Chapter 1748 - 21: Nanjiang, Beijing, Chased All the Way Home
Chapter 1748: Chapter 21: Nanjiang, Beijing, Chased All the Way Home
Soft, how about...
you try chasing me?
After seeing off Qi Lie, Jiang Ruan returned to the dormitory, recalling what he said and the sensation of his fingers caressing her hair.
Every time she thought of it, she felt a shiver of nerves.
It seemed as if the warmth of his palm still lingered on her forehead, that trace of heat, tender and persistent, burning all the way to her limbs, making her heart tremble and feel numb.
Opening the gift box from Yan Chi, it was actually just packaged mooncakes, nothing special. She divided some among her dorm mates, and that night she dreamed of Yan Chi again. Unlike before, this dream was very strange; she dreamed of herself and Yan Chi being chased by something, both of them running frantically...
It felt as though there was a flood beast behind them.
This dream was exhausting.
Without any beginning or end, she woke up feeling completely fatigued. The dormitory air conditioner had some issues, making her sweat profusely from the heat.
When she got out of bed, her phone had messages from Yan Chi, merely informing her about his trip to Beijing.
After that, Jiang Ruan didn’t see Yan Chi again, and when she returned to Beijing with Qi Lie, it was only a day before the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Jiang Chengsi came to the airport personally to pick them up. When he saw Qi Lie, he even asked if he wanted to visit their home for a meal.
"Thank you, Fourth Uncle, but my mom is waiting for me at home, I’ll visit your place next time," Qi Lie dared not go to Jiang Chengsi’s house.
Since childhood, this Fourth Uncle Jiang had been wary of him like a thief, fearing he’d take Jiang Ruan away to his own family. Now the wolf had come, but it wasn’t him.
Qi Lie originally considered whether to hint something to Fourth Uncle Jiang, but after careful thought, the two seemed to be only in a probing stage, not really dating. It seemed too early to talk about these things.
Given Fourth Uncle Jiang’s character, once he knew the situation, he would certainly take immediate action. But since they weren’t together, and things hadn’t progressed enough to even start talking about them, it was too soon to say anything.
After thinking it over, Qi Lie decided to play dumb and remain silent.
**
When Jiang Ruan returned home, Si Qingxiao had already prepared a sumptuous meal. Si Yushan and You Yunzhi saw her and straight away said she looked thinner after days at school, and when the two younger brothers returned from school, the house became lively.
As the family gathered for dinner, Jiang Ruan wasn’t hungry after having some plane food, she merely listened to the elders chatting.
She kept to herself, just listening, but ended up hearing a familiar name.
"The Yan Family’s jewelry exhibition during this Mid-Autumn Festival seems to have had some mishaps, but thanks to that sharp Yan Chi, it didn’t end up causing trouble," Si Yushan laughed.
"What happened?" Jiang Ruan feigned a casual inquiry.
The jewelry exhibition took place before Mid-Autumn Festival; when Jiang Ruan returned to Beijing, it had already ended. Having been out of town, she hadn’t really kept up with affairs in Beijing.
"Wasn’t there a typhoon? It’s said that a batch of jewelry intended for overseas exhibition couldn’t make it, and in such a short time, where would they find so much jewelry to fill the gap?" You Yunzhi chuckled.
"Originally, your grandpa and I heard about it and wanted to ask if he needed help, but he handled it himself."
"Yan Chi is indeed exceptional," Si Yushan praised without reservation, "He’s not very old, hasn’t been in the company for long, yet doing quite well."
"Though that kid has changed so much from when he was little, back then he was so cute, now he’s more and more like his dad," Jiang Chengsi sneered lightly.
"Speaking of, Yan Chi has graduated and apparently hasn’t started dating. His mother is quite anxious," You Yunzhi joked, "An only child born to older parents, they certainly wish for him to settle down soon."
"The aunt is worried the child might take after his dad, right?"
After all, Yan Chi’s father didn’t marry until he was in his forties or fifties, hence having this only child late in life.
"Actually, Yan Chi is a really good lad, just wondering which family’s daughter will be lucky enough to catch him."
"The kid looks exactly like his dad, does he even know how to court girls?" Jiang Chengsi couldn’t help but tease.
"But that Fu family kid knows how to chase girls quite well, boldly confessing at the jewelry exhibition to the Jing family’s daughter, making quite a spectacular scene."
"Fu Family and Jing Family are going to become in-laws, truly unexpected. That Sixth Lord of the Jing Family adores his daughter; I reckon Fu Family’s Third Young Master marrying his daughter won’t be easy."
...
Eventually, their conversation shifted from the Yan family’s jewelry exhibition to the Fu and Jing families, topics Jiang Ruan wasn’t interested in, listening absentmindedly.
After lunch, the two brothers had to get back to school for classes, so Jiang Ruan personally drove them there.
"Sis, we’re off tomorrow for the holidays, let’s go to Hexi and have some fun again," the two guys were still tickled by the thought of racing.
"Don’t even think about it, we had trouble last time," Jiang Ruan flatly rejected.
"We promise not to act impulsively this time."
"I promise too."
But Jiang Ruan turned a deaf ear to their assurances, which she found utterly unreliable.
After dropping her brothers off at school, Jiang Ruan planned to go home, pack a few things, and visit the old mansion to see her great-grandmother.
The elderly lady was of advanced age and had difficulty walking. Previously, she could still go out to enjoy operas, but now her mobility was limited, and if she had to travel far, she relied on a wheelchair. Typically, during breaks, the siblings would visit her.
Jiang Ruan still pondered over the situation at Yan Chi’s jewelry exhibition, contemplating whether to send him a message.
But the exhibition had already ended, so what should she say when she messages him?
**
Hesitant and unsure all the way, she hadn’t sent the message by the time she drove home, but saw a strange car at the entrance.
Thinking it was close to Mid-Autumn Festival, having guests bring gifts was normal, she didn’t question it much, grabbed her keys and went inside.
As soon as she entered the yard, she heard Si Yushan’s cheerful laughter.
Jiang Ruan raised her eyebrows, wondering:
Who exactly is this, managing to make grandpa so happy?
Then she walked in, and immediately stiffened—was this—
Yan Chi!
"Xiaochi, let me introduce you, this is Jiang Ruan, my granddaughter, she attends the same university as you. When she first went to Nanjiang, I asked you to look after her, but this girl was so busy having fun, she didn’t visit your houses. You two seem to have only met when you were children; growing up, this is the first time you see each other, isn’t it?" Si Yushan laughed.
Yan Chi merely smiled but said nothing more.
"What are you standing there for, girl? Come over quickly." Si Yushan frowned.
Usually quite clever, with a guest present, why was she spacing out?
"Okay." Jiang Ruan nodded, walking over almost stiffly, "Hello, Senior."
"What senior? You should call him Uncle," Si Yushan corrected.
"Hello, Uncle Yan." Jiang Ruan never imagined that Yan Chi would visit her home.
"Xiaochi, have some tea, grab a bite," Si Qingxiao welcomed him with a smile.
"Where’s Dad?" Jiang Ruan didn’t dare to glance at Yan Chi.
"He’s at the company," Si Qingxiao said, "Oh yes Xiaochi, if you have nothing planned, could you stay for dinner?"
"No, I need to visit my sister’s house tonight."
"You’re not spending Mid-Autumn in Nanjiang this year?"
"No, my parents aren’t home for the festival, and I’d be alone if I went. I’m staying in Beijing to celebrate with my sister’s family, spending ordinary holidays in Nanjiang. Since I’m in Beijing this year, I’m visiting, but it’s a bit abrupt."
"Not abrupt at all, if you’re free, you’re always welcome," Si Yushan appraised him, contrasting him with his two grandsons and thinking Yan Family’s child was truly excellent.
Meanwhile, Jiang Ruan didn’t know why she felt panicky, not daring to lift her gaze to meet his.
Her phone buzzed with a message from Qi Lie:
[Soft, didn’t you say you were going to the old mansion? My sister and I plan to go too; shall we pick you up from your house?]
With close family relationships, the Qi siblings called Grandma Jiang "great-grandma" as well, often visiting her during holidays.
[I can’t get away right now.]
[Then we’ll wait at your place.]
[No need, we have guests at home. You two should go first, I’ll join later.]
[There’s a guest at your house; you don’t need to entertain them.] Qi Lie chuckled awkwardly.
[Yan Chi came to our house.]
As Jiang Ruan mentioned this, she glanced at Yan Chi. Beijing’s chilly weather had him dressed in a three-piece suit, exuding a refined elite aura beautifully.
Holding his phone, Qi Lie stood dumbfounded for quite a while—Yan Chi? He actually went to the Si Family?
My goodness, the two had indeed faced off before, yet this person could barely utter a word; Qi Lie even suspected the guy might have no clue how to pursue girls, as he suddenly and quietly made himself at home.
Chasing someone all the way from Nanjiang to Beijing, right into their home?
Though he rarely speaks, his actions are quite proactive.