Having just returned to his room in the hostel, Ling Yun finally noticed how dehydrated he was. His parched throat felt like a desert and his eyes were dried up. He hurriedly drank half a jug of water before opening the window and taking his clothes off.
"It's all wet…" Ling Yun mumbled to himself as he stripped. Before anything else, he decided to take a bath to cleanse his body of its pungent smell. As he walked to the showers, Ling Yun could not hide his surprise as he remembered how his sister was able to withstand such a smell without a single complaint when wiping his face a while ago.
After 15 minutes, a refreshed and clean Ling Yun came out of the bath. After soaking his dirty laundry in the basin, he went back to his room with his slippers on.
Back in the hostel, Ling Yun touched the pants he had hung up yesterday. They were still wet. Ling Yun let out a sigh.
"I'm in trouble now…"
Not giving up, Ling Yun started to search his wardrobe. He clearly recalled seeing a spare blue shirt while searching for money that morning. After a long search, Ling Yun finally found the uniform.
"I knew it! When there's a will there's a way! After all, my memory never fails me!" Ling Yun exclaimed proudly as he put on the spare uniform he had not worn for a long time.
"This must be the uniform!" There is the school crest! It's a bit tight though…"
Ling Yun then proceeded to tidy up the clutter of clothes on the floor. Once done, he put the remaining 70 dollars into his pocket and was on his way to meet Ning Lingyu. Just as he exited the boys' hostel, Ling Yun took a natural glance towards the female hostel.
His eyes were instantly captivated by the beautiful sight of Ning Lingyu. Such beauty! As for Ning Lingyu, she could not remember when was the last time she had a meal alone with her brother. However, after interacting with him at the field, she realized that Ling Yun was still the same doting and loving brother from six years ago. To her, his eyes still had the same tenderness and kindness in them. Even when he scolded, his eyes had the same reproachful gaze as before. When she had been chatting with him, his tone had still been the same, albeit with just a bit more humor than before.
This time, not only did he not avoid her, he even took the initiative to invite Ning Lingyu for a meal. That scene had brought her back to the time they spent together six years ago. That same brotherly love and sense of security she felt when she was with her brother. It felt as if they had gone back to six years ago.
That was why she wanted to look her best and show her most adorable side to her brother for this very meal. To do that, she made sure to clean every nook and cranny of her body and chose to wear her favorite snow white shirt and blue jeans. (This attire was one that she only wore during special occasions.) After tidying up her appearance, she then decided to go down.
To make the day even better, the weather was perfect. The sky was clear and the sun was shining magnificently in the sky. As Ning Lingyu walked towards Ling Yun, the bright sunlight danced upon her body, projecting an image of a goddess's descent. From a distance, a young Grade 11 male student saw Ning Lingyu by accident and was left in a daze. So much so that he was unfazed even after a basketball hit him square in the head.
"Brother? Brother!" Ning Lingyu, who noticed how entranced her brother was by her sight, felt a mixture of shyness and satisfaction.
"Ah… oh…" Ling Yun regained his composure after being shocked by the magnitude of his sister's beauty.
"What are you looking at ?" Ning Lingyu teased her brother despite knowing the answer.
"Nothing…" Ling Yun replied, his face flushed from his sister's straightforwardness.
"So how do I look?"
"Beautiful, very pretty…"
"As pretty as Cao Shanshan?"
"Whoever Cao Shanshan is, you sure look a thousand times prettier than her…"
If Cao Shanshan had heard that, she would probably have vomited blood from agitation and anger. However, at this moment in time, Ling Yun had really forgotten who Cao Shanshan was.
Satisfied with the answer, Ning Lingyu laughed. Taking the initiative, she wrapped her arm around Ling Yun and started walking towards the cafeteria.
"Anyway, why did you wear the school uniform? No one wears it nowadays." Ning Lingyu asked curiously.
Smelling the fragrance of her perfume coupled with a whiff of spiritual energy, Ling Yun could not focus his thoughts.
"Well… it's a long story…" he stuttered.
Of course, Ling Yun had no intention of telling his sister about last night's accident. Instead, he told her that his original clothing was gone because of a jog yesterday night. He mentioned that he came across someone who had lost his footing and fell into the water. After rescuing the drenched person, he gave 'him' his dry shirt to keep 'him' warm.
Ning Lingyu raised her long eyelashes and asked further, "If that was the case, that means you have been wronged this whole time. Why didn't you explain yourself to everyone?"
"Explain? That ain't my style. In the whole world, the only one I need to explain to is you!" Ling Yun replied arrogantly.
That single phrase made Lingyu's day. The exceedingly refined smile on her face stopped even the cafeteria staff in their tracks.
A short while ago, before they had reached the cafeteria, a male student had still been looking at Ning Lingyu's figure. His eyes had been unable to leave the beauty.
"It's over, I'm over, she's just too beautiful! I think I'm in love…" the male student mumbled dreamily.
"Throughout the whole school, who isn't in love with Ning Lingyu? But you better give it up lest you incur the wrath of Xie Junyan." His friend replied as he picked up the ball.
"What? Are you blind? Isn't she holding on to that fatty tightly? Isn't that guy her boyfriend?" The male student retorted.
"Idiot, that's her brother, remember? The dude that ran eleven rounds around the track with the sandbag!"
"That being said, it is true they are not related by blood. They are just brother and sister in name." The friend replied in a jealous tone, seeing how intimate they were.
"Hey, you guys! Did any of you see Ling Yun and Ning Lingyu ?" A thunderous voice roared from behind them. Turning around, the male student hit by the ball only saw a tall and burly long-haired male student standing near them.
The Little Gambling God, Tang Meng had just returned from the bank with 10 thousand dollars. Unable to find the siblings at the hostel, he decided to ask these students. The friend who had picked up the ball was a gossip, thus, he naturally recognized Tang Meng. Stunned momentarily, all he managed to stutter was, "Boss Tang, they were walking towards the school cafeteria not too long ago."
Back in the cafeteria.
"If that is so, pass me your soiled clothes after the meal. I will wash them for you since you never ever wash such things properly."
Deep down, Ning Lingyu was thinking how she wanted to save up and buy more clothes for her brother.
However, even her last 500 dollars had been spent on the bet with Tang Meng. She was now full of regret, blaming herself for putting up a strong front. Now, she would have to borrow money from her roommates again to survive the month. Yet, she did not dare to tell Ling Yun for fear of upsetting him.
As for the promised 20 times rate, Ning Lingyu did not believe a word of it. Even if it was true, she was sure Tang Meng would not give her a single cent. Furthermore, even if she did win 10 thousand dollars, she would not have the guts to accept it. If her mother knew how she got the money, she would probably be skinned alive!
At the end of that thought, Ning Lingyu could not help but stick out her tongue at her brother playfully.
"By the way, why did you bring me here? Is there even any nice food here ?" Ling Yun asked as he surveyed the cafeteria. It was noisy and the food choices seemed boring.
Ning Lingyu, who felt closer to her brother by the second, smiled with her lips curling up to the perfect angle as she batted an eye at Ling Yun.
"Don't worry, I won't let you have a chance to save money. Let's go to the second floor for our meal." She replied with a cheeky smile.
The second floor was similar to a hotel lounge. The atmosphere was much more tranquil and it was a place frequented by students who had more money on hand to spend for a meal. It was the place often visited by classes and clubs whenever they wanted to celebrate any special events.
As for the really rich kids celebrating their birthday, of course, they would leave the school for big and luxurious hotels.
"Hey, this isn't bad at all." Ling Yun said while nodding his head in approval.
His only memory of the second floor belonged to the previous Ling Yun. It was one where the boy had to visit the two tyrannical bullies of the school once every month to hand over the 'protection fee'. It was a place of humiliation and ridicule for the previous Ling Yun.
Returning to the present.
Just as the two found a table, Ning Lingyu started ordering dishes as if she was chanting a long incantation.
"Roasted pork, sweet and sour pork ribs, chicken mushroom stew…"
Hearing all the orders rapidly flowing out of his sister's mouth, Ling Yun started to feel some anxiety. He did not have enough money!
However, he didn't want to spoil his sister's good mood at this moment. Moreover, Ling Yun knew that the dishes ordered by Ning Lingyu were all his favorites.
I'm sure Lingyu would have brought some money with her too, right? Let's eat first and borrow from her later…
I really need to find a way to earn some money soon. Otherwise, there is no way I'll be able to continue living.
*Ring* The bell signaling the end of lessons for the day rang, interrupting Ling Yun's thoughts.
At that same moment, Tang Meng entered the second floor.
Tang Meng did not stay in school. Thus, he consumed his breakfast and dinner at home. As for lunch, he either had it outside or on the second floor of the cafeteria. Therefore, most of the staff recognized him.
"Oh, guys, Tang Meng's here. What would you be having for lunch today?" A staff asked politely.
Ignoring the staff, Tang Meng scanned across the floor before seeing Ning Lingyu ordering food and Ling Yun sitting across at a corner.
"I'll decide later." Tang Meng replied softly before walking straight towards Ling Yun's table.
"I've got to say, fat turd, you really got me there! You've really changed my opinion of you! To be able to run 4.4 km with that 25 kg sandbag, what kind of crazy spirit possessed you?"
Being as blunt as he was, Tang Meng sat down across Ling Yun without asking.
Ling Yun had a vague impression who this long-haired brat was.
It was after throwing the sandbag at the b*stard who tried to pull him down to the ground during his run. He had seen Tang Meng kicking the guy furiously when he turned his head around.
Raising his arm, his palm facing upwards, Ling Yun raised his forefinger upwards three times. At the same time, he said, " Get up!" in a calm yet indifferent tone. That was his sister's seat. This brat might have indirectly helped himself, but Ling Yun was going to have none of that.
Seeing Ling Yun's gesture, Tang Meng was momentarily dazed. In the whole school, even Xie Junyan didn't have the guts to disrespect him like that. Yet this useless fat turd Ling Yun dared to order him around with such an unperturbed expression?
"Did you hit your head or something? Do you know who you're talking to?"
Tang Meng was here to give Ning Lingyu her ten thousand dollars. Being polite towards Ning Lingyu was one thing but there was no way he was going to let Ling Yun order him around. After all, his impression of Ling Yun had not changed completely despite how impressed he was with the fellow's performance a while ago.
"I don't care who you are, when I tell you to get up, you'd better get up!" Ling Yun replied with a slight frown, curious as to why this brat was acting so arrogant.
Tang Meng was flabbergasted. This was the fat turd that was bullied by everyone? That commanding tone and that confidence? Was this truly the guy that paid 'protection fees' to the two big bullies in the school every month? Even though Tang Meng had intended for this meeting with Ning Lingyu to be a joyous one, Ling Yun's disregard for him had started to infuriate him.
However, after turning his head and seeing the alluring and enchanting profile of Ning Lingyu, his anger immediately dissipated. He kept telling himself conceitedly that on behalf of Ning Lingyu, he would forgive Ling Yun's disrespect.
As Tang Meng stared at Ling Yun, he taunted shamelessly, "I ain't leaving this seat, so what are you going to do about it, champ ?" He was dead sure that Ling Yun didn't have the guts to do anything to him, even if he had the courage of a hundred men!
Ling Yun gave Tang Meng a smile before standing up suddenly, leaving his seat. He was intending to throw this b*stard out of the place.
"Come on, don't tell me he's really going to do it," Tang Meng mumbled, shocked by Ling Yun's movements. Instinctively, Tang Meng wrapped his hands under his own chest defensively.
"Brother… huh, Tang Meng what are you doing here?" Ning Lingyu asked in an irritated tone.
Right after finishing their orders, Ning Lingyu noticed the commotion at her table and hurried back to their table. Seeing Tang Meng's face reminded her of her five hundred dollars. This was what upset her which explained her tone towards him.
Tang Meng seldom had the chance to see Ning Lingyu with her silky hair down which was still slightly moist from her bath. Coupled with her snow-white shirt and beautiful legs accentuated by her skinny jeans, Tang Meng was momentarily at a loss for words. It was as if saliva was going to start dripping from Tang Meng's mouth as he stared lecherously at Ning Lingyu.
Looking at Tang Meng expression, Ling Yun confirmed his suspicions that Tang Meng had come to look for his sister.
"Hey Lingyu, I've come here to meet you…" Tang Meng replied with a gentle demeanor. Seeing Lingyu, his face had immediately changed to a wide smile.
"I have nothing to say to you, please leave so that we can enjoy our meal!" Ning Lingyu exclaimed without hesitation. She was disgusted with Tang Meng for using his brother as a gambling tool and hated him deeply. Of course, she was also worried that her brother would find out about how she had bet her living allowances on him. Therefore, she wanted Tang Meng to leave as soon as possible.
But Tang Meng wasn't ready to leave.
"Heard that? She wants you to leave and if you still refuse, don't blame me for getting rough." Ling Yun declared coldly. Tang Meng was dumbfounded. Now, who's the real pompous one? He thought as he looked at the two siblings.
Now that it was after school, students were slowly flooding the cafeteria and the outside was getting noisier. Seeing that there was no chance of having a treat from the beauty and with the increasing number of people entering the cafeteria, Tang Meng decided to finish his task fast. After all, if the students were to see him giving Ning Lingyu these ten thousand dollars, that would definitely put his title of 'Little Gambling God' to shame. As for Ling Yun's disrespect towards him, he would have to wait for another day when Ning Lingyu would not be around to get back at him.
"Lingyu, I'm actually here to give you money, you forgot to collect…" Just as Tang Meng continued, Ning Lingyu's face turned red. How dare this scoundrel bring up this topic in front of her brother?
"I don't want it, go away!" Ning Lingyu screamed anxiously as Tang Meng reached into his wallet.
"To give you money? Hold up!" Ling Yun said to Tang Meng. What Ling Yun needed the most was money, was Lingyu so innocent that she was willing to part with free money?
Ling Yun instantly kept Tang Meng in his seat as he was not going to let the free money fly away! "Sit, sit, let's talk it out over some tea, Lingyu!" Ling Yun practically sang as he sat down. Now, his attitude towards Tang Meng had taken a hundred and eighty-degree change as he beamed at Tang Meng.
"Gah…"
"Ah…"
Both Ning Lingyu and Tang Meng were surprised. Tang Meng was confounded! Just a while ago, Ling Yun's face had been as unfeeling and distanced as he could possibly be and yet he was practically beaming at him now? Talk about being two-faced!
As for Ning Lingyu, she was even more distressed. She had thought her brother was the strongest and most prideful person. Yet, just hearing 'money', his attitude took such a drastic change! Now, it was as if Ling Yun was at Tang Meng's beck and call.
For her brother to get tea served to Tang Meng, what was going on? Everything seemed like a mess to Ning Lingyu. As she stared at her brother, Ling Yun turned to her, hinting at her. "Come on, hurry and get some tea served."
Ling Yun's sudden change was all smoke and mirrors for Ning Lingyu. However, as she did not want to upset her brother, she could only give Tang Meng a deathly glare before walking away in a huff.
Ling Yun's smile towards Tang Meng was so radiant that one might have thought flowers were blossoming all over Tang Meng. But to Tang Meng, it only seemed like the gaze of a hunter looking at its prey.
"How much money are we looking at?" That was the main motive behind Ling Yun's glittering eyes. All is good as long as he gives enough money to pay for this meal. I will let him leave like a proper person. Ling Yun thought.
Ling Yun was already determined to throw Tang Meng out if all he was gonna give was ten to twenty dollar bills.
"Ten thousand five hundred dollars." Tang Meng replied with a shiver, his heart felt like choking as he looked at Ling Yun's hungry eyes. Tang Meng was unable to fathom what Ling Yun was thinking and that instinctively made him cower slightly.
Ling Yun almost fell off his chair when he heard the sum of the money. "Oh, where are my manners? Haha…" Ling Yun resettled himself trying to make a stern expression. Again, Ling Yun made the same upwards gesture with his forefinger this time with a different meaning. To Tang Meng, it was obvious that Ling Yun was asking for the money. For such a large sum of money, Ling Yun decided to act first and think later. Once the money was in his pocket, Tang Meng wouldn't be able to get it back even if he wanted to.
"Don't you want to know where this money came from?" Tang Meng asked with a bleak look, questioning deep down why was he facing such bad luck, getting ripped off by this pair of siblings. "We can discuss that at our own leisure later, now pass me the money first." Ling Yun stretched out his palm.
"No, I'm only giving this money to Ning Lingyu…" Tang Meng replied as he surveyed the stairs leading to the second floor, spotting the first few students coming up. At that instant, his heart let out a depressing sigh. In the end, people were still going to see it. Tang Meng felt like burying his head into the ground. Soon, his illustrious title of the 'Little Gambling God' would flow down the drain!
"It's all the same. Lingyu, what are you doing over there? Come on over and collect the money…"
Ling Yun shouted impatiently at his sister. Ning Lingyu, having thought that her brother had heard the whole story from Tang Meng, had a shameful and apologetic look as she slowly shuffled towards them.
Ling Yun rose and pulled his sister into a seat against the wall before resettling himself. "Lingyu, your friend is here to pass you money, why did you run off?" Ling Yun asked in a displeased voice. Once again, Ning Lingyu's face was flushed like a ripe apple as she lowered her head, unable to explain herself.
Upon seeing the return of the proper owner of the money, Tang Meng rushed to pass the bundle of notes, containing ten thousand five hundred dollars, to Ning Lingyu. After placing the bundle in front of Ning Lingyu, Tang Meng spoke in a hurried tone, "Lingyu here's your winnings from the bet, a total of ten thousand five hundred yuan. Have a look." Tang Meng wanted to end this transaction fast while there were as few people present in the cafeteria as possible. To do that, he was willing to part with this amount of money!
Ning Lingyu took a glance at her brother. Only after seeing her brother's fervent expression and making sure that she would face no scolding did her courage return. Nevertheless, Ning Lingyu only made sure she collected her five hundred yuan back, leaving the remaining bundle of notes where it was.
"I only made the bet in a moment of anger, I have no intentions of winning any money so you can have it back." Ning Lingyu replied Tang Meng with a dull look.
Hearing that, Tang Meng felt a stab in his heart! It was not an easy task to give up ten thousand dollars even if it was him. It almost felt like he had lost a limb! Yet, he was willing to accept defeat gracefully in honor of the bet. In Ling Yun's words, being a sore loser ain't his style! To his surprise, the hardest task was not giving up the money. It was the fact that this young lady with such ravishing beauty did not even bat an eyelid as she rejected his money!
At that moment, Ning Lingyu's place in Tang Meng's heart rose even higher. To Tang Meng, she almost felt like a goddess that he could only admire and never reach. As if to show the contrast, Ling Yun's hand shot out at lightning fast speed as he grabbed the bundle of crumpled notes and stuffed it into his pocket before anyone could react.
Ling Yun could only wonder why his sister was so foolish that she even rejected money served up on a plate to her. Others would have snatched up the money right away and yet, she rejected it when it was left at her doorstep. That ain't my style! Ling Yun thought.
As the two stared in shock, Ling Yun nodded his head in satisfaction before speaking with a righteous expression on his face.
"My dear friend, since you lost the bet with my sister, I shall accept the money on her behalf. While you're at it, on account of your sincerity, I shall allow you to treat us to this meal. No need to thank me!"
"Ah…" Tang Meng sighed, astounded by the debacle that had unfolded.
What does he mean by 'on account of his sincerity'? Tang Meng was the one giving the money, not Ling Yun! This was the first time Tang Meng had met such a thick-skinned person. Even in the movies, there wasn't a single character as callous as he was! Tang Meng almost felt like skinning the fat Ling Yun alive there and then. He was only holding back for Ning Lingyu.
Then again, what's a meal after spending ten thousand dollars? In addition, this is a rare chance to spend time with Ning Lingyu! Tang Meng rationalized.
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