Chapter 108: The Little Scumbag Girl

Lu Qingyue’s maternal grandfather, Xi Huai, lived in a county near Jiangcheng, less than two hours’ drive away. He’d divorced when he was young, and as he grew older, he preferred the peace and freedom of the countryside, refusing to move into the city with his daughter. So, Qingyue had grown used to splitting her holidays between city and country, and this summer was no exception.

She spent two weeks in the countryside with her grandfather. At first, Cheng Xingye said nothing, even reminding her to keep the old man company. Newly in love and separated right after confirming their relationship, the young couple inevitably messaged and called each other every night.

Xi Huai noticed that Qingyue was glued to her phone every day, and understood. One evening after dinner, while they sat in the courtyard shelling sunflower seeds, he casually asked, “Diandian, are you seeing someone?”

Qingyue, close to her grandfather since childhood, continued shelling seeds without pause and replied naturally, “Yes, just started.”

“Is he a classmate?” Xi Huai asked.

“No, he’s a friend of my brother’s,” she answered.

Upon hearing it was Lu Yi’s friend, Xi Huai’s expression grew complicated. Why did girls nowadays like men so much older than themselves? His daughter had been the same, and now his granddaughter. Was it because older men were more attentive?

He pondered but didn’t interfere in young people’s romances. He was only concerned that a newly adult girl might misjudge people, swept away by a few sweet words. So, he said earnestly, “Next time, bring him home. Let your grandfather size him up.”

Qingyue uttered a surprised sound, not expecting to meet the family so soon. “It’s been less than a month. There’s no rush.”

Xi Huai pushed the shelled seeds onto the small table in front of her, speaking unhurriedly, “That’s not how it works. If you wait until you’re completely caught up, it’ll be too late to be picky.”

He didn’t interfere with her dating, but he insisted she judge character wisely. With only one girl in the family, Xi Huai couldn’t rest easy until he’d seen the boy himself.

But Qingyue didn’t seem to mind. She stuffed all the seeds into her mouth at once, cheeks bulging, her words muffled.

“You don’t trust my brother’s judgment in friends, but you don’t trust mine either?”

Xi Huai laughed aloud. “How old are you? What judgment can you possibly have?”

Not only did men have the upper hand in these matters, but this one was so much older. If he was just looking for fun, this little rascal would probably be left with nothing.

Seeing she wasn’t taking his words seriously, Xi Huai sighed and started telling her stories with the calm wisdom of age. “Let me tell you, judging a man has its tricks. When your mom started seeing your dad, I immediately thought he was reliable. Look how many years they’ve been married—aren’t they still deeply in love?”

Qingyue was half convinced. Her parents’ relationship was indeed enviable, but didn’t that mean her mother had good taste?

...

That night, after washing up and climbing into bed, Cheng Xingye’s message arrived right on time.

His messages and calls had become more frequent these days, often chatting for half an hour at night before hanging up. Though he didn’t say it outright, Qingyue sensed he missed her.

She stretched comfortably across her bed before opening her chat.

[hOShinO]: What are you doing?

It had only been two hours since their last conversation ended.

Qingyue rolled over and lay on her stomach, legs swinging behind her, fingers flying over the phone.

[Qingdian]: Just had a discussion with my grandfather about how to pick a man.

The topic was a bit out there, and the person on the other end seemed at a loss for words, taking a long while to reply.

[hOShinO]: Hmm?

Qingyue pretended not to notice the undertone of jealousy, delighted to share.

[Qingdian]: My grandfather said you have to pick a man with a prominent bridge of the nose—it means he’s upright and decent. But that’s not what I read online...

[hOShinO]: What does the internet say?

[Qingdian]: The internet says men with prominent noses are strong in certain areas. What do you think?

She rolled over, suppressing a laugh, waiting for Xingye’s reply, pleased to have a chance to tease him after so long apart.

He seemed to catch onto her playful mischief and responded soon after.

[hOShinO]: I think you should spend less time online and more time sleeping. Stop overthinking all these twists and turns.

Tsk, why so serious?

Qingyue was sure he was only pretending to be upright.

[Qingdian]: I’m just curious. I remember your nose is quite prominent.

Actually, it wasn’t just a vague memory—Cheng Xingye’s nose was definitely prominent.

The first time she saw him, besides being captivated by his impossibly long legs, she was struck by the depth and definition of his features. She hadn’t specifically noticed his nose, but his profile was so striking that it was unforgettable.

He was already used to her teasing, so he replied slowly.

[hOShinO]: “Quite prominent?” Have you forgotten what your boyfriend looks like?

[Qingdian]: Impossible! I keep you in my heart at all times!

[hOShinO]: What good is keeping me in your heart? Didn’t you run off anyway?

Through the screen, Qingyue could almost picture him acting nonchalant on the surface, secretly gnashing his teeth while he said it.

She was amused and pleased, just about to reply when he, still unsatisfied, fired off another message.

[hOShinO]: Kissed me and ran off—a little heartbreaker.

Qingyue couldn’t stop laughing.

[Qingdian]: Hey, don’t be so dramatic. I’ll be back next week.

[hOShinO]: If you’re not back next week, I’ll expose you as a heartbreaker on the forum.

Qingyue: “....”