Chapter 16: The Upper Beam is Not Straight and the Lower Beam is Crooked
After having that dream, Jiang Le was absent-minded and uneasy for several days.
It wasn't until Jiang Congyue came to ask her what her plans were for the summer vacation that she managed to calm down.
"Now I can finally relax completely," Jiang Congyue leaned against the door frame and shook his phone. "Don't get bored staying at home all the time. Do you want me to book a plane ticket for you to go out and play with your friends? To an island? Or to Europe?"
Jiang Le shook his head and stopped him, saying, "No, I have other plans."
"For example?" Jiang Congyue crossed his arms and raised his eyebrows.
"I want to learn equestrianism and golf," Jiang Le replied. It wasn't that she didn't want to try other things, but time was limited, so she could put the other things aside.
Jiang Congyue smiled knowingly, "You're a thoughtful person. Okay, I'll book a teacher for you tomorrow. But I suggest staggering the classes. I don't want to tire my baby out."
As she spoke, she stretched out her hand as usual, wanting to pat Jiang Le's shoulder to show encouragement as usual.
Normally, Jiang Le would have long been desensitized to this level of physical contact. However, at this moment, the touch from his dream seemed to be instantly revived!
Jiang Le's body trembled violently, and like a frightened rabbit, he took a big step back reflexively.
His pupils shrank slightly and his breathing became disordered. After he came to his senses, Jiang Le was so annoyed that he almost wanted to bite off his tongue. This reaction was too obvious!
Seeing her reaction, Jiang Congyue's eyes lit up with interest. She slowly withdrew her hand from the air, a playful smile on her lips: "Hey, what's wrong? Your wings are hard now, and you won't even let me touch you?"
Jiang Le felt uneasy when she looked at him. His fingers unconsciously twirled the seam of his pants, and his voice was a little tense: "No...nothing. I just...was distracted."
It would have been fine if he hadn't explained it, but once he did, it only made it more obvious. Jiang Congyue whistled briskly, pressing him: "How can you get distracted even when you're just talking for a few words? What are you thinking about so intently?"
Jiang Le couldn't handle the series of questions, so he just gave up and said with a stern face, "I'm sleepy, I'm going to sleep!" Then he turned around and rushed upstairs.
Jiang Congyue glanced at the bright sun outside the window, then looked at the back of the person who was almost fleeing in panic, and shrugged indifferently. Okay, who says you can't sleep in broad daylight?
Jiang Le rushed back to his room and dove headfirst into the soft blankets. He kicked his legs twice in shame and anger, messing up the innocent blanket. "What I just said was absolutely stupid! What do you mean by distracted? It sounds as suspicious as it can be!"
With Jiang Congyue's cleverness, he was sure to see through her guilty conscience at a glance.
After tossing and turning in bed like a pancake for a long time and finally suppressing the heat, Jiang Le slowly got up. There was nothing he could do because it was time for dinner.
As soon as I went downstairs, I saw a familiar figure standing in the front hall. It was Lin Qingyu.
Obviously, Butler Lin also saw her and gave her a professional and appropriate smile.
"Butler Lin, I haven't seen you for several days." Jiang Le walked over, trying to make his tone sound more natural.
Lin Qingyu was casually adjusting the angle of a dinner plate. She nodded slightly when she heard this: "Yes, Miss Jiang. There are some matters at the company recently that need my personal attention." Her tone was flat and no emotion could be heard.
Jiang Le had long known that this housekeeper Lin was also a very important figure in the company. Coming here was more like going to a resort. For example, watering the flowers, cultivating his sentiments, or trying to catch her and relax.
It is true that if the boss is crooked, the subordinates will be crooked too. What kind of boss you are, you will have what kind of subordinates you have.
"...What is it that requires the personal intervention of Steward Lin?" Jiang Le suppressed the urge to complain and asked casually.
Lin Qingyu put down the plate, looked up at her, and a barely perceptible smile appeared on the corner of her mouth: "Want to know?" She paused deliberately before slowly saying the second half of the sentence, "I won't tell you."
"..." Jiang Le gasped, feeling the irritation she had just suppressed surge up again. She picked up the slightly cold rice on the table and decided not to humiliate herself any further.
She didn't respond, but Lin Qingyu insisted on teasing her: "Ms. Jiang, please don't blame me. It was Director Jiang who specifically told me not to say anything."
Sure enough, it's related to Jiang Congyue! Otherwise, Lin Qingyu wouldn't have brought up the company's affairs for no reason to whet her appetite.
"A-choo..." At this moment, Jiang Congyue staggered down the stairs, rubbing his nose with a lazy smile, "Hey, who is talking about me?"
Jiang Le looked in the direction of the sound, but when he turned around, there was no sign of Lin Qingyu. She had slipped away faster than a rabbit.
Lin Qingyu was clearly trying to force her to ask Jiang Congyue. Jiang Le refused to fall for it!
She lowered her head and took a big mouthful of rice, as if she had a grudge against the rice in the bowl.
Everyone has secrets, but Jiang Congyue has more. She should have been used to it by now.
–
The next day, Jiang Le packed up and prepared to go to the horse farm.
As soon as she walked to the garage, she saw the familiar car parked there. The rear window was lowered, revealing Jiang Congyue's smiling face, waving at her.
"Why are you in the car?" Jiang Le opened the door and got in, a little surprised.
Jiang Congyue put down the tablet in his hand, and his smile deepened a little: "What a coincidence, I just happened to have an appointment to discuss something over there today. It's on the way, let's go together."
Jiang Le got into the car, her heart aching with alarm, yet she tried to maintain composure. She fastened her seatbelt and stared straight ahead, trying to ignore the inquiring and playful gaze that was staring at her from the side.
The carriage was filled with Jiang Congyue's familiar, elegant sandalwood scent, which reminded her of the richer scent in her dream. She quickly cut off her thoughts.
"Nervous?" Jiang Congyue's voice sounded with a smile.
"No," Jiang Le denied immediately, his voice a little dry, "I'm just... thinking about the key points of the movements."
"Oh?" Jiang Congyue drew out the tone, turning sideways to look at her tense profile, "It's easy to be nervous when riding a horse for the first time, but you learn things quickly, so relax. Horses are spiritual. The more nervous you are, the more it can feel it." The words sounded comforting, but Jiang Le always felt that there was something else behind them.
Arriving at the horse ranch, Jiang Le almost couldn't wait to get out of the car. The fresh scent of grass and the faint smell of horses hit him in the face.
Experienced coach Coach Chen was already waiting there. He helped her change her equipment and then selected a docile chestnut mare as her entry-level horse.
When he actually sat on the saddle and felt the strength and rhythm of the warm flesh and blood beneath him, the distracting thoughts in Jiang Le's mind were finally replaced by the excitement of novelty and control.
She followed the instructions, relaxed her body, and guided the horse to pace slowly within the fence, gradually finding the feeling.
However, this focus did not last long.
While practicing slow turns, Jiang Le's eyes subconsciously swept towards the viewing terrace in the rest area.
Jiang Congyue was seen leaning elegantly on a rattan chair, and opposite her sat a middle-aged man with a calm temperament and a worried look on his face. He seemed familiar.
The man was leaning forward slightly, his tone respectful and urgent: "Mr. Jiang, regarding the Nanshan Yihe Nursing Home project, we have optimized all barrier-free designs, introduced advanced systems, and planned entertainment and rehabilitation areas in accordance with the core of 'aging-friendly' and 'humanistic care' that you emphasized. Whether it is..." He pushed the document to Jiang Congyue.
Jiang Congyue did not look at the document immediately. Her eyes passed over Boss Chen's shoulder and fell accurately on Jiang Le who was turning carefully on the racecourse.
Seeing Jiang Le's shoulders tense because of a slight mistake, she curled up the corners of her mouth into a very faint smile.
"Well, Boss Chen, a lot of effort has been put into the hardware." Jiang Congyue replied indifferently, taking a sip of tea without looking away.
Boss Chen continued to introduce his intention for cooperation in medical services.
"Mr. Chen," Jiang Congyue suddenly spoke, his voice low but powerful and calm, instantly silencing Boss Chen. Jiang Congyue finally withdrew her gaze, resting on his face, her eyes clear and profound. "Technology, equipment, and spatial design are the backbone. But in your proposal, I see 'giving,' not enough 'understanding.'"
Her gaze drifted back to the stables. Jiang Le seemed even more nervous under her gaze, his horses' steps hesitant. "...It's like caring for a sensitive horse, or a lonely elderly person. Simply having the best stables and feed isn't enough. You have to understand what subtle reactions signify: fear, discomfort, or perhaps just patient guidance? The heart of a nursing home is people, souls who need to be seen, understood, and respected. Otherwise, no matter how advanced it is, it's just a cold 'factory,' not a 'home.'"
Boss Chen was shocked, and a look of shame appeared on his face: "Director Jiang hit the nail on the head... We overlooked the most fundamental thing..."
"No rush," Jiang Congyue waved his hand, leaned back in his chair, and his gaze drifted back to the horse farm.
At this time, Jiang Le tried hard to adjust his breathing under the guidance of his coach, and his tense shoulders slowly relaxed. The horse's pace became stable and smooth again, and he even tried a slightly faster gait.
Jiang Congyue watched the figure getting better and better, the sharpness in her eyes faded, and was replaced by a smile of relief and encouragement: "The direction is right, and the details can be polished. Like guiding children or accompanying the elderly, patience and understanding are the most important. Make them feel safe and respected, and then they will open their hearts." Her words were gentle, as if she was talking about the project, Jiang Le, and she was also elaborating on the concept of care.
Boss Chen sincerely promised to reflect deeply, and his body moved, but he gradually became impatient in his heart.
Jiang Congyue saw that Jiang Le seemed to be more cautious and focused because of the expectations about "understanding" and "patience", and the smile in his eyes became deeper, with approval.
She put down the teacup: "Very good. Let Lin Qingyu coordinate the specific plan next week. Remember, Yihai must become a harbor. I want to see warmth and respect for life." Boss Chen said goodbye solemnly.
After he left, Jiang Congyue supported her chin with one hand, and admired the figure showing tenacity on the racecourse with a focused and gentle gaze.
Seeing Jiang Le finish the course, take off his helmet and walk towards her with rosy cheeks and sparkling eyes, she raised her eyes with a gentle smile on her lips: "How is it? Is it fun?" It was as if she had been here wholeheartedly.
Jiang Le took the water and took a sip, suppressing his impatience: "Yeah, very interesting. Coach Chen teaches very well."
"Really?" Jiang Congyue approached, his eyes sweeping across her flushed cheeks and bright eyes, a mischievous smile evident on his face. "I see you learn very quickly. It's just that you seemed a little distracted later on?" He drew out the last syllable.
Jiang Le clenched the water bottle, his ears burning. He stubbornly denied it, "I wasn't distracted. It was the horse...it was a little disobedient later."
"Oh? Really?" Jiang Congyue raised an eyebrow, almost teasing, "I thought it was my fault. After all, an old woman like me sitting here is quite conspicuous, right?"
Jiang Le: “…” Very angry, but I don’t know why!
Seeing Jiang Le's angry expression while forcing himself to remain calm, Jiang Congyue chuckled softly. She reached out her hand, but this time she didn't touch his shoulder. Instead, she very naturally and lovingly pinched the tip of Jiang Le's nose with her fingertips.
"You are so thin-skinned." Jiang Congyue's voice was lazy and gentle after laughing, "Okay, I won't tease you anymore. I have something else, so I'll leave first. You continue to study hard, and the driver will pick you up later." After that, he turned around and left.
Jiang Le covered the tip of his nose that had been pinched, where a slightly cool touch remained.
She stood there, watching the car drive away, feeling a mixture of emotions: shame, anger, and the powerlessness of being seen through... and the throbbing that she had deliberately ignored seemed to surge up again.
How could I have such an idea?
That's a bit strange...
She took a deep breath, suppressed her turbulent emotions, and turned her gaze towards the stables.
However, when Coach Chen asked whether to continue practicing, Jiang Le subconsciously glanced at the empty viewing terrace again.
There seemed to be a sense of emptiness in a corner of my heart.
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