Chapter 1358 - 889: Bouquet (2)
"Doesn’t count, does it?" she said.
"Why?" Li Hua and his companion were trailing behind, not fearing anyone overhearing their whispers.
"Look, your friend is not walking fast."
"Hmm?"
Up ahead.
Jiang Nian had noticed too, Zhizhi was intentionally slowing down her pace, just not looking back, ignoring him.
They first went to a milk tea shop, drinking tea outside while chatting about hometown or campus topics.
Mixed with some gossip, outrageous campus complaints.
Yao Beibei talked about more adult topics, throwing out one surprise after another. The conversation was about Zhen Nan’s housing prices and job directions.
Jiang Nian talked about everything, but his attention was still on Zhizhi.
In the middle, they had a meal.
He wasn’t anxious until it was almost time to part. He didn’t even hold onto Zhang Ningzhi, but instead sent Li Hua and the others away first.
Then, he caught up with the two women, Zhang Ningzhi and Yao Beibei.
"I know of a good dessert shop, how about we go have some desserts together?"
Yao Beibei kept silent, pretending to see nothing.
Zhang Ningzhi glanced at Jiang Nian, then fell silent for a few seconds, loudly saying no, and dragged Yao Beibei away.
Jiang Nian: "...."
Indeed, things don’t always go smoothly.
....
"Zhizhi."
Yao Beibei was a bit worried, in a mall corner. She grabbed Zhang Ningzhi, looking worried and asked.
"Are you... are you alright?"
She regretted it a little, knowing she wouldn’t have come with Zhizhi. But in Zhizhi’s heart, she probably wanted to see Jiang Nian.
Being a third wheel is also tough.
Zhang Ningzhi pursed her lips, tears the size of beans flowed from her eyes, her grievances couldn’t be stopped.
"So long... it took him so long to find me, it’s been so long, why is he still looking for me..."
"Clearly... he doesn’t care at all."
Hearing this, Yao Beibei didn’t know what to say. Watching from the first row, she knew Jiang Nian definitely cared.
However, she certainly wouldn’t explain on his behalf.
"Indeed, that bastard," she hugged Zhizhi, "let’s go back, and ignore him in the future."
"Mm, alright."
Though Zhang Ningzhi said so, she still looked back, hoping to see someone chasing through the crowd.
"How many traffic lights did we just pass?"
"Two?"
Yao Beibei scratched her head, "Or three? I’m a bit confused too, might need to use navigation."
"I’ll call a taxi, going back to school?"
"Yes."
Jiang Nian didn’t give chase, it wasn’t because he couldn’t run fast. Just with this emotion, catching up wouldn’t accomplish anything.
The next day, he called Zhang Ningzhi again.
This time, without a middleman, he called her directly with a different number. Just one word and Zhizhi recognized him.
"Why are you calling?"
Hearing this, Jiang Nian originally wanted to suggest meeting up. But then, it naturally turned into a sentence.
"I saw you crying so sadly yesterday, across the street, I didn’t dare to follow. Thought about it all night and still couldn’t resist..."
"Zhizhi, I wanted to hear your voice."
In the dormitory, Da Chao’s jaw almost dropped to the desk. He turned around, looking at Jiang Nian in shock.
Damn, he’s quick with his words, isn’t he?
Are you also Wang Bo?
Brother Bao Song was also stunned, the sound of typing had quieted down a lot. Only after Jiang Nian finished the call did he speak.
"Wow, you really are..."
"What?" Jiang Nian put down the phone, "Why the fuss, buddy, I’m leaving now."
Da Chao: "...."
"Where did you learn all these lines?"
"No idea."
Jiang Nian changed his shoes, "Country folks don’t understand these twists and turns. We express our emotions more directly."
With a bang, he closed the door and left.
"This... he..." Da Chao looked at Brother Bao Song, almost tongue-tied, the first time hearing Jiang Nian’s little words.
"Don’t look, this is called professionalism." Brother Bao Song put on his headphones, moved on to start a new round.
On the other side.
Jiang Nian successfully arranged a private meeting with Zhang Ningzhi. Arriving early at the spot, he saw Zhang Ningzhi getting out of a car.
He then took out eyedrops and applied a bit.
Then strided over to the looking-around Zhizhi, opened his arms, and hugged steadily.
"Zhizhi, I missed you so much."
Zhang Ningzhi just wanted to struggle, but feeling a slight dampness on her neck, recalling what he said over the phone, she froze.
"You..."
"...Let go of me, people are watching."
"I won’t. Let them watch." Jiang Nian inhaled the fragrance on her neck, wondering what floral scent it was.
"You!!"
Zhang Ningzhi’s face turned red, pushed him, "Alright, let go or I’ll get upset."
At her words, he "reluctantly" let go.
"By the way."
"Here’s a flower for you."
Jiang Nian took out a mini flower from his pocket. A shortened rose, handing it over.
"Do you like it?"
Zhang Ningzhi pursed her lips but still huffed.
"Don’t like it."
He scratched his head awkwardly, "This rose is indeed a bit small, but there’s no flower shop nearby."
"How about this, close your eyes first."
"Why?"
"I’ll fluff up the flower, make it look bigger."
Zhang Ningzhi: "...."
"No way, that’s gross." Zhizhi said, but closed her eyes, "How many seconds?"
"Count to five," Jiang Nian said.
"Five.... four...."
Meanwhile, someone approached carrying flowers from a distance, handing them to Jiang Nian, then leaving.
Money can make the devil turn millstones.
"Two... one."
Zhang Ningzhi opened her eyes. The single rose was gone, replaced with.
A large, vibrant bouquet.
....
That day, Jiang Nian just took Zhang Ningzhi shopping. Also watched a movie before sending her back.
He wouldn’t bring it up, and Zhizhi wouldn’t ask.
With that bouquet of flowers, and the base laid by the eyedrop tears. Zhizhi couldn’t be openly angry for a while.
Or just turn her head and leave.
In any case, the day passed just like that, until Zhang Ningzhi realized she was home, and started sulking.
On the third day, Jiang Nian asked her out again.
This time, Zhang Ningzhi initially wanted to refuse or resist for a while, but then she thought about how enjoyable yesterday was.
And, the words left unsaid.
Anger welled up suddenly, she decisively said yes. And repeatedly recited words mentally, ready to question him harshly.
This time, Jiang Nian didn’t hug her. Instead, he brought her a gift, a delicate necklace.
"For Princess Zhizhi."
"Don’t want it!"
"Then forget it, I’ll return it." Jiang Nian said, but still put the necklace around her neck.
"Don’t move, it will be fastened soon."
"No." Zhang Ningzhi mumbled, her resistance already softened, "You hadn’t looked for me in so long."
"Don’t you want to see how it looks when you wear it?" Jiang Nian asked.
Zhang Ningzhi: "...."
Who would have thought, Jiang Nian brought a mirror.
This time, they arranged for a meal. The atmosphere was quiet, the place had good privacy, the lighting dim.
Once the food was served, it quieted down around them.
Zhang Ningzhi suddenly remembered the time in senior year. When she and Jiang Nian ate in the city together.
It was quiet around, with dim lighting.
In the end, they had a staff member take a photo of them together, she still keeps that photo now.
The reason she recalled it is because she had looked at it several times recently.
"This place looks familiar." Jiang Nian suddenly said, "Doesn’t it look like the place we ate together, and took a photo?"
Hearing this, Zhang Ningzhi pursed her lips.
"I don’t remember."
"Hmm?"
"Memory that bad?" Jiang Nian wondered, "It shouldn’t be, Zhizhi, early dementia has passed its time already."
"You!! You’re the one who’s senile!!" Zhang Ningzhi huffed angrily and threw a hot towel over.
Jiang Nian easily caught it, not at all bothered.
"Zhizhi."
"Can we make up?"
Zhang Ningzhi was stunned, and then said nothing.
"No."
"Why are you asking so late, why didn’t you ask before? You clearly forgot about me, you just don’t care about me!"
Jiang Nian thought for a moment and didn’t retort.
"How do you know I didn’t ask?"