Chapter 45 The One You’re Dating Is Miss Jiang

Chapter 45: The One You're Dating Is Miss Jiang

Back in the private room, Jiang Tianyi noticed Lin Haoda's eyes were a little red and asked him what was wrong.

Lin Haoda pointed at the wasabi in the soy sauce dish on the table and said with a smile, "It's too spicy," adding that the spiciness only hit him later.

Jiang Tianyi nodded, called someone over to remove the platter of sashimi, and asked if he wanted anything else to eat.

Lin Haoda was about to say "No need," when the sliding door opened and Guan Junshan walked in from outside.

He was taking off his coat as he stepped inside, and Jiang Tianyi lifted her face slightly to look at him, asking, "Stepped out? I thought you said you were going to the restroom."

Guan Junshan said, "Didn't go."

He returned to his seat, his gaze sweeping over Lin Haoda's face briefly, his tone and pace the same as always, impossible to tell he was lying: "The restroom was too crowded."

He paused, then added, "Went outside to smoke a cigarette instead."

Jiang Tianyi let out an "Oh," and after a short pause, switched to another topic.

On the way back, Lin Haoda automatically got into the car of Jiang Tianyi's assistant.

The assistant had waited so long that she was already getting drowsy, yawning repeatedly as she started the car. Lin Haoda had had a bit of sweet wine and couldn't drive for her, so he could only keep making conversation to keep her awake.

It wasn't too late, and the main road was heavy traffic. They stayed right behind Guan Junshan's car, stop-and-go.

After passing who knows how many intersections, Jiang Tianyi's assistant suddenly asked, "Does Manager Guan get along well with Miss Jiang?"

Lin Haoda had to answer but didn't want to be too specific, so he just said, "Not bad." Afraid she might overthink, he added after a pause, "They'll get to know each other gradually."

Jiang Tianyi's assistant nodded at this, somewhat emotional. "Manager Guan is such a good catch. If they can get married smoothly, they should be a very suitable couple."

Lin Haoda sat silently in the passenger seat, a faint discomfort rising in his throat, and didn't respond.

He turned his face to look at the rapidly receding street scene outside the window, clusters of streetlight beams rushing past his eyes.

"What's wrong?" the assistant noticed, lowering the window a little, her tone concerned: "Are you carsick?"

Lin Haoda forced a smile and said, "I'm fine. Maybe it's just a bit stuffy in here."

The car moved forward a bit more, getting closer to Jiang Tianyi's apartment. The two cars drove one behind the other from the main road into a narrower intersection, traffic thinning out, and they stopped at a red light.

The street was lined with various shops, crowded with people. One storefront had a line forming at the window. Lin Haoda glanced at the sign and display window and murmured, "Why are so many people lining up?"

"This place." Jiang Tianyi's assistant looked down from the car window, already used to it. "The ice cream there seems to be quite popular."

As soon as she finished speaking, the light turned green. The GPS clearly said they should go straight through the intersection, but for some reason, the car ahead suddenly turned right and pulled over to the side of the road.

They waited for a while but saw no one getting out. Lin Haoda found it strange and sent a message to Yang Yue in the front car, asking what was happening.

Before getting a reply from Yang Yue, Guan Junshan got out of the car first. His coat fell to his calves, shoulders broad, taking long strides, the wind lifting the hem of his coat.

Before Lin Haoda could react, he had already reached the window of the car behind, raised his hand, and knocked on the glass twice.

Lin Haoda rolled the window all the way down, his eyes moist and bright under the streetlight. Guan Junshan looked down at him and asked, "Want some ice cream?"

Lin Haoda was stunned, blinked at him, and said, "Now?"

Guan Junshan's voice was very low, and after a short pause, he said "Mm" quietly.

"Manager Guan." Lin Haoda leaned on the window frame, poking his head out a little to talk to him. "But there's a really long line."

The corner of Guan Junshan's mouth moved, as if he was about to say something, when the front car door opened again, and Jiang Tianyi's voice carried on the wind.

"Junshan!" she called from behind, jogging to the front of the car, a little out of breath as she said, "Forget it, there are too many people there. I don't want any."

Guan Junshan stood by the car, his expression hidden in the shadows, saying nothing and not moving.

Lin Haoda opened his mouth slightly, unable to make a sound for a long moment. Then, as if he'd just snapped out of it, he said slowly, "Right, Manager Guan, Miss Jiang said she doesn't want any."

He paused, then tried as best he could to speak in a gentle, sincere tone, persuading, "It's too cold outside. You'd better get Miss Jiang home early."

The taillights of the front car blinked twice before it started moving again.

Yang Yue's reply came through. He told Lin Haoda, "Manager Guan suddenly said he wanted to go buy ice cream, but then Miss Jiang said she didn't want any."

Unfortunately, Lin Haoda had already guessed. He didn't read it carefully and just sent a random emoji in return.

On Saturday, Guan Junshan and Jiang Tianyi were going to spend the whole day on their date at Ocean Park.

There were many options for the date location, but Jiang Tianyi had recently taken on a brand placement, and Ocean Park was a good filming spot.

When Lin Haoda arrived, the commercial shoot had just ended. Jiang Tianyi's team was clearing away the photography equipment, and it was still early.

Lin Haoda hadn't really wanted to come. Both sides had assistants, and he didn't have much presence. Standing around would be awkward—not quite a staff member, not quite a tourist.

But the company had just issued a new attendance manual. Lin Haoda, who often needed to go on long business trips for fieldwork, had to clock in and out and leave records every time he went out, so his end-of-month performance review would be consistent.

Besides, he was also responsible for taking photos and documenting the event. He wasn't sure what role that made him, but because Jiang Tianyi's assistant had specially called last night to ask for his help—so that the elders on both sides who cared about this marriage could be kept informed—Lin Haoda ended up coming with several different cameras slung over his shoulders.

There weren't many visitors in the park that morning. Jiang Tianyi was resting in the shade under a tree by the fountain. Guan Junshan stood nearby, originally turned to Yang Yue to talk, but then Jiang Tianyi probably saw Lin Haoda and jumped up and waved at him.

Guan Junshan also stopped talking and turned to look over.

After a strong wind and rainstorm passed, the temperature had risen a little. Guan Junshan was wearing the simplest white T-shirt, with a washed denim jacket over it. A pair of sunglasses perched on his nose, the tea-colored lenses made his eyes behind them look even darker and deeper.

Lin Haoda felt dazed for a moment, then took two steps forward before realizing that this was probably the first time he had seen Guan Junshan dressed so casually and youthfully.

Without his "Manager Guan" identity, he seemed no different from the twenty-something guys you'd pass by on the street.

Lin Haoda walked over, and Jiang Tianyi immediately drew closer. Spotting the cameras on him, she let out a "Wow," called out "Hao Da," and asked, "Why are you carrying so many cameras?"

Guan Junshan's gaze landed on the camera straps around Lin Haoda's neck. Some of the heavier-looking ones had already chafed the skin of his neck red, but Lin Haoda seemed completely oblivious, as if he was slow to react. He put down his tripod, looking a little smug, and said, "I'll take lots of photos later. Photos are part of the memories too."

Guan Junshan didn't think so but couldn't find a reason to argue. Maybe it was because Lin Haoda, looking like a Christmas tree covered in decorations, made it hard for him to say anything harsh. So he frowned, reached out to lift the heaviest camera off of him, telling him, "Take it off," and then directed Yang Yue, "Carry the one with the white lens."

"Got it, Manager Guan..." Lin Haoda said, trying to smooth things over. "Let's go."

Ocean Park was huge, divided into several different areas, and the popular exhibits required waiting in line. According to the itinerary Lin Haoda had prepared in advance, they should head to the farthest and most crowded dolphin area first to avoid the crowds.

Jiang Tianyi and Guan Junshan stood on either side of him, studying the map in his hand very seriously. For some reason, Lin Haoda felt like he was becoming the center of this date instead of the two of them interacting with each other.

Because Jiang Tianyi was only whispering to him about where to take photos later, having bookmarked several popular spots in advance, and didn't communicate with Guan Junshan at all. As for Guan Junshan, aside from occasionally saying "Mm," "I'm fine with anything," he only made demands and criticisms of Lin Haoda: "The walrus area is too remote, don't go," "Did you really make an itinerary? Why do we have to walk the same road twice?"

Finally, when they reached the entrance of the dolphin exhibit, Lin Haoda stopped and managed to free himself. "Miss Jiang, Manager Guan, go on in quickly."

He put away the map, glanced at the time on his phone, and said, "In five minutes, there will be a dolphin keeper interaction session."

Jiang Tianyi nodded, stepped into the fast pass lane, and stood at the empty starting point of the queue, waiting for Guan Junshan. Guan Junshan furrowed his brows, looked up at the dimly lit entrance of the exhibit hall, catching a glimpse of a man-made blue pool in the background, then looked away and asked in a low voice, "Where are you going?"

Lin Haoda pointed to the other line crowded with people and told him, "I'll wait in line here."

Guan Junshan pursed his lips without speaking. Above him, a beam from the decorative light fell down, dynamic blue waves softly landing on his profile. Even in such poor lighting, he still looked very handsome, his eyes dark, hiding unspoken words.

"Lin Haoda." Finally, Guan Junshan parted his lips and called his name.

Lin Haoda waited for a while, but Guan Junshan never continued speaking. The end of the line was still growing, with people constantly entering the line area. Lin Haoda couldn't wait any longer and started to leave, saying, "The line here is quite long. If you finish watching first, you can go to the next exhibition hall and wait for me."

Guan Junshan reached out to stop him but didn't touch him, his voice low: "Don't wait in line. I'll buy you another ticket."

Then he added, "Come with us; we'll take the express lane."

Lin Haoda was taken aback for a moment and looked up at him.

Guan Junshan lowered his gaze, took out his phone, and opened the ticket-purchasing mini-program. Perhaps because they were indoors with many people, the signal was poor. Lin Haoda saw him tap the purchase button several times. The loading spinner on the page slowly spun, then suddenly flickered and turned blank.

Jiang Tianyi was still waiting nearby. She was no longer looking at them, but had turned her face to the electronic screen on the wall.

"Mr. Guan." Lin Haoda licked his lips, using the same gentle yet insincere tone as that night when he had advised Guan Junshan to give up waiting in line for ice cream, "Don't waste your time on me."

The sounds around him suddenly faded away. He only heard his own uneven breathing and the words he uttered, probably the most clear-headed and cold-hearted statement he had ever spoken.

"Today, you're on a date with Miss Jiang."

After a few seconds, he added gently, "She is still waiting for you."