She woke up early the next day. Shen Yan called twice throughout the morning. The first time, she was in the middle of a lesson with her students, so she pressed ignore. The second call came during the break.
"I forgot you had classes today. What are your plans for lunch?"
"If you're free, how about I come find you?" Lin Jiang replied.
They met at a Sichuan restaurant near Shen Yan’s office. Taking advantage of the gap before the food arrived, Lin Jiang told him about the radio station opportunity. Shen Yan looked into it and agreed it was a solid prospect.
Afterward, they drifted into idle chatter, both appearing to have something on their minds.
Lin Jiang picked out a fish eye and offered it to Shen Yan. He didn't stand on ceremony, eating it before placing the other one in Lin Jiang’s bowl. She didn't refuse either. As she picked it up with her chopsticks, she asked, "How was the girl?"
It took Shen Yan a moment to realize who she was talking about. He paused again before answering, "We’re going to a movie tomorrow."
Lin Jiang nodded, saying that was great. She tucked a piece of twice-cooked pork into her mouth, swallowing the news along with the memory of seeing Zhang Juntao the day before.
It was a noon just like this—the blue sky as deep as the sea, the clouds like islands, and the sun the only palace on which to land.
The sunlight was so piercing that Jiang Weifeng could barely keep his eyes open. He stood in the shade of a tree, smoking the last cigarette in his pack, before striding into the restaurant.
He was having lunch with a magazine’s editor-in-chief. He knew she had always admired his work.
Earlier in his career, he had shot a series of promotional photos for a youth film that had gone viral, saving the production a fortune in marketing and boosting the box office. That issue of the magazine had been the year's bestseller and marked the first highlight of his professional life.
This time, the editor-in-chief wanted to return a favor for him stepping in at the last minute. It was a major network variety show—a seasonal flagship production with top-tier celebrities as regulars. Curiously, the photography team hadn't been finalized yet.
That morning, he had originally intended to book a flight back to Qingcheng.
This lunch was an accident; this resource was an unexpected windfall.
But he didn't accept immediately.
"How long will it take?" Jiang Weifeng asked.
The editor thought for a moment. "Only about half a month of shooting. It’s just for the official social media accounts. The workload is heavy, but it’s not difficult. If you do a good job, there will certainly be more opportunities for collaboration in the future."
He frowned.
"What’s the matter? Something at home you can't leave behind?" As an experienced editor, she saw through his hesitation instantly.
Jiang Weifeng laughed but avoided the topic. "Thank you for this. I’ll certainly give it my best."
When he stepped out of the restaurant, the sun was at its peak. Though it was only the end of May, the heat was enough to melt a person.
He stood by the roadside waiting for a car, using the time to call Gu Xiang. He told him to pack his things and meet at the airport, adding a reminder to buy a pack of cigarettes—Soft Yuxi.
In the end, the kid bought Huanghelou’s "Canyon Softness." He wasn't used to the taste, finding it even less satisfying than the "Rare Scenery" line.
Perhaps because of this, he ignored Gu Xiang for most of the journey.
As soon as they landed, they went straight to the office for a meeting. Once the variety show project was mentioned, Zhang Yijia and Gu Xiang formed a rare united front, insisting he had to go.
Still undecided, he left the office ahead of them.
A few scattered raindrops fell as he stepped outside, bringing a refreshing coolness. He called Lin Jiang.
She only picked up on the third ring.
"I was just in a daze from sleeping," she said.
She sounded genuinely dazed; there was a hint of blurred innocence in her voice, a lazy quality that made him smile for no reason. He chatted with her for a few minutes, waiting patiently for her sleepiness to dissipate before mentioning the variety show.
She was surprised. "You're really amazing."
"A while ago, I looked through your Weibo," she said slowly. "I realized I’d seen many of the things you’ve shot before. I’d even saved some of them." He could hear the sound of her getting out of bed to pour a glass of water.
"Well, if I go, it’ll be for half a month, maybe longer... I’m afraid you won’t be able to bear being away from me," he teased intentionally. Listening to the sounds on the other end, he imagined her movements as he finally stated the purpose of the call.
Without a moment's hesitation, she replied, "Then you must go."
She didn't say whether she could "bear it" or not, but he already had his answer.
He was immensely satisfied. Reaching into his pocket for a cigarette, the "Canyon Softness" suddenly took on a different flavor.
"Shall we meet up in a bit?" he asked.
"I can't," Lin Jiang said apologetically. "My dad’s company closed a big deal, and we’re celebrating today."
Jiang Weifeng nodded. "Alright. It’s a good time for me to go see Aunt Zheng and my dad, too. See you tomorrow, then?"
To his surprise, Lin Jiang declined again. "Um... I’m taking my grandpa for a follow-up checkup tomorrow. I might be free in the afternoon."
Her voice drifted in and out; she must have put him on speakerphone.
The rain grew heavier then, noisy and chaotic, but Jiang Weifeng heard every single word.
The next day at the People's Hospital, Lin Jiang held the checkup forms, intending to pay the fees, but Jiang Weifeng stopped her.
"I'll go," he said. "You stay here with Grandpa."
With that, he left without another word.
Grandpa smiled deeply. "Lin Jiang, you have good taste."
Lin Jiang froze, her face flushing instantly. "Grandpa, what are you talking about?"
"Hahaha, are you shy? Being shy is good; it means your heart is stirred," Grandpa laughed. "It looks like your other grandfather is going to lose the bet."
Lin Jiang didn't catch the last part because Jiang Weifeng returned quickly.
"How were you so fast?" Lin Jiang asked in shock.
"I used my face."
He wasn't lying. He gave Lin Jiang a calm, steady look as he tossed out the remark, making Grandpa burst into another fit of laughter.
Lin Jiang bit her lip and, for the first time, rolled her eyes at him.
Jiang Weifeng almost missed a beat.
The morning was a whirlwind of activity.
By the time the final examination was finished, it was past eleven. The doctor gave instructions regarding Grandpa’s diet and daily routine, listing precautions and things to avoid. Lin Jiang listened intently, confirming Grandpa’s condition several times. Once she was sure there were no major issues, she thanked the doctor.
As they prepared to leave, Lin Jiang supported Grandpa while Jiang Weifeng stepped ahead to open the door for them.
At the doorway, Grandpa turned back, waving at the doctor with a beaming smile. "Thank you, Doctor! As for me, I don't want to step foot in a hospital again. No more, no more..."
The doctor smiled. "The old gentleman has a good foundation. As long as the family looks after him and prevents any slips or falls, I’d say he won't need to see a hospital for at least ten years."
Hearing this, Grandpa’s eyes crinkled into slits. "Ah, it’s my own fault for being restless. Actually, these children are all very filial; they really care about me." At this, Grandpa paused and reached out to take Jiang Weifeng’s hand. "Especially my grandson-in-law. He’s so thoughtful."
The moment the words left his mouth, Lin Jiang felt her pores prickle with embarrassment. But the old man wasn't finished. As he spoke, he grabbed her hand and placed it directly into Jiang Weifeng’s palm.
This was their first time holding hands.
It turned out their body temperatures were remarkably similar.
The moment their fingerprints touched, she and he locked eyes. Then, he was the first to look away.
Lin Jiang felt it—his palm was damp.
Because of that little scene, neither of them spoke much on the way back. When they arrived at the gates of Xiangjiang City, Lin Jiang helped Grandpa out. Perhaps feeling he had troubled Jiang Weifeng enough, Grandpa insisted he shouldn't get out of the car. Jiang Weifeng had no choice but to wait inside, watching the girl’s silhouette gradually vanish into the greenery.
However, the moment they turned past a cluster of shrubs, Grandpa stopped. "I don't need you to walk me further. I'll go up myself."
"What is it now?" Lin Jiang held onto the old man’s arm, refusing to let go.
Grandpa feigned anger. "I may be old, but I'm not senile. I’ve been a 'lightbulb' the whole way back; neither of you felt comfortable talking..."
Lin Jiang felt a headache coming on as Grandpa continued, "That young Jiang usually doesn't say much and looks quite cool, but in my experience, that boy is thin-skinned and doesn't like to express himself. I was teasing you two just now, so he must be feeling shy. Hurry back and go comfort him."
This...
*She* should comfort *him*?
Ten minutes later, Lin Jiang sat in the passenger seat, lost in thought as she stared at the bobblehead flower on the dashboard.
Jiang Weifeng quietly reached out with his right hand and took her left.
Lin Jiang startled, her face turning crimson in an instant.
"What are you doing? Focus on the road."
"Are you shy?"
"..."
How could words like "thin-skinned" or "shy" ever exist in Jiang Weifeng’s dictionary? His share of those traits had probably been moved into her dictionary from the very beginning.
Otherwise, why would her face burn like a fever just from holding hands?
"Are you free over the next few days?" he asked.
Lin Jiang tried to steady her heart, thinking sluggishly. "I'm not sure. Why?"
"Aunt Zheng wants to invite you home for dinner." Jiang Weifeng turned to look at her.
Lin Jiang looked back. "Aunt Zheng... knows?"
"She knows." Before she could even finish her sentence, he cut in with the answer.
His expression was neutral, as if he were speaking of a trivial matter. "She was the first to know." *Even before you,* he thought.
"..." Lin Jiang bit her lip.
"What, it’s not like you haven't met her or eaten with her before. Are you still embarrassed?" His good mood was palpable.
Lin Jiang lowered her head. It took her a long time to settle her nerves, but her mouth was a second faster than her mind. "I'm not. I'm usually free in the evenings."
Hearing this, Jiang Weifeng turned his head slightly and let out a silent laugh.
Through the car window's reflection, Lin Jiang saw the small dimple on his cheek.
The dinner was set for a week later.
It wasn't that Lin Jiang was busy, but rather that Jiang Weifeng’s variety show had been finalized, requiring office meetings and constant coordination.
During those days, Lin Jiang’s life followed its usual routine. But because of the upcoming date, a lingering sense of anticipation hung in her heart. Her mood was much like the one described in *The Little Prince*: "If you come at four o'clock in the afternoon, then from three o'clock I shall begin to be happy."
The next morning, Lin Jiang received a video call.
"Well, well, this Jiang Weifeng... he did something this big behind my back?"
Cheng Minghao got straight to the point, speaking through gritted teeth.
Lin Jiang laughed. "Why are you acting like a child?"
It was around 7:00 PM where Cheng Minghao was. He was eating at a roadside pizza parlor, the lighting casting his profile like a silhouette, giving him an artistic air. But as soon as he spoke, the image shattered. "I don't care. When you guys get married, I'm going to show up and snatch the bride."
Lin Jiang’s eyes crinkled with laughter. "Fine. You're welcome to snatch Jiang Weifeng away and let me get married by myself."
Cheng Minghao froze for two seconds. When he finally processed it, he muttered an "Oh my god" and clutched his head. "Fine, you've been corrupted by him! I guess I've lost to you two. Once I'm done with my business here, you both better tell me your story properly."
Lin Jiang said, "No problem."
She thought for a moment and added, "I have the stories and the wine—enough for everyone."
On the other side of the screen, Cheng Minghao laughed, a picture of peaceful, happy times.
***
