Huayu 2021: Isn’t he in the technology field?

Chapter 344 Pay some interest first

The mornings come exceptionally early on the grasslands; the horizon is just beginning to lighten, and glistening dewdrops still cling to the tips of the blades of grass.

Before 6:30, Jiang Qing's biological clock woke her up precisely on time.

He slowly got up, shook his head to cheer himself up, then changed into simple gray sportswear, opened the door, and prepared for his daily jog.

A cool morning breeze rushed in, instantly invigorating him.

All around was quiet and still, and the container restaurant and dormitory in the distance were still sound asleep.

He started jogging along the paths surrounding the wooden cabin of the Chinese restaurant, his feet on soft grass, breathing in the pure fragrance of earth and grass.

He couldn't help but marvel at how much better the air was on the grasslands than in the city.

After running for about half an hour, I was slightly sweaty and my body was fully awakened.

He slowed his pace, intending to go back to the restaurant to get a quick breakfast and then wait for Zhou Zhengkai's car to pick him up so he could catch his flight.

When I got to the restaurant entrance, I found that the lights were on inside and there were faint noises coming from inside.

Jiang Qing was somewhat surprised. She had already said goodbye to Huang Xiaoming and Yin Zheng last night, and everyone should still be resting at this hour.

He pushed open the door, puzzled.

In the kitchen, a slender figure was busy with her back to the door.

It is Zhang Ruonan.

She had clearly just gotten up; her face was clean, without any trace of makeup, and her skin had a natural, fair glow under the light, with even a few fine hairs visible on her cheeks.

Her thick, long hair was simply tied back and casually secured with a large, bright red hair clip, with a few stray strands playfully hanging down beside her ears and behind her neck, exuding a lively and down-to-earth vibe.

She wore a light blue denim shirt with the sleeves casually rolled up to her elbows, revealing her slender forearms, and loose brown trousers with a light green apron tied around her waist.

He stood there, deftly stirring the eggs in the bowl, his profile focused, exuding a capable yet down-to-earth air.

Hearing the door open, Zhang Ruonan turned around.

Upon seeing Jiang Qing, a bright smile immediately bloomed on her face. Her eyes curved into crescents, revealing her neat, white teeth, and she seemed to be illuminated by the morning sunlight.

"Good morning, Mr. Jiang!"

Her voice was clear and bright, slightly hoarse from just waking up, yet full of vitality.

"I was thinking of getting it done quickly before you arrived! I didn't expect you to finish so fast."

Jiang Qing walked into the kitchen and smiled gently.

"Teacher Zhang, there's no need to get up so early to make breakfast. I can just make something to eat myself."

Zhang Ruonan's hands didn't stop moving. She deftly poured the beaten egg mixture into the frying pan that was already heated with oil. It made a pleasant "sizzle" sound, and the aroma immediately filled the air.

She gently pushed the egg mixture with a spatula while shaking her head with a smile, her tone light yet firm.

"That won't do! I've been meaning to treat you to a meal for ages, but I haven't had the chance until now. I finally caught you, so I have to do my part. Consider this breakfast as interest; we still owe you the full meal!"

She turned her head and winked playfully at Jiang Qing.

"Don't worry, it'll be done soon and won't make you late for your flight."

Jiang Qing watched her busy and skilled back and listened to her straightforward words, and understood.

He nodded and no longer declined.

"Okay, then I'll accept the interest."

He walked to the side, intending to help out, but Zhang Ruonan, as if she had eyes in the back of her head, immediately stopped him.

"Hey, Mr. Jiang, don't move! Just sit and wait, it'll be ready soon!"

Her tone was firm, as if she were the "host".

Jiang Qing didn't insist. She took two glasses from the sterilizer, poured warm milk into them, and placed one glass on the counter near Zhang Ruonan.

"Drink some milk."

"Okay, thank you!"

Zhang Ruonan glanced at it briefly, and the smile on her lips widened.

She deftly flipped the fried egg, then quickly sliced ​​a few pieces of ham and put them into the toaster next to her.

Jiang Qing leaned against the kitchen counter, holding a glass of milk, watching her fluid movements, and casually asked her a question.

"Your movements seem quite skilled; do you often do this at home?"

"Okay!" Zhang Ruonan deftly scooped the golden-brown fried egg onto a plate, then turned to slice the tomato.

"I'm used to it. I have many younger siblings in my family, and I'm the eldest, so I've had to learn to take care of them since I was little. Cooking and cleaning are all things I can do perfectly well."

She spoke casually, as if she were talking about something very ordinary, and her hands moved quickly and steadily as she sliced ​​the tomatoes, producing even slices.

Jiang Qing paused slightly as she held the milk glass.

His gaze fell on Zhang Ruonan's focused and calm profile.

She spoke lightly, even with a hint of nonchalance, but he instantly grasped the deeper meaning behind her words, "I have many younger siblings" and "I have to learn to take care of them since I was little."

Considering her name, which sounds quite meaningful, one can basically be certain of many things.

He didn't ask how many younger siblings she had, nor did he try to find out the hardships behind it. He simply went along with her words and responded in an empathetic tone.

"Yes, being an older brother or sister is really not easy. I also have a younger sister, and sometimes it can be quite a headache and tiring."

Despite saying that, Jiang Qing's tone was not at all complaining, but rather carried a natural doting tone, and the smile on her face widened a little.

Zhang Ruonan sandwiched the sliced ​​tomatoes and lettuce leaves into the toasted bread, then added a fried egg and ham to make two sandwiches.

She smiled and chatted as she worked.

“I know your sister, Jiang Nan! She’s a top student at Tsinghua University, beautiful and academically brilliant, just as amazing as you! I remember that time she trended on social media, and you two look very alike, you can tell each other apart at a glance. I don’t look much like my younger siblings.”

His tone was full of envy.

Jiang Qing chuckled upon hearing this, shook his head, and spoke with the "disdain" characteristic of an older brother.

"That's because you haven't seen how annoying she can be. She can be spoiled, throw tantrums, and has all the typical bad habits. She also likes to tattle on her parents. Fortunately, she stopped faking tears when she grew up."

"Haha, that's more like real cuteness!"

Zhang Ruonan smiled and gave her evaluation, then plated the two sandwiches she had made and brought out two bowls of freshly heated milk and cereal.

"Here we go, all set! Try this simple grassland breakfast!"

"Looks good."

Jiang Qing glanced at it, then smiled and took the plate from her hand.

The two carried their trays and walked to the open grass outside the restaurant.

There was a simple long wooden table and a few chairs set up there.

In the early morning, the sun has already broken through the horizon, casting golden rays onto the boundless green carpet of grassland. Dewdrops sparkle on the tips of the grass, and the air is intoxicatingly fresh.

They placed breakfast on the table and sat down facing each other.

Zhang Ruonan's sandwiches are simple yet tempting, filled with rich fillings and exuding a warm, delicious aroma.

Neither of them spoke for a moment, quietly picking up their own portions and beginning to eat.

The rising sun slowly painted the clouds on the horizon a magnificent orange-red, and the soft light shone on them, filling the entire field of vision.

The only sound was the rustling of the wind through the grass.

As they ate breakfast, they gazed at the vast and vibrant sunrise before them. The sunlight cast a warm glow on Zhang Ruonan's clean-cut face. She took small bites of her sandwich, oblivious to the sauce stains on her lips, her eyes fixed on the distance, clear and bright, with a peaceful and contented smile.

This natural, radiant beauty is especially captivating under the morning sun.

Jiang Qing thought to herself, "This girl also loves to laugh, she's a bit like Ono."

Zhang Ruonan would occasionally glance at Jiang Qing, then quickly look away, like a thief.

She was in a good mood, but the thought of Jiang Qing leaving soon made her feel a little disappointed.

I don't know when I'll have breakfast with Jiang Qing again, or even if I'll ever have the chance.

With their own thoughts in mind, the two experienced different flavors during this simple breakfast, enjoyed amidst the tranquil and magnificent morning light of the grassland.

After finishing her meal, Jiang Qing had just put down her milk glass when she saw Zhou Zhengkai approaching in the distance in his familiar black sedan, which slowly pulled up to the side of the road.

"The car has arrived, I have to leave."

Jiang Qing stood up and smiled lightly at Zhang Ruonan.

Zhang Ruonan immediately stood up as well, her smile still bright, a hint of reluctance flashing across her eyes before being replaced by an even brighter light.

"Okay! I'll take you there."

She put her hands behind her back and looked up at him with her small face slightly tilted up.

"it is good."

Jiang Qing nodded with a smile.

The two walked side by side towards the parking lot.

The morning sunlight cast long shadows of them onto the lush green grass.

In the short distance of just a few dozen meters, the two chatted casually about the starry sky of the previous night and the vastness of the grassland. Zhang Ruonan's laughter was crisp and clear, like a stream leaping across the grassland.

When they reached the car, Zhou Zhengkai had already gotten out and respectfully opened the back door.

"Okay, that's enough for now."

Jiang Qing stopped and turned to face Zhang Ruonan.

Zhang Ruonan stood in front of him, her head tilted slightly upwards. Sunlight fell into her eyes, making them look like they were filled with scattered gold.

Her smile was bright and cheerful, but her eyes, as she looked at Jiang Qing, conveyed an unspoken yet genuine emotion.

It was gratitude, appreciation, the relief and ease after last night's conversation, and a hint of undisguised liking.

This affection is untainted by any ulterior motives, like the sunshine on the grassland, open and honest.

She took a deep breath of the crisp grassland air and, feigning nonchalance, loudly said goodbye.

"President Jiang, have a safe trip! Don't forget, I still owe you a proper meal!"

She stretched out her arm and made a "very big" gesture.

Jiang Qing smiled and then nodded seriously.

"Don't worry, I won't forget. You remember it so clearly, how could I dare to renege on my promise?"

Their eyes met, and they both laughed.

That smile contained the familiarity between friends, the promise of the future, and the unspoken understanding between the two of them under the sunlight at this moment.

"gone."

Jiang Qing concluded.

"Ok!"

Zhang Ruonan nodded vigorously and waved her hand.

"Goodbye!"

Jiang Qing glanced at her before turning and getting into the car.

Zhou Zhengkai gently closed the car door, nodded to Zhang Ruonan, and returned to the driver's seat.

The car started smoothly, slowly turned around, and drove back along the grassland path it had come from.

Zhang Ruonan stood there, watching the black car drive further and further away.

The smile on her face didn't disappear; it just became softer and more profound.

She watched the car grow smaller and smaller until it became a black dot on the horizon, until it disappeared completely from sight.

The wind on the grassland blew against the hem of her denim shirt and stirred a few strands of hair that had fallen down her back.

The smile on her face slowly faded, turning into a gentle yet firm expectation in her eyes.

She was already imagining what their next meeting would be like.

Perhaps it was at a restaurant in some city that she was finally able to fulfill her promise of that grand meal.

Perhaps in another unexpected place, just like this serendipitous encounter on the grassland, there will be surprises.

Regardless, she knew they would meet again.

If there are no opportunities, she will actively create them.

This expectation, like a plump seed, was blown into my heart by the morning breeze of the grassland, quietly waiting for the time to sprout.

Zhang Ruonan turned around and walked back with light steps, unconsciously humming the off-key melody of "Special Person" that Jiang Qing had sung last night.

The energetic figure, bathed in the rising sun, exuded vibrant vitality.

In the monitoring room of the production team not far away, a young director in charge of filming behind-the-scenes footage watched the camera on the monitor as Zhang Ruonan watched the car drive away until it disappeared. He then replayed the scene of her and Jiang Qing having breakfast quietly together in the morning light. He looked at the director next to him with some hesitation.

"Director Liu, can we play this part? It has a really good atmosphere."

Liu Lihui stroked his chin, staring at the screen with a thoughtful expression.

He recalled that after finishing work last night, he vaguely saw Zhang Ruonan and Jiang Qing talking on the terrace. He couldn't hear the specific content because they were too far away, but the two of them seemed natural and didn't seem to have crossed any lines.

Considering Jiang Qing's status, he didn't dare let anyone go over to take pictures.

This morning, things were even more open and honest. We made breakfast together, ate a meal, chatted, and said goodbye, all very naturally.

Zhang Ruonan's smile and eyes clearly showed her affection, but she was open and honest, without hiding anything or doing anything out of line.

"Let it go."

Liu Lihui made the final decision.

"It's a true documentary. Normal interactions between guests, handsome men and beautiful women—the audience loves it. However…"

He specifically instructed the post-production editor.

"Be mindful of the degree of detail. Don't add any embellishments or create any romantic tension. Just present it as it is, cleanly and openly. Highlight Zhang Ruonan's sunny, natural, and down-to-earth personality, as well as President Jiang's easygoing nature. The grassland morning light as a backdrop makes the scene beautiful enough on its own."

"Understood, Director Wang!"

The director immediately nodded, having a better understanding of the situation.

This material doesn't need any deliberate guidance; its inherent freshness, sincerity, and a touch of youthful budding emotion are enough to move people.

Zhang Ruonan's radiant beauty without makeup, her profile as she earnestly prepares breakfast in the morning sun, and her open yet expectant gaze as she sees him off—these are the most precious "human touches" of the show.

He felt that this broadcast would definitely spark heated discussions.

After all, that's Jiang Qing.

(End of this chapter)