Jingxia Rose

Chapter 101: Long-winded

Professor Tan was her mentor; it was Professor Tan who recommended her to participate in the competition where she first met Xiao Guxing.

She provided her with a lot of help from undergraduate to graduate school.

After graduating and starting work, she would often visit Professor Tan at her home. However, during the year she broke up with Wen Qi, she was quite busy, and Professor Tan was invited abroad and changed her phone number. They haven't been in contact since.

"I got your number from Gu Xing," Professor Tan said with a smile. "I'm calling because it's been almost two years since I last saw you. Also, this Saturday, Peking University is holding its anniversary celebration and wants to invite outstanding students from the university back to campus. Speaking of outstanding students, you and Gu Xing are the first people I thought of."

"It was two years ago when Gu Xing came to the school to give a speech that I learned he had returned to China. Yesterday, I chatted with him for a bit and learned that you are now working at his company. Since we are both in Beijing, I thought I would invite you to participate in this event."

"Look, it's been so many years since you've been back to Peking University. Why don't you come back and take a look? See if the school has changed, and how different it is from when you were a student?"

Hearing his mentor say that, Ji Xuan naturally agreed.

Besides, she's currently on vacation and isn't in a hurry to go to Moscow.

It would be good to catch up with the teacher.

After hanging up the phone, she asked Xiao Guxing on WeChat.

Xiao Guxing replied more than ten minutes later, saying that he had also been invited and had just called a friend who was teaching at Peking University to learn about the anniversary celebration.

Finding typing troublesome, I simply called her and explained it to her in detail.

Since I'm going back as an outstanding student, a speech is definitely unavoidable.

Ji Xian was least familiar with this, and after hearing it, he felt somewhat embarrassed. He also felt that he had agreed too quickly, and in his excitement, he hadn't even asked for clarification.

"It's alright, I'm here for you." Xiao Guxing sensed her melancholy and chuckled. "The school will probably invite a lot of people this time, and the students will definitely choose one or two representatives. It's impossible for everyone to go up and speak."

Hearing this, Ji Xian breathed a huge sigh of relief.

He laughed and said, "Then one of these two must be a senior."

Xiao Guxing was a good student, capable, had a good personality, was good at speaking, and had high emotional intelligence. He was very popular at school, and he was always among the participants in any department activities.

His face and gentle voice, in particular, are very popular with girls.

Ji Xian was actually quite surprised that he was still single, thinking it was probably because he had high standards and hadn't met anyone suitable or likable.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Xiao Guxing said, "The school anniversary celebration starts at nine o'clock in the morning. It's open to the public that day, so there will definitely be a lot of visitors. I'll drive to pick you up then."

He paused for a moment, then added, "Your new house is on the way to mine."

Since they were going to the same place, and the two were so familiar with each other, Ji Xian didn't need to be coy, so he smiled and agreed.

That day, Ji Xuan had nothing to do, so he stayed at home all day.

Around 8 p.m., Wen Qi did come by once, bringing her two boxes of strawberries. He didn't go inside, just said a few words at the door and left.

Before going to bed, I also said goodnight to her on WeChat.

The next day, before 11 a.m., I brought Aunt Zhao's crispy pork ribs, sweet and sour pork, and yam and wood ear fungus.

"Aunt Zhao made it," Wen Qi said. "Aunt Zhao said that when you have time, she'll let you go back to Canglan Residence and make you honey-glazed chicken wings, crispy tofu, braised prawns, and loofah and clam soup."

"Thank you."

Ji Xian reached out and took it. Every time he came, he would bring something with him, which was usually food.

I noticed the pair of lion head cufflinks on his sleeves and fixed my gaze on them.

She picked out these cufflinks for him for Valentine's Day two years ago.

She slowly withdrew her gaze. She didn't say anything, and Wen Qi didn't seem inclined to go in either. Instead, he glanced at his watch.

What a coincidence. This watch was also a gift she gave him on Qixi Festival (Chinese Valentine's Day) two years ago.

"I'm going on a business trip to Lizhou in the next couple of days. My flight is at 12:30, and I'll be back around Saturday."

Oh, they're here to report their travel itinerary.

Ji Xuan nodded. "Have a safe journey."

They didn't show any reluctance to part. Business trips were common, and the two of them shared the same attitude towards work. Wen Qi only reminded them, "I checked the weather forecast. The weather might change in a few days, and it might snow at night. Be careful to keep warm."

"Ah."

"If you have time these next few days, you can go to Canglan Residence and bring the lunchbox with you. If you don't have time, you can wait for me to come back and pick it up."

"Ah."

"You can visit my mom's place whenever you have free time."

"Ah."

“I’ve done the math, the third shot is on Friday. I can’t be with you that day, but if you’re scared, you can ask my sister to come with you. She’d be happy to.”

Ji Xian pursed his lips and hummed in agreement.

"Are the roses I sent last time about to wilt? I just ordered another bouquet on my way here, it will arrive in about half an hour, you can use it instead."

Ji Xian was taken aback, moved his lips, but ultimately said nothing more, and simply hummed in agreement.

Seeing that he was about to speak again, Ji Xian felt for the first time that he was very long-winded.

"It takes more than half an hour to get to the airport from here. You'd better hurry up or you'll miss your flight."

Wen Qi nodded. "Then I'll be going. If you need anything... you can send me a WeChat message or call me."

Watching him enter the elevator, Ji Xuan breathed a long sigh of relief.

But a slight smile crept onto his lips as he turned and went inside, closing the door behind him.

Aunt Zhao's cooking skills are undeniable; she can make any cuisine very well.

She had previously joked, "Aunt Zhao, it's a real shame you're not opening a restaurant with your skills."

Aunt Zhao laughed and said, "Opening a restaurant is risky, and you might not even earn as much as this salary. You'd have to work yourself to death every day. It's much easier here."

That makes perfect sense.

There was a message on my phone from Ye Xueyan, sent about half an hour ago, with a crying emoji: Sorry, baby, I have to stand you up tonight. I got a last-minute business trip and won't be back until Saturday. How about we meet up again on Saturday night?

Ji Xian smiled and typed: Plans can't keep up with changes, it's okay. But I have to go back to Peking University on Saturday for the anniversary celebration, so I might not be able to make it. Let's reschedule for Sunday.

Within two minutes, Ye Xueyan replied with an OK emoji.

The following afternoon, Ji Xuan went to the mall to pick out a gift for Professor Tan.

On Saturday morning, Ji Xian changed the cat litter and water for Princess, put out a bowl of cat food, and changed her into a beige coat with a light pink sweater underneath and apricot wide-leg pants.

The overall outfit is not formal, but rather has a casual feel.

When choosing a scarf, after some deliberation, it seemed that none of them were suitable. The most suitable one should be the one that Wen Qi gave her on Christmas Day, but she did not bring it back and left it in Moscow.

In the end, I gave up. I figured there were a lot of school activities today, and the weather looked nice, with signs of sunshine, so I just couldn't be bothered to take it.

After going downstairs and leaving the residential area, Xiao Guxing was leaning against the car door waiting for him.

Upon seeing her, he raised his hand in greeting, "Good morning."