Dating should happen after get off work.

The three of them stopped arguing and realized something at the same time.

"The person in front of me is the most suitable match for Jiang Sheng."

With perfect looks, figure, and abilities, she was an orphan with a clean background, grew up with Jiang Sheng, and was intelligent and loyal. She was practically the perfect partner for him.

If one had to point out a flaw, it would be that Jiang Qingyue's temper is truly intriguing and unpredictable.

"Xiaoyue, what do you think?"

Jiang's mother asked a question.

Jiang Qingyue walked over unhurriedly, still wearing Jiang Sheng's T-shirt, and imitating Li Youhe by tying her black hair into a high ponytail, swaying as she walked.

She stood behind the sofa, gently placing her hands on Jiang's mother's shoulders, smiling sweetly.

"He can decide who he wants to marry; you can't decide anything about him."

With just one sentence, he left the three speechless.

"I can accept whoever he likes." As she spoke, Jiang Qingyue revealed a meaningful expression, "But if he chooses me in the end, I hope you can be prepared."

......

They took Xia Xiaoman and Li Youhe home first, and then it was Lu Sanqian's turn.

Lu Sanqian lives in Fengdao District, in the southern part of Yancheng. He drives slowly under the setting sun as he passes the Xinhanglu Overpass, with "Episode 33" playing on his car stereo.

As Jiang Sheng tapped his fingers rhythmically on the steering wheel to the beat of the drums, he felt a strange sense of relief, as if he had survived a disaster.

His shadow was stretched out on the road, and he looked at Lu Sanqian in the back seat through the rearview mirror.

The girl, clutching her "Kuromi" backpack, turned to look out the window; the two did not exchange a word.

It's not about being embarrassed or anything; it's simply that you can see the sea right from the elevated bridge, which is a small but certain happiness in a coastal city.

Half of the sun was swallowed by the horizon, still trying its best to illuminate the world before it completely disappeared. Fishing boats returned to port along the sunset, and pedestrians could still be seen strolling along the "Seaside Promenade" in the distance.

Jiang Sheng drove slowly, wanting to appreciate this rare scenery as much as possible.

"Please take me home," Lu Sanqian said softly.

"What are you talking about? Of course, we'll provide pick-up and drop-off service." Jiang Sheng turned the music down to a volume that wouldn't interfere with their conversation, resting his left hand on the car window. "But it's been a long time since I've been to Toyoshima Ward."

"Have you been there before?" Lu Sanqian asked curiously.

"The first residential complex my family built was located there."

"This is absolutely outrageous!"

The two chatted about some trivial topics, the song changed from "Blood Mary Girl" to "echo", the car drove off the overpass, and soon arrived at the entrance of Lu Sanqian Community.

—It really was built by Jiang Sheng's family.

"Take good care of your belongings," Jiang Sheng said with a smile.

Turning to look at Lu Sanqian, the girl showed no intention of getting off the bus. Biting her lip, she hesitated for a long time before finally raising her head to look at him.

After only one glance, he lowered his head in embarrassment, but managed to speak:

"Could you walk with me for a bit?"

"Extremely happy to."

Jiang Sheng found a temporary parking space on the side of the road and parked the car. He got out of the car and opened the door for Lu Sanqian. He said in a showy manner, "We've arrived, Miss," which attracted the attention of passers-by and made Xiao Lu blush.

There is a "city park" right next to the residential area.

The park has complete facilities, with a pond of moderate size in the middle, which is full of lotus flowers in summer. Along the pond is a walkway planted with willow trees, and a gentle breeze rustles the willow branches as many pedestrians stroll around.

The two walked onto the path, very close together, about two fists' distance between their arms.

The sun was just setting, and the sky was a mesmerizing pinkish-orange.

After walking for a short while, Jiang Sheng found a bench facing the pond, where he could see the sunset and lotus flowers, and sat down, leaning back in the chair.

"You don't just want to take a walk with me, do you? If you have something to say, just say it."

"Ah—" Little Deer opened her mouth, looking embarrassed that her secret had been exposed, and lowered her head. "Is it that obvious?"

"It's so obvious, it's like he has 'I have something to say to you' written all over his face."

Jiang Sheng joked, looking up at the sky as he spoke.

"We've seen each other at our most embarrassing moments, so what can't we talk about? Go ahead and say it."

"What do you mean by the most embarrassing look?" Little Deer asked, tilting her head.

"Being drunk is incredibly embarrassing."

As they spoke, they both thought of what the other looked like when drunk, and then they thought of what they looked like when they were drunk.

At the same time, he covered his face.

After a moment, I calmed down a bit.

Lu Sanqian took a deep breath, hugged his schoolbag, and slowly spoke:

"It's not something I absolutely have to say, it's just... I wanted to say thank you."

"Why?"

"There's a lot," she said, "but most importantly, thank you for your help."

"I don't remember helping you with anything," Jiang sighed. "On the contrary, you helped me a lot."

The "team building" activity today led to the death sentence being commuted to a suspended death sentence, and each of the three girls deserves credit for this.

"Jiang, Jiang Sheng!"

"Why are you shouting so loudly all of a sudden! You startled me!"

Xiao Lu seemed to have suddenly gone mad, loudly calling Jiang Sheng's name, her face flushed, but this time her eyes did not dodge, and even though she was shy, she looked firmly into Jiang Sheng's eyes.

"I... I need your help with something!"

"sure."

"Hey, but I haven't said what kind of help I can offer yet."

"Then you tell me."

"I don't want to be this weak forever. I want the courage to express my feelings. I need your help!"

"Sure," Jiang Sheng said with a smile. "Regardless of the content of the request, I will definitely agree if you need it."

"Could you...could you hug me? Share some of your courage with me!"

Lu Sanqian covered his face as he spoke.

This is so embarrassing.

As a result, instead of receiving a hug, she felt a hand stroking her head.

"That won't do," Jiang Sheng said with a smile.

that moment,

The full-color SSR version of Lu Sanqian was turned into a black and white line drawing, and his soul seemed to fly out of his mouth, muttering things like "Grandma, I've come to see you."

"Little Deer, you probably don't realize it yourself," Jiang Sheng said, "you don't need courage at all."

"Huh?" Lu Sanqian came back to his senses, somewhat surprised.

Jiang Sheng guided Lu Sanqian, asking, "How much battery is left on the tablet?"

What's the tablet's battery level?

Lu Sanqian took out her tablet from her bag and glanced at it. There was still 84% left. Then she let out a soft gasp.

"Right?" Jiang Sheng looked at her with a smile. "No matter how nervous you were today, you didn't use your tablet to talk. The battery level is proof of that."

"Really...!"

Even she herself couldn't believe it.

"Lu Sanqian," he chuckled, ruffling her hair and showering her with praise, "you're absolutely amazing!"

Did I succeed?

Have I become a little braver than before?

So, can I now properly express my inner thoughts?

A strange feeling welled up from the bottom of his heart, like a punctured hot spring egg, with golden egg liquid flowing out continuously until it enveloped Lu Sanqian's entire heart.

Do I...like...Jiang Sheng?

Grandpa's words echoed in my ears.

Maybe she likes it, maybe she doesn't, maybe she doesn't even understand what liking someone means.

Perhaps it's just because they feel happy after being praised.

But the happiness is real; she is experiencing that happiness.

Just before the sun set, Lu Sanqian grabbed Jiang Sheng's hand on his head, his eyes reflecting the setting sun.

"tomorrow......"

"tomorrow?"

"Will you be free tomorrow?"

It seemed to take a great deal of courage for her to ask such a simple question.

Her cheeks were burning hot, and so were her eyes.

"I do have some free time," Jiang Sheng nodded, then asked, "What's up?"

That's right.

I'm not lacking in courage, I'm awesome, I should try to say what's on my mind.

It doesn't rely on typing or comics.

He said it himself.

"Tomorrow, I'd like to ask you to come with me to the comic convention on Zhongshan Avenue."

Even though his voice was very soft, Lu Sanqian still managed to send out the invitation clearly.

Now it was Jiang Sheng's turn to be stunned.

The comic convention on "Zhongshan Avenue"... such a familiar name.

Then he remembered that Zhang Ping had extended the same invitation to him yesterday, and he had even cursed him as "an idiot steaming goose heart".

Now the boomerang has hit itself.

Anime characters are so cute.

"Then you need to be clear," Jiang Sheng joked. "Do you want it to be just me or with everyone? If it's with everyone, it's called 'team building,' and if it's just me, it's called 'date.'"

really.

Just as he had expected, Lu Sanqian looked so embarrassed that he was about to faint.

So cute.

"Just kidding, I..."

"you."

"Um?"

Jiang Sheng was stunned. He looked at the girl in front of him.

My heartbeat seemed to suddenly quicken at a certain beat, and then the glaciers began to melt, the mountains and rivers swelled, and the tectonic plates trembled.

Her cheeks were flushed, as beautiful as the sunset.

Repeat it again, earnestly and firmly.

"Only you."