Chapter 209 Invitation
"Don't speak, let me be quiet for a while!"
Ning Xi walked to the window and sat down on a stool, her eyes rippling with endless waves. Her mind kept replaying the scene from just now.
Was she out of her mind?
That kind of action…
Her head hurt!
Now, how was she supposed to face Keke and Yumeng?
She was doomed!!!
Ye Fan sat on the sofa, looking at the silhouette bathed in sunlight. His eyes were full of tenderness. He unconsciously touched his thigh with both hands, savoring the softness from earlier, and a smile crept up on his lips.
Just like that, the two sat in the living room for more than ten minutes.
After calming herself down, Ning Xi turned her head and glared at Ye Fan. "You…"
Ye Fan quickly reminded her, "Don't forget the promise you made just now."
Ning Xi's chest heaved with frustration.
At a time like this, this guy still…
If biting someone to death weren't illegal, she'd definitely bite Ye Fan to death!
"…Brother, you have to explain this to Keke and Yumeng. Otherwise, I won't be able to face them!"
"Explain it?"
Ye Fan got up and walked to Ning Xi's side. He took off the cherry-patterned hair tie from his wrist, and with a gentle expression, he gathered her waist-length hair and tied it into a ponytail. His hands softly pressed her shoulders as he said, "There's no need to explain. A clear conscience fears no accusations. We are innocent, and explaining will only lead to more misunderstandings. It's better this way."
"What's better?"
Hearing this, Ning Xi was furious, her eyes filled with embarrassment. "After what just happened, Keke and Yumeng will definitely misunderstand. Maybe even…"
"Sigh, no matter what, you must explain!"
"What's there to be afraid of?"
Ye Fan said while massaging her shoulders, "After the college entrance exams, I'll pursue you anyway. If they misunderstand, let them misunderstand."
"You'll be mine sooner or later!"
"Shut up!"
Ning Xi's face flushed red. "You pursuing me is your business. I never said I'd agree! Also, who's 'yours'? You can't just spout nonsense!"
Ye Fan completely ignored her words and said, "Stop thinking about it. Calm down and get ready. I'll take you home later. Rest early tonight; you still have exams tomorrow."
"For now, the most important thing for you is the exam."
To give her some motivation, his tone turned coaxing. "If you can rank in the national top three again in the second joint exam, I'll promise you one thing. Whatever you ask, I'll do my best to fulfill it."
"Really?"
As expected, Ning Xi's attention was immediately drawn. Her eyes sparkled as she asked, "A gentleman's word is as good as gold. You can't go back on your word!"
She already had an idea of what to make Ye Fan do, and a sly smile appeared on her lips.
After being bullied for so long, she finally had a chance to strike back!
She wouldn't let this go!!!
Ye Fan's back stiffened, and a sense of unease crept over him. He cautiously asked, "Ahem, it can't be too excessive. Otherwise…"
"I don't care!"
Ning Xi interrupted him. "You've already said it. Whatever I ask, you'll do your best to fulfill it."
As she spoke, she smiled mischievously and blinked. "Trying to back out now? Too late!"
"…"
Ye Fan frowned, forming the character '川' between his brows. His instincts told him Ning Xi was definitely up to no good.
But the words had already been said. A man's word is his bond.
If he went back on it, he'd lose all credibility in Ning Xi's eyes—a consequence he couldn't afford.
"Fine!"
"Pfft—"
Ning Xi covered her mouth, laughing uncontrollably. Her crescent-shaped eyes made Ye Fan feel uneasy.
"Alright, I won't hold a grudge over what happened earlier. Take me home."
"Xiao Xi, don't laugh like that. It's creeping me out."
"Oh?"
Seeing Ye Fan's stiff expression, Ning Xi's eyes sparkled. "Brother, are you scared? Let me tell you, you should be scared. My condition will absolutely give you a super big surp—uh, surprise. Just wait."
Ye Fan couldn't help but swallow. "Y-you're not even guaranteed to rank in the national top three. Don't get too cocky."
"Relax!"
Ning Xi poked Ye Fan with her pinky, her face beaming with joy. "To make you… Anyway, this time I'll definitely get into the national top three. Don't worry."
Thinking about her plan, she couldn't stop smiling.
This guy walked right into it. He had it coming!
…
The next morning.
As usual, Ye Fan crossed the street. From a distance, he saw a girl standing at the alley entrance. Before he could feel happy, he noticed the man standing next to her. Instantly, his mind began to speculate.
"Uncle, good morning."
Reaching the alley entrance, Ye Fan nodded to Ning Xi's father, Ning Xiangtian, and asked curiously, "Uncle, this is the first time I've seen you send Xiao Xi to school. Is there something special today?"
Even though Ning Xiangtian was wearing a mask, Ye Fan recognized him at a glance. After all, a mask could hide Ning Xiangtian's face, but it couldn't conceal the commanding aura of a superior.
"Hmm, yes, there is something."
Ning Xiangtian nodded slightly. Compared to before, his attitude had improved significantly. He looked Ye Fan up and down and slowly said, "This weekend, come to our house. Xiao Xi's mother and I will treat you to a meal. We also have something to discuss with you."
"What is it?"
This question didn't come from Ye Fan but from Ning Xi. Her eyes were full of curiosity.
The entire way, she had been asking her father why he was sending her to school. Now it seemed that sending her to school was just incidental; the real purpose was to invite Ye Fan.
But for something like this, couldn't he have just passed on the message?
Did he really need to come in person?
"It's a secret."
Ning Xiangtian lovingly patted his daughter's head and said mysteriously, "I can't tell you now. Your mother told me not to. If you want to know, ask her after your exam today."
"Tch—"
Ning Xi pouted.
Ye Fan was a bit surprised and said, "Uncle, I skipped tutoring last weekend so Xiao Xi could rest. This weekend, even if you didn't invite me, I would've dropped by."
"It's fine. It's a matter of etiquette."
Ning Xiangtian nodded, glanced at his watch, and said, "Alright, it's getting late. You two head to school. Do well on today's exam and try to qualify for the bonus points."
"Don't worry, Uncle. Xiao Xi and I will definitely succeed!"
Ye Fan's tone carried no arrogance. After speaking, he winked at Ning Xi, and the two walked into the alley side by side.
Ning Xiangtian watched their retreating figures, his gaze filled with complexity and a hint of sentiment.
At some point, Zhuang Li appeared behind Ning Xiangtian. "Sir, you seem to be treating Ye Fan much more kindly lately. Could it be that you…"
"Let's wait and see."
Hearing this, Ning Xiangtian turned around, his voice full of emotion. "Ye Fan is indeed excellent. Among the young people I've met, he's the best—bar none!"