Chapter 22 What Is She Hiding?
In a split second when Julie jumped into the lake, Jackson rushed over and jumped in without hesitation. Fortunately, Jackson could swim. He grabbed onto Julie’s clothes and swam towards the shore with all his strength.
“What are you doing? Let me die” Julie tried to break free from Jackson’s grip, but he would not let go. In the end. Jackson successfully dragged Julie back to the shore unharmed.
“Why did you save me? Why wouldn’t you let me die?” Julie sat on the grass by the lake, crying.
At this moment, Julie was completely soaked, her clothes tightly sticking to her body, outlining her delicate figure and making her look particularly pitiful.
“Why did I save you?” Jackson regained his breath and really could not understand Julie’s behavior and thoughts. “If you died, it would be the end of it, but have you thought about your parents? Who will take care of them in the future? The country has invested so much in you, and in the end, this is how you repay society? Your mind is full of holes!
Jackson wanted to scold Julie and awaken her will to survive.
After hearing Jackson’s words, Julie was indeed a little stunned. She hugged her knees and was no longer as agitated as before.
“You said you’re not afraid of death, why don’t you have the courage to live?” Jackson’stone softened a bit.
At this moment, Julie looked up at Jackson with her big watery eyes.
Her eyes were shining, making her look so pitiful that Jackson suddenly had a feeling that this weak girl was not as he had imagined.
“If I could live, who would choose to die?” Julie’s tone was filled with helplessness.
“You can tell me if you encounter any difficulties. Maybe I can help you.” Jackson asked enthusiastically.
Looking at Jackson’s sincere gaze, Julie felt that he wanted to help her. At this moment, a warmth Lucy in her heart, making her feel very comfortable.
“You can’t help me Thinking of her situation, Julie’s heart cooled again.
“Just tell me, I believe I can help you!” As a wealthy man, helping her was not a big deal, right?
“Forget it, I appreciate your kindness!” Julie smiled lightly. She felt that this unfamiliar boy was quite warm-hearted.
“Okay” Jackson sighed and said seriously. “But promise me not to do such stupid things again in the future”
“Well, I promise,” Julie said.
Only then did Jackson feel relieved. He pulled Julie up from the ground and said. “By the way, don’t buy such expensive food in the future. It’s really not affordable for someone with your background.”
Julie’s face turned red. She lowered her head, tugging at her clothes corner, and said softly. “I usually don’t spend more than 10 dollars a day on meals. Today, I thought I was going to leave this world, so I ordered the seafood rice at Finger Lickin’ Good.
Listening to Julie’s soft voice. Jackson’s heart softened. Then why did you order two portions?”
“I think spending 200 dollars on a meal is too extravagant. To balance out my conscience, I haven’t eaten for the past two days, so I was really hungry and ordered two portions,” Julie’s voice grew quieter as she spoke.
“Oh, I see,” Jackson found Julie’s shy demeanor particularly adorable.
“Come here. Julie grabbed Jackson and walked back to the stone where the seafood rice was placed. She smiled gently at Jackson and then picked up a box of seafood rice, handing it to him. “Here, why don’t you have it.
“No, you’re hungry, you should eat it.” Jackson quickly refused.
Just eat it, I just found out that I can only eat one portion of it. I’m already full, so it’s for you.” Julie raised
her chin.
“Okay then,” Jackson took the box of rice and sat down on the stone to eat.
“You sit down too,” Jackson ate while Julie watched, making him feel a little embarrassed.
“Mm, Julie sat down next to Jackson. Jackson had worked hard earlier, and he was really hungry. He ate hungrily, with grains sticking to his face. Julie helped Jackson take them off with her hand, and Jackson was surprised but felt a strange feeling in his heart. “Thank you.”
Jackson and Julie chatted as they ate, and Jackson learned that Julie had knelt down earlier to apologize to her mother in her hometown in Northeast China for being unfilial.
The meal was soon finished, and there was a special atmosphere between the two.
“Um, can I meet you here again tomorrow at this time?” Jackson scratched his head and asked with a hint of embarrassment.
Julie gave him a good impression, and he had the impulse to protect this girl. He would feel empty If he could not see her again.
Julie did not expect Jackson to ask this question and blushed.
“Sure,” Julie listened to her heart.
The next day after class, he came to Ruby Lake at noon.
He saw a delicate figure sitting on the same stone as yesterday.
Jackson was filled with excitement and walked over.
Julie heard Jackson’s footsteps and turned around. She held a red and yellow plastic bag in her hand, stood up, and handed the bag to Jackson. “This is for you.”
Jackson was really surprised. He took the plastic bag, which contained peaches, plums, and apricots.
“These fruits are too expensive! Don’t buy it for me in the future,” Jackson was deeply moved. He knew that for others, fruit could be an ordinary food, but for Julie, having fruit was a luxury.
“You eat it. These weren’t expensive. I bought them from the clearance section, and these are what other people left behind. The owner sold them to me at half price. I cleaned them and removed the bad parts before giving them to you. Don’t be picky.” Julie said somewhat nervously.
“Why would I be picky?” Jackson was shocked by Julie’s thinking. She saved money to buy fruit for him and cared so much about his thoughts.
Jackson picked up a peach and stuffed it into his mouth, and the juice splashed everywhere. “Mm, it’s
delicious!”
“You have one too! This peach is really sweet!” Jackson picked up a peach and handed it to Julie.
Julie watched Jackson eat with relish and smiled sweetly as she put a peach into her mouth.
For the next few days, Jackson and Julie would meet at the lake every noon. Every time Jackson came, he would get his lunch from the cafeteria and eat with Julie by the lake.
Julie did not refuse him either. Jackson would always get the most ordinary dishes, as he did not want Julie to know his identity just yet. He enjoyed this state of anonymity.
On this day, Jackson brought some vegetables and tofu, and some stewed dishes to the lake. Strangely, Julie was not there, even though she usually arrived early. Perhaps something had come up and she could not make it today. Jackson sat on a rock and waited for 20 minutes, but Julie still did not show up. He got worried and called her.
“Where are you now, Julie?”
“Uh…sorry, Jackson, I can’t make it today. Our class is doing experiments in the lab and I can’t leave. Just eat by yourself.”
After hanging up, Jackson realized he could bring the food to her instead. He hurried to the lab with the food, only to find out that Julie had already left. When he called her back, she hung up on him.
Worried and confused, Jackson searched everywhere for Julie, but couldn’t find her. He finally spotted her on the bleachers of the sports field, and rushed over to her side.
“Why didn’t you answer my calls, Julie?”
As he looked at her, Jackson was shocked to see her face covered in bruises and swelling. Julie had been beaten up.
