Chapter 33
Jiang Chaochao was actually feeling a bit embarrassed.
Zhou Qi was standing right there, and Xiang Ye was having this conversation with him so effortlessly, ignoring everyone else, not caring at all.
But Jiang Chaochao also seemed to have absorbed some of Xiang Ye’s courage.
“Jiang laoshi.”
A voice came from not far away; the parents and children were back.
As they approached, the parent leading the group smiled and said, “We brought some small cakes for you and Zhang laoshi.”
She handed them over, one in each hand, first to Jiang Chaochao, then reaching past him to give one to the person behind him.
Only then did Jiang Chaochao realize that Zhang Xinping had also come over at some point.
“Are these two Jiang laoshi’s friends?” After handing out the cakes, the parent said, “We’re two cakes short, I’ll go get some more.”
Zhou Qi and Xiang Ye said in unison, “No need, thank you.”
The polite exchange between adults ended there. The parent naturally didn’t go back. There were more and more people now. Jiang Chaochao adjusted his mentality and continued to be the proper Jiang laoshi.
Their original plan was to return to the hotel to rest for a bit, then go for lunch. The plan remained the same, just with two extra people.
Yes, Zhou Qi also joined them.
The parents and children didn’t seem surprised by the sudden appearance of two more friends. Xiang Ye’s sudden appearance today was just like Zhang Xinping’s sudden appearance yesterday, nothing out of the ordinary.
They also didn’t ask about the flowers in Jiang Chaochao’s arms.
It was one thing if the children and parents didn’t ask, but Zhang Xinping, who was usually so gossipy? Why didn’t he ask either?
The restaurant was right next to the hotel. The large group walked over, sometimes splitting up, sometimes regrouping.
Jiang Chaochao and Xiang Ye were the last two in the group, and in front of them was the strange duo of Zhang Xinping and Zhou Qi, who seemed to be getting along quite well now.
The weather was completely clear today, sunlight everywhere, along with the chattering, lively children.
Jiang Chaochao realized he suddenly didn’t feel tired anymore, a completely different person from the one who almost collapsed onto the sofa just a few minutes ago.
The flowers shouldn’t be that fragrant, but Jiang Chaochao’s nose was filled with their scent.
The phrase “refreshed and happy” suddenly came to mind, so fitting.
“Sunflowers.”
As they walked, Jiang Chaochao, without knowing why, said this word.
As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Xiang Ye smile.
A slight lowering of his head, a pursed lip, a subtle smile.
But not too subtle, Jiang Chaochao saw it clearly.
“What are you smiling about?” Jiang Chaochao asked.
Xiang Ye shook his head, “I don’t know.”
Jiang Chaochao: “You’re strange.”
Xiang Ye gave an “mm-hmm”: “I am.”
This strange exchange ended there. After taking two more steps, Jiang Chaochao heard…
“Mm-hmm, sunflowers.”
Xiang Ye’s voice.
It was at this moment that Jiang Chaochao understood why Xiang Ye smiled.
Because he realized the same smile, the same expression, appeared on his own face.
The “sunflowers” Jiang Chaochao said was just a mindless utterance of the name of the flower.
But Xiang Ye’s repetition made Jiang Chaochao think of something else.
Something Fu Jing had said, “‘Chao yang’ (morning sun) is a good name. ‘The plan for a day lies in the morning,’ facing the sun every morning. Look, your last name is Xiang, the two of you are ‘xiang yang’ (facing the sun).”
Facing the sun.
Sunflowers.
Xiang Ye gave him sunflowers.
A seemingly unspoken understanding blossomed in the air, turning into invisible pink bubbles.
There was no need to ask why he gave him sunflowers, Jiang Chaochao understood.
“When did you arrive in C City?” Jiang Chaochao asked again.
Xiang Ye chuckled, “Asking me only now?”
Jiang Chaochao: “It’s not too late.”
Xiang Ye: “Not long ago, I came to find you as soon as I got off the train.”
Jiang Chaochao gave an “ah”: “Oh.”
Xiang Ye: “Surprised to see me?”
Jiang Chaochao: “Surprised.”
Xiang Ye nodded, then nodded again, “I seem to understand you a little better now.”
Jiang Chaochao was puzzled: “Which part?”
Xiang Ye suddenly reached out and poked Jiang Chaochao’s cheek: “This part.”
Jiang Chaochao tilted his head and looked at Xiang Ye: “Not telling?”
Xiang Ye: “I will.”
A “I will” contained so much information. It meant I’ll definitely tell you, it meant I’ll explain in detail later, it meant it’s not the right time now, it meant I’ll tell you when it’s just the two of us.
Jiang Chaochao felt that he also understood Xiang Ye a bit now.
“Came today, leaving tomorrow,” Xiang Ye said, “There was a temporary assignment at the company this morning, and I volunteered to come.”
Jiang Chaochao: “How did you know I was going to ask that?”
Xiang Ye: “Because I understand you.”
Jiang Chaochao hummed, “Then consider yourself understanding.”
Xiang Ye continued, “It was actually a small task, they were all surprised that I volunteered.”
Jiang Chaochao continued nodding, making a listening sound: “Mm-hmm.”
“Do you understand?” Xiang Ye suddenly asked this.
Jiang Chaochao thought for a few seconds, “Is there something difficult to understand about this?”
Xiang Ye chuckled, “Then why do you think I volunteered to come to C City?”
Jiang Chaochao threw the question back, “Why?”
Xiang Ye said: “I’m not telling you.”
Jiang Chaochao: “What?”
If Xiang Ye didn’t tell him, would Jiang Chaochao not understand?
It was just that he had a habit of becoming muddleheaded around Xiang Ye, and it was also really too hot outside.
Look, by the time they arrived at the restaurant, Jiang Chaochao had figured it out.
This restaurant didn’t have large tables, so it was just right, the parents and children at one table, and the four of them at another.
It was a lively lunch. Jiang Chaochao’s side dispatched Zhang Xinping, Xiang Ye’s side dispatched Zhou Qi, and these two even seemed to be more familiar with each other than with them, chatting away as if they had known each other for a long time. If Zhou Qi didn’t have to stay in C City, they would have continued drinking tonight.
Jiang Chaochao’s itinerary today was perfectly timed. They had to leave for the train station almost immediately after finishing lunch.
Just like when they arrived, the large group headed towards the entrance, bustling with noise.
Jiang Chaochao and Xiang Ye were still the last two in the group.
Perhaps because there were always many people around, or perhaps because their time together was indeed short, they didn’t talk much today.
Jiang Chaochao seemed to be less happy again.
Even though he knew Xiang Ye would be back tomorrow, he still felt a sense of reluctance, a feeling he shouldn’t have.
More intense than the feeling of suddenly thinking of Xiang Ye these past few days, as if they wouldn’t see each other again for a long, long time.
“We only met for less than an hour.” As they neared the entrance, Jiang Chaochao heard Xiang Ye say this.
Jiang Chaochao subconsciously wanted to ask what he meant, but this time, his mind worked quickly, and he immediately understood.
So he didn’t reply, just smiled slightly, even though Xiang Ye couldn’t see it.
Smiling because they were on the same wavelength, also smiling because it was fair.
Xiang Ye: “I seem to have seen a proper Jiang laoshi today.”
Jiang Chaochao naturally knew what Xiang Ye was talking about. He made a “shushing” sound, “The xuechang’s parents are still here.”
Xiang Ye was amused: “Okay, I understand, Jiang laoshi.”
Xiang Ye asked again, “What are you planning to do when you get back to A City?”
Jiang Chaochao sounded tired: “Just rest well tonight.”
Xiang Ye: “What about tomorrow?”
Jiang Chaochao thought for a moment, “Probably nothing tomorrow either.”
Xiang Ye: “Then can you give me tomorrow?”
Jiang Chaochao’s throat felt dry, then he asked, “What do you, want to do?”
Xiang Ye: “Come find you and play.”
Jiang Chaochao burst out laughing at Xiang Ye’s childish words.
“Sure,” Jiang Chaochao naturally also asked, “Play what?”
But Xiang Ye didn’t say what they would play, instead he said, “I think I miscalculated, I shouldn’t have come today.”
Jiang Chaochao: “Why?”
Xiang Ye: “If I hadn’t come, I could have seen you tonight,” he then muttered, “A bit too hasty.”
After he finished speaking, Zhou Qi, a few steps ahead, suddenly turned around.
“Really shouldn’t have come?”
Zhou Qi gave Xiang Ye a strange smile, and after saying this, he turned back again.
They were already at the entrance, and there was a commotion on the other side of the door.
“Hmm?”
Jiang Chaochao saw the people arriving. There were two familiar faces, Teacher Zhao, who had given the children cakes earlier, and Lin Qixing.
Zhang Xinping also saw Lin Qixing. This guy, after seeing him, inexplicably turned to Jiang Chaochao and winked.
“Jiang Chaochao.”
Lin Qixing also saw Jiang Chaochao.
The two groups met, and Lin Qixing smiled brightly and asked, “You guys are eating here too?”
He was talking to Jiang Chaochao, so Jiang Chaochao nodded at him.
Lin Qixing asked, “What did you guys have for lunch? Any recommendations?”
Jiang Chaochao thought for a moment, “They were all pretty good, the braised pork and that…” Jiang Chaochao couldn’t remember, he turned to ask Xiang Ye, “What kind of tofu was that?”
Xiang Ye: “Forgot.”
Jiang Chaochao was puzzled: “The one you said was pretty good?”
Xiang Ye: “Don’t remember.”
“I remember, I remember,” Zhou Qi suddenly spoke, very enthusiastically saying to Lin Qixing, “Dry pot Japanese tofu.”
Then he said to Xiang Ye, “I remembered it for you.”
Xiang Ye said, “Thank you.”
Zhou Qi suddenly grinned mischievously, “Haha, you’re welcome.”
At this moment, Lin Qixing’s gaze suddenly flickered towards the flowers in Jiang Chaochao’s arms.
It shouldn’t be a big deal. Jiang Chaochao holding the flowers was inevitably eye-catching, passersby glancing at them was nothing.
But after Lin Qixing looked, Zhou Qi suddenly spoke again. He pointed at Xiang Ye and said to Lin Qixing, “He gave him the flowers, pretty, right? They’re sunflowers.”
Jiang Chaochao almost died of embarrassment.
Who asked?
Fortunately, the car Jiang Chaochao ordered arrived. Jiang Chaochao said goodbye to Lin Qixing and went to arrange for the parents and children to get on the car.
Of course, he also had to say goodbye to Xiang Ye.
“Then I’m leaving.”
The last car arrived.
Xiang Ye only nodded.
Jiang Chaochao: “Not saying anything?”
Xiang Ye spoke, “I’m restraining my reluctance.”
Jiang Chaochao paused: “Oh,” then he gave an “mm-hmm.”
Zhang Xinping had already gotten into the car. Jiang Chaochao didn’t delay any longer and got in as well.
It wasn’t until the car drove away that Jiang Chaochao slowly smiled.
He seemed to be happy again.
Then, since that was the case…
Jiang Chaochao opened Xiang Ye’s WeChat and, without any hesitation, sent him a message: “Same.”
Almost the moment it was sent, Xiang Ye’s status changed to “typing.”
And very quickly, the typed message arrived.
He didn’t ask why, nor did he ask what it meant, he simply said: “See you tomorrow.”
Jiang Chaochao’s heart felt warm and fuzzy. He replied, “See you tomorrow.”
Just as Jiang Chaochao put down his phone, he felt a pair of arms around his neck.
Zhang Xinping shifted his butt and sat in the middle seat, very close to Jiang Chaochao.
“Confess,” Zhang Xinping said.
Jiang Chaochao composed himself, “Confess what?”
Zhang Xinping: “What’s your relationship with the handsome guy?”
Jiang Chaochao didn’t hesitate, “Friends.”
Zhang Xinping naturally didn’t believe him, “Hmm? Just friends?”
Just as Zhang Xinping raised a questioning eyebrow, his phone suddenly rang, buzzing.
Zhang Xinping picked up his phone, and seeing the caller ID, he immediately became serious, sitting back down and answering the call: “Hello, Mr. Lin.”
Jiang Chaochao’s phone also vibrated, but it was a WeChat message.
Opening it, it was from Xu Hengzhi.
He said: “Sss… there’s something.”
Jiang Chaochao was puzzled: “What’s wrong?”
Xu Hengzhi: “It’s like this, we were having drinks yesterday, right? Mr. Chen was there, Xiang Ye’s friend.”
Just one sentence, and Jiang Chaochao had a bad feeling.
Jiang Chaochao: “And then?”
Xu Hengzhi: “And then…”
Xu Hengzhi: “Mr. Chen got a bit drunk later, and after we left, Xiang Ye came to pick him up. Xiang Ye saw me and offered to give me a ride home.”
Jiang Chaochao: “Type faster.”
Xu Hengzhi: “Hahaha, I’ll just send a voice message.”
Xu Hengzhi: “Xiang Ye dropped Mr. Chen off first, then me. I, well, I might have also had a bit too much to drink, so I started talking to him about you.”
Jiang Chaochao: “?”
Jiang Chaochao: “??”
Jiang Chaochao: “Talking about me? About what?”
Xu Hengzhi stopped typing and sent a voice message.
Xu Hengzhi: “I don’t really remember, I think we talked about a lot of things, but also not much. The drive to my place was only ten minutes.”
Perhaps feeling guilty, Xu Hengzhi’s tone became apologetic.
Just as Jiang Chaochao finished listening to this sentence, the next one arrived.
Xu Hengzhi: “I don’t know how it started, but as we were talking, I told him you’re hard to get close to, hard to really get to know. I told him to be patient with you, that you’re very good at hiding your feelings, that sometimes what he sees isn’t the real you, that you seem aloof, but you’re actually not, ah…” Xu Hengzhi sighed deeply, “I think I also said that you’re a very passive person, and told him to go for it if he likes you, that the worst thing to do with you is to be hesitant.”
Jiang Chaochao: “…”
Jiang Chaochao: “???”
Jiang Chaochao: “No…”
Jiang Chaochao: “No…”
Xu Hengzhi: “Hahaha, I was wrong, bro, I’ll call you ‘bro.’”
Jiang Chaochao: “As if I want you to be my bro.”
Xu Hengzhi: “That’s okay, you have a gege now, it doesn’t matter if I’m your bro or not.”
Jiang Chaochao: “?”
Xu Hengzhi: “Hahaha, I heard you gay guys love being called ‘gege.’”
Jiang Chaochao: “Where do you even learn these things?”
Xu Hengzhi: “Don’t worry about that.”
Xu Hengzhi: “Just keep calling Xiang Ye ‘gege,’ that’s all.”
Jiang Chaochao: “Heh.”
Jiang Chaochao: “As if I need you to teach me.”
Xu Hengzhi: “Oh?”
Jiang Chaochao: “Oh your ass.”
Jiang Chaochao: “I’m going back to A City soon.”
Jiang Chaochao: “Think about how you want to die.”
Xu Hengzhi: “HAHAHAHAHA, oh, my bad, my bad.”
Xu Hengzhi: “I’ll treat you to supper tonight, hairy crabs!”
Jiang Chaochao: “Fine then.”
Jiang Chaochao: “Consider yourself sensible.”
Zhang Xinping was still on the phone with Mr. Lin, it sounded like there was a problem with a collaborating singer and he was negotiating.
Jiang Chaochao’s mind wandered again.
He could naturally sense that Xiang Ye was acting strange today.
It was just that he didn’t think it was too unusual, so he didn’t think much of it, until Xu Hengzhi said those things.
“Okay, solved!” Zhang Xinping suddenly exclaimed, pulling Jiang Chaochao back to reality.
Jiang Chaochao asked: “Everything’s alright?”
Zhang Xinping: “Small problem.”
After saying that, he sat back down in the middle seat.
“Hmm?” As if loading a saved game, he resumed his pre-call expression and looked at Jiang Chaochao questioningly.
Jiang Chaochao wanted to laugh, “What?”
Zhang Xinping: “Tell me!”
Jiang Chaochao: “Tell you what?”
Zhang Xinping: “Is there something going on between you and Xiang Ye?”
Jiang Chaochao nodded repeatedly, “Yes, yes.”
Zhang Xinping narrowed his eyes again, expressing his dissatisfaction with Jiang Chaochao’s perfunctory response.
But before he could do anything, his phone rang again, it was Mr. Lin again.
Zhang Xinping: “Just you wait.”
Jiang Chaochao smiled: “I’ll wait.”
Zhang Xinping went back to answer the phone. Jiang Chaochao, bored, looked out the window.
Looking at the tree shadows swaying in the wind, he suddenly smiled.
He would treat Xu Hengzhi to hairy crabs.
