Chapter 36
On Friday evening, Lin Wei, returning from a long business trip, arrived at Xia Wan's apartment, suitcase in tow, her familiar path to the apartment. Without a word of warning, she rang the doorbell, carrying snacks and milk tea as a "reward" for her contributions. As Xia Wan's best friend and advisor, she had keenly noticed a change in her tone lately, a light, sweet cadence. Combined with the progress of her previous "advice," she already had a good idea. This surprise move was intended to personally "verify the results."
Xia Wan was hunched over on the sofa, revising a blueprint when the doorbell rang. Jiang Yu was in the kitchen, cooking noodles with a slightly unfamiliar air. He was wearing a light grey cashmere sweater, his sleeves rolled up, his profile focused.
Xia Wan ran to open the door.
"Surprise!" Lin Wei was full of energy, opening her arms for a hug. "I missed you so much, baby. Look what I brought you. Also, food...eh?"
Her hug froze in mid-air, her eyes wide open, as if she had seen a ghost, staring intently at Jiang Yu in the kitchen behind Xia Wan! Time froze for three seconds.
Lin Wei's mind raced: Jiang Yu? At Wanwan's? Cooking noodles?! The amount of information was overwhelming! She whipped her head around to look at Xia Wan, her eyes not in shock but in a look of understanding, "As expected! I caught you in the act!" A raging fire of gossip, mingled with a hint of motherly relief: "My daughter has finally made it!"
Xia Wan's face flushed red and she felt so embarrassed that she wanted to disappear right there.
Jiang Yu put down his chopsticks, turned down the heat, and calmly wiped his hands and walked out of the kitchen. He walked over to Xia Wan, naturally put his arm around her shoulders, and nodded slightly to Lin Wei: "Ms. Lin, you must have been traveling on business. Come in and have a seat."
His action made Lin Wei's eyes brighter.
"Sit! You must sit!" Lin Wei came back to her senses instantly, a huge and bright smile bloomed on her face, her eyes swept back and forth between the two of them, and finally fixed on Xia Wan's flushed face, and she said in a mischievous tone: "Hey - classmate Xia Xiaowan! Explain? What's going on? A golden house hiding 'bones'?" She deliberately emphasized the word "bones", glanced at Jiang Yu, and teased with the familiarity of old classmates.
Xia Wan felt so embarrassed by her teasing that she glared at her angrily: "Weiwei!"
Jiang Yu remained calm, with the corners of his lips slightly raised: "As you can see, Lin Wei." He admitted frankly, with a hint of ease in his tone.
"Haha! Great! That's great!" Lin Wei laughed heartily, clapping her hands heartily, but her eyes instantly reddened. She knew Xia Wan too well, and knew all too well what this relationship meant to her. As the "only witness" of Xia Wan's long, bitter, and hopeless ten-year secret love, she was filled with indescribable relief and excitement at finally getting her wish and standing with the man she had secretly loved for so long. She stepped forward, this time giving Xia Wan a big, solid hug, her voice barely audible, "Wanwan! Congratulations! It's really... that's great!" Xia Wan had finally conquered the "toughest bone" after "ten years." She didn't say it, but the strength of the hug and the slight trembling of her voice spoke volumes.
Xia Wan was hugged tightly by Lin Wei. She felt her best friend's heartfelt joy and the heavy sense of relief that only they could understand. Her heart was filled with warmth. She hugged her back tightly and whispered, "Thank you, Weiwei."
Lin Wei let go of Xia Wan, wiping her eyes carelessly. She turned to Jiang Yu, her smile still bright, but her eyes held a hint of earnestness and the sharpness of an old schoolmate. "Jiang Yu! We may be old classmates, but let me be frank!" She placed her hands on her hips, tiptoed, and spoke with unwavering confidence. "Wan Wan is my best friend! If you dare let her suffer even the slightest injustice, make her shed a single tear, I don't care what CEO position you hold now. I'll still come to your company and overturn the tables! Do you hear me?" She warned, half-jokingly, half-seriously, but her eyes were incredibly serious. This was her stance as a close friend, and it was also her most direct defense of Xia Wan.
Jiang Yu looked at Lin Wei protecting her child, then at Xia Wan, whose cheeks were slightly red but eyes were full of happiness. A warm smile spread across his deep eyes. He was not offended at all, but nodded solemnly, his voice steady and powerful:
"Don't worry. I won't give you the chance to overturn the table." He paused, his eyes fell on Xia Wan's face, and added, "I will take good care of her."
These words were simple yet weighty. Lin Wei, seeing the unquestionable seriousness in his eyes and the complete trust in Xia Wan's, relaxed her tense shoulders and a broad smile spread across her face once again. "Okay! Remember that! Let's go!" She took Xia Wan by the arm and pointed proudly out the door. "I'm so happy today! I'll treat you all to a nice meal! Celebrating our Wan Wan's success in taking down the toughest bone! And also celebrating that President Jiang finally... uh, recognized a talent!" She winked mischievously at Jiang Yu.
Xia Wan was being held by Lin Wei, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, but her heart was filled with immense happiness and warmth. She looked at Jiang Yu, who was also looking at her. They smiled at each other, tacitly agreeing not to say anything.
In the fading light of the setting sun, the three of them emerged from the apartment, noisily and busily. Lin Wei was boisterous and full of energy, while Xia Wan, with a gentle smile, snuggled up to Jiang Yu. Jiang Yu was steady, reliable, and silently watching over her. Lin Wei was the sole witness, witnessing the loneliness of Xia Wan's long, secret love and the fulfillment of her current happiness. She respected Xia Wan's privacy and would never reveal the secrets of the past decade. But in her own way—a warm hug, a sharp warning, a boisterous celebration—she expressed her deepest blessings and the most steadfast protection.
The past ten years hidden deep in his heart, like the tacit understanding between old friends, will continue to settle in time and become a gentle and tenacious part of the background of Xia Wan's life.
Lin Wei chose a newly opened fusion restaurant with an elegant and relaxed atmosphere. She fully utilized her role as both "light bulb" and "atmosphere creator," engaging in a wildly imaginative conversation, from slacking off on the client's oddities to sharing anecdotes from business trips, which kept Xia Wan laughing non-stop. She never mentioned words like "ten years" or "secret crush," and even kept her teasing to a minimum. She only occasionally addressed her like "Boss Jiang" or "our Wanwan" with the familiarity and playful amusement of an old classmate and best friend, her eyes filled with the profound meaning of "I understand" and "Be good to our girl."
Jiang Yu spoke little, but he always wore a gentle smile. He occasionally responded to a topic Lin Wei had raised, or served Xia Wan a dish she'd glanced at, his movements flowing naturally. His calm aura strangely neutralized Lin Wei's liveliness, imbuing the celebratory dinner with harmony and warmth. Lin Wei observed the unconcealed sweetness and relaxation in Xia Wan's eyes, and Jiang Yu's reserved yet pervasive thoughtfulness, and the last ounce of worry in her heart finally settled. She knew that Xia Wan was truly being cherished this time.
After dinner, Lin Wei paid the bill generously. Although Jiang Yu insisted on splitting the bill, Lin Wei retorted, "Since you said it's my treat, so I'll treat. Congratulations to my sister for getting out of singlehood!" Then she tactfully left, leaving the space for the newly-formed couple who had just confirmed their relationship.
"Alright, alright, I, this oversized light bulb, have accomplished my mission and now I'm ready to retire!" Lin Wei waved her hand elegantly and winked at Xia Wan, "Enjoy your world of two! Mr. Jiang, I'm returning the person to you in perfect condition, keep it up!" After saying that, without waiting for the two to react, she got into a taxi and sped away.
Xia Wan and Jiang Yu were left standing on the neon-lit street, the evening breeze bringing the coolness of a spring night and the fragrance of flowers.
"This Lin Wei..." Xia Wan smiled helplessly and shook her head, her cheeks still slightly red.
"She's very good." Jiang Yu looked at her with a smile on his lips, and naturally took her hand, "She is very protective of you." There was no unhappiness in his tone, but rather appreciation.
The warmth of their palms against each other dispelled the chill of the night breeze. Xia Wanhui held his hand, her fingertips gently tickling his calloused palm, and said playfully, "Then you better be careful. Don't give Weiwei a chance to flip the table."
Jiang Yu felt itchy in his heart because of her little action. His deep eyes darkened. He held her hand tightly and lowered his voice a little: "Yes, Mr. Xia." He deliberately used the work name, but it carried a completely different intimate meaning.
Holding hands, they walked slowly along the dimly lit streets. They had no clear destination, simply enjoying the tranquility and sweetness of walking side by side in the night. The streetlights stretched and shortened their shadows, overlapping them. Occasionally, they whispered a few words, about the dishes they had just eaten, about Lin Wei's interesting stories, about tomorrow's work.
Jiang Yu stopped at the entrance of a quiet little park in the middle of the street. The park was lush with trees and winding paths, and it looked particularly quiet in the night.
"Want to go in for a walk?" He asked with his head tilted.
"Okay." Xia Wan nodded.
The park was quiet, with only the rustling of leaves and the faint sound of traffic in the distance. Streetlights flared softly along the path. The air was filled with the fragrance of grass and the sweet scent of tuberose.
They walked side by side, hands still linked. The atmosphere was peaceful and beautiful, with that sweet, heart-racing throbbing feeling that is unique to the early stages of love.
"Next week," Jiang Yu suddenly spoke, his voice particularly clear in the silence, "I have a project and I have to go to Su City for a few days on business."
"Hmm? How long will it take?" Xia Wan turned her head to look at him.
"About three or four days," Jiang Yu replied, his gaze fixed on her face with a subtle hint of anticipation. "The gardens of Su City, especially the Night Garden of the Master of Nets Garden, are at their best this season. I remember... you really like them."
Xia Wan's heart skipped a beat. She truly loved classical gardens, especially their intricate layouts and the poetic beauty of changing scenery as she stepped. She'd once mentioned them in an essay on the preservation of historical spaces. He... actually remembered?
"Yes, I like it very much." She replied softly, her heart warmed.
"So," Jiang Yu paused, turned, and faced her. The halo of streetlight cast a shadow on his chiseled face, and his deep eyes shone startlingly bright in the night. "I'd like to invite Mr. Xia to go to Sucheng with us this weekend, if time permits. We can check out a few project sites during the day, and then... go to the Night Garden at night. Just... take a short break from work and relax?" His tone was inquiring, but his eyes were filled with unmistakable anticipation.
This wasn't just a simple invitation to a business trip, but a carefully crafted trip just for the two of them! To see her favorite gardens, to experience the classical atmosphere at night... This thoughtfulness moved Xia Wan more than any sweet words.
She looked at the clear anticipation in his eyes, felt the warmth of his palm, and a huge wave of joy and anticipation instantly filled her heart. Without hesitation, she raised her face and gave him a brilliant smile, her eyes bright and filled with complete joy.
"Okay! Let's go together!"
Her promise was like a stone dropped into the center of a lake, bringing a bright smile to Jiang Yu's deep eyes. He held her hand with a slight force, and the corners of his lips curled up, forming a warm and satisfied arc.
"Okay." He replied softly, with uncontrollable joy in his voice.
Without further ado, they exchanged a smile and continued along the path in tacit understanding. The evening breeze blew by, carrying the fresh scent of flowers and trees, as well as the sweet anticipation of their upcoming trip to Suzhou.
When we got back to the apartment building, it was already late.
"Go to bed early." Jiang Yu let go of her hand and naturally tucked a strand of her hair that was messed up by the wind behind her ear. His fingertips accidentally brushed against her slightly cool earlobe, causing a slight shudder.
"Yeah, you too." Xia Wan's cheeks were slightly hot.
"Good night." Jiang Yu's gaze fell heavily on her face, with gentle warmth.
"Good night." Xia Wan responded softly.
After watching his car disappear around the corner, Xia Wan turned and headed upstairs. Her steps were brisk, her heart a happy bird in her arms. She opened the door, and the apartment was filled with a quiet and warm atmosphere. Her eyes swept across the desk, where the dark blue diary still lay quietly.
She walked over, her fingertips lightly brushing the cover. This time, there was no more turmoil or shyness in her heart, only a calm tenderness. She didn't need to reveal every word to him, because his companionship, understanding, and "seeing" at this moment were the best response and comfort for all the loneliness she had felt in the past.
She took out her phone and sent a message to Lin Wei:
"Arrived home safely. Thank you, Wei Ma, for the 'celebration' and 'warning' tonight~ (smiley face)"
Lin Wei replied almost immediately:
"(Smirk) Of course! I'm a professional! How's it going? Sweet little world for the two of us, right? Quick! Report on the battle!"
Xia Wan laughed and replied:
"Very sweet. And...he invited me to go to Sioux City with him next weekend."
Lin Wei: "!!! (shocked face) Great, Mr. Jiang! You're moving fast! You know how to create romance! (thumbs-up) Wanwan! Seize the opportunity! Have fun! Remember to take pictures! I want to see the candy!"
Looking at Lin Wei's energetic reply, Xia Wan smiled and put down her phone. She walked to the window, looking out at the quiet night and the twinkling lights in the distance. Her heart was calm and full of anticipation.
The vault project of Jinzhou Old Bank won the gold award, opening a new chapter in her career.
And a belated but deep enough love also opened a new chapter full of sweetness and possibilities for her life this spring.
The gardens of Suzhou, the gardens of the night...
She knew that it would be another new chapter worth looking forward to in her and Jiang Yu's story.
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