Chapter 19: Not Very Familiar

Chapter 19: Not Very Familiar

That afternoon's encounter at the café was indeed unexpected for Jiang Chengxiao.

The young girl actually went on a blind date? How old is she, to be so eager to go on a blind date? Just thinking about it made Jiang Chengxiao's blood boil.

Fortunately, the blind date was a scoundrel; otherwise, if Song Xilan had shown even a hint of interest in him, Jiang Chengxiao couldn't guarantee that he wouldn't have rushed over and snatched her away.

And then Jiang Jingru had to stir up trouble, almost causing his little girl to misunderstand him.

Luckily, he was clever enough and eventually succeeded in getting a chance to be alone with her. That candied haws skewer, with only one eaten, was still stuck on the windowsill of his hotel room.

He should have waited a few more days before going to see her, but he couldn't resist.

Jiang Chengxiao thought, what if the girl went on another blind date? What if this time the person wasn't as bad as the last one? What if he was just a step too slow, and she started dating someone else? He couldn't bear that outcome.

So, after getting ready, he headed to her workplace.

Song Xilan's colleague, Juan Zi, nudged Song Xilan with her elbow, her eyes shining, and whispered, "Is this your friend? He's so handsome!"

Song Xilan continued to keep her head down, calculating accounts: "Not very familiar. Why don't you go and greet him?"

"Sure!" Juan Zi happily walked over, "Sir, our products are directly from the factory, freshly made. What would you like to buy?"

Jiang Chengxiao, pretending to look at the goods on the shelves while waiting for Song Xilan to come over, had even prepared his lines: "I'm new here and want to buy some local specialties to send to friends. The people at the hotel recommended this place. I didn't expect it to be such a coincidence that you work here too..."

He turned his head, feeling awkward; it was someone else who approached.

"Sir, you've come to the right place. Our Limin Food is famous here. For example, this walnut cake, soda crackers, and saqima (a sweet snack) are all great gifts for the holidays, perfect for sending to friends."

Jiang Chengxiao had already spoken, so he had to awkwardly pick a few packs of each.

As Juan Zi packed for him, he slowly moved closer to Song Xilan: "You're busy, huh?"

Song Xilan, with a stern face, didn't look up and just muttered a "Yes."

Jiang Chengxiao was puzzled. It didn't add up.

"What's wrong? Who upset you?"

Song Xilan curtly replied, "No one," and turned to count the goods on another shelf.

From behind, Jiang Chengxiao noticed her tense shoulders, clearly not as indifferent as she seemed.

Could it be because he hadn't visited her in the past two days, and she was upset?

Jiang Chengxiao began to explain, "I wanted to visit you these past two days, but I had some work-related procedures to handle. Besides, I forgot to ask for your contact details last time. If I've done anything to upset you, please tell me directly, okay?"

Song Xilan finally turned to face him, but her brows were tightly furrowed: "Sir, you helped me, and I later helped you, so we're even. Men and women are different. Your visit like this can easily cause misunderstandings and trouble for me."

Jiang Chengxiao's heart sank, and his expression darkened. So, his presence was a trouble for her?

He could actually understand this feeling. Back when he was in Beijing, due to his family background and good looks, young girls often approached him, wrote letters, gave gifts, and expressed their affection.

But he had no feelings for those girls, so their actions not only didn't please him but annoyed him, causing endless trouble.

Back then, he was young and full of vigor, not understanding the value of someone's genuine feelings, and never gave them a good look.

Now he understood how painful it was to be on the receiving end of a cold shoulder.

The bullet he fired years ago has now come back to hit him square between the eyes.

If he keeps bothering her, it’ll only make her more annoyed with him!

"Sorry for the trouble. I’ll get going now," Jiang Chengxiao picked up the packaged biscuits and walked out dejectedly.

"I don’t get how the story turned out like this?"

"Didn’t they get along fine last time? Did something happen that I missed? I didn’t even leave to use the bathroom!"

"Right, Xilan’s attitude change is way too weird. Even if she’s ready to write someone off, she should at least explain why!"

Jiang Chengxiao’s gloomy expression made Xilan feel uneasy. She remembered that people couldn’t see her thoughts. She’d been overthinking, convinced Jiang Chengxiao was the father of Jingru’s baby, and that’s why she resented him.

But was she even right?

Was it fair to judge him without even asking?

Thinking of this, she immediately chased after him: "Wait up!"

Jiang Chengxiao turned back, looking puzzled: "You calling me?"

Xilan nodded and walked over slowly: "I need to ask you something."

Jiang Chengxiao’s face brightened. As long as she was talking to him, there was still hope: "What is it? Just ask."

Xilan thought for a moment and began: "This morning, I went to the hospital..." This was just an opening line to bring up the encounter with Jingru.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Chengxiao’s expression immediately became tense: "The hospital? Why’d you go? Are you feeling okay?"

"Hahaha, that’s the perfect response to a loaded question."

"Our Jiang is really smooth."

"You can really tell when someone cares."

"Jealousy’s turning me into a monster."

Xilan was stunned for a moment, a wave of warmth rising in her heart, and she smiled slightly: "I’m fine, my aunt works in the obstetrics and gynecology department, and my mom asked me to go see her."

Jiang Chengxiao nodded in relief: "Oh, you went to the hospital to see your aunt this morning, and then?"

"I met Jingru at the obstetrics and gynecology department in the hospital," she said, carefully observing Jiang Chengxiao’s expression.

But Jiang Chengxiao’s reaction was different from what she expected. He asked: "Do you know her?"

"Well, I’ve seen her performance, I mean, she..." The next words were a bit hard for Xilan to say.