Huang Yuqi jumped up from Jiang Cheng's lap as if she had been burned, standing to the side in a fluster.
A series of hurried footsteps followed, and then a man's voice, thick with a sob, rang out: "Grandma Zhang! Grandma Zhang, I'm here!"
Before the voice had even faded, a young man wearing a white shirt rushed in.
He was clutching a basketball, with beads of sweat on his forehead; it was Zhao Bing.
He had clearly heard the news that "Huang Yuqi brought a boyfriend home."
His face was filled with obvious grievance and anxiety.
When he saw Jiang Cheng sitting by the square table, his footsteps came to a sudden halt, and his gaze instantly darkened.
He stared straight at Jiang Cheng, his eyes full of hostility.
Taking a step forward, he reached out his hand toward Jiang Cheng with a polite smile on his face.
But his words were barbed: "Hello, I'm Yuqi's neighbor, Zhao Bing. Yuqi and I grew up together. Whenever Yuqi wasn't home, I'd take care of her grandmother for her."
Hearing this, a smile played at the corners of Jiang Cheng's mouth.
The meaning behind Zhao Bing's words was clear.
He and Yuqi had a special relationship; where did this guy come from?
Jiang Cheng didn't reach out, only giving a faint nod.
This attitude caused Zhao Bing's hand to freeze in mid-air, his expression darkening slightly.
"Yuqi, come over to my house for dinner tonight. I bought a lot of groceries this morning."
As soon as he said this, Huang Yuqi flatly refused: "No thanks, Teacher Zhao. We have a guest today."
Zhao Bing's face changed instantly after being rejected.
He turned to Grandma Zhang, his tone softening a bit. "Grandma Zhang, your health isn't great. If you need anything, just call me anytime. I'm here every day."
"Little Zhao, I know you're thoughtful." Grandma Zhang sensed something was wrong and quickly tried to smooth things over. "Little Jiang is Yuqi's friend; he came specifically to visit me."
"Friend?" Zhao Bing clearly didn't believe it. His gaze fell on Huang Yuqi again, filled with accusation. "Yuqi, they said you brought a boyfriend back. Is it true? Is it him?"
Huang Yuqi's expression froze for a moment.
Just as she was about to explain "No," she heard Jiang Cheng speak.
"Not yet."
After saying that, he looked at Huang Yuqi, his eyes intentionally carrying a hint of a half-smile. "But I'm working on it."
These words caused Huang Yuqi's eyes to widen instantly.
What did he mean?!
Was Jiang Cheng being serious, or...?
She looked up and met Jiang Cheng's deep gaze.
Thinking about how she had just fallen into Jiang Cheng's arms, her face couldn't help but redden even more.
Huang Yuqi's blushing face caused Zhao Bing's expression to sink completely.
His knuckles turned white from gripping the basketball.
"Yuqi is a good girl. She's not someone you can just toy with."
"Do I look like I'm joking? I came today specifically to see Grandma. And also... to talk to Yuqi about something."
Zhao Bing sized up Jiang Cheng once more.
The jealousy in his voice was almost overflowing. "Yuqi, what about what I told you yesterday? Have you thought about it? Going hiking together this weekend. I've already made plans with my colleagues; they all want to meet you."
At this moment, how could Huang Yuqi have any mind for Zhao Bing's affairs?
Her head was a mess, wondering why Jiang Cheng would say such a thing.
She frowned and refused again: "I can't. I need to pack my luggage these next few days, and there are some trivial matters to handle..."
Seeing Huang Yuqi reject him in front of Jiang Cheng.
Zhao Bing grew anxious, and his voice rose. "Yuqi, I've liked you for so many years, don't you realize that? Those people from outside might look flashy, but who knows what their intentions are!"
"What! You like me?"
She had never even considered the possibility.
In her eyes, Zhao Bing was just like Principal Zheng of Hope Primary School.
He was a friend she could talk to about the school or her grandmother—a "comrade-in-arms."
He was suddenly saying he liked her?
Huang Yuqi's brain couldn't quite process this.
She even had a look of unbelievable confusion, as if she were hearing some tall tale.
Seeing the confusion in her eyes, the irritation Zhao Bing had stirred up in Jiang Cheng mostly vanished, replaced by a sort of indulgent amusement.
Huang Yuqi's surprise was genuine, without a hint of acting... "Yes! I've liked you for many years!" Zhao Bing thought she finally understood, and a flicker of hope ignited in his eyes.
"Stop joking! I've always thought of you as a buddy, a comrade just like Principal Zheng! I've even seen you in split-seat pants when you were a kid; how could I possibly like you?"
With a "boom," Zhao Bing felt as if he'd been struck by lightning, and his whole body froze.
The hope on his face vanished instantly, replaced by total collapse. His face turned red as he shouted.
"You're still bringing up childhood stuff! That was ages ago! I truly like you, how can you say that! I fix your pipes and change your lightbulbs every day, and I bring fruit to Grandma Zhang, yet you say I'm just a friend? What's so good about him? Isn't it just because he has some stinking money?"
"Zhao Bing!" Grandma Zhang quickly stopped him. "How can you talk like that! Little Jiang is a good boy; you can't say that about him."
Zhao Bing didn't give up. He stubbornly said, "Some men think they can have everything just because they have some stinking money. From what I know of Yuqi, she isn't some gold-digging woman; you won't be able to corrupt her..."
When Zhao Bing said this, Huang Yuqi felt her face flush with embarrassment.
"Zhao Bing." Huang Yuqi interrupted him. "Can you stop saying things like that? It's embarrassing to hear. And you're not allowed to talk about Jiang Cheng like that..."
Seeing her protect Jiang Cheng made Zhao Bing feel even worse. He stiffened his neck and said, "Yuqi, I'm doing this for your own good! What does he even do? Do you really know him?"
Huang Yuqi took a deep breath and turned to look at Jiang Cheng, her eyes filled with determination.
Then she looked at Zhao Bing and said word for word, "I know what kind of person he is better than you do."
She paused, and seeing Zhao Bing's stunned expression, she said clearly, "Even if he were my boyfriend, so what?"
Jiang Cheng raised an eyebrow and finally spoke. His tone was still calm, but it carried an unquestionable aura.
"Teacher Zhao, is it? Thank you for looking after Yuqi and Grandma Zhang. However, you won't need to trouble yourself with such things in the future; I will take care of them. Also, a word of advice: don't confuse being a simp with being devoted."
"You!" Zhao Bing was choked up and speechless, his face turning red then pale. He turned back to Huang Yuqi, his eyes rimmed with red.
"Are you coming with me this weekend or not?!"
Grandma Zhang sighed and took Zhao Bing's hand, her tone gentle. "Little Zhao, you're a good boy, and you've been sincere toward our Yuqi. I've seen it all. But feelings can't be forced; it depends on what Yuqi wants."
He looked at Huang Yuqi's indifferent eyes, then at the calm Jiang Cheng beside her.
The grievance and anger in his heart surged, and tears were about to fall.
Unable to stay any longer, he abruptly turned around and shouted at the top of his lungs as he ran out of the courtyard: "Mom! I've been dumped!"
That tearful, loud voice echoed through the non-soundproof Courtyard House. Many closed doors and windows were pushed open, and curious heads poked out to watch the scene.
The courtyard became completely quiet. Grandma Zhang shook her head helplessly and followed him out. "That boy, honestly..."
Huang Yuqi frowned and muttered.
"It's not that... I've known Zhao Bing since we were kids. I've even seen him in split-seat pants. I really thought he was just like Principal Zheng. You know, Zheng Qiu treats me like a brother."
Jiang Cheng finally understood why Huang Yuqi was always so open and frank with him.
To think he had even gone out of his way to develop his conscience for her.
It turns out this girl's romantic side hasn't even awakened yet!!
Zheng Qiu had said before: Besides being ugly, Teacher Huang is a truly good person.
With the spots she used to have on her face and those middle-aged clothes, wasn't it normal to treat her like a brother?
Looking at her bewildered face, a smile couldn't help but surface in Jiang Cheng's eyes.
He stepped forward and gently patted her shoulder: "You're right, he's the one who overthought things. Don't worry about him..."