Chapter 1238: Chapter 829: Li Lanying Is Back_2

"...I just said it casually, no need for you to respond immediately."

"What?"

"Because I don’t lack time," Li Qingrong lowered her eyes, "I just need you by my side."

"Hmm." Jiang Nian took a sip of porridge, feeling a bit intellectually outmatched; women are more complicated than math problems.

Alas, he’s not good at math either.

The current situation slightly exceeded his plan. He could only take it one step at a time and deal with matters later.

In the morning, the two went out for a stroll.

Being summer vacation, everywhere was crowded with people. The more famous the spot, the more people queued there.

The Great Wall, Shichahai, Prince Gong Mansion, crowded with individuals and various tour groups, family outings.

Just starting a relationship, naturally not fond of noise.

The two found a quiet place, strolling hand in hand, sunlight filtering through the lush leaves casting patches of light.

"It’s so hot."

Jiang Nian couldn’t stand it anymore; this weather... nearing noon is really unsuitable for going out, and he was starting to sweat.

Wanted to find an air-conditioned room to stay in until 4 p.m.

"Qingqing, aren’t you hot?"

"It was hot last night."

Jiang Nian: "..."

How did he not notice before, the class president is a bit sneaky.

But people are inherently contradictory, like pieces of a puzzle, finding their other half in a sea of people.

Some puzzles are lucky, nurtured by a loving family and growth environment, becoming well-assembled.

If luckier, they find their right partner. When they connect, they become lifelong companions.

Most people aren’t that lucky.

For various reasons, a piece of the puzzle is missing in their hearts, and life becomes incomplete.

People attribute it to fate.

The piece Qingqing is missing is Li Lanying. Zhizhi’s missing piece is her parents, Xu Qianqian and Xiao Song complete each other.

Chen Yunyun lacks confidence, Wang Yuhe lacks Chen Yunyun.

And it’s a closed loop.

Jiang Nian lacks nothing, he can bear anything. Rarely confused, never lost.

But still faces every hurdle.

....

In the afternoon, just past four, the two went for hot pot. With some unease, the food tasted bland.

A spring breeze in the air and troubled thoughts, they are completely different flavors.

Amid the rising mist, Jiang Nian took a sip of cola.

"Tomorrow, your sister will be back."

"Hmm."

"Do you think I should stay at the hotel?" He fiddled with the glass, "Staying at your place just doesn’t feel right."

"Hotels are dirty," she said.

"Really? I usually sleep in my clothes," Jiang Nian gestured, "don’t cover up, just go to sleep."

"I’m not going to the hotel," Li Qingrong said without looking up.

"I wasn’t asking you to..." Halfway through, Jiang Nian suddenly realized, "Oh~~"

"Wait, are you serious?"

Li Qingrong: "..."

She pursed her lips, staring at Jiang Nian for a while, ultimately said nothing, continued eating, glancing at him occasionally.

"Mind your own business?"

Jiang Nian: "...."

Alright, impressive.

He doesn’t mind, but figured by tomorrow morning, he’d have to find a place to store his luggage.

Hotels are too expensive, six or seven hundred per night. Considered storing it in a locker starting from the morning for two nights.

Dusk fell quickly.

Hand in hand, they strolled through the streets, moving from the bustling street corners. There were people everywhere, hard to avoid the busy streets.

They turned into a park, walking further in. Fewer people around, occasionally encountering someone playing and singing with a guitar.

Side by side, they stood for a while.

The street performer got enthusiastic, already starting to invite "audience" participation, while the bystanders were more inclined to watch from afar.

Seeing the situation might get tricky, Jiang Nian felt like hiding.

Yet he didn’t, glancing around. Guessing there weren’t many people, given the singer’s performance was quite average.

As expected, he got invited.

Standing beside him, Li Qingrong was a bit curious. She subconsciously lowered her voice, leaning closer to his ear.

"What will you sing?"

"I don’t know; I’ve heard too many songs." Jiang Nian said, "The only one I can think of is ’Sunny Day’."

"Just like how I think of you every day."

Li Qingrong: "...."

This guy, given a chance, could catch a breath and still have time for a joke. Optimism is his main theme.

"Go sing then."

"Alright."

Initially, Li Qingrong didn’t have high hopes. But after listening for a while, it felt quite decent.

So, she took out her phone to record a clip.

The bystanders came back, though they didn’t dare get too close. Afraid they’d also be invited up.

No one wanted the embarrassment of being on stage.

After one part ended, Jiang Nian didn’t dawdle. He quickly moved through the crowd, pulling Li Qingrong along as they made their way out.

"Slow down," she said.

"Let’s get out first," Jiang Nian insisted, "First time performing for an audience, it’s quite embarrassing."

Li Qingrong’s lips curled upward, "First time?"

"Yeah."

In reality, Jiang Nian thought first times were cheap. The first time resets every day, just as long as you forget quickly, it’s a first time again.

If you don’t commemorate it, you’re always new.

He wouldn’t brag about it, just didn’t think much of it.

Practicality above all else.

They wandered back to the apartment, first taking a bath upon going upstairs. Even though there was a bathtub, neither mentioned bathing together.

After all, it wasn’t their place.

Plus, Li Lanying was there.

And last night’s impulsive incident still lingered. Once calm, there was still some embarrassment.

Shameful feelings lingered.

Jiang Nian bathed quickly, played with his phone in the guest room. He stumbled upon a message, Li Hua went to Yuhang.

"Hmm?"

"What’s this Chi Shi doing over there?"

He opened his private chat, sent a question mark to Li Hua.

"You went to Yuhang?"

Li Hua: "(Sunglasses) What, jealous of your buddy, huh? This place is full of beauties."

Jiang Nian: "I’m here too."

Li Hua: "???!!!"

"Buddy, I’m here selling clothes in Yuhang," Jiang Nian typed back, "You rascal, what are you doing on my turf?"

"Chi Shi!!" Li Hua replied speechlessly, "When did Yuhang become your territory? I’m here for a summer job."

"Doing what?"

"Not sure, making videos I guess," Li Hua sent a screenshot, "Anyway, I’m just here doing grunt work."

"Occasionally, appearing on screen."

"Drunk son, right?" Jiang Nian sent a few emojis, "Your friend’s mother series looking for people now?"

"Hua, your talents are diverse."

"Chi Shi, Chi Shi!!"

Li Hua cursed a bit, then got curious, "You’re in Yuhang selling clothes, what about the class president and them?"

"I heard you all applied to universities in the same place."

"Who said that?" Jiang Nian was shocked.

"Yao Beibei, who else could it be," Li Hua said, "But since we graduated, few follow this stuff anymore."

"Oh yeah, Cai Xiang seems to be headed to Beijing too."

Jiang Nian: "Makes sense."

Suddenly, there was a knock on the room door.

Jiang Nian looked up, quickly replied to Li Hua, "Gotta go, buddy’s gotta get to work."

Li Hua: "(Surprised) Working this hard?"

Jiang Nian: "It’s what being a dad is like."

"Chi Shi!"

...

The night grew deeper.

In the dimly lit room, Jiang Nian glanced up at Li Qingrong, clearly a bit weary.

"Don’t force it."

But all he got was....

A sigh.

As dawn broke, Jiang Nian was up early. He quietly returned to the guest room, then started his morning routine.

Didn’t prepare breakfast, no need really.

All style, no substance.

Anyway, class president likely won’t wake up anytime soon. Lunch plans were more practical.

The times are progressing, this idea.....

He took his small suitcase out the door, found a nearby metal locker to store it, then simply looked for a place to rest.

He wasn’t tired, but Li Lanying was coming back today.

Awkward.

If the three met, it’d probably be awkward for her too. After all, coming all this way.

No explanation possible, had to accept it.

Soon, midday.

Li Qingrong lazily woke up, stayed in bed for a bit. Enjoyed some quiet time, yet had to get up eventually.

Sluggishly she washed, changed, then went out.

"Where are you?"

She called, Jiang Nian answered immediately, then gave an address, already booked a dining spot.

"Hmm." Li Qingrong hung up, feeling especially relieved. She wasn’t someone who expressed feelings easily.

Looking at herself in the mirror, she smiled slightly.