22. Holidays
When we are at home, the atmosphere is much more relaxed and cheerful.
However, Jiang Nan still got up early and did not stay in bed as usual - she wanted to spend as much time with her parents as possible and buy some things for the house.
After breakfast, the family of three packed their bags and went shopping. Jiang Nan bought two sets of clothes for each of her parents, along with new phones. Her lavish spending, coupled with the jade bracelet still lingering on her wrist, slightly changed Hong Qiuping's expression.
Hong Qiuping sent Jiang Youhua home with his things, and she took Jiang Nan to the market to buy spareribs. On the way, she found the perfect moment and casually asked, "Nannan, did you get a raise?"
Jiang Nan didn't doubt him and replied in a brisk tone, "Not only did I get a raise, I also got a promotion, and there's also a bonus after the project is completed."
Hong Qiuping breathed a sigh of relief, then looked at the bracelet on Jiang Nan's wrist and asked, "Is this real or fake? Is it expensive?"
"Ah—this one—it's not expensive," Jiang Nan said calmly, casually swinging his bracelet. "It's a modern handicraft. You can get three for twenty yuan. Ah! I should have brought one back for you earlier."
"Forget it, the school has regulations," Hong Qiuping said, her complexion visibly improving. "Teachers are not allowed to dress up too much."
"Even cheap handicrafts are not acceptable?" Jiang Nan continued to reinforce the idea that the bracelets were cheap.
"No." Hong Qiuping smiled and took Jiang Nan to the meat stall as if she knew the place well and ordered a few pounds of ribs.
Jiang Nan quickly glanced at Hong Qiuping's profile and finally felt relieved when he found that she had given up pursuing the matter of the bracelet.
She only realized she hadn't taken the bracelet off after boarding the plane yesterday. She'd originally planned to put it in her bag, but she was worried it might break or even lose it. So, after much deliberation, she decided to keep it on. She figured the most dangerous place was the safest place, and she certainly wouldn't be so crazy as to break the bracelet.
However, her sudden wealth, coupled with the existence of the bracelet, aroused Jiang's mother's suspicion. Fortunately, she did get a promotion and a raise, so she had a reasonable excuse to put it in front of her.
After buying the ribs, the mother and daughter walked home in a happy and relaxed atmosphere, as if nothing had happened.
But Jiang Nan still kept an eye on Hong Qiuping's every move, fearing that he would do something that would be exposed again.
However, when Hong Qiuping returned home and saw Jiang Youhua preparing a whole chicken in the kitchen, she stopped asking about Jiang Nan's life in Jiangcheng.
Jiang Youhua was preparing to make a soup, but he was not as good as Hong Qiuping in handling the chicken and urgently needed her guidance.
Jiang Nan smiled and said, "Okay, while you guys are sharing your cooking skills, I'll make you some sweet and sour pork ribs."
Hong Qiuping hummed, then continued, "Wait until your dad finishes cooking the soup, then I'll make two more stir-fries."
"Teacher Hong, this is perfect." Jiang Youhua said in an exaggerated tone.
Hong Qiuping rolled her eyes at him and went to the kitchen sink carrying the ribs.
Jiang Nan looked at all this and thought that no matter how ridiculous the agreement was, it was worth it.
After washing the ribs, she relaxed completely. She wandered around the house in a loose T-shirt, sweatpants, and slippers. Hong Qiuping couldn't help but nag, "Are you like this in Jiangcheng too? You're becoming more and more unruly."
Jiang Nan smiled and leaned over: "No, I wasn't so respectable when I was over there."
Then she was rewarded with a laugh and a scolding and a gentle slap.
Jiang Nan and Jiang Youhua's interactions were much simpler. After they had simmered some spare ribs and chicken, they went to the living room to play Go. They then chatted about work, family matters, and Hong Qiuping's recovery.
This subtle yet rich warmth was something Jiang Nan had never felt in her luxurious apartment in Jiangcheng. At this moment, she was like a sun-dried sponge, reimmersing herself in water, and every pore of her body greedily absorbed this familiar, reassuring scent.
——
In the afternoon, Jiang Nan curled up on the sofa, video chatting with Wenwen. She pointed the camera at a plate of freshly washed local strawberries that Hong Qiuping had left for her and said with a smile, "See that?"
"Ahhh! You're attracting hatred!" Wenwen yelled exaggeratedly from the other end of the screen, "Leave some for me! No! Bring me some! Ahhh! I'm so tired after climbing Mount Tai, I need some fresh fruit!"
"Okay, okay, I'll bring you a basket, okay?" Jiang Nan smiled, "And I've also bought the butcher shop you mentioned."
"Wow, wow, Nan Nan is the best!" Then Wen Wen winked and asked, "How is it? After eating too much delicacies at your cheap husband's house, are you still used to the simple meals at home?"
"Now this is the most delicious food in the world." Jiang Nan subconsciously did not respond to her, and at the same time was glad that she was wearing headphones, otherwise she would be doomed.
However, this tranquility mixed with a slight bitterness was soon broken.
Before dinner, Jiang Nan's phone vibrated several times. She didn't want to check it, but the constant vibrations made her urge her parents to start eating without waiting for her.
"It might be something at the company." She picked up the phone and said something to comfort him.
It was a series of explosive messages sent by Wenwen:
Baby! Something happened!
That chatterbox Pete got the photo from somewhere and made innuendos in a small company group!
What did you say when you saw a luxury car picking you up?
He spoke with such conviction that many people who usually followed Wang Paopi started to speak in a sarcastic tone.
I'm so angry.
I explained a few things to you, but ended up being kicked out of the group.
Wenwen sent several screenshots in succession, including photos sent by Pitt and other people's suggestive remarks.
Jiang Nan's heart sank, and she felt her hands tremble slightly. She quickly locked the screen and tried to maintain a calm expression, but her parents still noticed the subtle change.
"Nannan, what's wrong? Did something happen at work?" Hong Qiuping asked with concern.
"It's okay, Mom. A colleague asked me for a document, but I can't seem to find it." Jiang Nan forced a smile, but her heart was in turmoil. She put down her phone, turned back to the table, and ate, trying to remain calm so her parents wouldn't notice anything unusual.
But in fact, her mind was in a mess.
She may not care about the rumors, and may even try to make things bigger and clear them up, and then settle the score with Pete.
However, now that this matter involved Chen Yunsheng, she couldn't tell the truth. Moreover, if she allowed this unpleasant rumor to ferment, not only would her job be in jeopardy, but it could also cause great trouble for Chen Yunsheng. What if someone with ulterior motives took advantage of it and affected his reputation, or even the family business? Jiang Nan didn't dare to think about it anymore.
By then, she would most likely be burdened with hundreds of millions of dollars in debt at such a young age - and then she would really only have her life to give.
"Nannan, are you listening?" Jiang Youhua asked worriedly.
"I'm listening," Jiang Nan said sheepishly, looking up at his parents. "I'm just a little worried I won't be able to get a ticket."
"That's how it is during holidays," Hong Qiuping comforted her. "You're just on standby. If you really can't make it, just ask for leave and tell them your mom is sick and needs someone to look after her."
"Hey hey hey!" Jiang Nan and Jiang Youhua said almost in unison.
Hong Qiuping smiled, then pouted three times. She muttered, "Feudal superstition."
"It's better to believe it than not to believe it," Jiang Youhua said, serving Hong Qiuping a bowl of chicken soup. "Teacher Hong, you teach Chinese. Don't you understand less than me, a chemistry teacher?"
Hong Qiuping took the bowl and said, "I understand, Teacher Jiang."
Jiang Youhua nodded with satisfaction and let Hong Qiuping off the hook for speaking without restraint.
Jiang Nan also took a sip of the chicken soup.
At this moment, she was happy about the happiness in front of her, but also worried about the rumors.
——
After dinner, Jiang Nan talked to Wenwen and got to know the whole thing clearly. At the same time, she also asked Wenwen to be a bystander and not get involved, so as to prevent Peter from getting angry and taking it out on her.
After hanging up the phone, Jiang Nan sat by the bed for a long time, almost unable to sort out any thoughts.
She didn't want to bother Chen Yunsheng; the agreement didn't specify his responsibility to deal with such a mess. She figured she could go back to the company and explain herself, have a huge argument with Peter, or even resign to prove her innocence.
However, what Jiang Nan feared most was that no matter what she did, she would not be able to explain it.
What’s even more terrifying is that the other party is taking advantage of the situation to drag Chen Yunsheng into deeper trouble.
Jiang Nan hesitated again and again, but in the end, reason overcame his pitiful self-esteem and sense of boundaries.
She picked up her phone and found the number she almost never called.
The phone rang several times before it was connected. Then Chen Yunsheng's calm and gentle voice came from the other end: "Hello, Jiang Nan?"
"Mr. Chen, it's me, Jiang Nan." Jiang Nan's voice was filled with nervousness and uneasiness. "I'm sorry to bother you so late. I... have something I don't know what to do, and it might...it might affect you."
She stammered incoherently, recounting the rumors she had heard. Her voice grew lower and lower as she spoke, her cheeks growing hotter. She felt like a clown who couldn't handle trouble well and instead caused trouble for her employer.
There was silence on the other end of the phone for a few seconds.
Although it was only a few seconds, this brief silence was enough to make Jiang Nan's heart beat fast, almost jumping onto the tip of her tongue.
However, she heard Chen Yunsheng's still gentle voice: "I understand."
Just a few simple words, no asking for details, no blaming her for her carelessness, not even a hint of surprise or impatience.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of this," he paused, then added, "Don't worry, this won't affect your work in any way." Then, his tone suddenly changed, and he asked, almost gently, "What time is your flight tomorrow? I'll have the driver pick you up."
His tone was so natural, as if the matter was as insignificant as the dust on the windowsill that could be easily brushed away.
Jiang Nan reported the flight time in a daze.
The sword hanging over her head disappeared in an instant because of his casual words, as if it had never existed.
"Mr. Chen, thank you," she said, her voice choking with sobs. "I'm sorry to bother you again."
"Don't think too much. Besides, I'm also responsible for this matter," Chen Yunsheng comforted her, and then instructed, "What you need to do now is to have a good rest and spend more time with your family."
His tone was so calm that Jiang Nan was both impressed and curious. She couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you angry?"
"Of course I'm angry," Chen Yunsheng said calmly, "but I believe rumors stop with wisdom and action. Okay, just leave it to me and have fun."
"Oh, okay, good night, Mr. Chen."
Chen Yunsheng was silent for a second or two before he agreed, "Good night, Miss Jiang."
After putting down her phone, Jiang Nan slowly walked to the window. She looked out at the familiar night view of her hometown, feeling a mixture of emotions.
She once again clearly realized the huge gap between her and Chen Yunsheng - the problem that she needed to rack her brains and even pay a huge price to solve, for him, might really be a small matter that could be settled with just a phone call.
This realization made her feel relieved, but it also brought a sense of indescribable melancholy.
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