Chapter 12
The next morning, just as Tan Ning had finished dressing and was about to go to the library, the new classmate arrived, bringing two suitcases.
A boy whose style was quite similar to Tan Ning’s entered the room. He had a pointed face with slightly high cheekbones, wore black-framed glasses, and was dressed in a hoodie and jeans much like Tan Ning’s—mainly in shades of gray, white, and black. However, his clothes were more fitted at the hems and cuffs, making them appear more tailored.
When the boy looked up and saw Tan Ning, who already had a stern expression early in the morning, he visibly froze, a flash of amazement passing through his eyes. But Tan Ning’s cold demeanor frightened him, and he didn’t dare to say much.
Tan Ning pulled open the door and stepped aside to make room for him.
“Thank you,” the boy pushed his two suitcases inside, then pursed his lips, as if gathering courage, and took the initiative to say, “Hello, my name is He Qingrui. I was previously in the Archive Science major but have transferred to the Law School. Next semester, I’ll officially start classes there, so I thought I’d move over before the vacation. Sorry to bother you all.”
Tan Ning nodded slightly, “Hello, I’m Tan Ning.”
Just as He Qingrui was about to ask more, Tan Ning said, “The other two haven’t woken up yet; please keep your voice down.”
He Qingrui’s expression immediately became awkward. “Sorry…”
Although Tan Ning’s voice was very soft and didn’t sound particularly reproachful, He couldn’t help but lower his head.
He thought to himself: How can someone speak so bluntly?
He watched as Tan Ning slung his backpack over his shoulder and left the dormitory. At this moment, Zheng Yu poked half his body out of bed, eyes half-open. Seeing a stranger standing at the door, his brain processed slowly for a moment before he remembered, “Are you He Qingrui? I’m Zheng Yu, the one who added you on WeChat.”
Still recovering from Tan Ning’s cold reaction, He belatedly looked up and asked Zheng Yu, “Hello, nice to finally meet you. That classmate just now—was he…”
“He’s always like that; something’s wrong with his head,” Zheng Yu said.
He uttered an “Ah,” scratched his head, “Oh.”
Zheng Yu pointed to the spot by the window, “That’s your bed and desk. We cleared our things out yesterday; you just need to give it a simple wipe, and you can use it.”
“Thanks,” He Qingrui walked over, suddenly remembering, “Was that classmate just now the one you mentioned, Tan Ning?”
“Yeah, you haven’t seen him before?”
“No, I’ve always been on the North Campus. But I’ve heard of him—the one rumored to go to the library every day, doesn’t talk or interact with people, very good-looking but cold beta, right?”
Zheng Yu snorted, “Where did all these adjectives come from?”
As He Qingrui cleaned, he said, “But he does seem to have a not-so-good temper.”
Zheng Yu rubbed his eyes, getting ready to get up.
“Your campus is much better than the North Campus. Over there, we still have bunk beds; I’m used to sleeping on the lower bunk and not so good at climbing these bed ladders. Hey, how did you install your bed curtains? Is that Tan Ning’s bed? I want to install one like his.”
“Which kind?” Zheng Yu yawned.
“A U-shaped track; it seems easier to install. His pure black curtain is quite nice too.”
Zheng Yu himself used the kind sold at the supermarket during freshman orientation—the ones with mosquito net frames—rough and used for nearly two years, with several support points shaky and about to collapse. Prompted by He, and since his bed was next to Tan Ning’s, he climbed to the end of the bed and casually lifted Tan Ning’s bed curtain.
A pure black cotton-linen curtain. Zheng Yu chuckled lightly, “So thick; I wonder who he’s trying to block out.”
Just as he finished speaking, he paused.
He slightly lifted the curtain and saw that there were two gift boxes placed beside Tan Ning’s pillow.
Small, palm-sized, and exquisitely crafted—looking like they contained watches or other accessories.
On the boxes was a familiar string of English words. Zheng Yu couldn’t recognize them, so he picked up his phone to check. It turned out to be a French luxury brand. Browsing the official website, even the ordinary mechanical watch models were no less than 30,000 yuan.
Taking advantage of He Qingrui’s inattention, Zheng Yu reached over and picked up one of the boxes, quietly opened it, and inside was a brand-new mechanical watch with a black strap and a deep blue dial.
Zheng Yu searched the official website and found that this was a new model released by the brand two months ago, part of the Constellation series. The one Tan Ning had was priced at 41,000 yuan, and inside the box was a neatly folded receipt, appearing to be genuine.
The other box also contained a watch but from a different brand.
Why would Tan Ning buy such things? Where did he get the money?
Wasn’t he working various part-time jobs to make money because his family was poor? He didn’t even have a single branded piece of clothing, always wearing loose clothes. How could he have such expensive watches?
Puzzled, Zheng Yu carefully put the items back.
Just then, He Qingrui turned around and asked him, “Where’s the water room?”
Zheng Yu was startled, quickly sat back in the middle of his bed, coughed twice, and tried to act casual as he said, “At the corner on the first floor.”
He took his campus card, intending to buy a new thermos. As he left, seeing Zheng Yu’s strange expression, He was a bit puzzled but didn’t think much of it and walked straight out of the dormitory.
*
Next week was exam week. In his spare time, Tan Ning went to Ms. Yu’s home to go over English and math key points with the child. This time, the child was quite obedient.
Tan Ning asked him what had happened, and the child said, “My mom hasn’t been paying attention to me these two months, and I’m a bit scared.”
Tan Ning smiled, thinking that Ms. Yu had actually taken his casual suggestion of ‘letting go’ seriously and was implementing it.
“Maybe she has other things to keep her busy.”
The child pouted, “Oh.”
After a while, the child suddenly lowered his voice and said, “Teacher Tan, can I ask you a question?”
“Mm?”
“My mom and dad have been arguing recently. They always argue loudly in their bedroom at night, and I can’t sleep. What should I do?”
Tan Ning was a bit at a loss. He wasn’t good at solving other people’s emotional problems; his own emotional issues were a tangled mess. But since he was the teacher, he couldn’t show his inadequacy, so he said, “Then wear earplugs.”
“What are earplugs?”
“Little foam plugs that block your ears. You can buy some online, so you won’t hear them arguing.”
The child put down his pen, “That’s not the point! Teacher Tan, why don’t you ask me why they’re arguing?”
“That’s a family matter.”
The child made a bitter face, saying indignantly, “Teacher Tan, why are you always so cold? I’m telling you what’s in my heart!”
“…” This tone made Tan Ning inexplicably think of Lin Song’an.
He corrected two problems and said helplessly, “Alright, go ahead, I’m listening.”
“It’s just… they always argue about this. My mom always brings up old issues, My dad is an alpha; my mom is a beta. My mom always feels that all the problems in our family are because she’s a beta. She thinks my dad regrets it. She always says a lot of inexplicable things. Teacher, are you an alpha or an omega?”
“Beta.”
“…”
For the first time, Tan Ning saw embarrassment on the child’s face.
He said gently, “Go on.”
The child’s tone became noticeably more cautious, “It’s just… they always argue about this. My mom often kicks my dad out of the bedroom. I hate it when they do that.”
“If it’s really troubling you, I can mention it to your mom.”
“Teacher Tan, will they get divorced?”
Tan Ning was stunned, looking down at the exercise book. “I don’t know. Sorry.”
The child pouted, almost crying, “Teacher Tan, it makes me feel bad when you say that.”
Tan Ning was helpless, “I don’t know what you want me to say. I can only say that I hope they won’t. Alright, that’s it for today’s lesson. Copy the incorrect problems once. Next week I have exams, so the next class will be delayed by two days.”
The child ignored him, lying on the table.
Tan Ning picked up his bag and walked out alone. Ms. Yu came from the kitchen with some cut fruit, “Finished already? I just prepared some pineapple and durian. Teacher Tan, come and have some.”
“No need, thank you, Ms. Yu. Just to let you know, I have final exams next week, so the next class will be delayed by two days.”
“That’s no problem.”
“Also, Ms. Yu, just now Lele told me that he often hears you arguing, and he feels very sad.”
Ms. Yu was quite surprised, “Ah? He told you that himself?”
“Yes.”
“I’m really sorry, Teacher Tan. There have indeed been some issues at home lately. Thank you for telling me. His father and I will reflect seriously. The child is indeed growing up; he can understand some things. It’s our fault for not controlling our emotions.”
Tan Ning nodded.
Before leaving, Ms. Yu suddenly called out to him, “Teacher Tan, do you like pineapple and durian? I can pack some for you to take away. They’re very fresh, just cut.”
“No need.”
“We also have some biscuits here. It’s late, and you still have to take the subway back. Take some biscuits to eat on the way.”
“Really, no need. Thank you.”
“You’re too polite; it’s nothing,” Ms. Yu stuffed the biscuits into Tan Ning’s hands, smiling, “Teacher Tan Ning, you’re a beta, right?”
Tan Ning paused slightly, “Yes.”
“Although your neck is covered by your hair, and you’re taller than the average beta, I can still tell. I’m a beta too. Teacher Tan, as someone who has been through it, my advice is that when you get married in the future, you must find a beta—a kindred spirit.”
Tan Ning didn’t respond, seeming uninterested in the topic.
“Ah, never mind. Be careful on your way back, Teacher Tan.”
Tan Ning nodded slightly, “Thank you, Ms. Yu.”
The weather forecast said there would be heavy rain tomorrow; tonight was particularly stuffy and hot. As soon as he stepped outside, a wave of heat hit him.
Tan Ning tied all his hair up.
On the way to the subway station, he received a WeChat message from Lin Song’an. Lin Song’an sent him a photo of a dinner table, vaguely showing a circle of middle-aged men in suits.
Lin’s father had been taking him to social events lately. Lin Song’an seemed not to like that atmosphere much; whenever he had a chance, he’d send Tan Ning some bored messages.
Tan Ning didn’t know what to reply, just stared at the screen.
Lin Song’an: [I’ve received your brainwaves.]
Lin Song’an:[You’re thinking: So annoying, what should I reply to him?]
Tan Ning shrugged.
Lin Song’an:[Tan Ning, we need to find some common topics.]
Lin Song’an suddenly sent this, his tone serious. Tan Ning was a bit caught off guard, frowned, and replied: [For example?]
Lin Song’an: [Shall we meet tonight?]
Tan Ning: [……]
