pjbooks Chapter 199 A Clear Conscience
Chapter 199 A Clear Conscience
Xu Lingjing had never truly faced Lu's parents, but she had always enjoyed the breakfasts that Lu's mother made herself without any qualms.
Looking back on her past life, after Xu Lingjing married into the Lu family, the conflict between her and her mother-in-law almost reached an irreconcilable point.
Ultimately, it's because she neither fulfilled her responsibilities as a wife nor her duties as a daughter-in-law.
Initially, out of consideration for Lu Yuan and because she was, after all, his lawfully wedded daughter-in-law, Lu's parents were able to turn a blind eye and tolerate her.
But later, when she made no attempt to hide her disgust and impatience with Lu Yuan, the two elders finally reached their breaking point.
For this reason, Lu Yuan firmly believes that Xu Lingjing's character in her past life will not change much in this life.
However, reality slapped him in the face.
Xu Lingjing is now behaving in an exceptionally pleasing manner, chatting and laughing with Lu's parents, behaving with propriety, and creating the warm illusion that they have known each other for many years.
Even their newly acquainted university classmates were captivated by the harmonious atmosphere, and couldn't help but associate them with a childhood sweetheart relationship.
Seeing this, Wu Kun and the others were extremely envious of Lu Yuan.
Only Lu Yuan himself knew that beneath this flawless facade lay Xu Lingjing's ulterior motives.
However, Lu Yuan did not make a fuss on the spot. He simply cooperated with the performance without showing any emotion and enjoyed the meal with everyone.
Time passed by unnoticed until evening.
Lu Yuan saw his parents off at the school gate and said earnestly, "Mom and Dad, you must be tired after a long day. How about we find a hotel nearby for the night and go home tomorrow?"
"Hey, it's alright." Dad waved his hand, shook his head with a smile, "The road back isn't congested, we'll get there quickly by car, there's no need to spend the night here."
The mother looked at her son with eyes full of reluctance, carefully instructing him: "A-Yuan, you'll be a college student soon, so far from home. You must take good care of yourself. If you ever need money, don't be stingy, always call home."
"I understand," Lu Yuan replied gently.
He certainly didn't lack living expenses, but his parents knew in their hearts that once their child went to university and left home, his heart would be like a kite set free, and he would probably rarely have time to contact them again.
This monthly living allowance became the most practical bridge for maintaining communication between parents and children.
"Your school isn't far from Yixian's, so go visit her when you have time on weekends," Mom reminded her again.
"Yes, I will."
"And there's more..."
As I was leaving, my mother was reluctant to part with me and kept giving me instructions on trivial matters.
Anyone else might have found it annoying, but Lu Yuan patiently agreed to everything.
As dusk approached, Dad gently urged Mom to get in the car, and the family finally waved goodbye.
After watching his parents' car drive away, Lu Yuan turned around to go back to his dormitory, but bumped into Xu Lingjing, who was waiting alone by the roadside.
Xu Lingjing's beauty is beyond doubt.
She stood quietly under the streetlight, attracting the attention of many passing students who couldn't help but glance at her a few more times.
This is Lu Yuan's inevitable path; there is no way to avoid it.
He slowed his pace, casting a suspicious glance at me: "What are you doing here?"
"I'll wait for you," Xu Lingjing said bluntly, her voice clear and crisp.
Upon hearing this, the boys passing by all cast envious and jealous glances at Lu Yuan.
He thought to himself: We're all the same age, so why does Lu Yuan have such a beautiful girl waiting for him under the streetlight?
"Why are you waiting for me?" Lu Yuan didn't offer her any extra enthusiasm, his tone indifferent.
"Don't you think we're really destined to be together? We were even classmates in college."
Lu Yuan immediately rolled his eyes and bluntly exposed her: "Can I be a little narcissistic and think that you applied to the university because I applied to the university of science and technology?"
"Hmm..." Xu Lingjing tilted her head slightly, thought for a moment, and nodded with a smile, "It's because of you."
"Heh, Xu Lingjing, isn't this a bit pointless?" Lu Yuan rubbed his temples, full of helplessness. "I don't think I ever told you I was applying to a university of science and technology, did I? Even if you found out later, the application period would have ended by then. So, where did you find out about my application?"
"I guessed." Xu Lingjing still smiled sweetly, but her eyes revealed shrewdness. "Our scores are about the same, so for you, applying to a university of science and technology is the best choice. In addition, your family owns a garment factory, so you will most likely choose a major related to clothing, so I applied for this major as well."
She paused, then gave a relieved smile: "To be honest, I wasn't sure you would report here; it was all just my guess. I just wanted to take a gamble, and luckily, I was right."
Lu Yuan did not doubt her story.
With her intelligence, it wasn't difficult for her to guess Lu Yuan's major.
If it were his past life, Xu Lingjing would have been overjoyed to have cared for him so much.
But times have changed. This kind of purposeful attention and obsession only makes him feel very distressed.
"Why are you doing this to yourself?" Lu Yuan looked at her, his tone revealing a hint of impatience. "I remember you used to like medical majors, not engineering."
"It's okay." Xu Lingjing shrugged gently, her tone soft. "I can like many things, including fashion engineering. There are some things I didn't like before, but now I like them."
These words clearly had a deeper meaning.
She wanted to tell Lu Yuan that she really didn't like him before, but now she does.
She also believed that Lu Yuan was not a dull person and would definitely understand the implied meaning.
Lu Yuan waved his hand, indicating that she didn't need to play games anymore, and said bluntly, "I already have Yi Xian, you don't need to do this. Xu Lingjing, you are very good and beautiful, and many people are infatuated with you. You can choose someone better, there's no need to pester me."
He paused, then spoke with even greater seriousness: "Since we have inevitably become university classmates, we should recognize the boundaries between classmates and hope that we will not cross those boundaries in the future, disturb each other's lives, or cause unpleasantness."
Lu Yuan's words were so absolute that Xu Lingjing fell into a long silence.
She thought she would think Lu Yuan was ungrateful and leave in anger.
Unexpectedly, after a brief silence, she still gave a beautiful smile, nodded gently, and said softly, "Okay, I understand your concerns. Since you've put it that way, you probably don't mind accompanying your 'ordinary classmate' to the supermarket to buy some daily necessities, right?"
"Huh?" Lu Yuan was stunned for a moment, and subconsciously wanted to refuse.
But Xu Lingjing spoke first, her tone laced with a hint of slyness: "Didn't you say you wanted to maintain a proper classmate relationship? What's wrong with classmates going shopping together? If you have a clear conscience, why not come with me? Could it be... that you can't let me go, and you're afraid that spending too much time with me will lead to feelings developing?"
She leaned slightly closer, her eyes sparkling with an irresistible provocation.
"No, Xu Lingjing, I really think you're a bit narcissistic," Lu Yuan retorted, unconvinced. "I'm not the Lu Yuan I used to be; it's impossible for me to like you anymore."
"I know, so I won't force you to like me." Xu Lingjing's smile faded, and her tone became sincere. "I just want you to keep me company as a friend. You're the only person I know well when I first come to school. If you don't come shopping with me, do you expect me, a girl, to carry all that stuff all by myself?"
"Tsk..."
Lu Yuan was speechless for a moment; this woman's twisted logic was truly something else.
He could certainly refuse her, but then he thought that she really didn't know anyone there yet, and it wouldn't be easy for her to buy so many daily necessities by herself.
"Alright, we'll be in the same class from now on, so we'll have plenty of opportunities to interact." Xu Lingjing said, already walking behind Lu Yuan and gently pushing his back towards the supermarket. "If you really treated me like an ordinary classmate or friend, you wouldn't be so hesitant. Unless... you really can't resist and fall for me."
"Impossible." Lu Yuan answered without hesitation.
"Then let's go."
Xu Lingjing was also very straightforward, as if the two were really close friends.
Helpless, Lu Yuan felt he had a clear conscience, so he could only sigh and accompany her to buy things, and also buy some household items for himself.
Of course, the most important point is that Xu Lingjing is someone who can be of great use when necessary.
If used properly, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.