Chapter 68: Anan
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Jin Nian’s family did not have any rules when it came to eating. Teacher Tan would often tell the father and daughter some interesting things at the dinner table. For example, the school canteen auntie was dating the security guard uncle, and the street vendor at the school gate was chased away by the city enforcement officers. However, Jin Nian was always very interested and would even ask her mother about the follow-up.
Teacher Tan said that if she sent away this year’s senior students, she would no longer be the cla.s.s teacher. She would say this every year during graduation, but she would still continue to be her cla.s.s teacher the next year.
“Previously, there were two children in the cla.s.s who were close. The girl was very good at her studies, while the boy was at the bottom of the cla.s.s. I called them into the office to talk,” said Professor Tan.
Jin Nian clicked her tongue, “Poor little couple. They’re going to be separated by the old witch again.”
“I did not.” Professor Tan rolled her eyes. “I asked the girl to take the boy to study more often. If the boy could enter the top 20 of the cla.s.s under her guidance, I would pretend not to know about this.”
Jin Nian widened her eyes in disbelief: “Mom, your thinking is so avant-garde!”
“I’ve finally seen through it. If two people really want to be together, no matter what others say or do, they won’t be able to separate. On the contrary, the more you object, the better their relationship will be.” Jin Nian nodded frantically in agreement.
Lu An sat across from her and looked at Jin Nian. There was an unreadable emotion in his eyes. Teacher Tan also looked at him: “Lu An, do you think I did the right thing?”
Lu An’s att.i.tude was indifferent, “Teacher Tan is wise and brilliant. What you did could not be any better.” In the entire house, only Jin Nian, the id**t, did not understand the meaning behind her mother’s words.
“What happened after that?” Jin Nian asked with a serious face. “Did the boys improve in their studies?”
Tan Siyun laughed: “Of course. Although he hasn’t reached the top twenty of the cla.s.s, he’s already improved by more than eighty places.”
Jin Nian could not help but sigh: “Love is really a great thing.”
Such a relaxed and happy family atmosphere was indeed out of Lu An’s reach. In terms of material things, his family had never owed him anything since he was young. However, he often slept alone in the huge villa. Even if he was afraid, he had to force himself to sleep because only then would he not be late for school the next day. His parents were busy everywhere, and the family of three rarely ate at the same table. When Lu An was a few years older, their relationship came to an end.
When Lu An was five years old, he was brought back to Binhai by Xie He. Facing a completely unfamiliar environment, he was no longer afraid, but he was very resistant to it. Those days were a trauma to him. When he was young, he was forced to go to a new school. The teachers and cla.s.smates were completely unfamiliar, and they did not speak the same language. His father was far away in Hong Kong, his mother was often busy until late at night, and his grandmother always went to play mahjong. He hated the maid who took care of him. The food she cooked was not to his liking at all.
Lu An and Jin Nian met for the first time when they were five years old. Xie He was going abroad to discuss business. She sent Lu An to her grandmother’s house.
Lu An’s grandmother played mahjong, leaving Lu An alone to watch television. Fortunately, at that time, Jin Nian was there, so she dragged Lu An to her house to play.
When it was time for dinner, Lu An said goodbye politely, but was forced to stay by little Jin Nian. “Your grandma and my grandma are playing mahjong. No one will cook for you, right? Let’s have a compet.i.tion and see who can eat faster and cleanly.”
This was the first time Lu An realized that other parents would accompany their children to eat and watch cartoons every day. Or reprimanding the child for not eating vegetables properly.
The five-year-old Jin Nian felt that Lu An was very pitiful. Yes, even other children felt that Lu An was lonely and unsociable. Jin Nian felt sorry for him. But she did not say anything. She just kept teasing him. “Anan, you must try my dad’s cola chicken wings. I promise you’ve never eaten such delicious chicken wings!”
Lu An did not allow anyone to call him Anan because he felt that it was too girly for a boy to be called Anan. However, he allowed Jin Nian to call him that. “Anan, can you come to my house for dinner more often? I like eating with you.”
“Anan, don’t look so sad. Your mother went out to work and will be back soon.”
“Anan, look at this. The kindergarten gave out a little orange today, so I specially brought one back for you.”
“Anan, can you come here more often? You’re so pretty. I like to play with you.”
“Anan, you are my best friend from now on.. We will share blessings and hardships together!”