Chapter 346: Volume 1_Chapter 346  Deceptive Mirage (16)

Volume 1_Chapter 346  Deceptive Mirage (16)

Their parents had gone to work early, leaving only the two of them at home; Wen Chijin attended a regular high school, while Jiang Zhi went to a school for disabled people.

Fortunately the two schools are close together, so normally Wen Chijin rides a bicycle and takes her to school.

Wen Chijin has been staying at home for a month; his gentle, well-behaved nature endears him not only to the original host's parents but also to neighbors, teachers, and fellow students, and because of his looks, girls often sneak out to wait for him and walk together.

After finishing breakfast, Jiang Zhi shouldered her bag, sat on the bicycle's rear seat—she hadn't ridden a bike in a long time and felt a bit unsteady.

Wen Chijin turned around and signed to her: "Sis, I'm about to start riding."

Jiang Zhi nodded, gripping the rear seat's rail with her fingers; the bike moved forward, the road a little bumpy, gusts of wind brushing past her ears—she heard nothing, only feeling the chill of deep autumn.

The roadside vegetation was withered and yellow, leaves scattering, the air bleak yet cool.

On the horizon the fierce sun tore a gap, pouring out scorching heat.

The temperature of midsummer still lingered.

Jiang Zhi looked at the boy pedaling ahead of her—his black hair slightly long, covering his ears, wearing a short-sleeved uniform; the blue-and-white contrast made his skin look even paler.

His posture was straight and upright, his long legs pumping the pedals quickly, everywhere exuding youth and vigor.

If Jiang Zhi didn't know his inner thoughts, she would surely believe he was a gentle, kind-hearted boy.

Along the way they ran into a few acquaintances; Wen Chijin showed no aloofness or coldness, smiling as he greeted them.

Midway, a girl on a bicycle rode up close beside them; she had willow-leaf eyebrows and almond eyes, striking and charming looks, a bright smile, and said without hesitation, "Chijin, you're taking your sister to school again?"

Jiang Zhi searched her memory—the original host had seen her a few times, mostly at this very moment on the way to school.

Her eyes were full of affection for Wen Chijin, not hiding a bit—open and ardent.

Wen Chijin politely nodded.

The girl's name was Song Yuwei; the bag on her back looked expensive at a glance, and not only that, the peek of her skirt peeking from her uniform was also a branded item.

Even though Wen Chijin treated her like any other classmate, Song Yuwei had no thought of giving up—those boys weren't as good-looking as he was, and besides, his personality was so good.

"I have a problem I can't figure out, Chijin—could you teach me?"

Wen Chijin: "Sure."

Jiang Zhi couldn't hear their conversation, but seeing the girl's beaming face, they must have been chatting happily.

At the intersection waiting for the traffic light, Jiang Zhi got off the rear seat and tapped Wen Chijin's back with her finger.

Wen Chijin turned his head, puzzled: "Sis, what's up?"

Jiang Zhi raised her finger and signed: "We're almost there, Ah-Chijin—you go on ahead."

Wen Chijin shook his head, pointing to the rear seat: "It's fine, sis—your school isn't far from mine."

The original host could read lips, so he didn't need to sign, and she could understand his meaning.

Jiang Zhi still shook her head: "No need, I'd like to walk there—you go ahead to school."

Seeing her insistence on walking to school, Wen Chijin said nothing more; the faint lift of his dark eyes reflected a golden glow, like gentle ripples on a clear lake.

"Alright, then be careful on the way."

Jiang Zhi nodded, watching the green light come on as they rode away on their bicycles.

Until she could no longer see their figures, the smile on Jiang Zhi's lips faded; she lifted her foot over the streetlamp and walked on the road.

A special school stood deep in Bei Xiang, just one street away from Wen Chijin's school.

It was the only special school in the provincial capital that enrolled deaf, mute, and blind students; most of its teachers were also disabled, the campus was quiet, planted with many greens, and the air was fresh and cool.

The original host studied art; she had extraordinary talent, the most outstanding student in her class.

But the school lacked teaching staff; her ability in art surpassed that of the teachers, so she spent most of her time at school self-studying.

The teachers usually left her alone, but today they sought her out.

"There's a competition in the city next week—do you want to sign up?"

Jiang Zhi nodded.

Teacher: "The judges are very capable teachers; if you perform well and catch their eye, you'll have better opportunities later."

Jiang Zhi asked: "How much will it cost?"

The teacher, aware of her family situation, signed: "The school will cover part of it, and the rest you'll need to pay yourself."

Jiang Zhi indicated she understood and took the registration form.

After school.

At the school gate, the black-haired boy stood waiting by his bicycle.

His arrival drew the attention of all the students heading home after school, none of whom could help being struck by his appearance.

Jiang Zhi walked over: "Ah-Chijin, have you been waiting long?"

Wen Chijin took her backpack from her shoulders and hung it on the handlebars, then said: "Not long, sis."

Jiang Zhi sat on the rear seat; because she was deaf and mute, they didn't speak a word the whole way.

Just as she was thinking about the registration, the bike suddenly braked; Jiang Zhi, caught off guard, collided with the boy's back.

Her nose hurt; her eyes, like watery mist, flickered slightly as she lifted a finger to rub her nose bridge.

Before she could make out what was ahead, Wen Chijin grabbed her arm and pulled her behind him.

From the side of his arm, Jiang Zhi saw three people standing not far away, radiating an aggressive aura.

They all wore school uniforms, looking like reckless ruffians, their eyes filled with anger.

Jiang Zhi narrowed her eyes, unable to catch exactly what the middle person said, but the gist was telling Wen Chijin not to pester someone.

Wen Chijin shielded her behind him and talked with those people.

Jiang Zhi didn't know what he said to them, but those people turned and left.

She signed: "Who are they?"

Wen Chijin's dark eyes fell on her reddened nose, he furrowed his brows, and asked: "Does it hurt, sis?"

Jiang Zhi touched her nose, shook her head: "It doesn't hurt."

After gesturing, she continued to ask him about those people just now.

Wen Chijin explained: "They are my classmates; it was just a misunderstanding about some things. Now the misunderstanding is cleared up, they left."

Jiang Zhi took a small breath, relaxed, curled her lips, eyes flickering: "Then that's good, let's go home."

Wen Chijin responded.

They returned home.

Parents rise early and work late; on ordinary days they only get home at nine or ten.

Jiang Zhi cannot cook; before Wen Chijin came, the parents would have prepared food in the morning, and at night they just reheated it to eat.

Since Wen Chijin came, in the evenings he always cooks noodles for her to eat.

He puts an egg in it, sprinkles some greens; color, fragrance, and taste are all complete.

Wen Chijin came out with two bowls of noodles, saw the girl sitting dazedly at the table.

She held a paper in her hand, looking at it for a long time.

Wen Chijin walked over, caught a few words in his peripheral vision, and signed in surprise: "Sis, are you going to enter the city competition?"

Jiang Zhi shook her head, folded the registration form and put it back in her bag: "It's someone else's, not mine."