On the journey to the Xi mansion, a palpable silence enveloped the car. Jiang Yang focused intently on the road ahead, while Nicky, occupying the passenger seat, chose to gaze out the window. The silence was the result of the mories surfacing in their minds from the similar night from Jiang Yuyan and Lu Qiang's wedding. During that wedding as well, they had held the roles of best man and bridesmaid. Just like this night, Jiang Yang had driven her ho then, but the atmosphere had been vastly different—charged with the electricity of newfound love.
Though his gaze remained fixed on the road, Jiang Yang rembered what they did that night and the grip of his hands on the steering wheel tightened, his heart seemingly picking up the pace. On the other hand, Nicky found her cheeks a little warm, as she rembered Jiang Yang's flirting and that kiss. Only this man could make her feel like this again which she had forgotten the past decade. "Nicky?"
Half way through the journey, finally Jiang Yang broke the silence. She turned her gaze toward him, responding softly, "Yes?"
He t her gaze directly. "Would you like to go out with tomorrow?"
She hesitated montarily, collecting her thoughts. "I'd like to, but I need to check my plans with my mother since I only returned last night."
"Of course," he replied, refocusing his attention on the road. "Just let know when you're available. My contact number is still the sa." But then he realised, "Do still have my contact number?"
"I do," she affird softly. "I will contact you."
Upon arriving at the Xi mansion, the car ca to a halt in front of the imposing gates. A brief yet aningful silence settled between them, each seemingly grappling with unspoken words.
After a mont's pause, Nicky moved to break the silence. "I should head in." Her hand reached for the door handle, but before she could open it, Jiang Yang's hand intercepted hers.
The unexpected touch sent a jolt through her, causing her heart to flutter. She t his intense gaze, finding a depth of emotion mirrored in his eyes.
Releasing her hand with a deliberate yet gentle motion, he said, "Wait a mont." Exiting the car, he circled around to the passenger side and opened the door, extending a courteous gesture for her to step out.
He didn't make this move before and continued to sit inside to be able to stay by her side even a mont more. If he had stepped out already, he would have ended up sending her away soon. "Thank you," Nicky murmured as she alighted from the car, her voice tinged with a mixture of gratitude and uncertainty.
Caught in a whirlwind of emotions, Jiang Yang found himself montarily speechless. His eyes lingered on her, conveying a sense of longing and indecision, as if he wished to prolong their ti together. It was unlike him to be so quiet but at this mont even he was not sure what to do. If it was in the past, he would have teased and flirted with her in such a situation. She hesitated for a mont and spoke, "It's late. You have to drive back." Her words acted as a gentle reminder, pulling him back to reality. "Yes, go on inside first then I will leave," he responded, attempting to mask the reluctance in his voice.
She was the sa as him and both didn't know how to resolve this hesitation between them. Maybe they needed a little ti to be around each other. "Good night," Nicky whispered, beginning to distance herself.
In a voice laden with anticipation, Jiang Yang spoke, "I'll wait for your call."
Acknowledging him with a subtle nod, Nicky passed through the mansion's gates. Jiang Yang remained rooted in place, watching until she vanished from sight. 'Patience! It's just the first day.' He reminded himself, sat in the car and left. Upon entering the drawing room, Nicky found her mother, Song ilin, still awake, engrossed in a stack of docunts.
"Mother, why aren't you asleep?" Nicky inquired, approaching the sofa where her mother sat.
Song ilin looked up, offering her daughter a warm smile. "I was waiting for you while wrapping up so work."
Taking a seat beside her mother, Nicky gently advised, "You should sleep early. I'm no longer a kid for you to worry about my safe return back ho."
With a playful glint in her eyes, Song ilin retorted, "My concern wasn't for your safety tonight. I had faith soone would ensure you returned ho safe and sound."
Nicky caught the implication imdiately. Her mother had observed her closeness with Jiang Yang during the wedding festivities.
"Now that I'm back safely, I will go and rest," Nicky began, preparing to rise from the sofa, but her mother's voice halted her.
"You are back after so long, but you do not wish to spend ti with your mother?" Song ilin queried, a hint of playful reproach in her tone.
Pausing, Nicky clarified, "It's not that, Mother."
"Then stay with a while," Song ilin urged, setting aside her work to focus intently on her daughter. "Did Dr. Jiang accompany you ho?"
Nicky nodded slowly, conveying her thoughts without words.
"Are you considering going back together with him," Song ilin probed gently.
"I am not sure yet," Nicky responded hesitantly. "Facing each other after so long is not that comfortable I guess." "Did he express anything significant?" Song ilin pressed, her curiosity evident.
Shaking her head slightly, Nicky shared, "He didn't say much, but he did ask out for tomorrow."
Song ilin's eyes sharpened with intrigue. "And your response?"
"I thought I'd spend so ti with you first," Nicky confessed, her gaze averted.
Raising an eyebrow in mock skepticism, Song ilin remarked, "Are you certain you're not using as an excuse to stall him?"
"It's not quite like that," Nicky protested.
"Then what is it?"
Taking a deep breath, Nicky admitted, "Saying 'Yes' to him imdiately was like I can't wait to go back with him. It's embarrassing."
"By asking you out on first day of both of you eting, he showed his eagerness. Then, why are you hesitating?" Song ilin probed further.
"I hadn't fully processed it in the mont," Nicky admitted, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Amused, Song ilin chuckled softly. "Make your choices, but don't hide behind . If he ever suggests I'm the reason for any delay, I won't hesitate to set the record straight and tell him I have nothing to do with it. It's just my daughter was overly embarrassed."
Nicky narrowed her eyes at her mother, "Mother, are you enjoying seeing like this?" A playful glint shimred in Song ilin's eyes. "Of course I am. It's rare to see my stubborn daughter like this. Only doctor Jiang has the ability to bring out this weak and sorry side of yours."
"You're being rather harsh," Nicky retorted, feigning offense.
With a stern yet loving expression, Song ilin admonished, "Then my daughter shall use her brain and start doing the right thing at least now. Wasting ten years is more than enough."
As silence settled between them, Song ilin resud, her tone softening, "Nicky, I am not sure what exactly had made you two take that decision ten years back, but I think it's ti to keep past behind and move ahead. I believe doctor Jiang thinks the sa, his actions today shows it clearly. When opportunity is still there, you should not miss out on it."
Past? If sothing ordinary was there, they would have forgotten it easily but…a person's life was involved, the person who was dear to everyone. Till date she could not forget it and didn't have courage to face her dear friend Jiang Yuyan.
"Are you listening to what I am saying?" Song ilin inquired.
Nicky nodded slowly, her eyes downcast as though weighed down by guilt. "I understand, Mother."
"Alright," Song ilin responded. "Since you intend to spend ti with your mother tomorrow, accompany to the hospital."
"Hospital?" Nicky's voice tinged with alarm. "Is everything alright, mother?"
"Relax," Song ilin interjected, attempting to assuage her daughter's concerns. "It's rely my routine monthly check-up. Given my fragile heart, I can't afford to skip these appointnts."
"I'll be there with you," Nicky assured her, worry evident in her eyes. For the past ten years she had ignored her responsibilities as a daughter while dealing with her own pain.
"You can go to sleep then. I will quickly finish my work," Song ilin instructed.
"Good night mother."
Once Nicky had retreated, Song ilin promptly dialed her personal assistant's number. "Schedule an appointnt with Dr. Jiang for tomorrow."
"We have visited doctor Jiang just last week. Is there anything serious, Miss Song?" the assistant on the other line asked with a worry. "Just do as I say," Song ilin disconnected the call and put the mobile aside. She let out a helpless, "Being a mother of stubborn and slow witted daughter is such an hassle."
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