Chapter 62: The Evolution of a Class Flower

Chapter 62: The Evolution of a Class Flower

Liu Fen called Ning Song down to eat, and when he came down, he saw Pu Yu.

Mrs. Pu was also there, and seeing him, she was momentarily stunned. She had been busy with an art exhibition recently and wasn't home often. It had been a while since she last saw Ning Song, and she almost didn't recognize him.

"Has Xiao Song grown taller again?"

Many people who hadn't seen him in a long time had the same reaction upon first seeing him now.

Ning Song smiled and nodded. "A little."

In reality, he had only grown two or three centimeters, but visually it seemed more because he used to be very thin. Now his entire frame looked fuller, making him appear as if he had grown five or six centimeters.

Aunt Sun said, "Not only has he grown taller, his features have matured too. Last Friday night when he came over, he wore a baseball cap, and I didn't even recognize him at first. He looks so handsome."

Hearing Aunt Sun praise Ning Song, Liu Fen was delighted. "He says he's now 182 cm tall. But he's still too skinny. It would be better if he gained a bit more weight."

"Boys his age tend to be skinny. They'll fill out in a couple of years, and then they'll charm countless girls."

They all laughed, and Mrs. Pu smiled at Ning Song. "Does Xiao Song have a crush on any girl?"

Before Ning Song could answer, Liu Fen interjected, "He's still in high school. His father and I don't allow him to date."

Pu Yu added, "Then Aunt Liu should keep a closer eye on him. He's quite popular now."

Ning Song: "…"

Ning Song said, "I went to watch Brother Yu's match before, and the fans around me were screaming their lungs out for him."

"What's the use? He's clueless," Mrs. Pu complained. "I wish he'd start dating. When you said he was reading romance novels, I thought he was finally getting it."

Pu Yu: "…"

Ning Song looked up. "Brother Yu reads romance novels too?"

Pu Yu continued eating silently without responding.

Mrs. Pu glanced at Ning Song and suddenly asked, "Hasn't Xiao Song gotten a haircut in a while?"

Ning Song nodded and said, "I've been too busy."

Mrs. Pu said, "After we finish eating, I'm going to get my hair done. Why don't you come with me?" She looked at Ning Song with a warm smile. "I'll give you a trim. You'll look even better. Boys your age should take care of their appearance, especially their hairstyles."

Initially, everyone thought Mrs. Pu was just joking, but after dinner, she really did take Ning Song to a luxurious salon. Mrs. Pu went to get her own hair done and called a stylist by name, saying, "Little Yu's hair is always cut by him."

It was Ning Song's first time at such a high-end salon. Mrs. Pu went to get her hair done, and the stylist led Ning Song to a private VIP room.

The stylist smiled. "I'll design something for him."

Mrs. Pu said, "I trust you. He's still a student, so keep it neat."

Ning Song glanced at the price list and noticed that different stylists charged different amounts. The one cutting his hair charged fifteen thousand yuan!

While getting his hair cut, Ning Song didn't notice much difference from his previous haircuts. The stylist trimmed his unruly eyebrows, mainly shortening some stray hairs. After finishing, the stylist blew his hair dry, and Ning Song was stunned.

His hair didn't look much different from his usual style, but perhaps it was because he had become more attractive, or maybe the high-end stylist was skilled. Looking at himself in the mirror, he felt a bit unfamiliar.

The stylist removed the cape and said, "Bro, you look so handsome."

It was a blend of elegance and innocence, with slightly flamboyant features but a small face. His newly cut hair was black and smooth, giving off a youthful freshness. Ning Song rarely felt this good about his appearance and kept looking at himself in the mirror. Even with his glasses on, the black frames couldn't hide his good looks.

Indeed, a boy's hairstyle is like makeup.

Mrs. Pu was only getting a routine scalp treatment and finished quickly. The stylist kept complimenting Ning Song's looks, and Mrs. Pu asked the salon manager, "What else does he need?"

The manager replied, "Glasses."

Mrs. Pu smiled and took off Ning Song's glasses, and both she and the manager were slightly stunned.

Ning Song could feel Mrs. Pu's excitement. She took him out to the car and told the driver, "To the World Trade Center."

The World Trade Center was the most famous upscale mall nearby. Upon arriving, Mrs. Pu headed straight to the men's clothing store, picked out a pile of clothes, and told him to try them on. "I love dressing up young people like you. Look at how many clothes I buy for Little Yu and Xiaoying every week. Don't be shy; otherwise, I'll be upset. If you cooperate, we'll buy two outfits. If not, I'll just pick something for you."

Rich lady talk was indeed domineering.

Ning Song had a surreal evening. The mall had an eyewear shop, and Mrs. Pu took him there to try on glasses. She discovered that his eyes had almost no prescription and promptly threw away his ugly, heavy black-framed glasses. She started lecturing him about the importance of looking good while young: "You're still young and don't understand. When you reach my age, you'll realize that being seventeen or eighteen is the best time to look good. If you look good during these years, you'll be so happy looking back. Looking good makes others happy and makes you happy too." She looked at him fondly. "I love pretty kids. Pu Yu can't help it anymore; he has to go for the elegant route. I hope Xiaoying will be half as good-looking as you. Xiao Song, why didn't I notice how handsome you were before!"

It was clear that Mrs. Pu was a fan of good looks and enjoyed dressing people up. Ning Song finally understood why Pu Yu liked collecting figurines; it must be genetic.

They shopped until the mall closed at ten o'clock. Without assistants, Ning Song followed Mrs. Pu carrying bags of clothes. Every time he passed a mirror in the mall, he barely recognized the boy in the reflection.

When they got home, everyone else was already asleep. Mrs. Pu went straight to bed, and Ning Song informed Liu Fen. Seeing the numerous bags of clothes, Liu Fen was shocked. However, she now understood Mrs. Pu's character—she was a born princess, living a life of ease and kindness. What might seem like a great favor to them was merely a casual act of kindness for her, highlighting her noble nature.

Carrying the clothes upstairs, he saw Pu Yu standing at his room door, probably waiting for them to return.

"You just got back?" Pu Yu asked.

Ning Song felt a bit shy. He was wearing simple blue jeans and a white T-shirt, without his glasses, and his short hair made him feel cool. He smiled at Pu Yu and nodded.

Pu Yu stood there, mesmerized by the sight. In the soft golden light, he was almost entranced. Ning Song licked his lips and returned to his room with his things.

Mrs. Pu genuinely loved handsome boys. She had always liked Ning Song, and after personally styling him, she couldn't wait to show off her handiwork. Pu Yu saw him more clearly during the day and found him almost too beautiful to behold.

He knew Ning Song was handsome, but not this handsome. Styling a boy was simple, but few boys knew how to do it well. Ning Song's hairstyle looked similar to his old one, but Pu Yu could tell the stylist had designed it specifically for his face. Ning Song was already popular, and Pu Yu couldn't imagine what Sheng Yan and the others would think seeing him like this.

It's as if even the frost-bitten eggplants could perk up again.

Mrs. Pu looked at Ning Song and then at Pu Yu, feeling very satisfied. She thought that having such two handsome young high school boys in their house was truly a feast for the eyes, akin to having elegant orchids and jade trees in their home. She was immensely grateful for her decision to have Ning Song visit more often, and she felt a sense of joy in nurturing him.

She believed she had a significant role in Ning Song becoming so handsome. Unfortunately, she didn't have a daughter; it was a pity such a handsome boy would end up with someone else.

After breakfast, Ning Song went to work. He had found a new part-time job at a beachside surfing club. In May, when the weather got hot, he and Qiao Qiao went there to play, and he became addicted. Last week, he saw they were hiring part-timers and applied on a whim. Although his surfing skills were average, he surprisingly got the job. His main task was to accompany beginners with indoor surfing projects, which paid well and kept him out of the sun. Qiao Qiao said it was because the boss valued his good looks and wanted him as a face of the business.

Perhaps due to the novelty, he found surfing more enjoyable than shooting. After the intensity of shooting training increased, he hardly felt the excitement anymore except during competitions. Indeed, only gaming seemed to keep his interest as a job.

Today, the boss's eyes lit up upon seeing him and placed him at the most prominent spot by the entrance to surf.

Ning Song believed what Qiao Qiao said, as the boss remarked, "I don't believe such a handsome young man won't attract girls!"

As the weather got warmer, more people came to surf on weekends. Sure enough, Ning Song attracted a crowd within minutes... even some boys looked at him in awe, secretly taking photos with their phones.

Ning Song was now adept at indoor surfing and could perform a few cool tricks. Wearing a tight wetsuit, with his hair slicked back, he looked incredibly handsome!

Even Qin Yi, standing nearby, was captivated.

He never expected to encounter Ning Song here.

This was a relatively high-end surfing club suitable for beginners. He had come with his nephew and hadn't recognized Ning Song at first.

In just a few months, Ning Song had transformed completely.

Ning Song also recognized Qin Yi.

However, Qin Yi had changed drastically. He looked very thin, almost sickly.

Since Qin Yi had brought a child, the boss asked him to play a couple of rounds with the kid, while Qin Yi watched from the side.

Qin Yi liked to observe people closely. He used to think Ning Song's physique was too skinny, but now, seeing Ning Song in the tight wetsuit, his shoulders were broader, his chest had definition, and his waist remained slim but more proportionate. The biggest change was his buttocks, which were now shapely and sexy. His legs, especially, had an excellent ratio, which he had noticed before. It seemed as if Ning Song had grown taller, making his legs appear even longer. The entire body exuded a slender yet strong and healthy beauty, and the smooth lines of the wetsuit made Qin Yi's heart skip a beat.

Yet Ning Song remained cold towards him, barely looking at him.

Qin Yi immediately signed his nephew up for a membership card and said to Ning Song, "Long time no see."

Ning Song nodded with a polite but distant smile. When he smiled, his wet features resembled a rose after the rain, both vibrant and fresh.

He stayed until Ning Song finished work and went to the locker room to change. His good figure was completely hidden, and the gentle smile he wore while working disappeared. He walked past Qin Yi as if he hadn't seen him.

Qin Yi held his nephew, who had been clamoring to go home, feeling his heart pounding wildly. It was as if all the therapy sessions he had undergone suddenly lost their effect, leaving him dazed.

On Sunday afternoon, news spread throughout their school that Qin Yi had returned.

Qiao Qiao was the first to hear and forwarded the message to Ning Song, saying, "Summer vacation is almost here, why did he suddenly return? Aning, be careful!"

Ning Song wasn't particularly worried. Recalling Qin Yi's frail appearance, he felt he could knock him down with one kick, or even send him flying.

Due to Qin Yi's sudden appearance, Ning Song once again became a topic of discussion on the school forum.

No one had mentioned him on the forum for a long time. The last mention was when exam results were announced, but it didn't create much buzz.

Everyone knew he was academically excellent, and this minor achievement couldn't compare to his previous gossip. Over the past two months, he had been particularly low-key, distancing himself from the influential students, wearing glasses, and becoming a typical good student at Upper East School.

"I heard from a classmate that Young Master Qin took a leave of absence because his father beat him half to death!"

"I heard he took a leave due to psychological issues."

"I'm more concerned about why he suddenly appeared at school now. Is he coming back next semester?"

"Is he here to seek revenge? Do you think Young Master Qin still remembers Ning Song?"

"To be honest, I still don't understand why Qin Yi suddenly took an interest in him... First, let me clarify that I respect Ning Song!"

"Ning Song was indeed quite ordinary back then, but he has become much handsomer! I heard someone gave him a love letter last week!"

"Frankly speaking, Ning Song does look good now, but his fashion sense is really average. Those black-rimmed glasses really hold back his good looks!"

"He's considered quite handsome in my book."

Suddenly, an ID named "Why Isn't Summer Vacation Here Yet" posted several pictures: "You call this 'quite handsome'?"

The pictures showed a super handsome guy in a tight wetsuit, with a slim waist and a perky butt, full of vigor.

"??!"

"???!"

"Is this Ning Song?"

"It can't be him. Ning Song doesn't have such a good figure."

"Ning Song isn't this handsome, right? But there is a resemblance."

"Where is this handsome guy from? He's so handsome! (drooling)"

"Which school is he from? Not Upper East, surely I would know if he was this handsome!"

The poster then shared a few more pictures, showing the handsome guy walking out of a surfing club with a backpack, wearing a white T-shirt and jeans.

"This silhouette... really does resemble Ning Song!"

"I'm getting goosebumps. Is this really him?"

"Why Isn't Summer Vacation Here Yet": "I swear it's him! My friend likes him and gave him a love letter last week without any response. Hearing he works part-time at this club, we went to check it out. At first, I thought my friend was mistaken, but now he's completely smitten and screaming all afternoon! If you don't believe me, wait until he comes to school and see for yourselves!"

Ning Song sat in the Maybach for the first time in a long while.

Mrs. Pu said contentedly to Liu Fen and the others, "Look, isn't it pleasing to the eye for them to go to school together like this?"

Liu Fen even felt a bit unfamiliar with the situation.

Compared to Pu Yu, Ning Song was no less impressive. If someone said he was a young master from a wealthy family, people would believe it.

The summer uniform of Upper East School consists of white short-sleeved shirts paired with suit pants, looking somewhat like flight attendants but overall more youthful. Pu Yu hardly dared to look at Ning Song now; doing so made him nervous.

Nervous with a fluttering heart, lust is human nature, and he is a man too, naturally drawn to beauty.

But he was even more nervous about others seeing Ning Song like this.

Not all the love letters Ning Song received were sent by him. He felt that these peaceful days might be coming to an end.

Ning Song was also a bit nervous.

His nervousness stemmed from discomfort. Without his big glasses, he felt a bit out of place, and Pu Yu's constant gaze made him feel uneasy.

It was the last week of the semester, and summer vacation was approaching. Even though it was the start of the term, everyone had a festive air about them. The school gates were bustling with cars and people, and compared to spring, the white uniforms looked even more vibrant and lively. As the sun began to set, its golden glow illuminated Ning Song and Pu Yu as they got off their car and walked towards the school.

Ning Song walked quickly. The entrance was chaotic, with everyone wearing the same uniform. Since he wasn't particularly tall, he wouldn't stand out unless he was walking with Pu Yu. So, he quickened his pace and soon distanced himself from Pu Yu.

Two security guards were maintaining order at the entrance, directing everyone to queue up for facial recognition entry. Ning Song, feeling slightly awkward, had his hands in his pockets when he suddenly heard a boy behind him ask, "Are you new here?"

He hadn't heard of any new special admissions recently.

But someone this handsome couldn't possibly be unknown at their school.

Ning Song shook his head. The boy who saw him whispered to his companion, and gradually, more people started to notice him.

Ning Song knew there was no escaping this and gave up on trying. His expression turned colder, thinking that he had been through similar situations with Pu Yu, Sheng Yan, and Shen Lingsi, so he had experienced plenty of turmoil.

Pu Yu, standing a few people away, could see Ning Song being secretly observed and knew that the days of silently harboring jealousy were returning.

His gaze swept over Ning Song's back, finding even his silhouette fragrant, not like jasmine, but more like a rose in summer, ready to bloom.