Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Wang Chunhua racked her brains thinking of ways to get scholar Liu to accept her younger sister. She scurried to give her ideas, but Li Mingwei said she didn't like him.

"You don't like scholar Liu?"

This was not what she had expected. What young girl wouldn't like scholar Liu? She didn't believe it.

Understanding Wang Chunhua's gaze, Li Mingwei helplessly said, "Sister, I really don't like him."

"Then what they said about seeing you hugging him passionately on the street, was that false?"

Hugging passionately?

Li Mingwei's mind buzzed. When had she ever hugged him passionately? She could barely dodge Liu Yizhu, let alone anything like that! Things she didn't even remember happening, how could those people have seen it?

But a specific description like hugging together, it probably wasn't groundless gossip either.

Soon, Li Mingwei locked onto the day before yesterday as the only recent time she had seen Liu Yizhu. She carefully recalled it, then swore to Wang Chunhua: "I really didn't hug him. I just about tripped and he caught me for a second. I pulled away very quickly."

"How did you trip again?"

Li Mingwei...

"Sister, I only tripped this once. It wasn't true last time that I fell."

Oh right! Wang Chunhua suddenly realized, last time was made up. But in the eyes of others, it looked like she had deliberately tripped into scholar Liu's arms twice. With that kind of rumor going around, it was no wonder.

Li Mingwei lay miserably on the bed, full of regret. She should have listened to Mr. Jin and shared an umbrella with him that day.

That afternoon when she went to the school, Liu Yizhu still hadn't left. But while she was copying books, he was just sitting there reading a book without talking to her, so she didn't want to assume familiarity.

She didn't have much left to copy of that book. She thought there was no point leaving a bit, she might as well finish it and take it back. After class she went back upstairs to continue.

When she was ready to leave, it started snowing again. She still owed Mr. Jin an umbrella that she had lost last time. She had offered to replace it several times but kept forgetting.

Liu Yizhu did have an umbrella. Mr. Jin asked him to help walk her home: "You have to go past the Du house anyway on your way back. Just go with him. The snow isn't light, who knows if the roads are covered. It's better if you have company in case you trip on the way."

To comfort Li Mingwei's injured pride, Wang Chunhua directly served her two bowls of lamb soup at lunch. Boldly she declared, "Drink up! I cooked a huge pot today. Drink your fill!"

Li Mingwei twitched her mouth. Her sister's fervor was like she was offering alcohol. Still, she gulped down two hearty bowls with equal gusto.

Wang Chunhua put Mr. Jin's portion into a small clay pot for her to carry in her basket to the school.

"There's a stove at school. You can put the pot directly on it to heat up. Remember to bring back the basket and pot after Mr. Jin finishes."

"Got it."

She ambled to school, sneakily peeked into the backyard with her basket. Madam Wang had left. Relieved, she went upstairs.

Well, Madam Wang was gone but Liu Yizhu was still there.

Seeing Liu Yizhu now instantly irritated her. She rolled her eyes, set the things on Mr. Jin's desk, then turned to leave downstairs.

Liu Yizhu was startled by her swift motions. He didn't even pretend to seriously read his book anymore. Hurriedly he went up to grab her hand.

"You're not copying books today?"

Li Mingwei shook his hand off. She had never been the wishy-washy sort. Bluntly she said, "I'll copy when you leave. Tell me when you plan to go and I'll start then."

Liu Yizhu was stunned. The past few days he had noticed Li Mingwei deliberately avoiding him. He assumed she felt men and women should keep distance.

He didn't expect such immense hostility from her today at their first meeting. Momentarily he was lost for words. "I... you..."

Li Mingwei frowned, "If you have nothing to say I'm leaving first. Later when your mother sees, she'll say I'm pestering you again. As if I care."

"Did my mother go find you? What did she say?"

"Why ask me? Go ask your mother. I don't want to talk to you. Stay away from me in the future."

From her expression and tone, Liu Yizhu could tell even with his toes that his mother had said nothing nice. Apologetically he said, "If my mother said anything offensive, I apologize on her behalf..."

"I don't need an apology. Just keep your distance and stop talking to me from now on."