When Will My Childhood Sweetheart Marry Me?-Chapter 34 - 0: Unbelievable

The kitchen wasn’t well-stocked with food, but the cabinets were piled high with drinks, milk, nuts, and potato chips.

After the little brat moved in, how would he manage his three meals a day? Surely he wasn’t planning to mooch off her house for every meal.

Up until her departure, Jiang Shuyao had not figured out Uncle Pei’s plan.

Having the kid under her watch, she could keep an eye on him now and then. But now, not seeing him for half a month at a time, she feared he’d become even more unruly.

By the time she returned, the candles and roses on the dining table had been cleared. Her father was dealing with work in his study, and her mother was outside on the balcony, hanging clothes.

Ms. Zhu was in a good mood. Seeing her daughter come back from next door, she couldn’t resist teasing her, "How did your fried rice go tonight? Any improvement?"

Jiang Shuyao sighed and slumped onto the sofa, shaking her head helplessly, "I put in too much salt again, it was deathly salty."

After hearing this, her mother couldn’t help but laugh, sitting down beside her daughter, "No worry, no matter how bad it is, the Pei family kid would still find it delicious."

Hmm, Ms. Zhu sure was self-aware.

But... Jiang Shuyao suddenly realized something and looked at her mother in surprise, "Mom, did you know Pei Yan was moving from the villa to Yasong Residence?"

Ms. Zhu nodded, "Uncle Pei said the villa was too far from school and wasted a lot of time commuting. Moving here is not only convenient for school but also lets you tutor Yan when you have time. It kills two birds with one stone."

Hehe, two birds with one stone.

Jiang Shuyao had nothing to say other than silent contemplation.

Seeing that her daughter seemed unhappy, Ms. Zhu patted her head, "What’s wrong? Are you facing any difficult problems at school lately?"

She probably hadn’t even considered that Pei Yan might be the issue.

Jiang Shuyao thought for a while, then turned to her mother with a grave face, "Mom, this midterm, Pei Yan... he ranked last in the grade."

Oh.

Ms. Zhu was briefly stunned.

Last in the grade?

She knew the kid wasn’t doing well, but she hadn’t realized it was that bad.

Before she could regain her composure, she heard her daughter continue in a drawn-out voice, "With his current attitude towards studying, not even divine intervention could help. Tutoring him would simply be a waste of time."

Jiang Shuyao wasn’t heartless; she was just too rational. She didn’t understand the adults’ point of view and couldn’t suppress her own opinion any longer.

Having the top student of the grade tutor the one at the very bottom sounded perfect in theory but, for Jiang Shuyao, it was a challenge beyond her capabilities.

Ms. Zhu probably understood her daughter’s concerns and didn’t press the issue. She just continued to make excuses for the boy across the street, "His parents’ divorce was a big blow to Yan. It’s normal for him to lose interest in his studies, don’t look down on him."

"I wouldn’t say I look down on him. But seeing how all of you indulge him, I truly worry about his future."

After finishing her piece, Jiang Shuyao got up from the sofa, bid her mother goodnight, and went to her room without a fuss.

Leaving Ms. Zhu sitting there, amused and speechless.

It was nine o’clock, and, out of habit, Jiang Shuyao spent twenty minutes practicing calligraphy after her bath.

In the bright halo of the desk lamp, elegant and fluid script slowly took shape on the white paper. She wasn’t copying ancient texts this time but unwittingly transcribed a poem by Su Shi, "Butterfly Lovers."

——

The blossoms have faded, leaving the apricot greens small.

As swallows fly, the green water winds around people’s homes.

Willow catkins on the branches are blown away, leaving less behind.

Everywhere under the sky, fragrant grasses abound.

Swings inside the wall, road outside.

Pedestrians outside, laughter from the beautiful women inside.

The laughter fades until it’s unheard, silence growing deeper.

Passionate yet vexed by apathy.

——

Holding the fine brush gently, Jiang Shuyao stood motionless at her desk, her gaze fixed on the last line of the verse for a long time.

She wasn’t one for sorrowful nostalgia, but tonight, from the moment she’d left through that door across the way, her mood was inexplicably heavy.

There was this indescribable feeling, like vines entwining every nerve.

Even now, whenever she closed her eyes, she’d see Pei Yan losing his temper. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

And those eyes, full of suppressed emotions that sent shivers down her spine.

At seventeen, it wasn’t as though she was naive. On the contrary, compared to her peers, Jiang Shuyao’s thoughts were more delicate and clear.

But clarity often made things seem more unfathomable.

How could the little brat... have feelings for her?

Or was she overthinking it?