Chapter 90
On Ye Xialan’s birthday, Bo Muyu went straight home after work.
Before this day, she had thought about how to take the next step. Like a suitor, should she give Jiang Chenyin gifts? Or ask her out? In any case, she couldn’t just do things that were confined to familial love like before.
But she quickly felt that it was not suitable. It would be too obvious and would easily make Jiang Chenyin suspicious.
She had listed several plans, but in the end, she hadn’t decided on any. Finally, she decided to first get a clear idea of her relationship with Jiang Chenyin on Ye Xialan’s birthday, because the fact that Jiang Chenyin was not in Qinzhou and had not told her had always been on her mind.
When Bo Muyu was parking in the garage, she saw Jiang Chenyin’s car and, for a moment, was reluctant to part with it. After moving out of Jiang Chenyin’s house, she had been driving to and from work by herself. She and Jiang Chenyin had not had a meal together again. She always felt as if she hadn’t been in that car for a long time.
But in reality, it hadn’t even been a month. It was just that she missed her so much that she always felt it had been a long time.
A small table was set up on the balcony, with fruits and tea snacks. Ye Xialan was crossing her legs, cracking melon seeds and squinting at Jiang Chenyin, who was sitting opposite her.
She had really come back, and she had come early. And the birthday gifts she had given her were also very practical: a beauty salon membership card, a gym membership card, and a membership card for Jiang Gaojun’s new restaurant.
When Ye Xialan took them, she even teased, “Why didn’t you give me a membership card for your coffee shop?”
Jiang Chenyin said with a smile, “Isn’t showing your face enough?”
Ye Xialan let out a few “tsks.” She had taken full advantage of Jiang Chenyin, only short of touching her abs, but she was also satisfied.
She bit into a pineapple pastry, stretched out her foot, and touched Jiang Chenyin’s. Jiang Chenyin had been drinking tea and spacing out. After being interrupted, she looked over.
“Hmm?”
Ye Xialan asked indistinctly as she ate her pineapple pastry, “After you broke up with that director, you’re not planning to try again?”
“Let nature take its course,” Jiang Chenyin said, flicking her hair, her tone very placid. “I’m not young anymore. I don’t have the motivation to pursue such things. And life is not just about this.”
“Teacher Jiang, do you really not feel lonely?” Ye Xialan asked, both worried and cautious, worried but also not wanting the topic to turn to the old matter that should have been completely buried.
In Ye Xialan’s probing gaze, Jiang Chenyin was taken aback for a moment. An answer that she would have subconsciously given to such a question before popped up in her mind, which was that she had Bo Muyu.
At least in the past, she had felt that before Bo Muyu left her, she would not feel lonely. But now she could no longer answer like this. This was making her make a mistake on top of a mistake.
She pondered for a long while, then smiled. “Having a spiritual support is indeed a very happy thing, and I have also hoped to have such happiness. But just as I said just now, there are many things that can enrich life. Love is not a must. I will not feel lonely because I don’t have it.”
“Why are you like a life coach?” Ye Xialan laughed, but soon she sighed. “Yes, I know this thing is not a necessity, but sometimes when I think about a lifetime so long without someone to spend it with, I really feel uncomfortable. Look at me now. I’ve been with our old man for more than twenty years, and there’s no passion anymore. But when he’s not at home, I really miss him. I feel like I can’t even eat happily.”
“That’s because you’re used to him…” Jiang Chenyin said, then suddenly paused. The faint smile that had not yet appeared on her lips disappeared, and she said softly, “So when he’s not around sometimes, you will feel it’s hard to bear.”
Ye Xialan asked with a smile, “Are you used to the present, so you don’t feel that there’s anything hard to bear?”
“Perhaps,” Jiang Chenyin’s lips curved up, her gaze on the tall buildings outside.
Her expression was very placid, and there was no emotion in her eyes for the current topic, which made Ye Xialan feel that this question, which was so important to many people, was not worth mentioning to her at all.
Ye Xialan lowered her head in thought, then smiled. “This should be a good thing for you. I can’t imagine you being tied down by one person and then throwing yourself wholeheartedly into a family.”
To Jiang Chenyin, many things now could not form a bond with her. She lacked nothing, her life was full, and a lover who she could rely on in body and mind was not a must-have.
In this state now, Ye Xialan could not say that it was not good.
Jiang Chenyin smiled at her faintly. “So, save your worries.”
Ye Xialan nodded and returned a smile, continuing to grab a peach pastry to eat.
Jiang Chenyin glanced into the living room and asked with a frown, “You’re letting Yuxin make a mess in the kitchen. Aren’t you afraid the chef will ruin your dinner?”
As soon as she finished, she heard the sound of pots and pans crashing to the floor, accompanied by Lan Yuxin’s scream.
Ye Xialan gasped and patted her chest to comfort herself. “It’s okay, it’s okay. My old man is there. It’s the big star Lan’s first time at my house. It’s inevitable that she’s not used to it…”
Jiang Chenyin raised an eyebrow but did not reply.
After Ye Xialan had calmed down, she asked her, “Oh, by the way, why did you suddenly ask me that day if Xiaoyu had ever liked anyone?”
“I already said it was a sudden thought,” Jiang Chenyin said, raising her teacup to drink, not meeting Ye Xialan’s gaze.
“Then why did you suddenly think of it? There has to be a reason, right?” Ye Xialan didn’t believe it was so sudden at all. There must be a reason. How could she have thought of it for no reason?
Jiang Chenyin was quiet for a moment, then looked up and said, “It’s because I saw a very young girl at the film set a few days ago, but she had a very good relationship with her boyfriend, so I thought of asking you if Muyu had ever liked anyone in university.”
“Is that so…” Ye Xialan’s crossed legs were shaking. “I really don’t remember her having one. She basically came home every weekend, and she didn’t have those little actions that people in a relationship have. Who could stand her being so calm in a relationship? I think she’s a blockhead, just like her dad. You don’t have to worry about her. I’ll take care of her.”
Jiang Chenyin narrowed her eyes and said no more.
But Ye Xialan was intrigued by this topic and winked at Jiang Chenyin mysteriously. “Hey, but Xiaoyu told me what type she likes. I think the type she likes is the one you’ve been in contact with the most.”
Jiang Chenyin frowned. “What type?”
Ye Xialan counted on her fingers. “Gentle but not old-fashioned, with a career and hobbies, and also kind.” She clenched her fingers and glanced at Jiang Chenyin. “Teacher Jiang, tell me what poison you’ve given my baby. She even wants a boyfriend of your type.”
Jiang Chenyin’s tightly furrowed brow could not be smoothed out. Her fingers unconsciously squeezed the teacup, her fingers turning white, but she seemed not to feel it.
“When did she say that?”
Ye Xialan thought for a moment. “Last month, I think. Anyway, not long ago.”
Jiang Chenyin lowered her eyes, her lips pressed together tightly, not a hint of a smile on her face.
Last month, that was before she had moved out of her house. Then what was the reason Bo Muyu had moved out? Did she want to give up? If she wanted to give up, then why hadn’t she broken off contact with her?
Although they hadn’t seen each other during this time, before she had been cold to Bo Muyu, they had had WeChat chats, phone calls, and video chats, and it was exactly the same as before. If she was planning to give up, what was the point of such frequent contact? Did Bo Muyu think she didn’t know, so she didn’t dare to see her, but at the same time maintained contact so that she wouldn’t be suspicious?
Jiang Chenyin’s voice was a little low. “Then what did you say to her?”
“I said her request was very hard to find,” Ye Xialan said, letting out a burp and touching her stomach as she continued, “She wants someone gentle but not old-fashioned, and mature. And he also has to have a career and hobbies. That’s not just a white-collar worker. He has to have money and time to maintain them. And he also has to be kind-hearted… tsk, I didn’t even know this child was so picky.”
“And then?”
Ye Xialan waved her hand, a look of satisfaction on her face after having eaten her fill. “Then I didn’t ask her anymore. I just set the age gap to not be more than ten years. How could a man with those conditions be only in his early twenties?”
Jiang Chenyin lowered her head, her gaze as if on the tea in her cup, and she didn’t bother with the stray strands of hair that had fallen by her ear.
The two of them were chatting on the balcony. Ye Xialan was talking incessantly, and Jiang Chenyin was silent.
Bo Muyu changed her slippers and walked into the living room. When she turned her head, this was the scene she saw.
Just as she was about to go over, Lan Yuxin came out, patting her clothes and muttering to herself, “Oh, I’ll just wait to eat. This kitchen can’t accommodate me.”
Bo Muyu stopped in her tracks and said, “Sister Lan.”
“Oh, little one!” Lan Yuxin looked up, and happily went over and put an arm around her shoulder. “Long time no see. Why are you off work so late? It’s almost time for dinner.”
“There was a traffic jam on a section of the road just now,” Bo Muyu smiled faintly. “It’s Sister Lan’s first time at my house. You have to eat more tonight.”
“Why is your mouth getting sweeter and sweeter? You’re much better at talking than before,” Lan Yuxin said with a surprised and satisfied pat on her cheek.
The corners of Bo Muyu’s lips were curved up. Her gaze shifted, and she met the two on the balcony. But the next second, Jiang Chenyin looked away.
Just then, Bo Mingliang clapped his hands, his voice coming from a distance, “Ladies, it’s time to eat!”
Ye Xialan pulled Jiang Chenyin from the balcony, and as they walked, she said, “Let’s go, let’s go, let’s eat. We’ll have cake after dinner!”
Just then, Lan Yuxin’s arm tightened, and she whispered to Bo Muyu, “Teacher Jiang bought you mango pancakes and double-skin milk. They’re in the refrigerator. She was afraid you wouldn’t have enough cake tonight.”
Bo Muyu’s eyelashes trembled, her gaze on Jiang Chenyin’s face, but she never met her gaze, only glancing at her placidly.
“Let’s go. Wash your hands and eat,” Ye Xialan said, holding Bo Muyu with one hand and linking her arm through Jiang Chenyin’s with the other.
Who knew that both Bo Muyu and Jiang Chenyin were walking very slowly. Ye Xialan had no choice but to let go of them and instead went to Lan Yuxin. The two of them washed their hands first, and then left the kitchen to the two behind.
Jiang Chenyin let Bo Muyu wash first. When it was her turn, Bo Muyu was still standing by the side and had not left.
The sound of the faucet was gushing, and the kitchen was very quiet.
Bo Muyu’s throat moved. “Auntie Yin.”
“Hmm?” Jiang Chenyin did not turn to look at her, and from the side, the corners of her lips were slightly curved up. “Let’s go and eat first. There’s cake tonight.”
“Auntie Yin…”
Jiang Chenyin turned off the water, and only then did she glance at her and say softly, “Let’s go. Don’t keep them waiting.” After she finished, she turned and left without a moment’s hesitation.
From the moment they had met, Jiang Chenyin had not given her a proper smile. Her usual gentle, watery gaze had not appeared at all. She had not held her hand, and she had not even told her in person that she had bought her her favorite dessert.
Bo Muyu bit her lip, gazed at Jiang Chenyin’s retreating back, the corners of her eyes turning red, her whole person as if nailed to the spot, unable to move.
