Chapter 18
The surroundings of the villa area were relatively quiet, and there were hardly any pedestrians early in the morning.
Jiang Zhong’s hand was curled up in Xi Qin’s coat pocket, wrapped in the warmth of Xi Qin’s palm.
Fortunately, both Jiang Zhong and Xi Qin were wearing thick coats, so unless you looked closely, it only seemed like they were standing very close together.
With this thought, Jiang Zhong relaxed slightly, his curled fingers loosening their grip.
Taking advantage of this, Xi Qin slid his fingers between Jiang Zhong’s, their ten fingers intertwining.
Jiang Zhong could feel the pulse of Xi Qin’s heartbeat through their joined hands, and he trusted that Xi Qin could feel his as well.
Their heartbeats gradually synchronized, beating with the same intensity.
Jiang Zhong’s ears turned red: “…Ahem.”
“Hang in there,” Xi Qin said with concern, “There aren’t any shops around your place, we have to walk a bit further.”
“Mm.” Jiang Zhong responded softly.
“Don’t run so fast next time,” Xi Qin said, squeezing Jiang Zhong’s hand, “The ground is covered in snow. What if you slip?”
Jiang Zhong only then realized how heavy the snowfall from last night had been. The streets, bushes, and branches were all covered with a thick layer.
When he went outside earlier, all he saw was white, preoccupied with the thought of meeting Xi Qin quickly, and didn’t take the time to appreciate the picturesque snow scene painted by the night. Now he saw that nature’s landscape was truly beautiful and pleasing to the eye.
And he, running through this scene towards Xi Qin, who was waiting, had become a newly added stroke in the picture.
After walking about 400 meters east from the villa area, they turned onto another street, where the ground-floor sides were lined with storefronts.
A few stores were having New Year’s promotions, and there were many pedestrians, so Jiang Zhong and Xi Qin let go of each other’s hands.
In front of a store with a sparse business, a few kids were building a snowman. Jiang Zhong put his hands into his coat pockets, watching the “snow monster” that couldn’t really be called a “snowman.”
“Have you had breakfast here before?” Xi Qin asked. “Which place is better?”
Jiang Zhong replied, “…I haven’t.”
Although his home was very close to this area, he rarely came here to buy things.
Before university, breakfast was either at home, bought near school, or skipped altogether.
Since starting university, he hadn’t had the chance to come here for breakfast.
“Just pick any place,” Jiang Zhong said casually. Although there were some foods he didn’t eat, he wasn’t very picky about taste.
Just as they reached the front of a breakfast shop, Jiang Zhong lightly bumped Xi Qin’s arm and said, “Let’s go with this one.”
By now, the breakfast rush had ended, and only a few people were scattered inside the shop.
Xi Qin let Jiang Zhong choose a seat while he went to the counter to place the order.
Jiang Zhong felt a little secretly pleased. Xi Qin’s action of ordering food without asking for his opinion perfectly confirmed that he knew what Jiang Zhong liked and disliked.
When Xi Qin came back with the order, he placed a cup of hot water in front of Jiang Zhong and said, “Drink some water to soothe your throat.”
Jiang Zhong felt a bit embarrassed to look directly into Xi Qin’s eyes and smiled as he took the cup.
“Be careful, it’s hot,” Xi Qin added.
He wasn’t a three-year-old child, did he need such careful reminders?
Jiang Zhong thought this to himself but couldn’t help smiling as his eyes curved up.
He tested the water’s temperature, it was just right, likely mixed with cold and hot water.
“Ahem.” Jiang Zhong cleared his throat. Drinking the hot water did indeed make his throat feel better.
The shop was warm and cozy, with a distinctive decor style. The tables were very clean, and the jars on the table contained chili oil and vinegar…
Jiang Zhong’s mind was a jumble of thoughts, with no logic, as he glanced around aimlessly, almost inspecting the contents of the trash can.
He just didn’t look at Xi Qin, who was sitting across from him.
A bit awkward.JPG
Even though he and Xi Qin had eaten together often before, and he used to talk a lot, and even when they didn’t speak, it was never this awkward.
“Hmm.” Xi Qin across from him chuckled softly.
Jiang Zhong froze.
“Jiang Zhong?”
Jiang Zhong caught a glimpse of Xi Qin’s steady gaze and responded, “Hmm?”
“You’re…” Xi Qin thought for a moment, “Very quiet today.”
“My throat doesn’t feel good,” Jiang Zhong explained.
Xi Qin nodded and then asked, “Then why haven’t you looked at me?”
Jiang Zhong defended himself, “I didn’t always look at you before.”
Xi Qin nodded again and softly said, “But today you haven’t looked at me at all.”
Nonsense, he had looked at him for quite a while when they first met.
Jiang Zhong pondered his response, “Hmm… You haven’t changed today, so what’s the difference if I look or not?”
This time, Xi Qin didn’t nod. Jiang Zhong noticed him lowering his head from the corner of his eye.
“Are you having second thoughts?” Xi Qin’s voice sounded very downcast.
“Huh?” Jiang Zhong, forgetting his embarrassment, looked up abruptly at Xi Qin, whose bangs fell over his eyes as he bowed his head.
“I’m sorry,” Xi Qin said dejectedly, “I didn’t give you much time to think last night, and I just came over today without telling you. If you—”
“I’m not!” Jiang Zhong interrupted him, raising his voice slightly and attracting the attention of other customers in the shop.
Jiang Zhong made an apologetic expression and lowered his volume, “I’m not having second thoughts. I just… feel a bit embarrassed.”
Xi Qin remained silent with his head lowered.
Jiang Zhong smiled awkwardly, “Actually, I was really happy when you… did that last night, and I’m also very glad you came to see me today.”
“Really?” Xi Qin asked, still with his head down. “You’re really happy?”
“Yes, yes.” Jiang Zhong hurriedly nodded.
“Then that’s good.” Xi Qin said, lifting his head and smiling as he made eye contact with Jiang Zhong.
There was no trace of sadness, his eyes were full of victorious amusement!
Jiang Zhong’s eyes widened, “You—”
“Don’t be angry, don’t be angry,” Xi Qin quickly reassured him. “It’s just that you haven’t been looking at me or talking to me.”
The awkward atmosphere instantly vanished.
Jiang Zhong let out a light “Humph.”
How did he not notice before how scheming Xi Qin was?
After finishing breakfast, Jiang Zhong and Xi Qin walked side by side along the street aimlessly.
“Do you have any plans later?” Jiang Zhong asked.
“No,” Xi Qin replied honestly. “I just woke up this morning and suddenly really wanted to see you, so I came over without any plans.”
Jiang Zhong said, “… Oh.”
How did he not notice before how flirtatious Xi Qin could be?
“Jiang Zhong.” Xi Qin suddenly slowed down, “Even though you said you don’t regret it, I still want to formally tell you again.”
Jiang Zhong turned to look at Xi Qin, and that pleasant feeling of nervousness returned.
“I said things a bit hastily last night,” Xi Qin said, “What I actually wanted to say is that I like you, and I’ve liked you for a while. If you don’t mind, would you let me be your boyfriend?”
Jiang Zhong felt as if all the surrounding noise faded away, and he only heard himself firmly answering, “Sure.”
“Since you want to hear it again, I’ll give you my answer again.” Jiang Zhong said seriously, “When I said I don’t regret it, I really didn’t. Even if you gave me more time to think, my answer would still be the same.”
Last night’s hasty words from Xi Qin were exactly what Jiang Zhong had been anticipating for a long time.
After Jiang Zhong spoke, Xi Qin stared at him for a long time, making Jiang Zhong almost blush.
“What’s wrong?” Jiang Zhong couldn’t help but look away first.
Xi Qin’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he leaned close to Jiang Zhong’s ear and whispered, “If I said I wanted to kiss you right now, would you think I’m being a pervert?”