On the other side, Zhou Ji and Ning Zhiyu sat in the back seat of the car with an empty space between them.
There was a moment of silence in the air.
The driver drove silently, and Ning Zhiyu didn’t like to engage in idle conversation with boys. She hadn’t said a word since getting in the car. Zhou Ji didn’t know what to say either. Zhou Ji realized that it would have been nice to have Duan Ye and his obnoxious girlfriend present. At least there would be something to talk about, unlike now.
From the sports center to Linjiang Road, there weren’t many cars on the street at this time, but they would arrive in about twenty minutes.
The driver looked at the narrow alley ahead and began to hesitate. He turned to Zhou Ji and said, “The road ahead is very narrow. Once we enter, it might be difficult to come out, and the car might get scratched.”
Zhou Ji replied irritably, “If we can get in, we can get out.”
Besides, it’s just an old Toyota car. No need to mind a mere scratch.
The driver : “…”
During this time, the driver had also come to understand the temperament of the young master of the Zhou family. He was somewhat willful, but fundamentally not a bad person. He had even let it slide when the driver couldn’t pick him up last time because the driver’s child was sick. Instead, he told the driver to take a few extra days off to spend time with the child and that he could take a taxi to and from school.
Ning Zhiyu had already picked up her backpack and softly said to the driver, “Uncle, just stop here. It’s only a few steps away.”
Zhou Ji was taken aback, then said, “Listen to her.”
The driver stopped the car.
Ning Zhiyu pushed open the car door and got out, followed by Zhou Ji. Ning Zhiyu looked back at him, and he awkwardly explained, “I promised someone to safely send you home, so she won’t complain to Duan Ye later.”
He wasn’t afraid of Duan Ye.
He had never been afraid of anyone in his life. He just found it annoying when girls complained.
Of course, that was also an excuse.
He just wanted to see her home.
Perhaps because Jiang Yumo was mentioned, Ning Zhiyu’s expression eased a lot, but she still didn’t pay attention to Zhou Ji. She walked straight towards her home, and Zhou Ji was taken aback for a moment but quickly following behind. They walked one after another, with a distance of one meter between them, and the moonlight stretched their shadows.
A few minutes later, Ning Zhiyu stood in front of a small house and took out the keys from her bag.
Zhou Ji leaned over and glanced inside, finding it pitch black, and casually asked, “Are your family members already asleep?”
Ning Zhiyu opened the door, lowered her gaze, and hummed as agreement.
Zhou Ji nodded, “I’ll leave once I see you go in.”
Ning Zhiyu ignored him and entered without even looking at him before closing the door. Zhou Ji touched his nose… Isn’t it always portrayed like this in TV dramas: inviting someone in for a cup of coffee or something?
At night, Zhou Ji couldn’t sleep. It was still before ten o’clock. He walked towards the parking area while flipping through his contacts. Finally, he dialed Duan Ye’s number.
It took a while before the call was finally answered, and the other party said in a slow and leisurely manner, “Hello.”
Zhou Ji replied, “Did you send your woman home? Let’s grab a late-night snack together.”
Guys their age have big appetites, and with the amount of exercise they do every day, dinner has long been digested.
Duan Ye said, “No, I’m already home.”
Zhou Ji understood, but he never took other people’s rejections to heart. “Alright, I’ll come find you.”
In the eyes of others, their current relationship seemed more like Zhou Ji being enthusiastic about it.
But that’s just how guys their age are. Duan Ye didn’t reject Zhou Ji, so it seemed like they really became friends in the eyes of others.
As the phone was hung up, Duan Ye was speechless.
When did he say that Zhou Ji could come to find him?
Zhou Ji didn’t really want to come and find Duan Ye either.
But who else could Zhou Ji turn to? He didn’t know many people in Ningcheng. He wasn’t close with the other three team members, and he found the guys at school noisy and foolish. So, the sad thing happened: he checked his contacts and it seemed like he could only find Duan Ye.
Zhou Ji still remembered where Duan Ye’s house was.
As he brought the packed supper over, Duan Ye was watching a soccer match.
Zhou Ji was excited. It felt like coming back home as he squeezed next to Duan Ye, and the two of them watched the game together.
“Damn it! He’s so bad! How did he miss that goal?”
Zhou Ji cursed while watching, occasionally eating some food.
Duan Ye didn’t eat, he just watched the game quietly.
He found Zhou Ji noisy, but he couldn’t bring himself to kick Zhou Ji out. He could only endure it.
Meanwhile, Zhou Ji felt satisfied.
He now starts to feel that Ningcheng is quite good. Today for example, he could describe it as a perfect day. He had a meal with Ning Zhiyu and even walked her home. After it was over, he watched a soccer match with his buddy. In one word, it was great, in two words, very great!
He has started to like Ningcheng, this small city that he initially disliked.
Soon, the day of the match against First High arrived.
As expected, the leaders above attached great importance to it. It was a friendly match between the third-year students of First High and Fifth High. Both schools had about twenty classes, so with so many students, it was inevitable that the atmosphere would be lively. The teachers from Fifth High were more open-minded and stipulated that the students from Class 1 and Class 2 could rest at home for a day. Originally, Ning Zhiyu didn’t have to go, but maybe she was annoyed by Zhou Ji’s pestering, she unexpectedly agreed to go watch the match.
Two days before the match, Jiang Yumo went to the sports brand store and carefully selected a wristband.
Of course, it was for Duan Ye.
Jiang Yumo personally put the wristband on Duan Ye’s wrist, and Zhou Ji watched with envy from the side. Although he could have as many people as he wanted to give him gifts, it was different… He looked at Ning Zhiyu, who was standing calmly next to him. What’s going on? When Jiang Yumo bought the wristband for Duan Ye, didn’t she invite Ning Zhiyu? Weren’t they good friends? Why didn’t they go shopping together and… buy wristbands together?
Zhou Ji is hilariously oblivious, he “doesn’t” know what he feels for Zhiyu, but when Momo does something for Duan ge he feels upset that Zhiyu doesn’t for him. He is one-sidedly calling Duan ge his buddy too 🤣🤣🤣
Thank you for the chapters!!!! I feel like it’s been so long since I read the last update. 😭