Chapter 10 Why do you think I treat everyone like that...?
Thanks to Jiang Sui, the tadpoles got an extra afternoon tea.
While it was enjoying its snacks and not being clingy, Ji Jingyu accompanied Jiang Sui downstairs to find books.
With the soft hum of the fan, Grandma Ji leaned back in her recliner and dozed off, already drifting into a light sleep.
There were so many books here that Jiang Sui and Ji Jingyu carefully navigated the maze made up of layers of bookshelves.
Ji Jingyu was exceptionally patient with Jiang Sui, letting her search at her own pace without ever urging her on.
After lingering in front of a certain bookshelf for a long time, Jiang Sui finally found a book that interested her. She tugged at Ji Jingyu's sleeve and said, "I want that one."
Because she was afraid of disturbing Grandma Ji, she spoke very softly and in a gentle tone.
It doesn't sound like she's making a request; it sounds more like she's being affectionate.
Ji Jingyu followed Jiang Sui's slender white finger and saw that she had chosen a comic book.
It was placed on the top shelf of the bookshelf.
Even Ji Jingyu couldn't reach that height.
It's amazing that she has such good eyesight and was able to find this book in such a remote corner.
Fortunately, the ladder was right next to the bookshelf. Ji Jingyu moved the ladder to a suitable position, but just as he was about to climb up, Jiang Sui stopped him again.
"Wait a moment."
They were standing very close together, and Ji Jingyu's nose was filled with the sweet but not cloying fruity scent emanating from Jiang Sui.
But she still had to speak, her warm, light breath spraying all over Ji Jingyu's neck.
Ji Jingyu's palms clenched unconsciously, covered with a thin layer of sweat, and his Adam's apple bobbed silently: "What's wrong?"
Jiang Sui's expression was conflicted, and her lips, which were bitten until they were swollen and bleeding, stood out against her porcelain-white skin.
Then, as if she had made a huge decision, she said, "How about I go up and get it myself?"
Ji Jingyu looked at the faint teeth mark, her eyes darkening slightly. "Hmm?"
“If you go up to get the book, I mean, if you fall, I won’t be able to catch you. But if I go up, you can definitely catch me.”
Jiang Sui had never used tools like ladders before and always felt there was a certain risk involved.
Her suggestion itself wasn't problematic, but in reality, it was completely impractical.
There were no customers in the shop, so Grandma Ji didn't turn on too many lights to save electricity. The corner where they were was even darker. Even so, Ji Jingyu could still see that Jiang Sui's exposed calves were straight, shapely, and dazzlingly white.
He squinted his dark eyes, his gaze sweeping over Jiang Sui quickly and unnaturally.
The jeans are loose-fitting, so they look fine from the side, but if Jiang Sui really climbs the ladder, then it's hard to say.
Ji Jingyu carefully chose her tone to explain, "I don't think your outfit today is suitable for climbing."
His voice was low and soft, carrying a kind of suppressed, indescribable emotion.
Jiang Sui glanced down at her clothes and belatedly realized something was wrong. "Never mind, I'll just find another one."
However, there was still a hint of regret in his tone.
Ji Jingyu felt a sudden surge of irritation.
But this inexplicable emotion was not directed at Jiang Sui.
She just wanted a book.
It's not like I want the stars in the sky.
"No need to change, this one is fine."
Before Jiang Sui could fully react, Ji Jingyu had already nimbly climbed the ladder and snatched the book Jiang Sui wanted with a flick of her finger.
The fingers gripping the black spine of the book were slender and delicate, like bamboo and jade, instantly capturing Jiang Sui's attention.
Ji Jingyu handed the book to Jiang Sui, saying, "I've been climbing this ladder since I was a child. It's not as dangerous as you think."
His voice was deep and clear, which inexplicably reminded Jiang Sui of chilled sparkling water with condensation, as if it had magic, easily soothing her various negative emotions.
"You're so amazing!"
Jiang Sui's admiration was so obvious that Ji Jingyu couldn't help but wonder if what he had given her was a book or a star from the sky.
Have you always been like this?
"What?" Now it was Jiang Sui's turn to be puzzled.
"...It's nothing." Ji Jingyu's gaze drifted to a more distant corner, and after a moment of silence, he changed the subject, "Is one book enough to read?"
Even if Jiang Sui treats everyone like this, so what?
He has no right to judge any of Jiang Sui's actions; that is her freedom.
Jiang Sui nodded hurriedly: "That's enough."
Ji Jingyu slowly increased the distance between herself and Jiang Sui, and said casually, "Then I'll go back upstairs."
"Wait for me, I'll go up with you."
Jiang Sui hurriedly followed Ji Jingyu's footsteps.
—
As she went upstairs, Jiang Sui couldn't help but steal glances at Ji Jingyu's back.
She didn't understand why Ji Jingyu stopped halfway through his sentence; he clearly had something he wanted to ask her.
Jiang Sui disliked this feeling of being stuck in the middle.
Especially since the other party is Ji Jingyu.
What do you mean she's always been like this?
What exactly happened to her?
Suddenly, Jiang Sui stopped in her tracks.
Not only that, she also reached out and grabbed Ji Jingyu, who was always a step ahead of her.
Ji Jingyu had been keeping an eye on Jiang Sui's movements behind him, so when Jiang Sui reached out, he stopped steadily in line with her action.
His expression seemed normal; he tilted his head slightly, as if asking Jiang Sui what was wrong.
Jiang Sui seemed to have figured out the key point. Her face showed some surprise, and she hesitated before asking, "Were you just trying to ask me if I often compliment people?"
It's a very tongue-twisting sentence.
Jiang Sui paused after she finished speaking.
Ji Jingyu gave her a noncommittal look and said, "Let's go up first."
Who talks business while standing on the stairs?
"No, we want to make this clear right here." Jiang Sui stared at him, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Why do you think I treat everyone like that?"
"In all my life, I've always been the one being flattered and made happy." She pointed proudly to herself. "My praise is very precious; I don't just praise people casually."
Jiang Yunzhao's social status destined Jiang Sui to be a pampered princess from birth. She didn't need to bother pleasing anyone, and she could do whatever she wanted.
This unintentional display of superiority did not offend Ji Jingyu; on the contrary, she found her honesty endearing.
His clenched fingers gradually relaxed. "I'm sorry."
A sincere apology.
Hearing Ji Jingyu apologize to her, Jiang Sui was taken aback. In her mind, this matter didn't need to be escalated to this level.
"I just want to clear up this misunderstanding."
"Yes, I know." Ji Jingyu's lips curled into a slight smile. "Thank you for such a precious compliment."
Apologize first, then thank me.
Not one can be missing.
"I really think you're amazing." Jiang Sui loosened his sleeve and confided in him, "You've been helping me ever since we first met."
He helped her out of the predicament, implying that she shouldn't dwell on the past and that he would keep her secret...
Although they had only known each other for two days, Jiang Sui felt as if she had known Ji Jingyu for many years.
Perhaps this is what they mean by instant connection.
She thought to herself.
Thinking of this, Jiang Sui smiled and said, "You just believed me when I said I was very capable without even questioning me?"
"What you said is all true, why should I question it?"
Without any flattery or fawning, he spoke in the most ordinary of tones.
Jiang Sui's heart began to pound uncontrollably.
She thought that if Ji Jingyu wanted to pursue someone in the future, it would be a piece of cake, requiring no effort at all.
After all, the words spoken with such a face are convincing enough in themselves.
Ji Jingyu was unaware that Jiang Sui's thoughts had drifted far away. He looked down at Jiang Sui's long eyelashes that were blinking rapidly and asked her calmly, "You seem to care a lot about my opinion."
Jiang Sui snapped out of her daze, "Of course, you're my friend."
Ji Jingyu's expression froze. He realized that Jiang Sui seemed to have a special obsession with "friends".
—
The room was completely silent in the afternoon. Apart from the occasional sound of turning pages and the hum of the air conditioner, you could almost hear a pin drop.
The tadpoles had run off to play somewhere. The comic book wasn't as interesting as Jiang Sui had imagined; in fact, it was rather boring. She only flipped through a few pages before losing interest.
Jiang Sui rested her chin on her hand listlessly, her gaze involuntarily falling on Ji Jingyu sitting opposite her.
Ji Jingyu was taking notes with her head down.
Because of the way he held the pen, the veins on the back of his fair hand were clearly visible, carrying a vigorous sense of power unique to his age.
Jiang Sui felt a strong urge to touch it.
The moment this thought popped into her head, it startled even Jiang Sui herself.
Because of his appearance and academic achievements, Ji Jingyu has received a lot of attention since childhood. As a result, he is always very sensitive to the gazes of others. He can almost always sense when Jiang Sui looks at him.
"What's wrong? Is the book not good?"
Jiang Sui was feeling guilty and didn't even hear what he asked.
In that short moment, Ji Jingyu had already put down his pen, moved his chair back, and stood up. "Shall I accompany you to choose a few more books?"
"Never mind." Now that she heard clearly, Jiang Sui quickly waved her hand. "I'll play on my phone for a while."
She didn't like reading in the first place, and felt even more embarrassed to waste Ji Jingyu's time. "You read yours, don't worry about me."
But cell phones aren't fun either.
In such a quiet environment, with nothing to do to pass the time, it's inevitable to feel sleepy.
Jiang Sui couldn't help but yawn again, her teary-eyed appearance making her look even more rounded and adorable than usual.
How about reading some more comics?
Maybe the best part is yet to come.
She thought to herself.
—
After the tadpole had eaten and drunk its fill and played to its heart's content, it crawled into the cat's bed and lay down on its back, its round little belly rising and falling with its breath.
Ji Jingyu's gaze slowly shifted from the tadpoles back to the opposite side.
A black-and-white line drawing comic book lay open on the table, a delicate, fair hand resting gently on the pages.
Following the other person's finger slightly upwards, Ji Jingyu's eyes were met with a delicate sleeping face.
Jiang Sui fell asleep while lying face down.
Her long, raven-feather-like eyelashes cast a faint shadow on her porcelain-white face, and her rosy lips were slightly pouting from being squeezed by her wrist.
Despite it being her first time in this place and with other people around, Jiang Sui slept soundly, completely unsuspecting.
For a moment, Ji Jingyu didn't know whether to say Jiang Sui was magnanimous or to be happy that she trusted him.
After his gaze lingered on Jiang Sui for a moment, he quietly got up and walked to the window, gently pulling up the white veil that blocked out the light.
The sunlight was filtered, making it even softer and warmer.
Outside the window, the cicadas chirped intermittently, the treetops swayed gently in the breeze, and inside, tranquility reigned. The sound of turning pages mingled with soft breathing, making this summer day unbelievably beautiful.
Unfortunately, a sudden ringing broke the silence not long after.
A note from the author:
How can this not be considered a date?
Thank you, Grandma Ji, for providing the venue!
I've read all your comments, and I'd love to see lots and lots of comments from you all! Love you all!
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