Fengting District was located just west of downtown Lanjing City. Upscale communities like this one were known for considering every convenience for their residents; even the gate security guards were rigorously trained.
When Jiangg Yao drove over, she was on a route so familiar she could have navigated it with her eyes closed. Yet, she had to pretend she didn't know the way, even deliberately taking a wrong turn and making a huge detour.
You have to admit, women are terrifying when they put on an act.
Not only did Chen Yuan fail to notice a thing, but he also gently comforted her, telling her to drive slowly and not to rush.
After all that trouble, they finally arrived at Fengting District. They parked in the underground garage, and Chen Yuan led Jiangg Yao out to observe the community's environment.
Night had fallen, and the moon hung high in the sky, casting its brilliant, silvery light.
The trees below the apartment buildings cast swaying shadows. The landscaping was excellent, with lush greenery everywhere. The old-fashioned streetlights along the stone-paved path emitted a soft glow. A RUSTLE RUSTLE came from the bushes. Chen Yuan leaned in for a closer look and saw a small shelter built by the property management for stray cats, likely to help the fluffy little creatures survive the harsh winter.
Seeing a detail like this, Chen Yuan's impression of the community immediately improved.
The two of them walked side-by-side. Strolling downstairs in such a quiet environment felt surprisingly romantic.
"There seems to be a map of the complex over here. Let me find Building 33... found it. Looks like we went the wrong way earlier," Chen Yuan said.
"Ah, then we should be heading that way!" Jiangg Yao straightened up and pointed in the other direction.
"Right."
"Then let's hurry over. Wow, this complex is pretty big. I'm getting a little turned around."
Jiangg Yao was deliberately playing dumb. The hand behind her back was nervously twisting the hem of her clothes, a habit she had when she lied. In truth, she knew they had gone the wrong way the moment they entered the complex, but she couldn't say anything and had to feign ignorance.
Wherever Chen Yuan went, she followed.
'It would be better if we got lost,' she thought. 'That way, her lie might not be exposed.'
"Are you scared? You're acting a little strange," Chen Yuan said, tilting his head. He thought Jiangg Yao's smile was very stiff, and her eyes were darting around, though he couldn't tell what she was looking at.
"A little."
"It's okay. I'm here."
Chen Yuan took the initiative and reached out to take her hand, assuming she was afraid of the dark.
The heartwarming gesture calmed Jiangg Yao down a bit. She lowered her head, pondering something. It seemed that besides the downsides, there were also some benefits to Chen Yuan moving into this complex.
At the very least, she could sneak out at night for dates with him.
'As long as I'm discreet enough... my sister probably won't find out.'
Jiangg Yao clung to this sliver of hope, fantasizing about the possibility. She felt the same guilt as a teenager secretly dating behind their parents' backs, trying every which way to create space for them to be together, yet constantly worrying that the truth would come out.
'This feeling... is actually kind of thrilling!'
Chen Yuan held Jiangg Yao's soft, fair little hand as they walked along the stone path. It felt less like they were going to see an apartment and more like they were on a stroll, creating a special kind of warmth. The area downstairs was also clean and beautiful. Even in early winter, button-sized flowers were still blooming on either side of the building entrance, adding another layer of intimacy to the air.
The path wasn't long, but time seemed to slow down.
It slowed to the point where they could hear the rhythm of their own breathing and heartbeats. This seemed to be the legendary feeling of first love.
And Chen Yuan was experiencing it to the fullest.
A strange thought kept repeating in his mind: 'I'm holding my cute girlfriend's hand.' It was so soft, so slender. He had imagined this moment months ago when they started dating, but now that it was actually happening, it felt surreal.
Jiangg Yao was just as nervous, but she had other things on her mind.
She quietly took out her phone and started texting her sister. Operating the phone with one hand, she typed rapidly on the screen:
"Sis, can you make me something to eat? What's in the fridge? I'm hungry!"
BZZZ BZZZ—
A reply came a few seconds later.
Jiangg Ning's response was clearly tinged with melancholy:
"You're not eating out? I was already preparing to eat my lonely dinner all by myself."
"Of course not, my dear sister! I was thinking of you the whole time and couldn't wait to get home to you. Believe me!" Jiangg Yao typed out the line without a blush or a flutter of her heart, only silently muttering, 'Sister, please forgive me.' In reality, she was only thinking about her date and had long forgotten about Jiangg Ning.
"There are tomatoes and beef brisket. I'll make a stew," Jiangg Ning replied.
Jiangg Yao quickly sent back an "OK" and finally breathed a sigh of relief.
'I've successfully trapped my sister in the kitchen. That should prevent any chance of her suddenly deciding to go out.' Even if such a coincidence had a one-in-ten-thousand chance of happening, she couldn't risk it.
'Haven't there been enough coincidences lately...?'
...
「Entering Building 33.」
Chen Yuan and Jiangg Yao walked into the elevator. In the narrow, confined space, they stood very close—so close they could smell each other's unique scent. He turned his head to glance at Jiangg Yao, and their eyes met.
Jiangg Yao bit her lip, her face suddenly flushing red.
Inside the elevator, only the floor indicator light continuously lit up and dimmed.
'I'm nervous to death!' It wasn't just the tension of being alone in a room with a man, but also the thrill of the secrecy!
Especially as the elevator neared the 13th floor, at the exact moment the doors opened!
Seeing the incredibly familiar apartment number, Jiangg Yao felt like she was going to suffocate!
Just a wall away, in the kitchen, Jiangg Ning was diligently cooking, humming a song as she prepared dinner for her.
And here she was, with their mutual ex-boyfriend, about to be alone in the apartment across the hall.
'If Jiangg Ning were to unexpectedly open her door, the truth would be out in the open, and the ensuing scene could only be described as a complete catastrophe...'
Stepping out of the elevator, Jiangg Yao felt her legs shaking!
"We're here. This is it." Following the address, Chen Yuan found the apartment his dad had rented. He took the key out of his pocket. The door had both a fingerprint scanner and a key lock, but since his fingerprint wasn't registered, he had to use the key.
Even this simple sentence sent a jolt of fear through Jiangg Yao.
She thought in a panic, 'The soundproofing in these apartments should be decent, right? Our voices won't carry through the walls, will they?'
CLICK—
The lock clicked open.
They pushed the door open and stepped inside. A spotlessly clean living room came into view. The floor was so clean you couldn't find a speck of dust, and a wave of warmth washed over them. An orange light was on in the living room, and slippers were even laid out neatly for them.
Jiangg Yao was astonished. She looked up at Chen Yuan. "Have you been here before? Why is the light on?"
"No, if I had, how could I have gotten lost? My dad must have arranged it."
"Our dad... he's pretty thoughtful..." Jiangg Yao muttered, her voice as quiet as a mosquito's buzz, but Chen Yuan still heard her.
He gave Jiangg Yao a smiling look.
Her face immediately flushed, and she silently cursed herself for being so forward!
Once inside, she hastily shut the door in a flurry of motion and finally let out a sigh of relief. Otherwise, she'd truly feel like she was on pins and needles!
As they properly entered the apartment, it wasn't just Jiangg Yao who was surprised; even Chen Yuan was a little stunned.
Jiang Zhengfeng had been exceptionally thoughtful. A true father, indeed. Not only had he bought all the furniture, but he had even installed a large ornamental fish tank in the living room, where several tropical fish were swimming about happily.
He toured the bedroom, living room, and bathroom.
He was pleasantly surprised.
This was definitely miles better than the dorm. Everything was thoughtfully configured; even the lamp in the study had been specially modified so it wouldn't be too bright and strain his eyes.
"Whoa! Such a huge sofa."
With no one else around, Jiangg Yao dropped her pretense. Her eyes lit up when she saw the enormous sofa in the living room. She ran over, dove onto it, and rolled around a couple of times.
"Go on and rest. You must be tired after this afternoon."
Chen Yuan went to pour two glasses of water, then sat down beside the sofa and handed one to her.
He knew that after an afternoon of shopping and buying him clothes, Jiangg Yao's energy must have been completely drained.
Seeing her lying on the sofa with that blissful, lazy little expression on her face confirmed it.
Chen Yuan rested his chin in his hand, quietly admiring her. He didn't mind at all that she hadn't reached out for the water. He suddenly felt that Jiangg was beautiful in this state, too, just as beautiful as when she was on the lecture podium. It was a different kind of beauty.
The beauty of intellect and vivacity combined.
"I really am exhausted... I think my feet have blisters. I knew I shouldn't have worn these tall boots."
"Let me get you some slippers to change into."
Chen Yuan got up, went to the entrance to get the slippers, and tossed them on the floor by her feet with a soft thud. But Jiangg Yao didn't sit up. Instead, she turned her head, a sly look on her face. "No. You take them off for me."