After The Honest Person Was Discovered For Simultaneously Pursuing Three People - Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Together Forever

Just as Tao Ning was about to give Xiao Meng a few more words of instruction, the door suddenly opened.

The man walked in with a casual stride, his expression once again a half-smile.

He tossed a black plastic bag onto Tao Ning’s desk. The bag landed right on top of his math test papers.

The corner of a “secret manual” cover peeked out—it showed two hands clasped together. Judging by their size and shape, it was clear they didn’t belong to a man and a woman.

Zhao Jingqun’s eyes narrowed. He was even more curious now. What on earth was this simpleton reading?

But Tao Ning didn’t notice that his manual was about to be exposed. His attention was completely focused on the black plastic bag.

Xiao Meng immediately forgot what he said, scurried over to the desk, opened the plastic bag, and exclaimed, “Uncle! There are so many clothes inside!”

Tao Ning was a little surprised and looked at Zhao Jingqun, who was standing silhouetted in the doorway. The man’s eyes flickered slightly, not betraying much emotion, and he said with a faint smile, “Consider it rent for the stay.”

Tao Ning finally understood. With a “whoosh,” Xiao Meng had already pulled out one item of clothing after another.

Each item was wrapped in a perfect, transparent plastic bag with brand names and logos Tao Ning had never heard of, but he had seen them in malls.

The clothes he wore most often were T-shirts and pants he bought for a few dozen yuan for two from a roadside shop in the small county town. Although the quality wasn’t great and sometimes he had allergic reactions, they usually lasted him a long time.

This was almost the first time he had received clothes that were in a plastic bag with an exquisite logo, which he could tell were expensive. Xiao Meng also found a few tubes of ointment and presented them to him like a treasure.

“Uncle, there’s medicine in here too!”

Tao Ning wasn’t sure how much money the secretary would give him after the tour guide mission was over, but the things Zhao Jingqun bought for him were certainly not cheap.

Was this an advance on his pay?

Tao Ning was happy that he had earned more money. He looked at Zhao Jingqun with his wet, innocent eyes and said, “Thank you, you’re a really good person.”

When Xiao Meng heard him say this, she pouted and followed suit, “Thank you, Brother Jingqun.”

With two pairs of bright, innocent eyes looking at him so obediently, the ice in Zhao Jingqun’s heart suddenly melted a little, and the exhaustion from his early morning errand vanished.

The corners of his mouth lifted higher, but what he said was, “I bought them for the other two families as well. Don’t think too much of it.”

Tao Ning was a little confused by his words. What was he thinking too much of? But he nodded obediently. After a moment, he asked softly, “Can I… get money directly next time?”

Hearing this, the smile on Zhao Jingqun’s face faltered. Was this simpleton being pushy now? Was this how he was supposed to be pursuing someone?

An awkward silence filled the room. Tao Ning was confused. “If not, then… can it be used to pay off some of my debt?” Unexpectedly, the smile on the man’s face grew colder.

Tao Ning became even more confused and felt a deeper sense of frustration. He really was not suited for anything other than math. He was clumsy with words and didn’t know what to say to make people happy.

Just as the strange silence was about to spread, Secretary Liu came in a hurry, calling Tao Ning to lead the way and repeatedly reminding him to treat the guests well.

Tao Ning nodded seriously. Because the wound on his knee was a bit shocking, he changed into long pants. The vehicle for their trip was still the old electric tricycle.

This time, however, Zhao Jingqun silently went to the back seat. Tao Ning had brought some things from home and sat alone in the front to drive.

He drove steadily and picked up Zhao Jingsui, He Niannian, and He Yan.

As soon as He Niannian got in the car, she started complaining, “The conditions in this village are too poor. I couldn’t even sleep well. Look at my dark circles, Sui Sui. Let’s not come here again.”

Zhao Jingsui looked at her gently. “Okay, we won’t come again next time.”

He Yan rolled his eyes. “You have dark circles? You probably slept like a pig. I called you four or five times last night and you didn’t answer.” After speaking, he cautiously glanced at the man sitting beside him and mumbled, “I think Brother Zhao really didn’t sleep well…”

The shy young man from yesterday was driving in front of them, and the man was sitting on his left. There were obvious dark circles under his eyes, and his head was turned toward the front. His gaze seemed to be fixed ahead, but he looked a little absent-minded.

Sensing the probing look from the person on his right, Zhao Jingqun unhurriedly glanced at him and raised an eyebrow. “Oh, there were a lot of mosquitoes. I didn’t sleep well.”

He Yan chuckled awkwardly, and the atmosphere fell silent until Tao Ning stopped the car, at which point it became lively again.

He Niannian pulled Zhao Jingsui out of the car, holding her hand and exclaiming, “Sui Sui, look! This place isn’t bad. I never thought there would be such a beautiful place in this little mountain village.”

Looking out, from the top of the mountain, with no trees to block the view, the scenery was suddenly wide and clear. It was a beautiful blend of green landscapes and blue skies, with spectacular, seemingly endless terraced fields and lemon groves.

Tucked deep in the mountains were a few scattered houses, giving it a feel of “a small mountain, flowing water, and homes.” Below their feet was a lake the color of a green emerald.

He Yan sighed with emotion. “No wonder so many people come here for inspiration…”

After looking for a while, Zhao Jingqun’s gaze returned to Tao Ning, who was standing quietly beside them. A gentle breeze blew his white shirt, revealing a slender waist and fair skin beneath the hem.

He shifted his gaze and then heard the young man’s soft voice say, “The mountain we are standing on is called Qiaogu Mountain. Legend has it that during the Ming Dynasty, a woman named Qiaogu got lost on this mountain, and a goblin named ‘Xuan’ saved her.”

“The two of them fell in love and promised to be with each other forever. But human life is short. Fifty years later, Qiaogu passed away and was buried on this mountain. Xuan couldn’t accept her leaving and turned his body into this lake and the terraced fields in the distance. He hoped that this way, he could guard this mountain and be with Qiaogu for all eternity.”

“So our Huangmeng Village also has a custom,” the young man paused and chuckled softly. “If you meet someone you like, you bring them to this mountain to make a vow, tie a red ribbon to a tree, and wish to be with them forever.”

It was the first time he had heard the young man talk so much without a single pause and without any of his usual shyness. It was as if he was omnipotent and omniscient when it came to things he knew about.

Everyone stared at him blankly until He Niannian pulled Zhao Jingsui’s hand and pouted playfully, “Sui Sui, let’s go make a vow after you’re done painting. Hey, you, the one surnamed Tao, did you bring a red cloth?”

After she said this, she saw someone giving her a strange look and immediately got angry. “What are you men thinking?! Sui Sui and I are best friends! Don’t you know what best friends are? Best friends are supposed to be together forever!”

Zhao Jingsui couldn’t help but laugh. “Okay, we’ll go later.”

At this moment, Zhao Jingqun’s eyes returned to Tao Ning. He recalled the story he had just told and couldn’t help but lose himself in thought.

A vow? Interesting.”

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