CH 29

"I won't run away."

At that time, Cheng Suran didn't know that in order to keep this promise, she personally sent herself into the boundless sea of ​​suffering—she could have avoided stepping into it.

She doesn't run away, she speaks with integrity, and she has the spirit of the contract.

Jiang Yu narrowed her eyes slightly, and smiled pretending not to know: "Why did you say that all of a sudden?"

Cheng Suran was not surprised by her "forgetfulness", she looked down at her phone, first clicked on the bank card notification message, then clicked on the WeChat chat box between the two, and swiped to the relevant message.

"Oh--"

Jiang Yu acted as if she had just remembered, handed her a water bottle, and patted her face lightly with one hand, "Hey, don't think too much, sister doesn't mean that."

Cheng Suran nodded obediently, and put away the phone.

The car drove smoothly all the way, and the scenery outside the window slowly flashed by. Because of the holiday, there are many cars on the road, and they can't drive fast even on the highway.

After Jiang Yu finished eating the shortbread, she wiped her hands carefully, and drank water one after another. After drinking enough, she screwed back the lid and put it aside.  She lowered her head to look at the person in her arms, and only saw half of a slightly haggard little face with long and dense eyelashes hanging down.

Her heart was inexplicably pierced again.

When she made the payment yesterday, she did not hesitate to make the decision to pay in one lump sum. On the contrary, she considered various possibilities before finally choosing to trust Cheng Suran.

Before she knew it, in her subconscious, the little friend became a trusted person.

A very wonderful intuition.

Her slender fingers passed through the hair, combing it slowly, her eyes were soft, "The person who left didn't really leave. As long as you still remember her, she will always live in your heart."

"Cry out when you're sad."

Hearing the sound, Cheng Suran's eyelashes trembled.

For a moment, she didn't understand what this meant. She was stunned for a few seconds, and suddenly realized that her sister probably thought she was sad for her grandma's departure, so she said that.

So her emotions have already been exposed.

Although... not because of her grandma.

With a thought in her mind, Cheng Suran turned her face, and met that gentle and powerful gaze, like a spring breeze, sweeping away the dark clouds entrenched in her heart.

At that moment, she was thinking, it would be great if her sister wasn't the benefactor.

She didn't want to explain, she didn't want to tell the truth, she didn't want to tell her sister that she was sad because she felt lost, and she has no place to stay. She followed Jiang Yu's words and nodded, showing a cute smile: "Yeah."

"Sister, where is the resort you mentioned?" She changed the subject.

Jiang Yu didn't mention it anymore, and said calmly: "The surrounding area of ​​Jiangcheng is not far away, and it takes two hours to drive."

"Can I...can I ask a question?"

"Speak."

"Are sister Yanyan and Boss Lu always good friends?" Just now when Qi Yan was mentioned, Cheng Suran suddenly remembered the awkward meeting in the office that day.

Jiang Yu smiled and shook her head, "They are a couple."

"Ah!"

"What's wrong?"

The child opened her mouth into a circle. Suddenly, her shoulders slumped, and said with a slumped face: "In this case, Boss Lu will definitely go too. It's so embarrassing."

Jiang Yu raised her brows and looked at her without saying a word.

Cheng Suran pursed her lips and remained silent.

There was a long silence, and a very slight sound of friction between the car body and the air, which seemed abrupt in this silence.

"Lu Zhiqiao said, you have worked for her company." After a long while, Jiang Yu said lightly.

"But she doesn't seem to know that you haven't graduated yet."

Cheng Suran bit her lower lip, and honestly admitted: "Yes, during the summer vacation."

"You were still working as a tutor."

"Mm."

"Tutor, singer, translator. In other words, three jobs in one summer vacation?" Jiang Yu said every word in a tone that was confusing.

Cheng Suran nodded calmly.

No matter how proud she is to support herself, it cannot make up for the sourness and bitterness caused by covering up the reasons behind it. She can only try her best to control herself, be neither humble nor overbearing, and maintain a fragile decency.

The atmosphere fell silent again.

Jiang Yu stared at her thoughtfully.

After all, Cheng Suran is still young, uncomfortable being looked at, lowered her eyes, avoided the gaze, and explained in detail: "The jobs of professional counterparts must be full-time, but I only have enough time for part-time jobs, so during the interview I said that I just graduated, and when I joined the job, I said that I kept my graduation certificate in my hometown, and showed them the copy of Xuexin.com*. There were quite a lot of people in that group. When the personnel sister saw the name of the school, she went through the formalities for me directly, and the signature was probationary contract."

*aka China Higher Education Student Career Center/China Credentials Verification - China's centralized student (post secondary/high school/college) database where student records, national exam results, transcripts, diplomas/certificate are stored. It's also used to verify the authenticity of any student credentials.

Every college student must register with Xuexin.com when enrolling in order to verify academic qualifications.

At first, she didn't have any hope. After all, Xinbei Technology is a big company, and the interview process will be very strict. She might not be able to get away with it. She just wanted to try her luck.

So that's how it went.

The big company has good benefits, high salary, harmonious atmosphere among colleagues, and easy to get along with the leaders. If it wasn't for the start of school in September, she would not want to resign at all.

But from a long-term perspective, she may miss more opportunities if she is satisfied with the sweetness in front of her. She still has to continue her studies and try to go outside to see a bigger world.

Thinking about it this way relieved her.

After speaking, Cheng Suran mustered up the courage to look at Jiang Yu. Thinking that she minded this matter, she couldn't help but sigh in her heart. Sure enough, excellent people play with excellent people.

And what is she?

Jiang Yu stared at her with a little surprise in her eyes.

This kid...

She thought she was a silly and sweet person who has not experienced much in the world, but she understands everything and has a very smart head. She thought she was a precocious and sensible little adult, but she is still immature, and she is transparent in front of her.

She doesn't know which side is real, maybe both sides, maybe neither side.

Jiang Yu couldn't understand her a little bit.

If she can't understand her, it means she can't control her.

"Didn't HR see that you were a kid during the interview?" Jiang Yu smiled with interest.

"I don't know..." Seeing that she was not angry, Cheng Suran breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed, "Maybe I have more experience, I have been interviewed for a lot of jobs, and I have also done similar recruitment positions.  I know the trick."

"Oh?" Jiang Yu narrowed her eyes slightly, and gently pressed her  thumb on the mole on the girl's lip, "What kind of work?"

Cheng Suran lowered her head in embarrassment, "Sister, why are you asking this?"

"Kids must be obedient."

"Okay."

She thought for a while, stretched out her fingers one by one, and said: "After the college entrance examination, I worked as a waiter in the hotel in our hometown during the summer vacation, and then I worked as the receptionist in a small company during the winter vacation of the freshman year. Those who do not require a degree, and say good looks are enough. During the summer vacation of my freshman year, I worked for a company with our seniors, which was like a recruitment specialist. It was about hiring and calculating commissions. I might have fooled them and ranked first in performance."

She is a little proud.

The corners of Jiang Yu's mouth couldn't help but rise.

"Then during my sophomore winter vacation, I went to take a driver's license exam. At that time, I felt like I needed to start looking for a part-time job that matched my major. I happened to have passed through 'B2' and '3', and our teacher recommended me to work as a translator at an international exhibition. This is the most meaningful part-time job I have ever done. I saw many foreigners who speak any language, and at first, I didn't dare to speak to them, haha–"

Cheng Suran laughed happily while talking, and there was a gleam in her eyes.

Throughout the summer vacation, she worked in the company during the day from Monday to Friday, read and studied at night, tutored all day on Saturday, continued to read on Sunday morning, rested in the afternoon, and went to nightclubs to sing at night.

The busier life is, the more it can bring her a sense of accomplishment and let her get rid of the shadow of the past.  But she is still very envious of those classmates who don't have to work while studying.

Tian Lin, who was driving, glanced at the central rearview mirror.

The girl leaned on Jiang Yu's shoulder, her lowered eyes were full of smiles, and her slightly pale cheeks had two small dimples. It was like a close cuddle between lovers.

"Do you also have to work part-time on weekends?" Jiang Yu also smiled, and continued to ask unconsciously.

"No," Cheng Suran shook her head, "I won't have so much energy to go to class, I think studying is more important."

Jiang Yu's smile froze, and her eyes dimmed.

She turned to look out the window.

The car was passing a viaduct. When she first came to Jiangcheng more than ten years ago, there was no such bridge. Time flies fast and things change.

"Yes, studying is very important." Jiang Yu said and turned back, smiled lightly, bowed her head and kissed the girl's face.

"Kids should study hard."

Cheng Suran was startled, as if she felt something, raised her head, only to see a casual smile in Jiang Yu's eyes, and heard her say: "It seems that I can't call you kid, I should call you 'Little Youtiao*."

*youtiao is a fried dough stick, original term is old youtiao, used to describe an experienced person (it can also mean a burnt out person), like how youtiao goes through a lot of process from kneading,beating, fermentation, and stir-frying.

"Huh? But..."

"Don't like it?"

Cheng Suran nodded and looked at her seriously: "I like it when you call me kid."

Jiang Yu pursed her lips and smiled, gently scratched her nose, and was about to speak when the phone rang suddenly. She took her phone out of her bag and saw it was Pei Chutong.

"Tongtong?"

Hearing this nickname, Cheng Suran pricked up her ears.

"Coco, are you coming to the capital?" Pei Chutong spoke lightly on the phone, sounding in a good mood. But Jiang Yu keenly sensed something was wrong, her voice seemed a little nasal.

"You caught a cold?"

"No."

"Why do I hear you have a nasal sound when you speak?" Jiang Yu frowned.

Pei Chutong smiled and said, "You heard it wrong, Jiang Coco, your ears are not working well at a young age."

"Are you at your grandfather's?" Jiang Yu bypassed the subject.

Pei Chutong lowered her voice: "Mm, I accompanied him to watch the military parade yesterday, and I asked the crew for two days off."

"You and Ruan..." Jiang Yu guessed a little bit, before she finished speaking, she heard Pei Chutong yelling at someone: "Don't bother me, get out!"

Then the phone hangs up instantly.

Jiang Yu held the phone in a daze for a while, feeling a little worried, dialed it again, was hung up after a few rings, and then received a text message from Pei Chutong: [It's okay, I'm not in a good mood, I'll calm down, I'll see you later to explain.]

She breathed a sigh of relief.

Cheng Suran watched her frown, then slowly relaxed, tense and worried for a while, relaxed and calm for a while, she couldn't help beating a small drum in her heart.

Tongtong? Could it be her sister's other lover...

….

During the anniversary military parade yesterday, Pei Chutong asked for leave and went back to her hometown in the capital. The family accompanied his grandfather to watch the ceremony.

Grandpa Pei was born in the 1930s. He joined the army at the age of sixteen and went to the battlefield. He was promoted from a small squad leader to a senior general. Now the old man is over 80 years old, his body is still strong, his spirit is hale and hearty, his mind is clear, and he is highly respected. He is honored as "Old Chief".

Before the age of nine, Pei Chutong lived with his grandparents in the army compound. She was the most beloved child of the two old people among his grandchildren, so she had a deep relationship with them.

This time, the elder uncles and aunts, brothers and sisters of the same generation, and nephews and nieces of the younger generation all came back. Four generations live under the same roof, the old man was very happy.

As soon as he was happy, he introduced a person to Pei Chutong.

The man was two years older than her, 1.8 meters tall, elegant and handsome, a doctor of returnees, from a high-ranking family, his grandfather and Mr. Pei were comrades-in-arms, well matched.

"Tongtong, you guys get to know each other for a while, and then consider it if you think you are suitable. If not, just be friends. Don't worry, grandpa will never interfere with your freedom. If you want to do business, you can do business, and if you want to fall in love, you can talk about it."  To fall in love, you only need to be frank and upright..." Mr. Pei took his granddaughter's hand, patted it, and spoke with sincerity.

Grandma Pei was cleaning her reading glasses beside her, and interrupted with a smile: "Isn't this considered interference? Looking at you, you can't wait to send Tongtong away."

"Hey, I'm really satisfied with Xiao Xu, but it's useless for me to be satisfied, we need Tongtong to be satisfied."

"Yo yo yo."

The old couple had fun.

Pei Chutong's heart felt a little heavy. Although there was a smile on the corner of her mouth, there was no light in her eyes. But she is an actress and knows how to play a granddaughter who makes her elders happy.

"Grandpa, I see. Let's have a meal with him tomorrow to get to know each other."

"Okay, okay."

Mr. Pei was very happy, he agreed repeatedly, then turned his head to look at Ruan Mu who was silent at the side, and waved, "There is also Xiao Mu, come here."

Ruan Mu raised her head abruptly.

She didn't wear a ponytail today, and her black hair was draped shoulder-length, which softened her otherwise rigid face. She was wearing a brown leather windbreaker, looking cool and serious.

Pei Chutong's heart skipped a beat.

"Old chief." Ruan Mu gave a rare smile, got up and walked over, and sat down next to the old man.

Grandpa Pei pretended to be unhappy and said: "You child, why are you still calling me old chief? The older you get, the more stubborn you become. Those are all false names given by outsiders. We are a family."

Ruan Mu quickly changed his words: "Grandpa."

"Hey," Mr. Pei laughed, took her hand and overlapped with Pei Chutong, "I watched you and Tongtong grow up, eating a pot of food, sleeping in the same bed, and kissing each other."  You two sisters are still close, so grandpa won't favor one over the other..."

He started pulling the red thread* again.

*pulling red string is to play cupid (probably trying to match Ruan Mu with some guy, not with Pei Chutong)

Ruan Mu panicked, and subconsciously glanced at Pei Chutong, but Pei Chutong also looked at her, and their eyes met.

She turned away.

Pei Chutong frowned.

Their hands overlapped, and the warm temperature spread from the fingertips. She could feel the thick calluses in Ruan Mu's palms, covering the back of her hand roughly, and she could also feel the discomfort of this woman.

Ah.

She sneered in her heart.

"Okay, old man," Grandma Pei said at the right time, interrupting her husband's chatter, "I think you are too excited today, stop nagging the children, go to bed early."

Grandpa Pei pouted like a child.

The two breathed a sigh of relief at the same time.

The next day, Pei Chutong had a meal with the man, but when she came back, she found that Ruan Mu was having fun with her little niece, who also just came back from outside.

So the two went back to their room and had a big fight.

"Are you happy? Finally, you don't have to deal with me, and you can finally see me deal with others."

"No."

"That means it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if I really marry a man."

"..."

Ruan Mu lowered her face and said nothing.

It was said to be a quarrel, but Pei Chutong was always complaining alone. Ruan Mu's slender figure stood in front of the window, against the light, her side face was cold and hard, and only her eyelashes moved.

Like a lifeless piece of wood.

Pei Chutong's eyes were red, she took a deep breath, and fell powerlessly on the sofa, turning her face to the other side, letting her tears fall.

The family never forced her to do anything.

Even marriage.

Grandpa would not insist on her getting married, nor would he insist on marrying someone, let alone her parents. Although the family style of the Pei family is strict, there are not so many restrictions and requirements on the life of the children and offspring. She actually grew up in a very free environment.

So she didn't know why...why it was so hard.

There was a sob in the air.

Ruan Mu finally moved, turned her head, and saw the shoulders of the person on the sofa trembling. She couldn't help but frown, her expressionless face fluctuated a bit.

She took out a tissue and walked slowly to the sofa, about to wipe her tears.

Pei Chutong waved the hand away angrily, and the tissue fell on the carpet.

Ruan Mu went back and drew another one.

Then she swatted it down again.

Three times.

"Tongtong..." Ruan Mu called her in a low voice, lowered her eyes, but she just called out, didn't say anything, as if coaxing.

Pei Chutong wiped her face with his hand, her voice was slightly hoarse: "What do you feel sorry for my grandpa?"

Ruan Mu didn't speak.

….

On the day of departure, the sky was clear.

At 9:30 in the morning, two Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles parked at the entrance of the company, and everyone gathered on the first floor. Jiang Yu and Cheng Suran were the last to arrive - no one knew that they were tossing until midnight yesterday.

There were not many people traveling this time, including them, Tian Lin and Qi Yan's family of three, a total of twelve people, all colleagues who stayed in Jiangcheng and did not go back.

As soon as she stepped into the hall, Jiang Yu unexpectedly saw Bai Lu's figure.

She was wearing light makeup, casual black long sleeves, simple jeans, and a baseball cap on her head. Her long, straight black hair hangs down to her waist, and has a unique temperament.

"Sister Yu—" Bai Lu naturally also saw her, went up to meet her, and took her arm affectionately.

"Who is this?"

Her eyes fell on Cheng Suran, and she took a quick look from head to toe.

Jiang Yu said casually, "My sister."

"Oh, hello, little sister." She squinted her eyes and smiled, and quickly turned her eyes back to Jiang Yu's face after speaking.

Cheng Suran didn't even have time to respond.

"..."

Qi Yan was counting the number of people, when she saw them coming, she clapped her hands and said, "Everyone is here, let's go."

Everyone greeted Jiang Yu one after another, and even looked at Cheng Suran.

Standing next to two models, she looked short and thin.

A group of people walked out the door.

There were three cars parked in a row at the door. Qi Yan took her wife and daughter into the white car in front, so as to lead the way. Jiang Yu and the others took the commercial car in the middle, and the rest of the colleagues took the last car.

The car door opened, Tian Lin went up first, and sat in the back row, with the middle seat reserved for the boss and her little lover.

Jiang Yu was about to go up, but Bai Lu, who had been holding her arm all the time, did not let go, pulled back slightly, and said, "Sister Yu, let's sit in the middle, and let the younger sister go up first."

"Little sister, can you sit in the back with Assistant Tian?" She turned to look at Cheng Suran with a friendly tone.