Generous

The first gust of autumn wind in September arrived, hastening the disappearance of the summer heat.

In recent days, Ye Mian had not seen the Ye Changlin family. The cousin she had met once and the cousin she had been close to before seemed to have suddenly cut off all contact.

Ye Haisheng sat on a bench, the bitter tea stinging his taste buds as he said helplessly, “Your uncle has gone back to the United States for treatment. The whole family left without even saying goodbye.”

Ye Mian didn’t know what to say about this. She could only pretend not to know. She also hoped that, just like before, if they didn’t come back, she wouldn’t have to see Ye Changlin ever again.

Her father was not a high-ranking official like Jiang Yuan’s father, nor was he a wealthy second-generation like Guan Yi and his circle—just an ordinary father, as ordinary as any in the world.

If she insisted on seeking justice, who knew what unpredictable consequences might arise.

After thinking it through, the last trace of discomfort in Ye Mian’s heart finally settled.

The long summer had ended.

Ye Mian was to return to school in Wencheng.

Ye Haisheng insisted on personally seeing his daughter off.

Ye Mian could only inform Jiang Chen briefly before getting into her father’s old car.

The car’s interior smelled a bit strong, and Ye Mian felt dizzy from the bumpy ride. She thought she must be too delicate—after riding twice in Jiang Chen’s luxury car, she had grown unaccustomed to the poor suspension of an ordinary sedan.

Counting the profits she had made so far and saving a bit more, she bit her lip, realizing she could afford to buy one eventually.

She thought that when the time came, she should get one for Ye Haisheng too. Good cars would make the long journeys across the country more bearable.

One should always have aspirations for beautiful things.

When she shared this idea with Ye Haisheng, he smiled and shook his head, “Your money is for you to spend.”

Ye Mian didn’t argue. It was her money, after all—who she gave it to was her own choice.

Half an hour later, her thoughts quieted.

Looking at the messages on her phone that had yet to be answered, a shadow of worry crept into her eyes.

They had agreed last time that she would return to Wencheng with Jiang Chen.

She had broken that promise.

Was Jiang Chen angry and refusing to reply because of that?

Just as the thought sparked, a message from Jiang Chen arrived.

[Jiang Chen: It’s okay. I’m leaving Wencheng for the United States tomorrow.]

Ye Mian had known this all along.

Used to enduring the pain of separation, she smiled gently, her eyes radiant.

[Good Mian: Okay, then I’ll see you off tomorrow.]

It was only a year—soon they would meet again.

With her father’s help, Ye Mian brought back many local specialties, mostly dried bamboo shoots and various pastries.

She divided the items into two portions—one large share she took to the studio to share with her colleagues, the smaller share she brought to the dormitory for her sisters to divide.

Because there was a dorm inspection on the first day back at school, Ye Mian couldn’t go out and had to stay quietly in her room.

The next day, she hurried to the airport.

Stepping out of the taxi, Ye Mian could see Jiang Chen from a distance, dressed in a white shirt. He stood tall under the sunlight, his posture upright as he turned his head to speak politely to someone, a courteous smile gracing his face.

It had been half a month since they last met; Jiang Chen’s hair had grown a bit longer.

Otherwise, nothing much had changed.

Seeing this made Ye Mian inexplicably nervous.

She held a perfume gift box she had prepared for Jiang Chen—the one she hadn’t given him last time. Unexpectedly, after so many days, it had become a farewell gift.

Quietly approaching, she didn’t immediately call out, especially since the burly man beside him looked unfamiliar.

Perhaps all airport winds were especially fierce; the breeze wildly lifted her skirt, and she had to slow her pace again.

Soon, Jiang Chen noticed her, raising his brows slightly, “Ye Mian.”

Only then did Ye Mian lift her head, “Yes, it’s me.”

“Why come so early?” Jiang Chen glanced at his watch, amused and incredulous, “Why not sleep a little longer?”

There were still four hours until the flight, and indeed she had arrived early.

The key was that she hadn’t expected Jiang Chen to come so early; she had planned to surprise him with a secret arrival.

The warm autumn breeze blew past, and Ye Mian murmured, “I couldn’t sleep, so I came to wait for you.”

The rough-faced man beside Jiang Chen tactfully stepped aside, pulling out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, selecting one to light.

Jiang Chen glanced up and smiled softly, “That’s a new excuse. You haven’t eaten breakfast yet, have you? Let me take you for breakfast.”

Perhaps because it was the start of the term and Wencheng was a major airport, the passengers were overwhelmingly numerous.

Ye Mian followed Jiang Chen into the check-in hall. Looking back toward where they had been, the man did not follow.

Because of the crowd, Jiang Chen worried she might get lost or pushed away, so he took her wrist and brought her close, gently reminding her not to wander off and to stay near him.

He no longer cared about maintaining the usual distance between them.

Ye Mian felt like a tagalong.

A tagalong sneaking glances at him amid the crowd.

Jiang Chen’s shirt was casual in style, with just the right tailoring to highlight his slender, tall frame and noble bearing.

His complexion was cool and pale, his hair darker than most, and his gentle eyes still held a certain aloofness—so handsome that one could not look away.

Ye Mian could even feel that their presence drew more attention than usual in the airport.

Sneaking glances always made one feel guilty.

She could only reassure herself firmly: this was the person she liked—what was wrong with looking a little more?

Jiang Chen chose a Cantonese restaurant.

There were many signature dishes, but because of its location, the prices were exorbitant.

Even though Ye Mian earned her own money, seeing four shrimp dumplings priced at one hundred twenty-eight yuan still made her heart ache.

Her wallet had improved, but her mindset hadn’t caught up yet.

Were such expensive shrimp dumplings capable of granting wishes?

Jiang Chen seemed to notice her conflicted expression. Then, he smiled faintly and bent slightly to ask, “What do you want to eat?”

Ye Mian was still staring at the prices on the menu and didn’t respond immediately.

By the time she reacted, Jiang Chen had already ordered a table full of dishes.

They found a spot to sit.

Jiang Chen placed all the dishes in front of her and said softly, “Eat.”

Ye Mian responded with a hum. Since it was already bought, she couldn’t waste it, so she began eating with relish.

The pricey dishes were at least beautifully plated, whetting the appetite.

Jiang Chen’s eyes caught the black box beside Ye Mian. She was clutching it tightly, even protecting it as she walked. Smiling, he asked, “What’s this?”

Ye Mian had just swallowed a bite of shrimp dumpling and hurriedly placed the box on the table. “A gift. I’ve wanted to give it to you for a long time.”

She thought for a moment.

Then added quickly, “Open it after I leave.”

Jiang Chen took the gift, his expression darkening slightly before his lips curved into a smile.

“Okay, I understand. Thank you.”

After breakfast, Jiang Chen paid over a thousand yuan.

It was Ye Mian’s first time having a breakfast that expensive, yet Jiang Chen didn’t even blink when paying.

Her feelings were hard to describe. This man was always like this—whether in the past or now, he was extraordinarily generous toward her.

(End of chapter)