When summer vacation came, Jiang Yubai's uncle suggested that he take Jiang Yubai to a city in southern France for vacation.
Jiang Yubai refused his uncle firmly but politely.
Jiang Yubai returned to the provincial capital in late June. He had no plans to travel and stayed at home to study every day. His uncle asked him curiously, "Xiao Jiang, you stayed in the provincial library last summer vacation. Why are you staying at home this year?"
Jiang Yubai sat at his desk and answered casually, "I discovered the joy of learning."
The uncle walked up to him and said, "You need to balance work and rest. Don't overwork yourself. No matter how busy you are, you should exercise."
Jiang Yubai opened a computer document titled "Summer Class Schedule". Jiang Yubai introduced it to his uncle: "I have a martial arts class every day."
"That's right," the uncle said with satisfaction, "Xiao Jiang, when you grow up, you will definitely be both civil and military, just like me, your uncle."
While my uncle was talking, the QQ chat box on the computer screen vibrated frequently.
A friend named "Xia Xia" sent a message: "It's getting late, Thursday morning at 10 o'clock, are you free? Can you come to my house and play?"
Jiang Yubai quickly tapped the keyboard: "Okay."
Uncle chuckled and said, "Are you going to visit Lin Zhixia's home?"
"Yes." Jiang Yubai admitted without hesitation. He stood up from his seat and tidied the table. He was wearing a casual suit and stood straight in front of the French window. He was tall and slender, with a straight figure, and had the outstanding demeanor of a young man.
His uncle was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "As expected of our child..."
Before my uncle could finish his words, there was a knock on the door.
The housekeeper of the manor stood outside the door and reminded him bluntly: "Mr. Jiang Shaoqi, Miss Jessica is here."
Jessica is a Chinese Singaporean. She was born into a wealthy family with a large fortune. She is about the same age as Jiang Shaoqi and her major in university is "Music and Philosophy". She not only loves music, but is also a loyal listener of Jiang Shaoqi and often follows Jiang Shaoqi to concert halls around the world. It is said that there is a huge portrait of Jiang Shaoqi in her bedroom.
Jessica is also very pretty, with a round face, fair skin, and a well-proportioned figure. She is often referred to by the media as the "white swan of the socialite circle."
Jiang Shaoqi's parents agreed that Jessica was the best choice for Jiang Shaoqi's wife.
Recently, Jessica has been traveling in various countries in Asia, and Jiang Shaoqi's sister-in-law invited Jessica. The next day, Jessica took a private plane to the provincial capital. With Jiang Shaoqi's tacit consent, Jessica wanted to have a private meeting with him - commonly known as a "blind date."
Jiang Shaoqi was a little nervous.
The corridor was filled with warm breeze, and the white marble floor was dust-free and shining. Jiang Shaoqi followed the rhythm of the music and walked step by step. Jiang Yubai patted his shoulder and said, "Uncle, don't be afraid."
Jiang Shaoqi said with a smile: "What am I afraid of?"
Jiang Yubai considered for him: "If you don't want to entertain Jessica, I can help you."
Jiang Shaoqi paused and asked: "How are you going to help me, Xiao Jiang?"
Jiang Yubai glanced at him and said naturally, "I will welcome her, chat with her, and see her out."
"Are you...chasing her away?" Jiang Shaoqi asked uncertainly.
"No, she and I may have nothing to talk about." Jiang Yubai said without disguising.
Jiang Shaoqi quickly taught him: "Xiao Jiang, you have to remember the four words 'hospitality'. The girl came from a long way just to see me, we should find a suitable topic and don't let her feel awkward and boring."
Jiang Yubai did not respond.
Jiang Yubai is only fourteen years old after all, and he doesn't have enough experience yet - Jiang Shaoqi thought so in his heart, and said to himself: "Hey, when I was young, I focused on practicing the piano and rejected many girls. However, this is a proof of my self-discipline. It's hard to find a man like your uncle who is clean and self-disciplined even with a lantern."
It was early summer, the hibiscus flowers were flourishing, the roses were blooming, the sound of the fountains was quiet and distant, and the scenery of the garden was magnificent. Jiang Yubai and his uncle were walking on a path, and the soles of their shoes stepped on a few fallen flowers. Jiang Yubai casually mentioned: "When my father was young..."
Jiang Shaoqi blurted out: "Your father's experience is not ordinary. He married your mother not long after he met her, about three or four months. Your father also said that having a child is too tiring and too hard, and he only wants you as a son."
"Mom is Dad's first love?" Jiang Yubai asked again.
Jiang Shaoqi smiled awkwardly: "I think so. Your father fell in love with your mother at first sight."
Jiang Yubai doesn't believe in "love at first sight". He finds it hard to imagine that his father, who is always calm, rational, mature and stable, would be blinded by love.
Not long ago, Dad went to talk to Jiang Yubai and told him some things that boys must know. The matter was of great importance, so Jiang Yubai took out a notebook and wrote down what his dad said - this move was stopped by his dad again. Dad said that Jiang Yubai was like a secretary listening to his boss's lecture, not an equal communication between father and son.
For Jiang Yubai, his growth period was vague and obvious. The vagueness was reflected in the vague emotions, and the obviousness was reflected in the various changes in his body.
Jiang Yubai fell into deep thought.
At this moment, Jiang Shaoqi suddenly took off his gloves.
Jiang Shaoqi showed a pair of hands that embodied the beauty of creation. He raised his right hand and said in a low voice, "Nice to meet you, Jessica."
Not far ahead, across a dense apple tree, Jessica, wearing a water-green floral dress, walked towards them. Jessica wore a diamond necklace around her neck, with a pendant of musical notes on the stave. She raised her fingers, playing with the notes with her fingertips, and stared at Jiang Shaoqi meaningfully.
She said, "Jiang Shaoqi, long time no see."
Jiang Shaoqi smiled and introduced, "This is my nephew, Jiang Yubai, who is in his second year of high school." His arm paused in mid-air, and he continued, "This is the housekeeper of our manor. He is responsible and well-organized in his work."
The butler bowed slightly.
Jiang Yubai noticed that Jiang Shaoqi's attitude and tone of voice had changed, so he said hello to them and left. The 14-year-old Jiang Yubai had already understood the meaning of "light bulb" and had no interest in his uncle's blind date activities.
Previously, Jiang Yubai thought that his uncle was too absorbed in his music career to care about trivial matters like "love and marriage". But he did not expect that his uncle would not reject the marriage arranged by his parents at all. He thought he knew Jiang Shaoqi very well, but it turned out that he had not seen through the adult world.
On Thursday morning, Jiang Yubai set out from his family's estate and headed straight to the Ancheng community where Lin Zhixia lived.
The driver parked the car at the gate of Ancheng Community and earnestly instructed: "Mr. Jiang, please be careful."
Lin Zhixia stood outside the car and called out enthusiastically, "I'm here! Jiang Jiang Jiang Jiang is so white!"
The weather in early July was hot, and the city government issued an orange high temperature alert. Today's sun was like a fireball, scorching the ground. The pedestrians coming and going were dressed coolly, and the uncles and aunts were holding a palm-leaf fan in their hands.
Lin Zhixia was wearing a light beige dress. The dress fit her perfectly, highlighting her slim waist and long legs. She was bathed in the bright sunshine, her skin was as white as cream and as shiny as pearls. Her eyes were bright, and she followed Jiang Yubai closely. When he walked in front of her, she said happily, "I finally waited for you."
Jiang Yubai stood 20 centimeters away from her and asked, "How long have you been waiting?"
"Ten minutes," Lin Zhixia kept time, "I stood at the gate of the community for ten minutes."
Jiang Yubai looked up at the sky and asked, "Are you hot?"
"A little bit." Lin Zhixia said honestly.
She pointed at her face and said, "Look at me, am I sweating?"
Jiang Yubai carefully examined her for a moment, then slowly looked away. He did not notice the sweat on Lin Zhixia's face, but only saw his reflection in her eyes. He deliberately kept the distance between him and Lin Zhixia at 30 centimeters.
On the street inside the community, there was a small truck full of watermelons. The owner claimed to be a watermelon farmer who came to the city from the countryside. He held up a sign and shouted at the top of his voice on the roadside. He held the round green watermelon in his arms and slapped the rind with his palms, making a crisp "dong dong" sound.
Lin Zhixia grabbed Jiang Yubai's wrist and asked him, "Would you like some watermelon?"
Jiang Yubai immediately pulled back his hand: "Do you want to eat?"
Jiang Yubai's movements were so fast that Lin Zhixia was stunned for a moment. She remembered that Jiang Yubai had never rejected contact with her before, so why did he react so violently when she touched his wrist unconsciously? Was it because they hadn't seen each other for a long time?
Lin Zhixia asked directly: "Why do you feel like you were struck by 220 volts of AC electricity when I touched you lightly?"
Jiang Yubai didn't answer her question directly. He changed the subject: "I'm going to buy some watermelons."
Jiang Yubai unzipped his schoolbag, took out his wallet, and took out a 100-yuan bill. He asked the melon farmer to help him pick two of the sweetest watermelons. The melon farmer responded loudly, "Okay! Wait!"
The melon farmer went back and forth to select several times, and finally selected two watermelons with vines and leaves still attached. He gave Jiang Yubai a handful of change. Jiang Yubai took the money, but before he could put it away, Lin Zhixia suddenly held the back of his hand.
Lin Zhixia wanted to check the authenticity of the banknotes.
Jiang Yubai put the change in her palm.
She asked blankly, "What are you doing?"
Jiang Yubai opened a hole in his schoolbag and asked Lin Zhixia to throw the change into his schoolbag. Lin Zhixia always felt that he was a little different from before, but she couldn't tell what was different.
Jiang Yubai was carrying a plastic bag with two large watermelons in it. He had strong arms and smooth lines, and he didn't feel tired even when carrying heavy objects. He followed Lin Zhixia into her house, and she whispered to him, "My brother is not at home today. He will be in the third year of high school next semester. He is taking extra classes at school today, so he may not be home for lunch."
Great, Jiang Yubai thought.
There has always been an invisible conflict between him and Lin Zeqiu.
Lin Zeqiu was not at home, and Jiang Yubai guessed that no one would disturb him and Lin Zhixia when they were together today.
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