Chapter 48: A Joke

Before Bai An could say anything else, the shy boy walked straight to her side, picked up the books by her feet, and turned around, silently staring at her.

Along the way, when people saw that the spot next to Bai An was unoccupied and tried to sit there, the boy blocked them. He kept staring at Bai An as though insisting she had to sit in that spot.

“It’s fine,” Bai An said awkwardly, trying to take the books back. But the boy held onto them so tightly that she couldn’t pull them away.

Seeing that she couldn’t retrieve them, Bai An looked at him in confusion and said, “If you want them, just take them.”

The boy glanced at Bai An, then looked over at the empty seat next to him.

Bai An understood his meaning, so she turned her gaze to the window, intentionally avoiding looking at the seat.

Gradually, the noise on the bus grew louder, with people discussing why the seat next to Bai An was empty. Hearing their complaints, Bai An pretended to zone out, and the boy, unhurried, kept his vigil by the seat, persistently waiting for Bai An to sit.

When the fifth person was blocked from sitting in the spot, Bai An couldn’t help but look at him. When the boy saw her gaze, he quickly gestured toward the seat.

Bai An asked, “Why do you want me to sit in that seat so badly?”

The boy didn’t answer, but looked at her expectantly.

Bai An stared at him for a long while before giving in. With a sigh, she sat down in the seat and extended her hand, saying, “I’ll take the books.”

The boy, as though he didn’t understand, handed her only the topmost book and kept the rest for himself.

Looking at the book in her hand, Bai An couldn’t help but wonder if the boy was a little slow.

When Bai An got off the bus, the boy followed her down.

She turned to him and said, “I’m going home now. Please give me the books.”

The boy shook his head, indicating that he could help her carry them home.

“It’s fine,” Bai An said, getting a bit anxious. She was about to grab the books back from his arms.

“White An.”

A cold voice came from behind her. Bai An turned around and saw Lu Jin’an standing by the license plate.

No wonder Cui Ju said so many girls liked Lu Jin’an. Bai An looked at him—broad shoulders, narrow hips, and a tall, straight posture like a pine tree. His cool, ink-like eyes, always expressionless, were now slightly furrowed as he looked at her. Bai An had to admit, Lu Jin’an was indeed quite handsome.

Seeing Bai An struggling with the boy, Lu Jin’an couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger. He walked up to them and asked the boy, “What are you doing?”

The boy, seeing Lu Jin’an approach, showed a brief moment of confusion, but quickly realized what was happening. He softly said, “Hello, I’m Bai An’s classmate.”

When Bai An heard the boy speak, she was surprised and widened her eyes. “You can talk?”

The boy, hearing Bai An speak to him, blushed so much that it spread to his neck. He lowered his head and quietly responded, “Mm.”

Lu Jin’an looked at him, his expression immediately growing cold. He reached out and took the books from the boy’s arms. “Since that’s the case, it’s getting late. You should go home now.”

Hearing Lu Jin’an’s words, the boy was momentarily stunned. Just as he was about to say something else, Lu Jin’an grabbed Bai An’s hand and started walking forward.

“Goodbye,” Bai An quickly turned and said to the boy as she was pulled away.

The boy, lost in the fact that Bai An had said goodbye to him, didn’t notice how tightly Lu Jin’an was holding Bai An’s hand.

Since Bai An said goodbye to him, could that mean she was also looking forward to meeting him again?

A young man in the prime of his youth, with a bright red face, leaning against a tree, tall and straight with a handsome face, reminded people involuntarily of a golden retriever, somewhat similar.

Bai An, walking back home with empty hands, happily strolled down the rural path, humming a tune leisurely.

“Brother, how did you know I’d be back at that time?”

Lu Jin’an glanced at Bai An, who was happily walking beside him, and the corner of his mouth couldn’t help but curve slightly. “We have a mutual understanding.”

“A mutual understanding?” Bai An chuckled and looked at Lu Jin’an. “Then can you use that understanding to guess what Mom will cook for dinner tonight?”

“Stir-fried green peppers with potatoes and braised pork.”

“Really?” Bai An walked behind Lu Jin’an and pushed him forward with all her strength. “Let’s hurry back! I’m starving!”

Lu Jin’an affectionately glanced back at Bai An, moving forward with her force. “We should hurry, otherwise someone might end up starving on the road.”

“Brother!” Bai An tapped Lu Jin’an’s arm, her eyes filled with a smile. “How could I really starve? I’d just faint from hunger, and then you’d have to carry me back.”

“Is that so?” Lu Jin’an, holding the stack of books, pretended to think carefully. “Since I’m holding these books, I’ll have to seriously consider whether I can carry you.”

Bai An, hearing his words, stared at him in shock. Unable to stop herself, she pinched his hand. “Are the books more important than me?”

Lu Jin’an looked down at Bai An’s annoyed expression and laughed. “What are you saying?”

Just as Bai An, pleased, glanced at the stack of books in his hands, she heard Lu Jin’an’s voice drift by her side.

“Of course, the books are more important.”

“Lu Jin’an!”

Just as Wan Qing finished cooking, she heard the loud noises from outside, and couldn’t help but find it a little amusing.

Even before seeing them, she could hear them.

“Bai An, wash your hands, dinner’s ready. Don’t play around with your brother.”

Bai An shot Lu Jin’an a glare and warned him, “You’d better say something nice, or I won’t let you see these books.”

Lu Demin placed the dishes on the table, looking at Bai An’s angry back, and asked with a smile, “What happened?”

Lu Jin’an shook his head and smiled. “Just teasing her.”

“Teasing who?” Wan Qing tapped Lu Jin’an’s shoulder. “Your sister’s all grown up, and you’re still teasing her? Go wash your hands too.”

Lu Demin, seeing Lu Jin’an getting scolded, couldn’t help but laugh. When he looked up, he saw Wan Qing giving him a cold stare.

“I’ll go wash my hands too.”

Bai An, standing beside Lu Jin’an and sharing the same sink, rolled her eyes playfully. As soon as she finished washing her hands and turned around, she slyly wiped the water on his body.