Make a Fortune and Become Well-off [90] - Chapter 210

Jiang Ning didn’t want to interact much with people from Wucheng. She likely wouldn’t be coming back to this city in the future, so she pulled her scarf up higher to cover her nose, leaving only her eyes exposed, and said casually, “Ma Dongmei.”

“Ma Dongmei, huh? That’s actually a pretty nice name.” He Qiaosheng continued walking beside her as they entered the long, narrow, dimly lit, and damp alley. The people in the alley turned to look at them, particularly eyeing He Qiaosheng’s flashy yellow hair.

Feeling a bit nervous under their gazes, He Qiaosheng gripped the steel pipe in his inner jacket pocket tightly, then whispered to Jiang Ning, “Let’s walk faster.” He added, “Next time, don’t come to the internet cafe alone. If you really want to come, just come find me at No. 4. You can just walk into our school and ask for me in the music class.”

In a low voice, he suggested, “You definitely look like a high school student, so the security guard won’t be able to tell which school you’re from. Just say you’re from the art or music class, and ask for me in the second-year music class. If I’m not in class, I’ll be practicing in the piano room in the arts building. I noticed you come to the internet cafe every Saturday and Sunday morning. Coincidentally, I’m free on weekends too, so I can come with you.”

Once they left the alley and reached the street between No. 2 and No. 4 High Schools, He Qiaosheng finally felt a bit more at ease in the familiar surroundings. He loosened his grip on the steel pipe and shoved his hands into his pants pockets, trying to act casually.

No. 2 High School always aimed to compete with No. 1 and Wuzhong in academics, and by this time, the third-year students had already returned to school.

He escorted Jiang Ning to the gate of No. 2 High School and said, “Go on in. Next time you go to the internet cafe, make sure to call me first!”

The gate of No. 2 High School wasn’t much different from No. 1 or Wuzhong. It had the same two tall iron gates. The only difference was that the teaching building faced directly towards the entrance, so anyone standing at the gates could see the front of the school building.

The iron gates were tightly shut, with only the small side gate next to the guardhouse open for people to pass through.

Jiang Ning hesitated, wondering if the guard would recognize that she wasn’t a student of No. 2 and refuse to let her in. That would be awkward.

So, she stood by the gate and looked at He Qiaosheng. “Aren’t you going back to school?”

He Qiaosheng, hands in pockets, replied, “Our school hasn’t started yet. I was just hanging out.” He waved his hand, “Go on in. I’m heading back.”

As he turned away from the No. 2 gate, he walked towards the alley but glanced back, expecting to see Ma Dongmei already inside the school. To his surprise, she was still standing there, watching him leave.

Unable to resist, he waved at her, flashing his big white teeth once more—only to promptly walk into the alley wall with a loud “bang”. His attempt at looking cool was shattered as he clutched his head in pain and rushed into the alley, embarrassed.

Once inside the alley, still rubbing his aching head, he punched the wall in frustration. How embarrassing!

He had made a complete fool of himself in front of Ning Meng!

Tears welled up in his eyes as he leaned against the wall, feeling a strong urge to disappear. It was just too mortifying.

At first, he hadn’t realized that she was Ning Meng. But after so many encounters, he started to pay more attention to her. He noticed what she typed on her computer, and at first, he wasn’t sure. But when he saw the same content in the serialized Wuxia Magazine’s story, he confirmed her identity.

Ning Meng!

The author of Catcher in the Song Dynasty was none other than a student from Wucheng, and not just any student—she was a student from a school right across from his.

However, he kept this secret to himself, silently reveling in it.

Every time he saw her, he would sit quietly at a nearby computer. Since she always came to the internet cafe early in the morning, when it was nearly empty, he could easily find a seat next to her or across from her. Sitting so close made him excited. He wanted to ask for her autograph, to tell her how much he loved her books. But she always came and went so quickly, typing at lightning speed and leaving the moment she finished. She never stayed a second longer at the cafe, completely focused on her work, and never noticed that the same guy had run into her countless times.

If she hadn’t suddenly turned her head to look at him, he wouldn’t have dared to speak to her, afraid of disturbing her.

Especially since when Ning Meng wasn’t smiling, he always got the illusion that he was facing his class teacher. Her expression was so serious that he didn’t dare to strike up a conversation with her.

When the metal pipe hit the table, he jumped in fright, terrified she would mistake him for some street thug. He quickly explained that he was from No. 4 High School.

Clutching his pounding chest, he felt relieved that Ning Meng hadn’t turned down his offer to escort her.

From then on, he could hang out with Ning Meng and urge her to write more. Could he get an early look at Catcher in the Song Dynasty?

With a loud bang, a thick, long icicle fell from the eaves, hitting the ground. Startled, he jumped to the side, snapping out of his excitement over seeing his favorite author and hoping for an early preview of her work. He patted his chest, pretending to stay calm as he walked away.

As he walked, he couldn’t help but jump up, throwing a fist in the air with excitement.

Jiang Ning kept watching until he disappeared into the alley before leaving the entrance of No. 1 High School.

The school guard thought she wanted to enter and had already prepared the entry register, only for her to leave, leaving him waiting for nothing.

Jiang Ning returned to her grandfather’s shop and told him she needed to go back to her hometown for a while.

Grandpa Jiang was puzzled. “Didn’t you just leave home? Why are you going back?” He thought she was worried about her school fees, so he turned and went into the back of the shop, pulling a wad of cash from his coat pocket and stuffing it into Jiang Ning’s hand. “Here, take it for your school fees.”

Grandpa Jiang had a clear caretaker personality and took joy in helping his grandchildren.

At this moment, he gave Jiang Ning all the money he had on him. Being able to help his granddaughter made him so happy that his whole aura radiated joy.

Jiang Ning didn’t refuse his kind gesture. She took 20 yuan and returned the rest, smiling. “It’s not about money. I have enough for school fees. I’m just idle here, and the shop doesn’t need me. I’m going back home to make some snail meat sauce to bring back.”

Grandpa Jiang was in the shop every day, and though he didn’t know exactly how much she earned, he knew she made about ten yuan a day, sometimes a hundred or two hundred if her brother helped her sell. Her school fees were indeed covered, so he didn’t push the matter. Instead, he smiled and said, “Well, if you ever need money, just tell me, and I’ll give you more. Also, when you get home, remind your mother to send your second brother’s school fees.”

He could just manage to cover Jiang Ning’s fees, but covering two grandchildren would be too much for him.