Chapter 1384 - 902: Restoration (2)
But, Jiang Nian only found out through Yao Beibei afterwards. He wasn’t too concerned about it.
Zhizhi is always angry, isn’t she?
She understands work matters. After all, it’s not like he’s looking for another woman, which is much more proper by comparison.
"Damn, it seems like I..."
"I’m kind of a jerk, huh." Jiang Nian mused to himself in the office during a work break, resting his feet on the desk and stroking his chin.
Luckily, Xu Qianqian and Lisa both are now busy making money, and they don’t have the time to cling to Jiang Nian endlessly.
The water flows east, and people look towards money.
Xu Qianqian’s personality is such that she wouldn’t depend on Jiang Nian. Regardless of what’s happening around her, one must have their own life.
Otherwise, it’s easy to feel lost.
The next day.
Jiang Nian flew directly to Beijing and called Li Qingrong as soon as he landed. The class president had no time, and they only arranged for a lunch.
He wasn’t surprised by this.
Qingqing is relatively rational and doesn’t have the freakish energy of Jiang Nian, making multitasking difficult.
Back in her freshman year, she had already completed all her courses.
If she had really hung out with Jiang Nian back then, she probably wouldn’t have even had the chance to do odd jobs in the lab now.
At noon, the two met in a restaurant.
Li Qingrong looked the same, with fairer skin. Her figure was a little lean, but she appeared to be in good shape.
"You’ve arrived?"
"Yeah, why are you even thinner?" Jiang Nian sat down, feeling a slight pang of concern, "Do you have to read so much?"
Hearing this, Li Qingrong rolled her eyes.
"Ha."
"...I mean, take care of your health." Jiang Nian felt awkward, and Qingqing can’t be whined at when she’s busy.
Not exactly nagging, but it still causes some anxiety.
Everyone’s busy.
Being busy is good.
Jiang Nian needs time now, and it just so happens to align. He estimates that in another year, things will get better.
The class president won’t be busy forever and will gradually slow down.
"Yeah, I’m aware of it, it doesn’t affect having kids." Li Qingrong picked up her teacup, her first comment was quite explosive.
Jiang Nian: "..."
"No, that’s not what I meant." he said, "I’m more concerned about your health, don’t exhaust yourself."
Li Qingrong put the teacup down, hesitated a bit.
"My stamina... isn’t what it used to be. If you want, maybe next week, but it’s not convenient recently."
Jiang Nian was embarrassed, wondering about his image.
"No, I’m saying..."
He was at a loss for words, "Anyway, just take care... never mind, give me your hand."
Jiang Nian was about to Nourish her, but suddenly remembered this was a restaurant, and froze again.
It’s not home, not very convenient.
"Hmm?" Li Qingrong extended her hand.
"Your hand is so thin, and you say everything’s fine?" Jiang Nian touched it and let go, "I’ll bring you some supplements next week."
Li Qingrong tilted her head, looking at him in confusion.
"Oh."
Her expression seemed to say, ’You’re still saying that wasn’t your intention? Obviously, it was. Just admit it.’
"I..." Jiang Nian was at a loss for words.
After the meal, they found a nearby park to stroll around before parting ways, ultimately staying clear.
...
That night.
Jiang Nian arranged to meet Yao Beibei, and they met in a restaurant. However, he had reserved three spots, wanting to see how things would unfold first.
"Long time no see."
"Yeah." Yao Beibei sat down and got ready to eat, "Long time no see, I’m starving, thanks for the treat."
"Where’s Zhizhi?"
"She didn’t come."
"Really?" Jiang Nian grabbed the hand she was using to hold her chopsticks, "Are you some starving ghost? Eat later."
Yao Beibei: "...."
Recently, the two had been interacting frequently. Being familiar and unconcerned with strict etiquette, grabbing hands or tugging at each other was routine for them, completely unremarkable in their desensitized environment.
"Let me have a bite."
"No way."
"How can I talk without any energy?" Yao Beibei was somewhat infected by Jiang Nian, becoming a bit slippery.
Jiang Nian thought for a moment and released her.
"Go ahead."
After taking a few bites, Yao Beibei looked up at him, "Zhizhi did come, she just didn’t want me to tell you."
"Where is she hiding?"
"She hasn’t arrived yet, she’ll sneak in later," she said, "planning to come by and catch a glimpse of you."
Jiang Nian was at a loss, knowing this was something Zhizhi would do.
"Whose idea was this bright one?"
"Not mine."
"Alright, finish eating first, I’ll go wait at the entrance." Jiang Nian got up, ordering drinks as well.
Yao Beibei: "Oh."
Meanwhile, Jiang Nian stepped outside.
He noticed a server approaching from the corner of his eye and gestured as if he was about to smoke.
Though he didn’t actually have any cigarettes, he could pull one out at any time. With a pack of Lotus in his pocket, there would be one more suffering Liu Yang in the world.
After a while, Zhizhi indeed arrived.
Nervous and keeping her eyes on the store, she didn’t pay attention to her surroundings, and was caught on the spot.
"Long time no see."
"Ah!!" Zhang Ningzhi felt her arm being grabbed, and startled, she calmed down only when she realized it was Jiang Nian.
"You...you!!"
"What?" Jiang Nian released her, finding it somewhat amusing, "Why didn’t you reply to my messages?"
"Reply...to what?" Zhang Ningzhi pouted her lips.
Jiang Nian was silent for a moment, not answering directly. Zhizhi had been the most stable, but had been sad for a long time.
No matter what, guilt lingers.
"Did you eat yet?"
"No." Zhang Ningzhi shook her head.
Jiang Nian didn’t say much more, leading Zhang Ningzhi to sit together, ordering a few more dishes before starting to eat.
So, they ended up having an impromptu meal together.
After dinner, Jiang Nian offered to send the two girls back. Zhang Ningzhi initially wanted to stubbornly refuse, but was given a nudge by Yao Beibei.
"He’ll run off again."
Zhang Ningzhi: "...."
She pursed her lips, waiting for Jiang Nian’s return. Yet, she didn’t make a sound, quietly getting into the car.
The destination was still the duplexes.
Jiang Nian knew the way, and during the journey, only Yao Beibei interacted with him, making him suspect the situation.
There was tension.
In hindsight, it was his fault. Over the winter vacation, he was mainly over in Zhen Nan and even had some gatherings.
Claiming to be busy seemed insincere.
In the company of two, always a teacher exists. This leisurely pace didn’t involve finding Zhang Ningzhi.
Anyone’s mindset would be upset.
Yet, Jiang Nian still maintained his composure. Upon reaching their destination, he intentionally left the two women at the villa’s entrance.
"I’m not going in."
Zhang Ningzhi turned her head, didn’t care to look at him.
"Mm."
"I forgot to buy flowers, I’ll come by later." Jiang Nian said, pausing deliberately.
"You... wouldn’t not let me in, would you?"
The question was thrown back again.
"No way!!" Zhang Ningzhi pouted angrily, almost walking away, but worried Jiang Nian would misunderstand.
"Aren’t you living quite comfortably outside?"
"It’s alright, Old Liu takes care of things," Jiang Nian said, "he’s helping me find a house to buy."
Once more, he diverted the conversation.
Yao Beibei was surprised, somewhat curiously asked.
"Where are you buying?"
"Near Nanjiang Bay in Zhen Nan." Jiang Nian looked at Zhizhi, "Nanjiang Bay is too expensive, and no houses are ready."
Zhang Ningzhi pursed her lips, her family no longer lived there. Although the house wasn’t sold, it was left vacant.
"Why didn’t you talk to me?"
"Baby, you ignored me."
"Hmph!!!"
Eventually, Zhang Ningzhi softened, giving him a side-eye, "Don’t buy the flowers, just come up together."
"I can’t." Jiang Nian shook his head.
Under his insistence, the two women went up first. He did go buy flowers, but it was just an excuse.
After going upstairs, Zhizhi found a pair of earrings inside a bouquet of flowers.
"For you." Jiang Nian smiled and said, "I wanted to give it to you during the New Year, but was too busy in Yuhang."
Along the way, he gave Yao Beibei a gift as well.
"You have one too."
Simple and unremarkable, a golden leaf.
Yao Beibei: "???"
She didn’t expect to receive a souvenir, "I ate too much, I’ll go downstairs for a walk."
With that, she quickly slipped away.
Zhang Ningzhi: "...."
In an instant, only Jiang Nian and Zhang Ningzhi were left in the living room. They fell silent, and the atmosphere turned cold.