Chapter 26: Exception. Is this still Jiang Ci? Someone has possessed him...

"This... do you really want to bid for it? Otherwise, you can buy it at the original price. If you are willing to spend a hundred yuan on a taxi, you should not miss the money for this cup of coffee, right?" Yu Xiang lowered his voice and said to Jiang Ci.

"That's a pity. Ever since you scolded me last time, I've learned to save when I should and spend when I should." Jiang Ci answered slowly.

Yu Xiang: “…” Why don’t you usually listen to advice so well?

"Would you two in front like to take pictures? If not, let us take pictures first." The people behind them have started to urge them.

"Let's take a picture!" Yu Xiang gritted his teeth, as if he had made a huge decision, pulled Jiang Ci over, and walked resolutely towards the background board for taking pictures.

After dozens of seconds.

"Two handsome guys, come a little closer, you are too far away." The photographer held up a Polaroid camera and directed them.

Yu Xiang awkwardly made a half-heart shape with his hand: "...If we get any closer, we'll be stuck together."

"It means sticking together, leaning your heads against each other, and having happy smiles on your faces."

Yu Xiang suddenly felt like he had fallen into a huge pit: "Isn't it okay to just give a heart?"

The photographer smiled cheerfully, "Since it's free, of course we have to make it a bit more difficult. That's what the picture on the challenge card requires. If you don't believe me, you can take a closer look."

Yu Xiang had no choice but to lean his head towards Jiang Ci, forcing a smile that was uglier than crying, and praying in his heart that it would be over soon.

But even so, the photographer didn't let him go: "The handsome guy on the left has a forced smile. He should smile happily, happily!"

Yu Xiang: “…” Happy market.

If it were you who took the photo, how happy would you be?

But despite his inner complaints, he was still trying very hard to cooperate physically. While adjusting his facial muscles, he said, "I think I'm already smiling very happily."

The photographer said: "Then be happier. Look at your friend, he's smiling happily."

Yu Xiang was stunned when he heard this, obviously not believing it.

You must be kidding! Jiang Ci's classic poker face can actually smile better than him?

Confused, he turned to look at Jiang Ci, and was actually greeted by Jiang Ci's bright and sunny smile: "!"

His pupils dilated in surprise and he blinked blankly.

Is this still Jiang Ci? Has he been possessed by someone?!

"Can you do it?" Jiang Ci asked him with a smile on his face.

"You're really trying hard to get a free meal." Yu Xiang gave him a thumbs-up in his heart, not sparing his praise. "How did you do it? Teach me."

"Understand it yourself."

"Stingy." Yu Xiang turned his face away in a huff.

"You can think about your secret crush, or imagine what it's like to be in love." The photographer actively gave him advice.

"I don't have a secret crush on anyone," Yu Xiang said helplessly, "As for the feeling of being in love..."

How can he know what it feels like to be in love since he has never been in a relationship before? He can't even imagine it.

I can only recall the soap operas I watched and heard from my mother. Dating should be all about wall-banging, kissing, and holding hands...

He racked his brains to recall the clips from the soap opera, but after entering high school, he rarely watched TV with Chen Xiaomei. The only memories that came up in his mind using these keywords were the scene that night when he pressed Jiang Ci against the tree and the dream.

When he realized that he was recalling all this, he was brought back to his senses by the photographer's happy words, "OK, very perfect."

"Ah? Finished filming?" Yu Xiang asked in confusion.

"Yes, what were you thinking just now? Your smile was so touching that I couldn't help but take two more pictures." The photographer raised the three photos in his hand.

Yu Xiang pointed at himself uncertainly: "Did I really laugh just now?"

"Of course, it's printed on the photo. It's a Polaroid. I can't use my brainwaves to photoshop a smile on you."

"But I—" Yu Xiang lost his temper mid-sentence. After much thought, he swallowed the rest of the sentence back. "Forget it. How do I order?"

"Just take this card with you to dine in and place your order." A helpful waiter nearby handed the photo challenge card back to Yu Xiang.

"Okay, thank you." Yu Xiang took the card and walked into the store. After taking two steps, he realized something was wrong. He turned around and found that Jiang Ci had not caught up yet. He couldn't help but wonder, "Why haven't you left yet?"

Jiang Ci was standing next to one of the shop assistants. Hearing this, he replied, "Go ahead and place your order. I'll be right there."

Yu Xiang: "Then how do I know what you want to drink?"

"Just drink the same as you."

Yu Xiang muttered, "You're not picky," and turned to go into the store.

After placing his order, he found Chen Xiaomei and Luo Fang, who were already enjoying their coffees. Chen Xiaomei looked around but couldn't see Jiang Ci. She asked in confusion, "Why are you alone? Where's Xiao Ci?"

Yu Xiang shrugged and sat down in the empty seat across from them: "I wonder why you're still dawdling outside."

"I'm here." As soon as Yu Xiang finished speaking, Jiang Ci came back with his cell phone.

"What were you doing?"

"Something."

"It's the same as if I didn't say anything."

The four of them sat in the coffee shop for about an hour and then left. After they left, Zhang Miao and his group also came here.

Since several boys didn't like drinking coffee, only two girls participated in the photo challenge. They bought a cup each and then wandered around the store with the boys boredly, looking around curiously, and soon noticed the most conspicuous photo wall.

The photo wall was made up of several thin ropes, and the photos on it were clamped by a small and exquisite wooden clip. A clerk was standing in front of the wall, clamping a stack of photos in his hand onto it.

"Fuck, isn't this Brother Yu and Jiang...his deskmate?" The sharp-eyed Zhang Miao immediately recognized the two people in the center of the photo and exclaimed.

The remaining few people immediately came forward to take a look.

“It’s true.”

"Oh my god, Jiang Ci can still laugh like this? I've opened my eyes."

"I have to say that their clothes and the heart-shaped gesture they make make them look like a young couple."

"Pfft, pfft, don't say that. Brother Yu will be angry if he finds out."

"Sanshui, you are truly his most loyal little brother..."

"Do you know those two people?" the clerk who was hanging photos asked curiously.

"Yes, we are classmates." Lu Ziyang responded first.

At this time, Zhang Miao had silently raised his mobile phone to take a photo, and decided to send it back to Fang Chengyu who was still traveling.

night.

It was already past eight o'clock in the evening when Jiang Ci and his friends returned home after dinner.

Chen Xiaomei placed her "trophy" on the sofa at home, and then called out to Yu Xiang, who was about to go upstairs: "Don't go upstairs, come with me to the next door."

"Still going? Let's go tomorrow." Yu Xiang, who had been hanging out outside all day, now just wanted to take a shower and lie down on the bed. Of course he wanted to refuse.

"No, just today. I'm busy tomorrow. Do you think everyone else is as free as you?" Chen Xiaomei said firmly, "Come here quickly."

"Oh." Yu Xiang had to withdraw his legs that wanted to go upstairs, and walked to Chen Xiaomie reluctantly.

"So what are we going there for?" Yu Xiang asked on the way to Jiang Ci's house.

"Go visit Grandpa Jiang and show him the clothes you and Xiao Ci are wearing." Chen Xiaomei answered without hesitation. "He's treated you like his own grandson since you were little. Isn't it only right for him to go and see you?"

"I didn't say I shouldn't. If you had said so at the beginning, I would have agreed immediately." There was a hint of bitterness in Yu Xiang's tone.

Although he had never gotten along well with Jiang Ci since childhood, he still respected Jiang Ci's grandfather very much.

Mr. Jiang was still in good health at that time, and he liked Yu Xiang very much. He would buy a portion of the things he bought for Jiang Ci for Yu Xiang as well, and often took him and Jiang Ci out to play together.

But time is merciless. As they grew up, Mr. Jiang's health became worse and worse. Two years ago, he was diagnosed with a terminal illness. He didn't have much time left, so after being discharged from the hospital, he spent his last days at home.

Although it was indeed difficult to accept at first, as time passed, both families began to accept this fact and tried their best to let the elderly live out their old age in peace.

"Are you here? Come in." The person who opened the door was Luo Fang. Seeing that the visitors were Chen Xiaomie and Yu Xiang, she immediately invited them in warmly.

"Checkmate." Jiang Ci was playing chess with his father when Yu Xiang entered. "Dad, you lost."

Jiang Yi scratched his hair in frustration: "Damn it, I didn't notice your cannon."

"I admit defeat. You have to wash the dishes for the next three days." Jiang Ci stood up leisurely and turned around to meet Yu Xiang's gaze.

Yu Xiang also reacted immediately and greeted Jiang Yi: "Hello, Uncle Jiang."

"Xiao Yu is here." Jiang Yi stood up upon hearing his voice. Seeing that Yu Xiang was wearing the same clothes as Jiang Ci, his smile deepened. "These clothes are really nice. They look like two brothers. Don't just stand there. Come and have some tea. Xiao Ci, put away the chessboard. I'll go make some tea."

"No need, Uncle Jiang, I just came to see Grandpa Jiang." Yu Xiang said quickly.

"By the way, Old Jiang, how is Grandpa's health lately?" Chen Xiaomie, who was walking a little behind Yu Xiang, also came in.

"Well, it's still the same, but I've been much sleepier lately. I've been awake for very short periods of time, and it's hard for me to speak clearly." Jiang Yi sighed softly, "The last time I asked a doctor to come to my house, he said I might not survive this year."

As soon as he said this, the atmosphere became much heavier. No one spoke for a while, and Jiang Ci stopped putting away the chessboard.

"Well, don't be so pessimistic. You can never be sure about such things." Finally, Chen Xiaomie spoke up to ease the atmosphere.

"That's right. The most important thing now is to let the old man live out his old age in peace." Luo Fang echoed, and turned to Jiang Ci and said, "Xiao Ci, don't clean up yet. Let me do it. You can accompany Xiao Xiang to visit Grandpa."

"Okay." Jiang Ci immediately put down the work in his hands and walked towards Yu Xiang, "Let's go."