The night outside the window gradually cooled.
The river dam countryside was like a dark painting, adorned with the endless deep sky, stars, and moonlight, serene and beautiful. The gentle moonlight shone through the window, scattering onto the windowsill as if silver-plated.
"How do we compare?" Jiang Ning blurted out.
Xue Yuantong crossed her arms and lifted her small face: "You usually seem quite smart. Can’t you tell by feeling my bones?"
Jiang Ning’s Divine Sense glanced over Xue Yuantong. She wore a simple white nightgown that fell just to her knees, revealing her snow-white, slender legs.
Due to the nightgown, it appeared slightly loose, with the neckline slightly open, showing the girl’s exquisite collarbone, even touched by the moonlight.
Her hair lay scattered casually, cute yet with a hint of charm.
Jiang Ning, hearing her words, shook his head: "Forget it."
Unexpectedly, Xue Yuantong wasn’t pleased: "Are you scared?"
Jiang Ning chuckled: "What would I be scared of?"
He was the only Cultivator in the present world, bound only by the moral bottom line within his heart.
Xue Yuantong’s shining eyes looked directly at Jiang Ning, revealing mischief as she declared: "You’re scared of ?"
Jiang Ning couldn’t be bothered to argue with her. Xue Yuantong, believing he was scared, positioned herself pridefully like a victor on the sofa to his right.
In the room, the display screen flashed, and the background sound of a movie emanated from the speakers.
Xue Yuantong was a bit restless today. She leaned on Jiang Ning, shifting most of her weight onto him.
Jiang Ning didn’t protest; he could lift her slight weight with a single finger.
But her body was soft, warm, and comfortable, so Jiang Ning lounged back, crossing his legs, watching TV and eating biscuits.
Occasionally, when Xue Yuantong wanted to eat, Jiang Ning would place a biscuit in her small mouth.
At these monts, Xue Yuantong always looked at Jiang Ning with a smile.
She didn’t just take; Xue Yuantong repositioned herself to sit.
She patted her shoulder generously: "Jiang Ning, it’s your turn."
Jiang Ning, amused, said: "Alright then."
Saying that, he leaned back against Xue Yuantong’s shoulder. Feeling the weight, she gritted her teeth and supported Jiang Ning.
A cool breeze rose outside, deepening the night.
In the small room, the two nestled together, eating biscuits and watching a movie, their shadows rging under the lamp.
Xue Yuantong, chewing on a biscuit, said: "I’m so happy, Jiang Ning, like it’s a dream. I wish it could be like this forever!"
Jiang Ning: "It will be."
Xue Yuantong: "Hmm."
After a brief silence, she added: "Before, when Mom chatted with Aunt Hua, they said that ti flies faster now. Even when they have free ti, it doesn’t feel like it used to."
Jiang Ning replied: "Because they’ve grown up."
"Why does growing up change the feeling?" Xue Yuantong didn’t understand.
Jiang Ning, recalling the post-graduation days when life was a relentless pursuit, burdened by trivial matters, pondered for a few seconds and recited:
"If no worries hang in the heart, every season is beautiful."
Xue Yuantong was half-understanding; still just a child, she asked: "Will I grow up too?"
Jiang Ning: "Do you want to grow up?"
He added: "Growing up isn’t good at all."
Most people, as they grow, find themselves utterly exhausted.
Xue Yuantong propped up her small body to support Jiang Ning, tilting her head, innocently saying:
"I want to grow up with you."
...
At 11:30 PM, Xue Yuantong ran back ho to sleep.
Jiang Ning lit the Soul Suppressing Fragrance, prepared to cultivate Divine Sense. He didn’t need much sleep, resting once every two weeks was enough.
When the room was filled with fragrance, Jiang Ning’s phone suddenly vibrated.
He didn’t open his eyes but waved his hand. The phone unlocked naturally, revealing a ssage from soone Jiang Ning didn’t expect.
Shen Qing’e: "Yanan, you go to sleep first. It’s almost exam ti, I plan to study a bit more."
Jiang Ning remained expressionless, replying: "You sent it to the wrong person."
Shen Qing’e quickly responded: "Sorry, I was just chatting with Jiang Yanan and accidentally tapped the wrong chat box."
"Apologies."
Jiang Ning: "Hmm."
Then, no more dialogue occurred between them.
Jiang Ning turned off the screen, shaking his head internally, ’How could she tap the wrong chat box?’
He hadn’t talked with Shen Qing’e in so long that the chat box was probably buried. How could she mistakenly send a ssage?
It was utterly laughable.
Clearly, she wanted to reach out but couldn’t say it outright.
Jiang Ning smirked playfully, ’Even you are hesitant today?’
He found Shen Qing’e’s deanor peculiar. In the past life, his care for her was ticulous, most of his living expenses spent on her, but in the end, it was all one-sided.
In this life, though he did nothing for her, it seed she was trying hard to find him.
...
Monday, early morning, as the sun rose.
A beam of light pierced through the morning mist, entering the main street of the urban area, where a titanium-colored e-bike carried a young boy and girl.
Xue Yuantong donned a large coat, clinging tightly to Jiang Ning to avoid the chilly morning wind.
The e-bike sped along, mostly free of traffic lights, reaching the north-south companion street in front of Yu Zhou Fourth Middle School in a few minutes.
At this ti, breakfast shops on both sides began operations, offering stead buns, pan-fried buns, soup buns, Chicken Egg Soup, spicy soup, fried tea, soy milk, porridge... everything was available.
In front of breakfast shop doors crowded with steam trays piled high, many students were gathered, waiting for the next tray of buns to finish cooking.
The e-bike traveled steadily, passing by students pedaling mountain bikes swiftly, their clothes fluttering in the wind, thoroughly carefree.
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