Chapter 20
Jiang Zhong was still a bit dazed when he got home.
He never expected that his first kiss would be given away in such a manner.
Xi Qin’s lips were probably only on the corner of his mouth for less than a second. He didn’t even… have time to feel anything.
So frustrating!
Although he didn’t feel anything during the process, he still let his imagination make him restless.
Jiang Zhong angrily fumbled with his keys to open the door.
It’s all Xi Qin’s fault. Why the sudden ambush? Couldn’t he have given him a heads-up before kissing him? It’s not like he wouldn’t have been willing… cough cough.
Jiang Zhong entered the house and changed his shoes.
Actually, it shouldn’t even count as a first kiss. It was just a quick peck on the corner of his mouth. It could only be considered a touch.
Jiang Zhong nodded to himself in the dark. ‘Right, it was just a touch’.
How could a first kiss be so hasty? This one doesn’t count.
“What are you dawdling about?”
Jiang Zhong was startled by the voice behind him, his heart skipping a beat as he almost shouted, “Ah? Dad!”
“Why are you shouting so loudly?” Father Jiang was also startled by Jiang Zhong, “I’ve been watching you for a while. You’re changing shoes but not doing it properly, nodding and shaking your head.”
Jiang Zhong, feeling guilty, lowered his head and finished changing the last shoe. “Nothing, it’s just that it’s so cold outside, heh heh.”
Father Jiang stared at Jiang Zhong for a while, suppressing his curiosity. “Finish changing your shoes and wash your hands. Dinner’s ready, and your mom’s waiting.”
Tonight’s dinner was once again cooked by Zheng Yinqiu. When Jiang Zhong entered the dining room, Father Jiang was bringing the dishes from the kitchen to the table.
Jiang Zhong cheerfully followed him, grabbing a bowl and chopsticks.
At the table, Zheng Yinqiu smiled and said, “You’re back pretty quickly.”
“Didn’t go far,” Jiang Zhong replied softly while picking up a piece of fish, “Just wandering around the mall on the next street.”
“Wandering around the mall is nice,” Zheng Yinqiu nodded. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she asked, “By the way, son, do you have enough pocket money?”
Jiang Zhong: “Ah?”
Zheng Yinqiu didn’t wait for Jiang Zhong to answer and turned to Father Jiang, saying, “You should give our son more money in the future. Things are different now compared to before.”
Father Jiang nodded indulgently. “Alright.”
Jiang Zhong asked, “What’s different? Why do I need more money?”
“Didn’t you start dating?” Zheng Yinqiu responded.
Jiang Zhong was alarmed. “How did you know?”
“Your dad told me,” Zheng Yinqiu said with a smile. “This morning, you rushed out in such a hurry. Weren’t you going to see your girlfriend?”
Jiang Zhong replied, “Uh…”
‘It wasn’t to see a girlfriend, it was to see a boyfriend.’
“When you’re dating, you naturally spend more money than before,” Zheng Yinqiu continued. “You’re a guy, and when you go on dates, you can’t let the other person spend more than you, right?”
Jiang Zhong said, “Hmm…”
It seemed he hadn’t spent any money today, Xi Qin had paid for everything. He hadn’t realized this until now and would need to be more aware next time.
“You child,” Zheng Yinqiu pretended to be angry, “Yesterday, when I asked if you had a girlfriend, you said you didn’t.”
Jiang Zhong responded, “…”
He hadn’t been dating yesterday, it had only started in the early morning today, and it wasn’t a girlfriend.
“Mom and Dad won’t interfere in your romantic matters,” Zheng Yinqiu continued. “So, what’s the point of hiding it from us?”
“Really?” Jiang Zhong looked up quickly.
“We… hmm? What’s really?”
“You won’t interfere with who I date?” Jiang Zhong carefully phrased it, “Even if he might be different from what you imagined?”
Zheng Yinqiu hesitated and said, “How different?”
“Maybe…” Jiang Zhong thought for a moment and couldn’t quite describe Xi Qin, so he said, “His background is a bit hard to explain. Maybe you wouldn’t approve of us being together.”
“She’s not involved in illegal activities, is she?” Zheng Yinqiu asked cautiously.
“No, no,” Jiang Zhong quickly shook his head.
“Then, has she done anything unlawful?” Zheng Yinqiu asked further.
“Not at all.” Jiang Zhong felt Zheng Yinqiu’s concerns were misplaced and said, “He’s my classmate, a law-abiding good student.”
“Oh, it’s your classmate,” Zheng Yinqiu sighed in relief. “Then there’s no problem. Why would we disapprove of you being with her?”
Jiang Zhong felt a bit of a headache.
“Is it because her family background isn’t very good?” Zheng Yinqiu said generously, “These are not issues. I would never do something like giving her millions to make her leave you. In my eyes, you’re priceless.”
Jiang Zhong replied weakly, “Thanks, Mom.”
“Mom believes in you,” Zheng Yinqiu said seriously. “The person you like probably won’t be too bad overall. Just keep dating for now, and when you feel the time is right, bring her to meet me and your dad.”
“Your dad and I are open-minded people. The one who will stay with you for life will be your partner, so as long as you’re happy, that’s what matters.”
“Mm!” Jiang Zhong nodded vigorously, his eyes a bit red. He placed a shrimp into Zheng Yinqiu’s bowl and said earnestly, “Thank you, Mom.”
He then placed another shrimp into Jiang Chengye’s bowl and said, “Thank you, Dad!”
That night, Jiang Zhong was on the phone with Xi Qin in his room.
“I’m almost moved to tears,” Jiang Zhong told Xi Qin about his conversation with his parents at the dinner table.
“Uncle and Auntie are really nice,” Xi Qin said sincerely.
“Yeah, they love me a lot,” Jiang Zhong said proudly.
“I can tell,” Xi Qin chuckled on the other end of the line.
Jiang Zhong realized his tone sounded a bit childish, so he cleared his throat and asked, “What are you doing?”
“I’m…” Xi Qin drew out the words, “On the phone with my boyfriend, and thinking about my boyfriend.”
“Wow, you!” Jiang Zhong, who was more immune to romantic lines over the phone than in person, responded with a bit more composure, “How did I not notice before that you’re so smooth with your words?”
“Really?” Xi Qin laughed, “That means you didn’t really know the real me before. And I’m not being smooth with my words, I’m speaking the truth, from the heart.”
“Pfft,” Jiang Zhong scoffed lightly, “I don’t think it’s that I didn’t understand you, I think you were just pretending before.”
Xi Qin hummed, “You could say that. I was indeed more reserved in front of you before, but now I can finally stop holding back…”
“Hey, shut up,” Jiang Zhong interrupted him as if he couldn’t bear it any longer, “I’m going to take a shower.”
Xi Qin chuckled, “Alright, go ahead.”
After hanging up, Jiang Zhong glanced at himself and then went to get his pajamas and head to the bathroom.
Late at night, he was young and full of energy, and couldn’t handle even a little flirtation.
Fortunately, he had stopped Xi Qin in time, who knows what shameless things Xi Qin might have said.
When he finished his shower and came out, he was drying his hair and picked up his phone to message Xi Qin, only to find that there were thirty or so new messages in the 412 dorm group, including some specifically mentioning him.
Jiang Zhong clicked in and saw the first message:
【Deng Letian: Guys, I’m no longer single!】
Next were Deng Letian’s updates about his new relationship and the congratulatory messages from Xiao Yuan and Xi Qin.
【Deng Letian: Thanks, thanks for everyone’s blessings. What about Jiang Zhong? @Jiang Zhong】
【Xi Qin: He’s taking a shower】
【Deng Letian: Oh】
【Deng Letian: How do you know?!】
【Xiao Yuan: ……】
【Xi Qin: I was just chatting with him】
【Deng Letian: Oh】
【Deng Letian: @Jiang Zhong, you were right. I’m the first one in our 412 dorm to get into a relationship】
【Xi Qin: You’re not】
【Deng Letian: ?】
【Xi Qin: I am ahead of you】
【Xi Qin: I got into a relationship last night】
Jiang Zhong suddenly laughed out loud when he saw this. He could easily imagine Deng Letian’s confused expression.
Next, Deng Letian asked Xi Qin who the person was, and Xi Qin gave him a vague answer.
The last new message was:
【Deng Letian: Alright, then I’ll be the second】
Jiang Zhong couldn’t hold back his laughter and typed in the chat:
【Jiang Zhong: No, you’re not】
【Jiang Zhong: I am ahead of you】
【Jiang Zhong: I got into a relationship early this morning】