The two of them became unusually silent throughout the journey.
This silence, however, was not awkward; rather, a hint of ambiguity was slowly growing between them. Although neither of them spoke, they both felt a sweet anticipation mixed with trepidation.
Whether it's Chen Jing or Luo Yifan.
Back at the shop, as usual, the driver and Luo Yifan carried the ingredients into the kitchen. The driver went to buy breakfast for the two of them as usual. After Luo Yifan carried the ingredients into the kitchen, he helped Chen Jing sort and stack the ingredients, which she then put into the display cabinet and refrigerator.
When the driver brought back the breakfast, the ingredients were already mostly set out. The two washed their hands, walked out of the store together, and found a table with a great view by the window to sit down.
It was already past nine o'clock, and the number of vehicles and pedestrians on the streets outside was starting to increase. Chen Jing looked out the window while biting her straw, and only turned her gaze away after she had drunk half of the soy milk in her cup.
After a whole morning of preparation, Chen Jing finally mustered up her courage, keeping her gaze as straight as possible without flinching.
"Mr. Luo, I'd like to ask, why did you suddenly leave without saying a word last time?"
Luo Yifan was actually mentally prepared, but he thought she would ask him if he liked her.
Because last night, he personally admitted to his clever son, Zizai, that he liked his mother-in-law.
He thought that the little guy would definitely mention it to Chen Jing when he got back, and then, the delightful changes that happened last night and this morning occurred.
Otherwise, apart from this, he really couldn't think of anything else that could cause such a big change in her overnight.
He was taken aback when she asked him that question.
However, he clearly remembered why he left at the time.
Should we tell her the truth?
Or will you just give me any old excuse and call it a day?
After much deliberation, he decided to tell the truth.
Because, based on his understanding of Chen Jing, even if she accepts his deception now, it will be extremely difficult to salvage the situation once she discovers the truth.
“Bai Xiangdong was sick at that time, and you took care of him all day long. Then, I heard from others that you and Bai Xiangdong had a very close relationship. At that time, I felt that there was no need to stay here anymore, so I booked a plane ticket and flew back to Beijing that day.”
This reason was a little difficult for him to say. After all, he was past the impulsive age of his teens and twenties. But at the time, the thought of Chen Jing possibly having something going on with Bai Xiangdong made him impulsively cancel his hotel reservation and buy a plane ticket back to Beijing.
Chen Jing never expected that the reason for his sudden departure was this!
He lowered his head, biting his straw, and remained silent for a long time before finally speaking. "Dong Ge and I grew up in the same village, and he lived next door to me. He took great care of me when I was a child. Now the village has been demolished and redeveloped, and there aren't many old neighbors left to meet."
"In addition, Xiao Shao and Ying'er are good friends, and Xiao Luzi and Zizai get along very well, which is why our two families are so close. But he doesn't have those feelings for me, and I don't have those feelings for him either. I've always just considered him my brother."
“He was sick, and I couldn’t ignore it, either morally or emotionally, so I went to the hospital every day during those days.”
Chen Jing followed her daughter's advice. Since he was willing to tell her the reason for his departure, she also told her about her relationship with Bai Xiangdong without reservation.
Of course, her relationship with Bai Xiangdong was undeniably good.
But perhaps that feeling was solidified in my youth. I followed him around calling him "Brother Dong" since I was a child, and subconsciously, I had already fixed him as an older brother who was not related to me by blood.
Especially since her relationship with her parents and brother was so strained, she also placed some of her feelings for her brother in Bai Xiangdong.
"It seems I misunderstood..."
Luo Yifan himself felt quite embarrassed. At his age, he was still so reckless and impulsive. If he had been shameless enough to ask her for confirmation back then, the cold war and the freezing relationship that followed would not have happened.
"So when you said you wouldn't come back and let Zheng and Sheng take full charge of this matter, was it because of that reason you left?"
Some answers seemed obvious, but Chen Jing still wanted to confirm them clearly.
Luo Yifan felt as if he had been stripped naked, and everything about him had been seen through.
But if it weren't for this, Chen Jing obviously wouldn't be able to truly believe him, let alone accept him.
I'm angry with you, and at the same time, I'm jealous!
Luo Yifan sighed inwardly. In the end, he had no choice but to admit it, no matter how shameless he was.
If you don't admit it, you really won't be able to find a reasonable excuse for your ugly behavior.
Say you're in a bad mood because of business? Or say you occasionally get in a bad mood and take it out on whoever you see?
Such words wouldn't fool even a three-year-old, let alone Chen Jing.
Jealous?
Chen Jing wasn't feigning surprise; rather, over the years, she had always been the one who was jealous of others, and no one had ever been jealous of her.
Moreover, this person is Luo Yifan, who is far more outstanding and excellent than her.
So, to be honest, even though he said that, she still didn't quite believe him because it wasn't very convincing.
"Yes, I'm jealous!"
He was too embarrassed to tell her how unpleasant his expression was when he heard from Ah Zheng that she had made a suitable new dish.
"..." Chen Jing looked at him with increasing surprise.
If he only mentioned being jealous once, she could take it as a joke.
But he repeated it again. Could this be interpreted as him being jealous?
"Ah Jing, I like you! Of course, this liking may not be as passionate as that of young people, but it's enough to make me live like a fool for a while."
After struggling for a while, Luo Yifan decided to go all out.
Anyway, anyone with eyes could see that I've been acting like a fool lately. Since I've already done it, I don't care if I talk about it now.
Chen Jing was even more astonished!
Of course, she knew he had feelings for her and that he was interested in her.
But she believed that this goodwill and interest stemmed more from her outstanding performance at work.
As for liking someone, if she understands correctly, it's simply a man's feelings for a woman, without any other external material things or conditions involved.
Seeing that she remained silent, only looking at him quietly, Luo Yifan felt a sense of doubt, or perhaps scrutiny.
“Jing, I know you might not believe me anymore right now, but that’s okay, I’ll wait.”
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