country bumpkin

Autumn weather is truly unpredictable.

The bright sunshine and cloudless sky during the day brought a sense of warmth to people.

As evening approached, the sky suddenly darkened, and an autumn wind began to blow, rustling the leaves.

However, this is only the prelude to autumn; the real autumn is yet to come.

On a weekend morning, Qian Ningning dressed up in a flamboyant way. She wore a tight red plaid top, tight leggings, and pointed stiletto heels.

Her face was powdered, she had willow-leaf eyebrows, and bright red lips. Combined with her attire, it was impossible not to take a second look.

Dressed like this, she has a specific purpose for going out today.

I already made plans with Su Qing yesterday to go shopping for clothes in the city, so I'm going to her house today.

Another very important purpose was to meet Su Ze.

She was already beautiful, and with careful makeup, she was so stunning that almost every man who saw her couldn't take his eyes off her.

Sure enough, now when she walks down the street, several pairs of burning eyes keep staring at her.

Qian Ningning was secretly delighted; the feeling of being noticed made her more confident.

They soon arrived at Su Qing's house. Su Qing, seeing her elaborate outfit, joked, "Wow, who are you trying to seduce today?"

Qian Ningning playfully slapped Su Qing. The two then walked together into the city.

She had found out yesterday that Su Ze would be coming to Chengzhong Commercial Street to buy cassette tapes today. Today was their chance to meet.

Upon arriving at the busiest commercial street in the city, one finds a constant flow of people.

Qian Ningning looked around for Su Ze's figure, and suddenly her eyes lit up.

Su Ze was standing in front of a stereo store, wearing a white shirt and standing tall.

Qian Ningning's heart suddenly raced, and she deliberately walked towards him with a graceful sway. Su Ze greeted them politely when he saw them.

Qian Ningning invited him to go shopping together, saying she wanted this younger brother to help carry things. Su Qing said the same thing, so Su Ze had no choice but to agree.

I hastily bought two cassette tapes and went shopping with them.

The three of them strolled through the streets together, and Su Ze occasionally glanced at Qian Ningning, his eyes filled with a hint of barely perceptible amazement.

Qian Ningning noticed his gaze and was secretly delighted, so she showed her charming side even more.

Just then, a child accidentally bumped into Qian Ningning, causing her to stumble. Su Ze quickly reached out to support her.

As their eyes met, it was as if an electric current passed through them, and Qian Ningning's face flushed slightly.

Su Ze, feeling embarrassed, quickly let go.

"Ningning, are you alright?"

Qian Ningning deliberately limped and said, "Ah... I think I twisted my ankle, it hurts so much."

After saying that, she looked at Su Ze pitifully.

Su Qing watched their interaction and felt something was off. Something seemed amiss.

The three of them had gone shopping together before, and Qian Ningning always acted poised and graceful. But today, she seemed like a little woman.

Her sixth sense told her this wasn't normal. Su Qing didn't expose her, wanting to see what her intentions were.

Su Ze said helplessly, "Sister Ningning, how about I go with you to the clinic to have your foot checked?"

Qian Ningning nodded, then looked at Su Qing with a wronged expression and said, "Qingqing, I'm sorry, I can't go shopping with you."

Su Qing smiled and said, "It's okay, I'll go home first. Let my younger brother accompany you to the clinic up ahead!"

Qian Ningning said, "Okay, let's go shopping together next time!"

Actually, Su Qing also wanted to go with her to see the foot specialist, but seeing Qian Ningning's shy yet aggrieved eyes, she understood. She probably just wanted her younger brother to go with her!

Since she didn't argue and let her go home first, she went along with Qian Ningning's wishes.

After saying goodbye, Su Qing went home.

Qian Ningning frowned in pain, looking like she was in a lot of pain.

Seeing how serious her condition was, Su Ze picked up Qian Ningning and carried her to the clinic ahead.

Qian Ningning clung tightly to his neck, as if afraid she would fall.

The clinic was just ahead, only a few minutes away. Qian Ningning tried her best to get closer to Su Ze, so she pressed her head against his chest.

Su Ze carried her effortlessly, walking with ease and comfort. He didn't even notice the person in his arms pressed against him.

Hearing the young and strong heartbeat, seeing the handsome jawline and the rosy, plump lips, Qian Ningning subconsciously wanted to kiss him.

She used all her strength to control the impulse.

She warned herself that she couldn't be so direct, that she couldn't reveal herself so quickly, or she would scare him away.

Qian Ningning said understandingly, "Aze, put me down! I'm too heavy, don't tire yourself out."

Su Ze said confidently, "You're not heavy at all, Ningning. It's easy to carry you."

After speaking, she lowered her head and glanced at Qian Ningning. Qian Ningning, however, deliberately raised her neck and looked up at her.

Her lips brushed against Su Ze's pouty lips.

Su Ze was startled and immediately stopped, quickly apologizing, "Sister Ningning, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."

Qian Ningning was furious inside, but she pretended to be shy and said understandingly, "It's okay, I looked up by accident. I just wanted to see the white clouds in the sky."

Su Ze felt awkward for a moment, then continued walking into the clinic.

The clinic was always open, so he carried her straight in and gently placed her on a stool.

The doctor asked about the situation and carefully examined the ankle. He then pinched and tested it, saying, "It's not a big problem, it's not serious. It's probably just a sprain. If it doesn't hurt, go home and rest well, and try to walk less."

Su Ze said, "But she's in a lot of pain and can't walk."

The doctor looked at Qian Ningning, puzzled, "She's fine, so why is she in pain?"

The doctor seemed to be thinking of something but didn't say it aloud. He simply said, "If it hurts, just take two plasters home and apply them."

Qian Ningning paid the money and asked Su Ze to take her back to her dormitory.

Su Ze picked her up again and carried her back to the dormitory.

Many eyes were watching them along the way. Su Ze said, "Ningning, if I carry you back like this, won't people misunderstand you? Why don't I just carry you on my back?"

Qian Ningning smiled slightly, looking very charming. "It's okay, I don't care, what are you afraid of?"

Su Ze thought about it and realized it made sense. Anyway, he had always treated her as his older sister, so what was so strange about a younger brother hugging his older sister?

As soon as I arrived at the dormitory entrance, I ran into Aunt Qu, who manages the dormitory.

Aunt Qu is a kind-hearted person, but also a big gossip. When she saw the two of them hugging, her eyes widened in surprise.

Qian Ningning panicked and tried to break free from Su Ze's embrace, but Su Ze didn't understand her meaning and instead hugged her even tighter.

"Oh, what's wrong?" Aunt Qu asked, stepping forward.

Qian Ningning stammered, "I twisted my ankle... and Aze brought me back."

Aunt Qu smiled meaningfully, "Oh, I see. You young people have such a good relationship." Then she left.

Qian Ningning knew that gossip would definitely spread now. But that was exactly the result she wanted.

Su Ze, on the other hand, seemed quite calm. After dropping her off at her dorm, he prepared to leave.

Qian Ningning mustered her courage and tugged at his sleeve. "Aze, thank you for today. Could you... could you stay for a meal?"

Su Ze hesitated for a moment, then shook his head in the end. "No, Sister Ningning, I have something to do."

Qian Ningning, unwilling to give up, said, "Aze, could you please put on the plaster for me before you leave?"

Su Ze readily agreed, "Okay, take off your socks, I'll help you put them on."

Su Ze quickly applied the plaster, said goodbye, and went home.

Watching Su Ze's departing figure, Qian Ningning thought to herself that no matter what rumors or gossip there were, she was determined to win Su Ze's heart.

Meanwhile, Su Qing felt increasingly uneasy at home and decided to have a serious talk with Qian Ningning about it the next day.