Chapter 375 – Confession
When Mr. Zhang asked her whether she wanted to take on the task, she knew it was also a test from him.
Xu Jinning wondered if Mr. Zhang had so much confidence in her. After all, it was a large textile trade conference with many international participants.
Was Mr. Zhang not worried that she, as a novice intern, might mess it up?
Thinking this way, Xu Jinning also asked aloud.
“It’s natural that I would ask you because I have confidence in you, Xiao Xu. Both your Professor Liang and I have a good eye for people, and we’ve always believed in hiring without suspicion and doubting those we hire.”
“Of course, whether you go or not is ultimately up to you.”
“So, what’s your decision?”
Holding the phone, Xu Jinning fell silent for a moment before firmly saying, “Mr. Zhang, since you and Professor Liang trust me so much, I naturally cannot disappoint your trust.”
“I will participate!”
“I will do my best to handle the simultaneous translation for this conference.”
“Good!”
After Xu Jinning agreed, she could clearly hear Mr. Zhang’s excitement and enthusiasm on the other end of the line.
“Then it’s settled. I’ll have Professor Liang bring the materials for this conference to you during his class at Beijing University.”
“No problem.”
After hanging up the phone, Xu Jinning took a while to realize.
She had actually agreed to do the simultaneous translation for this large conference; it was truly unbelievable.
After all, although she was fluent in six languages and felt her memory, logical thinking, and reaction abilities had all improved after crossing over, she had never done simultaneous interpretation in her two lifetimes.
Thinking about it, she still felt a bit nervous and anxious.
However…
Since Mr. Zhang and Professor Liang had so much trust in her, she couldn’t let them down. She needed to give her all and excel at this simultaneous translation!
The conference was in ten days.
She had plenty of time to prepare and practice!
“Xu Jinning, you can do it! Keep going!”
…
The next day, Xu Jinning went to Beijing University for her class and received the materials for the textile trade conference from Professor Liang.
She studied them meticulously, going over them many times.
In the following period, she recruited her older sister and Xie Ting’an to form a temporary team to simulate the conference setting, while she performed live simultaneous translation.
Because it was Xu Jinning’s task, Xu Fanghua and Xie Ting’an took it very seriously.
They also carefully studied the materials for the textile trade conference.
At the same time, they constantly imagined possible questions and used them to test Xu Jinning.
Initially, the practice sessions were relatively simple, but gradually, the difficulty increased.
It wasn’t that they were being harsh, but that it was Xu Jinning’s request.
Since she had decided to take on the task, she had to be thoroughly prepared and strive for perfection!
While preparing for the simultaneous interpretation, Xu Jinning also kept an eye on her second brother and Huang Minyue.
During the week Xu Jinning and Huang Minyue had agreed on, Huang Minyue made sure to spend time with Xu Xiangbei whenever she could. Whether it was shopping around Beijing, going to the movies, or visiting fun and interesting places, Huang Minyue would invite him.
Whenever Huang Minyue asked, Xu Xiangbei would go along.
Before they knew it, the week was nearly over.
Xu Xiangbei was about to return…
When Huang Minyue heard this from Xu Xiangbei, she was momentarily stunned and then said, “Brother Xiangbei, shouldn’t you buy a train ticket?”
“Yes, I’m planning to buy a ticket for tomorrow afternoon,” Xu Xiangbei replied.
Returning tomorrow…
Time had passed so quickly!
Huang Minyue looked at Xu Xiangbei with reluctance, but she quickly masked her emotions when Xu Xiangbei looked over.
She knew that, regardless of whether her final confession was successful or whether Xu Xiangbei had feelings for her, Xu Xiangbei had to go back. Qinghe Village was his roots; it was where his family was.
Anren County was where he was developing.
He had to go back.
“Brother Xiangbei, I’ll go with you to buy the train ticket this afternoon.”
“It’s better to buy a sleeper ticket for the train. I have an uncle who works at the ticket counter in Beijing Railway Station; I can ask him to get a sleeper ticket for you,” Huang Minyue suggested.
“Isn’t that too much trouble?” Xu Xiangbei hesitated.
“No, I don’t have any classes this afternoon,” Huang Minyue said.
“Alright then.” Although it had only been a week, Xu Xiangbei had already grown accustomed to having Huang Minyue by his side whenever she wasn’t in class.
He just hadn’t realized it yet.
…
The afternoon came quickly.
Huang Minyue took Xu Xiangbei on the bus to Beijing Railway Station. At the ticket counter, she soon found one of her familiar uncles.
This uncle had been close with her family since the time of her great-grandparents. Now, in this generation, it was this uncle who had a particularly deep friendship with her father and often came to visit their home.
The uncle was a minor leader at the ticket counter.
Although a minor leader, he had no problem helping with the purchase of a sleeper ticket.
When Huang Minyue asked him to help buy a train sleeper ticket for a friend, he agreed readily and quickly arranged it.
Xu Xiangbei, holding the freshly issued sleeper ticket, was deeply grateful to Huang Minyue.
The train was scheduled to depart at just after ten in the morning the next day.
“Yueyue, I really want to thank you and your uncle.”
Huang Minyue shook her head, indicating that there was no need for thanks.
After buying the ticket, they should have headed back, but Huang Minyue suggested taking Xu Xiangbei to a nearby park to relax.
Xu Xiangbei didn’t think much of it, assuming Huang Minyue wanted to rest, so he agreed.
The small park was indeed not far, located near the railway station. They arrived after walking a short distance.
The park was serene, and at that moment, it was quite empty.
They sat on a stone bench with a clear lake in front of them, surrounded by tall, lush green trees.
The place was relatively secluded, so it was very quiet, almost eerily so, which made Xu Xiangbei feel a bit strange…
Somehow, in this moment and atmosphere, he felt his heart beating faster, but he couldn’t quite understand why.
He only knew that he felt inexplicably nervous.
Huang Minyue sat on the stone bench, gazing at the clear lake in front of her, while the distinct scent of Xu Xiangbei lingered beside her.
Thinking about what she was about to do, Huang Minyue pressed her lips tightly together, and her hands resting on her lap curled up slightly.
Her heart was pounding faster and faster, almost leaping out of her chest.
After a while, Huang Minyue mentally prepared herself and finally spoke, though she dared not look at Xu Xiangbei.
“Brother Xiangbei, you’re going back tomorrow…”
“Yes.”
“Brother Xiangbei, you’re already 20 years old. It’s time for you to think about marriage. Do you think your parents will arrange for you to meet potential brides when you return?”
Xu Xiangbei was momentarily surprised and puzzled that Huang Minyue would joke about this.
But he answered seriously, “No, they won’t.”
“But what if they do…”
“?”
“Brother Xiangbei, if your parents do arrange for you to meet someone, and you end up liking a girl and planning to get married, I think… I would be very, very sad!”
Just as Xu Xiangbei was confused, Huang Minyue suddenly seemed to gather her courage. She looked up, her eyes full of unshed tears and emotions, and stared directly at Xu Xiangbei, her gaze brimming with affection.
