I’ve Never Had a Husband Since I Was Young 24

Chapter 24

If Xiang Ye’s words earlier were like a lilting, coquettish tone, this time, his coquettishness suddenly became concrete.

Just a second ago, Jiang Chaochao was still wondering why he didn’t ask Xiang Ye where he parked, why he didn’t consider the possibility of the basement parking.

But this second, because of this man’s expression, Jiang Chaochao’s own expression changed.

Xiang Ye was, being coquettish!

Jiang Chaochao probably didn’t realize how silly his smile was: “Yes, of course I will.”

Xiang Ye tilted his head: “Let’s go, lead the way.”

To get to the basement parking, they had to go back the way they came and then take the elevator down to B1.

And what did they talk about this time? They talked about alcohol.

It was because they passed by a neighbor carrying red wine. Jiang Chaochao said he had tried that wine before, and then the topic started.

Jiang Chaochao’s first taste of alcohol was with his classmates after a performance. It was also at that time that Jiang Chaochao discovered he could hold his liquor quite well.

“Of course, it could also be that they were lightweights,” Jiang Chaochao said this with pride. “In the end, I was the only one left standing.”

After hearing this story, Xiang Ye only said one sentence, “I have a lot of alcohol at home.”

Jiang Chaochao: “Really?”

Xiang Ye: “My dad likes to drink, so his friends love giving him alcohol as gifts. They’re all pretty good. I can steal some if you want to try.”

Jiang Chaochao: “Steal, some?”

Xiang Ye: “Shhh.”

Jiang Chaochao laughed: “As if I’m craving alcohol.”

Xiang Ye: “I’m inviting you, are you coming, Mr. Jiang?”

Jiang Chaochao’s lips curved into a smile: “I’ll consider it.”

Xiang Ye asked: “Consider what?”

Jiang Chaochao didn’t actually know what to consider, but since Xiang Ye asked: “Consider someone’s sincerity.”

Xiang Ye’s tone suddenly became exaggerated: “I’m super sincere!”

Jiang Chaochao burst out laughing.

“Actually, I went to a bar once after graduating high school,” Jiang Chaochao recalled another incident. “But because I was alone at the time, I wasn’t sure how much I could drink, so I didn’t dare order alcohol.” He laughed as he said this. “I ordered a soft drink, finished it, and left.”

Xiang Ye sighed after hearing this: “So well-behaved.”

Jiang Chaochao denied: “Not well-behaved at all, I went to a bar.”

Xiang Ye laughed even harder: “Okay, okay, not well-behaved.”

Jiang Chaochao: “…You’re being sarcastic.”

Xiang Ye: “Can’t do that either? Then what should I say?”

Jiang Chaochao: “Just don’t talk.”

He said don’t talk, and he really didn’t talk.

They were passing by the garden again, walking side by side for a short distance, then…

Jiang Chaochao was the first to laugh.

He didn’t actually know what he was laughing at, but then, Xiang Ye also laughed.

Well.

“Mr. Jiang,” Xiang Ye suddenly called out.

Jiang Chaochao: “What is it?”

Xiang Ye said: “Nothing.”

Then Jiang Chaochao also: “Mr. Xiang.”

Xiang Ye: “What is it?”

Jiang Chaochao hummed softly: “Nothing.”

…

Well.

Soon they arrived at the legendary B1, and Xiang Ye’s car was parked right by the elevator exit.

So today’s meeting, here, officially ended!

Thinking about seeing Xiang Ye off three times in one day, Jiang Chaochao wanted to laugh.

After the car drove out of the basement, Jiang Chaochao went upstairs.

After washing up and getting into bed, Jiang Chaochao turned off the lights, wrapped himself in the blanket, and started another round of spacing out.

So overwhelming.

He needed to process this properly.

But unexpectedly, while he was trying to calm down, the more composed he became, the more feverish he felt.

Perhaps the worst thing to do at this moment was to be quiet. Quietness was so dangerous, the quieter it was, the easier it was to overthink.

So he tried a different approach. He took out his phone, prepared to play some games and divert his attention.

After browsing for a while, in the middle of the night, only his night owl group friends were online.

Xiuxiu’s decision to change the group name to “Bianbian 24-Hour Support Group” wasn’t without reason. Even at this hour, they were still active.

A female group member was talking about her recent ambiguous relationship with a guy. When Jiang Chaochao entered the group, she was sharing screenshots of their chat history.

Jiang Chaochao remembered this story. When he came in a few days ago, this girl was in a state of being led on. She had come in to ask everyone if the guy liked her, did he, did he?

Did he, did he?

Such a good question.

Today was different. In the last screenshot she shared today, the guy had confessed, asking the girl, “Do you want to be my girlfriend?”

Jiang Chaochao exited the picture, and the online group members were already going “Ahhhh.”

Since he was there, Jiang Chaochao also said: “Congratulations on getting off the market, Miaomiao.”

The distraction method was effective; Jiang Chaochao immediately shifted half of his attention.

Miaomiao: “Ahhhh Teacher Bianbian, you’re here too!”

Miaomiao: “Thank you, everyone!”

Miaomiao: [Red envelope]

Caught up in the atmosphere, Jiang Chaochao also grabbed a few yuan.

After everyone expressed their excitement again, someone suddenly tagged Bianbian.

Group member 1: “@Teacher Bianbian, since you’re here, I dare to ask, how are things going with the super handsome guy?”

The second this sentence was sent, it was frantically copied by everyone.

Group member 2: “@Teacher Bianbian, since you’re here, I dare to ask, how are things going with the super handsome guy?”

Group member 3: “@Teacher Bianbian, since you’re here, I dare to ask, how are things going with the super handsome guy?”

Group member 4: “@Teacher Bianbian, since you’re here, I dare to ask, how are things going with the super handsome guy?”

…

Jiang Chaochao smiled and clicked on the text box.

Just then, an ID suddenly popped up, also copying this sentence.

Not Shi Not Ci: “@Teacher Bianbian, since you’re here, I dare to ask, how are things going with the super handsome guy?”

This was the first text interaction between Jiang Chaochao and Shici since he figured out her identity. Jiang Chaochao felt a strange sensation.

Jiang Chaochao tilted his head, ignoring her for now and continuing to type.

Bianbian: “Well, the super handsome guy and I…”

This sentence alone successfully stopped the group members’ copying spree.

Just like many times before, no one spoke, all waiting for Bianbian.

Bianbian continued, “Maybe some progress?”

The group instantly exploded. Those who didn’t know what to say started going “Ahhhh,” those who were bolder asked “Tell us more!”, and those who were closer asked more specifically “What progress, what progress.”

That niece, Not Shi Not Ci, was in the “Ahhhh” group.

Bianbian muddied the waters: “We’ve met again these past few days.”

Group member 1: “Was it a date?!”

Bianbian thought for a moment: “Not really, we ran into each other and helped each other out.”

Group member 2: “You’re already at the stage where you’re helping each other out!”

Group member 3: “So intimate!”

Group member 4: “Can help each other out today, can get in bed tomorrow!”

This sentence again, Jiang Chaochao burst out laughing.

Following this sentence, all online group members, including Shici, frantically +1-ed it, filling the screen.

Bianbian: “Hello?”

Bianbian: “I’m still here.”

Everyone laughed together.

Just then, a new message notification popped up on Jiang Chaochao’s WeChat.

XY: “I’m home.”

Jiang Chaochao: “Okay.”

Only then did Jiang Chaochao remember that he hadn’t properly thanked Xiang Ye. He had spent all his time chatting.

Although Xiang Ye seemed to be just interrupting his hesitation at the time, he still needed to thank him.

So he pressed the voice message button, solemnly, word by word, saying into the microphone: “Thank, you, gege, tonight.”

Mm-hmm, he still needed to thank him.

Not long after sending it, Xiang Ye’s status changed to “typing,” then to “recording,” then back to “typing,” then to “recording” again.

Jiang Chaochao tilted his head, was it that difficult?

Soon, the chat window jumped up, and Xiang Ye’s message arrived.

It was a voice message. He said: “You’re, wel, come, didi.”

With no one around, Jiang Chaochao kicked the blanket hard.

Then slowly pulled it back over himself.

Didi.

Soon, Xiang Ye sent another message: “It’s almost one o’clock, sleep early, didi.”

Jiang Chaochao: “Okay, gege.”

XY: “Good night, didi.”

Jiang Chaochao: “Good night, gege.”

Hee hee haha.

After chatting with Xiang Ye, Jiang Chaochao returned to the group chat.

Because of his disappearance, after failing to get his attention, everyone started talking about something else.

And what was this something else?

After understanding what they were talking about, Jiang Chaochao sat up straight.

He clicked on the chat history and read it word by word.

That’s right, this friend called Not Shi Not Ci was talking about her uncle.

At the beginning of the topic, she said, “Interrupting for a bit, I can’t help it, I’m going to talk about my uncle again!”

Group member 1: “Ahhh Talk!”

Group member 2: “Love hearing about it, tell us more!”

Group member 3: “Nannan, you’re here, Shici’s going to talk about her uncle again.”

Nannan: “Huh? Why are you calling me when she’s talking about her uncle?”

Group member 3: “Hahaha, didn’t you try to teach Shici how to be an aunt (wife of the uncle)?”

Nannan: “Did that happen?”

Group member 4: “Don’t have too many husbands.”

Nannan: “Why are you all picking on me? Many people wanted to be an aunt at that time!”

Group member 4: “Were you one of them or not?”

Nannan: “I was, so what?”

Group member 5: “Okay, let Shici talk.”

Group member 5: “Shici, what’s wrong with your uncle?”

Shici: “My uncle!”

Shici: “I’ve noticed recently that he seems to have, something going on!”

This was the latest message from Shici in the chat history.

From this, Jiang Chaochao reached the following conclusion:

There was a love rival in the group.

Haha, just kidding.

Group member 1: “Something going on?”

Group member 2: “Are you getting an aunt?”

Shici: “How should I put it…”

Shici: “No, but also maybe?”

Group member: “Please explain!”

Shici: “We were discussing where to go for the weekend yesterday.”

Shici: “My uncle’s attitude was that he was fine with anything, whatever we decided.”

Shici: “We were already discussing going to the beach when he suddenly said he wanted barbecue.”

Shici: “And at that time, he was chatting on his phone.”

Shici: “Damn, his attitude, let’s just say…”

Shici: “My auntie asked him directly, ‘Are you in love?’”

Group member 1: “Huh? Seriously?”

Nannan: “Uncle’s in love? My heart is broken.”

Group member 4: “Just shut up.”

Group member 5: “What did your uncle say?”

Shici: “My uncle wouldn’t say.”

Shici: “He didn’t care about the weekend plans at first, but after saying he wanted barbecue, he took over everything, it was all up to him to arrange.”

Shici: “And then today, he!”

Shici: “Actually! Brought! Someone!”

Group member 1: “Who!”

Group member 2: “Who!”

Group member 3: “Who!”

…

It had to be said, Shici was good at building suspense. At this moment, even Jiang Chaochao wanted to jump in and ask, who!

Shici: “He brought…”

Shici only typed these three words and then disappeared.

And at this moment, on the other side of the city, in a dark living room…

“You startled me.”

Shici, on the sofa, let out a slow breath.

Xiang Ye had just walked in, the faint light from outside illuminating him. Dressed entirely in black like that, he really looked like a ghost.

“Not sleeping yet?” Xiang Ye threw his keys into the basket.

Shici clutched her phone, her heart pounding: “Came out to get some water.”

Xiang Ye: “Mm-hmm.”

Xiang Ye was clearly just asking casually. He didn’t mind that Shici’s answer wasn’t directly related to his question, but Shici felt awkward.

Think about what she was doing just a second ago.

So she started explaining: “After getting water, I answered a phone call. I found it quite cool here, so I sat down.”

Xiang Ye again gave a nonchalant “mm-hmm.”

Shici picked up the glass of water and took a big gulp: “Uncle.”

Xiang Ye: “Hmm?”

Shici thought, since it was such a coincidence, might as well ask: “What’s your relationship with xuechang?”

Her uncle, who was about to go upstairs, stopped abruptly.

A very brief pause, easily overlooked if Shici wasn’t paying attention.

“That’s a strange question,” her uncle replied.

Her uncle actually replied like that.

Shici immediately sat up straight: “Huh? Is it strange? I don’t think so, if you’re friends then you’re friends.”

Her uncle seemed to chuckle: “Could there be any other relationship?”

Shici roared inwardly, Of course there is!

But she still restrained herself and said: “That’s why I’m asking.”

Her uncle turned around. In the darkness, he looked into Shici’s eyes: “What have you been looking at recently?”

Shici instantly cowered.

If he had asked, What have you been watching recently?, it would have been fine.

But he said, What have you been looking at recently?

Teacher Bianbian’s drawings immediately appeared in Shici’s mind.

“No, nothing,” Shici was incredibly awkward. “I’ve been practicing the piano recently.”

Uncle: “Practice diligently.”

Shici: “Oh.”

Seeing that her uncle was about to go upstairs again…

“Uncle, xuechang was quite legendary in our school,” Shici suddenly said this.

Blame it on the late night, blame it on the dark surroundings, for making Shici so bold.

Her uncle stopped again: “What are you trying to say?”

Shici thought for a moment, should she test the waters?

“Do you want to hear it?”