“Promised someone? Why did that person forbid you from taking it off?” Tang Jiayun seemed to have a brighter smile on her face.
Qiao Nan turned to organize her belongings. “I am engaged. This is my engagement ring. Therefore, I cannot take it off.” Since Tang Jiayun wanted to know, she would tell her the truth. She had no intention of hiding the fact that she was engaged.
Tang Jiayun knew that it must be the case. She seemed more sincere in her next question. “Why are you engaged at such a young age? Did your parents arrange it for you?”
“No, I got to know the person myself.” “You are so capable!” Tang Jiayun made a double-edged remark.
Since Qiao Nan was already engaged at such a young age. It meant that she had known that person a long time ago and was in a relationship during her years in high school, which was a crucial period for students. She was able to get the blessings of the two families and became engaged. She was indeed capable.
Tang Jiayun even suspected that Qiao Nan might have been intimate with that man. If not, there was no need for her to find someone from her hometown who was not as good as her. She was already a student at Peking University. She would be able to get a good job after she graduated and she would have lots of suitors.
Of course, what was most capable about her roommate was that she was able to be in a relationship during the hectic years in high school and was able to do well and get into a good school like the Peking University.
She barely survived the three years in high school. She was jealous of Qiao Nan who had such different life experiences.
“But then again, Qiao Nan, don’t blame me for being a busybody. If you don’t like what I said, just take it that I didn’t say it.” Tang Jiayun could not help but ask, “Now, you are a student at Peking University. I suppose your fiancé is not as capable as you. Why are you willing to be engaged to him? His family must be blessed with good fortune. Their son is engaged to you with something as simple as a silver ring.”
Silver ring was not as valuable. She might not have a fiancé, but she had lots of silver accessories at home.
Qiao Nan’s fiancé might not be able to afford a diamond platinum ring, but he should have bought her a gold ring at least.
Could it be that it was so easy to get a wife nowadays?
“It is already five o’clock. Shall we have dinner?” Yu Xiaoxiao interrupted Tang Jiayun. “I heard that the canteen serves delicious dishes. I am starved.”
“Me too.” Lü Yan added.
“Me too.” Qiao Nan joined in the conversation. “Let’s have dinner. Are you going as well?”
“Yes!” Tang Jiayun took her meal ticket, not to be left behind by her roommates.
School just started and the students had more free and easy time. Most of them would stick with their dormitory roommates at the beginning of the school year. Tang Jiayun did not want to be a loner and joined her dormitory roommates for dinner.
Yu Xiaoxiao walked beside Qiao Nan, whispering softly to her. “Don’t take what Tang Jiayun said to heart. Your ring is beautiful. The ring is not important. What matters is the person who gave you the ring.”
Qiao Nan smiled lightly at the words of consolation. “Thank you.”
Tang Jiayun might have looked down on the ring that Brother Zhai gave her, but in fact, it was more expensive than a normal gold ring. Qiao Nan smiled but did not say anything. She was relieved that she told Brother Zhai to give her a silver ring instead of a diamond platinum ring
Qiao Nan could tell that Tang Jiayun not only liked to look pretty, but she also liked to lean on moneybags.
Qiao Nan looked toward Lü Yan. She was quiet and seldom talked. Qiao Nan had no idea what type of person she was.
It seemed that Yu Xiaoxiao was slightly easier to get along with.
Once she reached Peking University, Qiao Nan made phone calls to everyone concerned to assure them that she had reached safely. She bought a telephone card that came with a larger amount of stored value so as to make the phone calls.
After she had called everyone, Qiao Nan hesitated slightly. She was thinking of making a phone call to Zhai Sheng’s office. She was still hesitating when the phone rang.
She looked at the familiar number and answered the phone in surprise. “Brother Zhai, how do you know…”
“I have checked the days and know that you must have reached the school. Therefore, I made a call home first.” Zhai Sheng sounded tired. His voice was hoarse and he seemed to be in pain. “How is it at school?”
Qiao Nan tensed up. “Brother Zhai, are you injured again?”
Zhai Sheng sounded different from usual. Qiao Nan was reminded of the time when he was injured.
“It is a small injury. Don’t worry.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“You don’t believe me? If so, do you want to come back to Ping Cheng to take a look?” Zhai Sheng smiled softly. Qiao Nan blushed at his words.
Qiao Nan massaged her ears that felt numb. She took a deep breath before saying, “Brother Zhai, stop playing dumb. There is no way that I can go back. But Mom is in Ping Cheng. She can check on you. Besides, I am at school. Peking University is one of the top schools in China. Everything is good over here. If you are unwell, you should rest more. I am doing fine.”
“I may not be able to join the military training this time.” Zhai Sheng felt reluctant. “I have some matters to handle. It is a knotty problem. I won’t be able to leave for the time being.”
“…” Qiao Nan could not help but roll her eyes. “It’s fine that you cannot make it.” She did not insist that Brother Zhai must go to all of her military training.
“Don’t you feel sad?”
“…Of course.” Qiao Nan lied blatantly. After being with Zhai Sheng for such a long time, she knew his temper well. Instead of falling for his trap, she would rather behave herself. “If you are here, we can spend more time with each other. Brother Zhai, I miss you. You must take care of yourself and rest well so that I can have peace of mind and concentrate on my studies. You must also be extra careful when you go on missions in the future. Try to minimize the chances of being injured.”
Qiao Nan would say whatever that Zhai Sheng liked to hear.
Zhai Sheng was a patient. No matter what, the patient’s needs were the top priority. It was important to pacify and appease Zhai Sheng
“Don’t think of taking off the ring.”
“Don’t worry. I did not take it off. It will not be long before everyone knows that I am taken.” Qiao Nan was engaged. She had no wish to waste any more time on other men.
If Tang Jiayun was willing to spread the word for her, she would be glad as lesser people would pester her.
Qiao Nan still remembered that when she went through the admission procedures this morning, several seniors wanted to help her with her luggage and asked about her course of study, which class she was in, and her name.
The seniors who helped her might not be interested in Qiao Nan, but there was still the possibility that some of them had other agendas.
