A Long-Awaited Marriage - Chapter 43

Somewhat weary, he sat in the rocking chair, rubbing his aching temples, then slowly took out a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and left.

Having not smoked for a long time, Jiang chuckled self-deprecatingly when he found a pack of cigarettes in his car by sheer coincidence.

The smell of smoke was still pungent, but he no longer disliked it; in fact, he felt a little resigned to it.

The living room lights were already off, and Jiang was too lazy to turn them back on, so she simply enveloped herself in the darkness.

In the darkness, the red glow of the cigarette butt flickered, like unspoken thoughts, lit and then extinguished.

The balcony offers an excellent view; Jiang only needs to look up slightly to see a vast cityscape.

The city lights are dazzling, and traffic flows endlessly. The hustle and bustle of the city only serves to highlight Jiang Ye’s loneliness at this moment.

Jiang stood up, opened the window wider, and rested her arms on the windowsill. A gentle evening breeze caressed her face; the evening breeze after the start of summer was warm and comforting.

Before long, a light drizzle began to fall.

It’s raining. What unpredictable weather!

Jiang raised his head, the fresh air making him even more awake. He remained leaning on the windowsill, puffing on his cigarette, his gaze distant and his expression aloof.

… (The following is a recollection)

Today is May 2nd, and Jiang Ye and Lu Anran have arranged to meet at Xuanwu Lake in Nanjing.

“I’m at the Starry Sky Cafe, where are you?” Jiang Ye asked, turning around to look for him while on the phone.

“I’m here too!”

In the instant he turned around, Jiang also saw the girl who was also on the phone, smiling.

The sun was shining brightly, and a gentle breeze was blowing. Among the passersby coming and going in front of the café, he spotted her at a glance.

She wore a light purple floral dress, her beautiful long hair fell gently behind her ears, she had fair skin, bright eyes, and a bright yellow handbag slung over her arm.

She was looking at him with a smile.

Jiang couldn’t take her eyes off him after just one glance.

Bright and beautiful. That was Jiang Ye’s feeling at the time. Before coming, he was also apprehensive. What kind of girl would he meet?

Will it be ruined by sunlight?

He was somewhat stunned; the girl he chatted with online every day, who seemed a little silly, was actually so beautiful.

“Are you Jiang Ye?” Lu Anran asked Jiang Ye, looking up at him.

Jiang nodded. “Are you Lu Anran?”

Lu Anran nodded, and then the two looked at each other and smiled.

“What a coincidence! We were talking on the phone back to back just now, no wonder I didn’t see you at first~” Jiang smiled a little embarrassedly.

“Is there anywhere you want to go?” Jiang asked Lu Anran as they walked side by side.

“Let’s just stroll around Xuanwu Lake. It’s my first time in Nanjing, so I’m not very familiar with the area,” Lu Anran said with a slight smile.

Those eyes are so beautiful! Jiang was also smitten.

“I come here often. My parents used to do business in Nanjing.”

Lu Anran smiled and nodded.

“Why did you suddenly change your mind? I thought you would stay at home until the 3rd before returning to Y City,” Jiang Ye suddenly asked Lu Anran.

He stole glances at Lu Anran’s beautiful profile, suppressing the flutter in his heart.

Meeting someone you met online was somewhat unconventional in their time, especially since his and Lu Anran’s schools were quite far apart.

Lu Anran tilted her head, pursed her lips, and smiled, saying, “I don’t know either. Maybe, I just wanted to see you~” After saying that, her face turned red.

“So…am I the same as you imagined?”

Lu Anran tilted her head again, seemingly deep in thought, “It’s a little different~”

“What’s different?” Jiang pressed.

“Hmm…it doesn’t seem as verbose as I imagined~hehe.” After saying that, he immediately ran forward two or three steps, not forgetting to turn back and give a mischievous smile.

Jiang Ye felt as if something had struck her heart, and she quickly chased after Lu Anran, grabbing her hand when she wasn’t paying attention.

Lu Anran’s hand circled in Jiang Ye’s palm, and finally gave up trying to break free, letting Jiang Ye hold it.

Her face was flushed red to the roots of her neck, and the smile in her eyes and brows couldn’t be wiped away. Jiang Ye smiled along with her.

The innocent love of adolescence probably begins with holding hands.

A warm breeze was blowing along the shore of Xuanwu Lake. Handsome men and beautiful women walked hand in hand, attracting the attention of many passersby.

Jiang was quite familiar with Nanjing and took Lu Anran to several popular tourist attractions. However, things got a little awkward in the evening.

“How about we go for a walk in a park?” Jiang suggested.

Lu Anran nodded.

The night sky was clear and filled with dazzling stars. Jiang lay on the wide, soft grass, while Lu Anran sat beside him, hugging her knees.

“Lu Anran, give me a kiss.”