Chapter 47 A soft, warm touch brushed against my cheek…
Chapter 47
The French restaurant is located on the fifth floor.
A waiter dressed in a white shirt and a black bow tie respectfully led them upstairs.
Jin Ran thought it was just a slightly upscale restaurant, but when she arrived, she found that there were only three of them as guests, because the entire fifth floor had been booked by Jiang Mingxu.
The elegant, vintage Western-style decor, with a light woody fragrance wafting through the air, is like stepping into a forest on a rainy, misty day.
On the central walnut wood stage, a violinist in a suit is playing a captivating melody with great emotion, surrounded by white roses.
Jin Ran walked closer and saw two lit candles on the table.
"Huh, this restaurant even has candlelight dinners?"
Her tone couldn't hide her surprise. Her career goal was to become a serious head teacher, but she couldn't conceal the romantic little girl hidden deep inside her.
Seeing this scene, Jin Ran was very happy. Through the dim light, she smiled and asked him, "How did you find a place like this?"
Despite the French restaurant's upscale atmosphere, it didn't seem like a place for business collaborations. Jiang Mingsu usually only went between his company and villa for work-related social events, so it was hard to imagine that he would know about such a place.
Did he bring other women with him?
Jin Ran narrowed her eyes, and just as she was beginning to guess, Jiang Mingxu across from her broke her wild thoughts: "It was Assistant Wang who arranged it."
"That special assistant who often visits our house?"
"Yes, I asked him to help me book a restaurant, but I only found out the location after I arrived." He sounded somewhat helpless.
The clearing of the area was probably done by Assistant Wang.
Jin Ran pondered for a moment, and the image of Assistant Wang, with his black-rimmed glasses and honest face, came to mind. Because of his attire, she had always thought he was a dull person, but she never expected him to take the romantic route.
Well, at least he's much more romantic than his boss.
While they were talking, Jiang Mingxu stood up and pulled out a chair for her. Jin Ran thanked him softly and sat down opposite him.
Having spent so much time together, not only did she get to know him, but he also became quite familiar with her.
For example, Jin Ran likes to sit opposite others when eating. The Jiang family does not have a rule of not talking while eating or sleeping, but because neither the father nor the son likes to talk, the dining table is always quiet.
But Jin Ran was different. Perhaps influenced by her previous life, she was used to chatting with her family at the dinner table before the end of the day, sharing their experiences. Because of her influence, the Jiang family's dining table gradually changed from being silent to occasionally filled with laughter.
In short, whenever they went out to eat, Jin Ran and Jiang Mingxu would usually sit facing each other.
So here's the question.
Jiang Xuli stared at the two remaining spots, caught in a dilemma.
He didn't want to sit next to his dad, and he was also embarrassed to sit next to Jin Ran, so where should he sit?
The fifteen-year-old boy is sensitive and awkward. He will secretly use his pocket money to buy gifts for his father, but he also can't stand being close to his father.
While inwardly complaining that Assistant Wang was becoming increasingly incompetent, in reality, he hesitated for far too long. Jin Ran, who had already sat down, winked at Jiang Mingxu and teased, "What are you standing there for? Your son is waiting for you to move his chair."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Mingxu glanced over indifferently.
Jiang Xuli jolted awake, fully waking up. Fearing that his father would actually move his chair, he quickly plopped down in the nearest seat.
Well, it's not so bad to be side by side; at least I can't see that serious face when we eat.
As for Jin Ran's curious clearing of the area, Jiang Xuli was not surprised at all.
His father is the president of a company, so there's no reason for him to have to squeeze in with a bunch of people on his birthday.
He touched the contents of his pocket, hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided not to take it out in front of everyone.
He had a little ulterior motive in buying this gift. He wanted to go to W City during the summer vacation, but he was worried that his final grades would not meet Jiang Mingxu's requirements, so he decided to buy something to bribe his father.
Thinking of this, Jiang Xuli looked up at Jin Ran, who was smiling with her eyes crinkled, as if she had heard something.
I learned it from her.
And judging from his father's expression, he's probably going to fall for this trick, right?
/
Jin Ran thought today's activity was going out for a Western meal.
So when the waiter brought out the drinks, even though she didn't like drinking, she still politely drank a glass.
There's only one cup left, no more.
She was very aware of her alcohol tolerance; she wasn't someone who would get drunk after just one drink, but she would always feel sleepy after drinking, and if she drank a lot, she could even fall asleep standing up.
As she stepped out of the restaurant, a gust of cold wind blew in her face, clearing Jin Ran's muddled mind a little. After returning home and washing up, she lay in bed, but couldn't fall asleep for a moment, and couldn't help but replay the events of the day in her mind.
First, Jiang Mingxu inexplicably invited everyone to dinner at a high-end French restaurant where the average cost per person was several thousand yuan. Then there was a live violin performance, a romantic candlelight dinner, and an exquisite dessert afterwards. Everything seemed rather unusual.
The more she reviewed the situation, the more active her mind became. Eventually, she got up again with renewed vigor, casually threw on a cream-colored long cardigan, and walked out of the bedroom.
She remembered that the book Xu Zhen had given her was on the sofa in the living room, so she decided to go downstairs to get it and use it as bedtime reading to pass the time. However, she bumped into Jiang Xuli, who had come to deliver the gift, as soon as she stepped out the door.
The latter had been lingering at the door for quite some time, unable to hand over the gift for various reasons. Upon seeing Jin Ran, Jiang Xuli had a sudden inspiration. He realized that delivering the gift alone would feel a bit awkward, but it would certainly be less so if they were together.
So I tentatively asked, "Did you give them your gift?"
Jin Ran: "?"
A gift, what gift?
Seeing her blank expression, Jiang Xuli also became confused: "Didn't we have dinner together at the restaurant?"
Since they had already eaten, she must know what day it was. He frowned. Had she already given the gift to his father in advance?
Sometimes, misunderstandings arise from this.
Upon hearing Jiang Xuli's words, Jin Ran wondered: What does this mean? The Western meal today isn't free? Just as she was about to ask, the door suddenly opened from the inside.
Jiang Mingxu, dressed neatly, leaned against the wall, looking at them with a helpless expression: "Why are you chatting at my door so late at night instead of sleeping?"
Jin Ran's eyes lit up, and she immediately pointed to the box in Jiang Xuli's hand and said, "Your son wants to give you a gift!"
Jiang Xuli: "..."
He was a step too late and watched helplessly as she handed over the gift.
On the other side, Jiang Mingxu took it with some surprise.
Aside from the pebbles and frog his son gave him when he was a child, this was the first time he had received a gift from Jiang Xuli. Curious, he opened it and found a beautiful fountain pen inside.
He paused, unable to help but recall what Jin Ran had said before.
"He's definitely afraid of you, his strict father, so he wouldn't dare buy you anything."
"I might not buy what I want, and I'll have to worry about getting yelled at by you."
The woman's emotional imitation drifted into his ears. He looked down at the boy, whose face was flushed, and the latter said casually, "I just happened to see it, so I bought it. Anyway, it's your money."
Jiang Mingxu raised an eyebrow; this pen was his usual brand.
He didn't expose him, only saying, "Are you still short of money? I'll have Assistant Wang transfer it to you tomorrow. Is 500,000 enough?"
How many? !
Jin Ran's eyes lit up: 500,000!
"Um," she looked at him expectantly, "is it too late for me to go buy you a gift now?"
Jiang Mingxu lowered his head and met a pair of star-like eyes. He found it amusing, and in fact, he laughed out loud: "No need, everyone gets pocket money."
A big shot is a big shot; 500,000 is just pocket change for him!
Jin Ran was deeply moved.
So when Jiang Mingxu asked if she wanted to go to the movies, even though she was a little sleepy, she readily agreed: "Sure."
Jiang Xuli, however, was unwilling to be a third wheel any longer, and quickly refused when her father looked over: "I still have two sets of test papers to finish!"
Jiang Mingxu nodded: "Then go back and do it."
Soon, only Jin Ran remained at the scene.
She agreed readily, but now, glancing at the time—9:30 PM—Jin Ran felt a pang of regret: "Isn't it too late to go to the cinema now?"
Her working-class DNA reminded her that she had to go to school early the next day to be on duty and couldn't stay up too late.
“We won’t go out, we’ll just watch it at home.” Jiang Mingxu said calmly, and then led her to the Starry Sky Cinema on the third floor.
As the name suggests, this room offers a view of a vast blue starry sky. This was Jin Ran's first time in the room. The space wasn't actually that big, but it had all the necessary amenities. The chairs were comfortable massage chairs, and sitting on them made her feel as if she were sinking into soft, fluffy clouds.
When it came time to choose films, Jin Ran finally showed some interest.
She remembered that Wei Ya had acted in many movies after entering the entertainment industry, and later won the nickname of a hard-working actress. With the mindset that she had to do her homework before she could climb up the ladder, she found a new movie and watched it with great enthusiasm.
The idea was good, but she forgot one thing—the current female lead is just a nobody, and even if she gets to act in a movie, she will only be an insignificant supporting role or even an extra whose face is barely shown.
The scenes on the screen flashed by one by one. Jin Ran waited and waited, but the female lead did not appear. Instead, sleepiness returned to her.
Gradually, the light and shadow blurred into colorful patches, and the actor's powerful crying seemed to be veiled by a thin gauze, making it hazy and indistinct...
Jiang Mingxu stared at the plot on the screen when he suddenly felt a weight on his shoulder.
He turned his head to the side, and Jin Ran, who had just vowed to "observe and learn seriously," was now asleep leaning against him.
The light flickered, passing over the woman's peaceful sleeping face for a few moments. Her skin was very fair, and now, half-hidden in the shadows, it made her face appear even more radiant.
Her moist, thick lips were slightly parted, revealing a few pearly teeth, and her dark eyelashes curled up, casting dappled shadows on her cheeks.
"Hmm... Jiang Mingxu."
Jin Ran murmured something in her sleep, her cheek unconsciously rubbing against the man's neck, her warm breath spraying out, instantly arousing a dense, ticklish sensation.
Jiang Mingxu remained motionless.
After a long pause, he finally spoke: "What's wrong?"
His tone remained unchanged, even somewhat gentle.
Jin Ran didn't answer, only muttering incoherently in her sleep.
Jiang Mingxu sighed and had no choice but to lower his head and lean forward to listen.
But the moment he lowered his head, the woman in his arms shifted uncomfortably. Instantly, a warm, soft touch brushed against her cheek, like a feather, light and without a ripple.
Jiang Mingxu's breathing suddenly stopped.
The ripe pomegranate burst open, revealing plump, juicy seeds. Its sweet and sour aroma spread, coating those strolling among it with a floral and nectar-like fragrance. Jin Ran seemed oblivious to this, fidgeting restlessly in his arms until she finally found a comfortable corner and gently rolled over. Jiang Mingxu's eyes gradually darkened, letting the moist touch burn his skin.
The hand that was holding her waist tightened unconsciously, the calloused fingertips pressing into her soft flesh, so hard that Jin Ran groaned in discomfort in her sleep. He seemed to wake up from a dream and suddenly let go.
The light dimmed again, and in the gloomy room, breathing mingled with restless agitation. The huge screen began to show a clichéd scene of a man and woman confessing their love.
Jiang Mingxu didn't hear anything. He looked down at the sleeping face so close to his, and all he could hear was that soft muttering that could be blown away by a breeze.
"Happy birthday, Jiang Mingxu."
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