Chapter 62 Does this count as an indirect kiss?
Chapter 62
That's how it was settled.
Yushan is a small place under W City. Originally, it was just an ordinary third-tier city mainly engaged in fish farming. This year, thanks to the online marketing campaign of "the most delicious fish is in Yushan", it has emerged as a new tourist attraction for W City.
Although she had a part-time job taking care of her stepson on this trip, Jin Ran also really wanted to take the opportunity to relax. Before setting off, she carefully prepared her luggage for the trip.
Swimsuits are a must; how can you go to the beach without enjoying the sea? In addition, there are various sun protection items. The sun at the beach may seem gentle, but it is actually scorching. If you are not careful, you can get a severe sunburn.
I brought sunscreen, and I definitely need to bring skincare and makeup products too, right? Since I'm wearing makeup, a pretty dress is a must... As I packed, I ended up with two huge suitcases full.
Seeing this, Jiang Xuli, who had only brought a few changes of clothes, twitched at the corner of her mouth.
Those who knew it was a trip, but those who didn't might have thought it was a move.
However, she brought so much stuff, and he only brought a backpack. Isn't that a waste? Should he prepare some other things too?
The night before her departure, Jin Ran suddenly found herself unable to sleep.
After tossing and turning for a long time, I finally wrapped myself in a cashmere blanket and left the bedroom.
The entire villa was shrouded in darkness, except for a single amber salt lamp lit at the bar in the downstairs living room.
Jiang Mingxu stood with his back to the camera, using ice tongs to take ice cubes from the bucket.
The steam rose along the glass, blurring the expression on the man's face. Only the towering glass liquor cabinet, its brown and gold hues reflecting off the white shirt, resembled bread dough rising in an oven at 180 degrees Celsius: "Insomnia?"
He turned around at the sound, water droplets sliding down his brow bone. Even wet, his short, stiff hair stood stubbornly upright, reminding Jin Ran of something she'd read somewhere—
People with this type of hair are often stubborn and have a "never give up" attitude.
Believe it or not, Jiang Xuli has the same hair type; they truly are father and son.
In the pitch-black night, a small salt lamp was lit overhead, casting light and shadow on the natural crystal patterns, which were then scattered across the marble bar, creating delicate mottled patterns. Jin Ran noticed that Jiang Mingxu's shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, and as he swirled his glass, the veins on his strong forearms stood out amidst the crisp sound of ice cubes hitting the glass.
"There's a slight chance that I was too excited about going out to play."
She naturally moved closer, resting her chin on her crossed arms. The sleeves of her silk robe slipped down, revealing half of her porcelain-white arm. At a distance of less than half a meter, Jin Ran watched the man intently mixing drinks. Before, she had been wondering why there was an expensive English-style bar in the villa, but now it seemed that it was clearly Jiang Mingxu's request.
This man can actually mix drinks?
She couldn't help but admire his "multi-talentedness," while Jiang Mingxu seemed to be able to read her mind: "I did a lot of part-time jobs during my student days, that's what I learned."
"Others work to earn money, but you can also learn skills. That's really amazing."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Mingxu laughed out loud: "It's not as high-class as you think. I'm just doing this to make money. Don't be fooled by how famous Yushan has become in recent years. It used to be a poor and remote place with not many jobs available. Bartending just happens to be a place where you can earn more money."
At that time, he couldn't even afford to eat, and every day he woke up to rent and tuition fees. The heavy pressure of life weighed on the shoulders of the teenager, and even if he had ideas in his heart, he was powerless to change them, only thinking about doing everything he could to make money.
So, in the end, his true nature is no different from everyone else's.
Jiang Mingxu spoke casually, but Jin Ran seemed to glimpse past scenes through the memories of time.
In the original book, Jiang Mingxu's student days were extremely difficult, but the author did not describe in detail how difficult they were. Now, listening to that calm tone, the hardships that were omitted gradually became clear in her mind.
Suddenly, Jin Ran felt a surge of curiosity about Yushan.
When speaking to Jin Ran, Jiang Mingxu said more: "I know people over there. They will meet you when you get there. You can also contact them if you need anything."
“I have a house in Yushan city that I rented when I was in college. Later I just bought it. I’ve already had it cleaned up. If you don’t want to stay in a hotel, you can go there.”
No matter what he said, Jin Ran nodded obediently: "Okay, I'll listen to you."
After a few times, Jiang Mingxu looked up at her and said with amusement, "So obedient?"
“You’re the host, so of course I, an outsider, should listen to you.” Jin Ran’s eyes curved like the bright moon outside the window. Then she thought of something else, “Do you have relatives in Yushan? Should we let Xiao Li go and meet them?”
What she actually wanted to say was that Jiang Xuli was going back to find her biological mother, and she would definitely have to ask those relatives about the situation. However, she heard that Jiang Mingxu did not have any contact with those relatives in his hometown, so she was afraid of making a mistake and therefore inquired about it in advance.
Jiang Mingxu's tone was relatively calm, "Even if you don't look for them, they will look for you. If you want to talk to them, then talk to them; if you don't want to, then stay away. They probably don't dare to do anything now."
After all, his uncle was still locked up inside. Even if the rest of the people were planning to use the same tricks again, they would probably be scared out of their wits by now. They wouldn't bother to curry favor with him, let alone bully Jin Ran and Jiang Xuli.
Jin Ran knew what Jiang Mingxu had done in private. Since he was so certain, she had nothing to worry about. After all, no matter how cold-hearted this man was, he wouldn't joke about his own son.
He then looked with interest at the drinks on the bar, leaning forward and twitching his nose like a little animal: "What flavor is this?"
“Negroni, the crispness of gin, the bitterness of Campari, the delicacy of sweet vermouth—the three blended together create a rather complex flavor,” he described the drink, his hands still busy pouring the orange-red liquid into a stemmed glass, capturing a large sliver of the setting sun: “Want some?”
Jin Ran was somewhat tempted.
She can drink alcohol, but her tolerance is average. She gets sleepy after drinking just a little bit. She still vividly remembers the time she accidentally kissed Jiang Mingxu while asleep at the Starry Sky Cinema.
On the other hand, she was indeed quite energetic tonight, thinking that she would have to get up early to catch the train tomorrow, so perhaps she could drink some wine to help her sleep.
Thinking of this, Jin Ran smiled and raised her eyes: "You probably don't know, but I feel sleepy after just a little bit of alcohol. Sometimes I can even fall asleep standing up. What if I fall asleep later?"
She sounded annoyed, seemingly confused by this non-existent event. Suddenly, she had a good idea: "If I fall asleep, can you carry me back?"
Jiang Mingxu paused slightly, looked up, and was momentarily unsure whether the words were sincere or not.
“Okay,” he said.
The night is quiet, and the flowing Milky Way carries its unique, serene beauty.
It was past midnight, and in a secluded corner of the living room, I wondered how many Negronis had been emptied.
As Jin Ran had said, her alcohol tolerance wasn't bad at all; she was even able to stay sober today: "Jiang Mingxu, did you dilute it? I feel like I'm getting more and more sober the more I drink."
They're calling him by his full name, are you sure he's not drunk?
Jiang Mingxu put the cocktail glass aside and explained in a calm tone, "You can't add water to a Negroni, it will affect the carefully balanced flavor ratio. But ice melts and becomes water, so you're not wrong."
Jin Ran only listened to the parts she wanted to hear: "I knew I was right!"
She was somewhat dissatisfied, feeling looked down upon. In a fit of anger, she tilted her head back and gulped down the entire glass of wine. Afterward, she smacked her sweet lips and then fixed her eyes on the glass next to her.
"Does yours taste better?"
Jiang Mingxu said helplessly, "We're the same."
"I don't believe you unless you let me try it."
Jin Ran insisted on her own opinion.
She always judges others for being stubborn, but in reality, she herself is the most obstinate. Once she sets her mind on something, she will do anything to achieve it.
For example, at this moment, her clear, almond-shaped eyes darted around like planets orbiting a star, making it obvious at a glance that she was up to no good.
Before Jiang Mingxu could respond, Jin Ran reached for the wine glass. He instinctively tried to stop her, but it was too late—the woman's lips were already on the rim of the glass, the spot where he had just drunk from.
Upon seeing this, Jiang Mingxu's breathing suddenly stopped.
The glass was flawlessly white, and full lips pressed against it, the cup slightly sunken, and then instantly wet with wine. The overhead light shimmered, like biting into a ripe peach, the juice splashing out the moment the skin was pierced.
But too much was splashed, and in an instant, the sweet peach fragrance filled the air, lingering there.
The culprit, however, remained completely unaware.
As the liquor went down her throat, she hissed softly, then stuck out her tongue from the spiciness, her pink tongue tip involuntarily darting out. "Sure enough, they treat you differently. This one is clearly stronger!"
Jiang Mingxu suddenly felt a dryness in his throat.
When he spoke again, his voice was hoarse and grainy: "What's the difference between drinks made the same way?"
"Is there no difference?"
Jin Ran tilted her head. The alcohol made her exceptionally alert, but her actual thinking was already somewhat muddled. She was certain that she tasted something different. Suddenly, she blinked and had a look of sudden realization: "Is it because I used your cup?"
Her voice, slightly tinged with intoxication, rose slightly, becoming soft and sweet. Suddenly, she sat up, leaning forward until her chest rested against the edge of the bar. Her wet eyes stared intently at Jiang Mingxu, and she asked, enunciating each word clearly:
You said we'd use the same cup—
Does this count as an indirect kiss?
The woman's eyes shone brightly, and at that moment, Jiang Mingxu saw a deep interest in them, like the most mischievous child determined to get the candy.
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