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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 70
On the weekend, I arrived early at the entrance of the mental hospital, waiting for Qiao Qiran.
I took out my phone and looked at the messages on it.
There was a group chat for the graduate class of the Fine Arts Department, filled with classmates discussing today’s academic seminar and art exchange meeting.
More messages came in, mentioning the alumni gathering.
[Class Monitor: Is Lu Weize not coming?]
[I don’t know, haven’t been in touch for years.]
[Didn’t he get into military school?]
[His grandfather is an old commander, and his dad is a Lieutenant General; getting into military school is a piece of cake for him.]
[He’s genuinely a high-ranking official’s child; we’re not the same.]
[Who is he?]
[Lu Weize, the one who sat behind me in senior year.]
I exited the group chat and searched for Lu Weize’s name.
I stared at the screen, my eyes gradually turning red.
Qiao Qiran arrived in a military-licensed Black Land Rover.
As soon as he saw me, he broke into a big smile, got out of the car, and hugged me tightly.
“You’re finally back!” Qiao Qiran ruffled my hair. “Come on, let’s go home!”
I got into the passenger seat and fastened my seatbelt.
Qiao Qiran started the car: “That guy Lu Weize is doing really well now, working at the Army Headquarters. He’s climbing up the ranks smoothly and has become a staff officer.”
I was slightly surprised. "He... is that impressive?"
"Yeah, when I saw him a while ago, he had a lot of cash in his wallet."
Qiao Qiran clicked his tongue in admiration. "He must be doing well!"
I lowered my eyes and said nothing.
Qiao Qiran glanced at me. "What about you? Do you still keep in touch with Li Lu?"
"No," I shook my head. "I've been in Beijing since I graduated, and I haven't had much chance to connect with old friends."
"Same here," Qiao Qiran replied with a smile. "I'm in the military, and I'm either training or on missions all day, so I don't have time to reach out to anyone."
I nodded. "I ran into Zhao Xinghai at the airport; he mentioned a class reunion this weekend."
"Are you going?" Qiao Qiran raised an eyebrow. "Those guys are all so full of themselves now. The reunion is just a place for them to compare and show off; it's completely pointless."
I shook my head. "I'm not going. I've taken on a project recently and don't have the time."
"What project?"
"I'm doing landscape design for a tourism project." I smiled. "You can help me take some photos when it's done, just to show me."
"Sure thing."
As we spoke, the car drove into the military compound.
Qiao Qiran explained, "The military assigned me an apartment, and I live here."
He stopped the car, and at that moment, a black Mercedes-Benz drove by and honked.
It was Lu Weize.
Qiao Qiran got out of the car and greeted Lu Weize.
Lu Weize also got out, intending to open the car door for me, but Qiao Qiran raised his hand to stop him.
Because I didn't want to get out.
Lu Weize smiled and said, "I'll be on my way."
"Okay."
Lu Weize closed the car door, and the black Mercedes-Benz gradually drove away.
Qiao Qiran sat back in the car and looked at me. "Why are you avoiding him?"
I shook my head. "I'm not avoiding him; I just don't know how to face him."
Qiao Qiran sighed and was about to speak when his phone suddenly rang.
He answered the call and hung up shortly after.
"Let's go," Qiao Qiran restarted the engine.
I fastened my seatbelt.
Qiao Qiran suddenly spoke up. "Lu Weize just said that you are also in Beijing."
Chapter 71
Qiao Qiran was busy in the kitchen.
I walked to the kitchen door and looked at his back.
"Brother, why don't you come home to live?"
"The house is too big and collects dust easily. I live alone and I'm too lazy to clean," Qiao Qiran said with a smile. "Besides, I live in the suburbs, which makes commuting inconvenient."
"Brother, I graduated and I want to move in with you," I said.
Qiao Qiran paused his chopping for a moment, then softly replied, "Sure, when you move in, I'll renovate the house."
Suddenly, he seemed to think of something and sighed, "But you'll be twenty-five or twenty-six after graduation. You'll have to get married eventually..."
"I'm not getting married," I said softly. "I just want to stay with you, brother."
Qiao Qiran chuckled, "I'm not a little girl; why would you need to stay with me?"
I lowered my eyes and fell silent.
I couldn't tell Qiao Qiran that I no longer had a home.
Mom and Dad divorced, Mom remarried, and Dad passed away...
My only family member left is my brother.
Seeing my eyes redden, Qiao Qiran quickly set down the knife and walked over to wipe the corners of my eyes.
"Why are you crying?"
"I'm not crying." I sniffed and looked up at Qiao Qiran. "Brother, you should hurry up and find someone to marry."
Qiao Qiran was taken aback for a moment before laughing. "Why are you suddenly saying this?"
"I want to drink Sister-in-law's wedding wine." I pursed my lips and said, "Brother, you should go on a blind date tomorrow."
...
The next morning, I was much more excited than usual.
At just five o'clock, I got up to get ready and insisted on dragging Qiao Qiran to the blind date.
I pulled Qiao Qiran out of bed, his eyes barely open from sleepiness.
"Brother, get up and eat!"
Qiao Qiran mumbled, "It's Saturday, I don't have to work. Let me sleep a bit longer..."
"No way, you have to go on a blind date today!" I pulled Qiao Qiran up. "Hurry up and wash up. After breakfast, I'll take you there!"
With no choice, Qiao Qiran got up and went to the bathroom to wash up.
I prepared breakfast and waited for Qiao Qiran to finish washing his face before urging him to eat.
"Hurry up! After breakfast, I'm taking you to buy clothes and do your hair!"
Qiao Qiran looked helpless. "Why are you making this so formal?"
I tilted my head and smiled. "I want my brother to leave a good impression!"
Qiao Qiran sighed. "I already have a bad impression; there's no need to maintain it deliberately."
"No way! You are the best in my heart!" I took Qiao Qiran's hand and pushed him down onto the chair. "Eat."
With no way out, Qiao Qiran had to obediently eat.
After breakfast, I picked out an outfit for Qiao Qiran and then dragged him out the door.
We went to the mall to buy a new suit, and I also took Qiao Qiran to get a hairstyle.
I dressed Qiao Qiran neatly and cleanly.
With everything ready, Qiao Qiran and I arrived at the restaurant early to wait for the blind date.
Ten minutes passed, but the other person still hadn't arrived.
Qiao Qiran took a sip of coffee and said lightly, "She is not punctual."
"Maybe something came up," I replied.
I glanced at my watch; in fact, I also dislike people who are late.
Finally, a woman in a long trench coat walked in.
She looked around and finally her gaze landed on me and Qiao Qiran.
I stood up and smiled, "Miss Zhao?"
Zhao Hua walked over and looked at me, "You are..."
"My name is Lin Chu, I am Qiao Qiran's sister," I introduced myself.
Zhao Hua sighed in relief and sat down across from Qiao Qiran.
Qiao Qiran raised an eyebrow, "Miss Zhao doesn't recognize me?"
Zhao Hua smiled awkwardly, "It seems we haven't met before."
Chapter 72
Zhao Hua said shyly, "We met online for the blind date, so we haven't seen each other."
"Miss Zhao was nearly twenty minutes late," I looked at her, "This habit of being late is not good."
"I'm sorry, there was traffic on the way," Zhao Hua apologized.
I frowned, clearly sensing that this woman was not sincere at all.
Qiao Qiran lowered her gaze, focused on cutting her steak, showing no reaction to Zhao Hua's tardiness.
I casually asked, "What does Miss Zhao do for a living?"
"I'm a high school Chinese teacher," Zhao Hua adjusted her glasses. "I really love literature and I'm particularly interested in art."
I thought to myself: "..."
We had no common ground.
I chuckled awkwardly, "That's pretty good."
Zhao Hua said enthusiastically, "Yes, I've been reading 'Dream of the Red Chamber' lately. It's such a classic book; I never get tired of it."
I replied: "..."
Suddenly, Qiao Qiran spoke up, "Miss Zhao, do you have any requirements for your future partner?"
Zhao Hua was taken aback for a moment, then her cheeks flushed: "Well... I think it really depends on chemistry. When two people are together, it's all about the feeling."
I raised an eyebrow: "So what Miss Zhao means is that as long as the other person is good-looking, it doesn't matter if they have money or not, right?"
Zhao Hua's face turned even redder: "It’s not exactly like that..."
I knew then that Zhao Hua was attracted to Qiao Qiran's looks.
Her earlier words clearly hinted that she didn't care whether Qiao Qiran had money or not.
I looked at Qiao Qiran; he was still expressionlessly cutting his steak, as if the topic they were discussing had nothing to do with him.
I asked, "Miss Zhao, what do you think of my brother?"
"He's quite... quite good," Zhao Hua replied, blushing.
"Then my brother definitely has no chance," I said flatly.
Zhao Hua: "..."
I felt that continuing this conversation was pointless, so I made an excuse to go to the restroom, wanting to leave this place.
As I reached the corner, I overheard Zhao Hua on the phone.
"I've never seen such an uncouth man! Being late for a blind date is one thing, but acting so indifferent! And that sister of his, who does she think she is? The young lady of the Qiao Family?"
I frowned; this woman was truly two-faced.
Zhao Hua continued, "However, I think her brother is quite handsome. I heard he works in the military. If I could marry him, life would definitely be better."
"…"
I was so angry that I wanted to rush over and hit her.
I turned around and returned to my seat, pulling Qiao Qiran up. "Brother, let's go."
Qiao Qiran looked confused. "What's wrong?"
"I don't want to be with her; it's annoying," I said with a stern face.
Qiao Qiran nodded, "Alright, let's go."
He picked up his coat and car keys, and we walked outside together.
Zhao Hua caught up, "Hey, why are you leaving?"
"You two aren't suited for each other," I said coldly. "Miss Zhao, you're not good enough for my brother."
Zhao Hua was silent.
As Qiao Qiran and I entered the elevator, he asked, "Did she upset you?"
"I don't like her," I replied quietly.
Qiao Qiran ruffled my hair, "Then I'll find a Sister-in-law that you like in the future, okay?"
I nodded.
The elevator doors opened, and just as Qiao Qiran and I were about to step out, we saw a familiar face—Lu Weize.
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