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Zhang Qiu looked at Rui Rui's pitiful appearance, which touched a soft spot in his heart. However, he was someone with a girlfriend, and if they were just ordinary friends, he would not refuse her request for a hug. The truth was, they were not just ordinary friends; Rui Rui had expressed her feelings for Zhang Qiu more than once and had even "teased" him on the bus. Zhang Qiu lightly bit his lower lip and said, "Rui Rui, I'm sorry, but I can't agree to that request."
"Alright." A hint of disappointment flashed in Rui Rui's eyes; she had already guessed this might be the outcome. But the strong-willed girl forced a smile and said, "Brother Qiu, then go talk to Biao Ge about giving me a raise; I need the money anyway."
"Okay." Zhang Qiu nodded heavily.
"Zhang Qiu, why don't you just hug her?" After hearing Rui Rui's words, Jiang Xue's maternal instincts kicked in, and her heart softened as she agreed to Rui Rui's request. Of course, Jiang Xue was reluctant to let other girls get close to Zhang Qiu, but she couldn't bear to see Rui Rui looking disappointed; she felt conflicted inside.
Despite Jiang Xue's suggestion, Zhang Qiu still shook his head.
Jiang Xue stepped forward and hugged Rui Rui. Rui Rui was slightly taller than Jiang Xue and had longer hair. As Jiang Xue embraced her, it felt somewhat strange, like a younger sister hugging an older sister. After staying in Jiang Xue's arms for a while, Rui Rui smiled and said, "Thank you."
That night, as Zhang Qiu and Jiang Xue lay in their comfortable bed, Jiang Xue suddenly said, "Maybe you should have hugged her at noon."
Zhang Qiu was lost in thought when he heard Jiang Xue's words. He paused for a moment before pulling Jiang Xue into his arms and gently stroking her smooth skin. He solemnly said, "You are my girlfriend."
Jiang Xue sighed and replied, "Perhaps people like you are destined not to have just one woman in their lives."
Zhang Qiu smiled and gently pinched Jiang Xue's cheek as he laughed, "Silly girl, stop overthinking. I can distinguish between ambiguity and love. Before I started dating you, I even mistakenly thought I still had feelings for Wang Jinghan. But after the Ancient City Battle, I suddenly realized that the person I love is you. I always regarded my feelings for you as friendship until I realized I was wrong; the person I care about is you. It's not just simple friendship; it's love. At that time, I even wondered if it was true love or just being moved. Later I understood that it truly is love. I only love you; so please don’t worry about this anymore. In this lifetime, I will only marry you."
Zhang Qiu held Jiang Xue tightly in his arms as tears welled up in her eyes.
The next morning on the way to school, Zhang Qiu passed by the Red-Light District and saw the closed doors of various establishments. Suddenly he thought of the Black Stocking Woman and Liu Xinru. Liu Xinru would return to school after May Day; perhaps the Black Stocking Woman had started working again.
"Xue'er, I have an idea I'd like to discuss with you."
Jiang Xue was leaning against Zhang Qiu's back when she heard him speak and turned her head to ask, "What are you thinking?"
"Regarding Liu Xinru's sister, I want to talk to her and see if she would come work at White Day Fire."
"That's a good thing." Jiang Xue recalled the night Zhang Qiu got injured while saving her in the Black Stocking Woman's place, where she first met such a unfortunate pair of sisters. If the Black Stocking Woman could go to White Day Fire, it would be beneficial for both her and her sister.
"As long as you agree, I'll have a chat with her."
"Zhang Qiu, I know you respect me, but for some things, just make the decision. I'm willing to let you take charge a bit."
Zhang Qiu smiled and said, "You're not jealous?"
"Pfft."
"There's also an important matter regarding learning spoken language. I want to add another session; do you have time?"
"I definitely have time, but can you fully absorb it?" Jiang Xue expressed her concern. Although Zhang Qiu could manage a few sentences, his foundation was still quite weak, and it wouldn't be easy to build a solid base in just one or two sessions.
"I believe I can. I can already communicate simply with Lucia." Zhang Qiu felt quite proud of this achievement.
"Why are you in such a hurry to learn?"
"Because this summer, I'm going to Africa, by myself."
"Africa!" Jiang Xue shouted loudly, completely unprepared for this news. Why would she go to Africa when everything was fine in China? This wasn't decades ago when support was needed for Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
"Yes, Africa."
"That's not a good place, and you have to go alone? You won't even take me with you?"
"Of course not, just as you said, it's not a good place."
"Are you going to Tanzania?" Jiang Xue thought of the news report that Yang Yu had shown to Zhang Qiu, about the third jade pendant appearing in Africa. The only reason Zhang Qiu would go to Africa must be this.
"Yes, I'm going to meet the heir of the third jade pendant."
"Are you crazy?" Jiang Xue nervously grabbed Zhang Qiu's arm. "You saw the news; that country is in the middle of internal turmoil."
"It's just a protest; it's not that serious. In this evil capitalist world, isn't it normal for protests to happen? Don't worry, I'll be fine."
"I'm not reassured. Please don't go."
Zhang Qiu smiled and said, "Who was it last night that told me to be more decisive?"
"But..."
"This is my mission." Zhang Qiu interrupted Jiang Xue. "I don't know what will happen in the future, but since I bear this responsibility, I can't just stand by. Even if what’s foretold doesn’t happen in our generation, I need to prepare as if it will. Xue'er, this is my duty; I am a man and also an heir."
"That really needs more time. With your current level, I can't feel at ease about you going to Africa," Jiang Xue acknowledged Zhang Qiu's thoughts. Since he wanted to go, let him go. Just as Zhang Qiu said, he was a man and also a successor; she couldn't be selfish enough to limit his development. Jiang Xue recalled a description of love she had seen in a book:
Love has three stages. The first stage is one plus one equals one; we are one person. The second stage is one plus one equals zero; all my pain and misfortune are because of you. The third stage is one plus one equals two; I am me, you are you, and we are together.
Jiang Xue particularly resonated with this idea and disliked having someone impose their will on her. Therefore, she worried about Zhang Qiu but still wished to support him from behind, encouraging him to do what he wanted.
With one hand on the bike and the other holding Jiang Xue's hand around his waist, Zhang Qiu said, "Don't worry, it's not just me going this time; Lucia will also go. Her English is good."
"No way! You must learn well. The only reliable person when you're out there is yourself. You have to promise me that only after you've mastered English can you go to Africa. That's my bottom line!"
"Okay, I promise you. Of course, I promise," Zhang Qiu said happily, enjoying the feeling of being cared for and humming a cheerful tune.
Jiang Xue laughed and said, "Change the song; Africa doesn't speak Cantonese. Sing an English one."
"But I don't know any," Zhang Qiu replied. He had heard many English songs—he particularly liked Pink Floyd, Guns N' Roses, and the Rolling Stones—but he had never managed to learn a complete English song.
Jiang Xue smiled slightly and said, "That's okay; I'll teach you."
"Do you hear the people sing?
Can you hear that song
Singing a song of angry men?"
What is the song of the angry people?
"I is he usi f a peple h ill n be slaves again!"
That is the voice of a nation that will no longer be enslaved!
"When the beating of your heart..."
As your heart beats,
"echoes the beating of the drums..."
In harmony with the sound of the war drums,
"There is a life about to start..."
A new dawn will be opened...
...
Jiang Xue sat in the Electric Vehicle, her hands tightly wrapped around Zhang Qiu's waist, the clear singing echoing in the cool morning breeze. Zhang Qiu was captivated by the song as it transitioned from soothing to passionate, feeling the immense power contained within the melody. In an instant, Zhang Qiu fell in love with this piece; she couldn't bear to interrupt Jiang Xue. Once Jiang Xue finished singing, Zhang Qiu asked her, "What is the name of this song? It's so beautiful! I never expected that girls would also enjoy such passionate music."
"That's right, it's passionate. You described it perfectly; I really like the feeling that this song brings," Jiang Xue wholeheartedly agreed with Zhang Qiu's assessment of the song, completely ignoring the comment about girls enjoying such passionate pieces. With a smile, Jiang Xue explained, "This is a famous French song from Hugo's 'Les Misérables.' I fell in love with it the first time I heard it."
Zhang Qiu felt puzzled, "Why are the French songs in English?"
"I don't know..."
Zhang Qiu was still immersed in the wonderful song and didn't realize he had put Jiang Xue in an awkward position. He continued, "Teach me this song; I really like it."
"Sure, the lyrics of this song aren't difficult, so I thought of it right away. Just sing along with me, but slower."
Zhang Qiu and Jiang Xue walked and sang together, laughing without caring about the strange looks from passersby. It wasn't until they entered the campus that Zhang Qiu was still learning the song from Jiang Xue. Only when they stepped into the teaching building did they quiet down. Jiang Xue encouragingly patted Zhang Qiu's shoulder and said with a smile, "Not bad, not bad. You really learn quickly; you have a musical talent."
"Haha, I thought you would say I have a talent for English."
"As for English talent, whether you have it or not, you have to learn it well for me. Otherwise, I won't let you go," Jiang Xue said, swinging her fist in the air with a determined look. Zhang Qiu smiled and replied, "Understood."
With less than thirty days until the college entrance examination, Zhang Qiu finally corrected a major flaw in Zhao Guohong's eyes—daydreaming in class. Although there were still several extracurricular books hidden among the thick stack of textbooks on Zhang Qiu's desk, he didn't touch any of them. During Zhao Guohong's history class, his desk was filled with practice notebooks covered in dense notes. Most of these contained phrases and vocabulary commonly used in daily conversations, which were the results of Zhang Qiu's learning with Jiang Xue.
If he didn't learn English well, not only would Jiang Xue not allow him to go to Africa, but even Zhang Qiu himself couldn't bear the thought of going to Africa without knowing English. Once he got to Tanzania, he would need to have a good conversation with the prince; if he couldn't speak English, wouldn't that be embarrassing?
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