Chapter 1367 - 894: Do You Really Like Me?
Before New Year’s, Jiang Nian also returned to Zhen Nan.
He drove to Yunmu Town, planning to visit ahead of time because he wouldn’t have much time after the New Year.
"Are you really coming?"
"Yep."
"Alright... alright then." Chen Yunyun was speaking to him over a voice call, "Don’t bring too much stuff."
"We might have relatives over before the New Year."
"Really?"
Jiang Nian was quite composed; it’s not like he hadn’t met parents before. But when it came to speaking, he changed his words.
"There’s nothing to be afraid of, after all it’s not the first time meeting your parents."
"Okay, I’ll meet you at the intersection."
When the car stopped at the intersection, he didn’t see Chen Yunyun. Just as he braked, urging honks immediately came from behind.
Jiang Nian acted as if he didn’t hear them, prepared to get out and walk around the car. He scratched his head, pretending the car had stalled.
Before he opened the car door, Chen Yunyun rushed over hurriedly.
The girl was panting, face flushed, as she sat in the passenger seat, "Sorry, I’m late."
"It’s okay, let’s go." Jiang Nian said.
With a click, Chen Yunyun fastened her seatbelt. The car slowly started, threading its way through the crowded streets.
"The street is so lively."
"Yes, it is." Chen Yunyun brushed her hair, "It’s like this during the New Year, lots of people set up stalls."
The street was bustling with people selling clothes, snacks, couplets, with crowds moving through.
Jiang Nian remembered the year he was in senior high, it was during New Year’s time, a group of people including Lin Dong were selling firecrackers for fun.
What a memory... the same place last year at this time.
The two parked the car downstairs and went upstairs together. The door was open, with several relatives chatting warmly in the living room.
Just at the top of the stairs, chatting sounds could be heard from afar.
"What? My uncle is here too?" Chen Yunyun froze, instinctively taking a step back.
Jiang Nian turned around, wearing a puzzled expression, "Minister was ready to fight to the death, why did His Majesty surrender first?"
Chen Yunyun: "..."
They went inside.
The group suddenly paused their conversation and all looked at the two people. Chen Yunyun blushed, while Jiang Nian was grinning.
"Hello, Uncle and Aunt, I’m here to pay a New Year’s visit."
"You must be Uncle, right?"
"Happy New Year, I’m Yunyun’s high school classmate. Are you her cousin or her nephew? You’re really strong."
Jiang Nian wandered around, handing the gifts to Mrs. Chen. Then he took out cigarettes and handed them out to each person.
He also lit one, holding it without smoking. After chatting for a while, he flicked off the ash and put it out.
He got up naturally and distributed another round.
This time he didn’t light up, he went to sit next to Chen Yunyun. After sitting down, he started looking around.
"What are you looking for?" Chen Yunyun asked, puzzled.
"Playing with cats and dogs, isn’t this a tradition when meeting parents?" Jiang Nian chuckled, resting his hand on hers.
"We don’t keep pets at home; they tend to get lost easily." Chen Yunyun pursed her lips, since downstairs is the busy street.
And also, the house isn’t very big.
"It’s alright, we don’t have pets either," he said casually, yet his hand stayed on Chen Yunyun’s.
She tensed for a moment, forgetting to pull back.
Plus, with many people in the living room, they spoke softly and unintentionally leaned closer, appearing intimate.
Mr. Chen was chatting with relatives; he didn’t glance at the two, seemingly pleased.
Mrs. Chen looked radiant, busily chatting in the kitchen with her sister-in-law about family issues.
Occasionally, she would step out and glance at her daughter.
"Wash your hands, we’ll eat soon."
"Oh, we..." Chen Yunyun wanted to call Jiang Nian, but when she turned her head, she realized her hand was still being held.
Jiang Nian showed no sign of letting go, gave her a look.
"Let’s go together."
"Okay."
At the dining table, the adults began toasting each other. Since Jiang Nian drove, he naturally declined to drink.
In the afternoon, the two went out shopping.
Chen Yunyun would point to a store, saying that when she was in elementary school, this store was already open.
The boss of which shop, where there were classmates.
Jiang Nian listened like this, walking through the area. It felt like walking through her past, intruding into her life.
He realized Chen Yunyun quite enjoyed this.
At the beginning of the year when they settled things, Jiang Nian almost thought it might take two to three years to smooth the relationship.
Unexpectedly, it was quicker than anticipated.
"That’s the middle school in our town." Chen Yunyun pointed to the school gate not far away, Yunmu Middle School.
"I attended junior high here; the school often made us do frog jumps back then."
"Why?"
"The entrance exam included standing long jumps." Chen Yunyun explained, and they ended up in a secluded spot.
"Why did we come here?"
She muttered, and as soon as she turned back, Jiang Nian embraced her, then tentatively lowered his head.
He paused, seeing she didn’t struggle.
So he continued to lower his head, pressing gently on the girl’s red lips. Just a light touch, not deep.
Jiang Nian didn’t actually know how to gauge the extent, but each time he would observe the atmosphere, acting on intuition.
He felt a light touch was better than a deep kiss.
As for the reason, it was most likely because he could sense Chen Yunyun was quite nervous or perhaps uneasy.
...
"You’re just leaving?"
"How about staying over tonight? We’re almost ready for dinner."
"No need, no need," Jiang Nian skillfully declined, "It’s hard to see the road clearly if it’s too late."
In the end, Mrs. Chen insisted on giving him several bags.
While Jiang Nian was speaking, Chen Yunyun stood by, looking at Mrs. Chen, then at Jiang Nian.
"It’s nothing valuable, just take it."
"..... alright."
It wasn’t dark yet, just after four in the afternoon. With winter’s short days and long nights, Jiang Nian prepared to drive away.
Chen Yunyun followed, paused as she watched.
Jiang Nian watched the girl retreat in the rearview mirror, feeling a mix of emotions, then backed up again.
"Do you want to say something?"
"I..." Chen Yunyun turned her head, avoiding Jiang Nian’s gaze, "My parents quite like you."