Chapter 281: Jiang Xia Strides Towards Her
Chapter 281: Jiang Xia Strides Towards Her
The air was too quiet, as if Jiang Xia was unaware of her surroundings.
She looked at the meatballs in her bowl, which Zhou Chenglei had served her, and took a bite with a smile. "My tastes have changed. I used to dislike these, but now I like them. I ordered all these dishes, choosing what I wanted to eat. Are there any dishes you want to try? We can ask the waiter to add more."
Gu Jingxuan took a sip of his tea, contemplating her words with a faint smile. "So, you didn't like them before, but now you do?" he replied softly, with a bitter smile in his heart.
Jiang Dong quickly changed the subject, "Yes! My sister used to be a picky eater, so she was always weak. But now, my brother-in-law is coaxing her to eat everything, and she's not picky anymore. She eats a little of everything. Don't you think my sister looks much better now? My dad always said not to be picky, but my sister didn't listen. Now, with my brother-in-law taking care of her, coaxing her, my sister's complexion is improving, and her health is getting better. Our whole family is relieved."
"It's great that her health is improving," Gu Jingxuan said with a shallow smile. He also picked up a meatball and ate it together with Jiang Xia.
How could they understand?
Marrying a man so much older, with no shared interests or hobbies, not even having a say in what she eats—how stifling for Xia Xia?
Zhou Chenglei watched her eat the meatballs, his gaze turning slightly cold.
There was a mountain of food in the bowl, and Jiang Xia was full after finishing the meatballs. She wanted to drink soup, so she kicked him gently and looked at him with a gentle smile.
Zhou Chenglei's annoyance vanished!
Without Jiang Xia saying a word, Zhou Chenglei moved the bowl of unfinished food to himself and the soup to her. He took a spoonful to test the temperature—it was just right, the perfect temperature Jiang Xia preferred.
Then he handed the spoon to Jiang Xia.
Jiang Xia smiled at him, took the spoon, and quietly drank the soup, her eyes soft and gentle.
Zhou Chenglei's gaze softened as he gently brushed her hair behind her ear before picking up his chopsticks to finish the food Jiang Xia couldn't eat.
The couple was so intimate, oblivious to those around them.
Zhou Chenglei's mood improved, and it was a good one.
Gu Jingxuan: "..."
After the meal, Jiang Dong, Zhang Fuyan, and Gu Jingxuan were going to the venue.
Jiang Xia and Zhou Chenglei were heading to the bank and then to the Friendship Store.
The group split up.
Gu Jingxuan couldn't help but turn back.
Jiang Xia and Zhou Chenglei prepared to cross the street. Zhou Chenglei put his arm around Jiang Xia's shoulder, protecting her as they crossed.
Jiang Dong spoke to Zhang Fuyan nearby, "Sister Xian, wait for me at the west gate of the venue this afternoon after you're done."
Zhang Fuyan replied.
Gu Jingxuan snapped out of his thoughts, withdrew his gaze, and smiled, "Little Dong, is Comrade Xian your girlfriend? Is she from our school?"
His tone was gentle, like an older brother showing concern for his younger brother.
Jiang Dong's father and Gu Jingxuan's father were colleagues, and Gu Jingxuan's father had been transferred a few years ago, just in time for the housing allocation. So, they lived in the same residential compound.
Gu Jingxuan had been going to school with Jiang Xia since high school, and when Jiang Dong started high school, the three of them went together. He also treated Jiang Dong like a younger brother.
Recently, he heard from his mother that Jiang Dong had a girlfriend, supposedly from their school, and he had brought her home.
As a result, his grandmother urged him to find a girlfriend in university.
In fact, if it weren't for Xia Xia failing the college entrance exam twice, his grandmother wouldn't have complained and told him to find a girlfriend in university, which Jiang Dong's father overheard.
If not for that, he and Jiang Xia might be dating now, right? After that, during the winter break, he heard that Xia Xia's marriage had been arranged.
Zhang Fuyan: "No, I'm Xia Xia's friend."
Jiang Dong quickly clarified, "No, I don't have a girlfriend right now."
Gu Jingxuan was surprised but didn't ask further, smiling, "Sorry!"
Zhang Fuyan: "It's okay."
The three of them reached the exhibition area and parted ways.
Jiang Dong was going to enter from another entrance to continue setting up the venue.
(End of Chapter)Zhang Fuyan and Gu Jingxuan walked in the same direction, heading towards their respective teams for training and task assignments.
From a distance, Feng Zhaojun spotted Zhang Fuyan and Gu Jingxuan approaching together, her face stern. "Everyone's here, and we've been waiting for you. Why are so late?"
It was as if they were letting down their entire group!
Spending every day with a man by her side, she had it all figured out!
Zhang Fuyan glanced at her watch. "Am I late? It's only five minutes to 1:30."
Feng Zhaojun: "..."
She couldn't be bothered to argue with her!
Ye Xian, who was in charge of Zhang Fuyan's department, was also in the group, and she knew Gu Jingxuan as well.
Gu Jingxuan was considered a popular figure at school, known for his good looks and academic excellence, always ranking first in his major.
Especially when he spoke French, he was incredibly charming!
Many girls in the class had a crush on this senior.
He was always polite and went out of his way to help his junior classmates.
However, everyone knew that Liang Yanfei, the senior, liked him, and the two were often seen together, recognized as a couple by the entire school.
It was said that both of their families were well-off and well-matched, and they were just a step away from officially becoming a couple.
But why was Zhang Fuyan walking with Gu Jingxuan today? If Zhang Fuyan was also attracted to Gu Jingxuan, that would be perfect, as she wouldn't have to cling to Jiang Dong anymore.
Ye Xian didn't like the type of man Gu Jingxuan was—gentle and affectionate, always surrounded by women. He would help anyone who asked for his assistance.
Dating someone like that would be infuriating, constantly seeing women around him.
She preferred Jiang Dong, who was pure and kind, and easy to handle! She had already thought of a plan, and once her brother arrived, she could get back together with Jiang Dong.
She heard that the Friendship Store in Suicheng had many things for sale.
She hadn't bought many outfits for autumn and was running low on money. She had only managed to buy two sets by biting the bullet, as she had come to attend the Huizhui Conference.
When she was with Jiang Dong, she could wear a different outfit every day for a week.
She didn't have to buy expensive clothes from the Friendship Store. She heard that there was a fashion wholesale market in Suicheng with cheap and stylish clothes.
Buying clothes in Suicheng and wearing them back in Jing City, or purchasing them during the Huizhui Conference and bringing them back, would be a great way to save face.
So, she hoped to get back together with Jiang Dong during the conference.
Jiang Xia and Zhou Chenglei went to deposit money at the bank.
The bank teller, having seen Zhou Chenglei before, said impatiently, "Are you sure you're depositing this time? Don't start the process and then change your mind halfway through and run off with the money!"
She was almost suspicious that his money was from illegal sources and was about to call the police!
Zhou Chenglei took out his household registration book. "I'm sure."
"In that case, you don't need to fill out the form. Here's the one you just filled out. I haven't thrown it away yet. Take a look and see if there are any mistakes." The teller handed him the form.
Jiang Xia looked at Zhou Chenglei: So, this person had started the deposit process but didn't complete it?
Zhou Chenglei replied seriously, "Nature's call."
Jiang Xia rolled her eyes and quietly twisted his arm.
Zhou Chenglei caught her playful hand and held it in his palm.
He glanced at the form and handed it back to the teller. "No problem."
After depositing the money, the two wandered around.
In the afternoon, they returned to the conference venue to wait for Jiang Dong and Zhang Fuyan.
Zhang Fuyan came out earlier, while Jiang Dong had not yet appeared.
Jiang Xia needed to use the restroom, so Zhang Fuyan accompanied her, leaving Zhou Chenglei waiting outside alone.
As they walked into the conference hall, they saw Ye Xian coming out.
Jiang Xia's heart raced, and she whispered something to Zhang Fuyan.
Zhang Fuyan walked away.
Jiang Xia strode towards Ye Xian.
Ye Xian also noticed Jiang Xia and was hesitating whether to greet her. After all, they were still in a breakup state, and she was a bit annoyed with Jiang Xia!
Unexpectedly, Jiang Xia approached her.
The draft hasn't been saved, so updates may be unstable. I can spend over four hours on a single chapter.
I'll consider whether to post two chapters, one in the morning and one in the evening.
Do readers prefer two chapters together or separate posts?
(End)
Chapter end
Report
