Chapter 351: Chapter 351: Will it Bother You?
Jiang Nanshu glanced at her briefly. “Hm? What’s up with Xu Xingwan?”
Xu Xi swallowed and lowered her voice, “I think… her relationship with her brother is… improper…”
Jiang Nanshu gave her a meaningful look. “Be confident, remove ‘think’, and they are exactly what you imagine them to be.”
Xu Xi was dumbfounded. “But, that’s her brother.”
“They’re not blood-related, what’s there to be shocked about?” Jiang Nanshu said indifferently.
The only thing normal in this whole book seems to be Bao Yan and Xu Xingwan…
Xu Xi choked up a bit, then thought about it and agreed.
She sighed, “The world of the rich is a place we ordinary people can’t fathom. Forget it, I’m going downstairs to get a takeaway.”
With that, she wrapped herself in a down jacket and headed out.
About half an hour later,
Xu Xi came back in through the door. “It’s so cold outside. Oh, Jiangjiang, there’s someone below looking for you.”
Jiang Nanshu put down her phone, her eyes filled with curiosity. “Who?”
Xu Xi blinked and shook her head. “I don’t know him, but he’s tall and handsome.”
Jiang Nanshu thought for a moment and had an idea.
She got up, put on a thick down jacket, and donned her fleece-lined boots.
The weather in December was turning cold, and Jiang Nanshu hated the cold.
She also disliked snow.
This season did not bring her beautiful memories.
Whenever it was particularly cold, she would wrap herself up very thickly.
Walking down from the dorm building, indeed, Duan Huaiyu was waiting at the main entrance.
There was a light drizzle outside.
Jiang Nanshu didn’t bring an umbrella, so she just pulled up her hood, her face shielded by the rim as she looked up, eyes clear and distinct. “You were looking for me?”
Duan Huaiyu shifted his umbrella toward her, his rugged face calm. “Miss, there’s something I want to discuss with you.”
Jiang Nanshu glanced at the sky, which was slightly dark at six in the evening.
She hadn’t eaten yet.
After thinking it over, she said, “Let’s walk and talk. There’s a barbecue stall by the school gate; shall I treat you to a couple of skewers?”
Duan Huaiyu couldn’t help but laugh. “Miss is really down to earth. I thought you wouldn’t go for such stuff.”
“They’re tasty. I like grilled beef skewers, grilled potatoes, a few green beans skewers, and a handful of pork belly,” Jiang Nanshu said, smacking her lips.
Duan Huaiyu gave her a long look. “I thought… you were upset?”
“Who, me? Upset about what?” Jiang Nanshu asked, then with a delayed reaction, widened her eyes. “No way, has the news of my broken engagement spread to the swimming pool where you work part-time?”
Duan Huaiyu pursed his lips. “I’ve resigned from the swimming pool. I’ve joined a music-related show, and that’s why I came—to tell you that I’ve decided to enter the entertainment industry.”
“Ah? Congratulations, you’re naturally fit for this industry; you’ll definitely make a name for yourself in the entertainment world.”
As they walked, they approached the bustling barbecue stall outside Jing University.
Jiang Nanshu had never eaten there, but every weekend after school, her driver’s car would pass by this place, and she had long wanted to try it.
Duan Huaiyu was waiting beside her, watching her profile.
Miss had called off her engagement.
Miss said she wasn’t upset, but she didn’t seem very happy either.
Miss…
Duan Huaiyu murmured internally. He dared not speak Jiang Nanshu’s name aloud; it felt like a profanation to him.
So the thoughts that sprouted within him felt abrupt, thinking of his own impoverished family background, the light in his eyes sparked by Jiang Nanshu’s broken engagement suddenly dimmed.
“Miss…”
“Uh?” Jiang Nanshu glanced at him, slightly puzzled, “What’s wrong with you?”
Although she didn’t interact much with Duan Huaiyu on a regular basis, Duan Huaiyu had always been very straightforward, nowhere near as hesitant as he was today.
“Could you, maybe, wait for me?” Duan Huaiyu finally blurted out.
His hand holding the umbrella handle was a bit tense.
Jiang Nanshu blinked in confusion, “Wait for you to do what?”
Duan Huaiyu was at a loss for words, and after struggling for a while, he slowly said, “Nothing.”
“You’re acting strange, coming to me just to say you’re participating in a music program. Why have you become so obedient, reporting everything to me.”
“Does it bother you?”
Jiang Nanshu was completely thrown off by his unrelated comments, “What is there for me to be bothered about? It’s you, you’ll have a closed training soon, right?”
That said, Jiang Nanshu suddenly remembered, “Are you not doing your male model part-time job anymore?”
“Anything else you’d like to order?” Duan Huaiyu countered.
“No more,” Jiang Nanshu shook her head.
“I quit.”
“Then, people in your profession must have high emotional intelligence, right?” Jiang Nanshu suddenly asked.
Duan Huaiyu raised his eyebrows in surprise, “Why do you ask that, Miss?”
Jiang Nanshu was somewhat conflicted.
She hadn’t contacted Lu Qingyan for a week.
She hadn’t followed his whereabouts either and didn’t know where he had been during this time.
Jiang Nanshu felt she was quite a stubborn person. She knew she was at fault, but she didn’t want to face Lu Qingyan. She hoped they could just part ways, but of all the people she knew, his disgust value was the most apparent.
Not seeking out Lu Qingyan meant she accepted the fact that she couldn’t go back.
To seek out Lu Qingyan, given his disgust towards her, she didn’t know how long it would take to change his mind. She was no longer sure.
Jiang Nanshu felt so tired.
After hesitating for a moment, she said, “If… I mean if, there was someone who used to really like you but now hates you, and you want them to like you again, what should you do?”
In an instant.
Duan Huaiyu understood.
They had only had a quarrel, and he thought he might have a chance.
His eyes lost their sparkle, and when he looked at Jiang Nanshu again, he regained his usual composure, “Miss, the relationships between people often depend on sincerity. You hope others will sincerely care for you, but if you don’t give anything, how can they like you?”
Jiang Nanshu somewhat understood, but not completely.
“Sincerity? I don’t think I have that. Can you give me an example?”
Duan Huaiyu: “…”
But Jiang Nanshu’s eyes were too innocent, showing a genuine desire for guidance.
Just in time, the barbecue Jiang Nanshu ordered was ready.
They sat by the window, from where they could see the street outside. Diagonally across was Jing University’s main gate.
Duan Huaiyu thought for a few seconds and then said, “Like sincerely wanting to be nice to someone without expecting anything in return.”
“That’s impossible. Isn’t that just being a fool?” Jiang Nanshu spoke unclearly, her mouth full of beef skewers.
Duan Huaiyu: “…”
Racking his brains, he shifted his approach: “Then, when you interact with your friends, remembering each other’s likes and dislikes also counts as sincere exchange.”
This time Jiang Nanshu realized that she had never actually taken note of the interests of those around her, yet they understood her well, always preordering dishes she liked.
Jiang Nanshu pondered, handing a skewer to Duan Huaiyu, “What else?”
“More importantly…” Duan Huaiyu sighed, “If you really want to make amends, just be nicer to that person.”
He stood up, looking towards the door, “Lu Qingyan is here.”