffee shop up ahead."

  "Then you lead the way and I'll drive over." He Baiyao said smoothly.

  It's either gritting one's teeth and getting on the vehicle, or thinking in one's heart that it's still for the sake of a few grains of rice that one has humbled oneself.

  He Baiyao saw that as soon as she got on the car, her whole body was tense, he didn't think it was a bit funny. However, he didn't show it, everything was normal.

  "Have you guys started your winter break?"

  She gazed out of the window at the moving scenery and murmured in agreement.

  He Baiyao asked again, "Do you have any plans for the winter break?"

  Whether it's tone without ups and downs,"No."

  He Baiyao didn't say anything else.

  Arriving at the café, Ning deliberately chose a bright and open location. He Baiyao naturally saw through her little thoughts.

  After sitting down, the waiter brought over the menu.

  "Are you hungry? Do you want to eat something?"

  It's just before four now. Ning shook his head, "I had lunch late."

  He Baiyao ordered a cup of coffee and also ordered a glass of juice for her. "This is your salary, take it." He handed over the envelope.

  It was heavy in hand when I received it, opened the seal and took a glance, estimated it roughly, then put it into my bag.

  "At first, Bo Chen had Assistant Zhang arrange for you to go to Huan Yu, and there were no formalities. When you left, the accounting side forgot."

  Ning nodded slightly, "Really troubling you." After all, it was personally delivered by the other party. Even if she knew that he had driven her away in the first place, no matter what, she couldn't be impolite to him despite having grievances and resentment in her heart.

  He Baiyao gently unbuttoned his coat, "Although there have been some misunderstandings between us, you are a good friend of Bo Chen's. The previous unpleasantness, I hope you can forget."

  "Is it sarcasm or are you really shameless? Beat me a few times and then give me some red dates?" "No way!"

  He Baiyao saw that she was like this and knew that she hadn't let go. "Huan Yu and your department have a collaboration during the winter break, welcome to continue coming to Huan Yu."

  "Smiling, 'Thank you, Mr. He, I'll consider it.'" Of course, he had no intention of going at all.

  Even if it's getting back his own money, he doesn't want to sit down with him.

  The cafe was quiet and peaceful, not many people, but it had a nice atmosphere. On the left sat a couple, probably university students, maybe they just finished their exams and were being affectionate with each other, forgetting about their surroundings.

  It was just a fleeting glance, and he quickly withdrew his gaze.

  He Baiyao looked back, his mouth corners involuntarily curling up slightly. "The environment here isn't bad, do you come often?"

  "Whether she was actually planning on leaving or not, she casually said, 'I've been here once or twice.'"

  He Baiyao took a sip of coffee and almost spat it out.

  She quietly made a call and hung up immediately. Sure enough, the phone rang soon after, and her expression changed to one of delight in an instant. "Mr. He, sorry about this, I need to take this call."

  He Baiyao nodded.

  "Hello? Ah, I see. Alright, I'll be right back." Hung up the phone.

  "Mr. He, sorry about this, but I have an urgent matter with my classmate, so I'll be off first." Before Mr. He could say anything, she stood up and grabbed her backpack. "Goodbye, Mr. He."

  He Baiyao's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of amusement rising in his heart. He was still young after all, and yet he had used such a method to leave.

  How silly.

  He Baiyao's eyes flickered slightly as he made a phone call to their department head.