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MillionNovel > The Girl is Beautiful but Violent > Chapter 77

Chapter 77

    Jiang Ning awoke from her slumber just as the sun was setting. When she opened the door, she found Liu Ming''an standing outside with a stack of books in his arms, looking as if he had been waiting for a while.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "What''s this about?" Jiang Ning asked, puzzled.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an smiled and said, "Those strange tales you were reading earlier got burned, so I was worried you might get bored. I just went to the Ink Fragrance Pavilion and bought you over a dozen new books."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning nced at the books in his hands. The cover of the topmost one read "The Ghost-Catching Chronicles of Grand Preceptor Yuan."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Thank you," Jiang Ning said, reaching out to take the books and cing them inside her room. When she came back out, she found Liu Ming''an still standing at the door, this time holding a box.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "What''s that?" Jiang Ning asked.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an opened the box in front of her. Insidey a hairpin, its milky white color and smooth lines giving it a soft, lustrous appearance. The top was shaped like a camellia flower.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "It''s for you. I thought it would suit you," Liu Ming''an said with a smile.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning picked up the hairpin and turned it over in her hand. It was made of porcin and had some weight to it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Why are you suddenly giving me a hairpin?" Jiang Ning asked, perplexed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Uh, well, I saw it this afternoon when I was out with Brother Zhou and the others. I just thought you''d look beautiful wearing it," Liu Ming''an said, somewhat awkwardly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The idea of gifting a hairpin hade from Zhou Yi, who had advised: "If you want her to understand your feelings, you need to show that you care about her. Aside from the usual checking on her well-being, you should asionally make grand gestures. Give her things like cosmetics, jewelry, pastries, or clothes. Few girls would refuse such gifts."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    So, Liu Ming''an had gone out with his two older brothers to carefully select this hairpin from a jewelry shop as a way to "make a grand gesture." On their way back, they had passed by the Ink Fragrance Pavilion and bought some books as well.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Jiang Ning, let me help you put it on," Liu Ming''an said.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Fearing she might refuse, he quickly ushered her into the room, sat her down on a stool, and deftly untied her hair ribbon.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Most of the time, Jiang Ning was quite indulgent with Liu Ming''an. It was just a hairpin after all – she couldn''t say she liked it, but she couldn''t say she disliked it either. So she let Liu Ming''an have his way.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    However, this time Liu Ming''an seemed to be styling her hair in a moreplex manner. What usually took five minutes was now taking him nearly twenty.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "There, it''s done. Let me hold up the mirror so you can see," Jiang Ning heard Liu Ming''an say excitedly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    He lifted the mirror higher and tilted it downward so Jiang Ning could see her entire hairstyle.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The lower half of her hair was still loose, while the upper half was styled into a high bun with two small loops, looking both elegant and intricate. The hairpin was inserted at an angle, like a fleck of snow amidst dark clouds, adding a touch of allure.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Do you like it? It''s called the Flowing Clouds style. I learned it especially from thendy," Liu Ming''an said, reaching out to adjust the two loops, making them fuller. He added with a hint of regret, "I''m still a bit rusty. It''s not as pretty as when thendy does it."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "It looks very nice," Jiang Ning said graciously.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "I''m d you like it," Liu Ming''an replied, his voice brimming with barely concealed joy.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Seeing his expression, Jiang Ning suddenly had an epiphany, understanding the intention behind the books and the hairpin.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an was trying to win her favor.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Having realized this, Jiang Ning looked at the hairpin on her head with mixed feelings. The pristine white camellia in full bloom was like Liu Ming''an''s emotions – passionate and pure.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Zhou Yi had arranged for Fusheng Restaurant to send over some dishes, and a few were still untouched. Liu Ming''an said he would go reheat them for dinner and told Jiang Ning to wait.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning agreed with a simple "Alright." After Liu Ming''an left her room, she slowly raised her hand to touch the hairpin in her hair. The cool sensation against her fingertips brought to mind Liu Ming''an''s face, full of gentle smiles just moments ago.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    After a long while, a barely audible sigh echoed in the room: "I think I''ve gone mad too..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning ate dinner with a heavy heart. After washing up and returning to her room, she lit an oilmp, removed the hairpin, and sat on the edge of the bed, lost in thought.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The white porcin took on a warm, yellowish glow in themplight, making the camellia flower look as if it were blooming in the early morning light.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Knock... knock... knock..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The sudden sound of knocking pulled Jiang Ning from her tangled thoughts. She looked towards the door.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    There was no question as to who was knocking, but Jiang Ning remained seated, reluctant to move. Her mind was in such turmoil that she didn''t really want to face Liu Ming''an.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Knock... knock... knock..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The knocking continued. The person outside was patient, knocking steadily without rush. Then that familiar, gentle voice came through: "Jiang Ning, are you asleep?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    With the lights still on in the room, it was clear she wasn''t sleeping. Jiang Ning sighed silently, ced the hairpin on the table, and got up to open the door.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "What is it?" Jiang Ning asked, looking at Liu Ming''an.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an looked somewhat uneasy, his gaze shifting as he spoke, "Um, I identally spilled water on my bed earlier. It''s soaked through arge area..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning raised an eyebrow slightly, seeming to guess what he was about to say next.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "...Would it be alright if I slept in your room tonight?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    What a clumsy excuse! What transparent intentions! Jiang Ning thought to herself.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Having finished speaking, Liu Ming''an anxiously looked at Jiang Ning''s expression. He found her leaning against the doorframe, a slight smile on her lips, saying nothing and just staring at him intently.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Remember, Liu, you must find a way to sleep in the same bed as Miss Jiang Ning again. You two have slept together before, and if you''re separated now, won''t the distance between you grow?" Zhou Yi''s words echoed in his mind once more, giving Liu Ming''an a bit more courage.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    He spoke again, "Jiang Ning, I promise I won''t crowd you."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Hah!" Jiang Ning couldn''t help butugh. Did Liu Ming''an have no self-awareness about his sleeping habits?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    This light chuckle made Liu Ming''an''s heart skip a beat. Just as he was about to say something else, Jiang Ning turned and walked back into the room.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Come in," she said calmly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an''s heart soared. He hurriedly followed Jiang Ning into the room and climbed into bed, once again sharing a bed with her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    The bed here was a bitrger than the one in Lotus Flower Vige. True to his word, Liu Ming''an didn''t crowd Jiang Ning after getting into bed. But Jiang Ning knew that while he behaved one way when awake, it was a different story once he fell asleep.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Come to think of it, Liu Ming''an hadn''t slept for two days. The night beforest, their house had burned down, and he and Jiang Ning had sat in front of it all night. Last night, after Jiang Ning had told him about her killing someone, his mind had been in such turmoil that he had stood in the courtyard all night.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Now he could finally get a good night''s sleep, but Liu Ming''an''s heart wouldn''t settle down.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    "Jiang Ning, are you asleep?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    A soft question broke the silence of the deep night.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    There was no response.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Liu Ming''an gently turned over, gazing at Jiang Ning''s silhouette with a heart full of joy.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Of course, Jiang Ning was awake. Having slept all afternoon, she wasn''t tired at all and was quite alert. She knew Liu Ming''an had been staring at her intently.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    A momentter, the person beside her stirred, inching closer to her, and then took one of her arms into his embrace.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning thought Liu Ming''an just wanted to hold her hand while sleeping as he had done before, but things seemed a bit different this time.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Under the covers, Liu Ming''an felt for Jiang Ning''s hand. Then, very carefully, he extended his fingers, slipping them between hers, interlocking their fingers. Finally, content, he drifted off to sleep.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0


    Jiang Ning opened her eyes in the darkness, turning her head to look at the sleeping Liu Ming''an. She wiggled her fingers slightly, feeling how tightly they were held. She felt her palm growing warm, the heat spreading throughout her body. It seemed her heart was warming up too.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
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