64. Birthday Party Eve
As the birthday party approaches, life seems to be fast-forwarded, but in the midst of this busyness, there are still many trivial and real daily routines.
Jiang Nan is still busy finishing the Summer Pulse project, but her mindset has changed.
Wang Baopi's departure made the air in the office much fresher - although the work pressure was as heavy as before, the efficiency was improved without the internal friction caused by the mess.
Also, when Jiang Nan was communicating with Song Wei, although the other party was still as decisive and resolute, her voice was less sharp and more calm, as if Song Wei had become much softer after letting go of the unbearable past.
In addition, Song Wei had sent Jiang Nan a solemn apology email, and even Qin Yu had called her to apologize. Although his words were halting, she felt his sincerity. Therefore, she no longer dwelled on the not-so-pleasant past.
At the same time, Chen Yunsheng intentionally adjusted his pace. He no longer worked late into the night as often as before. If he had more time, Chen Yunsheng would even drive himself to Jiang Nan's office.
He seemed to have really included the pick-up and drop-off in his daily schedule, as natural as if he and Jiang Nan were indeed a loving couple.
Life in the apartment also quietly changed. Auntie still came to clean and cook on time, but the refrigerator gradually filled up with Jiang Nan's favorite yogurt, juice, and various snacks she had stockpiled. On the coffee table in the living room, besides his financial magazines, she would also find half-read novels or fashion magazines. And those disappeared sticky notes were slowly reappearing, but now not only were they left by her for him, but most of them were left by him for her.
Jiang Nan was also surprised to find that Chen Yunsheng talked a lot more than before.
Although he mostly just listened, he always made comments that hit the point or made Jiang Nan laugh.
Amidst all the hustle and bustle, the day for their final cheongsam fitting arrived. This time, however, the two went directly to Chunhua Qiushi's studio.
This fitting is mainly to make final adjustments to ensure that every detail fits perfectly.
After arriving at the studio, Jiang Nan talked to Chen Yunsheng for a while and then was led into the fitting room.
Jiang Nan put on her light blue cheongsam and stood before the floor-length mirror, letting the master craftsman meticulously examine every detail of it. She stared at herself in the mirror, paying attention to the fit of the bracelet on her cheongsam—a bracelet she usually kept hidden, but which she had to wear for an occasion like a birthday party. She still had to try it on first to see if it matched the cheongsam.
At first glance, the woman in the mirror had a slender figure, her temperament enhanced by the light blue and well-cut cheongsam, making her look calm and gentle, with a restrained scholarly air. The bracelet on her wrist didn't seem out of place, but rather complemented her perfectly.
At that time, Chen Yunsheng sat on the sofa nearby, watching quietly, his expression as focused as ever. But this time, there seemed to be something more in his eyes, like a calmer, deeper appreciation that was no longer limited to the clothes themselves.
The old master finally straightened up, his face full of smiles: "Miss Jiang, take a look."
Jiang Nan turned slightly towards the mirror, feeling a little happy and expectant. She turned back to look at Chen Yunsheng and asked him softly, "What do you think?"
Chen Yunsheng stood up and walked over: "Very beautiful."
After saying that, he slowly took out a velvet box from the inside pocket of his suit, and then gently opened it under the surprised gazes of the master and Jiang Nan.
A pink diamond ring reflects a dazzling light under the bright lights of the studio.
"Try this." Chen Yunsheng said in a calm and restrained tone. Then he picked up the ring and looked at Jiang Nan quietly, waiting for her reaction.
Jiang Nan blinked at him, then nervously and anxiously stretched out his left hand.
Chen Yunsheng's eyes softened, and his features softened. He gently held her finger and slowly pushed the pink diamond ring onto her ring finger.
The cool metal felt both real and dreamy against her skin. Compared to the emergency ring she'd initially used, this pink diamond ring was the perfect size. The radiance of the pink diamond, combined with the jade bracelet on her hand, created a sense of high-profile luxury.
But the colors don't match.
Jiang Nan looked up at Chen Yunsheng and said sarcastically, "Isn't he too much of a burden? He looks like a nouveau riche."
Chen Yunsheng was stunned for a moment, then smiled lightly.
"Miss Jiang, you can change your outfit," the old master suggested with a smile, "The lilac one will go perfectly with the ring."
Chen Yunsheng nodded slightly and said softly, "Thank you for your hard work."
After saying this, Chen Yunsheng still didn't let go of her hand. His fingertips rested lightly on her ring-wearing finger for a few seconds before slowly withdrawing. Then, his gaze shifted from the ring to her eyes, and he said seriously, "It looks very beautiful."
Jiang Nan looked away. "Yes, it is." She raised her hand and looked at the dazzling ring on her ring finger with a calm expression, her mood mixed.
Although Chen Yunsheng's attitude has become much softer during this period, she still cannot be sure whether the ring belongs to Mrs. Chen as a prop or to Jiang Nan as an ornament. She even says that she prefers to believe the former rather than the latter.
"Just wear it on the birthday party," he said.
"Okay." Jiang Nan heard himself answer.
Afterwards, even after leaving the studio and getting into the car, Jiang Nan still looked at the ring on her hand from time to time. The sunlight shining through the car window made the diamond sparkle, so beautiful that it was hard to look away.
"You'll get used to it." Chen Yunsheng started the car and suddenly said.
Jiang Nan looked at him, his expression dull and confused.
He looked at the road ahead and said calmly, "I might need to wear it more often in the future."
Later and often.
These two words made Jiang Nan's heart tremble slightly. She lowered her head, hummed softly, and rubbed the shimmering ring with her fingers, trying to let it be touched by her body temperature.
"After the birthday banquet, there may be a period of social engagements," Chen Yunsheng continued. "Relatives and close friends may invite you to dinner one after another. If you feel tired or don't want to go, you can turn them down."
Jiang Nan turned her head to look at him, realizing that he was giving her a heads-up in advance and giving her the right to refuse.
"It's okay," she shook her head. "If the work requires it, I can do it."
"It's not exactly work," he paused, choosing his words carefully, "it's more of a personal connection. I rarely participated in it before, but now..."
——Now I have her.
He didn't say this out loud, but Jiang Nan understood.
Now that he had her as his wife, many occasions that he could have turned down before suddenly became reasons for him to attend. But at the same time, he also made it clear to her that she had the freedom to choose not to go.
This kind of respect made her feel warm in her heart.
"I understand," she nodded. "I'll see what happens."
——
The day before the birthday party, the two returned to the old house early.
The old house was busier than usual, with servants hurrying around making final preparations. Festive lanterns had been hung in the corridor, and the flowers and plants in the courtyard had been carefully trimmed. Almost every part of the old house exuded a brand new atmosphere.
Old Master Chen was very happy to see them, especially when he saw the pink diamond ring on Jiang Nan's hand and the jade bracelet on his wrist, the smile on his face deepened.
Su Wanrong was still elegant and graceful. She asked the servants to take their luggage to the room. She only glanced at the ring on Jiang Nan's hand without saying anything.
Chen Mingyuan still looked elegant. He asked Chen Yunsheng about the company's recent situation and then went to the study.
As for Uncle Chen Minghui and Aunt Li Li, they were reportedly sent by the old man to take care of some unimportant errands and would not be back for dinner tonight. This was clearly the old man's arrangement to avoid any further complications before the birthday banquet.
And their room was naturally still Chen Yunsheng's "boudoir".
Walking into this place again, Jiang Nan's mood was completely different from the previous times. She felt less anxious and awkward, and more at ease. Perhaps it was because of the ring on her finger, or the increasingly natural attitude of the person next to her, or perhaps it was the time they had spent together that gave her a certain confidence.
So at dinner that day, Jiang Nan's attitude became much more natural.
There were only four of them having dinner, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious - Chen Yunsheng went out to answer a phone call halfway through his meal, and Jiang Nan left him a bowl of soup. When he came back, he just took a couple of sips, hurriedly finished his meal, and continued to work.
After dinner, Mr. Chen was in good spirits and played two more games of chess with Jiang Nan before being persuaded by the housekeeper Qian Yuan to go back and rest.
Back in the room, Jiang Nan looked at the large bed and the couch by the window. This time, without waiting for Chen Yunsheng to speak, he took the initiative to say, "Let me sleep on the couch. You didn't sleep well last time."
Hearing this, Chen Yunsheng paused in unbuttoning his cuffs, then turned to look at her: "No need."
"But it's always like this, I..."
Chen Yunsheng patiently explained, "You have a busy day tomorrow, so you need to get enough rest. It doesn't matter where I sleep."
His attitude was firm, so Jiang Nan had no choice but to give up. After washing up, she lay on the soft bed, listening to the sound of water in the bathroom and looking out the window at the dim lights in the courtyard of the old house. At the same time, she stroked the ring on her ring finger. This ring was too expensive and too small. She was worried about losing it, so she never took it off, and even checked it from time to time to make sure it was still on her finger.
After a while, the sound of water stopped, and Chen Yunsheng came out wearing dark gray house clothes, his hair half dry. He walked to the couch, but did not lie down immediately. Instead, he picked up the copy of Wuthering Heights and flipped through a few pages.
"Still thinking about tomorrow?" He suddenly spoke, his voice very clear in the quiet room.
"A little bit," Jiang Nan admitted honestly, "I'm afraid of making mistakes."
"Don't be afraid," he closed the book and looked up at her, "Just follow me. No matter what happens, I'll be here."
His words were simple, but they made Jiang Nan suddenly feel that tomorrow was not a big deal.
"Yeah." She nodded, feeling relieved.
Afterwards, Chen Yunsheng turned off the main lights, leaving only a dim reading light on his side. He leaned back on the couch, but instead of falling asleep immediately, he casually flipped through a book by the light.
Jiang Nan was lying on his side, and his soft silhouette could be seen outlined by the light.
As the night deepened, the room became quieter and quieter, with only the occasional sound of him turning pages and the sound of the wind blowing through the leaves in the yard.
This peaceful and companionate atmosphere gave her the illusion that they were really an ordinary couple who had been married for a long time and had a tacit understanding with each other.
She looked at the ring on her ring finger that was still faintly shining in the dim light, and then looked at the man who was quietly reading a book not far away. An unprecedented sense of security and vague sweetness slowly enveloped her.
Tomorrow would be her first day in front of more people as Chen Yunsheng's wife. But at this moment, besides being nervous, she felt more calm and a hint of subtle anticipation.
As she thought about it, she slowly fell asleep to the sound of the man turning pages regularly.
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