Chapter 43
Xiang Ye’s straightforward expression of longing stirred Jiang Chaochao’s heart even more than Xu Hengzhi’s bold words.
And Jiang Chaochao, just like that, hooked by a single sentence, burrowed into bed.
He was also becoming quite adept now. His shyness only lasted for a few seconds, and the words he typed on his phone were…
Jiang Chaochao: “Tell me more about how much you miss me.”
XY: “Really want to hear it?”
Jiang Chaochao: “Really.”
XY: “Miss you.”
Jiang Chaochao let out a disappointed “ah”: “Just that?”
XY: “Of course.”
Jiang Chaochao pouted.
XY: “Not really.”
Jiang Chaochao smiled again.
Jiang Chaochao: “Mm-hmm?”
Jiang Chaochao: “And?”
XY: “Jiang Chaochao, I’m in a meeting.”
Jiang Chaochao’s smile deepened, “So?”
XY: “Stop teasing me, baby.”
Jiang Chaochao chuckled, “Okay, okay.”
Jiang Chaochao got out of bed: “I’m going home.”
XY: “Okay.”
Jiang Chaochao also had a meeting today. It was originally his teacher’s meeting, but his teacher was currently traveling with his family and couldn’t make it back in time.
It wasn’t Jiang Chaochao’s first time attending this kind of meeting on behalf of his teacher, so he was quite familiar with the procedures.
He arrived a bit early, so he found his teacher’s seat and sat down, and opened his email.
Zhang Xinping was running errands in the southern part of the city and had sent him two songs to listen to.
Jiang Chaochao put on his earphones. Just as he started the music, someone bumped into his shoulder, and someone sat down beside him.
“Jiang Chaochao.” The person called out after sitting down.
Jiang Chaochao paused the music and turned to look at the newcomer.
It was Lin Qixing, the handsome guy he met at the music exchange event, whom Zhang Xinping had mentioned several times.
The moment he saw him, the first thing that came to Jiang Chaochao’s mind was, if he told Zhang Xinping, would he rush over immediately?
“Hello.” Jiang Chaochao smiled at Lin Qixing.
Lin Qixing said: “They said you’d be here this afternoon, they didn’t lie.”
Jiang Chaochao touched the name tag on the table, “My teacher had something to attend to, so I’m here on his behalf.”
Lin Qixing smiled: “I’m also here for my teacher.” He picked up the name tag two seats away, showed it to Jiang Chaochao, then put it back. “I arrived in A City two days ago, I’m staying at my friend’s place. There’s so much good food in A City.”
Jiang Chaochao chuckled, “Really?”
Lin Qixing: “I wanted to tell you when I arrived, but I was afraid you’d be busy.”
Jiang Chaochao: “I just got back yesterday.”
Lin Qixing: “Really? Then I’m so happy to see you today.”
Jiang Chaochao: “Haha.”
Lin Qixing was still a university student, youthful and energetic.
But Jiang Chaochao wasn’t very close to him and wasn’t used to this kind of lively atmosphere.
Just as he was thinking about how to end the conversation, Lin Qixing suddenly picked up his teacher’s name tag and swapped it with the one in front of him.
“I’ll sit next to you then,” Lin Qixing said.
Jiang Chaochao hesitated: “That’s not right, the seating arrangements are already set.”
“Fine then,” Lin Qixing put the name tag back.
Jiang Chaochao was stunned. So easy to talk to?
Since that was the case, Jiang Chaochao continued, “Go back to your seat, there are more and more people coming in.”
Lin Qixing turned his head and looked, “Okay.”
Coincidentally, the person originally seated next to Jiang Chaochao arrived, so Lin Qixing gave up his seat.
Jiang Chaochao finished listening to the song and discussed some details with Zhang Xinping, then messaged him: “Guess who I ran into?”
Zhang Xinping, true to form, guessed immediately: “Lin Qixing?”
Jiang Chaochao laughed: “You love him so much.”
Zhang Xinping: “Where are you guys?”
Jiang Chaochao: [Location]
Jiang Chaochao: “There’s a meeting at the association this afternoon, he’s here on behalf of his teacher.”
Zhang Xinping: “Why is he in A City?”
Jiang Chaochao: “Visiting, I guess.”
Zhang Xinping: “Lin Qixing is very handsome today too, right?”
Just then, Xiang Ye also messaged Jiang Chaochao.
Xiang Ye: “Steak or Sichuan food, choose one.”
Clearly facing a lunch dilemma.
Jiang Chaochao: “Sichuan.”
After sending it, he also replied to Zhang Xinping, “He styled his hair today, very handsome.”
After sending it, Jiang Chaochao realized he sent it to the wrong person.
Jiang Chaochao didn’t bother retyping, he copied the message, retracted it, then sent it to Zhang Xinping.
Xiang Ye’s reply was faster than Zhang Xinping’s. He asked Jiang Chaochao: “Who styled their hair?”
Jiang Chaochao: “Remember the guy we ran into in C City after dinner last time?”
Jiang Chaochao: “He’s here this afternoon too.”
Jiang Chaochao: “Zhang Xinping is obsessed with his looks, he’s been posting his pictures on Moments, Zhang Xinping is smitten. He’s asking if he’s handsome today.”
XY: “You think he’s handsome?”
Jiang Chaochao: “He is quite handsome.”
XY: “You even noticed that he styled his hair?”
Jiang Chaochao: “His hair product smells very strong, I could smell it.”
XY: “Are you sitting together?”
Jiang Chaochao: “Not now.”
XY: “Is he from A City?”
Jiang Chaochao: “No, he’s visiting.”
XY: “What else did you talk about?”
Jiang Chaochao thought for a moment, “Nothing much, he just said the food in A City is good.”
XY: “Did he ask for recommendations?”
Jiang Chaochao: “Not yet.”
What a coincidence, just as Jiang Chaochao sent this message, a message from “Lin Qixing” popped up.
This chat window was so unfamiliar, Jiang Chaochao paused before clicking on it.
Lin Qixing asked: “Xuechang, what’s good to eat in A City?”
Jiang Chaochao immediately took a screenshot of this page and sent it to Xiang Ye.
Jiang Chaochao: [Picture]
Jiang Chaochao: “You’re amazing, he actually asked.”
XY: “He calls you xuechang?”
Jiang Chaochao: “Not really, we didn’t go to the same school, he probably calls anyone older than him xuechang.”
XY: “Where did he send you the message from?”
Jiang Chaochao looked up at Lin Qixing, and coincidentally, Lin Qixing also turned his head. Their eyes met.
Jiang Chaochao smiled at Lin Qixing and then looked away.
Jiang Chaochao: “Two seats away.”
XY: [Picture]
Jiang Chaochao opened it. Xiang Ye had sent him a picture of five dishes and a soup.
Presumably having lunch with colleagues, there were several pairs of chopsticks on the round table.
Jiang Chaochao: “Looks delicious.”
XY: “Baby, I miss you so much.”
Jiang Chaochao mentally exclaimed.
He was surprised by Xiang Ye’s suddenness, and also by himself.
He now understood Xiang Ye’s situation this morning. In broad daylight, he couldn’t bring himself to say something like “Tell me more about how much you miss me.”
So he only replied: “Hee hee.”
Jiang Chaochao: “Okay.”
XY: “Didn’t sleep well, so sleepy.”
Jiang Chaochao: “Who told you to be so unrestrained yesterday?”
Jiang Chaochao wanted to lecture him some more, but then he saw…
XY: “Headache.”
Jiang Chaochao’s heart instantly softened, “Awww, rest well after lunch, take a nap.”
XY: “Going to the east side after lunch for work.”
Jiang Chaochao: “That’s so tiring!”
Jiang Chaochao: “Where on the east side? I’m on the east side too.”
XY: “What time will you be done?”
Jiang Chaochao: “Four o’clock.”
XY: “Where on the east side? I’ll be done around four too, I’ll pick you up and take you home.”
Jiang Chaochao felt that something was amiss, but he was overwhelmed by the coincidence and the feeling of fate, and sent his location without suspecting anything.
XY: “Okay.”
Because of his appointment with Xiang Ye, as soon as the meeting ended, he pocketed his phone and strode towards the exit.
He was the first one out, and he immediately saw the familiar car parked by the roadside, walking over with light steps.
“This sweater really suits you.”
As soon as he got into the car, Xiang Ye complimented him, “You looked like a little elf running over.”
Such a novel compliment, Jiang Chaochao’s heart fluttered, and he said rather immodestly, “It’s mine now.”
Xiang Ye chuckled: “Okay.”
After saying that, Xiang Ye glanced towards the entrance.
“Looking at what?” Jiang Chaochao caught this glance.
Xiang Ye shook his head, “Nothing.”
After a while…
Xiang Ye: “How did you reply to Lin Qixing?”
Jiang Chaochao was curious: “You know his name?”
Xiang Ye: “I saw the music exchange event’s official account, he was in it.”
Jiang Chaochao gave an “oh”: “I said I didn’t know, I didn’t really want to talk to him.”
Xiang Ye: “Why?”
No other reason, just, “Too lazy to type.”
Xiang Ye chuckled, “Jiang Chaochao.”
Jiang Chaochao perked up, he was very sensitive to Xiang Ye calling his full name now.
Jiang Chaochao: “What?”
Xiang Ye: “Nothing, I just thought, someone seems to reply to every message I send.”
Jiang Chaochao slowly turned to Xiang Ye, “So?”
Xiang Ye’s smile deepened, “You didn’t deny it.”
Jiang Chaochao: “Yes, so?”
Xiang Ye gave an “ah,” “Could it be that someone has liked me for a long time?”
Jiang Chaochao: “Who? Who?”
Xiang Ye: “I don’t know who.”
Xiang Ye’s happiness over this matter made Jiang Chaochao incredibly happy as well.
It wasn’t the first time. He used to be more reserved, occasionally showing his feelings, but now he was much more expressive, not only expressing his affection, but also seeking Jiang Chaochao’s sincerity.
This trip was quite a hassle for Xiang Ye. Picking up Jiang Chaochao, taking him home, then going back to the company to continue working, and then picking him up again after work.
But since someone missed him so much today, then whatever.
Back at home, Zhang Xinping, who had probably finished his work, started asking about Lin Qixing, asking what he did with his hair today, what he was wearing, and what he ate in A City.
Before Jiang Chaochao could answer, he started saying “oh, oh, oh, I saw it on his Moments,” apparently he had said he was coming to A City two days ago and asked his friends in A City for recommendations on good food and places to visit.
Jiang Chaochao: “Then why don’t you go find him?”
Zhang Xinping: “No, no, it’s better to admire handsome guys from afar, it’s too presumptuous.”
Zhang Xinping: “He’s going to have seafood tonight.”
Jiang Chaochao had also seen this post on Lin Qixing’s Moments. Since he was also having seafood tonight, he clicked on the picture and took a look.
Zhang Xinping continued: “He really knows how to eat, he’s been trying a lot of things these past few days.”
Jiang Chaochao sent an emoji and ended the conversation.
The autumn night quickly descended. At six o’clock, the sky’s last rays of sunlight disappeared, and the city lights came on.
Xiang Ye picked Jiang Chaochao up from the basement parking on time. After getting into the car, Jiang Chaochao told Xiang Ye not to start the car yet, took out a new little duck brooch from the box, and replaced the one on Xiang Ye’s chest, the one he had been wearing for a long time.
“Don’t you get tired of wearing this every day?” Jiang Chaochao patted Xiang Ye’s clothes.
The brooch Jiang Chaochao gave Xiang Ye today was a little duck fishing, and Jiang Chaochao himself was wearing a little duck eating fish.
Xiang Ye looked down, “I don’t know, someone didn’t change it for me.”
Jiang Chaochao tilted his head and looked at Xiang Ye.
Xiang Ye immediately said: “Thank you, baby.”
Jiang Chaochao hummed.
Xiang Ye said again, “You’re in charge of my brooches from now on.”
Jiang Chaochao: “Fine.”
The seafood restaurant his cousin’s husband booked was by the sea, and it took quite a while to get there.
As soon as he got out of the car, Jiang Chaochao smelled the strong scent of the sea.
“Hungry?” Xiang Ye asked after getting out of the car.
Jiang Chaochao shook his head: “Not really, I ate something at home.”
Xiang Ye: “Let’s go.”
Arriving at the entrance of the restaurant, Jiang Chaochao suddenly felt a sense of familiarity, so he looked up carefully at the restaurant’s name.
“What’s wrong?” Xiang Ye asked.
Jiang Chaochao opened his Moments and showed Xiang Ye Lin Qixing’s latest post.
Xiang Ye: “He’s here too?”
Jiang Chaochao shook his head and put away his phone, “Not sure if he’s still here or not.”
Not important.
Soon, they arrived at the private room, but Jiang Chaochao didn’t expect so many people to be there.
It was a lively gathering. They were already singing karaoke using the equipment in the room.
After greeting his cousin’s husband, Xiang Ye took Jiang Chaochao into the crowd.
They arrived at a good time. Just as they sat down, the waiters came in with carts of crabs and other seafood.
The cooked, red seafood, steaming hot and fragrant, immediately drew everyone to the table.
The cousin’s husband and cousin continued to arrange the seating. Perhaps because of the barbecue incident last time, they arranged Shici next to Jiang Chaochao.
After sitting down, their eyes met unexpectedly, and they quickly looked away.
And damn it, at this moment, Xiang Ye leaned in and whispered in Jiang Chaochao’s ear, “Fan meeting.”
Jiang Chaochao nudged Xiang Ye.
The husband and wife were still arranging things, and the food was steaming hot, so Jiang Chaochao didn’t want to eat yet.
He also felt a bit awkward.
“Hello.”
After a while, Shici broke the silence.
Jiang Chaochao also: “Hello.”
Shici said: “I’m Shici, laoshi.”
Jiang Chaochao: “…”
Jiang Chaochao: “Hello.”
She called him laoshi, it was confirmed.
Shici also seemed quite embarrassed, her hands constantly fiddling with her clothes.
“Um,” Shici chuckled nervously, “Laoshi, you should have guessed that I guessed your identity, right?”
It was a convoluted sentence, but Jiang Chaochao understood immediately.
Jiang Chaochao: “Mm-hmm.”
Shici’s face gradually turned red, “Laoshi, I love your drawings.”
In contrast, Jiang Chaochao was still very calm, “Thank you.”
Shici clutched her clothes even tighter and lowered her head, completely different from the lively girl Jiang Chaochao had seen before.
Just then, Jiang Chaochao’s phone rang.
As Jiang Chaochao picked up his phone and stood up, he saw Shici let out a long breath.
At the same time, he also saw Xiang Ye covering his mouth, trying not to laugh.
You saw the whole thing, didn’t you, Uncle?
It was a call from Jiang Chaochao’s teacher.
It was still a bit noisy outside the private room, so Jiang Chaochao walked further and found a small, empty balcony, pushing open the glass door and stepping inside.
Besides the meeting in the afternoon, his teacher also talked to him about his studio.
Towards the end of the call, a pair of arms suddenly wrapped around Jiang Chaochao’s waist. He was startled and turned around to see Xiang Ye.
“Mm-hmm, okay, then that’s it for now, goodbye laoshi,” Jiang Chaochao said his last sentence to his teacher.
After hanging up, Jiang Chaochao asked Xiang Ye: “Why are you out here?”
Xiang Ye: “You were gone for a while.”
Jiang Chaochao said “We talked a bit more,” and was about to turn around, but Xiang Ye tightened his hold.
“What’s wrong?” Jiang Chaochao asked.
Xiang Ye touched his cheek with his index finger and leaned closer.
Jiang Chaochao chuckled, not moving.
Xiang Ye: “Hmm?”
Jiang Chaochao leaned in.
Xiang Ye hugged him even tighter and, as Jiang Chaochao kissed him, he glanced towards the glass door.
