73. Preparation
Over the next week, while Jiang Nan was busy with work, she began to leave more traces of her life in the apartment. Through her daily life, she slowly replaced the apartment's original sense of order, which was like a model apartment.
At first, Jiang Nan just brought home a pot of green radish on an ordinary afternoon, saying it was a gift from Wenwen. Then she placed it next to the TV cabinet in the living room. When Chen Yunsheng saw it, he just glanced at it lightly and said nothing.
But two days later, he brought back a white metal flower stand with a strong sense of design, which could be placed in front of the floor-to-ceiling window to arrange the succulents and other flowers and plants that Jiang Nan had bought in layers.
He said that neat arrangement can avoid neglecting a particular pot of green plants, which would lead to the withering of the flowers and plants.
Jiang Nan held back her laughter and nodded repeatedly, saying that he was right. Then she continued to buy green plants until there was no space in the flower rack to put new flower pots in. She stopped.
At the same time, the study is no longer a forbidden area.
Jiang Nan's laptop and a few books she often read all have their own designated spots on the desk and bookshelf in the study. Sometimes, when Chen Yunsheng is working, she'll read or write nearby. They don't disturb each other, but they can still feel each other's presence.
In addition, Jiang Nan also specially selected a comfortable chair and a few pillows to support her waist, and she put all of these in the study. Even Chen Yunsheng chose a carrot pillow at her strong recommendation.
They began to get along like a real couple, going out together on weekend mornings, buying some strange things, having friendly arguments about what movies to watch - usually ending with Jiang Nan's victory, and studying recipes together, trying to make a dinner that might not taste so stable, but the process was full of fun.
Jiang Nan has become accustomed to wearing the pink diamond ring. It is no longer just a status symbol, but more like a milestone, reminding her of the transformation of this relationship.
That evening, after dinner, as they were clearing away the dishes, Jiang Nan's phone suddenly rang. The ringtone was still the same funny Makkabaka. Chen Yunsheng immediately realized it was Jiang Nan's mother, Hong Qiuping, and he consciously kept quiet, quietly clearing the dishes by himself.
Jiang Nan picked up the phone and said to him, "I need to take a call, damn it." Then she walked to a corner and turned the video call request into a voice call. Then, she said in a light tone, "Hello, Mom."
"Nannan, why don't you answer the video?" Hong Qiuping's voice was a little doubtful.
"I'm out," Jiang Nan said a little guiltily, "it's not convenient for video chat." She quickly changed the subject, "Is there something wrong at home?"
"No, your dad and I are doing fine. We just wanted to ask if you've booked your ticket for National Day. It's already the date," Hong Qiuping said with her usual eagerness. "Your dad keeps talking about you, hoping you'll come back."
"It's settled, Mom," Jiang Nan reassured him quickly. "The flight is on the morning of the 1st, and you'll be at home until the 5th. Don't worry, I've arranged everything."
"That's good, that's good," Hong Qiuping breathed a sigh of relief, then her tone became a little vague, "Um... Nannan, you're back this time... alone, right?"
Hearing this, Jiang Nan felt a flicker of doubt. She thought Hong Qiuping's question was a bit strange. Usually when someone urged her to go home, she would never specifically ask if she was alone.
"Well, it's just me," she replied calmly, "who else could it be?"
"Oh, nothing, just asking." Hong Qiuping immediately changed the subject, reminded him a few more words to be careful on the road, and then hung up the phone in a hurry.
Jiang Nan put down her phone, but the doubt in her heart lingered. She turned to Chen Yunsheng, who was operating the dishwasher in the kitchen. After a moment's hesitation, she said, "My mom...seems a little strange."
After Chen Yunsheng confirmed that the dishwasher was functioning normally, he came over with two cups of water and handed her one. "What's wrong?"
"She specifically asked me if I was going back alone this time," Jiang Nan frowned slightly. "I felt like there was something else behind her words." She blinked and tilted her head to look at Chen Yunsheng. "They won't know that I'm married, right?"
Chen Yunsheng pondered for a moment and said, "It's normal for elders to ask questions about their children."
"Maybe." Jiang Nan agreed, but he always felt that it was not that simple.
Her parents are relatively traditional when it comes to marriage and love - they forbid premature love, but they also hope that their children can get married after graduating from college and have children within a year of marriage.
In other words, ever since Jiang Nan graduated and started working, they'd been very concerned about her dating and marriage, and had urged her both openly and covertly before. This time, they were acting so strangely, perhaps because they'd heard something.
But she obviously hid it very well.
"I'll go to Jichuan with you during National Day." Chen Yunsheng suddenly dropped a bombshell calmly.
"Huh?" Jiang Nan was stunned and looked up at him in surprise. "What are you going to do? I haven't figured out what to say yet."
"Over in Jichuan, the company plans to invest in a new energy project, but it hasn't been finalized yet. I'm going there during the holiday to get a feel for the situation beforehand to avoid any mistakes," Chen Yunsheng offered a plausible excuse, then patiently explained, "Don't worry, I won't disturb your family reunion. I'll stay at the hotel and handle business during the day. Tonight... if it's convenient for you, I can treat you and your uncle and aunt to a meal."
His reason was reasonable and his arrangement was thoughtful and considerate. It gave her room to maneuver and also clearly expressed his desire to formally meet her parents.
Jiang Nan looked into his earnest eyes, feeling a mixture of emotions. Nervousness, apprehension, and a hint of hidden joy. He was trying to take their relationship a big step forward.
"You...really want to go?" she asked in a low voice.
"Well," Chen Yunsheng stared into Jiang Nan's eyes and said solemnly, "We'll meet sooner or later. Besides, I also want to see where you grew up."
His last words were spoken tenderly and gently, with a light, watery warmth. She looked at her reflection in his clear eyes, and all her hesitation and nervousness suddenly dissipated.
"Okay then," she heard herself agreeing, "but you have to promise me that you'll follow my lead when the time comes! My parents... they might be a little, uh, simple."
Chen Yunsheng was amused by her fearful look and nodded solemnly: "Okay, I'll do as you say."
So the matter was settled. Chen Yunsheng asked Zhao Ming to adjust his schedule and book a ticket on the same flight as Jiang Nan, as well as a hotel in Jichuan.
In the days leading up to the holiday, Jiang Nan was busy finishing up work while mentally rehearsing how to explain the situation to her parents. Chen Yunsheng, on the other hand, tried to ease Jiang Nan's anxiety while calmly arranging everything, even meticulously preparing gifts for Jiang's parents: a set of exquisitely crafted chess pieces and a soft cashmere scarf.
Seeing Chen Yunsheng's calm and orderly demeanor, Jiang Nan's panicked heart gradually calmed down.
She thought that he really took this meeting seriously.
In order to prevent Chen Yunsheng from getting his hopes dashed, Jiang Nan began to plan the timing of her confession carefully - she decided to cook a meal first, act as well-behaved and obedient as possible, and then let Chen Yunsheng appear, and then get a happy ending.
However, she only planned to talk about her love life. She would not talk about the arranged marriage for the time being. If possible, it would be best if she did not have to confess for the rest of her life.
After having a general direction, Jiang Nan gradually calmed down.
The night before departure, the two packed their luggage together.
Jiang Nan's suitcase was packed to the brim, mostly with Jiangcheng local specialties and gifts for her parents. Chen Yunsheng's luggage was much simpler. Besides a few changes of clothes and office supplies, there were only two beautifully wrapped gift boxes containing the chess set and the scarf.
"Isn't it too formal?" Jiang Nan looked at the chess pieces that looked very valuable and was a little worried that his parents would feel pressured.
"It's our first meeting, so we need to be polite," Chen Yunsheng closed the suitcase and explained calmly, "Uncle likes to play chess, and Auntie is afraid of the cold, so we should be able to use it together."
Jiang Nan noticed that Chen Yunsheng was always like this. He seemed cold and aloof, but in reality, he was thoughtful and thorough. She walked over, hugged him from behind, and then pressed her face against his broad back.
"Thank you." She said sullenly.
Chen Yunsheng's body froze for a moment, then immediately relaxed. He turned around and gently hugged her: "It seems that you are quite satisfied with me?"
Jiang Nan looked up at him and chuckled, "Not bad."
Chen Yunsheng smiled faintly. "I'm honored to receive such an evaluation." After saying that, he glanced at her lips meaningfully, then looked away as if nothing had happened. He continued, "Go to bed early. You have a flight to catch tomorrow."
Jiang Nan sensed his awkwardness and let go of his hand awkwardly: "Okay."
Afterwards, the two returned to their respective rooms, and that night, the tired quiet turned into a silence full of expectation.
The next morning, driver Lao Zhang took them to the airport. Jiang Nan felt a bit uneasy the entire way, often unable to resist wrestling with the straps of her backpack. Chen Yunsheng noticed her uneasiness and rubbed her head. "We don't have to meet this time. We can wait until New Year's Day or Spring Festival. There's so much time, there's no rush."
"No," Jiang Nan turned to look at him and said softly, "I just don't know how to start. I feel like I've done something bad and my parents are about to find out."
Chen Yunsheng laughed at her analogy: "Ms. Jiang, I solemnly declare that we are not in a premature relationship. Teacher Jiang and Teacher Hong will not arrest us."
"They're similar in nature." Jiang Nan muttered, but he felt a lot more relaxed in his heart because of his teasing.
Chen Yunsheng held Jiang Nan's hand and continued, "Then let's take the criticism from both teachers together."
Jiang Nan snorted softly and actually began to look forward to the scene where Chen Yunsheng and she were scolded together.
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