Chapter 60: Dorm Teasing and Maternal Wisdom

When Lin Duo returned to the dorm, he was met with a look of disdain from Shen Jing’an.

“You little vixen,” Shen Jing’an scoffed, “are you even trying to seduce old men who are a whole generation older than us?”

“What do you mean, ‘old man’?” Lin Duo retorted, defending Yuan Dingchu. “He hasn’t even graduated from university yet! Besides, he already has a girlfriend. I was just chatting with him about old campus memories.”

Shen Jing’an adopted a cautionary tone. “Alright, alright, it’s not your fault you’re pretty, and guys naturally flock to you. But you need to be careful not to fall for any smooth talkers trying to get you into bed.

My mom always warned me that men change their tune the moment they get what they want.”

“Can you please stop talking about ‘getting into bed’ all the time?” Lin Duo’s face, already thin-skinned, flushed with heat.

Shen Jing’an rolled his eyes, unapologetic. “Don’t try to act innocent with me, you’re hopeless. Hey, did you know the girls from the next class gave you a nickname? They call you ‘Class 5’s Lolita’.”

“Huh? What does that mean?”

Shen Jing’an sat up straighter, patiently explaining. “Well, look at you. You’re short, with small hands and feet, and a chest as flat as a washboard. Aren’t you just like a loli?

Plus, you always wear all sorts of pretty, cute little dresses when you’re in casual clothes. Aren’t those all characteristics of a loli? Of course, the proper term should be ‘LO niang’.”

“It’s just because skirts are cool in the summer…”

Lin Duo, however, hadn’t revealed the full truth. Her preference for skirts also stemmed from the fact that their wide hems could conceal certain issues.

There was no need to worry about accidental exposure either, as Lin Duo always wore slip skirts or safety shorts—those insidious human ‘black technologies’—whenever she donned a short skirt.

“Relax,” Shen Jing’an said, though it was unclear if his words were meant as mockery or comfort. “Lolicons are everywhere these days, so you still have plenty of market value!

But, come to think of it, don’t lolis usually prefer older men? No wonder you have a special preference for ‘old men’.”

“Pah! I told you he’s not an old man! You rotten girl, take this flying axe!” Lin Duo snatched a pillow and hurled it with force.

****

The next day was Saturday, and Lin Duo, as usual, took the bus back to the familiar fruit store to help her adoptive parents manage the business.

She had been working there for over a year, and many regular customers recognized her. Upon their arrival, most would warmly chat for a few moments, some even playfully teasing her about matchmaking.

Lin Duo, no longer as shy as before, would respond appropriately, perhaps inquiring about a customer’s business or their children’s academic progress. After all, fostering a personal connection was essential to retaining repeat customers.

That afternoon, Wu Bijuan and Lin Duo squeezed together at the cashier’s counter, sharing their packed lunches. Yue Renhui was busy attending to customers, saying he would eat later.

Wu Bijuan began by routinely asking about school, checking if her daughter needed anything. Gradually, the conversation shifted. “My dear,” she said, “how come Uncle Wang’s child hasn’t been around for over a month? He used to rush over here whenever he had free time. Did something happen between you two?”

Lin Duo paused, her chopsticks still, and lowered her head, a shadow of sadness crossing her face. She then briefly recounted the events from that dinner.

“I see!” Wu Bijuan’s brows furrowed slightly. “If you both liked each other, then a kiss wouldn’t be an issue. But to do something like that under the influence of alcohol, especially when a girl is unwilling, that’s truly out of line.”

Immediately, she tenderly embraced Lin Duo. “My dear, though we are your parents now, we will never interfere with your freedom in matters of the heart. Do you remember Wang Fugui? He’s a regular customer too. Last month, when he came to buy things, he actually tried to propose an arranged marriage to your father, who then gave him a good scolding.”

Lin Duo suddenly understood. “No wonder I haven’t seen Boss Wang around here lately.”

“Losing one customer is insignificant,” Wu Bijuan said, her gaze filled with tenderness and affection. “In our hearts, you are more important than any number of customers.

Ultimately, you must make your own decisions when it comes to love. If you don’t like someone, then you don’t like them; there’s no need to force it.

Even if Uncle Wang were to apply pressure, we wouldn’t back down. Of course, Uncle Wang is a reasonable man and wouldn’t act so childishly.”

“Mom!” Lin Duo’s eyes began to well up slightly, and her small face nuzzled against her adoptive mother’s chest.

Wu Bijuan chuckled, patting Lin Duo’s back. “But Mom also has something important to tell you: never do ‘that’ with a boy before marriage! The internet is so advanced these days, and kids mature earlier; everyone understands these things now.

A beautiful girl like you will surely attract many boys, and you might even find someone you like very soon. It’s fine for you to date, but remember two things: first, don’t let it affect your studies, and second, absolutely do not cross that line.

If something like that were to happen, especially at your young age, the shadow of that hurt would linger for a lifetime. Do you understand?”

“Mhm!” Lin Duo nodded vigorously, continuing to nestle into her adoptive mother’s warm embrace.

A small question, however, still lingered in Lin Duo’s mind: ‘How exactly would I do “that” with a boy?’ ‘Would it be like the descriptions in BL novels?’

Yet, the moment she recalled the explicit physical descriptions from those stories, her cheeks involuntarily burned, and she swiftly cut off the mental imagery.

Soon, a new week dawned, and the midterm exam results were posted online. Lin Duo ranked 277th in her entire grade, a noticeable improvement from before, though still falling short of her personal expectations.

It was a stark contrast to her elementary and middle school years, where she had consistently excelled and ranked among the top students. To now find herself in the lower-middle tier naturally left her feeling quite unwilling to accept it.

Of course, Nanli Affiliated High School, as a mid-tier municipal key school, boasted an inherently high caliber of students. Most were academic aces from their respective middle schools, making it incredibly challenging to secure a high rank. She would need to continue working hard.