Evening. Thursday.
Du Wei was sitting stiffly on the couch watching Ning Yao who was staring at her homework at the dinner table. Ning Qing was in her room taking a phone call, and her grandma was already asleep, so it was just the two of them now. It was a bit awkward.
Actually, even though Du Wei had known Ning Qing for a long time, she hadn't been to her house very often. Ning Qing seemed very gentle to everyone but she was hard to really get close to.
"Hey, Ning Yao, do you need any help? You know I was an honour student in highschool!"
Ning Yao glanced up with an expressionless face and shook her head.
Du Wei thought she was just being polite so she got up and walked over to the table.
"Come on, don't be shy. Just ask if you're stuck on something!"
Ning Yao thought for a moment. Unlike her elder sister who had always been good at studying, she was only near the middle of the grade in terms of rankings, and maths especially was her worst subject.
Considering that Du Wei was a college student she thought she might be able to help. Also she was wearing glasses, people who wore glasses were smart. "Sister Du, I don't understand this question."
"No problem! Leave it to me!" She took the exercise book.
However, looking down at the equations that seemed a familiar but also unfamiliar, Du Wei felt a cold sweat. Dammit, what kind of maths are they teaching middle schoolers these days?!
"Aha, this seems a little advanced for middle school. Is this for cram school? You're very smart Ning Yao! By the way, your sister worked at a cram school before, didn't she?"
Ning Yao stared at Du Wei's cramped face as she tried to change the topic, "Do you not know the answer Sister Du?"
"..."
Du Wei was embarrassed.
"Well…it's been a long time you see…"
"Oh."
Du Wei could feel that her standing in front of the little girl was about to be demoted.
"Why don't we ask Ning Qing for help?" Du Wei suggested.
"No it's fine, my sister is busy. I don't want to disturb her. I can do it by myself." Ning Yao had a serious face, "Please don't tell my sister."
Looking at Ning Yao's stubborn expression, Du Wei was taken aback.
She could imagine how Ning Yao was struggling but she didn't want to disturb her busy elder sister so she had to take it all on by herself.
Ah! So cute!
She wanted to help her!
Du Wei thought hard for a while, "Oh! How about Sister Yuerong's younger brother?!"
Du Wei turned to Ning Yao and explained, "You see, your sister is tutoring him in English -"
"- I know. He's come to our house."
"Oh?"
"He walks my sister home after their lessons."
Du Wei was surprised, she didn't expect high school students to be so conscientious nowadays.
"Well, I heard from your sister that he's really good at maths!"
Ning Yao was skeptical. If he was good at maths why would he need a tutor?
Although Ning Yao's grades were mediocre, she still thought English was much easier than maths. Plus he doesn't wear glasses.
Then she glanced up at Du Wei, and thought about her own sister. Ning Yao felt that maybe she needed to update her thoughts.
Beside her, Du Wei also thought about it and realised it was a bit ridiculous, the older sister tutors him in English while he tutors the younger sister in maths, plus, "Actually, he's in his third year so he's probably busy as well…"
Du Wei was troubled, Ning Qing was always looking after her. She felt she needed to do something to help her younger sister.
"What are you guys talking about?"
At this time Ning Qing's voice sounded out.
Du Wei glanced at Ning Yao's expressionless face and recalled what she had said before.
"It's nothing, it's nothing, aha, how was your call?"
"Are you worried about Xiaoyao's grades?"
"Well, no I mean…"
"I already heard everything." Ning Qing glanced at her younger sister and smiled, "Don't worry about it, I tried to teach her before but she's too lazy. She gave up after a few days."
"Huh?"
Du Wei was surprised. Teenage girls really are terrifying. She thought because Ning Yao always had an expressionless face she was a serious person.
Ning Yao didn't feel embarrassed. She thought it was natural. Who would like studying?
"By the way, I was just talking to Sister Yuerong. She says she's celebrating her game launch on Sunday with a meal. Do you want to join us?" Then Ning Qing added with a smile, "Senior Zhou will be there."
Hearing that, Du Wei was excited, but it also felt improper. She was friends with Lin Yuerong but they weren't that close.
"Sister Yuerong asked me to invite you, she said the more the merrier." Ning Qing had a gentle smile.
Ahh, you're so charming! Du Wei was tempted but thinking about how much work she had due next Monday, and considering it was probably better to celebrate with close friends, she had to decline.
"I probably won't be able to make it, I'm drowning in assignments."
Ning Qing thought about it and didn't insist.
"Also, isn't the launch today? She's already celebrating." Du Wei couldn't help but chuckle, "That's really like Sister Yuerong!"
"Sister Yuerong is a real adult huh? While I'm still relying on my parents…" Du Wei sat back on the couch a little lazily, and beckoned Ning Qing over.
"By the way, your sister told me Sister Yuerong's brother was walking you home these days…he probably has a crush on you Ning Qing!" Du Wei had a mischievous smile on her face.
Ning Yao's ears perked up.
Du Wei could just imagine it, a young boy all alone with an older woman. Hehehe.
Ning Qing looked at her roommate giggling to herself and could tell she was imagining something strange again.
She just shook her head, "No, it's because Sister Yuerong asked him to."
Then she glanced at Ning Yao who was almost leaning off her chair, and added with a smile, "Don't joke around or people will think you're serious."
"Hehe, alright, alright." You underestimate your charm Ning Qing…Oh wait nevermind, she knows exactly how charming she is. Well, anyway she wasn't really being serious.
Soon the conversation turned elsewhere.
Later at night, Du We was working on her laptop at Ning Qing's desk in her bedroom.
"You're researching poets of the Tang Dynasty period right?" Ning Qing sat on her bed and looked at her busy friend.
"Hmmm, yeah…" Du Wei replied distractedly.
"Share your document with me. I'll help you." Ning Qing smiled when she saw Du Wei suddenly look up, "I'll help you, so make sure to come on Sunday, alright?"
Looking at that gentle face, Du Wei was moved.
"Aaahhh! Ning Qing, I love you!"