Chapter 8: 008 Match
On the way back, Jiang Chunlan took a glance at the young man sitting beside her.
Neon lights outside the car window whizzed past, casting an even colder shadow on the boy's eyebrows and eyes.
"Xiao Chen, what do you think of Li's granddaughter?"
Jiang Jinchen slightly furrowed his brows, saying, "Average."
He didn't have the habit of talking bad about people behind their backs.
Jiang Chunlan fell silent for a moment before sighing, "The Chengs won the gamble."
With just one ambiguous statement, Jiang Jinchen, who was sensitive, instantly understood everything.
Jiang Chunlan gently patted the back of Jiang Jinchen's hand and softly said, "Your mother won't force you. Just try to get to know her first; if it doesn't work out, forget about it."
"Everything has been foreseen by Master Wu Xin, I hope everything can turn out well for our family."
Jiang Jinchen was very curious who was the little master his mother always mentioned – always so elusive.
——
Lin Qing returned home dejected and bumped into Zhu Wentao outside the main gate.
"How did it go?"
Lin Qing shook her head, "Madam Jiang refused to help."
Zhu Wentao replied helplessly, "I knew this would happen. The situation in Jingdu has changed, and Madam Jiang is struggling to take care of herself."
Lin Qing did not understand these matters and cried out, "What do we do? Do I have to watch Shaodan go to prison just like that? He is still so young..."
Zhu Wentao was also worried, rubbing his temples, "I'll think of another way."
Recently, his company's capital chain had also encountered problems, and he had been working overtime to the point where he didn't even have time to drink water.
It's like misfortunes coming one after another.
Upon entering the living room, Madam Zhou was cleaning up the dining room. A big pot was on the dining table, and its faint aroma teased Zhu Wentao's appetite.
Zhu Wentao walked over quickly, lifted the lid, and saw that half a pot of soup remained. "Madam Zhou, give me a bowl."
Madam Zhou was surprised, "Sir haven't had dinner? You should have asked your assistant to inform us earlier, so we could have prepared dinner for you."
"I forgot about it while I was busy. This soup looks good, I'll make do with it."
Zhu Wentao took a sip and couldn't help but praise, "What kind of soup is this? It tastes good."
Madam Zhou smiled, "It's Poria, Walnut, and Lean Pork Soup, with more than a dozen Chinese medicinal ingredients. It nourishes the liver and kidneys, and has a gentle taste. Ms. Ming Jing specially prepared it for the old lady."
Zhu Wentao was stunned for a moment, nodded, and said, "This child is filial, not bad."
He had hardly seen his own daughter since she arrived home. In this family, she had no presence, like an invisible person. If she could read other people's faces, she would have come out and shown her existence.
Lin Qing snorted disdainfully beside him, "Just a little trick."
Zhu Xiangxiang returned to her room and dialed the number of the private detective Lin Qing had provided her.
Ever since seeing Madam Jiang tonight, she had been unable to shake a suspicion in her heart. She had always trusted her intuition, so she had to verify it.
As the private detective had received a generous reward, he naturally answered all her questions.
After she was swapped, Ming Jing's mother became pregnant out of wedlock and was unable to raise a child. She deserted her at the gate of Jiyue Temple on Baitou Mountain and was later adopted by Master Wu Xin of Jiyue Temple. Master Wu Xin had adopted a total of five disciples, with Ming Jing being the second.
Master Wu Xin, with her kind heart and superb healing skills, provided free medical consultations for the poor people from the mountain without asking for any money. In addition, she would also take the initiative to offer medicine. Thus, Jiyue Temple had gained a good reputation in the small town at the foot of Baitou Mountain, and even some people from further away would drive there for treatment.Zhu Xiangxiang asked, "Does Ming Jing often leave the mountain?"
The private detective paused before replying, "According to our investigation, Master Wu Xin passed away three months ago and Ming Jing took three junior sisters down the mountain on the temple fair day. Many people saw them and even had conflicts with others. However, with Master Wu Xin's reputation, the villagers all helped them and they didn't suffer any loss."
Zhu Xiangxiang also wanted him to investigate Madam Jiang's visit to Baitou Mountain two years ago. However, upon hearing this, he directly declined, "I can't take this job. Do you want to kill me? Not everyone can be investigated." After that, he quickly hung up the phone.
Zhu Xiangxiang didn't get the answer she wanted, but she wasn't discouraged. She hoped she was just overthinking it.
——
In the morning, Senior Class 1/8 and Senior 2 Class 1 had physical education class at the same time.
As usual, the physical education class began with running two laps for warm-up, then testing the 800 meters for both boys and girls, followed by free time.
With only one physical education teacher, the two classes were mixed together for the test.
The students wore special sports uniforms for the class, which consisted of blue and white short-sleeved sportswear and pants, simple and sporty.
Ming Jing's height of 1.7 meters made her stand out among the girls. The smallest S size still appeared a bit big on her, with long arms and legs. Some girls who loved browsing fashion magazines secretly measured her and said enviously, "Wrists past mid-thigh, she's a standard nine-head figure."
Ming Jing was placed at the back of the line because of her height. As she waited quietly at the back, her shoulder was tapped.
"Ming Jing, what a coincidence, we're in the same PE class." There was the warm voice of Zhu Xiangxiang, but Ming Jing didn't turn around.
Zhu Xiangxiang was the school's sweetheart, and wherever she went, she was the center of attention. Especially among the first-year students, they had a mysterious admiration for her.
Seeing the goddess actually talk to an unheard-of transfer student, everyone was puzzled. Tao Xingxing, who was in the line in front of Ming Jing, perked up her ears to eavesdrop, her entire body filled with gossip.
"Mm." Ming Jing responded indifferently, her gaze focusing on the figures on the track.
"Let's run together in a bit, we can be partners. Actually, I really hate the 800-meter test, it's so painful. This is your first time, you need to be psychologically prepared."
"Thank you."
What was going on? Where was the cool and aloof goddess? Chattering like an old woman with the other party, and the other party dared to ignore her?
Finally, it was the last group's turn. Five people ran together. Ming Jing stood at the starting line with Tao Xingxing and Zhu Xiangxiang on her left and right.
"Wanna make a bet?"
Ming Jing glanced over at her.
As if finally provoking some emotions in the opponent, Zhu Xiangxiang said confidently, "If I win, you'll wear a nice wig tomorrow. If I lose..."
Zhu Xiangxiang's eyes rolled. "I'll agree to do one thing for you, as long as it doesn't violate my principles. Whatever you ask, I'll do."
If Ming Jing did wear a wig tomorrow, whether it looked good or not, it would confirm the gossip about her wearing wigs. The chances of it damaging her were high if those unstable young minds spread rumors about it.
Ming Jing's mouth curved into a smile as the warm spring sun fell into her eyes, making her look like a myriad of tiny stars on the surface of a lake.
"Just leave me alone."
Zhu Xiangxiang's face stiffened, not expecting the other party to be so blunt.
The starting gun rang, and the five of them took off at the same time. For a moment, the cheers for Zhu Xiangxiang on the field attracted many students from nearby classrooms to stretch their heads outside to watch.
Ming Jing soon fell behind, but she maintained a constant distance between her and the overtaking Zhu Xiangxiang and another girl from her class. Ming Jing's pace was leisurely, without any sense of competition.
More crucially, the other girls were visibly tired as they ran, while Ming Jing remained fresh and composed.
This made no sense!
Chapter 9: 009 Gathering
The final lap.
The cheering grew louder and louder, Zhu Xiangxiang clenched her teeth, using all her strength for the final sprint.
She had been dancing since she was little, and her physical fitness was excellent, but running 800 meters was still a bit deadly.
She caught a glimpse of Ming Jing in the corner of her eye, and the distance between them was getting closer and closer. Zhu Xiangxiang felt tense.
She mustered her strength once more, but suddenly her calf cramped and a sharp pain shot through her leg.
A leg cramp!
Zhu Xiangxiang forced herself to keep running, with the finish line just ahead. She had to persevere... just a little more...
However, at that moment, Ming Jing easily overtook her and crossed the finish line first.
Zhu Xiangxiang, with a pale face, crossed the finish line, both hands on her knees, breathing heavily.
She struggled to lift her head and saw Ming Jing standing calmly in place, her eyebrows and eyes serene, her face flushed...
"Ming Jing, three minutes and fifteen seconds."
"Zhu Xiangxiang, three minutes and nineteen seconds."
"Both of your scores are pretty good," praised the sports teacher.
"Especially Ming Jing, you controlled your pace very well. Have you practiced sprinting before?"
Ming Jing shook her head.
The teacher couldn't help but take a few more glances at her. Compared to the other students who were exhausted after running, she stood out as something special. This girl had talent.
A minute and a half later, Tao Xingxing strolled over, roaring like a muddy swamp, and collapsed on the ground.
Once Zhu Xiangxiang calmed down, she approached Ming Jing and said, "I lost."
Ming Jing glanced at her, "I didn't bet with you."
Zhu Xiangxiang was momentarily speechless, thinking to herself that Ming Jing really was a boring and uninteresting little nun.
The spectators were shocked. Zhu Xiangxiang's reputation as the school's beauty was not only because of her good looks, but also because she was well-rounded in all aspects -- academics, sports, and talents. In the 800-meter race, almost no other girl could beat her.
No one expected a nameless freshman girl not only to beat Zhu Xiangxiang, but also to win so easily.
In an instant, Ming Jing's name spread to every corner of the campus.
At noon, when Ming Jing went to the cafeteria for lunch, she finally experienced the feeling of being famous.
"That's her, the one who beat Zhu Xiangxiang!"
"She's not even that good-looking..."
"Maybe she has a simple mind and highly developed limbs, haha..."
Surrounded by malicious mockery, Tao Xingxing furiously waved her fists, "These gossips are so annoying!"
Ming Jing remained indifferent, as practicing Buddhism meant first cultivating one's heart. If the heart was calm, others could not be stirred.
Her composure greatly impressed Tao Xingxing.
"Jiang Jinchen appeared again! The sun came out from the west! Why has he been coming to the cafeteria every day lately?" Tao Xingxing said, watching Jiang Jinchen and his crew enter.
"Old Chen, why have you been coming to the cafeteria every day lately? Wasn't the food not to your taste before? What, did you take a fancy to some little girl?" Charles Gao had switched back to his playful mode.
Jiang Jinchen got a set meal and sat down in a corner.
By coincidence, he sat directly behind Ming Jing and Tao Xingxing.
Charles Gao's eyes lit up, "Hey, beautiful, we meet again."
Charles Gao directly sat down in front of Ming Jing and greeted her with a cheeky smile.
Ming Jing didn't even furrow her brow, leisurely eating her food.
It is said that men are cheap; the less Ming Jing reacted, the more interested Charles Gao became. In his eyes, Ming Jing's beauty surpassed that of any legendary beauty.
"I heard you won the 800-meter race against Zhu Xiangxiang in P.E. class today. Impressive! I bow to you."
Charles Gao talked nonstop for a long time, but Ming Jing ignored him completely.
Eventually, even Charles Gao felt embarrassed and touched his nose, "Oh, right, there's a party tonight. Wanna go with me? There'll be good food and fun."
He thought Ming Jing would refuse, but to his surprise, she nodded.
Charles Gao was flattered, "You'll really go?"
"Bring Xingxing too."
"No problem."
Tao Xingxing's mouth hung open, wide enough to fit an egg in, her cheeks flushed with excitement.
Could she really attend a party hosted by rich kids? Heaven! A dream come true for her!
Ever since Jiang Jinchen and his group appeared, many girls had been observing them. Charles Gao was only second to Jiang Jinchen in popularity, and now seeing him being so attentive to a girl who wasn't a school beauty or any sort of campus belle, with just average looks, many of them felt upset.
Why would such an ordinary girl deserve Charles Gao's attention? She was just a bit taller than average with nothing unique about her.
"Hi, senior, can I sit next to you?" Li Jiaojiao approached Jiang Jinchen with her meal tray, flashing a sweet smile.
It was obvious she had carefully applied her makeup today, with a natural looking yet cunning style, tied her hair in a high half ponytail, looking youthful and sweet.
Jiang Jinchen nodded, and Li Jiaojiao happily sat down across from him.
"By the way, I just heard Senior Gao saying there's a party tonight, can I go?" She blinked her innocent, doe-like eyes, making it hard for anyone to refuse.
Before Jiang Jinchen could speak, Charles Gao waved his hand, "Of course you're welcome!"
Jiang Jinchen glanced at Charles Gao and said nothing.
"Can I bring Zhao Qin too?"
"No problem, the more the merrier! Bring as many friends as you want."
"Senior Gao, you're so nice!" Li Jiaojiao said with stars in her eyes.
People who knew Li Jiaojiao couldn't help but shiver at this scene, this woman was too terrifying!
Zhu Xiangxiang, carrying her meal tray, watched from a distance, her knuckles gripping the tray turning somewhat green.
Just then, she caught a glimpse of Sun Yi approaching from the corner of her eye. Zhu Xiangxiang had an idea, pretending to look down while walking forward, and bumped into him.
"Ah, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to..." Zhu Xiangxiang quickly apologized.
Sun Yi was about to get angry, but when he saw that it was Zhu Xiangxiang, his eyes immediately lit up with delight, "Are you hurt?"
Zhu Xiangxiang shook her head, her large watery eyes filled with sympathy.
Sun Yi's crush on Zhu Xiangxiang was no secret. He had once very publicly pursued her for a time, but after being rejected by her, he gave up the chase.
"Give me your clothes after you change, and I'll take them to the dry cleaners and give them back to you later."
Zhu Xiangxiang looked down at his limited-edition sneakers soaked in vegetable soup, "I'll give you the Chinese Yuan equivalent for the shoes."
Sun Yi waved his hand, about to say it wasn't necessary, but then he had a thought and took out his phone, "Then let's add each other on WeChat."
After successfully adding Zhu Xiangxiang on WeChat, Sun Yi strutted away, feeling quite pleased with himself.
At that moment, Situ Lin waved to him, "Old Sun, over here."
Sun Yi hesitated for a moment, "Xiangxiang, do you have plans tonight?"
This was an excellent opportunity to get closer to his goddess.
Zhu Xiangxiang raised her puzzled face, "What's going on?"
"If you really want to make it up to me, accompany me to a gathering tonight," Sun Yi said.
Zhu Xiangxiang could feel her heart race. She'd placed the right bet.
Zhu Xiangxiang hesitated, showing a troubled expression, "But..."
Sun Yi, however, didn't give her a chance to refuse, "It's settled then. Wait for me at the school gate after class."
With that, he hurriedly rushed to Situ Lin.
Zhu Xiangxiang stood in place, the corners of her lips slowly curling into a hidden smile.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone 
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