Chapter 74: Cannon Fodder Sister of the Female Lead (26)

"Oh, these people really have nothing better to do, you even know about this."

Cheng Lie looked ahead, but his thoughts were slightly adrift.

"I think they’re all just talking nonsense, so I didn’t take it seriously."

"It’s not all nonsense. I used to like him quite a bit."

The motorcycle stopped at that moment.

Jiang Lai bumped her head on Cheng Lie’s shoulder.

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing, there’s a pothole ahead."

"You’ve been here hundreds of times; don’t you know to avoid it?"

Cheng Lie didn’t say anything, started the motorcycle again, and continued forward silently.

Sitting at the back, Jiang Lai rubbed her head and gave him a playful punch.

"Not happy to hear that I liked someone else?"

The motorcycle buzzed and stopped again, causing Jiang Lai to bump her head to the other side.

"Cheng Lie!"

On the motorcycle, Cheng Lie sat quietly, not turning back, and asked in a low voice.

"Am I being too obvious?"

Jiang Lai tightened her face and pinched him.

"What do you think? Are you a reincarnation of Lei Feng? Riding through wind and rain for four hours every day just to repay society by taking me home?"

Cheng Lie lowered his head, halted the motorcycle, and seeing Jiang Lai’s feet couldn’t reach the ground, he reached out to help her down gently.

With their height difference, every time Cheng Lie spoke, he had to lower his head and bend down, resting his hands on his knees, his long, pretty black eyes seriously looking at Jiang Lai like they could speak, with a soft light in them.

"So, what do you think?"

"I’m not one to take advantage. Do you know why I ride your motorcycle home every week?"

A spark of fire ignited gradually in Cheng Lie’s eyes.

"I thought you saw me as a brother."

"Wasn’t it you who first thought of me as a sister?"

"That was... that was because I was worried you’d feel embarrassed. I regretted it right after I said it; I should’ve said it was just as classmates."

Jiang Lai looked at him, her eyes with a smile.

"So you were interested in me from the start?"

Cheng Lie straightforwardly nodded.

"At first, I just thought you were pretty, but there are many pretty girls around me who aren’t like you. You honestly look beautiful from the bottom of my heart, special."

Jiang Lai also smiled at the corners of her mouth.

Usually, he looks so proper, but when it comes to sweet talking, he’s quite sticky.

"Hmm, lucky for me, I look decent; otherwise, you wouldn’t even spare me a glance."

"No, that’s not it. I’ve always had a feeling you’re very familiar, like the girl I’ve been waiting for all along, and no matter what you’re like, I think I’d always like you."

"Now that’s going too far—take it easy."

Jiang Lai got back on the motorcycle.

"Since we both like each other, let’s just go with the flow for now."

"Won’t it affect your studies? I can wait for you."

"If I didn’t make the first move today, when were you planning to?"

Cheng Lie thought for a moment.

"I was thinking of waiting until you graduate from high school. But now, even knowing you like me too, I still hope you finish your studies first before considering a relationship because I’m worried it might affect your studies. I don’t want you to regret it in the future."

Cheng Lie spoke earnestly; he seemed to care more about Jiang Lai’s future than his own.

"Why are you so good, treating me so well?"

"Because you’re also great. Everything I do for you is because you deserve it, and I’m willing to do it."

Jiang Lai was a little puzzled by his seriousness.

He seemed to genuinely like her seriously.

"The Heartbeat Value is almost sixty. He should be considered in love with you now."

Little Buding chimed in with a serious tone, finally adding a sigh.

"Jiang Lai, Jiang Lai, you really have a way of enticing people. I didn’t expect you to complete this mission while also managing to snag such a pure-hearted, rich, and handsome guy while ranking first academically."

Little Buding’s cheeky comments weren’t new; Jiang Lai didn’t even bother responding, lost in thought along the way.

Upon reaching the village entrance, Jiang Lai got off the motorcycle, and when Cheng Lie was saying goodbye, he glanced behind the large locust tree and seemed to catch a glimpse of a shadow.

"Next time, I’ll drop you off at the back of the village."

"Why? We’re not doing anything shady like some people do. Why should we sneak around?"

Jiang Lai deliberately raised her voice, just to let the person hiding behind the tree hear it.

Little Buding had long informed her that Jiang Qu was nearby.

Jiang Lai saw her behind the tree in one glance, not only not letting Cheng Lie leave but loudly talking about the two of them.

"Next time, just take me straight home. Every time, I have to walk a bit after getting off."

Cheng Lie understood her intention, chuckling as he nodded.

"Hmm, I’m going out of town this winter break. When we meet again, it’ll probably be when school starts. Is there anything you want? I’ll bring it for you."

"If you see any exercise books, bring some study materials for me."

"You really are a study nerd; your mind is only occupied with studying."

Jiang Lai suddenly tiptoed and kissed Cheng Lie on the face, aiming for his cheek, but since he was too tall, she only reached his chin.

"Wrong, I also have you on my mind."

After speaking, she turned with a smile and walked towards the village, leaving Cheng Lie standing dazed for quite a while to process what had happened, gently rubbing his chin, savoring the moment.

"Heartbeat Value change, current Heartbeat Index: sixty-five."

Upon returning home, Jiang Lai immediately smelled something delicious.

"What are you cooking that’s so good?"

"Help me peel some garlic. Your sister passed the entrance exam, and university is guaranteed, so today we’re making something nice to celebrate for her!"

Jiang Lai was happy as long as there was good food, not caring about whose success it was.

She dashed into the low kitchen nook, where Jiang Qiuhe was cooking at the stove. Jiang Lai leaned in to peek inside and saw a few blackened sweet potatoes and corn in the unlit stove.

"I knew it!"

Jiang Qiuhe smiled, breaking open a sweet potato and letting her sit by the fire to eat; he also brushed away the cobwebs from her head.

"You really have a keen nose. Eat less; there’ll be meat later!"

"Don’t worry, I won’t miss a single piece of meat later!"

Liu Shuping knocked on the stove.

"Your sister is achieving great things, what about you?"

"I scored first in the grade. I can get into a good university in the future too!"

"Hahahahaha... Is it first from the bottom? Your brain isn’t great either; if you can’t study, that’s fine, just be smart. Your eldest brother will take you into business and support you for life!"

Jiang Lai kicked him.

"I don’t need you to support me; I really am first in grade. The award and prizes are right here, take a look."

Jiang Qiuhe chuckled, opening the bag to pull out some test papers with drawn red crosses, unexpectedly pulling out Jiang Lai’s math test paper first.

"Let me see, how many points..."

Liu Shuping laughed and scolded.

"Be careful your sister doesn’t hit you for reading out loud like that."

At that moment, Jiang Sheng, who had been walking outside, came in to warm up and sat down upon hearing it.

"Read them, one by one, I want to know where my money is going."