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Chapter 280: A Moment of Silence
Chapter 280: A Moment of Silence
Restaurant
As Jiang Xia was asking the waiter about the tea options, a young man approached and gently called out to her, "Xia Xia."
After not seeing each other for several months, the changes in Jiang Xia were quite noticeable, and he almost didn't recognize her.
It wasn't that her appearance had drastically changed, but she somehow looked even more beautiful.
As soon as he walked up, he immediately noticed her, and now, many people in the restaurant were discreetly glancing at her.
Jiang Xia was momentarily stunned by the young man before her. Who was he again?
She calmly stood up, maintaining a polite and graceful smile, "Long time no see."
Since they knew each other, this greeting couldn't be wrong.
Jiang Xia glanced at his eyebrows and eyes, finding a resemblance to Fang Fangzhang, the manager of the food factory. She had a hunch about his identity.
She first spoke to the waiter, "Chrysanthemum tea, thank you."
Zhou Chenglei had pulled two all-nighters, and a cup of chrysanthemum tea would be perfect for him.
The waiter acknowledged her order, recorded it on a card, and was about to turn away when a child suddenly rushed over. The waiter dodged, but bumped into Jiang Xia.
Gu Jingxuan quickly reached out to support Jiang Xia.
Jiang Xia had already taken a step back.
He had no choice but to retract his hand, "Are you okay?"
The waiter apologized as well.
"I'm fine, it's alright," Jiang Xia waved her hand dismissively.
After the waiter apologized again, they left.
Gu Jingxuan looked at Jiang Xia with a gentle gaze, "Did you come alone? My mother mentioned that you're working as a part-time translator for her factory, so I knew I'd get to see you."
Indeed, he was Fang Fangzhang's son. Jiang Xia felt relieved, and recalling Jiang Mother's words, her tone became more polite yet distant, "No, my husband is with me. He went to the bank across the street to handle some matters and will be back soon."
Hearing Jiang Xia mention her husband so naturally, Gu Jingxuan felt a twinge of bitterness, but he didn't show it. Instead, he smiled gently, "How have you been lately?"
Gu Jingxuan scrutinized Jiang Xia, his tone gentle yet laced with concern.
He couldn't understand why Jiang Father still wanted to marry Xia Xia off to Zhou Chenglei, sending her to the countryside.
While breaking off the engagement might not be ideal, wasn't Xia Xia's lifelong happiness more important?
Now she had to work as a translator to earn money!
Didn't Jiang Father know how tough it was for the educated youth who went to the countryside during the Down to the Countryside Movement? Back then, those educated youth did everything to prevent their children from following in their footsteps, and those who had gone to the countryside desperately sought ways to return to the city.
It wasn't until the college entrance examination was restored that those educated youth could return to the city by taking the exam.
Gu Jingxuan couldn't fathom why Jiang Father and Jiang Mother were willing to marry Xia Xia off to Zhou Chenglei without considering their own son!
Even if his grandmother's words were unpleasant, Xia Xia would still be with him in the future, not his grandmother.
His heart ached.
Jiang Xia smiled, "I'm doing great."
As Jiang Xia saw Zhou Chenglei approaching leisurely, she smiled, "My husband is back!"
Zhou Chenglei quickened his pace upon hearing Jiang Xia's words. He reached Jiang Xia's side and glanced at the young man before her.
Gu Jingxuan also observed Zhou Chenglei.
Their gazes met in the air.
Two men.
One had sharp eyebrows and eyes, a cold and stern demeanor, with an aura of suppressed intensity.
The other's eyes sparkled like stars, his demeanor as gentle as jade, exuding confidence and vitality.
Their contrasting auras couldn't be more different.
One seemed unapproachable, instilling fear in those who looked upon him.
The other, in the prime of his youth, emanated a warmth reminiscent of an older brother, like a refreshing spring breeze.
And Jiang Xia, too, was in the vibrant prime of her youth.
Suddenly, Zhou Chenglei felt like an old uncle in their presence.
Jiang Xia laughed as she pulled Zhou Chenglei's hand, introducing them, "This is my husband, Zhou Chenglei, and this is Gu Jingxuan, the son of Fang Fangzhang from the food factory."
With that simple gesture and the words "my husband," Zhou Chenglei had already won! Zhou Chenglei held Jiang Xia's hand and suppressed the coldness in his demeanor, "Nice to meet you. Please, have a seat. If you don't mind, let me treat you and Xia Xia to a meal."
I've heard Xia Xia and Jiang Dong mention you. Are you Xia Xia's classmate? Are you studying at Q University now?"
He withdrew his gaze, set down his briefcase, and gently pulled out a chair for Jiang Xia to sit down.
Gu Jingxuan observed their intimate gestures and lowered his eyes, smiling faintly. "It's a good thing I haven't eaten yet. In that case, I'll have to bother you."
Jiang Xia smiled at Zhou Chenglei, "You remember so clearly? What else did I say?"
Quickly say more! She knows nothing!
Zhou Chenglei sat down next to Jiang Xia, "I remember everything you said, everything about you, and everyone around you. Weren't you supposed to go to Jing City together for university? You've always wanted to get into Q University. You can ask Gu if he has any study materials. You've already read all the books at home."
Gu Jingxuan glanced at Jiang Xia, remembering their initial agreement. Did Xia Xia tell him about it too?
At that moment, a pot of chrysanthemum tea was brought over, and the waiter prepared to pour a cup for each of them.
"I'll do it," Zhou Chenglei said.
The waiter placed the teapot down and politely said, "Please enjoy."
Zhou Chenglei extended his long arm, picked up the teapot, and stood up, leaning forward to pour tea for Gu Jingxuan across the table.
As Zhou Chenglei leaned forward, Gu Jingxuan caught a glimpse of a faint red mark on his neck inside his collar and a shallow scratch on his arm.
He was no longer an ignorant teenager.
He knew what these marks represented.
"Thank you."
That 'thank you' almost didn't come out.
"Don't mention it. I'm grateful for your care for Xia Xia and Jiang Dong at school."
Zhou Chenglei bowed his head and carefully used the hot water to rinse the tea set and utensils for Jiang Xia.
Jiang Xia noticed the fine sweat on his forehead, his collar buttons undone, and his sleeves rolled up, which was unusual for him.
He always fastened his collar with the top button, a tie clip.
But seeing the scorching sun outside, she noticed a drop of sweat rolling down his cheek, so it wasn't surprising.
From her angle, she couldn't see anything.
Jiang Xia took out a handkerchief and handed it to Zhou Chenglei, "Are you hot? Wipe your sweat."
He had run all the way, of course, he was hot!
Zhou Chenglei took the handkerchief and wiped his sweat before returning it to Jiang Xia.
Jiang Xia naturally took it back.
Gu Jingxuan watched as Jiang Xia took his handkerchief, and their invisible intimacy almost made him unable to stay seated.
At that moment, Jiang Dong and Zhang Fuyan walked over.
Jiang Dong exclaimed in surprise, "Brother Gu, what a coincidence!"
He glanced at his sister and brother-in-law with a hint of concern.
Gu Jingxuan breathed a sigh of relief and smiled warmly, "Yes, it is a coincidence. Are you here to help with translation too?"
Gu Jingxuan had gone home first and then came with his mother, not with his classmates, so he didn't know Jiang Dong was here.
"No, I'm just here to help out," Jiang Dong said as he pulled out a chair for Zhang Fuyan.
Jiang Xia reached out and took the briefcase from the chair, making room for Zhang Fuyan. But the weight of the briefcase made her look at Zhou Chenglei, wondering if he hadn't deposited the money.
Zhou Chenglei met Jiang Xia's gaze, took the briefcase, and placed it behind him, "There are too many people."
Jiang Xia looked across the street at the bank, wondering if it was crowded. Why didn't she notice?
Jiang Dong called out to Zhang Fuyan, "Sister Xian, sit here."
Zhang Fuyan sat down.
Only then did Jiang Dong sit down between Gu Jingxuan and Zhang Fuyan.
With Jiang Dong's presence, the tense atmosphere eased.
Throughout the meal, Jiang Dong eagerly engaged in conversation with Gu Jingxuan.
Zhou Chenglei focused on serving food to Jiang Xia, who was busy eating.
After the intense physical activity the night before, they had slept in and skipped breakfast, so Jiang Xia was famished.
But as Gu Jingxuan observed their intimate gestures, he suddenly spoke up, "Xia Xia doesn't like these meatballs. They have dried tangerine peel in them, and Xia Xia has never liked the taste of dried tangerine peel since she was young."
The entire table fell silent.
(End of Chapter)
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