"Okay that's enough for today. It's already 8 o'clock, I should get going."
Lin Yuan yawned after hearing her words and stretched his back, unexpectedly causing a few popping sounds.
Peeking at Ning Qing who was also looking at him, Lin Yuan had a calm face.
"If you're feeling stiff you can always try studying standing up. It's not healthy to always be sitting down." Ning Qing paused her packing up and spoke with a look of concern.
"..."
First you steal my chair, now you don't even let me sit?
He responded with a hollow laugh and quickly began putting away his text book and the new exercises she had given him for Monday.
"By the way, have you tried watching any English movies? The speaking exam will also be a big part of your marks, it'll be a lot easier for you if you can quickly get used to the language. It's probably the simplest way to improve your language intuition as well."
Ning Qing had finished putting away everything and was now waiting for Lin Yuan by the door.
"No, I was mainly focused on memorising yesterday…besides I'm not really sure what to watch, I don't really watch movies."
Ning Qing glanced at his expressionless face and suddenly felt an itch. She didn't know why but she thought it'd be fun to see his embarrassed look.
"Oh, then maybe I can recommend some. By the way, you like reading romance novels, right? I mean, I just noticed most of them were romances…" She said gesturing toward his bed.
Hearing her goading tone, Lin Yuan slowly turned his head to see where she was pointing. After seeing the big pile of novels on his bedside table, he glanced at her expectant face and just nodded calmly, looking at her with a slight smile.
"Then, thank you."
Boring.
"Haha, okay I'll write some down for you later…" Actually, she didn't usually watch romance films, but Ning Qing still replied naturally.
It's a little forceful.
The smile on Lin Yuan's face suddenly became wider.
"..."
After a while, the pair slowly went downstairs.
Opening the front door and looking out at the heavy rain that covered the dark night and thick clouds above, Ning Qing paused. Then she took out her umbrella and turned to Lin Yuan.
"It's raining pretty heavily, so you don't have to bring me home this time. I'll see you Monday alright?"
Lin Yuan just shook his head while bending down to put on his shoes.
"It's fine, I already promised my sister, she would get mad at me if I didn't." He looked helpless but he was firm.
Standing up again he glanced at her warm and thick sweater then at the school jacket hanging on the coat hanger and took it anyway.
"Let's go."
…
…
…
The streets were lit brightly in their neighbourhood, so even though the moon was partially covered, the surroundings were still very clear. Occasionally cars would go by, splashing a little water onto the side-walk.
Lin Yuan felt he should probably walk on the side facing the road, but it felt too deliberate.
Looking at her natural movements as she continued to walk slightly in front of him, he felt irritated.
Isn't this script a bit wrong…
"By the way Lin Yuan, about that book, if you don't want to wait till Monday I can just get it for you now." She spoke louder to pierce through the sounds of the rain, opening her umbrella up toward him.
Lin Yuan thought about it and was about to nod, but then he raised his voice in confirmation.
"Okay, thank you."
In the heavy rain the two figures walked in a comfortable silence until they reached the familiar small road leading to her house. Lin Yuan was looking ahead through the thick curtain of rain when he saw a small figure walking towards them holding an umbrella. Both sides were walking quite briskly so they met each other halfway to her house.
"Sister?"
Lin Yuan finally saw a young girl stopping in front of them. She looked similar to Ning Qing but her face was more immature and she was quite short. She would've looked very cute if not for the cold look on her face. Especially holding the bright pink umbrella that was covered in images of a certain famous cartoon cat, she looked somewhat discordant.
"Xiaoyao, why are you outside?" Ning Qing was obviously not too surprised to see the girl, so she kept walking as they talked.
"Waiting for you."
The short girl glanced at Lin Yuan and then quickly followed them.
"Where's grandma, is she awake?"
"No."
"You should have just waited inside, it's raining so heavily, the ground is very slippery."
"It's fine."
Lin Yuan watched the two girls converse quietly to the side while they walked and was surprised that Ning Qing hadn't introduced him. Though this wasn't really the best place for a proper introduction.
It's just kind of awkward though, he could feel the little girl stealing glances at him.
When they reached the stone gateway, the two girls stopped and Ning Qing finally seemed to remember his existence.
"Oh by the way this is Lin Yuan, the boy I'm tutoring. He's Sister Yuerong's younger brother." She gestured to him while talking to the girl.
She turned to introduce the short girl, "This is my younger sister Ning Yao."
Both sides looked at each other for a brief moment and then eventually settled on a polite nod. Looking at the two people nodding with a serious face like mirror images, Ning Qing chuckled.
Then seeing that the rain was still falling heavily, she thought it was a little inappropriate for him to wait outside so she hesitated for a brief moment and then spoke, "Lin Yuan why don't you wait inside for a while until the rain calms down, I can go get your book as well."
"No, it's fine. I should get going, I'll see you -"
"- Don't be polite. It'll only take a few minutes, just wait inside." She spoke gently with a smile on her face but she didn't give him any room to reject and just gestured him in.
Lin Yuan could only follow behind them.
This was his first time inside her house. The paved courtyard was brightly lit so he could see the rows of flowers and potted plants that were lining it, making the smell of rain even stronger. He followed up the small stone stairway to their veranda, folding the umbrella once he was inside and placing it down near the head of the steps.
The veranda was quite spacious and there was even a small wooden table and some chairs. Glancing at the open door with the warm yellow light coming from inside, and then at his wet shoes, slightly damp jacket and school pants, he decided to speak first.
"I'll wait here." Then he explained, "I'm wet."
Ning Qing, who had just finished placing her and Ning Yao's umbrellas out to dry, didn't object this time.
She looked at her sister who was standing quietly at the entrance to the living room watching them, and then at Lin Yuan. Seeing his thin figure and thinking of how exhausted he was last time after only running for a few minutes, she considered for a moment.
Well, it should be fine.
"Okay, I'll just go inside quickly to get your book. You can sit down, Ning Yao will get you something warm to drink." Then she turned to Ning Yao and whispered something quietly before leaving for inside.
Lin Yuan sat down at the table and looked outside watching the raindrops bounce against the stone. The refreshing scent of the rain seemed to overwhelm him. The soil, the leaves, the wet bark, the wood, the water pooling under the drains. He tried to ignore the short figure that was still silently standing behind him.
Just when he was thinking he should say something, he saw her figure walk inside out of the corner of his eye.
He was relieved. Even though he didn't mind silence, he always felt awkward in the presence of strangers.
Lin Yuan glanced down at his phone and saw that it was almost 8:30. The rain didn't seem to be letting up but he felt it wasn't appropriate to stay for too long.
I'll leave after she comes back.
Only a few minutes had passed when Ning Yao returned holding a tray with a large traditional saucer and three small cups on it. She set them down on the table and bent down to gently place a small cup in front of him.
Lin Yuan couldn't help but sit up straight as he watched her carefully pour the steaming hot liquid into his cup. The colour was a deep brown, he guessed the tea was probably quite a strong strain.
Watching her sit back down opposite him, Lin Yuan held the cup with both hands and politely thanked her before taking a careful sip.
It's bitter…
Also…this is instant coffee?
Lin Yuan was confused. He looked up only to see Ning Yao drinking normally without any expression on her face. But when he looked down again, he seemed to feel her staring at him.
"It's delicious."
"Oh…"
Lin Yuan thought that maybe she was teasing him, but she maintained a serious look on her face. He even felt that she was a little happy after hearing his praise but he didn't know whether he was just imagining it or not.
Thinking it was better not to dwell on it he continued drinking the coffee in small sips while turning away to watch the raindrops falling softly from the awning roof.
She's taking a long time…but I can't just leave now can I…
Lin Yuan thought, as the older one, he should probably try to start a conversation. He put down the small cup that had been sipped dry and cleared his throat.
"Um, so are you in middle school -"
"- Do you want more?" Ning Yao had an expectant expression on her face.
"Oh, thank you…"
Watching her seriously drinking and then looking down at his own cup full of bitter coffee he felt helpless.
"Xinjiang No.1 Middle School." The voice was soft amongst the sound of the rain, almost inaudible.
"Oh…I also went to Xinjiang No.1 Middle School…" Lin Yuan tried very hard to think of something to say to continue the conversation but then he also felt he had nothing else to add, so his voice trailed off and the table returned to quiet again.
The coffee was about to be blown cold from the night wind when Ning Qing finally emerged again out onto the veranda.
"Sorry for taking so long, I couldn't find it for a while…" Looking at the expression of relief on Lin Yuan's face, Ning Qing was somewhat confused.
"It's no problem." Lin Yuan quickly stood up, draining his cup in one large gulp. He really couldn't sit still anymore, his coffee had been refilled for the 3rd time already.
Ning Qing handed him a clear ziplock bag that contained two books.
"I also had the Chinese version so I'll give it to you as well."
Lin Yuan was quite grateful so he thanked her again while trying to carefully stuff the books into his jacket pocket.
Meanwhile Ning Qing saw the tea cup set on the table and was surprised. Looking at her little sister she was very happy, thinking that this girl had really grown up.
"Sister, for you." Seeing Ning Qing glancing at the table Ning Yao quickly poured a cup of now room temperature coffee and handed it to her.
"Thank you Xiaoyao." Ning Qing grasped the tea cup carefully. She seemed to vaguely smell something off though.
Lin Yuan on the other side stared at her as she took a long sip. He was very happy when he saw a strange expression flash by her face.
Glancing at Lin Yuan who was smiling, and then at the expectant face of her sister, she felt embarrassed.
"It's very good Xiaoyao…"
"Oh."
Looking at Ning Yao who was picking up the saucer again, Ning Qing pretended to look down at her phone and said "...But Lin Yuan should probably get going. It's getting very late."
"But there's still some left."
"..."