Chapter 16
XY sent another message: “2 PM tomorrow, I’ll be at the entrance of your complex.”
Jiang Chaochao: “Okay.”
Jiang Chaochao: “Who else will be there?”
Yes, Jiang Chaochao only asked this now.
XY: “Some relatives and friends, Shici will be there too.”
Since Jiang Chaochao rarely interacted with his relatives, it was hard for him to imagine what a gathering with both relatives and friends would be like.
But based on his further one-sided understanding of Xiang Ye, he knew that his family atmosphere was very harmonious.
Strangely, Jiang Chaochao felt a sense of warmth from Xiang Ye’s family.
Indeed, it was different from Jiang Chaochao’s family, where his parents had a forced marriage due to family pressure, had an affair but dragged the divorce out for years, and never visited each other’s relatives.
But it wasn’t too bad. After all, Jiang Chaochao’s parents had a consistent educational philosophy for him: throwing money at him.
Jiang Chaochao was that kid everyone criticized for wanting companionship instead of money.
XY said again: “You can bring your friends.”
Jiang Chaochao exited the chat.
Jiang Chaochao entered the chat again.
Jiang Chaochao: “Not bringing anyone.”
Jiang Chaochao: “He’ll come and steal my barbecue.”
Jiang Chaochao laughed after sending this message.
What Jiang Chaochao didn’t know was that the person on the other end of the screen also laughed.
Reaching this point in the conversation, Jiang Chaochao selected parts of the chat and forwarded them to Xu Hengzhi.
Yes, telling Xu Hengzhi to shut up was one thing, showing off was another.
Xu Hengzhi didn’t reply immediately, so Jiang Chaochao continued chatting with Xiang Ye: “I’ll brave the den alone.”
XY: “Is it that scary?”
Jiang Chaochao: “They’re all your relatives and friends.”
Jiang Chaochao: “So will it be awkward for me?”
XY: “Not if you stick with me.”
Jiang Chaochao: “Then you have to look after me.”
After sending this, Jiang Chaochao immediately threw his phone away.
He took a few deep breaths before picking up his phone again.
What was he saying?
Xiang Ye’s reply was smooth and seemed very normal.
XY: “I will, I’ll look after you.”
XY: “Secretly tell me what you like to eat.”
XY: “I’ll grab it for you.”
Seeing this, Jiang Chaochao laughed out loud again.
Jiang Chaochao: “I’m not picky, I eat everything.”
XY: “Okay, see you tomorrow then.”
XY: “Sleep early, good night.”
Jiang Chaochao: “Good night.”
Jiang Chaochao put away his phone, slowly pressing it against his stomach.
And once again wondering how things turned out this way.
Were he and Xiang Ye that close?
It seemed like Xiang Ye was the one taking the initiative.
But it also seemed like he was completely being led by Xiang Ye.
Back on Moments, Xiang Ye’s post was gone.
He must have gathered enough people.
He also happened to see Xu Hengzhi’s post about going on a business trip in the middle of the night. Such a hard-working life.
As expected, ten minutes later, Jiang Chaochao received a message from Xu Hengzhi.
Three question marks.
Xu Hengzhi: “???”
The corners of Jiang Chaochao’s lips curled up; he was very satisfied with Xu Hengzhi’s reaction.
Xu Hengzhi then asked: “What do you mean? Going to a barbecue together?”
Jiang Chaochao: “Mm-hmm.”
Jiang Chaochao: “Did you just get off the plane?”
Xu Hengzhi: “Just got in the car, going to the hotel now.”
Xu Hengzhi: “Don’t worry about me, tell me everything.”
So Jiang Chaochao sent a voice message to Xu Hengzhi, briefly telling him about how he was craving barbecue when he saw Xiang Ye’s post on Moments inviting friends to a barbecue.
And added: “Such a coincidence.”
After listening, Xu Hengzhi: “Is it really a coincidence?”
Xu Hengzhi: “Isn’t there a possibility that he saw your status update?”
Jiang Chaochao: “Why would he look at my status update for no reason?”
Xu Hengzhi: “Why wouldn’t he look at your status update for no reason?”
Xu Hengzhi continued: “I even suspect he organized the barbecue after seeing your status update.”
Even more ridiculous.
Jiang Chaochao: “You’re overthinking.”
Jiang Chaochao: “Impossible.”
Xu Hengzhi: “Don’t even try to deny it.”
Xu Hengzhi: “He loves you.”
Xu Hengzhi was really bold. Seeing these three words, Jiang Chaochao was startled.
It was one thing to be startled, but why did it feel a little good?
But his reply was: “Don’t be crazy.”
Xu Hengzhi: “But speaking of which, you’re pretty aloof, bro.”
Jiang Chaochao: “Huh? No I’m not.”
Xu Hengzhi: “Your tone is very stiff.”
Xu Hengzhi: “Are you like this with him too when you go out?”
After Xu Hengzhi said this, Jiang Chaochao carefully recalled their interactions.
Before he could reach a conclusion, Xu Hengzhi sent another message.
Xu Hengzhi: “But you’re a man of few words anyway, so it is you, I guess.”
Xu Hengzhi: “If he loves you, he’ll love all of you.”
Xu Hengzhi: “Love your indifference, love your aloofness, love your tsundere personality, love your detached observation, love your standing aloof from worldly affairs.”
Jiang Chaochao: “You’re scary.”
Jiang Chaochao: “Do you see me responding to you?”
Xu Hengzhi: “Hahaha, don’t mind me.”
Xu Hengzhi: “Okay, I’m at the hotel.”
Jiang Chaochao: “Get some rest.”
After Xu Hengzhi ended the conversation, Jiang Chaochao reread his ridiculous words.
So crazy.
So entertaining.
The next morning, Jiang Chaochao woke up and practiced the piano as usual, and during his break, he started thinking about what to wear in the afternoon.
In this hot weather, there were actually very few options, but he still carefully put together an outfit.
The weather was nice but a bit sunny, so he’d wear a white sun hat.
A simple white t-shirt, black shorts above the knee, and a pair of white sneakers.
Coincidentally, there was a duck brooch with a barbecue skewer, perfect.
He’d wear silver hoop earrings.
Since he had a brooch, he wouldn’t wear a necklace, a bit too much.
A watch was fine, he’d change to a plain-colored strap.
And glasses.
Jiang Chaochao only had 50 degrees of myopia, practically nothing, but he owned a pair of black-framed glasses that everyone complimented him on.
It was a barbecue, there would inevitably be smoke, so it wouldn’t be excessive to wear glasses, right?
Should he wear a ring?
No, he wouldn’t. He had enough accessories already, too much would be flashy, he wanted to keep it simple today.
If he really had to, it would have to be a diamond ring.
Ahem.
Sorry, a bit too excited, just being playful.
After getting ready, Jiang Chaochao stood in front of the mirror for two seconds, then snapped his fingers.
Mm-hmm, absolutely handsome.
Hee hee.
At noon, Jiang Chaochao casually ate a bowl of noodles at home, and then started waiting.
At twelve-thirty, he couldn’t resist opening Teacher Bianbian’s group chat and chose a request for an office chair suit play drawing from Xiuxiu’s list.
Yes, mm-hmm…
After brainstorming for a while and sketching a simple draft, it was already 1:35 PM.
Jiang Chaochao closed the computer without any hesitation, stood by the window, and calmly started drinking water.
It was nothing, just that while he was drawing, some inappropriate images popped into his head.
Drink water, drink water.
Xiang Ye messaged at 1:53 PM that he was almost there.
Jiang Chaochao took one last look in the mirror before going downstairs.
Arriving at the entrance of the complex, Xiang Ye’s car was already parked by the roadside.
It was a bit hot during the short walk from his building, so Jiang Chaochao opened the car door, and a blast of cool air hit him.
“Good afternoon.”
Jiang Chaochao greeted first.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Jiang,” Xiang Ye said.
Then Jiang Chaochao: “Mr. Xiang, to you too.”
What a coincidence, Xiang Ye was also wearing a hat today.
What an even bigger coincidence, their hats were even the same brand. Jiang Chaochao’s was white, and Xiang Ye’s was black.
What an even bigger, bigger coincidence, Xiang Ye was also wearing a white t-shirt today.
Except his were black cargo pants, but it was close enough.
Jiang Chaochao’s senses were assaulted by this series of coincidental matching outfits, his hands moving faster as he fastened his seatbelt.
Of course, Jiang Chaochao wasn’t the only one who noticed this.
Because the moment Jiang Chaochao’s seatbelt clicked into place, Xiang Ye said, “What a coincidence.”
Jiang Chaochao settled into his seat: “What?”
Xiang Ye tapped the brim of his hat, then tapped the brim of Jiang Chaochao’s hat: “Like we planned it.”
Jiang Chaochao laughed: “It is a coincidence.”
Xiang Ye asked: “Anything else?”
After observing again, Jiang Chaochao said, “Our shirts, and your pants,” he glanced down, “Our shoes don’t match.”
Xiang Ye said: “I’ll pay attention next time.”
Jiang Chaochao: “Hmph.”
After his “hmph,” Jiang Chaochao fell silent.
You, hmph, what?
At this moment, Jiang Chaochao exemplified the saying, “His mouth ran faster than his brain.”
So Jiang Chaochao slowly and quietly settled into his seat.
“It’s a barbecue skewer little duck today,” Xiang Ye said after a while.
Before Jiang Chaochao could fully compose himself, his emotions were stirred again: “You noticed.”
Xiang Ye said again: “I don’t have a little duck.”
Jiang Chaochao thought for a moment: “Should I bring you one next time?”
Xiang Ye: “Okay.”
Xiang Ye then said: “You’re wearing glasses.”
Jiang Chaochao pursed his lips: “Yes.”
Xiang Ye: “Nearsighted?”
Jiang Chaochao: “A little, not much, fifty degrees.”
Xiang Ye nodded: “They suit you.”
Jiang Chaochao remembered what Xu Hengzhi had said yesterday about his words being stiff.
Although he didn’t think so, still…
Jiang Chaochao pushed up his glasses: “Do I look handsome?”
Xiang Ye probably didn’t expect Jiang Chaochao to ask this question. He paused noticeably, then said: “Very handsome.”
After saying that, Xiang Ye smiled.
Jiang Chaochao believed that Xiang Ye’s compliment was sincere, but he also believed that Xiang Ye’s laughter was genuine amusement.
Jiang Chaochao, you were very daring.
