Chapter 81
She was speechless.
The atmosphere inside the room was somewhat somber.
After a long pause, Guan Nan finally finished speaking, stammering, "I haven't decided yet."
"Then think about it again." Qi Yang, who had been silently applying pressure, spoke again, but his next words inexplicably carried a decisive meaning: "Is a week enough? I'll come pick you up then."
Under this pressure, Guan Nan lowered her head and remained silent, poking at the rice in her bowl with her chopsticks.
Qi Yang looked at her, just like when she was a child. When she was in a bad mood, she didn't like to talk and always poked at the rice in her bowl with her chopsticks as a cover for being distracted and silent.
He knew her well, yet pretended not to, as if he hadn't sensed her reluctance.
In just two months, although he didn't know what had happened, some people were shameless enough to recommend him for a job without batting an eye, all under the guise of being genuinely concerned for others.
When he returned, the person in front of him had clearly changed, and Qi Yang felt a vague unease.
Before Guan Nan left, put down the bowls and chopsticks and cleared the table.
Qi Yang asked, "Do you have the household registration booklet with you?"
"Not here." Guan Nan was in a bad mood, and even her formal smile was forced, so she composed herself.
“Then,” Qi Yang paused, “come and get it from Sister Zhen this afternoon.”
His words and actions today were so purposeful that Guan Nan couldn't handle it, but she didn't know where to begin or what to say.
Guan Nan looked up and stared at him for a long time.
How did Qi Yang, whom I remember as gentle and refined, suddenly become like this?
His words were laced with veiled threats, and his occasional intimidating tone completely disregarded the other person's wishes. Suddenly, she felt that this boy next door had become such a stranger.
Seeing her standing there in a daze, Qi Yang said again, "Should I deliver it to you?"
“No need,” Guan Nan said softly as she followed him out the door, “I’ll come and get it myself.”
“Okay, I have a meeting this afternoon,” Qi Yang said as he dropped her off at her door, his usual gentle expression returning. “If you’re worried about taking it, just give me a call and I’ll hold it for you.”
Guan Nan nodded with difficulty: "Mm."
Qi Yang's phone kept ringing, but he hadn't answered a single call since he started eating. At this moment, everything seemed to return to its original state, and he felt as if he had the whole situation under control.
Relieved once again, Qi Yang walked away to answer the phone, waving goodbye to her.
The early autumn wind was weak, carrying away some of the muggy heat while also bringing a touch of coolness. At this time, more and more residents were seen taking their bamboo chairs and sitting around in the shade under the banyan trees in Hecang Garden.
This Hecang Garden perfectly matches the Hecang Garden in my memory.
It's as if nothing has changed.
Guan Nan stood at the doorway, withdrawing her gaze from the empty space.
She lowered her head, staring at the tall pomegranate tree, and after a moment turned and went back into the house.
In the afternoon, after Sister Zhen got off work, Guan Nan retrieved her household registration booklet.
She sat in the living room, lost in thought for a long time, then got up, changed her clothes, and put on some simple makeup. Before leaving, she turned around again, walked to the refrigerator, and took out a bottle of Sprite.
He opened the door and walked out alone, as if he had made some kind of decision.
The commercial street was bustling with activity in the evening, filled with couples laughing and joking. Guan Nan, however, ventured in alone.
She mustered her courage and stood at the entrance of "Coffee & Wine," facing the tightly closed door.
Taking it a step further, her courage crumbled, and she suddenly felt somewhat frustrated.
Just as she regained her senses and mocked herself for acting impulsively and foolishly, the door of "Coffee & Wine" creaked open. He Jiafen stood inside, urging people to hurry up, otherwise they wouldn't be able to see the sparks.
Sparkling is one of the unique features of Fuling, and it's especially popular with young couples for taking photos.
Guan Nan froze, feeling like a clown. Knowing it was a perfect time for a date on Valentine's Day, she shamelessly rushed over here.
Instinctively, Guan Nan, covered in a disheveled state, wanted to escape.
"I'm getting the camera, sister," Qi Qi suddenly jumped out, pulled her into her arms, and pinched her cheek hard, her anger rising. "You only have a three-minute attention span and you do whatever comes to mind. If I don't take good care of you, your brother will skin me alive!"
Guan Nan was speechless.
Because Qi Qi not only recognized her but also called out to her.
The two of them stood with their arms around each other's shoulders and waists at the entrance of "Coffee & Wine," looking surprisingly harmonious.
But Guan Nan's eyelids slipped uncontrollably.
My best friend and his girlfriend are being very affectionate.
Today is Qixi Festival, Valentine's Day, and Jiangli University is just like that...
Was their partner poached?
Just as she was lost in thought and bewilderment, Qi Qi called out to Jiang Li from the other side. Jiang Li came out still looking impatient: "What is it now?"
Qi Qi winked and gestured to him, indicating that he should look at He Jiafen, who was greeting someone.
Jiang Li frowned, not interested in getting involved in their affairs, but he also knew his niece's talent for causing trouble: "He Jiafen, if you cause any more trouble, don't go in. Go inside and clean up the mess for me."
"Ah!" He Jiafen wailed, looking completely innocent. "What does this have to do with me? I was talking to my sister!"
"See? He's so unpredictable and capricious. He's not acting like a proper uncle at all, bullying his own niece like that..." She finished speaking and turned to Guan Nan to complain, "He's a bachelor and he's always interfering in other people's relationships! His crimes are outrageous!"
Guan Nan was still in the midst of her surprise at the thought, "You've come to see my uncle."
Before He Jiafen could finish speaking, Qi Qi raised a large hand and covered her mouth, turning it into a series of slurred sounds. After the two said goodbye and left, Guan Nan was still standing there, not yet recovered from her shock.
She snapped out of her daze, regained her composure, and her feet wavered for a moment.
Guan Nan looked up at Jiang Li, who was leaning lazily against the door frame with his arms crossed, across three stone steps. A thousand words were stuck in her throat, and she couldn't say a word.
A moment of silence.
After waiting for a long time, the person standing opposite finally spoke.
Guan Nan's voice was hoarse: "Jiang Li."
"I'm listening." Jiang Li raised an eyebrow slightly, still maintaining that casual yet not aloof demeanor.
After thinking for a long time, Guan Nan finally came up with a lame excuse: "I want to drink."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Li seemed to have heard something amusing and suddenly chuckled.
The soft, dense laughter landed precisely on Guan Nan's head. Her face flushed red, she stood stubbornly in place, staring at Jiang Li without backing down.
Jiang Li's laughter faded slightly: "If you want to drink, go to a bar. What are you doing here?"
"I..." Guan Nan didn't know what to say next.
"Do you think I sell alcohol here? I didn't know coffee and liquor were a business made from that." His tone was indifferent, making it impossible to tell whether he was joking or serious, leaving one guessing.
Guan Nan hesitated for a moment, then took out a bottle of Sprite and held it out to him: "Then, may I treat you to a Sprite? Would you do me the honor?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Li looked at her with a strange expression.
Seeing that he wouldn't take it, Guan Nan didn't take it back either, and they remained in a stalemate.
"Didn't that guy surnamed Qi come back?" Jiang Li mocked. "On such a holiday, instead of going on a date, you come here to buy me Sprite?"
The commercial street was bustling with people, and the aroma of the flower tea brewing next door was so enticing that even from across the long wall, it made her eyes water and her vision blur.
Guan Nan pursed her lips: "He's back..."
She originally wanted to say that he would come back and they could have anything they wanted, but that would seem particularly heartless, since he had helped her so much.
After pausing for two seconds, Guan Nan adjusted her words: "If he comes back, can't I come to you?"
"Hmph." Jiang Li sneered, "You're quite funny."
"·····"
"What do you want from me?"
"·····"
"Will you be my bridesmaid or my best man?"
He was acting strangely grumpy tonight; his words were sharp and cutting. Guan Nan seemed to vaguely sense something was amiss. "What bridesmaids and groomsmen?"
"Why are you acting all high and mighty in front of me when good things are about to happen?" Jiang Li said, a slight smirk playing on her lips.
Guan Nan finally realized what was happening.
She wasn't angry, but she felt somewhat helpless, which only strengthened her resolve: "Good things are coming soon, and I want to find you too."
"You want me to cheat on you?" Jiang Li's words were unpleasant, sounding like he was furious. "That's truly my honor. Should I thank you?"
The two are positioned one inside and one outside, one tall and one short.
Guan Nan had to tilt her head back to see his face clearly.
She held out her hand and didn't retract it, leaving it suspended in mid-air. At this moment, she showed weakness: "Jiang Li, I'm a little tired."
"Go back if you're tired." Jiang Li took a step back, seemingly about to close the door and refuse visitors.
Now that she was here, Guan Nan wasn't about to go back easily. She quickly took a big step forward, and luckily the door closed slowly, allowing her to slip inside.
Jiang Li kept his expression composed and glanced at her without making a sound.
Afraid he would reject her, Guan Nan walked to the inner door first, pulled out her phone, and awkwardly started a conversation: "Have you eaten? Or how about we—"
"I've eaten." Jiang Li said politely but not politely.
Guan Nan paused for a moment, then looked down at her phone screen again. "I haven't eaten yet. I'll order some takeout first."
After hearing her words, Jiang Li turned around and closed the door before calmly saying, "Why are you asking me? Do you think I can make decisions for you?"
He's acting like he's on steroids; I don't know what he did to offend him this time.
She didn't say much, casually ordered takeout, and cautiously followed Jiang Li into the house.
The lobby on the first floor was more chaotic than last time. The incandescent lights were on very brightly, and the floor was littered with the remains of what had just been gathered there, along with overturned bowls, chopsticks, and water glasses, and half-finished drinks.
At this moment, Jiang Li stood in front of the table, his back slightly hunched as he cleared away the dishes.
As soon as Guan Nan arrived, he heard him say rudely, "What are you doing?"
"I'll help you," Guan Nan said honestly.
Jiang Li: "You ate?"
Guan Nan shook her head.
"Why are you doing this if you haven't eaten?" Jiang Li glanced at her coldly, his eyes and nose glaring at her. "I thought you had eaten."
"I think······"
As if seeing through her thoughts, Jiang Lixiang didn't want to say directly, "No need."
"·····"
Jiang Li threw the bowl and chopsticks into the trash can, then glanced over here again: "If you really can't stand being here, if you can't live with yourself watching me work, and if you're bored out of your mind, then go feed the birds for me."
Feeding the birds sounds like a difficult task, but she didn't refuse.
He walked a few steps away, then turned back and asked where the birdseed was.
Listening to his description of the location, Guan Nan searched around the cabinet, looking everywhere, but still couldn't find the birdseed.
She hesitated for a second, then called Jiang Li's name, "I... I couldn't find it."
"Take another look." Jiang Li pulled out the trash bag, picked it up and threw it in the well-ventilated yard by the door. He then opened the window, which was usually tightly closed, and washed his hands outside before coming back in.
Guan Nan obediently looked around again.
Seeing him carrying a broom, as he turned the corner, Guan Nan called out to him again: "Jiang Li."
"Still haven't found it?" Jiang Li paused, turned around and looked at her.
After saying that, Jiang Li casually leaned the broom against the wall and walked straight over.
With his long arms and legs, he reached her in just a few steps, circled the outer edge of the bar, and stood tall and imposing in front of the brightly lit display case. He didn't bother looking for birdseed, but simply rested one hand on the counter, his spiky head staring at her with downcast eyes.
Even with the air conditioning on, Guan Nan could still feel her cheeks burning, and she spoke very softly: "I can't find it."
"Can't find it?" Jiang Li asked.
Guan Nan nodded and mumbled, "Mm."
He then asked, "Didn't you wear your glasses when you went out?"
Not understanding what he meant, Guan Nan frowned and muttered, "I'm not nearsighted."
"Really?" Jiang Li said ambiguously, "I thought your nearsightedness was so severe that you couldn't see things right in front of you."
"·····"
There was a brief silence.
Guan Nan looked up at him without saying a word.
The next second, Jiang Li looked away and opened one of the cabinet doors.
A delicate, clear glass jar was brought out and casually placed on the table.
Guan Nan followed his movements with her gaze, and only when the glass jar was opened did she belatedly realize the meaning behind his action.
He was feeding the birds.
But who would use such an expensive jar to store birdseed, especially mixed in with all the coffee?
"Won't you be unable to tell the difference?" Guan Nan asked, puzzled. "What if someone accidentally eats birdseed?"
Jiang Li gave her a look as if she were an idiot: "What are eyes for?"
"·····"
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