Chapter 1780: Younger Generation Side Story (41): Yacht, Contact Note, Calling You ’Baby
Chapter 1780: Younger Generation Side Story (41): Yacht, Contact Note, Calling You ’Baby
On the sea, yacht, on the deck
Though Nanjiang is spring-like all year round, after entering autumn, the sea breeze carries more chill than usual. Jiang Ruan sits on the deck wrapped in a blanket, surrounded by darkness, with only the distant lighthouse shining like it’s hanging on the horizon.
"Come in, you can eat now." Yan Chi’s voice comes from inside the cabin, prompting Jiang Ruan to wrap the blanket around her and enter the cabin.
Yan Chi has cooked two fish, which he caught today on the sea, and he also made fish soup for her. The dishes are all very light because someone got seasick shortly after boarding the ship today, almost vomited, took medicine, and slept drowsily until evening.
Jiang Ruan has been on boats before, even went on a sea cruise with her family, and never got seasick, never thought she’d embarrass herself in front of Yan Chi.
The original plan was to go out to sea and have fun, but instead, she ended up sleeping the whole afternoon.
When she woke up, Yan Chi had already anchored the yacht somewhere; there was no wind or waves, and the surroundings were incredibly quiet.
Though she felt uneasy from seasickness, and her mouth was dry and bitter with no taste, the fish soup was fresh and sweet, and quite delicious. Just as Jiang Ruan lifted her head, preparing to say something to Yan Chi, his phone suddenly vibrated. If they were far offshore, there probably wouldn’t be any signal, so they clearly weren’t far out to sea.
The yacht isn’t very big, and the dining table and chairs are fixed in place, so the two of them sit side by side, their positions close.
Jiang Ruan listens to the phone’s vibration, looks over following the sound, the caller ID reads:
[Mr. Yan]
"Hello, Dad..." Yan Chi answers the phone.
"Your sister said you returned to Nanjiang today, why haven’t you come home yet?"
"Went out to sea."
"Not coming back tonight?"
"Not coming back."
"Okay."
"There’s an important meeting at the company the day after tomorrow."
"I remember."
"Take care when out at sea."
"I understand."
...
It’s so quiet around them, Jiang Ruan hears the entire conversation between them clearly, holding her breath, feeling a bit anxious.
She ends up astonished, the whole call between this father and son lasts less than ten seconds, and it’s over? His father doesn’t even ask who he’s with, or why he went out to sea? Just hangs up like that?
Is this his real father?
Their dialogue is so concise it makes one feel they’re not father and son at all but rather discussing business.
"Is this how you usually talk with your father?"
"Otherwise?"
"You never act cute or anything with him?"
"He’d dislike it a lot and then kick me away."
When Yan Chi was young, he was quite adorable. Most kids can be charming in that way. Sometimes, watching other kids getting love and affection from their fathers, Yan Chi would imitate them at home, but his dad just gave him a cold stare, as if there was something wrong with him.
Growing up, boys become even less likely to cling to their fathers.
"Is it the same for work and everyday life?"
"Communication at work is even more concise; my dad doesn’t like hearing nonsense." Yan Chi states directly.
Jiang Ruan pursed her lips; compared to his father, they’re total opposites. Her dad belongs to the type who’s very good at handling things, talks quite a lot...
She suddenly felt that a father like Yan Chi’s has its benefits, at least the house is peaceful.
And Yan Chi’s contact note for his father—does he really call his father Mr. Yan?
Jiang Ruan suddenly leaned closer to him, "Senior..."
"Hmm?"
"Can I see what note you have for me?" Jiang Ruan was curious about what nickname he might have written down for her. Yan Chi usually straightforward, this time hesitated, arousing even more curiosity in Jiang Ruan, "Can I see it please?"
With coaxing and even some flirtation, Yan Chi couldn’t resist and handed the phone to her. The note read:
[Junior]
Jiang Ruan had considered many possibilities, like a mundane full name, or something like ’soft soft’, girlfriend.
In total, she imagined many possible nickname notes, but never thought it would be [Junior].
What kind of situation is this?
Nowadays when men and women date, even without being married, many call each other husband and wife. I won’t demand you note something like that, which is indeed cheesy, but what’s up with junior?
Was he afraid others would discover their relationship? As if someone having an affair, they’d intentionally note something like [Colleague Xiaozhang][Neighbor Old Wang]. Jiang Ruan was anticipating so much, now she’s just as disappointed, handing the phone back, head down, continuing to sip fish soup.
Yan Chi noticed her displeasure, "When you came to interview me, I thought the student council arranged for a junior to come, so I casually noted it down, didn’t think much at the time, and afterwards never changed it."
"Hmm." Jiang Ruan responded in a muffled voice.