Chapter 206: Preparing for University

Ning Weidong raised his head, glanced at the sly-looking An Ning, who resembled a vixen, and guessed what she was thinking. With a smile that wasn't quite a smile, he said, "Want me to help you deceive those people in your family?"

An Ning reached out and hugged Ning Weidong's arm, saying, "What do you mean 'my family'? We're in this together, aren't we?"

Ning Weidong could clearly feel the elasticity coming from his arm.

It was summer now; Ning Weidong was wearing a short-sleeved shirt, and An Ning was only wearing a dress with a piece of undergarment inside.

Ning Weidong laughed, "Seducing me~" He then lowered his head to look at An Ning's full bust.

An Ning deliberately increased the pressure: "So, are you going to agree or not~"

Ning Weidong didn't really care about doing a favor; it was just a matter of a single sentence, and it wouldn't affect his interests.

Moreover, An Ning saying it this way was actually more beneficial to Ning Weidong. As the old saying goes, "what is forced is not a good deal," and that holds true.

Once this matter was settled, Ning Weidong asked again: "By the way, you mentioned last time you wanted to find the property left by your parents, how... did you find it?"

Ning Weidong had never forgotten about this, but An Ning hadn't brought it up again after they finished talking about it last time.

Although Ning Weidong was quite curious and interested in this matter, An Ning hadn't sought him out afterwards, and Ning Weidong hadn't taken the initiative either. Coupled with subsequent events, he had put the matter aside.

Seeing An Ning today, he just happened to bring it up.

A strange look flashed across An Ning's face, and she forced a smile, saying, "That thing~ it's no longer needed."

It was clear that there must be some hidden story behind this.

However, since An Ning said it wasn't needed, whether it was out of sincerity or playing hard to get, Ning Weidong would not ask again if he were to ask.

He was only somewhat curious about this matter, not necessarily determined to do it.

Now that An Ning had this attitude, he would just let it go.

Speaking of which, the meal was almost finished. Ning Weidong wiped his mouth with a handkerchief and said, "Then that's that. You go back and tell An Zhiyuan; as for how to say it, you decide for yourself."

An Ning responded, a flash of disappointment appearing in her eyes.

In fact, she had hoped in her heart that Ning Weidong would press further, but rationally speaking, based on her understanding of Ning Weidong, this result was the normal one.

After leaving the restaurant, Ning Weidong rode his bicycle away first.

He didn't return to his unit either; after all, he had just drunk two bottles of beer. Although it didn't amount to much given Ning Weidong's alcohol tolerance, it was never good to be seen with the smell of alcohol on him, so it was better not to go.

Ning Weidong simply went straight home.

By the time he rode to the Dazayuan, it was already nearly two o'clock.

Upon entering, he saw Lu Daye sitting as usual under the persimmon tree in front of their house to cool off, leaning on a rattan chair, holding a cattail-leaf fan, and wearing a white undershirt.

Ning Weidong greeted him: "Lu Daye, keeping cool~"

Lu Daye, who had been a bit drowsy, opened his eyes at once: "Hey~ Weidong! How come you're back so early today?"

Ning Weidong said: "Had some business, drank a little alcohol at noon."

Lu Daye watched as Ning Weidong pushed his bicycle through the Moon Gate, and couldn't help but sigh in his heart—it really pays to be a leader.

If it were a workshop worker, it wouldn't be that easy to ask for time off.

Just then, Lu Dama lifted the door curtain and came out from the room, asking: "Eh? Who were you talking to just now?"

Lu Daye said: "Ah~ Weidong just got back."

Lu Dama was also surprised, though she didn't ask much, and sat down on a small stool nearby: "Tell me, where on earth did Shi Xiaonan run off to? It's been several days and she hasn't been found."

Lu Daye squinted his eyes and said: "I say you're just being superfluous. Since she can't be found, it means she doesn't want to have anything more to do with the Wang Family. Why are you still stubbornly meddling in it? In the end, you'll waste your effort and energy, and still end up being blamed."

Lu Dama clicked her tongue: "I was just thinking, after all, they were a married couple, if they could remarry, it would be better than finding someone else~"

Lu Daye curled his lips in disapproval and said nothing.

Lu Dama lowered her voice and added: "By the way, the Bai Family girl is leaving in a couple of days. Do you think we should give her a little money?"

Lu Daye sat up straight again, thought for a moment, and said: "The gesture is enough. Although she got into university, I'm afraid it won't be easy for her to come back from out of town."

Lu Dama understood; once Bai Fengqin left, she probably wouldn't come back, so there was no point in giving extra money.

She nodded, then turned to say: "You say, once Fengqin girl leaves, it'll just be Bai Fengyu left, all alone and lonely..."

Lu Daye glared at once: "I'm telling you, don't you go getting into that messy business. Whether she's lonely or not has nothing to do with you. You stop meddling in other people's affairs."

Lu Dama pouted after being scolded and whispered: "I just felt..."

Before she could say more, Lu Daye interrupted, whispering: "What do you feel~ Do you know what's really going on with her? With Bai Fengyu's looks, if she really wanted to attract a man, do you think she couldn't?"

Lu Dama was stunned, then realized: "You mean... she has someone?"

Lu Daye made a "Tsk" sound.

At this time, Ning Weidong had already parked his bicycle.

Before he could walk toward his room, he heard someone speaking behind him.

Turning his head, he saw Bai Fengyu and Bai Fengqin, the two sisters, each carrying a large bag of things as they entered through the Moon Gate.

Both of them were startled when they saw Ning Weidong. Bai Fengqin asked in surprise: "Brother Weidong, why aren't you at work today?"

Ning Weidong responded and asked: "Did you two go out to the street to buy things?"

Bai Fengyu said: "Fengqin is leaving the day after tomorrow."

Ning Weidong glanced at the things the two had bought and laughed: "You two bought so many things, and then you're going to pack clothes and bedding for Fengqin. How much luggage is this going to be? How is she supposed to carry it?"

Both women were stunned. Neither of them had ever traveled far, and thinking of Bai Fengqin going to university thousands of kilometers away, they felt they should bring everything.

Ning Weidong walked over and continued: "Bring what you should bring, don't carry everything that isn't necessary. You'll be at a loss when it comes time to get on and off the train."

Once Bai Fengqin heard this, she also realized the seriousness of the problem.

Although women of this era were relatively robust and there were almost no delicate young ladies, their strength was limited after all.

She hurriedly said: "Brother Weidong, then help me take a look at what I should bring."

Ning Weidong was pulled into the Bai Family room.

Although she wasn't leaving until the day after tomorrow, they had already collected quite a few things in the room.

Ning Weidong swept his gaze over the room and said first, "You don't need to bring things like washbasins; just buy new ones when you get there."

Bai Fengqin let out an "Oh" and obediently took out an enamel washbasin with a red peony pattern on the bottom.

Ning Weidong added, "As for bedding, the school should issue some, though it probably won't be new. But if you air it out well and beat it, it should be fine. Just bring a new set of sheets and a duvet cover. If you think it's too dirty, you can bring a set along."

Bai Fengqin hurriedly said, "I'm not that delicate," and pulled the bedding back out.

Afterward, Ning Weidong mentioned a few more items, helping Bai Fengqin streamline her luggage quite a bit. But in this era, it was not like later generations where you could just grab a bag and go wherever you wanted, buying whatever you lacked once you arrived.

In this era, many things required ration coupons; even if you had money in your pocket, you couldn't buy them.

Ning Weidong added, "By the way, although Jingzhou City is considered to be in the south, the winters are damp and cold. Don't think it won't be cold in the south; bring your winter cotton-padded clothes."

Bai Fengqin was stunned. She had never been outside the vicinity of Beijing in her entire life, and Bai Fengyu was much the same. They had only heard people say that the south was very warm and that it never snowed in winter, so this silly girl had stubbornly not brought any cotton-padded clothes.

Ning Weidong smiled and said, "You'll know once you get there. In Jingzhou City, the rainy days in winter can make you cry from the cold."

After helping her with some pointers, Ning Weidong added, "The day after tomorrow, I'll have Ruyi drive you to the train station."

Bai Fengqin was stunned, while Bai Fengyu felt a bit guilty and hurriedly said it wasn't necessary.

Ning Weidong insisted, so the two of them could only agree.

Ning Weidong continued, "By the way, don't bring too much money when you leave. Just bring twenty or thirty for emergencies. Once you arrive and get settled, I'll wire the rest to you."

Bai Fengqin said, "I know. I don't really need much money anyway. Once I start university, the school gives a fifteen-yuan subsidy a month, which is enough."

Ning Weidong waved his hand and said, "Fifteen yuan is enough for meals at the cafeteria, but you'll always need to spend money to buy books or clothes."

Bai Fengqin still said, "I really don't need it," as she could tell Ning Weidong wanted to give her money.

Bai Fengyu, standing to the side, didn't stop him. To her, Ning Weidong was practically Bai Fengqin's brother-in-law; it was only right for him to give a little money to her younger sister heading off to university.

It was just that she didn't find it easy to bring up, but since Ning Weidong had taken the initiative, she wouldn't stop him.

Ning Weidong said, "Alright, listen to me. For the next few years while you're in university, I'll give you an extra thirty yuan a month for living expenses." As he spoke, he looked at Bai Fengyu: "Keep this money with your sister for now, and have her wire it to you month by month." Finally, he added an explanation: "It's not good for you to have too much money on you while you're away; it's not safe."

Bai Fengqin didn't quite know what to do.

She had guessed that Ning Weidong would give her money before she left, but she hadn't expected him to give so much.

Thirty a month meant three hundred and sixty a year, and over four years, that was over a thousand yuan.

She didn't know if she should accept it and looked at Bai Fengyu.

Bai Fengyu was also surprised, but after only a slight hesitation, she nodded.

Only then did Bai Fengqin agree and thank Ning Weidong.

Ning Weidong said, "Fengqin, I'm not giving you this money so you can spend it recklessly. Use part of it for your studies, and use the rest to buy some decent clothes. Once you're in university, it's not like middle school; university is already entering society. As the old saying goes, 'Respect the clothes before the person.' Dressing cleanly and appropriately will leave a good impression on others. Then there's socializing; you need to interact with your classmates and teachers at school."

Bai Fengqin blinked as she listened; what Ning Weidong was saying touched upon her blind spots in knowledge.

No one had ever told her these things before. Before getting into university, all she had to do was study.

Ning Weidong emphasized, "Especially your relationship with your teachers! I've heard a saying: if you are an ordinary person, then your university teacher is likely the most impressive person you will ever come into contact with in your life. Don't be foolish—don't just listen in class and then disappear after class. You must take this opportunity to build a personal relationship with your teachers. If it's a female teacher, become friends with her; if it's a male teacher, become friends with his wife or daughter. Do you understand?"

Bai Fengqin nodded like a chick pecking at rice.

She was very smart. Although she didn't understand at first, after a moment of thought, she realized how important these words from Ning Weidong were.

It was very likely that many of her classmates starting university with her wouldn't realize this until years later.

And by that time, they might have already graduated, lost their opportunities, and would regret it too late.

Bai Fengyu, standing to the side, also had a sudden realization.

She had absolutely no awareness of this and had only thought that everything would be fine once Bai Fengqin got into university.

After giving his instructions, Ning Weidong left.

Left with the two Bai sisters, Bai Fengqin was still looking through the window toward Ning Weidong's room, saying admiringly, "Sister, how do you think Brother Weidong knows everything? He never even went to university..."

Bai Fengyu said, "People used to say that reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. Although Weidong never went to university, he went down to the countryside and traveled hundreds of miles away. At home, he was influenced by Brother Ning and his wife, so of course, he is knowledgeable and experienced."

Bai Fengqin nodded, but in her heart, she felt something was off.

Plenty of people went down to the countryside, but who could come back like Ning Weidong?

But there was no need to argue.

On the other side, An Ning returned to the Overseas Chinese Apartment.

She turned on the electric fan in the room and sat on a rattan chair to enjoy the breeze.

In this season, a genuine leather sofa really wasn't as comfortable as this old-fashioned rattan chair.

While enjoying the breeze, An Ning recalled the process of meeting Ning Weidong earlier.

About twenty minutes later, there was a knock at the door.

She had sent someone to find An Zhiyuan as soon as she returned, so she figured he should be here.

She got up to open the door, and sure enough, it was An Zhiyuan.

Having stayed in Beijing for a few months, An Zhiyuan had changed his attire quite a bit to blend into the circles here.

At least now, one wouldn't be able to tell at a glance that he was from out of town.

"What's the matter? Why call me over so urgently?" An Zhiyuan changed into slippers and noticed that An Ning had been drinking.

An Ning didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "I met with Ning Weidong just now."

An Zhiyuan immediately perked up.

Just as Ning Weidong had anticipated, although he had recently gotten to know some children from the big compounds who were all good at drinking and bragging, not a single one of them could solve a problem once things got serious.

That was why he reacted this way when An Ning mentioned Ning Weidong, and he hurriedly asked, "He looked for you?"

An Ning glanced at him and said, "I looked for him~"

An Zhiyuan was somewhat disappointed; if Ning Weidong had taken the initiative to look for An Ning, it would mean there was a variable on Ning Weidong's side.

In reality, it was indeed Ning Weidong who had looked for An Ning.

But An Ning had changed her story for her own benefit.

Even so, An Zhiyuan still held onto hope, because if there had been no progress, An Ning would not have specifically called him over, so he asked: "What is the situation?"

An Ning deliberated on her wording slightly and said: "It's still that matter from last time; we didn't reach an agreement, right? I thought we couldn't just accept that, so I went to find him a few more times. At first, Ning Weidong was very firm, but... this time he seems a bit willing to loosen up, saying he can meet with you again."

"Really?" An Zhiyuan was immediately overjoyed.

Recently, the pressure he had been under was quite immense, and the people over in Hong Kong had urged him to return more than once.

But he was not reconciled; if he went back with his tail between his legs like this, he would certainly face reprimands, which would have a major impact on him.

Yet if he did not go back and continued to linger in Beijing, he could not see any opportunities either.

He had not expected that, just when he was in a dilemma, An Ning would bring him such an unexpected piece of good news! (End of chapter)