The low - key black Land Rover drove towards an unknown distance under the glow of the setting sun.
Chen Er and Jiang Cong, two people who seemed to have nothing in common and were like parallel lines that would never intersect, began to cross and wind around each other, undergoing a subtle chemical reaction.
Time passed at a leisurely pace. The weather in Beicheng changed from scorching heat to the desolation of the autumn wind. In the blink of an eye, it was already December.
Since Chen Er had gone to the training camp and only had two days off a month, Jiang Cong adhered to the principle of not disturbing her studies. Unless it was necessary to meet, he would simply greet her on the phone and ask about her recent study situation.
"Hey, Brother Jiang, it's almost New Year's Eve. Do you have a beauty to spend the wonderful night with?" Yang Heng had gradually gotten familiar with Jiang Cong and was closer to him. He sneakily scanned the female colleagues in the office area and voiced their thoughts.
Jiang Cong flicked Yang Heng gently on the elbow.
The next second, Yang Heng, who had been planning to tease Jiang Cong, hunched over like someone constipated, covering his arm and wailing non - stop.
Jiang Cong stood aside leisurely, his thin lips parting slightly. "It's none of your business. If there's a next time, I might not flick you here."
As he said this, he looked suggestively at Yang Heng's lower body.
All the female colleagues with secret crushes: "..." Professor Jiang, your technique is really unique.
Yang Heng felt a sudden chill all over his body. His face turned as red as goose liver, and he was crazy about complaining in his heart. The person in front of him was clearly a devil!
Jiang Cong turned around and walked into the office calmly, cutting off the overt and covert gazes from behind.
He paced to the desk. His long, fair fingers slid across the calendar and finally stopped on the box marked December 31st.
"Time really flies..." Jiang Cong murmured softly. Before he knew it, he had known Chen Er for half a year.
He wondered how she was doing recently.
Jiang Cong somehow took out his phone, and his gaze stayed on a certain interface for a long time.
It was a candid photo he took when he celebrated Chen Er's birthday more than a month ago.
The little face of the girl in the photo was covered with cream. She was like a cute little kitten, seemingly harmless but actually hiding sharp claws.
Jiang Cong adored this kind of contrast cuteness in Chen Er.
However, there was someone in the photo who was rather an eyesore.
Jiang Cong caught sight of Qiangzi's figure beside Chen Er. His eyes darkened. He was not an innocent teenager, and the love in Qiangzi's eyes was almost overflowing.
This made Jiang Cong notice Qiangzi, who always claimed to be Chen Er's good brother.
Chen Er was so smart that she couldn't have failed to notice Qiangzi's affection.
But why did Qiangzi show his feelings so strongly? It was probably because he had already told Chen Er how he felt.
Then, how did Chen Er respond?
Jiang Cong had no idea. He carefully recalled Chen Er's situation that day and analyzed it bit by bit.
At that time, Chen Er came out of school looking dusty. Jiang Cong remembered that it was Chen Er's birthday, so he had booked a meal in advance, bought a birthday cake and a gift, planning to give Chen Er a surprise.
Chen Er's petite figure came into view. She obviously saw Jiang Cong's car too.
Just as Chen Er lifted her leg and was about to walk over, Qiangzi suddenly appeared. He lifted his lips into a smile, showing eight standard white teeth, and there was a small cake and a gift box hidden behind his back.
"Boss Chen, how's your further study recently? Is it very tiring?" Qiangzi hooked his arm around Chen Er's shoulder. Chen Er was caught off guard and staggered.
"I'm not dead yet!" Chen Er glared at Qiangzi angrily. Then she disgustedly removed Qiangzi's hand from her shoulder and unceremoniously snatched the things behind Qiangzi's back.
"Today is your birthday. This is the mousse cup from your favorite cake shop, and this gift box contains a talisman. My mom went to the temple to pray for it specially." Qiangzi tried to act as if he didn't care and kept his voice calm.
Actually, he originally wanted to buy a necklace for Chen Er, but he was afraid that Chen Er would not accept it. After much thought, he chose to give the talisman.
It carried his best wishes for her. If Chen Er could carry this talisman close to her body, it would be like he was accompanying her in a different way.
Chen Er didn't decline. She gave Qiangzi a big thump on the chest. "Who gives a talisman on someone's birthday? I'll reluctantly accept it this time. If you try to fool me like this again, I'll..."
Chen Er waved her small fist threateningly.
Pretending that nothing had happened was the best choice for the relationship between the two of them at present.
If Chen Er refused to accept the talisman, it would be like telling Qiangzi that she still minded what had happened that day.
Chen Er didn't want to lose Qiangzi as a friend, so she chose to accompany Qiangzi to complete this show.
"Got it, sir!" Qiangzi bowed ceremoniously in a fake manner. With his bulky down jacket on, he looked funny and cute.
Chen Er's little face was rosy, just like a juicy peach. She gave a charming smile that dazzled both Jiang Cong and Qiangzi.
"Let's..." go. The words were stuck in Chen Er's throat. She stared straight ahead at Jiang Cong, who was walking towards her step by step.
At that moment, everything paled in comparison.
Qiangzi was a bit puzzled that Chen Er stopped. Just as he was about to ask, Jiang Cong had already walked up to Chen Er.
"Happy birthday." Jiang Cong reached out his hand to tighten Chen Er's scarf. "It's so cold. What if you catch a cold and become stupid?"
A warm current flowed through Chen Er's heart. She turned her head awkwardly and refused to look into Jiang Cong's eyes. She retorted sullenly, "No way. I'm very smart!"
Jiang Cong raised his eyebrows. Thinking of the irritating scene he had seen in the car just now, he flicked Chen Er on the forehead as a punishment.
Chen Er winced in pain and pouted discontentedly. She looked more and more like a little girl throwing a tantrum with her beloved one.
Qiangzi's expression dimmed a bit. He stood silently behind Chen Er, watching the interaction between Chen Er and Jiang Cong.
"Let's go for dinner." Jiang Cong left this sentence and took a long stride, leaving a corner of his gray woolen coat flashing in front of Chen Er's eyes.
"Hey, wait for me." Chen Er secretly hated that her legs were so short again. Every step Jiang Cong took, she would fall behind.
Gritting her teeth, Chen Er accelerated and ran in front of Jiang Cong. Her hair was a bit messy from the short run. She proudly lifted her chin at Jiang Cong. "See! I've caught up with you! I'll always be in front of you. You can only follow me!"
Jiang Cong didn't expose Chen Er's childish little trick. Instead, he nodded cooperatively. "Yes! So I won't wait for you. It's only you who waits for me."