Li Jing didn't refuse and let her push the suitcase, its wheels making a soft rattling noise on the ground.
This scene caught the attention of the boys around them, who kept turning their heads.
In the crowd, a man was struggling, dragging two bulky suitcases and slinging a canvas bag covered in cartoon prints over his shoulder. His girlfriend walking ahead turned back, frowning and chiding him:
"Can't you walk faster? You're so clumsy!"
The man looked at An Tong, who was being so attentive not far away, then glanced at his impatient girlfriend, and couldn't help but let out a sigh, truly understanding the phrase "comparison is the thief of joy."
Li Jing paid no mind to the gazes around him and walked alongside An Tong toward his car.
The spring sunlight slanted through the glass curtain wall, casting a golden edge on the two of them.
At the back of the car, An Tong neatly placed the luggage in the trunk, carefully arranged the fresh flowers on the back seat, and turned to open the passenger door for Li Jing.
Amid the hum of the engine starting, the car slowly exited the parking lot. Li Jing looked at the retreating street scene outside the window, then turned to An Tong, who was intently driving:
"Have you been busy lately? How have you been?"
"Although it's only been a little over a month, quite a lot has changed."
An Tong, holding the steering wheel, focused on the road ahead:
"Now my social dia account is quite stable, and the inco from advertisents and live streaming is pretty decent. Besides managing the account, I occasionally go to the company at the Cultural Park to give President Wei a little help."
She paused, then continued, "But mainly, I've been going to the hospital a lot lately since Xinxin's father doesn't quite understand the insurance reimbursents and check-up appointnts, so I've been keeping an eye on things there."
Li Jing's expression subtly changed at the ntion of "Zhang Xinxin":
"How is she doing now?"
The air in the car seed to montarily freeze, and An Tong's movents paused, causing the car to slow slightly. She spoke in a low voice:
"The doctor says she's currently in a stable period, but they still need to keep observing her..."
She took a deep breath, trying to make her tone light, "I arranged with her to take you to the hospital tomorrow. You should get a good rest today and recharge your energy."
After finishing the topic, An Tong seed to notice the atmosphere had turned a bit somber, so she took the initiative to change the subject:
"By the way, Director Wen Lan ca to look for you last month. She said there's a new movie she wants you to invest in. Since you weren't around, she left so gifts with and said she'd talk in detail when you got back."
She sighed, "Director Wen Lan is quite famous now; she seems busier than before."
Li Jing raised an eyebrow, recalling Wen Lan's high-spirited deanor when she shot that blockbuster movie, nodding:
"She's riding high now, and theoretically, she shouldn't be short on investnts... Perhaps she feels familiar working with ."
Then the two of them engaged in a casual chat, ranging from entertainnt industry gossip to funny stories about internet celebrities.
Unknowingly, the familiar gate barrier of their neighborhood appeared before them.
Today, An Tong was noticeably more excited than usual; she spoke faster, and there was a barely-concealed smile in her eyes and at the corners of her mouth.
Compared to her usual gentle and serene self, speaking slowly and calmly, she seed quite different.
It wasn't until Li Jing casually ntioned the Spring Festival that he learned An Tong had originally planned to stay longer in her hotown but rushed back overnight by changing her high-speed train ticket upon hearing he was returning.
Gazing at An Tong's smile and gentle deanor, Li Jing couldn't help but feel a bit touched.
When Li Jing and An Tong finally opened the door, the sight of freshly cut flowers arranged inside greeted them.
Dewdrops still clung to the light pink petals, like morning dew that hadn't yet dried, emanating a rich fragrance mixed with the freshness of nature, filling the air.
The entire room was spotless, the surfaces of the furniture glistening with a soft sheen, the windows bright and clean, letting sunlight filter through the sheer curtains, casting a warm glow throughout.
Cut flowers were neatly arranged at the entrance, on the windowsill, and on the coffee table, paired with simple yet elegant ornants, instantly transforming the sowhat empty house into a vibrant and cozy ho.
Seeing Li Jing slightly stunned, An Tong gently pressed her lips into a soft smile and quietly explained:
"I've been cleaning the room every day during this ti, and I haven't moved anything else. I've just been editing videos in the living room and handling so work on my laptop.
I still go back to my rented place to rest at night. Knowing you were coming back, I specially went to the flower market to pick these fresh cut flowers; they not only purify the air but also bring more vitality."
Looking at the newly transford ho, Li Jing felt a touch of emotion and sincerely said, "You've worked hard."
He then asked, "Hasn't anyone stayed here while I was gone?"
An Tong shook her head but quickly added, "But President Wei ca by a few tis and stayed here. I happened to run into her while I was cleaning."
Li Jing was montarily stunned, recalling he had lent the place to Wei Jia and hadn't expected her to actually stay.
However, he thought it was nice to have soone stay; it brought more life to the place and didn't dwell on it.
By this ti, An Tong had quickly headed to the kitchen, while turning her head back to say, "You sit down for a while. I've prepped the dishes beforehand; it will be ready in half an hour. Rest first, and I'll pour you so tea."
Before Li Jing could even sit in the living room, An Tong had already brought over a steaming cup of tea and then hurried back to the kitchen.
Soon, the sound of the stove igniting and the echoes of the spatula stirring in the pan beca continuous.
Li Jing intended to go in and help, but An Tong gently pushed him out of the kitchen, "You just got back and have been working hard for so long; take a good rest, let do it."
Li Jing, feeling both helpless and a sense of warmth, had to resign himself to sitting back on the sofa.
In less than twenty minutes, An Tong brought out four or five dishes, red-braised fish with bright colors, bright green stir-fried seasonal vegetables, and sweet and sour ribs with a tempting aroma...
Every dish was ticulously arranged, garnished with a few slices of fresh green onion.
Seeing the table full of familiar delicious food, slling the familiar scent from his mories, warmth surged in Li Jing's heart, and he couldn't help but praise, "Your cooking has gotten even better than before."
An Tong's eyes curved with her smile, "I've often fild cooking videos for my foodie account, and as I kept filming, my cooking skills naturally improved. Try it and see if it suits your taste?"
After she finished speaking, she sat obediently to the side, her eyes filled with anticipation.
Li Jing picked up his chopsticks and gently lifted a piece of sweet and sour rib, the sauce coating the crispy outer yet tender at, the taste was just right, imdiately awakening familiar yet surprising flavors on his tongue.
Whether it was because he hadn't tasted these familiar flavors for a long ti or An Tong's cooking had indeed improved, after a few bites, Li Jing couldn't help but open his eyes wide, his brows and eyes colored with astonishnt.
An Tong watched Li Jing's expression closely; seeing admiration light up in his eyes, a smile quickly spread across her face.
The two of them enjoyed this long-awaited al in harmony, the light clinking of porcelain bowls mingling with the aroma of the food, filling the room.
After the plates were cleaned up, An Tong swiftly tidied up the dishes and brought over warm mouthwash and freshly brewed jasmine tea.
She skillfully loaded the dishes into the dishwasher before starting to clean and tidy the kitchen.
After eating, Li Jing, weary from the journey, decided to take a shower to wash away the fatigue of travel.
When Li Jing returned to the living room post-shower, he saw An Tong tiptoeing to reach the fruit basket on top of the fridge, her hair gently swaying with her movents.
Seeing she might fall, Li Jing raised an eyebrow and quickly stepped forward to steady her:
"Alright, alright, you've been busy all morning; it's ti to rest. Arranging the house, picking up by car, cooking als — even an iron body would get tired."
An Tong, held in his arms, instinctively felt a blush on her cheeks, then imdiately explained once she was standing firm, "I'm fine; you sit here, and I'll just prepare so fruit for you."
Saying that, An Tong imdiately took the fruit and walked into the kitchen, looking as if she didn't need any rest.
Li Jing watched her unwilling to stop moving around and shook his head with a smirk, resignedly sitting back on the sofa, waiting for her to bring the fruit over.
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