Feng Ning rubbed his thumb on the keyboard for a while.
The tip of her tongue, which had just been burned, was aching slightly. She walked to the kitchen, opened the refrigerator door, found a piece of ice and put it in her mouth.
Leaning against the door, holding her phone, she pondered over Jiang Wen's message for a long time. Afraid that it would show "the other party is typing", she opened the memo, typed a few words, and then deleted them all.
Feng Ning made a voice call to Shuang Yao, then hung up after the call went through.
Shuangyao angrily sent three question marks.
Ning: My mouth hurts. I don’t want to talk.
Shuangyao ahyao: I'm almost asleep, what do you want from me!!!
Feng Ning sent two screenshots from the album.
Shuangyaoayao: -61nfiawj? Who is this
Ning: Jiang Wen, just added, no notes yet.
Shuangyao ahyao:? !!! !!! ah??? ??? !! Jiang asked??? He??? You
Ning: Don't get excited. Tell me what to do now.
Shuangyao called back, Feng Ning walked back to the living room from the kitchen, sat cross-legged on the sofa, and answered the call.
"What's going on with you guys? How did you get in touch again?"
Feng Ning recounted what happened today to Shuang Yao on the phone. She said, "So should I refuse?"
"Then you two are quite destined to meet each other in such a big city. Whether to refuse or not... It depends on what you think."
Feng Ning sighed, closed his eyes and fell back, "What are you thinking?"
"Have you ever thought about what it would be like to meet Jiang Wen again?"
Feng Ning didn't respond. He opened his eyes and looked at the snow-white ceiling. He was silent for several minutes, and his memories began to flow.
Have you ever thought about it
It seems... I thought about it at first, but then I got tired of thinking about it and stopped thinking about it much.
Shuang Yao asked again: "So how do you feel about Jiang Wen now?"
Feng Ning said honestly: "I don't know."
"What about him?"
"He has changed a lot."
"It's been so many years, everyone has changed. It's hard to continue the relationship, so it's fine for the two of you to just be friends."
Feng Ning asked in an attempt to cover up the truth: "Do you think we can still be friends?"
"Comrade Feng Ning, playing hide-and-seek when you see your ex is very childish." Shuang Yao didn't care. "Besides, you've been here alone, feeling sad and tangled for a long time. Maybe others have already let it go."
After hanging up the phone, Shuangyao sent a message:
I really miss the little Fengning in high school, who smiled every day like a little sun. It's a pity that your enthusiasm has been exhausted in the first half of your life, and now you are deadly indifferent to everyone.
Ning: What
Shuangyao ahyao: It’s nothing. Being indifferent to everyone is a kind of freedom and also a kind of regret. You can experience this sentence.
When Feng Ning was brainwashing others, preaching, and talking about the philosophy of life, Shuang Yao was still playing in the mud in the yard wearing open-crotch pants. This specious little chicken soup could not shake her at all.
Feng Ning sorted out his feelings, opened Jiang Wen's message again and read it, then replied him with four words.
Ning: Are you asleep
A few minutes later, the phone rang.
-61nfiawj: The third one.
Ning: Sorry, I just went to take a shower and didn’t check my phone. What time will it be tomorrow
-61nfiawj: Three o'clock in the afternoon
Ning: OK
After tossing and turning all night, Feng Ning touched the phone beside the pillow and saw that it was five in the morning.
She suffered from insomnia again.
A little moonlight leaked in through the gap in the curtains and hit the floor. She closed her eyes, but still couldn't fall asleep.
Feng Ning turned on the bedside lamp, picked up his phone, and randomly found an old movie to watch. He ended up being so sleepy that he fell asleep for several hours.
At noon, the alarm clock rang on time. Feng Ning got up, her eyes darkened, she tied her ponytail down, went to the bathroom to brush her teeth, washed her face, and sat down in front of the makeup mirror sleepily.
She picked up the concealer and habitually applied it to her arms first before applying it to her face. After finishing the entire makeup, Feng Ning paused while applying lipstick and looked at herself in the mirror.
From the carefully drawn eyebrows to the black lines at the corners of the eyes, she wondered if it looked too formal. After a while, she pulled out a wet tissue and wiped off the color of her lips a little.
Before going out, Feng Ning specifically checked the weather forecast.
The temperature today was not very high, so she picked a loose-fitting white T-shirt and a knee-length denim A-line skirt.
Feng Ning didn't drive because she was afraid of traffic jams. She stopped a car and found the address that Min Yueyue sent last night and told the driver. Who knew that this car dealership had recently opened a branch? Feng Ning found out that she didn't have an appointment when she got there. She checked again, "Where is your other branch?"
The clerk showed her the way: "Go down this street and turn left at the intersection. It's not far from here, about a thousand meters away."
Halfway through the journey, it suddenly started to rain in the blazing sun. At first the rain was light, but after a few minutes it became a rainstorm accompanied by rumbling thunder.
Feng Ning was completely caught off guard. She looked around but could not find any place to hide from the rain. In addition, her body was almost soaked, so she gave up and continued to walk towards the car.
Jiang Wen had just finished work. He was dressed in a suit with a coat hanging on his arm, leaning against the garage door.
The female guests passing by him couldn't help but look at him a few more times.
When he was a student, wherever he went, a group of girls would gather together and stare at him from head to toe. Jiang Wen was no longer bothered by it and just let them watch.
The manager brought the order sheet over and asked Jiang Wen to sit on the sofa. They chatted for a few words. Jiang Wen stopped talking and looked away.
The manager observed his expression and asked, "Hello, what's the problem?"
Jiang Wen didn't answer.
The manager turned and followed his gaze.
...
...
Feng Ning's top was soaked by the rain and stuck to her body, and her denim skirt was also covered with large patches of water stains. She pushed open the door and walked in. The cool air from the air conditioner gave her goose bumps all over her body.
A clerk came up and handed me paper.
Feng Ning thanked him and took it, wiping the water stains on her arms and face. She looked up by chance and met the eyes of the people sitting in the rest area. She slowed down her movements.
Jiang Wen sat on the sofa with his back hunched. He looked at her for a while, turned the mineral water bottle in his hand half a circle, and stood up.
Seeing him approaching, Feng Ning subconsciously turned her body to the side to block her arm. She took two steps back and said anxiously, "Jiang Wen, lend me your coat."
He said casually: "Why, are you planning to cheat me out of my clothes again?"
As soon as they said this, they were both stunned.
Jiang Wen's eyes were dark and he threw the coat in his hand to her.
Feng Ning put it on quickly, shuddered, and said, "Thank you, I'll wash it and return it to you."
She looked disheveled now, so she followed the sign to the restroom and washed her face with water. She found a wet tissue from her bag and began to wipe her face in front of the mirror, wiping off all the remaining makeup.
After they came out, the receptionist led them to the reception room on the second floor and asked Jiang, "There's no air conditioning here. Is this okay?"
Jiang Wen nodded slightly.
This car dealership is very professional and efficient. The manager confirmed the repair items and approximate price with them, and then pushed two sheets of paper over. "If you have any other requirements, you can raise them now. If not, you can fill out the factory repair form and confirm it in the signature column. We will notify you when we pick up the car."
It took less than an hour to complete all the handovers. Feng Ning pushed open the glass door and went out. The rain outside had not stopped yet, but it was much lighter.
The two stood under the eaves, Jiang Wen was next to her.
Feng Ning asked: "Did you bring an umbrella?"
"without."
He subconsciously reached into his pocket for a cigarette, took one out, and lowered his head to light it.
Feng Ning glanced at him and said, "You're a heavy smoker now."
Jiang Wen paused and took the cigarette out of his mouth.
At this time, the reception manager came over, handed over an umbrella and said, "Oh, it's raining so hard outside, and there happens to be an umbrella in the store, you can take it."
There was only one, Jiang Wen gave it to Feng Ning, "You play it."
"And you?"
Jiang Wen: "I drove here."
Feng Ning said "oh", opened the umbrella, and walked a few meters forward. Turning around, there was a layer of rain between them.
She tilted the umbrella back a little, revealing her face, and said to him, "Do you want to get wet in the rain or wait here for it to stop?"
Jiang Wen smiled indifferently and said casually, "I don't really miss it."
Feng Ning: "Then why don't you come over."
Jiang Wen's car was parked nearby, a silver-gray soft-top BMW Z4. He unlocked the car with his key and asked, "Where are you going?"
"go home."
"I send you?"
Feng Ning refused, "Don't bother, I can just take a taxi."
"how?"
She made up an excuse, "I'm all wet, so I don't want to dirty your car."
Jiang Wen ignored him and said, "Get in the car."
The rain hit the glass and the raindrops rolled down. Feng Ning watched very attentively.
Jiang Wen pointed at the navigation and asked, "Is your home in Yunan City?"
Feng Ning turned her head and hummed. She put her hands on her legs and sat very cautiously.
She suddenly asked, "Is this your car?"
Jiang Wen said, "Yes."
Feng Ning was a little confused: "Didn't you just return home?"
As she spoke, she accidentally bit the tip of her tongue, which was exactly the place where she was scalded by boiling water last night.
Feng Ning stopped talking halfway and groaned. He immediately couldn't control his expression and twisted it. He covered his mouth with his hands, hunched over, and physiological tears came out because of the pain.
Jiang Wen turned the steering wheel and stopped the car on the side of the road. He unbuckled his seat belt and tilted his head, "What's wrong with you?"
Feng Ning wanted to speak, but as soon as she opened her mouth, she felt a pool of saliva about to flow down. She freed one hand, pointed at her mouth, and waved at him, indicating that it was okay.
About a minute later, the severe pain finally began to ease. Feng Ning took out his cell phone, typed a line of words and handed it to Jiang Wen:
I bit my tongue accidentally
The windshield wipers scraped slowly, and he asked, "Bleeding?"
Feng Ning nodded, and typed another line of words:
Let's go. The traffic police will come to issue the ticket later.
The car was back on the road, and after a while, Feng Ning realized that the route was wrong. She didn't ask, thinking he had something wrong.
Jiang Wen parked the car next to KFC and said, "Wait for me a moment."
Feng Ning was sitting in the car playing with his cell phone.
Jiang Wen came back about ten minutes later. He opened the car door and threw a plastic bag at her.
It is the green sign of a pharmacy.
Feng Ning was a little confused, and unpacked the bag, which contained watermelon frost, mouthwash, and oral ulcer patches. She was startled and said to him, "Thank you."
Jiang Wen picked up the Bluetooth and put it on his right ear, "You're welcome."
Feng Ning said, "How much is it? I'll transfer it to you."
Jiang Wen had his hands on the steering wheel and was on the phone, pretending not to hear her.
Hearing that he seemed to be talking about work with the other party, she shut up and tactfully stopped disturbing him.
...
...
When she got home, Guan Tongfu sent her a translation project and asked her to proofread it.
Feng Ning took off his coat, took a quick shower, and moved his computer to the study. He worked until dark.
She stretched herself and her stomach growled. Then she realized that she hadn't eaten a single meal all day.
Feng Ning opened Meituan, ordered her usual takeout, put her hair up, and started cleaning the house.
When I was cleaning the living room, I caught a glimpse of a coat thrown on the sofa.
Feng Ning bent down, picked up Jiang Wen's high-end suit, and looked at the brand. She found that it could not be found online. She checked the washing label of the clothes again, and the result was... It can neither be dry cleaned nor washed.
She couldn't help but curse. After thinking for a while, she sent him a WeChat message:
Ning: How much is this dress of yours
After waiting for a few minutes, he didn't reply. Feng Ning put down the phone and continued mopping the floor.
After mopping the balcony, I picked up my phone again.
-61nfiawj: what are you doing
After carefully choosing his words, Feng Ning replied:
Ning: I got your coat dirty. I just checked and it seems it can't be washed.
-61nfiawj: Oh, then you lost it.
When Feng Ning received this message, his first reaction was speechlessness. He simply didn't know what to say.
After being speechless, a strong sense of familiarity suddenly emerged in her heart. This feeling instantly brought her back to many years ago.
It was as if there had never been so many strange barriers between them. He was still the young master with a contemptuous expression, who would take off his clothes without hesitation and throw them on the ground when his mysophobia kicked in.
In the bar.
"Alas, Jiang Wen, you came back just as you said you would, without even saying hello. But it's good that you came back, otherwise I would be the only one left alone. Recently, I've either been attending weddings or the centenary banquet of someone's son. I feel like I've been left behind by the times."
Zhao Binlin talked for a long time and found that Jiang Wen was looking down at his mobile phone, concentrating so much that he hardly looked at him.
He stopped and touched Jiang Wen's shoulder, "Who are you messaging at this late hour?"
Jiang Wen didn't answer, obviously not even listening to his words.
Zhao Binlin leaned over to take a look and exclaimed, "It's Feng Ning." He smiled and asked, "How did you add her?"
Jiang Wen: "I met him yesterday."
"How many times have I pushed it to you before? Why didn't you do it?" Zhao Binlin pretended to recall the past. "What did you say at that time? There's no point in forcing it. Is this what you said?"
Jiang Wen held the phone in his right hand and placed it on the table. His eyes were fixed on the chat interface with Feng Ning, without any concealment.
He picked up the wine and took a sip.
Zhao Binlin said, "I think you have become more thick-skinned over the years, and you are not afraid of being laughed at by me."
Jiang Wen said "oh" in an extremely cold tone.
"You are still so useless."
Jiang Wen bit out a cigarette, lit it with a click, and threw the lighter aside, "Yes."
Glancing at Jiang Wen's expression, Zhao Binlin understood and shut his mouth.
In the air filled with smoke, Jiang Wen said, "I hugged her yesterday."
Zhao Binlin was not surprised either, he just asked, "Really?"
"Just a few seconds."
Zhao Binlin thought of a question: "So how did you feel when you met Feng Ning?"
"What do you feel?"
"Well, what do you feel?"
Jiang Wen's face was expressionless, and he fell into a brief silence. He didn't say a word until the cigarette between his fingers burned out.
Zhao Binlin thought he would not get a reply.
"When I talk to her..."
He spoke suddenly and then stopped.
Zhao Binlin waited quietly for his next words.
"Every word." Jiang Wen stroked the outer wall of the glass with his fingers, staring at the wine in the glass, "I endured every word."
After saying that, he picked up the glass, his Adam's apple rolled, and drank the rest of the wine in one gulp.