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That night, while working on her practice problems, Xu En’tang glanced at the time several times, feeling somewhat distracted.
Eventually, she simply set down her pen.
When the time was right, she picked up her phone and opened the “Contacts.”
Dialing the number, it rang a few times before connecting.
“Enbao! I just got back from school and picked up my phone.”
The familiar voice made Xu En’tang’s nose tingle with emotion.
“Ningning.”
Hearing the slight strain in her voice, Xia Ning asked, “What’s wrong, Enbao?”
Xu En’tang explained, “I have a bit of a cold.”
Xia Ning replied, “No wonder. The climate in Beicheng must be different from ours; you need to take care of yourself.”
Xu En’tang responded with a soft “Mm.”
Xia Ning continued, “I thought you’d be busy adjusting to the new place and wouldn’t have time to call me. I didn’t expect to get your call right after you returned.”
Xia Ning was Xu En’tang’s best friend from her previous school and one of the regrets Xu En’tang had carried with her.
In her past life, Xia Ning had excellent grades and was a promising candidate for math competitions.
However, during her second year of high school, her parents suddenly divorced, stating that if it weren’t for her, they would have separated long ago, implying blame towards her.
The usually well-behaved Xia Ning was devastated and began to rebel.
At that time, Xu En’tang had just arrived in Beicheng and was focused on adjusting to her new school and life, causing her to neglect Xia Ning.
By the time she became aware of Xia Ning’s struggles, Xia Ning had already started dating a boy outside of school and had given up her spot on the provincial competition team, missing the finals.
Her grades plummeted.
No matter how much Xu En’tang tried to persuade her, it was futile.
She barely managed to get into a less prestigious university for the college entrance exam.
Later, that worthless boyfriend cheated on her, leading her to spiral into depression.
One winter night, she ended her life, forever remaining at the age of twenty.
Xu En’tang had always felt regret and sorrow over Xia Ning’s situation.
She often thought that if she had shown more concern and called her more often back then, perhaps things would have turned out differently.
Xu En’tang adjusted her emotions and said into the phone, “I just wanted to chat with you.”
Xia Ning replied, “Sure! I’m really curious about your new school.”
The two of them talked for over half an hour.
When it was time to hang up, Xu En’tang called out to Xia Ning.
“Ningning.”
Her tone became serious: “If you ever have anything on your mind, you have to call me.”
Xia Ning answered, “Got it.”
The next morning, Xu En’tang still woke up early.
During breakfast, she noticed Old Master Lu was absent and asked, “Where’s Grandpa Lu?”
Madam Lu responded, “He went out fishing early this morning. I don’t know what he thinks he’ll catch.”
Aunt Zhou walked over and said, “I’ve prepared to cook fish for dinner.”
Madam Lu replied, “Who knows if he actually caught it or bought it.”
Xu En’tang and Aunt Zhou laughed.
Madam Lu then asked, “Did Ah Jin come by last night?”
Aunt Zhou replied, “No.”
Madam Lu remarked, “This child always just shows up and leaves without saying a word, treating this place like a hotel.”
Lu Jin made his next appearance at Fuyuan a few days later.
After school, Xu En’tang discussed a couple of problems with Lin Jiayu and returned a bit late, encountering him in the corridor.
It was still not completely dark, with a soft glow lingering in the air.
From a distance, she heard Old Master Lu’s angry voice coming from the pavilion.
“Opening someone’s head and bringing the complaint to me—”
“I still think I’m not in the wrong.”
Lu Jin ignored the comment, radiating defiance and arrogance. His gaze fell on Xu En’tang for a moment before he turned away, walking past her and leaving Fuyuan.
By mealtime, Old Master Lu was still very upset and couldn’t eat a thing.
Madam Lu tried to console him: “Calm down; your health is more important.”
Old Master Lu responded, “With that attitude of his, how can I calm down!”
Madam Lu reassured him, “Ah Jin isn’t the sort to resort to violence; there must be a reason for it.”
Old Master Lu shot back, “Even if there’s a reason, he shouldn’t have acted so violently.”
He huffed, “At this rate, who knows what kind of trouble he’ll get into next!”
Madam Lu comforted him, “You just need to keep a closer watch on him in the future.”
Old Master Lu sighed, “How can I keep track? He’s not even here. His parents can’t manage him themselves.”
Suddenly, Old Master Lu seemed to have an idea and turned to Xu En’tang: “Tangtang, since you’re at the same school as Lu Jin, could you help us keep an eye on him for a bit?”
Madam Lu nodded, “Yes, it’d be good for you to help keep watch.”
Xu En’tang instinctively wanted to refuse.
However, given how good the two elders had been to her and seeing Old Master Lu so upset, she had no reason to decline such a small request.
Xu En’tang nodded and replied, “Alright. Grandpa Lu, don’t be angry; it’s not good for your health.”
The next day after school, Lu Jin spotted a familiar figure at the school gate.
He walked over, lowering his eyes and scrutinizing Xu En’tang, mocking, “Grandpa sent you to keep an eye on me?”
Xu En’tang had already waited for more than ten minutes.
“I couldn’t refuse Grandpa Lu’s request, so I’ll follow you home. But I won’t interfere with what you do; I just need to report back.”
Just as Madam Lu said, Lu Jin wasn’t someone who would act rashly.
Xu En’tang recalled a similar incident from her past life.
Lu Jin had opened someone’s head because of Zhao Man.
Zhao Man had been sent abroad due to family issues.
The incident had started when someone spoke ill of Zhao Man.
Xu En’tang’s words surprised Lu Jin.
He had thought she would be the obedient type.
“Didn’t expect you to be so two-faced,” he chuckled lightly, a hint of mischief in his tone. “Alright then, if you want to follow, go ahead.”
The previous night, He Jiayu had also received a scolding at home, and his ears were still buzzing from it.
To compensate himself mentally, he organized a gathering at his house that night, inviting many people over to have fun.
By now, everyone had already gathered at He Jiayu’s place.
It was lively, filled with a large crowd.
He Jiayu sat beside Lu Jin, looking puzzled at a figure in the distance who was diligently working on her homework.
“Isn’t that the pretty girl we saw at the start of school?”
Lu Jin glanced over at Xu En’tang.
He Jiayu asked, “How do you know her? Is she here for you?”
Lu Jin replied, “The old man sent her to keep an eye on me.”
He Jiayu’s eyes widened, “… Sent to watch over you?”
He quickly realized, “The one living at Fuyuan? It’s her!”
He Jiayu clicked his tongue, a bit envious, “We both got scolded, but why didn’t my family send a pretty girl to keep an eye on me?”
Lu Jin merely smirked.
Lively music was playing from the speakers, and someone changed it to a more upbeat track.
Lu Jin said, “Tell them to turn the music up.”
He Jiayu, feeling protective, replied, “But she’s doing her homework.”
Lu Jin shrugged, “So what? She chose to come along.”
He Jiayu stood up.
Before long, the music was turned up, the rhythm pulsing with energy.
The atmosphere lifted, and someone began to cheer, creating a party-like vibe.
He Jiayu returned to the table, sitting down and saying, “Shi Yu said he only got three stitches on his arm; he’ll be back in school tomorrow.”
Lu Jin responded with a noncommittal “Mm.”
He Jiayu added, “Liang Zhao dared to lay hands on Shi Yu; opening his head was just too light a punishment.”
The pounding beat felt like it struck directly at He Jiayu’s heart, making him a bit jittery.
He glanced over at Xu En’tang, still focused on her homework.
“I’ve never seen anyone come to study here before. To be able to concentrate amidst all this noise, she’s quite tough.”
Lu Jin looked over.
Despite the loud music and laughter just a few steps away, Xu En’tang remained undistracted, wearing headphones.
Her side profile was serious and focused, slightly furrowing her brow, as if pondering a difficult problem.
She seemed completely out of place in the raucous environment.
The surrounding noise and chaos didn’t seem to affect her at all.
Today, Lu Jin confirmed one thing.
It appeared she didn’t really like him.
“Turn off the music,” he ordered.
He Jiayu teased, “Lu Shao is starting to cherish the delicate, huh?”
Lu Jin scoffed disdainfully, “I find it too noisy. It’s deafening.”