Jiang Cong was not a man accustomed to showing his emotions. On the contrary, the calmer he seemed, the more it resembled the calm before a storm.
Thanks to Zhao Xian's deliberate reminder and protection, Jiang Cong managed to temporarily withdraw from the ongoing and intense research activity. Seeing this, Gong Si was quite puzzled and tried to ask Jiang Cong what had happened. However, Zhao Xian interrupted her on purpose and sent Gong Si away.
"Or... you'd better go away and lie low for a few days?" Zhao Xian suggested hesitantly. As soon as the words left his mouth, he realized he had said the wrong thing and quickly covered his mouth.
"You underestimate me," Jiang Cong said as he turned around and looked at Zhao Xian, whose back was no longer as straight as before but still wanted to protect him with all his might.
In the past, Jiang Cong had offended many so - called expert colleagues because of his straightforwardness. They regarded him as a thorn in their side. If it hadn't been for Zhao Xian's support, he might have been suppressed for no good reason.
"Forget it..." Zhao Xian heaved a long sigh and gave up the idea of persuading Jiang Cong. "Do whatever you want. You should know that you're no worse than Fang Shaocong. You're the well - known top crime psychology expert in our judicial circle!"
Jiang Cong: "..." I'm actually better than him.
The temporarily suspended research project resumed, and Gong Si was even more confused. She had no idea what Jiang Cong and Zhao Xian were up to.
But her doubts were soon answered.
One day during a meeting, a group of people surrounded a young man walking in the middle and barged into the meeting room. Zhao Xian was presiding over the report on the latest progress. Seeing these uninvited guests, he had to stop and patiently stepped forward to greet them.
"Vice - Chairman Fang, long time no see!" Zhao Xian emphasized the word "vice" especially hard.
Fang Shaocong didn't seem to be offended by Zhao Xian's words. Instead, he relaxed his eyebrows and replied flawlessly, "It's been a few years. Teacher Zhao, you're still as humorous as ever. I really feel ashamed of myself. If I have time, I must catch up with you and talk about our feelings over the years."
If an uninformed person heard this, they might really think that Fang Shaocong and Zhao Xian had a deep master - disciple relationship and would sigh at Fang Shaocong's deep affection.
Zhao Xian was defeated by Fang Shaocong's shamelessness, but he couldn't show any signs of it. This was what really made Zhao Xian angry.
You know, Fang Shaocong was the vice - chairman now. If Zhao Xian didn't give Fang Shaocong face, it would be like slapping the Academic Research Association in the face. For both public and private reasons, Zhao Xian could only maintain a superficial peace with Fang Shaocong.
Fang Shaocong clearly understood this. The smile on his lips deepened. When his gaze shifted to Jiang Cong, his expression remained unchanged. He reached out his hand and said sincerely, "Professor Jiang, hello. I've heard so much about you!"
Jiang Cong, contrary to his usual coldness, also reached out and firmly shook Fang Shaocong's hand. The strength in his hand gradually increased. "I'm not worthy. Facing your calmness, I feel ashamed of myself."
Their gazes collided, creating intense sparks. Gong Si keenly sensed the faint smell of gunpowder in the air. With a quick thought, she guessed that there must be some grudges between Jiang Cong and Fang Shaocong.
Maybe it was because of Fang Shaocong that Zhao Xian asked Jiang Cong to suspend the research project. Was the current situation leading to a head - on confrontation?
A trace of worry flashed across Gong Si's eyebrows. She silently prayed in her heart that Fang Shaocong would leave soon and not stay any longer.
But unfortunately, the result was destined to disappoint Gong Si.
Fang Shaocong calmly announced that he would stay here for a long time until the research conference ended successfully.
After Fang Shaocong left, the people remaining in the meeting room had different expressions. Some scorned and doubted this suddenly - appointed Fang Shaocong, while others were racking their brains on how to curry favor with the vice - chairman.
Gong Si noticed the change in Jiang Cong's expression but didn't find anything wrong. For a moment, she couldn't figure out Jiang Cong's thoughts. She tentatively asked, "Jiang Cong, are you very familiar with that Fang Shaocong?"
Jiang Cong turned his head and stared at Gong Si with a half - smile, making her feel nervous. Then he just gave a non - committal "hmm" as an answer to Gong Si's question.
Gong Si's inner monologue: Hey! Don't be so cold at this moment, okay!
Jiang Cong ignored the aggrieved look in Gong Si's eyes. Instead, he got up, walked out of the meeting room, and stopped at a quiet corner.
Jiang Cong pinched the space between his eyebrows tightly. After a while, he still took out his phone and subconsciously called Chen Er. His heart was a bit in a mess now, and he needed to talk to someone.
And Chen Er, as the "Little Red Riding Hood", was the most suitable person.
Since it was Sunday, Chen Er had a short day off. She had set a schedule and was fully immersed in the sea of doing exercises.
Chen Er had set her phone to vibrate. Just when Jiang Cong thought Chen Er was busy and was about to hang up the phone, Chen Er noticed the unusual sound from her phone. She quickly picked it up and swiped right.
"Hello, Jiang Cong?" Chen Er's heart couldn't help but feel a bit flustered. When she saw Jiang Cong's call, her first reaction was whether Jiang Cong had found something suspicious in her hometown and was coming to question her.
Chen Er forced herself to stay calm. She took a few deep breaths and constantly gave herself mental hints to relax so as not to let Jiang Cong notice anything wrong.
Hearing Chen Er's voice, for some reason, Jiang Cong's originally irritable mood gradually calmed down. "It's me. How have you been recently? Have you been studying and attending classes seriously?"
Chen Er patted her chest hard, as if afraid that Jiang Cong couldn't hear her, and loudly promised, "Of course! When I take action, I can do the work of two people. Just wait and see!"
Hearing this, the solemn outline of Jiang Cong's side face softened. "That's good. I'll finish my work here soon."
Chen Er unconsciously tightened her grip on the phone. She probed further, "Almost finished? When exactly?"
These words took on a different meaning in Jiang Cong's ears.
Jiang Cong's tone became more teasing. "Can I understand your question as a way of telling me that you miss me very much?"
Chen Er was embarrassed. One thing she admired most about Jiang Cong was that he could maintain an extremely aloof appearance while calmly saying such thought - provoking words without any sense of incongruity.
Chen Er gave a "heh heh" laugh and followed Jiang Cong's words, "Yes, I miss you so much! I miss you so much that I can't sleep at night and have no appetite. I'm really wasting away for you."