Chapter 1380 - 900: Distance_2
Facing the window by the water.
The three of them chatted aimlessly. After the snow stopped, they went out again and walked along the wet lakeside.
Maybe it’s because the lights were still on and they were surrounded by familiar people. As they walked, a sense of warmth unexpectedly arose.
Of course, Jiang Nian didn’t feel that way.
He was waiting all along, patiently. He didn’t hope for any result from this walk.
The conversation had no particular purpose.
When all techniques are exhausted, the decisive factor often has nothing to do with skill. The more deliberate it is, the more likely it is to fail.
"Zhen Nan has really changed, there used to be rapeseed blooming everywhere in the summer."
"Fewer and fewer people at Little Dragon Pond, everyone’s moving to the city. I heard it’s because the teachers at the school aren’t good."
"It’s a pity the temperature is high today; otherwise, the snow would look quite beautiful."
"We won’t head back so soon, next time maybe we could watch the sunset. But we’ll need to find another place, because here... hmm."
"Next year during New Year, I’m not sure how I’ll get home."
After a bunch of idle chatter, the three of them were tired from the walk. They headed back the way they came, waiting for Jiang Nian’s car to pick them up.
Song Xiyun looked up and glanced at the pitch-black sky. Then turned her head to look at her silent friend.
"Qianqian, what’s wrong?"
"Nothing."
On the way back, both women were tired and had little to say until they arrived at the parking lot downstairs.
Song Xiyun just got out of the car when she realized Xu Qianqian hadn’t moved.
"Qianqian?"
"You go up first, I have something to ask him." Xu Qianqian looked at her, her face expressionless.
"Huh?" Song Xiyun felt a bit worried.
These two won’t start fighting, will they? If they really do, should she intervene to prevent it from getting worse?
After all, they’ll need to keep in touch in the future.
If they really fall out... hmm.
"Should I wait for you over there?" Song Xiyun asked tentatively, "You can come straight up after you finish talking..."
"No need, you go ahead first."
"Oh, okay."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Nian in the driver’s seat couldn’t help but tense up. What was going on, was she really going to ask him something?
It seemed fine, after all, they had already had one big blow-up.
There wasn’t much to hide.
Yet, there are things one shouldn’t ask. If she did ask something untoward, he’d be in trouble.
Feeling anxious, he spoke first.
"What’s wrong?"
"Nothing, start driving," Xu Qianqian pointed towards the exit of the parking garage, "Drive out first, then we’ll talk."
Jiang Nian: "???"
Once he drove out of the parking garage, he felt less nervous. He thought that if it were really something important, she wouldn’t have been expressionless.
Finding a quiet spot, he parked.
Jiang Nian rolled down the window, unbuckled his seatbelt, and got out. He moved to the backseat to sit with Xu Qianqian.
"Go ahead and ask."
If this didn’t go well, he’d return to Beijing first. It sounded a bit callous, but he was practical.
Find another time to come back.
Estimating that retribution might come later, but in the short term, he wouldn’t contact Xu Qianqian and her friends, waiting for the next opportunity.
"Is your apartment in Yuhang still not vacated?" Xu Qianqian asked.
"No."
Jiang Nian was stunned; he had prepared for everything but didn’t expect her first question to be about this.
"Still the same, what’s the matter?"
"Nothing, let’s talk at your apartment," Xu Qianqian said, opening the car door to move to the front passenger seat.
...
The elevator ascended with a ding.
"17A floor....."
They stepped out of the elevator and looked at the shoe rack by the door. There were only three pairs of slippers and some sneakers on it.
The pink pair belonged to Xiao Song, and the yellow ones were Xu Qianqian’s.
"Change your shoes," Jiang Nian said.
"Okay."
"I’ll find the keys." Jiang Nian bowed his head, took out the keys from his bag, and thought to himself that fortunately he tidied up yesterday.
Opportunities do not favor those who are unprepared.
Jiang Nian felt this strongly. Yesterday, he just casually tidied up the apartment.
Including putting the slippers outside.
If Zhizhi flew straight here, then he’d terminate the lease. Or if someone in this building jumped off, he’d temporarily have to find elsewhere to go.
Because loft dwellers are commonly seen flying off the handle.
Such places are generally favored by young people. Occasionally quarrels break out, leading to impulsive actions.
Crazy elbow drops on the ground.
The door opened, and with a click, the lights were turned on.
Xu Qianqian glanced around; the apartment was as she remembered. Even the placement of things hadn’t changed.
Still spotless, clean, and spacious.
After entering, Jiang Nian didn’t rush to ask questions. His expression was calm, boiling water for tea and hanging up clothes.
After sitting down, Xu Qianqian got right to the point.
"What do you want to do?"
"About what?"
"Our relationship," Xu Qianqian stared at him, "between friends, would you help with anything?"
"Well, I’m quite enthusiastic in helping."
"What about people who aren’t attractive?"
"Uh, even then I have my principles."
Xu Qianqian: "..."
"Looking good isn’t your fault," Jiang Nian said, "But if it were you, even if you weren’t as pretty..."
"I’d still help you, no need to worry."
"You’re the ugly one!!"
"Whether I’m ugly or not is evident," Jiang Nian shrugged, "but regarding being generous and righteous, there’s no denying it."
"So, you intend to drag this out?"
"It’s not really dragging," Jiang Nian initially planned to explain, but realized that didn’t quite seem right; hadn’t he mentioned this already?
Surely Xu Qianqian didn’t come here in the middle of the night just to argue.
If they ended up fighting, he’d be at a loss.
He thought for a moment, then changed his tone, "Calm down first, do you want something to drink tonight?"
"No."
"How about milk tea? It’s still open now."
"No....." Xu Qianqian was about to refuse, but when the words came to her lips, they changed to, "Is that herbal jelly place still open?"
"It is."
Without a second thought, Jiang Nian pulled her along downstairs and into the car, he turned on the GPS, and casually reached for Xu Qianqian’s little hand.
If the problem can’t be solved, deal with the person who raised the problem first.
"Where are you touching?"
"Sorry, my hand slipped," Jiang Nian’s face remained unchanged, "These few days, I’ve been feeling uncomfortable with my heart."
"Why?"
"I don’t know, maybe because I haven’t been sleeping well at night," he said quietly, "Feels like I slept but didn’t really sleep."
"Go see a doctor?"
"I’m too lazy to go, shouldn’t be anything serious," Jiang Nian said, "Probably just dreams, everything else is fine."
Xu Qianqian glanced at him and then looked away.
"Are you lying to me?"
"Absolutely not, why would I lie to you?" Jiang Nian said, "You don’t live at my place, why would I have nothing better to do than make stuff up?"
Xu Qianqian frowned and sipped some herbal jelly.
"Why would I go to your place?"
"Have you ever stayed at someone else’s house?" Jiang Nian glanced at her, "Even at Xiao Song’s house, you’re probably not used to it, right?"
"After all, her mom is there too. Having elders around always feels awkward, even if that person is my mom."
In the passenger seat, Xu Qianqian snorted coldly.
"Stop trying to sow discord."
"I’m not."
The car fell silent for a moment, and at a red light at the intersection, Jiang Nian casually asked.
"Going back to Xiao Song’s place?"
Xu Qianqian didn’t respond, seemingly still considering.
"Yes."
"Okay, I’ll set up navigation," Jiang Nian said slowly, then after driving a short distance, he suggested again.
"How about resting for a night? Treat it as staying at a hotel?"
Xu Qianqian: ".....Ahh you!! You’re annoying, where I go is none of your business! So annoying!"
Jiang Nian’s lips curved into a smile, and he pressed the accelerator to head back to the apartment.
In the elevator, Xu Qianqian was silent. She held the herbal jelly until they reached the door, where she suddenly spoke.
"I don’t have any pajamas."
"Wear mine, I have several sets." Jiang Nian entered, squeezed toothpaste for her, and conveniently found some pajamas.
"So let’s clarify first, you’re not allowed to act out," Xu Qianqian said, "You yourself said we’re just friends."
"No problem, I’m the most principled person."
Night fell.
Jiang Nian turned off the lights and came upstairs step by step. He didn’t disguise the sound of his footsteps and lay on the other side of the bed.
Just lying there, staring at the pitch-black ceiling.
"Hey?"
"What?"
"Are you asleep?"
Xu Qianqian: "Get farther away."
With that, she kicked Jiang Nian under the covers, "Maintain a friendly distance or I’ll beat you."
"I just wanted to ask, what did you tell Xiao Song."