Chapter 1364 - 892: Embrace (Part 2)
There was a spot by the roadside to shelter from the snow, though it wasn’t very spacious. The snow fell fast as he continued switching software to call a cab.
"Are you an idiot? Can’t you just stand over here?" Xu Qianqian’s annoyed voice, unable to bear it any longer, rang out.
Thus, the three of them stood together again.
Xiao Song was sandwiched in the middle, feeling slightly speechless. He glanced at Jiang Nian, then at Xu Qianqian.
"Has the car arrived yet?"
"Almost." Jiang Nian changed the topic, "Are you guys still thinking of heading back to Zhen Nan for the New Year this year?"
Hearing this, Song Xiyun turned her head.
"What?"
"You can stay in Yuhang, since I’m not around," Jiang Nian said, "I’m going back to Zhen Nan, so you can....."
"We don’t need you to take us in!!" Xu Qianqian glanced at him, "We have our own place."
"Okay." Jiang Nian nodded.
He indeed had plans to buy a house in Yuhang, but it wasn’t for himself, and he didn’t have much money anyway.
"By the way, I’m planning to change a house for my family this year."
After saying this, he paused again. Observing Xu Qianqian’s reaction, he saw her briefly stunned and continued.
"But my mom gave me a beating."
"Told me to get out."
"Huh?" Song Xiyun looked slightly surprised, casting a curious glance at Jiang Nian, "Why’s that?"
Jiang Nian picked and chose, sharing some truths.
"She wants to pay to buy you all a house too, so you can continue being neighbors, making it convenient to celebrate New Year’s together. I said....."
"We’re temporarily separated, and then....."
Actually, spending New Year is indeed complicated. Only the Jiang Family is in Zhen Nan, the relatives of the two women are all out of town.
Old Xu always returns during the holidays, but he only stays for two days during New Year’s.
Xiao Song’s side, her mom is settled in Yuhang. She just bought a house not long ago, probably won’t want to go back.
Jiang Nian hinted at two directions, testing the reactions of the two women. Their expressions were complex, unable to decide instantly.
"Serves you right!" Xu Qianqian shot a glare at Jiang Nian, "On New Year’s Eve, I’ll go back to have dinner."
"But, I’ll leave the next day."
Song Xiyun thought for a bit, ended up feeling quite conflicted. If she goes back to Zhen Nan, she’d leave her mom alone.
"I’m going back too, together with Qianqian."
....
Copper pot with meat.
Midway through, Jiang Nian took a trip to the bathroom. The date went smoothly, progress was made on the way.
At least, New Year’s plans were settled.
As for buying a house, it was just a formality. If Jiang Nian bought it, would Li Hongmei really ignore it?
For Xu Qianqian, as long as they could maintain contact, that was enough. Meeting today, having a meal tomorrow.
The day after tomorrow, maybe even scheduling a bath together wasn’t impossible.
As for Song Xiyun, her mom is still in Yuhang. Zhao Qiuxue took things easily and wouldn’t have much against Jiang Nian.
In any case, couldn’t escape.
After the meal, the snow had stopped. The three chose to walk back, and intermittently started chatting.
Xu Qianqian was just being stubborn. After saying she’d consider it last time, her attitude slowly softened.
It’s not like they wouldn’t meet.
This heartless Jiang Nian, over time. Expecting him to have one-track devotion, that’s truly a pipe dream.
Besides, the two women recently started preparing to sell clothes.
Under Zhao Qiuxue’s guidance, combined with their own understanding. Leaning on Jiang Nian’s resources, they were still struggling.
Moments of collapse were not few.
There’s never truly shared feeling unless the other party really walked a mile in your shoes.
So, back when Jiang Nian found time to accompany them, there wasn’t much feeling, just thinking oh.
It was expected.
Now, their thoughts hadn’t changed much. But they began to understand, it was challenging for Jiang Nian to carve out that time.
"How’s your company doing lately?" Song Xiyun asked.
"Pretty good."
Jiang Nian thought for a moment and added, "Just too tiring, traveling back and forth between two distant places is troublesome."
"When the time is right, I plan to step down."
"Why?" Xu Qianqian couldn’t help but speak up, "You finally got something going, just to give it up like this?"
"Can’t manage it, you can apply for a leave."
Jiang Nian shook his head but when asked the reason, he just glanced at the two women, then continued silently shaking his head.
"Then if I’m inviting you for dinner, would you have to fly back?"
Xu Qianqian: "..."
Song Xiyun: "..."
"You!!!" Xu Qianqian was speechless too, "Anyway it’s your own business, think it through yourself."
Jiang Nian naturally had thought it through but didn’t say much.
On campus, before parting.
Jiang Nian stopped, looking towards Xu Qianqian. He stared at her for a while, then tentatively reached out.
"Can I get a hug?"
Of course, Xiao Song too.
On the way back, he spoke of his future plans. Not really considering, just laying emotional groundwork.
An uncertain future, vague partings.
So, a hug.
It’s quite normal, right?
When the human brain is relaxed, it won’t actively think. Passively accepted information is only from within a few hours.
Jiang Nian would talk about New Year’s here, decline a school leave there, spouting words of flying, back and forth.
When this information is frequent, it would generate a result.
Leaving, a hug.
Just like, after the final exam ends, the PA plays music from "Outside the Long Pavilion," as a classmate discusses the benefits of transferring.
Before parting, suddenly says I’m going home.
Can I get a hug?
Even if you know, she’s very likely not transferring, she’d return after the vacation, and you’d meet again.
But....
Xu Qianqian feels just this way now, hesitating a bit, ultimately still couldn’t say no.
"...Okay."
She was just mad at Jiang Nian, not intending to push him away.
Woohoo~
Jiang Nian strode over, walking briskly with the wind. Afraid Xu Qianqian would change her mind, he directly hugged her tightly.
The hug lasted half a minute before he let go.
"Thank you."
Then, he turned around and hugged Song Xiyun. Xiao Song opened her mouth, her eyes filled with a surprised look.
Why not ask me?
Just hug?
But, Xiao Song didn’t push him away either. Three seconds later she convinced herself and hugged Jiang Nian back.
Physical touch can awaken more memories.
.....
On New Year’s Day.
Jiang Nian directly flew to Yuhang, coinciding with New Year’s holiday. He stayed in Yuhang for a week before returning to Beijing.
Incidentally, Yu Zhiyi flew over.
However, she quickly regretted it. Originally thinking, seeing West Lake on New Year’s Day could be quite nice.
Stretching the legs, shedding some pounds.
Once she was here, her legs wouldn’t move. Not a day went by without wanting to return to school, she left sullenly by the third.
"I’ve arrived!"
After arriving at school, Yu Zhiyi was pulling her suitcase to the school gate. She held her phone, messaging Jiang Nian.
"[Picture], it’s so cold."
"Not enough clothes?"
"No, the wind is blowing hard." Yu Zhiyi pursed her lips, "I’m wearing a scarf, just don’t feel well."
"(Wilted) Weak."
Jiang Nian: "??? (what are you talking about.jpg) Do women get weak too?"
Yu Zhiyi: "(what are you talking about.jpg) I’m not a robot; having some liquid flow out makes me weak, of course!!"
Jiang Nian: "Oh~"
Yu Zhiyi saw the "Oh~" pop up on the screen and blushed. Thinking this man was such a flirt.
She looked at the snow-covered sky and tucked her red scarf.
"I want to pursue a master’s degree."
"Sure, that’s great." Jiang Nian replied, "If your dad doesn’t support you, your dad will support you."
Yu Zhiyi: "..."
Is that even human talk?
"I don’t need support, (rolling eyes), I’ll rely on my own ability to get in!" She sent a fist emoji.
On the other side, Jiang Nian took a sip of hot coffee.
"Tsk."
"Boss, what’s wrong?" Zhang Wei peered over, "Is the coffee not to your taste? It was brewed to Manager Fan’s standard."
Good heavens, showing ingratiation while passing the buck.
Jiang Nian shook his head, waving for him to go back, "Not really, just a small matter, go ahead and tend to your business."
"Okay, boss."
The office quieted down again.
Jiang Nian thought for a while, next year when he’s ready to make a move, he could bring Zhang Wei along; he worked quite efficiently.
As for the young women.....