Chapter 217: Three Books
“Thanks, Brother Ji! This is perfect — on the train, my sister and I can eat the braised wild chicken our big brother brought back and the spicy diced rabbit you cooked. This trip home is going to be great.”
Hearing Ji Yanming’s words and seeing the two large lunch boxes, Ning Qingyuan also stood up to thank him.
“Old Ji, when did you manage to keep a rabbit? How come I didn’t know?” Ning Qingzhi scratched his head, confused. He remembered that all the rabbits had been eaten by those little troublemakers.
“I saved one at the very beginning. You just didn’t notice.” Ji Yanming glanced at him, face perfectly straight and without the slightest hint of guilt.
“Oh, I see!” Ning Qingzhi nodded, believing him completely without doubt.
In truth, that rabbit hadn’t been “saved.”
Ji Yanming knew that Ning Xiyue liked eating rabbit and spicy food, so after training ended, he had gone up the mountain himself, dug through more than ten rabbit burrows, and finally caught one plump rabbit. He took it back and stir-fried it with dried chili peppers.
Hot and fragrant — exactly her taste.
Ning Xiyue’s thoughts were all over the place. Her mind was in a jumble. How had she never realized this before? How had she never noticed anything at all? Was this what they meant by “the person inside the story can’t see the whole picture”?
The lunch box in her hand was still warm. That meant this rabbit must have been cooked this very morning.
He had come to pick up her whole family at 6:30 to drive them to the station… so he must’ve gotten up very early to cook it.
Just so she could eat rabbit on the train?
No matter the reason, Ning Xiyue’s heart was filled with warmth. Other than her family, it felt like only Comrade Ji treated her this well.
It even seemed that although Comrade Ji was usually serious and expressionless around others, he smiled much more often when facing her.
Thinking that, and recalling all the little signs, Ning Xiyue became increasingly sure that her mother had been right — Comrade Ji probably did like her. He just didn’t show it openly, and she hadn’t noticed.
So what should she do?
Comrade Ji was an excellent man, treated her well, didn’t seem like a flirt, and most importantly — he was handsome. Big bonus points there.
Having such a boyfriend would be great — respectable and high-quality all around. She didn’t dislike him either; maybe she could try getting to know him better. That wouldn’t be a bad thing.
The moment she thought that through, everything seemed to look brighter. Even looking at Comrade Ji’s face and build put her in an even better mood. One look, and she could tell this was a man with an eight-pack.
Maybe she should just reserve him in advance?
Ning Xiyue adjusted to this idea quickly. She was that kind of shallow person who loved beautiful things. Looking at good-looking people could even extend one’s life, right?
Still, a girl should be reserved. She needed to stay calm.
She tucked the two lunch boxes of spicy rabbit into her bag, propped her chin up, and quietly studied Comrade Ji’s face.
Ji Yanming, rummaging in his bag, could feel her gaze on him. His heart filled with joy. He lifted his head, met her smiling eyes, and couldn’t help returning an even bigger smile.
Ning Xiyue quickly lowered her head to glance at the time, refusing to let herself get distracted by his looks. “Oh — it’s about time. The train should be pulling in soon.”
At that, Ning Qingyuan looked toward the ticket gate, where a line had already formed. “They’re starting to check tickets over there. Sis, let’s go.”
He then picked up most of the luggage.
“Alright.” Ning Xiyue grabbed her own bags and looked at the people seeing them off. “Big Brother, Sister-in-law, Comrade Ji — goodbye!”
Ning Qingzhi handed her a bag. “Sis, this has today’s meals inside. Don’t forget it.”
“Yueyue, this is some snacks for the road,” Song Jiayin said, holding out a bag full of pastries, biscuits, candies, and roasted nuts she’d bought from the grocery store.
Ning Xiyue happily accepted the sweet burden. “Okay! Then we’ll go now. Goodbye!”
“Goodbye, Comrade Ji.” Ning Xiyue stepped up to Ji Yanming, smiling slightly as she said her farewell.
Who knew when they’d next have a chance to meet again?
Ji Yanming felt a pang in his chest. Since he had no official relationship with her yet, there were things he didn’t dare say aloud.
But in that moment, he made up his mind. He reached into his bag, pulled out three books, and handed her the one on top. His eyes were full of hope.
“This is for you. Please read it carefully. And if you can… could you write me a letter after you finish?”
Ning Xiyue lowered her gaze to the book in his hand — an old, worn copy of A Medical Study Manual. Her brows arched slightly, but under his expectant gaze, she finally accepted it and slipped it into her bag.
“Alright. I’ll read it carefully and write you a reflection when I’m done.”
Ji Yanming was so nervous that his palms were sweating. But when she took the book — and said those words — he felt a wave of calm wash over him. Joy burst in his chest, his mouth curving up uncontrollably.
“Okay. I’ll wait for your letter.”
Ning Qingzhi leaned over and saw the professional-looking book, immediately getting a headache. “What’s there to write a reflection on for something like that? Little Sis, Big Brother will wait for your letter too!” he joked, waving a hand.
“Okay.”
A short distance ahead, Ning Qingyuan turned around and called out, “Sis, hurry up!”
“Coming!”
Ji Yanming and Ning Qingzhi helped carry her luggage forward.
When they reached Ning Qingyuan, Ji Yanming stepped past Ning Xiyue, went straight up to her brother, and handed him the remaining two books.
