It's a beautiful night
In the afternoon, the director's office at Shuiyue Gallery was unusually quiet. Wen Lingyi sat in a large office chair, leaning back slightly, her gaze focused not on the documents on her desk but on the unfurling leaves of a potted green radish nearby.
After looking for a while, her thoughts drifted away involuntarily, and the crowded but lively little balcony of Zhou Jianxing's house appeared before her eyes. Various plants grew freely, green and full of solid vitality.
The fresh green seemed to have quietly taken root in the silent heart, sending out thin young buds. The heart that had long been accustomed to coldness and vigilance seemed to be moistened by this bit of green, and began to loosen, showing some signs of recovery.
She picked up her phone and dialed Su Zhe's number, her fingertips unconsciously tangling with the long hair that fell over her shoulders.
"Hello? I have something to do tonight and won't be back for dinner. Tell your uncle and aunt, and the reason... just make up a suitable one yourself." Her tone was very calm, with a sense of matter-of-factness.
As her nominal partner and actual partner, it is Su Zhe's job to cover for her at this time.
There was silence on the other end of the line for a second, and then Su Zhe's subdued, mischievous laugh came: "What's wrong, Director Wen? Are you going to coax your little girlfriend again?"
He paused, his curiosity clearly piqued. "Come to think of it, are you just joking this time or are you serious? It's been so long since I heard the word 'girlfriend' from you. The last time was... "
"It's none of your business," Wen Lingyi interrupted him, a hint of imperceptible annoyance in her tone. The Su siblings were, in some ways, just as noisy and gossipy as each other.
Thinking of Su Qing’s sharp words before, she felt a dull pain in her solar plexus.
She shook off those thoughts and got to the point. "By the way, I have something to ask you. I remember you're quite knowledgeable about all kinds of cars. I want to buy a car."
"Car?" Su Zhe immediately perked up when talking about this and asked, "What type? Do you drive it yourself or buy it for someone?"
"Hmm..." Wen Lingyi described Zhou Jianxing's image. "She's a girl, about 1.8 meters tall, a maintenance worker. Her job requires her to run around, and she also enjoys outdoor activities. She wants a style that's practical, durable, and easy to pass through, but not too flashy."
Zhou Jianxing's honest and somewhat dull personality probably makes him unable to appreciate overly cool designs.
"Bought it for your girlfriend?" Su Zhe continued gossiping, his tone full of surprise. "Repairman? Lingyi, I didn't expect you to like this now? I remember you used to like mature, sexy, and charming older sisters like Zhu Yang. You've changed a lot."
"No," Wen Lingyi's voice instantly turned cold, her unhappy mood almost overflowing through the receiver, "Can you and Su Qing not live without mentioning Zhu Yang? I just asked you to recommend a car, where do you get so much nonsense?"
"Okay, okay, my bad. I won't mention her anymore," Su Zhe said tactfully, his tone becoming serious as he began to quickly screen the models that met his requirements in his mind. "According to your needs, the Land Rover Defender 90 or the Toyota Land Cruiser LC300, I think they are both suitable."
"It has good off-road performance and is spacious enough to meet her daily work needs of pulling tools, and it can also handle most road conditions when she goes out for fun on weekends."
"In terms of configuration, it's best to choose something that's practical. If you want to modify this type of car later, it has plenty of space and playability."
"Okay, thanks." Wen Lingyi got the information she wanted and her tone softened. But before hanging up, she couldn't help but taunt him, "You're still somewhat useful. If you could come back less often and hang around in front of me less often, you might be more useful."
Su Zhe was speechless on the other end of the phone: "Wen Lingyi, your ability to cross the river and destroy the bridge, and to abandon the donkey after it has done its work, is really improving day by day."
·
Wen Lingyi's execution was always impressive. After finishing her urgent work that afternoon, she contacted a familiar car dealer to go see the car in person.
After comparing the two models Su Zhe recommended, she finally settled on a pearl white Toyota Land Cruiser Kuwait Edition. Considering Zhou Jianxing's job requires her to travel extensively, lighter-colored paint is more resistant to dirt and easier to maintain.
The sales consultant told Futures that the order cycle for a car usually takes four to six months.
Wen Lingyi didn't want to wait that long. It had rained a lot recently and the weather was unpredictable. She hoped the car would arrive as soon as possible so that the little fool wouldn't have to be exposed to the wind, sun and rain all day long.
She simply added an extra 40,000 yuan and ordered a car available in the showroom.
Since the vehicle clearance procedures have not been completed and released, even if expedited processing is requested, it will take at least three more days to officially pick up the vehicle.
After paying the deposit and signing the car purchase contract, Wen Lingyi felt relieved. She'd actually been thinking about it for a while, but before the relationship was finalized, she couldn't find a suitable excuse. Now that it was finally settled, she felt a lot more relieved.
But I don’t know whether Zhou Jianxing, that little fool who is extremely stubborn in some aspects, will accept this feeling calmly.
Thinking of the other party's possible rejection and uneasiness, Wen Lingyi frowned slightly again.
·
When it was time to get off work, Wen Lingyi drove directly to Yulan Garden. In order to avoid being recognized, she even deliberately wore a pair of sunglasses that covered half of her face.
As a result, her slightly unusual outfit attracted even more curious and scrutinizing glances as she entered the old residential complex. Wen Lingyi felt somewhat uneasy, having a strange feeling that she was having an affair behind her husband's back.
He walked to Zhou Jianxing's door, knowing the way well, and knocked. The door quickly opened from the inside, and Zhou Jianxing, wearing an apron, appeared at the door, his face full of joy, his smile brighter than the flowers on the balcony.
She subconsciously wanted to go forward and hug her, but stopped halfway, glancing at her apron which might be stained with oil smoke, afraid of dirtying Wen Lingyi's clothes which looked expensive.
Wen Lingyi saw through her cautious concerns. This time, she took the initiative to step forward and extended her arms to hug Zhou Jianxing.
"How was your day today?" Wen Lingyi took off her sunglasses and casually placed them on the shoe cabinet at the door, revealing her peach blossom eyes with flowing waves and a faint smile. The corners of her eyes were slightly raised, exuding a hint of laziness.
"Great!" Zhou Jianxing's joy was about to overflow. He quickly took out a pair of new slippers from the shoe cabinet that were obviously bought not long ago and placed them neatly at Wen Lingyi's feet.
Today, Sister Wen not only made breakfast for her, but also promised to have dinner with her in the evening. Her mood all day long was as if she was immersed in honey water, and her steps were so light that she almost flew.
The two of them went into the not very spacious kitchen together.
Like many times before, Zhou Jianxing was busy in front of the stove wearing an apron, while Wen Lingyi was helping out by the side, such as passing plates and washing vegetables.
The kitchen was small, and as the two of them turned and moved, their arms and bodies inevitably brushed against each other. The range hood hummed continuously, and the cool breeze of the summer evening filtered in through the cracks in the window, slightly dispelling the stuffy atmosphere brought by cooking.
Wen Lingyi looked at Zhou Jianxing's focused profile, listened to the sounds of everyday life, and suddenly a thought popped up in her mind: If... if she and Zhou Jianxing really lived together in the future, would their future life be like this? As plain as a glass of boiled water, nothing thrilling, but a long-lasting flow.
Wen Lingyi, on the other hand, couldn't live without plain water. She barely drank any beverages, rarely touching coffee or tea after noon, and rarely drank alcohol except for necessary social gatherings. Her most common drink, the one she was most accustomed to, was plain, even considered bland by many.
Thinking about it now, such an ordinary life seems pretty good.
Once upon a time, she had imagined a similar life, living a mundane life with her loved one. Until those fantasies were shattered by the very hands of someone she once trusted. She thought she would never be able to live a life like this again.
·
After dinner, Zhou Jianxing cleared the dishes and rubbed against Wen Lingyi. He twisted the corner of his clothes with his fingers and asked cautiously, "Sister Wen...are you going home tonight?"
After asking, he felt that his intention was too obvious and his eyes were a little evasive.
Silly boy, she came here at this time, why would she plan to leave?
A hint of smile flashed across Wen Lingyi's eyes, and she deliberately asked back: "Why? Do you want me to go back?"
"If you... want to go back, then go back," Zhou Jianxing said, his eyelashes drooping, his fingers unconsciously picking at the edge of his trousers. His voice gradually lowered, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously curled up a little. "It's okay, don't worry about me... I checked the weather forecast, there won't be thunder tonight."
The last sentence emphasizes something, but it sounds like an attempt to hide one's grievance.
"I'm not going back." Wen Lingyi looked at her hypocritical expression and finally couldn't help laughing. She stretched out her hand and naturally put it around Zhou Jianxing's waist, bringing him close to her. "I know, Xiao Xingxing misses me and doesn't want me to leave."
Zhou Jianxing's face turned red instantly. Wen Lingyi's breathing and words when she was close to her reminded her of the video call that made her run away. Her heartbeat and breathing immediately became irregular again.
After washing up, Wen Lingyi changed into Zhou Jianxing's champagne gold silk suspender nightgown. The fabrics of Zhou Jianxing's other clothes were a bit rough for her delicate and sensitive skin, and she always felt itchy and uncomfortable when wearing them.
Entering Zhou Jianxing's bedroom, Wen Lingyi's eyes were drawn to the dark red erhu leaning against the wall. This was a good opportunity to test the results of Zhou Jianxing's constant talk about practicing the instrument.
"Play a song for me." She had never heard anyone play the erhu at such a close distance in real life.
Zhou Jianxing nodded obediently, walked to the corner, picked up the well-maintained erhu, and sat down on the chair in front of the desk.
She tilted her head and thought for a moment, as if choosing a piece of music. Finally, she placed the bow on the strings, adjusted the pitch, and slowly played the melody - it was "Good Night".
The bright moonlight leaked quietly through the gaps in the high window curtains. When the evening breeze blew the curtains, the light cast a hazy halo at Zhou Jianxing's feet, swaying gently like water waves.
The strings of the zither vibrated, and a wisp of ancient and melodious music slowly flowed through the small bedroom. Wen Lingyi's legs, which had been crossed, unconsciously straightened out, her body leaning forward slightly, her fingertips unconsciously tapping the rhythm on her knees.
Zhou Jianxing lowered her eyelids, and her long and thick eyelashes cast a small, fine shadow under her eyes. Her wrist moved the bow steadily, and the erhu, which looked a bit old, was played in her hands with an indescribable, lingering and affectionate charm.
The main melody of the song was originally light-hearted and cheerful, but Wen Lingyi heard a faint sense of melancholy from the smooth notes.
She looked at Zhou Jianxing's thin shoulders swaying slightly with the rhythm of the music, and suddenly she remembered when she was very young, she and her mother spent the summer at her grandmother's house in Jiangnan. The night rain knocked on the wooden lattice window frames, and the old wind chimes hanging under the eaves were blown by the wind, making sporadic, crisp and lonely sounds.
The lingering sound of the last note still trembled slightly in the air, and Wen Lingyi had already applauded wholeheartedly: "I didn't expect you to have such a skill."
Although she did not have a deep understanding of folk music and her appreciation ability was limited, she could still hear that Zhou Jianxing played very smoothly, beautifully and emotionally.
Human beings generally have the same perception of beautiful melodies. Judging by her ears, Zhou Jianxing is definitely a very outstanding amateur.
She originally thought that what Zhou Jianxing meant by "being able to play" was probably limited to being able to make a squeaking and discordant sound.
He can handle complex and dangerous malfunctions, cook delicious meals, and keep plants thriving. Now, I've discovered he can even play the moving erhu...
Zhou Jianxing is like a deeply buried treasure. The more you get to know her and the more you dig into her, the more you discover the shining and surprising good things in her.
Wen Lingyi's gaze and generous praise made Zhou Jianxing a little shy. Just now, being stared at by the person he liked made him feel nervous, like a teacher rigorously checking his homework. His fingers were a little stiff as he played the violin, and he didn't hit several notes correctly. It was far from perfect.
"What's the name of this song?" Wen Lingyi took two steps forward and asked with interest.
"It's Mr. Liu Tianhua's 'Good Night,'" Zhou Jianxing answered honestly, his fingers gently stroking the cool soundboard. "My grandmother used to love listening to it, and my grandfather played it the most. I listened to it so often that I eventually learned to practice it myself."
"Good Night..." Wen Lingyi repeated the name softly, with a hint of deep meaning in her eyes.
She stood up and approached Zhou Jianxing who was sitting on the chair, looking down at her. Then, she reached out and took the slender bow in Zhou Jianxing's hand.
The slightly cool wooden bow rod replaced her fingers and gently lifted the hem of Zhou Jianxing's ordinary cotton T-shirt.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
