Chapter 63
Running away from home?
Jiang Rong, holding a box in her arms, stopped after walking for an unknown distance. She saw a small child on a swing, little legs swaying back and forth, with a gentle-looking woman behind pushing the swing. After a while, the woman reached out: “Darling, it’s late. Time to go home.”
Jiang Rong watched them holding hands, ready to leave, and fell into a daze.
“Young lady, go home early. Your mother will worry,” the woman suddenly said to Jiang Rong.
Jiang Rong snapped back to reality: “Thank you, I’ll head back soon.”
“Bye-bye, sister!” The adorable child waved his chubby hand at Jiang Rong.
Jiang Rong waved back, softly saying: “Bye-bye.”
The pair left hand in hand.
Jiang Rong, holding the jar, sat on the swing, gently swaying back and forth. The evening breeze carried a slight chill, and she wore only a thin long-sleeve shirt. She rubbed her arms for warmth.
…
Xu Si was playing his puzzle game when he received a message. Thinking it was Yang Shikun, he almost swiped it away, but seeing the contact name, he opened it.
[Heartless One]: Remember when you said you’d take me motorcycle riding next time? Is that still valid? [Xu Si]: Now? [Xu Si]: You’re still outside?
Xu Si checked the time – it was past nine. Why was his little bookworm still out so late?
Seeing Jiang Rong’s “yes,” he replied: Send me your location.
After receiving her location, Xu Si said: Wait for me.
He got up, grabbed a jacket, helmet, and keys, ready to leave.
Yuan Yuan pawed at his pants leg.
Xu Si looked down: “What? You want to come too? I can’t hold you.”
Yuan Yuan pulled his pants again, meowing several times.
Finally, Xu Si put on a backpack and tucked the cat inside.
The young man wore his helmet, his clothes billowing in the wind. Bold and eye-catching.
His motorcycle riding style was wild and compelling, impossible to look away from.
Yuan Yuan poked its head out of the bag, but Xu Si was riding so fast its fur flew everywhere, and it could barely open its eyes. It tried to pull its head back in, but its head was too big – able to get out but not back in. So it endured twenty minutes of wind in its face.
Xu Si stopped the bike, swung his long legs off, removed his helmet, and pulled Yuan Yuan out of the bag, ruffling its messy fur.
He spotted Jiang Rong on the swing. Such a small figure. Somehow looking rather lonely.
He walked up to her: “Why aren’t you home so late? Running away, little bookworm?”
Hearing the familiar voice, Jiang Rong looked up: “I guess I am.”
Xu Si was stunned. He’d been joking. He hadn’t expected this good student to actually run away.
He didn’t ask why. Noticing her thin jacket, he took off his own and handed it to her: “I’ve worn it, it’s cold riding. Wear it if you don’t mind.”
Jiang Rong looked at his t-shirt: “Won’t you be cold in just that?”
“I don’t get cold easily, I’m healthy.”
Xu Si took the box from her hands and watched as she put on his jacket. The jacket that fit him perfectly looked oversized on her, like a dress. He couldn’t help but chuckle.
Jiang Rong looked at him, confused.
Yuan Yuan struggled in Xu Si’s arms, trying to get to Jiang Rong. Xu Si looked down at it: “Well, guess I fed you fish for nothing today, ungrateful cat.”
He asked Jiang Rong: “Want to hold it? It’s not exactly light.”
“Yes.”
Jiang Rong took the soft cat, which behaved well in her arms and nuzzled her palm.
Xu Si bent down to talk to her: “Let’s go for a ride.”
Jiang Rong followed him, holding the cat.
Xu Si looked at his helmet: “Still only have one helmet. You wear it.”
He bent down to help her put it on. His long, elegant fingers worked carefully with the straps, his expression serious.
“All set.”
Jiang Rong replied: “Okay.”
“Get on.”
Jiang Rong mounted the motorcycle and held onto the back of his shirt.
Xu Si looked back at the cat in her arms: “Give it to me, I’ll put it in the bag.”
Yuan Yuan reluctantly let Xu Si take it. He hung the bag on the handlebars: “Such a flirt, getting attached to everyone you meet.”
He also put her small tin can in the bag.
Jiang Rong: “Will it be okay like that?”
Xu Si: “It’s fine there. Hold on tight, we’re going.”
As soon as he finished speaking, he felt soft arms wrap around his waist, making his heart race.
“I’m holding on.”
Xu Si rode fast. The speed made Jiang Rong’s heart pound. The scenery rushed past on both sides.
In the midst of this nervous excitement, Jiang Rong’s mood lifted considerably.
Xu Si stopped the motorcycle by a bridge and removed her helmet: “Feeling better?”
Jiang Rong stared at him, then nodded sincerely, smiling. When she smiled, her eyes curved like crescents.
Her smile was really sweet. That was Xu Si’s first thought.
Xu Si pulled out a bag of candy: “You said eating candy makes you happy. Have some.”
Jiang Rong took the candy, her eyes crinkling again in a smile. She opened the bag and offered one to Xu Si: “You have one too.”
Xu Si took it and popped it in his mouth.
They stood by the bridge feeling the breeze for a while before Jiang Rong asked: “Are you sure you’re not cold?”
Xu Si glanced at her: “Not cold.”
He watched her for a moment: “Was it because of your grandmother?”
Jiang Rong nodded: “She never liked me since I was little. When my mom said I had good grades, she’d say what use is education for a girl, won’t she just end up married anyway?”
After hearing this, Xu Si spoke with unprecedented seriousness: “Everyone has their own path. Being good at studies is a skill too. Living isn’t just about marriage and children. There are many things to do in life – do what you like, do what’s meaningful.”
He then asked: “What did she say to you this time?”
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