"By the way, it seems like we lost contact before. After I went abroad, I changed my number, and I forgot the password for my old WeChat account, so I didn’t look for it. If it’s convenient, let’s exchange contact details now. I’ll be returning to Nancheng soon, and we can arrange a ti to have a al together. Your Senior Brother Zhu returned to Nancheng over a month ago, and we were just talking about you the other day. We ntioned that you are now an associate professor at Nanda. I didn’t expect to see you here today."
Hearing this, Jiang Baizhou hesitated for a few seconds, then released Cen Jin’s hand, took out a business card from the inner pocket of his coat, and handed it to her: "Senior, my phone number is on here, and the WeChat ID is also the sa number."
Zhu Qinghan took it with a smile, raised her eyebrows, and waved the business card in her hand: "Okay, I’ll keep this for now. I’ll add you on WeChat later, make sure to accept it! Let’s catch up another ti. My friend is waiting for over there, so I’ll head over first. I won’t disturb you and your wife’s candlelit dinner; enjoy your trip!"
"Hmm."
Before Zhu Qinghan took a step, her eyes swept over Cen Jin and she said with a smile, "Jiang Baizhou, when we et up again, you have to bring your beautiful wife along. Don’t be too stingy to share!"
Cen Jin heard this and smiled sowhat bashfully but didn’t say anything. After all, it was her first ti eting Zhu Qinghan, and she hadn’t t Zhu Qinghan during Jiang Baizhou’s university years, so it wasn’t appropriate to appear too enthusiastic, nor too reserved as that might seem petty. A gentle smile was enough.
Zhu Qinghan caught her eye, noted the smile on her face, a hint of deep aning flashed in her eyes, and after exchanging a few more pleasantries with Jiang Baizhou, she clicked her heels and went over to her friend.
After sitting down again, Cen Jin propped her head on one hand, gazing at the calm-looking Jiang Baizhou, and said with a laugh: "Your senior is really pretty! She has such a nice deanor."
Jiang Baizhou montarily paused with the knife and fork in hand, looked up at her sincere smile, and felt sothing was off but couldn’t pinpoint it. After pondering briefly, he finally spoke: "Not as pretty as you."
Cen Jin’s eyes widened, finding his rare complint hard to believe, especially with his sowhat stern face. She suddenly sensed a strong desire to please emanating from him. She raised her eyebrows and accepted his praise without restraint: "Hmm, good taste."
"Naturally," Jiang Baizhou replied boldly, without a hint of embarrassnt.
He always believed his taste, especially in people, was pretty spot-on. Maybe not ten out of ten, but at least eight or nine. In the case of Nie Cenjin, he was particularly proud.
Cen Jin laughed, glancing at him: "Do you even know what the words ’sha’ or ’humility’ an?"
"Highly educated, I’m not lacking in those words."
Listening to his confident pretext, Cen Jin’s mouth twitched slightly. She knew she couldn’t out-argue him when it ca to such sophistry because he could always turn black into white. Therefore, she never bothered to engage in a debate in this area—it’s better to play to one’s strengths!
After finishing their al, Jiang Baizhou paid the bill, took Cen Jin’s hand, and left the restaurant. The street lights were dazzling, the neon srizing, yet the north wind was biting, sending chills down their spines.
"Are you cold?" Jiang Baizhou turned his head to ask when he felt her petite figure snuggling closer to him.
Cen Jin lifted her face, chattering her teeth, and nodded: "Hmm, a little, the wind is quite strong tonight."
As soon as she finished speaking, Jiang Baizhou let go of her hand, wrapped his long arm around her, and gazed at her delicate face. With lips pursed, he pondered for a mont and seed to recall sothing. He released his hold, squatted in front of her, and said: "Get on."
Cen Jin was taken aback, glancing around at the people nearby. Seeing him already squatting with his hands behind him, indicating for her to climb on, a look of embarrassnt crossed her face: "What... what are you doing?"
"Carrying you."
"I... I just said I’m a bit cold, why carry ? It’s not necessary, get up." Cen Jin couldn’t help both laughing and crying. Her heart felt warm, but with so many people on the street watching, it was quite embarrassing and awkward!
"Didn’t you say you were tired before? Get on."
"No need. The hotel isn’t far from here either..."
"It’s about a ten-minute walk, you want to walk?" Jiang Baizhou turned his head, interrupting her words.
"..."
Cen Jin was speechless. She had been walking all day in sneakers, and her feet were genuinely tired. After resting for a bit in the restaurant, she felt slightly better, but having to walk for another ten minutes didn’t appeal to her. Not to ntion, taking a taxi for that distance was not worth it, considering the taxi start fare was too pricey.
"Hmm?" Jiang Baizhou waited for a while and noticed Cen Jin still didn’t move. He uttered a light note, his gaze fixed on her slightly embarrassed face, and understood what she was thinking. He took a few steps closer, maintaining his serious and sowhat justified tone: "I’m carrying my own wife; who dares to have any opinion? Get on." With that, he gently pulled her hand down and effortlessly supported her legs, lifting her up with ease.
Cen Jin, in a daze, found herself being carried by him, her hands resting on his shoulders. The previous ti he carried her flashed through her mind; then, she had an injured leg and couldn’t walk easily. He had just as effortlessly lifted her then.
"Too light, eat more when we get back." Jiang Baizhou walked a few steps with her on his back, slightly adjusting her weight, and said gruffly with a frown.
"How light? Before coming to Milan, I checked my weight and even after marrying you, I’ve gained more than four pounds!" Cen Jin felt she needed to defend herself on this; after all, girls are always quite sensitive about their figure and weight.
"Not enough," Jiang Baizhou replied flatly with just two words.
"I’m not discussing this with you; you don’t understand." Cen Jin turned her head away, unwilling to debate with his straight male view.
"Too thin, not good."
"I’m not that thin, okay? This is called just right."
Jiang Baizhou pursed his lips, remaining silent, not responding. But his stern face clearly didn’t agree with her view. Cen Jin tilted her head to look at him and curiously asked: "If I turn into a plain housewife later, and get very fat, would you dislike ?"
"No." His response was firm and prompt, without the slightest hesitation.
Hearing this, Cen Jin couldn’t help but laugh. This topic should be left at that because diving deeper would definitely backfire.
Reviews
All reviews (0)