21. Go Home

After returning to the empty mansion in the city center, Jiang Nan seemed to have had a happy switch pressed. She walked into her room almost humming a song, then opened the closet and began to pack her luggage.

While talking to herself, she neatly sorted clothes and things that could be used as gifts into the suitcase. Her movements were light and carefree, and she was full of joy.

Chen Yunsheng didn't go back to the study, nor did he disturb her. He sat quietly in the living room, holding a glass of water. He casually and quietly watched her and listened to her as she moved around the house like a busy and happy bee.

This simple joy was unfamiliar to Chen Yunsheng. His trips were always arranged by others, and his luggage was packed according to a checklist. He never went through this kind of anticipatory selection process.

He paid close attention to her undisguised joy, and unconsciously relaxed as well.

This pure excitement of returning home seemed to permeate the air and slowly infect him, making him want to join in her joy. So when Jiang Nan walked into the living room and searched for the headphones she had left on the coffee table, Chen Yunsheng casually asked her, "Did you bring your ID?"

"Yes, I brought it," Jiang Nan agreed readily, picking up the headphones. "The first thing I put in my bag was my ID card. Thanks for the reminder, Mr. Chen."

The tone was brisk, with an upturned ending.

After a second or two of silence, Chen Yunsheng said dryly, "You're welcome."

After a while, Jiang Nan returned to her room to continue packing.

Perhaps even Jiang Nan herself did not realize that she was a hundred times more vivid and natural at this moment than any role she had played in the Chen family in the past few months.

When the time was almost up, Chen Yunsheng put down the cup, stood up and walked towards Jiang Nan's room.

Jiang Nan's room door was open, and she could be seen rummaging through her bag, checking for essential items like her ID card and charger.

Chen Yunsheng knocked on the door gently: "Are you ready?"

Jiang Nan looked up at Chen Yunsheng, a smile still on her face: "Okay! We can leave anytime." She pushed the suitcase and walked towards the door.

Chen Yunsheng walked forward without looking away and took the suitcase from her hand very naturally: "Then let's go downstairs."

When he reached the entrance, he changed his shoes and picked up his car keys.

Jiang Nan tactfully handed over a wet tissue for wiping hands, and smiled sheepishly at the same time.

Chen Yunsheng took the wet tissue and tried to keep his voice calm and gentle: "Will someone pick you up when you get to Jichuan? Or do you need a taxi?"

"Get ready to take a taxi."

"Don't you have any friends in Jichuan?"

Jiang Nan blinked: "My best friend is also in Jiangcheng, but she and her parents went to climb Mount Tai during the holiday, so she's not at home."

"Then I'll help you arrange it."

"No, no," Jiang Nan quickly refused, "I'll just take a taxi."

Chen Yunsheng noticed her nervousness and uneasiness, as well as her wholehearted resistance. He hesitated, did not insist, and just pushed the suitcase out the door.

Jiang Nan breathed a sigh of relief and quickly caught up with Chen Yunsheng.

In fact, Jiang Nan was a little embarrassed to ask Chen Yunsheng to take her to Jiangcheng Airport, but deep down she hoped that Chen Yunsheng or the driver would give her a ride - it was a bit late now, and taking a taxi would definitely be the most convenient way, but it was also too late, and she was afraid it would be unsafe.

In the end, Jiang Nan's inner desire for safety outweighed the timidity wrapped in politeness.

In the elevator, Jiang Nan clasped his hands together and gave Chen Yunsheng a smile that was both uneasy and grateful: "Then I'll leave it to you, Mr. Chen."

"You're welcome." He raised his eyebrows slightly with a smile on his face.

——

On the way to the airport, soothing music was playing in the car.

Jiang Nan was in a very good mood and talked more than usual. She lamented that Jiangcheng's night view was beautiful, but there were too many people, making it crowded when she went shopping. Then she said that Jiangcheng's airport was too far away, making it difficult to drive or use public transportation.

Then she became concerned about Chen Yunsheng's journey back to the city.

Chen Yunsheng didn't want her to think too much, so he vaguely said that he also had to go to the airport to pick up a friend.

Jiang Nan was skeptical, but didn't ask any further questions.

After a while, she began to talk about what Jiang's mother had said to her, Jiang's father's expectations of her, and the specialties of her hometown. At the same time, she asked about Chen Yunsheng's taste in order to decide what specialties she would bring back.

She chattered on and on about everyday matters, hardly needing Chen Yunsheng's response, as if what she said was just a natural expression of her happy emotions.

Chen Yunsheng was driving intently, occasionally turning his head to glance at her quickly, or when she paused, giving a gentle "hmm" to indicate that he was listening, that he was curious, and that she could continue.

He didn't mention the bracelet, nor did he ask her what she thought of what her grandfather had said. He just couldn't help but feel lost for a moment when she mentioned her plans for her next trip home. Although he had realized that he and she were not inseparable, it didn't mean he was willing to accept this reality.

He really liked her passionate attitude towards life. Sometimes he would find it pleasing to see her jumping around in the busy life - although at first he thought it was a bit noisy.

When they arrived at the airport, Chen Yunsheng helped her take down her luggage and told her, "Send me a message after you land."

Jiang Nan took the luggage with a bright smile on his face: "Thank you, Mr. Chen. I'll go in first."

She waved at him: "Be careful on your way! And I wish you a happy time with your friends!"

"Well, okay," Chen Yunsheng responded to her in a gentle voice, "Have a safe journey."

Jiang Nan agreed, waved at him and then turned and left.

Chen Yunsheng watched Jiang Nan turn and blend into the crowd, her hair swaying in the night breeze. At that moment, her back looked like a fluttering butterfly about to soar into the vast expanse of space, brimming with vibrant energy and unwavering in her attachment to the world behind her.

Only when her figure completely disappeared at the end of the security check passage did Chen Yunsheng slowly withdraw his gaze and sit back in the driver's seat.

The car still lingered with her light, sweet scent and a hint of joy and happiness, which was incompatible with the surrounding leather and cedar scents.

He sat quietly for a while before starting the car under the frequent glances of the security guards.

On the way back to the city center, the only sounds in the car were the music and the roar of the engine. The car seemed empty and quiet at the moment, like a deep and calm lake.

——

A few hours later, Jiang Nan landed and turned on his phone. The first thing he saw was a WeChat message from Chen Yunsheng:

Are we there yet?

As she followed the crowd out, she typed quickly:

Just landed and about to pick up my luggage.

The airport in Jiang Nan's hometown of Jichuan wasn't very big, so she quickly found her luggage on the carousel. She then pushed it a few dozen meters and exited the airport.

As soon as she went out, she saw her parents waiting at the door.

"Nannan! Here!" Mother Hong Qiuping waved with a smile, looking very happy. Father Jiang Youhua came over and took the suitcase from her.

"Why are you here? Didn't I tell you that I can take a taxi back by myself?" Jiang Nan jumped to Hong Qiuping and gently took her arm.

"Your dad bought a new car and insisted on driving it here to show it off to you." Hong Qiuping teased her husband with a smile.

Only then did Jiang Nan notice that his father Jiang Youhua was parked in front of a semi-new black car with a smug look on his face.

However, when Jiang Nan looked at the smiling faces of Jiang Youhua and Hong Qiuping, his heart ached slightly.

The family's original car had been sold to raise money for the surgery.

Her family's finances had just improved after the surgery, and if she were to spend lavishly, it would surely arouse her parents' suspicions and expose their ridiculous arranged marriage. She still planned to buy a new car during the National Day holiday, using the excuse of a promotion and a raise. But now that her parents had already bought one, she felt it was difficult to ask again.

Jiang Nan put aside his worries for the moment, showing a pleasantly surprised expression. He smiled and said, "Wow, that looks good. Isn't the fuel consumption high, Dad?"

"It's not too high, just perfect for transportation," Jiang Youhua said cheerfully as he opened the trunk to put his luggage in. "Come in, your mom bought you some food."

"Okay." Jiang Nan got in the car, dug out some snacks, and ate while sharing interesting stories about Jiangcheng with her parents. The car was filled with a long-lost bustle and warmth. However, Jiang Nan still needed to use her brain to deal with Hong Qiuping's interrogation and nagging.

She couldn't answer too perfunctorily, nor could she answer too precisely. Instead, she had to give well-reasoned and well-founded answers to avoid deception. Only in this way could Hong Qiuping be convinced and stop asking questions.

Just as Jiang Nan finished fooling Hong Qiuping, her phone suddenly vibrated. It was Chen Yunsheng again:

Okay. Stay safe.

Jiang Nan looked at this brief greeting, picked up his phone without thinking, and recorded a short video of his father who was driving and his mother who was talking and laughing - outside the car was the night view of Jichuan, which was far inferior to that of Jiangcheng, and inside the car was the slightly noisy sound of conversation and laughter.

Then she sent the video to Chen Yunsheng with the caption:

My parents are here to pick me up!

The advantage is that you don't have to take a taxi, but the disadvantage is that you have to listen to your mother's strict instructions.

After sending the message successfully, she put the phone back into her bag and continued to chat with her parents.

She quickly put the little episode behind her.

At this moment, in a penthouse in Jiangcheng, Chen Yunsheng had just finished a long-distance call. He saw the phone on the table light up, and the message notification showed Jiang Nan's name.

After a minute or two of silence, he picked up the phone on the table and clicked on the short video.

The camera was a little shaky, but I could still see a lot of things clearly.

The scene shows the silhouette of Jiang Nan's father, intently driving, and her mother's nagging, with a smile: "All you do is work. Don't you cook much? Always order takeout? Look at your chin getting pointed again."

Then, Jiang Nan's somewhat crisp voice came from outside the screen: "Mom! I've successfully lost weight!"

The last few frames of the video are of the neon lights outside the window.

Everything is filled with the simplest and most lively atmosphere of life.

Chen Yunsheng watched it again, but the video was short and ended quickly. The large study fell silent again, with only the soft crackling of the air purifier and the distant roar of cars as the only sounds.

He watched the video silently, his fingertips lingering on the screen for a moment, but in the end, he did not reply with any words, but just preserved this brief liveliness and warmth.

The screen went dark, revealing his expressionless face and the vast, silent space that should be called home.