Later, when it came time for Li Na to toss the bouquet, she counted down “three, two, one,” but held onto it. Finally, amidst the crowd's anticipation, she walked over and placed the flowers directly into Lin Jiang’s hands.
Li Na’s smile was gentle, stripped of her former fiery temperament. “Lin Jiang, if He Lai were here today, the two of you might have had to fight for it. But since she isn't, these flowers are yours.”
It was a large bouquet of vibrant roses. Lin Jiang took them carefully, their brilliant hue reflecting on her cheeks and in her eyes, where tears began to shimmer. “They’re beautiful. Thank you.”
Li Na embraced her, whispering a soft “Be happy” into her ear. Lin Jiang whispered back, “You too.”
Shortly after, Lin Jiang quietly slipped away from the reception, carrying the heavy bouquet.
He Lai had initiated a video call. She had found a partner in Hong Kong and was living a sweet life; seeing the flowers in Lin Jiang’s arms, she couldn't help but urge her to find someone soon.
Lin Jiang hurriedly hung up and sat in a corner, staring blankly at the bouquet.
In a rare moment of playful innocence, she faced the flowers and murmured under her breath, “If you’re really that magical, bring Jiang Weifeng before me right now.”
As soon as the words left her lips, she actually glanced around.
There was no movement.
She laughed at herself for being so utterly ridiculous.
She gave the bouquet a mocking snort. “Not magical at all. You little liar.”
“Who are you calling a little liar?”
A man’s voice rang out abruptly behind her, making Lin Jiang jump.
Like a student suddenly called upon by a teacher, she stood up in a panic. She stared wide-eyed at the man in front of her, then at the flowers in her arms, and asked uncertainly, “Jiang Weifeng?”
“What are you doing here?” Jiang Weifeng asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.
“A friend’s wedding.” Lin Jiang steadied herself and asked in return, “And you?”
Jiang Weifeng raised the cigarette pack in his hand. “Just finished an outdoor shoot. Stepped out for a smoke.”
Lin Jiang nodded, staring at the tips of her shoes, unsure of what to say. Beside her, Jiang Weifeng lit a cigarette, his expression obscured by the drifting smoke.
“Aren't you cold?” he asked, his gaze drifting toward her.
Lin Jiang instinctively looked down at her mist-blue dress. She hadn't noticed before, but now that he mentioned it, she did feel a chill. “A little… I should probably head back inside.”
He nodded but remained standing in front of her, making no move to step aside. “How are you getting back later?”
Lin Jiang was startled. “What?”
“How are you getting home?” he repeated, his tone level.
“I’ll… probably just catch a ride with someone.” Lin Jiang pointed toward the upper floor, feeling a bit flustered.
Jiang Weifeng gave a faint “Mm.” “I’ll give you a lift. It’s on my way.”
Lin Jiang was completely stunned. “Huh?”
It took two seconds for her to process this. She replied politely, “There’s no need to trouble yourself.”
“I said it’s on my way.” He looked at her face, his expression seemingly casual.
Before she could respond, he asked nonchalantly, “What time does it end?”
“Oh… probably in less than two hours.” Lin Jiang stopped being coy, though her voice was still a bit halting.
Jiang Weifeng frowned slightly and pulled out his phone to check the time. “Then you might have to wait for me for a bit. Do you mind?”
“No, that’s fine.” Her fingers toyed with the ribbon on the bouquet’s wrapping.
He fell silent then, staring into her eyes.
She couldn't decipher that look, nor did she dare meet it for long. She could only ask, “Why are you looking at me?”
As soon as she asked, Jiang Weifeng laughed.
Lin Jiang was baffled, her face heating up.
“Nothing. I just suddenly thought of a cliché line.”
Lin Jiang listened obediently, like a good student waiting for him to continue.
“If you weren't looking at me, how would you know I was looking at you?”
He had subtly deflected the question, tossing it right back at her.
This made Lin Jiang’s face turn even redder.
Jiang Weifeng stopped teasing her and stepped aside to let her back into the building.
Lin Jiang felt that Jiang Weifeng had changed, but she couldn't quite put her finger on how. Or perhaps he had always been this way, but they had been so far apart that she had never truly known him.
For the next few hours, Lin Jiang was in a daze.
After the banquet ended, she hid in the dressing room, delaying her descent. Only when most people had left did she emerge, only to run straight into Li Na and Li Kai as they were seeing off guests. Li Kai was called back inside, leaving Li Na to walk over to Lin Jiang.
Lin Jiang sighed inwardly; she hadn't escaped the interrogation after all. “Why haven't you left yet?”
“Someone’s picking me up,” Lin Jiang replied with a forced air of confidence, still clutching the flowers.
“Oh—” Li Na drew out the word meaningfully. “A boyfriend?”
Lin Jiang said hurriedly, “No, don't get the wrong idea.”
“Lin Jiang.” Just as she spoke, someone stepped into the room from outside, calling her name.
The sound of that voice sent a shiver through Lin Jiang’s heart, and a strange sensation rose within her—as if she had been “caught in an illicit affair.”
The thought startled her, and she quickly shook it off.
Li Na’s eyes widened. “Holy crap, am I seeing things?”
“I finished up early over there.” Jiang Weifeng approached, bringing a gust of cool air with him. Lin Jiang glanced at him as he spoke to Li Na, who was dressed in a bright red traditional Chinese wedding gown. “Congratulations.”
Li Na’s eyes were nearly popping out of her head. She looked at Jiang Weifeng, then at Lin Jiang, and finally fixed her gaze on Lin Jiang. “So my bouquet didn't go to waste?”
Lin Jiang quickly nudged Li Na with her elbow. Fearing Jiang Weifeng would misunderstand, she hurriedly changed the subject. “Um, Jiang Weifeng is headed the same way, so he’s giving me a lift. We’ll be going now.”
Without waiting to see Li Na’s reaction, she grabbed Jiang Weifeng’s sleeve. He allowed himself to be half-pushed, half-pulled out of the hall by her.
Once they reached the entrance, Lin Jiang seemed to realize she was still clutching his clothes. she let go immediately, feeling incredibly embarrassed. “My friend, she…”
“Pulling me out like that will only make her misunderstand more.” Jiang Weifeng straightened his clothes, his gaze lingering.
“I’m sorry,” Lin Jiang said dejectedly.
“It’s fine. We’re even.” Jiang Weifeng glanced toward his right out of the corner of his eye. A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched his lips, though his tone remained casual.
Lin Jiang didn't understand what he meant.
She watched as he turned unhurriedly toward a group of people nearby who were watching the scene. “What are you looking at? Pack up the equipment and get going.”
Only then did Lin Jiang realize that a group of people had been staring at them, each with an expression more meaningful than the last. She finally understood what he meant by “even.”
These people were Jiang Weifeng’s colleagues. Lin Jiang looked closer and noticed one of them was wearing a black T-shirt with the letters “J&J” printed on it.
Lin Jiang stared at it for a few moments.
“Do you work at J&J?” After getting into the car, Lin Jiang stared blankly at the bobblehead flower on his dashboard before finally working up the nerve to ask.
Jiang Weifeng pulled out a cigarette and held it between his lips before asking her, “Do you mind?”
She shook her head. Seeing him light the cigarette and hold it between his slender fingers, she couldn't help but say, “You smoke a lot.”
Jiang Weifeng chuckled and rolled down the window. A gust of wind immediately rushed in, and his voice carried over the sound of the breeze. “You know J&J?”
She nodded. “Mm. I interviewed there before.”
At that, he suddenly turned to look at her.
“What is it?” Lin Jiang instinctively looked away.
He turned back, extinguished the cigarette, and his voice held a hint of raspiness. “Nothing. I’m one of the founders of that studio.”
His voice was calm and level, but Lin Jiang took a silent, deep breath. She had guessed as much from the way he spoke to those people earlier. What surprised her wasn't his identity, but the fact that they had nearly crossed paths back then.
Lin Jiang smiled. “What a coincidence.”
“I remember you studied broadcasting? Why did you go into travel photography?” After a moment of silence, Jiang Weifeng asked.
“I just wanted to travel more while I’m still young,” she said with a smile.
He gave an “Oh,” his fingers tapping rhythmically on the steering wheel. He pulled out a bottle of Coke from somewhere and opened it with a long *pssh*. The foam surged up instantly; Jiang Weifeng couldn't catch it in time, and the soda splashed onto his shirt and trousers.
“Damn it—” The man was clearly annoyed.
Lin Jiang hurriedly grabbed some tissues from the dashboard to catch the spill. Seeing the white paper turn brown, she didn't think twice before grabbing more tissues to help him wipe it up. When her hand brushed against his thigh, she didn't react at first, but three seconds later, she froze.
She pulled her hand back and looked up, only to see the man’s eyes darkening.
Lin Jiang quickly sat up straight and turned her head away, letting out a stiff cough to change the subject. “You still like drinking Coke.”
As soon as the words were out, she froze again.
Fortunately, the man didn't seem to notice anything. He gave a casual “Mm.” She clenched her slightly sticky hand and tried to steady her nerves.
The man withdrew his gaze, his thoughts churning. After a moment, he returned to the previous topic. “I heard from Hao-zi that you got into Z Communication for broadcasting. You didn't end up becoming a host?”
“I did for a while, but I found I wasn't very suited for it.” Lin Jiang didn't want to elaborate.
He gave her a subtle glance. “I remember you were part of the school radio station?”
She looked at him, then looked away. “Yes.”
He wore a faint smile. “Oh? Then do you remember a radio nickname called 38.6℃?”
38.6℃?
Hearing this, Lin Jiang nearly choked on her own breath.
With great effort, she exhaled slowly and turned to look at him. He was focused on driving, as if he had simply brought up the topic in passing.
Lin Jiang pretended to think seriously for a moment before forcing a smile. “I don't remember.”
Jiang Weifeng didn't respond or turn his head, but his eyes flicked toward her. In a desperate attempt to cover her tracks, Lin Jiang asked, “A classmate of yours?”
Only then did Jiang Weifeng turn to look at her, his eyes dark, a faint smile playing on his lips. “I don't know them. I thought you might.”
Lin Jiang was stunned. The Coke on her hand felt excessively sticky now; she couldn't help but rub her fingers together until they felt numb, a sensation that traveled up her arm and spread to her heart.
She turned her head to look at the scenery outside the window. “How would I know?”
Jiang Weifeng’s gaze followed her movement, but his eyes only fell on the curve of her neck. The sunlight filtered through the messy black forest of her hair, making the "moon" hidden within appear even whiter.
He reached for the Coke again—indeed, he still liked drinking it. “True. Good students only have their studies in mind. Why would they bother remembering things like that?”
Lin Jiang didn't reply.
And so, the rest of the drive passed in silence.
Lin Jiang watched the high-rises lining the road and the crowds of people on the streets; it felt like a fast-motion sequence in a movie, the various facets of life flashing by. Before long, they arrived at her apartment.
When the car stopped, Lin Jiang turned her head. In the next second, Jiang Weifeng leaned over toward her. Lin Jiang’s heart raced, and her breath hitched.
Just like last time, he unbuckled her seatbelt for her.
“Give me your phone number and WeChat,” he said as she prepared to push the car door open.
Before she could react, he offered an explanation. “Aunt Zheng looks for you often, and her health isn't great. It’s better to have a way to contact you in case of an emergency.”
Lin Jiang didn't suspect anything and gave him her number. “My WeChat is the same.”
After he added her, she thanked him again and told him to drive safely before stepping out of the car.
Jiang Weifeng watched her retreating figure and dialed a number. “There’s something I need you to handle. As soon as possible.”
As he spoke, he caught a scent of fragrance. Glancing in the rearview mirror, he saw the bouquet of bright red roses blooming quietly in the back seat.
He paused for a moment, then drove away.
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
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J&J | J&J | The name of the photography studio co-founded by Jiang Weifeng.
Z传 | Z Communication | Likely referring to a prestigious university for media and broadcasting (Zhejiang University of Media and Communications).
38.6℃ | 38.6℃ | A specific nickname related to the school radio station. 38.6 degrees Celsius is often cited in pop culture as the temperature of a "first kiss" or the "temperature of love."
昊子 | Hao-zi | A nickname for Lu Hao, a mutual friend of the protagonists.
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