Push Me Away When I Come, Don't Hold Me Back When I Leave - Chapter 58

Chapter 58: A Chance Encounter with Xu Fengwu

***

“Sis! You’re really being cruel!” Ji Chuan’s wailing could be heard from inside the internet cafe.

After the college entrance exam ended, everyone had free time on their hands. In the past, Xia Ruoming would even study while eating, but now she would wake up not knowing what to do with her day.

Chu Suhe had quietly returned to her hometown, leaving Xia Ruoming even more confused about what she should do.

Staying at home meant Xu Fengwu might come looking for her, and she didn’t want to stay at home.

Although her relationship with Xu Fengwu had improved somewhat, the emotional knot couldn’t be untied in such a short time.

So, she forcefully dragged Ji Chuan out to play DOTA 2 together, and it was intentional! Ji Chuan’s originally planned sweet 7-day trip with He Ya was completely ruined…

Distracted Ji Chuan played terribly, having just finished a game as Storm Spirit with a score of 2/19/2, getting yelled at by Xia Ruoming.

“Ah, sis, I’m begging you, please go solo queue by yourself. I don’t want to keep getting destroyed in high-rank matches,” Ji Chuan was nearly in tears, complaining like a wronged girl.

Xia Ruoming: “Huh? No worries, if you don’t want to play high-rank matches, I’ll take you to stomp some noobs.”

Ji Chuan: “…”

He just wanted to go spend time with He Ya, was that so difficult?

“Before the college entrance exam, weren’t you always wanting to play? Now sis is taking you to play all you want, why are you making such a sour face?”

Ji Chuan: “…”

“Fine, I can’t argue with you. But sis, let me ask you something serious,” Ji Chuan realized he couldn’t win an argument against Xia Ruoming, so he changed the topic.

“What is it?” Xia Ruoming raised an eyebrow, wondering what serious matter this kid could have.

“Sis, you helped me in high school, and I want to help you in the future too. What major do you think I should study that would be helpful to you?”

Xia Ruoming massaged her temples, remaining silent for a while.

Ji Chuan wanted to ask again several times but held back.

“Tell me honestly, how much do you like He Ya?” After a long while, Xia Ruoming finally spoke.

“…I won’t marry anyone but her,” Ji Chuan looked into Xia Ruoming’s eyes and said seriously.

Xia Ruoming nodded. In her previous life, he had indeed done just that, three years of mutual secret love that, once ignited, became unstoppable.

“Then go to Jinling University, whether it’s law, history, business administration, sociology, or philosophy, as long as you can get into Jinling University, that’s what matters.”

“But sis…”

“No buts. Remember, He Ya is a good girl. This is for her, not for me,” Xia Ruoming cut off Ji Chuan’s words. “By helping yourself, you’re already helping me.”

Ji Chuan quietly agreed and said nothing more.

On the way home, Ji Chuan poked Xia Ruoming’s waist.

“Hey, sis, isn’t that who I think it is over there?” Ji Chuan pointed toward the entrance of Wangfujing.

Xia Ruoming looked in the direction Ji Chuan was pointing and saw Xu Fengwu shopping for clothes with Xu Yihan.

Thinking “this is bad,” Xia Ruoming grabbed Ji Chuan, ready to make a run for it.

“Ruoming~~” A familiar female voice called from behind. Xia Ruoming slapped her forehead, realizing there was no escape today.

It was all Ji Chuan’s fault, if he hadn’t made her look, this wouldn’t have happened.

Little did she know, Ji Chuan had done it on purpose… you prank me, I prank you back.

A figure in a floral dress came running toward Xia Ruoming. In just moments, that fragrant breeze had thrown herself into Xia Ruoming’s arms.

“Sis, since you and Classmate Xu have such a fateful encounter, I’ll be going now—” By the time his voice reached them, Ji Chuan had already disappeared under the overpass.

“Ji Chuan, damn you!” Xia Ruoming had mentally quartered Ji Chuan a million times.

Xu Fengwu buried herself in Xia Ruoming’s embrace, full of joy.

Xia Ruoming had deleted her from friends list and wouldn’t answer her calls. She thought she’d never be able to contact Xia Ruoming again, but unexpectedly met her here, and even caught her watching from afar.

If this wasn’t fate, what was?

Seeing that Xia Ruoming made no move to hug her back, Xu Fengwu looked up pitifully with tears gleaming in her eyes.

“Ruoming, you said our agreement was only until the college entrance exam ended. Now that it’s over, I’ll definitely win you back.”

“Ruoming dear, what a coincidence meeting you here. The skewer restaurant downstairs at Wangfujing is really good. Auntie would like to treat you to some skewers, as thanks for always taking care of our Fengwu. This child has always been a bit thoughtless,” seeing Xia Ruoming’s obviously awkward expression, Xu Yihan quickly stepped in to smooth things over.

“Thank you, Auntie.” After hesitating for a moment, Xia Ruoming nodded. With Xu Yihan present, surely Xu Fengwu wouldn’t try anything physical.

The three of them went down to the skewer restaurant on B1, choosing a corner seat.

Xia Ruoming ordered 5 skewers of tripe, 5 of throat meat, and more than 10 various other items, all things Xu Fengwu liked to eat.

From recent life to future aspirations, Xu Yihan and Xia Ruoming discussed many topics, while Xu Fengwu sat quietly beside them, not daring to join in. But no matter what they discussed, Xu Yihan would intentionally or unintentionally ask if Xia Ruoming had anyone she liked, and Xia Ruoming would always respond with something like: “I’m no expert in this area, but I’d like to share my thoughts. After carefully considering your question and thinking about it for a long time, I actually don’t know how to answer, just as I said at the start, I’m not an expert in this field,” brushing it off with vague answers.

Speaking like a senior government official right from the start.

Seeing that she couldn’t get any information out of her to help her daughter, Xu Yihan changed the subject: “Ruoming dear, Fengwu still doesn’t know which university to apply to or what major to choose. Do you have any recommended majors in mind?”

Xia Ruoming finally couldn’t maintain her composure and showed a forced smile.

How could you not know where your daughter wants to go? She’s wanted to go to Zhejiang University for two months already.

But she would never say these words out loud, instead calmly replying: “I’m planning to go to Zhejiang University, but I don’t know which major is best either. I’m planning to go into some literature-related major, but I haven’t decided specifically which one yet.”

After chatting briefly about a few more things, Xu Yihan asked Xia Ruoming if she needed anything else to eat. After receiving a negative answer, Xu Yihan said she had other matters to attend to and had Xu Fengwu say goodbye to Xia Ruoming.

Having resolved the current “trouble,” Xia Ruoming whistled as she leisurely headed home.

Xia Ruoming knew that in 2014 there wasn’t yet any college entrance exam score blocking system, so her transcript was probably already on the desks of those universities. Now she just needed to wait for calls from those schools, and the World Cup finals were about to begin.

Although Xia Ruoming wasn’t particularly interested in those schools, this was all to gain maximum leverage in negotiations with Zhejiang University. Having the top scorer attend Zhejiang University would bring huge benefits, and only a fool would pass up an advantage.