You Like The Smart Ones? You Should Have Said So Sooner! - Chapter 43

Chapter 43: Inquiries

You, you know it all?”

For a moment, Ding Zi didn’t know what to say. It was the first time he had heard such words from a student’s mouth—not even Qin Mian had said something like that. But to be honest, he really couldn’t refute it.

Hong Yue couldn’t help but burst out laughing. “Hahaha, Teacher Ding, go tend to your business. Just let him stay here and keep watch.”

Ding Zi glanced at Hong Yue, still hesitating. Just then, the phone in his pocket rang opportunely.

“Hello?”

On the other end: “Teacher Ding, the meeting is about to start. Where are you?”

“Oh, right…” He swept a glance at Song Ying and finally nodded. “Okay, I got it. I’m coming right now.”

Hanging up the phone, Ding Zi gave Song Ying an uneasy final instruction: “Then you keep an eye on Qin Mian here. I’ll come back after the meeting.”

Song Ying stopped him as he was about to leave: “Teacher Ding, what about the English make-up exam?”

“No problem with that. I’ll just have a word with Teacher Zhang.” Ding Zi waved his hand and left.

Only then did Song Ying feel at ease, turning his gaze back to the person lying on the sickbed. The school clinic returned to silence, with only the whirring of the air conditioner.

After a while, Song Ying looked up at the air vent, reached out to unfold the blanket at the foot of the bed, and used the corner to cover the other’s stomach. Hong Yue’s smile hadn’t faded once. She put down her book and looked at Song Ying with great interest.

“Hey, you’re Song Ying, right? You two seem to have a very good relationship?”

In the past half hour, Song Ying’s eyes had hardly left Qin Mian. Hong Yue had never seen someone “accompany a patient” like this in a school setting. She’d seen it in the maternity ward, though.

“Shh—” Song Ying turned his head, motioning for Hong Yue to lower her voice.

Hong Yue fell silent for a moment, lowering her voice as requested. “You care about him a lot. Just classmates?”

Song Ying’s eyes flickered. After a long pause, he replied softly: “Neighbors.”

Ah.” Hong Yue looked up, chewing on the word. “Neighbors, huh…”

Didn’t look like it. “Living together” might have been more convincing.

In truth, while Song Ying sat there quietly, he was mostly thinking about the events of the past few days. Although he had apologized to Qin Mian, he still couldn’t quite understand why Qin Mian insisted on having such a massive disagreement with him over this matter.

Song Ying’s sadness and anger weren’t just because Qin Mian refused to go to University A with him, but because he was giving up a better school for no reason to choose University Z, which was significantly worse by comparison. In Song Ying’s eyes, University Z didn’t match Qin Mian’s strength; such a choice was a lack of seriousness toward his own life—a waste.

Why won’t he leave Province Z? Is there someone in Province Z he can’t bear to leave? Who could it be…

Pausing, Song Ying suddenly remembered the WeChat contact he had added earlier: Chen Miao.

Song Ying: Chen Miao, let me ask you something.

The other replied instantly.

Sanshui: Speak. Song Ying: Are both of Qin Mian’s parents in Province Z?

The other side was silent for a long while.

Sanshui: ……Why are you asking this? Song Ying: Is it something I shouldn’t ask? Sanshui: Distressed.jpg Sanshui: It’s not that you can’t. Sanshui: They are both here.

Song Ying fell into deep thought. Since they were both here, why did Qin Mian live alone and go to school alone?

Song Ying: Then does Qin Mian have very deep feelings for his parents? Sanshui: Well… how could it not be considered deep?

One he hates intensely, one he loves intensely. How could that not be considered deep?

Song Ying: Then why are neither of them by his side? Are they busy with work? Sanshui: ……Are you doing a census? Why so many details?

At this moment, Chen Miao was facing his phone, scratching his head in frustration. Regarding Qin Mian’s situation, although he knew everything, it involved personal privacy; he couldn’t just blab it out.

Damn it, can this little couple stop bothering me? Can’t they solve things themselves??

Song Ying: Is this also inconvenient to answer? Song Ying: Then I’ll change the question. Do you know why Qin Mian is unwilling to leave Province Z? Sanshui: I DON’T KNOW! I DON’T KNOW!! I DON’T KNOW ANYTHING!!! Sanshui: GO ASK HIM! DON’T ASK ME!! I’M AN IDIOT!! Sanshui: Screaming.jpg Sanshui: Roaring.jpg Sanshui: Darkly crawling.jpg

Song Ying: “……”

He stared at the rapidly refreshing messages and fell into silence, somewhat worried about the other’s mental state.

Song Ying: I won’t ask anymore. Thank you. Sanshui: NO! FATHER SONG! IT’S ME WHO THANKS YOU!! Sanshui: THANK YOU FOR SPARING MY LIFE!! Sanshui: Tears streaming down face.jpg Sanshui: Banging head on ground.jpg Sanshui: Three bows and nine kowtows.jpg

Song Ying: “……

This time, he decisively chose to close his phone. He looked at the quietly sleeping Qin Mian and fell into a contemplative silence, with a head full of “whys” taking over.

When will Qin Mian finally tell me the reason?

At that moment, the brow of the person lying there twitched, a movement instantly caught by Song Ying, who was watching him every second.

“Qin Mian?”

“Mmm—” Qin Mian opened his eyes dizzily, failing to realize where he was for a moment. “Water.”

Song Ying immediately handed him the lukewarm water from beside the bed. After moistening his dry, aching throat, Qin Mian finally began to observe his surroundings. Upon meeting the gaze of Hong Yue, who was smiling and waving at him, he immediately knew he was in the school clinic.

“You’re awake. Come, let’s take your temperature again.”

Qin Mian’s head was still a bit foggy; hearing this, he obediently extended his forehead.

Hong Yue raised an eyebrow: “So well-behaved. 37.8°C, not bad, it’s dropped a bit.”

A glint of a smile flashed in Song Ying’s eyes. “You had a fever, so I brought you to the clinic.”

What time is it?” Qin Mian asked.

Song Ying checked the time: “12:00 PM sharp. It’s early.”

Qin Mian’s reaction was a beat slow; he nodded listlessly. Seeing him so dispirited, the person across from him smiled: “Are you hungry? What do you want to eat? I’ll go get it for you.”

“Aren’t you going to review?” Qin Mian asked, his answer not quite matching the question.

“I already reviewed. You rest well today. I’ve already applied to Teacher Ding for the afternoon exam; you can take a make-up one. Going to an exam in your current state, who knows what you’d score? Rest first, eat first—no rush, right? What do you want to eat?”

Song Ying knew the guy was still worrying about the exam, so he explained everything in one breath and waited for a reaction.

Qin Mian pursed his lips: “……Sweet and sour pork ribs.”

Getting this answer made Song Ying very satisfied. He stood up. “Alright. You stay lying down for now; I’ll go get some for you.”

As he was about to leave, he happened to meet Hong Yue’s gaze. Hong Yue pressed her hands together, very self-aware: “One serving of eggplant and shredded pork over rice. I’ll give you the money later, thanks.

Song Ying was silent, then nodded.