Chapter 249: The Fisherman's Spring
Having agreed to come over in the afternoon to lecture, Wen Nan hurriedly left from the top floor.
Lv Xiaohong chased after him, wanting to invite Wen Nan for lunch, but Wen Nan politely declined as he wanted to return to school to check on Guan Ailin.
Lv Xiaohong had a batch of goods that urgently needed handling, so she couldn't keep him but insisted that they should find a more convenient time to have a better meal together another day.
Wen Nan gladly accepted.
Lv Xiaohong then walked Wen Nan from the top floor to the door, saying words of thanks all the way: "If I'm not mistaken, Little Jiu, you're only twenty-one, right? You young people really know how to communicate with kids.
"Qingqing hardly talks to me at home without us getting into an argument. I was worried she'd make things difficult for you after you agreed to that tutoring contract, but who knew she'd be persuaded so quickly to start lessons.
"You have no idea how hard I've worked to get her to go to school more often, she's almost turning my hair gray from frustration.
"Now with you here, it's just wonderful. Finally, someone who can manage her and get her to listen. I originally thought you were just a T University student and brilliant at studying. Little did I know you handled difficult students better than Qingqing's homeroom teacher!
"This is truly a treasure I've stumbled upon. If the contract allowed it, I'd honestly sign you on permanently, to have you stay by my side forever."
Hearing this, Wen Nan raised an eyebrow and looked at Lv Xiaohong.
Realizing her slip of tongue, Lv Xiaohong raised her hand to cover her mouth and hastily corrected herself, "No, Little Jiu, don't misunderstand, I didn't mean it like that, I wasn't thinking of 'keeping' you... I mean, not that I wouldn't want to keep you, just that my earlier words didn't imply that, nor did I mean..."
The more she explained, the worse it got. Finally, she simply shut her mouth in frustration and started scolding herself internally —
Lv Xiaohong, are you stupid! What exactly are you doing, why are you bringing up 'keeping'! Who talks like that!
She dared not say another word, afraid of scaring off the young man beside her with another statement.
It's strange — when discussing cooperation projects before, even with contracts worth hundreds of thousands or millions, Lv Xiaohong had no problem speaking smoothly with suppliers. But now, with Ye Jiu, she felt like a shy teen, blushing and her heart racing with every word, and when the other party said nothing, she panicked even more internally.
She originally felt that signing Ye Jiu as a tutor was an easy win, but who knew, embarrassing herself repeatedly before him, making it unlikely for him to have any thoughts in that direction anymore.
With that thought, Lv Xiaohong sighed softly.
Wen Nan watched her descend a few short steps, her facial expressions changing continuously, and couldn't help but chuckle gently.
Hearing the laughter, Lv Xiaohong looked up in bewilderment and followed with a laugh, a hint of shyness in her eyes, "Little Jiu, you're making fun of me..."
Wen Nan shook his head, "I just didn't expect Sister Xiao Hong to have such a cute side."
"Me? Cute?"
Lv Xiaohong laughed, lowering her head, pushing her bangs gently behind her ear, suddenly unsure of how to respond. Even her hands and feet didn't know where to go, stammering:
"I-I didn't mean to say anything offensive earlier, you-you're not mad?"
Wen Nan chuckled, "What's there to be offended about? Even if Sister Xiao Hong really entertained the thought of 'keeping' someone, it would be my honor."
... 'Keeping'? ... Honor?
Lv Xiaohong was momentarily stunned, looking in disbelief at that extraordinarily handsome face.
Was he hinting that she could try turning those secret wishes into reality?
Even though Lv Xiaohong had some money and wasn't bad looking, she certainly lacked higher education. When facing someone like a T University top student, especially one so young, she naturally felt somewhat self-conscious.
Yet, at this moment, the words spoken gave Lv Xiaohong enormous courage.
Clenching her fist, she quietly made up her mind to strive for that sliver of possibility, no matter what.
...
...
After parting with Lv Xiaohong, Wen Nan hurried back to the campus. Upon arriving at the entrance of Plum Garden, he found it empty, with no sign of Guan Ailin or Minmin.
... Did they run off with his refresh point?
Wen Nan accessed the system to bring up Guan Ailin's location, finding her about two kilometers away, motionless.
Next, he took out his phone to call Minmin. After about ten rings, the call was finally answered.
In the background, there was a cacophony of voices, like being in a vegetable market. The person on the other end must have deliberately moved away to answer the call.
"Where did you take my refresh... Ailin?" Wen Nan asked.
There was a momentary pause before the other side coldly replied, "That's a question for your woman, about what she came here to do."
Ailin wanted to leave on her own? Where could she go?
Wen Nan asked again, "Where are you guys?"
"In front of the main entrance of Teachers' University, by the tutoring square."
"Why are you back at the tutoring square?"
Minmin ignored his question, only saying, "You should come quickly and take her away."
Wen Nan hesitated and quickly changed his approach, "I just remembered, there's something urgent I need to do, I can't make it. Can you watch her for a little longer?"
The other end fell silent.
After a while, with a stiff tone, asked, "What do you take me for? Your babysitter?"