Vacation

The Jiang Estate was a little ways away from the institute. Although the distance could be walked, Jiang Shen preferred to use her bike for convenience.

When the iron wrought gate opened with a buzz and she was greeted with the imposing aura of the estate, she entered with a heavy heart.

As one entered the house, it was designed to be similar to the mansion during the ancient times were each member of the family occupied their own courtyards.

Jiang Shen continued to the east wing where she stayed with her younger sister and set her bag down before changing out of her uniform.

Seeing that the house was doused in silence, she made her way to the backyard where a little spot reserved for her nestled under a willow tree.

This was the place she often stayed. More-so than her bedroom. All her hobbies occurred here. Whether it be painting, writing, playing instruments, and everything that piqued her interest.

When her mother left the Jiang Estate, she especially entrusted this spot to her.

Jiang Shen fiddled with the cross that hung on her neck. Her mother was a Christian, different from the Jiang family's devotion to Buddhism. And so when her mother left, nobody in the family felt it was a pity.

Jiang Shen sighed and continued to occupy herself with learning a new instrument. Recently she garnered an interest in playing a ukulele and saved up her money for one.

She had been playing it for a week now and had learned one song.

When dusk came and the sky turned dark until she could no longer see the notes on the stone table, she placed the ukulele away and entered the house.

Although there were maids, one was assigned to each courtyards. In hers, Nanny Yue was in charge of the siblings' meals and clothes. As for the other matters, the siblings will resolve for themselves.

The lanterns outside were already lit and the atmosphere was quite gloomy without anyone making a noise.

"Nanny Yue?" Jiang Shen called out as she navigated her way towards the kitchen.

An old woman in her fifties walked in with her short bob hair and her face practically devoid of wrinkles. It was hard to believe that she was in her fifties.

"Yes?"

"Since when did the family leave?"

The rest of the family had gone to vacation to her First Aunt's home province. From Guangdong to Zhejiang, it would take them a few hours, depending on their detours on the way.

Nanny Yue especially brewed a pot of chamomile tea and replied, "Since this morning."

Jiang Shen liked Nanny Yue's version of the tea. Although she wasn't a fanatic of tea, she still enjoyed the drink itself for the benefits and flavor.

"I see. Then only Father, me, and Second Aunt are left."

Nanny Yue nodded. Her face was slightly smiling as she looked at Jiang Shen with warmth in her eyes.

"I guess they're not coming back until school starts again, so i'm free to do whatever I want."

Jiang Shen knew that the rest of the family was going to take a long vacation and especially behaved obediently during the past few weeks, which strained her due to stress.

She was easy to upset, a trait inherited by the family, and was especially careful to restrain herself to act in a more cold manner as she would've liked to.

While summer break had just started, Jiang Shen looked forward to seeing how it would go.

"Would you like to me prepare your dinner now?"

Nanny Yue saw the young lady deep in thought and lightly tapped her shoulder to get her attention.

Sensing herself in a daze again, Jiang Shen scolded herself and nodded to the Nanny.

"Sure, nanny. But since Second Aunt and Father might not be joining me, just send the dishes to my bedroom. I'll clean them up after I clean my room."

Jiang Shen stood up and returned to her room. She had barely touched her phone since she first got it during elementary school. While she had few friends in school, some would take the time to chat with her, like now.

[Xiao Shen!]

The intimate name calling relaxed Jiang Shen's mind as she recalled today's incident. 'I'll go register!' Although she did like to tease him, sometimes she could no longer tell if he was acting dumb or just really dumb.

[Yes?]

A cold but polite reply, nevertheless the person seemed unaware and excitedly sent, [I heard that there's going to be a new transfer student!]

Jiang Shen's face contorted to confusion then to a dumbfounded expression. How and why on earth could a person know that? Summer break had just started yet they were already able to tell such advanced news. If not for her friend's credibility, she would've thought she was lying.

[How on earth did you know?]

A reply quickly came.

[Rumors on the student's forum are spreading like wildfire. I heard he's a foreigner and a hunk. One student even said that the transfer student had already registered himself today at the administration building!]

Recalling the peculiar person with a scholarly handsome face that she met gazes with, Jiang Shen wondered. Could it be him? He didn't look like a student from Hua Institute.

[How would I know? I don't go on the student's forum.]

[Your reaction is so bland! Don't you care about the hunk at all?]

The other person whined while even sending crying emojis.

Jiang Shen didn't hesitate to reply.

[Not at all. Why wouldn't I be?]

[Tsk! I forgot that the beauty has already got the genius gentleman from the STEM department.]

It was true. But Jiang Shen felt her mood sour whenever other people mentioned his name in a sentence.

[Don't spout nonsense.]

[Anyways! I heard that he's handsome and had enrolled in Liberal Arts. Careful there, you might end up losing your top spot.]

The other person brazenly replied before sending a wink emoji and signing off.

Jiang Shen didn't reply and turned off her phone as well. It was better not to mind those kinds of matters.

After taking a bath and looking at the piping hot of dishes on her low table, she ate them all and washed them in the dirty kitchen's sink before retiring to bed.

Tomorrow was going to be summer break. And she was determined to enjoy herself to the fullest.