Jiang Xu saw Gu Li's figure reflected in his eyes. "Of course."

At this moment, the overhead lights of the auditorium illuminated the two of them. He was swayed by the enticing smile and also wanted to see what Gu Li's eloquent explanation would be like.

It's not necessarily cold water that extinguishes enthusiasm, but a torrential downpour can soak those without an umbrella and might also dampen a newly ignited passion.

Gu Li and Jiang Xu were standing in front of the stairs outside the hall, with raindrops falling rapidly on the ground and a fine curtain of rain before them.

The two came out late, and the auditorium had long since been emptied out, leaving only the two of them under the eaves.

Gu Li: "It's like God is rushing to celebrate for you."

Jiang Xu said, "It was quite exhilarating."

After they finished speaking, they looked at each other, and Gu Li laughed first, "That's a bit forced."

Jiang Xu replied casually, "We have to be strong," then turned his head to look, "Want to borrow an umbrella?"

Besides the main hall, there is a family bookstore on the other side of the side building. The bookstore is lit with warm yellow lights, and you can see people walking and sitting through the small windows.

Gu Li opened the glass door to the hall. "Let's go, let's see how we do."

The first thing you see when you open the door to the bookstore is the entire bookstore.

There were some scattered seats in front, with people sitting in twos and threes. A two-person-sized teddy bear was leaning against one of the walls. Behind were private rooms with conference tables, where everyone seemed to be studying.

A chubby boss was busy at the side counter, while a girl in a service uniform carried prepared drinks and food to the table where people had ordered.

There were two high chairs at the front desk for customers to rest temporarily when they came to order food. The two of them went over and sat down together.

Jiang Xu and Gu Li huddled together, looking at the menu on the bar. Jiang Xu didn't have any particular preference for drinks. "You go ahead," he said. He remembered that Lu Chao had mentioned that Gu Li had some preferences, and he just needed to have the same ones as her.

Gu Li, "The same as me?"

Jiang Xu: "Mm."

Gu Li nodded. "Boss," he lowered his voice, and the boss heard him and came over. "Two cups, please."

The boss said, "Okay, just scan the code yourself." Then he went back to his work.

While scanning the QR code, Gu Li asked, "Wait a minute, do you have any extra umbrellas? Can I borrow one or just buy one?"

The shopkeeper took out a tissue to wipe his hands. "I'll have to take a look at this. Wait a minute."

Jiang Xu: "What should we do if we don't have any?"

Gu Li swept his long legs across the floor, turning halfway around on the bar stool with his back to Jiang Xu. "Then let's sit there and drink milk tea." He pointed to the big bear against the wall. "We'll have Xiong Da to keep us company."

Jiang Xu followed his fingertip and looked over. "That color must be Xiong Er's."

Gu Li turned back to face Jiang Xu completely, "Then let's stay with Xiong Er."

Jiang Xu said, "That's good." He also turned his chair to face Gu Li, and their knees bumped as they turned. "So, who are we?"

Gu Li thought for a moment, "I remember there were only two monkeys that appeared together, and I let you choose first."

Jiang Xu looked at Gu Li's 'thank you for your generosity' expression and said, "I'll give it all to you."

The curtain at the back of the kitchen was pulled open, and the owner came over with an umbrella. "This is the only extra one in the shop. It's old, so you can use it for now and return it later." He then placed the umbrella on the bar. "But I don't know if it will be enough to cover the two of you."

Gu Li: "It's enough, thank you."

Jiang Xu then swiped 50 yuan over, saying, "We're afraid we'll forget, so please keep it for now. Next time we come, we can return the umbrella and order a couple more drinks."

The boss said, "That's fine too," and then went to get busy.

Gu Li thought, "It seems I'm not destined to be with Xiong Er."

Jiang Xu: "What a pity. Next time, I'll return the umbrella and sit with you for a while, King Gigi."

Gu Li continued swishing his chair. "Okay." His voice was lazy, as if affected by a rainy day, carrying a strange moisture. "Next time."

Jiang Xu, "Tired?"

Gu Li said, "It's alright." He couldn't help but yawn as soon as he finished speaking.

Jiang Xu: "Rainy days are perfect for sleeping. Look at your dark circles."

Gu Li, “Hmm?” He raised his hand and touched under his eyes. “No way, I have dark circles under my eyes?” He said as he wiped them.

Jiang Xu pulled Gu Li's hand down, "Be gentle, your dark circles are all red. If you care, get some more sleep."

Gu Li stopped rubbing. "Really?" he asked, then continued, "I got up early thinking I could come in the morning, but that guy dragged it out until the afternoon. Luckily, I made it in time." He was explaining his lateness.

Jiang Xu said jokingly, "Just a little bit, it won't affect your status as the city's top leader." He kept thinking to himself.

This time, it was Gu Li who took the initiative to bring up the matter concerning him.

The boundaries began to blur, and they gradually became acquainted.

Gu Li had asked Jiang Xu about the time and place of the second interview earlier. At the time, Jiang Xu thought that Gu Li was just asking casually. It turned out that Gu Li had planned to come all along. They needed to get to know each other better before they could talk about other things.

For example, he was curious about what the other person was busy with.

The two drinks were ready, and the owner turned them upside down and shook them. "To go or drink here?"

Gu Li: "Let's pack it up."

The two stood in front of the stairs again. Gu Li was carrying a bag in one hand and a borrowed umbrella in the other. "Come on, lend a hand." He shook the umbrella, signaling Jiang Xu to help, and the two of them opened it together.

Jiang Xu obediently opened the umbrella, then grasped it slightly above Gu Li's umbrella handle. "Did you notice that my hands are empty?"

Gu Li said, "Brother will take care of you. I hope the future Minister of Discipline will go easy on you."

Jiang Xu: "That's quite a far-sighted plan."

Gu Li didn't let go of the hand. "That's right, let's go back quickly while the rain is still light."

Jiang Xu patted Gu Li's hand. "You can hold that bag. Let me handle it. Are you worried I'll use this to settle personal scores?"

Gu Li immediately let go, "If you're upright and honest, there's no way you'd be afraid of me. Come on, come on."

You don't know until the umbrella is open, but it's clear that it's not strong enough to cover two guys who are over 180cm tall.

The two stood side by side and looked up together. Sure enough, each of them had half their head exposed, which was quite fair.

Jiang Xu and Gu Li moved closer, their shoulders touching, but they still couldn't completely cover each other.

Gu Li said, "How about I put my arm around you as we walk?" He took the initiative, as being held in someone's arms wouldn't be comfortable.

Jiang Xu said, "You're carrying things, it's inconvenient for you, let me do it."

Gu Li looked down at the bag in her hand and realized she had miscalculated.

Just as Gu Li was about to struggle, Jiang Xu had already hooked up with her, putting his arm around her shoulder and their bodies intertwined, with Gu Li's back pressed against Jiang Xu's chest.

Gu Li stopped struggling and simply put her arm around the other person's shoulder. Although it felt a bit like being held in the other person's arms, it was alright and not uncomfortable. Gu Li was never one to be uncomfortable as long as she wasn't uncomfortable. "Let's walk."

Summer clothes are thin, and the heat is transmitted between people, but the coolness brought by the rain makes this temperature feel warm.

Under the rain, there was an umbrella, inside which two spirited young men huddled together, their voices mingling with the sound of rain and conversation, long and drawn out.

But the weather is unpredictable; the rain started pouring down again in an instant.

Gu Li: "Has it gotten bigger, or is this umbrella leaking?"