Xiao Ji: I'm Auntie's human-shaped body pillow...
Chapter 68
Realizing that Ji Yuning was about to turn 18, Fang Bai only felt a little panicked on the first day. As Ji Yuning's birthday approached, Fang Bai's emotions became more and more stable.
It wasn't that they were indifferent to life and death, but rather that they held the mindset of "there are still six months left," thinking that she could still linger on for a few more days, and there was no rush.
A few more days have passed in the blink of an eye, and there are only three days left until Ji Yuning's birthday.
Fang Bai was busy with work, and these past few days it had been Uncle Li picking up Ji Yuning from school, which made Fang Bai feel a strange sense of "incompetence".
That afternoon, Fang Bai finished her work early and drove to the school gate after calculating the time.
Fang Bai timed it perfectly; just as she stood in her usual spot, the school gates opened and students poured out.
Fang Bai was beautiful and had a good temperament. After standing at the school gate a few times, her name spread throughout the school. Many students recognized her and knew that the person she came to pick up was Ji Yuning, the top student in the grade who was pursued by many people.
I don’t know when it started, but when Ji Yuning’s name spread throughout the school again, it was no longer those dirty and contemptuous swear words, but rather names like Piano Princess, Aloof School Beauty, and Top Student. All the nicknames acknowledged her excellence.
Fang Bai would occasionally hear these things from other people, and at that time she was proud.
When several students who knew Fang Bai walked out of the school gate, upon seeing him, they instinctively looked behind them, searching for Ji Yuning's figure. However, they themselves were quickly swept away by the crowd and couldn't find her at all.
No matter how many people pass by, no matter how noisy the environment, Fang Bai just stands there, doing nothing, and always attracts a lot of attention.
The moment Mu Xuerou saw Fang Bai, her eyes lit up. Not noticing the stiffness of the person next to her, she grabbed her hand and ran to Fang Bai.
"Aunt Fang!" Because she hadn't seen Fang Bai for a long time, Mu Xuerou's voice was filled with joy, and her soft voice sounded like it was coated with honey.
Fang Bai's eyes narrowed involuntarily. After Mu Xuerou ran up to her and stopped, she said softly, "Little Mu, it's been a long time~"
Then Fang Bai's gaze shifted to the person being dragged along by Mu Xuerou, his tone unchanged, "Xiao He, long time no see."
Since that birthday, Fang Bai and He Ziyan haven't run into each other, as if someone is deliberately avoiding them.
He Ziyan paused for a few seconds, then finally put aside the grudges she had held for so long, and said, "Aunt Fang."
Fang Bai nodded, then looked at Mu Xuerou, "Why isn't Xiao Ning with you?"
Mu Xuerou obediently replied, "Yes, she was called to Sister Wei's office. She was afraid you'd be getting impatient, so she told us to come out first."
He Ziyan looked at Mu Xuerou. When did Ji Yuning say she was worried that Fang Bai would get impatient? Wasn't it you who suggested coming out first to tell Fang Bai? Ji Yuning simply said "Mm".
Seeing Fang Bai's obvious happiness after being coaxed, He Ziyan turned her head away without saying a word, but in her heart she was thinking that Mu Xuerou was indeed Ji Yuning's good friend.
After a slight smile, Fang Bai asked, "Have you two agreed on what to do?"
“That’s right,” Mu Xuerou said. “Yu Ning is going to a competition tomorrow and won’t be back for several days, so we want to celebrate her birthday early tonight.”
Fang Bai was taken aback: "A competition?"
Fang Bai's obvious ignorance surprised Mu Xuerou, and even He Ziyan looked at Fang Bai.
"Didn't Yu Ning tell you?" Mu Xuerou asked.
Fang Bai's expression softened, and a smile curved his eyes, but it didn't reach his eyes. "No."
He Ziyan saw through Fang Bai's forced smile. Although she was a little jealous, she couldn't bear to see Fang Bai like this, so she explained, "It's just a provincial competition. We need to go for a few days of training first, and then take the exam."
"Is it the same as last time?" Fang Bai thought of the last competition, but it seemed that they didn't mention going to train last time.
"The types of competitions are slightly different, but the nature is similar," He Ziyan said. "The difference is that this time, if you do well, you will be eligible for direct admission to university."
Fang Bai's eyelashes drooped. "I see."
“Yes, Aunt Fang, I think Yu Ning is amazing. She and a classmate from the next class were the only ones selected in the school,” Mu Xuerou echoed.
Fang Bai chuckled lightly, "When was that decided?"
Mu Xuerou thought for a moment, "Sister Wei said that a month ago."
Fang Bai's smile faded slightly.
She said it a month ago, but she only found out today, and it wasn't Ji Yuning who told her.
At this moment, Fang Bai couldn't quite describe the feeling in his heart. Was it because his child had kept things from his parents? Or—
Fang Bai's emotions came to an abrupt halt, and a mocking smile appeared in his eyes.
There are no children or parents.
Never.
It was just a lie she fabricated to get close to Ji Yuning. Unexpectedly, Ji Yuning didn't fall for it, but she herself was having a great time and even gradually got into the act.
There were also students passing by, discussing games, exploring topics, or watching anime series.
The noise drowned out Fang Bai's sudden silence.
Fang Bai's unusual behavior was noticed, and He Ziyan opened her mouth but didn't know what to say. Seeing that Mu Xuerou still wanted to say something to Fang Bai, He Ziyan could only tug at Mu Xuerou's clothes and change the subject when Mu Xuerou looked at her.
If she continued, the nickname she had just given Mu Xuerou—"the wingman"—would have to be taken back.
Although it was what she wanted to see, she still couldn't bear to see Fang Bai sad.
Those matters are best left to the parties involved to resolve.
Thinking of the two little ones beside him, Fang Bai tried to calm himself down and asked, "So how are you three kids going to manage?"
Mentioning this, Mu Xuerou smiled and said to Fang Bai, "It's nothing, I just wanted to have a meal first, and then go..."
When Ji Yuning arrived at the school gate with her schoolbag, she saw three people forming a circle in the distance, each with a smile on their face.
Fang Bai was the first to spot Ji Yuning because she was facing the school gate.
While chatting with the two little ones, Fang Bai had already composed himself, but when he saw Ji Yuning, the smile on his lips inevitably faded.
Ji Yuning quickly walked out of the school gate, and the moment her eyes met Fang Bai's, she parted her thin lips slightly and said, "Auntie."
A faint smile appeared between Fang Bai's brows: "Why are you only coming out so late?"
Mu Xuerou looked at Fang Bai in surprise. It seemed that Fang Bai had explained for Yu Ning a few minutes ago. Just as Mu Xuerou was about to speak again, He Ziyan put her arm around Mu Xuerou's shoulder and asked, "Where was that restaurant you mentioned earlier?"
Mu Xuerou's attention was diverted, and she took out her phone, "Let me take a look..."
Ji Yuning's gaze swept over He Ziyan and the other person, then landed on Fang Bai, and she said, "Teacher He wants to see me about something."
The air around them seemed to freeze for two seconds, and Ji Yuning remained silent.
Fang Bai chuckled inwardly, wondering what he was waiting for. He didn't know why he felt awkward. Whether Ji Yuning spoke or not was her own business. Could a cannon fodder character like her really have the right to interfere in the female lead's affairs?
After a pause, Fang Bai turned to Mu Xuerou and asked, "Have you found the address?"
Mu Xuerou turned her phone screen towards Fang Bai, "Found it, it's over on Nanning Street, not far."
"Let's go then, I'll take you there." Fang Bai noted down the address and took out his phone to open the navigation.
Seeing this, Mu Xuerou held up her phone and leaned towards Fang Bai so that he could see the address clearly. "Aunt Fang, aren't you coming with me?"
"May I?" Fang Bai glanced at someone out of the corner of his eye. "Would it be inconvenient for you?"
Would it be a bit redundant for Mu Xuerou to be there for Ji Yuning's birthday?
"Of course not, it's more fun with Aunt Fang around."
What's so fun about her?
Just as Fang Bai was about to refuse, he suddenly caught a glimpse of He Ziyan standing to the side.
For a fleeting moment, Fang Bai felt a sense of shared suffering with He Ziyan.
We are both superfluous people.
As they spoke, Fang Bai and Mu Xuerou were almost at the car.
He Ziyan turned to look at Ji Yuning, and when the latter walked to her side, He Ziyan hesitated and asked, "Why didn't you tell her you were going to the competition?"
Ji Yuning shifted her gaze from the distant figure.
He realized that Bai's unusual mood just now was because he was angry because he hadn't told her.
Ji Yuning said calmly, "I'm going to talk about it today."
He Ziyan choked for a moment, "Why don't you take the high-speed train tomorrow and talk about it then?"
Ji Yuning glanced coldly at He Ziyan.
He Ziyan also realized that she was meddling too much, but thinking of the sadness in Fang Bai's eyes, she mumbled, "She's angry."
Ji Yuning hummed in agreement.
He Ziyan was angered by Ji Yuning's attitude.
Fang Bai's concern was something she longed for, but the person Fang Bai cared for seemed completely indifferent.
He Ziyan crossed her arms, glanced at Fang Bai who had already gotten into the car, then looked back at Ji Yuning and asked, "Do you think she would still come to pick you up from school every day if she knew you liked her?"
He Ziyan spoke with a deliberate threatening tone, as if if Ji Yuning were to upset her again, she would rush to Fang Bai and tell him a certain fact.
But He Ziyan forgot that the person in front of her wouldn't be threatened by her childish words.
Unexpectedly, Ji Yuning readily agreed, saying, "Yes."
He Ziyan paused for a moment: "Why?"
Ji Yuning glanced at He Ziyan and said in a flat tone, "Aren't I going to talk to you?"
“.
He Ziyan thought she must be sick, otherwise why would she talk to Ji Yuning for no reason?
It's baffling how Fang Bai has managed to tolerate someone with such a personality—one who's fine when silent, but can drive people crazy after just a couple of sentences.
"You...you're so annoying."
He Ziyan angrily threw down a sentence and strode away from Ji Yuning.
Ji Yuning lowered her eyes, thinking about He Ziyan's question: What would Fang Bai do if he knew she liked her?
The answer wasn't as firm as she had said; she didn't know.
The two walked one after the other. When He Ziyan reached the car, Ji Yuning heard Fang Bai say to He Ziyan, "Little He, sit next to me."