Jiang Cong was in a foul mood and called Lan Heng.
"Hello? What brings Professor Jiang to call me today? Miss me, huh?" Lan Heng joked in a flippant tone.
Jiang Cong ignored Lan Heng's banter and asked carefully, "How's Chen Er recently?"
Jiang Cong undoubtedly had feelings for Chen Er. During every day and night away on work, Jiang Cong missed that carefree girl who always wore a big smile back in Beicheng.
However, the increasing number of doubts he discovered forced Jiang Cong to stay more sober than ever. It constantly reminded him not to make any mistakes due to his emotions.
So now Jiang Cong was in a dilemma. He didn't know how to face Chen Er.
Lan Heng rolled his eyes, then remembered that Jiang Cong couldn't see it. So he said in a tone full of disdain, "If you wanna know how she's doing, just ask her yourself. I'm not your messenger."
Facing Lan Heng's complaint, Jiang Cong lied without batting an eye, "But you're my best friend. I only trust you."
It had to be said that Lan Heng, who was used to being given the cold shoulder by Jiang Cong, was instantly overjoyed when Jiang Cong suddenly buttered him up. In a moment, he told Jiang Cong everything he knew.
Jiang Cong listened to Lan Heng's report contentedly and silently gave a thumbs - up to this way of buttering people up. It seemed that, just like a donkey, people would be well - behaved when treated nicely.
Lan Heng, who was regarded as "a docile donkey" by Jiang Cong, still rambled on, "Chen Er's gonna take the college entrance examination soon. When are you two gonna confess your feelings?"
Jiang Cong fell silent. After a long while, he took a deep breath and said enigmatically, "Let's wait until after her exam. It's not the right time to talk about this now."
Lan Heng understood. Then, as if remembering something, he said earnestly, "Jiang Cong, as your brother, I truly hope you'll be happy. Love involves two people. If you keep playing this cat - and - mouse game, the string of your 'kite' might break one day, and you'll have nowhere to cry."
What Lan Heng said was true. As the saying goes, the onlooker sees most clearly. In this ambiguous relationship, Lan Heng was undoubtedly the one who saw it most clearly.
During the days when Jiang Cong was away from Beicheng, Chen Er would ask Lan Heng about Jiang Cong once a month.
And Jiang Cong would also casually inquire about Chen Er's situation. Lan Heng couldn't understand why the usually decisive Jiang Cong had become so hesitant.
The two kept testing each other. They clearly liked each other but were both reluctant to express their longing. They were just playing this guessing game.
Jiang Cong was a cold - tempered person. Lan Heng was afraid that Jiang Cong would miss Chen Er because of his passive and reserved nature. So this time, he took the initiative to speak up, hoping to push Jiang Cong forward and not let him stay in place and hesitate.
Jiang Cong just gave a soft "hmm" and said nothing more.
Lan Heng: "..." You don't have to be so sparing with your words, dude!
Lan Heng tried hard to hold back his urge to complain about Jiang Cong and continued relentlessly, "In matters of love, men should take the initiative. As long as two people truly like each other, nothing else matters."
Jiang Cong repeated in a low voice the words "nothing else matters" from Lan Heng's mouth and fell into deep thought.
"What would you do if the person you like did something wrong?" Jiang Cong asked the question that had been buried in his heart, constantly making him doubt and hesitate.
Lan Heng's tone was extremely serious. Without any hesitation, he replied seriously, "I'd accompany her to correct that mistake. As long as she's still the one I like, I won't give up on her."
So that's how it should be?
Jiang Cong hung up the phone. Lan Heng's words echoed in his ears. After a long while, Jiang Cong smiled relievedly. Apparently, he had understood what he should do when his bad suspicions became reality.
The gears of time kept turning. In a blink of an eye, June had arrived in Beicheng.
By then, the review progress of each high school was almost done. The school where Chen Er studied officially had a holiday on the 2nd, marking the end of the senior - three students' study life.
A whole year of high - intensity review had kept the students on edge. Everyone had been working hard towards the big goal of the college entrance examination. After a busy year, it was time for the harvest.
On the podium, Xia Qing encouraged the students below and gave the last lecture on how to get the maximum score in the exam. "Guys, come on! I'm waiting for your good news here!"
The depressing atmosphere of parting spread in the classroom. Students in twos and threes hugged each other, reluctant to part.
Chen Er seemed like an outsider, watching the touching scene in the classroom without much emotion. She had experienced so many partings that she no longer had any expectations.
Just like with Jiang Cong...
Thinking of Jiang Cong, Chen Er's nonchalant expression suddenly became a bit unnatural. She turned her head, and the reflection on the window showed a preoccupied look.
She wondered if he had finished his research, how he was doing recently, and if he had forgotten about her...
Chen Er let out a sigh of relief and tried hard to shake off the image of Jiang Cong in her mind. At this moment, a male voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Classmate Chen Er, can I give you a hug?" The boy who spoke was the class monitor, a typical good - boy and top student.
Chen Er stood up and gave the monitor a big hug. Then, like a brother, she patted his shoulder hard. "Brother! Work hard! A bright future is waiting for you!"
The monitor: "..." I wanted to confess my love to you, but you just wanna be my brother.
Chen Er picked up her books, waved casually at the monitor, and left the classroom, unconsciously nipping the budding love of the monitor for her in the cradle.
The books were heavy. As Chen Er walked, she felt tired. Fortunately, Qiangzi rode up on a small tricycle, looking very heroic in his own eyes.
"Yo, Master Chen, tired? Here, this is the luxury car I prepared for you. Please get in!" Qiangzi said with a playful smile. His hands never stopped as he took the schoolbag on Chen Er's back and the stack of books in her arms.
"Whew, I didn't misjudge you. You're really a good guy." Chen Er rubbed her sore shoulders, then leaped gracefully onto the back of the tricycle. "Let's go!"
"Sure thing! Hold on tight!" Qiangzi got the order, whistled leisurely, and pedaled forward.