Chapter 40: As Though It Were Only Natural

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After moving the desk, Chu Nan was about to leave when Yang Liuqing called out to him.

“Chu Nan, you’re heading back so soon?”

“Yeah. I’m taking the books back to the dormitory.”

“Oh.” Yang Liuqing nodded, looking at him expectantly.

Chu Nan glanced at the books in her hands. “I have to move my own books too. I can’t help you.”

Yang Liuqing froze for a moment, then burst out laughing. “What are you thinking? I have two hands and two feet. Why wouldn’t I carry them myself? I just wanted to ask whether you could stay and help Weiwei put up the seat numbers later.”

Chu Nan glanced at the cool, expressionless Jiang Yuwei, then leaned close to Yang Liuqing’s ear.

“Was it you who asked me, or was it her?”

The tips of Yang Liuqing’s ears turned faintly red. She brushed back the dark hair at her temple.

“I asked you. You don’t want to help?”

Chu Nan gave an awkward laugh. “How could I refuse? Besides, putting up a few seat numbers shouldn’t be difficult. The two of you ought to manage it.”

Yang Liuqing sighed. “I have to go back to the dormitory later to sort out my things. My parents took everything home ahead of time, so I wanted to find someone to help her. Besides, don’t we have to sweep the classroom?”

“Oh, I see. Aren’t there students assigned to duty today?”

Yang Liuqing blinked. “The students on duty today are the class monitor and me. How unlucky do you think we are? So please help me, all right? I’ll come over as soon as I’m finished!”

Chu Nan smiled. “So that’s how it is. No problem—leave it to me.”

“Thank you, Chu Nan. I knew you were the best!” Yang Liuqing’s voice turned almost coquettish.

“Then... what about me?!”

Yang Jingtian suddenly appeared. After speaking, he winked at Chu Nan and secretly pointed at himself.

Chu Nan paused, then said, “Yang Liuqing, why don’t you let Old Yang help you? He doesn’t seem to have any books in his hands.”

“Exactly, exactly! I had the foresight to move all my books yesterday!” Yang Jingtian hurriedly chimed in.

Yang Liuqing blinked, then glanced at Chu Nan. “Then... could you carry my books for me?”

“Of course!” Yang Jingtian was overjoyed. He immediately took the books from Yang Liuqing and then winked suggestively at Chu Nan.

Chu Nan hesitated inwardly. Could it be that Old Yang had fallen for Yang Liuqing? No, that couldn’t be right. As far as he remembered from his previous life, nothing like this had happened.

Still, it was not impossible. To be honest, Yang Liuqing was quite pretty. She had a slightly round face and large, bright eyes, and was one of the few slightly plump beauties in the class. By “slightly plump,” one did not mean fat, but pleasantly full in just the right way, giving her figure graceful curves. When it came to physique, perhaps only Zhou Xiaonan could surpass her.

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Faced with a beauty like that, it would have been strange if Yang Jingtian could resist. However, he had always been timid around girls, so Chu Nan found it odd that he was suddenly being so proactive.

“Damn it, lately Old Chu has had so many girls adding him on QQ. He’s even managed to get close to Zhou Xiaonan, and it looks like he has some connection with the class beauty too. I, Yang Jingtian, may not be as good as Old Chu, but I can’t fall too far behind. Yang Liuqing is such a great girl—cute and well-built. I can’t keep shrinking back forever. I have to take the initiative! One day, I’ll have a genius heir bearing the Yang family name!”

With that thought, Yang Jingtian secretly stole a glance at Yang Liuqing walking beside him. Seeing her smiling profile, he nearly drooled.

How had he never noticed how beautiful Yang Liuqing was before?

After taking all the extra books back to the dormitory, Chu Nan headed toward the classroom.

“Chu Nan!”

A girl carrying a stack of books approached him. As she looked at him, there seemed to be a faint spark of anger in her eyes.

Who else could she be but Tian Jiaojiao?

“Is something wrong?” Chu Nan merely glanced at her, completely unruffled.

“Chu Nan, do you really have to treat me like this?” Tian Jiaojiao demanded angrily.

Chu Nan frowned. “What are you talking about?”

“What do you think I’m talking about? Don’t pretend! Every day when we meet, you act as though you can’t see me. You don’t greet me or speak to me. Even when I ask you for help, you refuse. What exactly are you trying to do?” Tian Jiaojiao’s face flushed with anger.

Chu Nan helplessly waved a hand. “Isn’t it tiring to greet each other every single day when we see each other? And as for helping you, shouldn’t you at least consider whether I’m free?”

“Then you’re free now, aren’t you? Help me carry my books!”

At his words, Tian Jiaojiao lifted her pale chin. She walked over and tried to place the books in Chu Nan’s hands.

Chu Nan took two steps back.

Tian Jiaojiao stared at him in disbelief, then exploded in anger. “Chu Nan, what is the meaning of this? I came to ask you personally, and you still refuse to help me? How long are you going to keep throwing this tantrum?”

Chu Nan shook his head with a laugh. “Tian Jiaojiao, you still don’t understand. Let me ask you something first: Why should I help you?”

Tian Jiaojiao was stunned. Then, as embarrassment turned to fury, she snapped, “Isn’t it only natural for you to help me? You always used to help me!”

“See? You still take it for granted. Even family members have to ask politely when they need help. So let me ask you this: What are you to me?”

“You...!”

“‘You’ what? I’ve already told you—I’m not your simp anymore. Even if I wanted to fawn over someone, it wouldn’t be you.” Chu Nan gave a cold laugh. “Find yourself another simp. I’m done.”

With that, Chu Nan swept past the stunned Tian Jiaojiao.

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Tian Jiaojiao’s face suddenly went pale.

She had never imagined that Chu Nan could truly become so heartless.

“Tian Jiaojiao? Haven’t you finished moving your books? Do you need help?”

Just then, Zhang Hao’s voice came from ahead.

As he approached, Zhang Hao reached out to take her books and asked in surprise, “Tian Jiaojiao, are you crying? Are you feeling unwell? If you are, just tell me. I’ll carry your books for you!”

“Find someone else to fawn over!”

Chu Nan’s words echoed in Tian Jiaojiao’s ears. For no apparent reason, she suddenly shouted, “Get lost! Don’t touch me!”

Watching Tian Jiaojiao hurry away, Zhang Hao’s expression darkened.

“Damn it. You think I wanted to help you? I only did it because I wanted to pursue you! You lash out at me for no reason? Just wait until the holidays. I’ll make you regret it!”

After issuing his threat, Zhang Hao also turned around and stalked away angrily.

He was not truly some lovesick simp. Running into Tian Jiaojiao here had been a coincidence. He had thought he might have a chance to help her and win her favor, but that woman had cursed him out for no reason. What chance was there of winning her over now?

By the time Chu Nan returned to the classroom, there were not many people left. Jiang Yuwei sat alone at her desk, silently reading.

Chu Nan quietly approached from behind and realized that she had not noticed him.

He had read the book she was holding as well. It was called Kafka on the Shore, apparently a novel that had only been published the previous year. At the time, the book was indeed exceptionally novel. Still, Chu Nan had not expected Jiang Yuwei to enjoy reading such a literary classic.

Suddenly, Jiang Yuwei turned around and looked at him with calm indifference.

Yet Chu Nan could see the question in her eyes.

He gave a wry smile. “Are you wondering why I’m here?”

A trace of surprise flickered through Jiang Yuwei’s eyes. “How did you know what I wanted to say?”

Chu Nan smiled. “Because your eyes can speak.”

...

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