The girl unusually woke up early today.
Without knowing why, she started paying extra attention to her appearance, getting up early to fix her outfit and, following an online tutorial, tied her hair into a bun.
Although it looked a bit flat and different from the video, Lin Xinyuan thought it was pretty good…
Somewhat narcissistically, she kept checking herself in the mirror, and after seeing nothing wrong, she nodded in satisfaction and prepared to leave.
Creak—
Just as Lin Xinyuan stepped out the door, she heard a door down the hallway open almost simultaneously.
It was indeed a coincidence…
Lin Xinyuan glanced over and saw a handsome young man coming out — none other than her second cousin, Tang Chengmin.
Tang Chengmin was dressed in a sporty style today, wearing a windbreaker over his clothes.
The outfit softened the warmth in his brows, making him look vibrant and energetic.
Lin Xinyuan had to admit, in terms of looks alone, although her second cousin wasn’t as good as that damn Huang Mao, he was definitely better than Lin Xinyu.
Even if he was a bit shorter, in campus, Lin Xinyuan was sure many girls would be chasing after Tang Chengmin!
Damn it.
She thought of that guy again.
Her ears burned a little as Qin Nanfeng’s words from last night echoed in her mind like a tight curse.
His tone was suddenly so disgusting…
Really sickening!
Not showing that side to your ex-girlfriends, so who are you doing it for in front of me…
Pretending to be gentle! Tsk…
For some reason, the girl also recalled the scenes of Qin Nanfeng chatting flirtatiously with girls in the past.
Calling one class flower “baby” today, then another school beauty “Xiao Tiantian” the day after…
Di…
Thinking of this, the heat in Lin Xinyuan’s ears instantly vanished, as if she had been put through the cold storage.
A wave of dissatisfaction surged in her heart, though the feeling came quite inexplicably…
“Xiaoyuan! Good morning!”
Tang Chengmin had already walked over and greeted Lin Xinyuan, immediately pulling her out of her thoughts.
“Uh… Cousin, good morning to you too!”
“Ready? Let’s go downstairs to wait for Grandpa.”
Hearing this, Tang Chengmin smiled lightly, pretending to be casual but actually sneaking glances at the girl.
Maybe because of her new hairstyle, Lin Xinyuan looked a bit more charming and pretty than yesterday, catching more attention…
Even without makeup, her appearance surpassed most girls her age.
“Yeah, I’m ready.”
The two went downstairs and saw Grandpa already waiting for them on the first floor.
Seeing Lin Xinyuan come down, Grandpa was very pleased.
He hadn’t held much hope that the girl would come, so he naturally felt great that she agreed…
Lin Xinyuan herself didn’t know what they were going to do at the back mountain so early.
After eating breakfast with Grandpa and second cousin, she followed them out the door.
They crossed the cement road and walked along a quiet Yellow Clay Path deeper inside.
Grandma didn’t choose to come along with the three of them, probably because she wasn’t very interested and was too old to wander around.
Grandpa was the exception…
On the country path, weeds grew wildly, indicating it hadn’t been traveled for a long time.
Grandpa held a chopping knife and led the way, occasionally swinging it with great force, clearing the shrubs and weeds on the path.
In an instant, small “hills” of debris rose on both sides of the road, creating a spectacular scene.
Don’t look down on the old man because of his age.
Judging by his energy and strength, he was hardly any worse than some young people—maybe even better.
Lin Xinyuan walked ahead of Tang Chengmin, keeping some distance from Grandpa at the front, listening to her cousin’s stories about Grandpa’s past.
Only then did she realize just how impressive her grandfather really was…
Back in the last century, before the primitive forest was developed, the tiger problem around Xingyi Town was especially severe.
Hundreds of people had died at the jaws of these beasts, leaving blood and tears everywhere.
When Grandpa was young, he miraculously escaped from the mouth of a tiger responsible for multiple killings and even subdued that fearsome evil beast!
Tang Chengmin spoke as if it were true, but Lin Xinyuan wasn’t sure.
After all, according to her cousin, this was just something he had heard from some elderly folks.
Maybe it wasn’t so exaggerated but should have some basis.
But whether true or false was ancient history now, and the girl only took it as a story.
Still, looking at Grandpa’s determined eyes, she quietly glanced at his chopping knife-wielding figure ahead and felt it was no lie…
Although a little scared, she couldn’t help but feel respect.
Once upon a time, she had also wanted to be a man like Grandpa, upright and unyielding.
Even if she could be half as good, it would be fine.
But putting aside the fact she was now a complete girl, even when she was a boy before, she hardly matched the image of a tough guy in her heart.
In a daze, she felt the figure ahead grew much taller…
Damn it, why am I thinking about him again?
So annoying!
Lin Xinyuan’s thoughts became chaotic.
At this moment, no matter how slow or indifferent she usually was, she vaguely realized something—her attitude toward Qin Nanfeng might no longer be the same.
She felt a hot rush to her head.
Luckily she walked in the middle and the others didn’t see her flushed face, or they surely would have noticed.
Her delicate face was rosy; no one knew if it was from the cold wind or something else.
This stretch of road wasn’t long, but because they had to clear the bushes, it took quite some time.
Finally, they passed the Yellow Clay Path and arrived at a eucalyptus grove.
Lin Xinyuan had some idea why they came here.
The grove looked untended for a long time, and the eucalyptus trees were thicker than others around.
She guessed this grove might have been planted by Grandpa.
Sure enough, Grandpa led them straight in and wandered around until Lin Xinyuan lost all sense of direction, but Grandpa confidently chose a direction and expertly guided them.
The three finally reached a wooden cabin.
The cabin was made entirely of solid wood, its surface scorched black by fire, looking sturdy and solid.
Because it hadn’t been visited for a long time, dead leaves and weeds covered both inside and outside.
Grandpa started tidying up with the two of them.
However, he didn’t let Lin Xinyuan work too hard, just telling her to watch from the side.
The whole cleaning process was tedious and boring.
Lin Xinyuan sat on a rock nearby, not minding the dirt, propping her chin on her hand and staring blankly…
Bored, she couldn’t help but let her mind wander, again thinking about Qin Nanfeng.
She didn’t know how to face that guy anymore.
Could it be that she liked that damn Huang Mao?
But… how could that be? Her identity was male, and her past orientation was normal! How was that possible? She must be overthinking…
This must be the so-called Friendship, a kind of mutual appreciation, right? It must be!
Besides, he was just a filthy scumbag who had dated so many girls—disgusting…
But she didn’t seem to have the right to judge others…
If people knew about her past, most would probably hate her, right?
She had promised… to stay Chaste for life…
A hundred images flashed through Lin Xinyuan’s mind, and after a long while, she sneered.
Yeah…
Even that damn Huang Mao would eventually have his own family, but what about her?
Where would she go from here…?
She felt a little reluctant.
Though selfish, it was impossible.
But she thought, if only Qin Nanfeng could stay single for a lifetime, then they could always be friends.
Someone who’s so flirtatious should be lonely forever…
Lin Xinyuan thought viciously.
Always together, that would be so good…
Lin Xinyuan, you really are selfish…
So disgusting…