Cheng Ran didn't bring much stuff with him. In fact, apart from the specialties that Jiang Hongshao, a local from Chengdu, liked, they were all some bean paste hotpot base or local soy snacks. The rest of the food was locally sourced and bought at local Chinese stores, so the sight of the large and small bags was shocking enough.
So much so that when Jiang Hongshao brought Cheng Ran into the dormitory in the building, everyone was very eye-catching, and it was obvious that they were here to visit their family.
However, Cheng Ran did not feel any embarrassment or inconvenience at all. In fact, it is good for everyone to come and see the giant pandas so that they can be widely known.
The main thing is that not only is the girl already taken, but she is also so handsome. When Cheng Ran came, he had to tidy herself up, which made him quite confident.
All in all, when he appeared in front of Lao Jiang, he was an absolutely dazzling image.
Jiang Hongshao stared at him blankly, then walked over with a calm face. She naturally took the package from Cheng Ran's hand and asked, "When did you come?"
"Arrived this morning."
"So you asked me about my plans for the Spring Festival and after the festival... Is that why?"
Cheng Ran smiled and said, "It's a temporary decision. I didn't think you would return home, and I happened to be free, so I came over."
"It's obviously been planned for a long time..." Old Jiang smiled with red cheeks, "Are you checking on me?"
Perhaps this sentence contained a lot of charming, even slightly angry, atmosphere, Jiang Hongshao felt a little embarrassed, Cheng Ran nodded shamelessly, Jiang Hongshao said nothing more, took his hand and walked into the building.
During the whole process, both of them felt a warmth and tacit understanding flowing in their hearts, which was all in the touch of their hands.
At the door, Jiang Hongshao introduced Cheng Ran to the neighbor next door. The black girl made an "O" shape with her mouth to greet Cheng Ran, and then joked cheerfully, "Do you really want her to gain weight? She brings so much food when she comes to visit."
Knowing that this black girl actually took a lot of care of Lao Jiang, and once even brought him medicine and food when Lao Jiang had a high fever, Cheng Ran actually had a good impression of this girl named Jenny and was grateful to her.
Jenny added, "But no matter how much weight she gains, she is still the most beautiful person in the entire UCL. Before, I thought her significant other must be very special. Now there is no suspense. But Jiang, don't let your Cheng be seen by the Lai brothers, otherwise you may have to worry about him being kidnapped by a man..."
Cheng Ran's mouth curled up, thinking that Lao Jiang had previously vaguely mentioned that Jenny next door spoke very nicely. He didn't know what kind of nice voice she spoke before, but now he understands. Is it such a blind flattery
In the mixed dormitory building of the college, Jiang Hongshao is definitely one of the more low-key students. She is low-key in that she usually spends more time studying, does not participate too much in various clubs and student organization activities in the school, and does not show off too much in public.
However, this does not mean that she is unknown or unnoticed. First of all, she worked part-time in the school library when she was studying, so she was still visible. Secondly, she had good grades, which was also a big advantage. Therefore, many people noticed her, and many Chinese students knew her.
British students generally give people the impression of being taciturn, but students from other countries who come to study have different styles, especially in mixed dormitories. Although the male and female areas are separated, Jiang Hongshao still encounters many people who try to strike up a conversation with her in the school or at the entrance of the corridor.
Cheng Ran's arrival today can be regarded as a gorgeous frontal appearance.
An Asian man who had just met them on the way greeted them and looked at them with a half-smile, which was meaningful. It was obvious that he was curious about the other half of this girl who has become one of the hot topics in the Chinese community recently.
Someone even asked after Jiang Hongshao introduced him, "Your boyfriend? Cheng! Hello! Oh... Mars must be upset now, he even asked me about you recently..."
After staying in the dormitory with Jiang Hongshao for a while, Cheng Ran heard that he hadn't eaten yet, so Jiang pulled him to eat quickly, as she had an exam in the afternoon. Cheng Ran thought to himself that this was the disadvantage of a surprise attack, as it came at a very wrong time.
"Will my coming affect your exam and distract you?"
“Have the courage to use the suggestion method… It should be okay to give yourself a hint before the exam to get into the right state… Besides, it’s okay to be distracted. You can’t always get the best score. It’s easy to lose friends.” Lao Jiang said playfully in the restaurant where he was leading Cheng Ran to sit.
"Isn't it too arrogant to say that?" Cheng Ran smiled.
"Even Lord Cheng doesn't think it's arrogant, so of course I have no problem with it." Jiang Hongshao blinked.
The restaurant is located inside the college and is luxuriously decorated. It is considered a very luxurious place for students in the college on weekdays. Lao Jiang ordered two steaks. This girl often eats bread and cold food in a hurry to solve the problem of eating in the middle of studying, and it is probably extremely rare to dine in such a place now.
"Eat as much as you want. It's my treat." Cheng Ran said.
Jiang Hongshao shook her head and said, "Of course I'll treat you."
Cheng Ran knocked on the table. "It's really stressful for me to come here. How much do you make as a part-time worker? This kind of place is expensive, right? How much do you need for food for a week or two? I'd better pay for it. Besides, do we need to divide it between us? Of course, whoever is more qualified will come."
Jiang Hongshao insisted, "You can do it later. The first time you come... it'll be me."
It was like a ritual. Even if I had to eat bread for two weeks to treat the man to a meal, it was something worth remembering and I would do it with great pleasure.
Cheng Ran asked, "Are you encouraging me to come here more often in the future?"
After cutting a piece of meat and putting it in her mouth, Jiang Hongshao glanced at him and said, "I don't encourage it. It's too far, the flight takes too long, and it's too tiring."
"It doesn't matter." Cheng Ran said.
"No. You will be tired and exhausted. This is not a long-term thing. You have to face it with a state of protracted war. Keep it fresh, keep the courage to face the distance, and keep seeing me every time, not with all your strength, but naturally from your heart."
Jiang Hongshao paused and then whispered, "Between you and me, it's not about being together day and night."
Cheng Ran was slightly startled, and was moved by the maturity and broad-mindedness shown by this girl. It was just like the simplest saying about the intersection of ice and fire. If the flame dances on the ice for a long time, no matter how fierce and hot the dance is, it will eventually go out. Sometimes time and space are just that piece of ice. No one can guarantee that their passion will always be hot and intense. Running around will make people tired, and the barrier of time and space will make people tired. If this kind of thing becomes a habit, will the maintenance between each other become a burden and a burden one day
This is actually more cruel and ruthless than "not allowing people to see gray hair in this world".
Love in the world begins with mutual affection. Those who turn from love to hate are rare, and most of them are just tired of each other.
So the girl said this: If it lasts for a long time, it doesn’t matter if you are together day and night.
I am afraid that one day, I will become disgusted by this man.
…
After the exam, Jiang Hongshao took Cheng Ran to visit her school and told him many stories and legends.
For example, the founder's mummy in the window of the northern corridor of the main building, the head is stored separately because of poor preservation, and the body is connected with a wax head. Every time the school has important events, the window pane with wheels will be pushed out to participate in the vote. According to his spirit, his vote is a vote of approval for the reformists. The students of the school have tacitly accepted or become accustomed to the existence of this mummy principal, but some people still feel creepy when they pass by there at night. It has the same status as the big-leafed banyan tree in No. 10 Middle School. Every time there is an exam, some people will go to worship it. It is said to be very effective. So from this perspective, the spirit of pursuing progress at all costs is the same between foreign and domestic students.
Corresponding to Lao Jiang at HKUST, Jiang Hongshao also took Cheng Ran to attend the professor's class and lectures, and felt the foreign academic atmosphere. When they met the Chocolate Club holding an event, they ate chocolate together. There were chocolate stains on the corners of their mouths. When Cheng Ran looked at them with a smile, Jiang Hongshao realized that she was embarrassed and wiped it with paper, and then helped Cheng Ran wipe it off. Cheng Ran looked at this side of her and thought she was very cute.
Because the Spring Festival atmosphere was still there and the Chinese student community was still organizing activities, Jiang Hongshao brought Cheng Ran to join in. It was a cultural evening party, and Lao Jiang had performed a recitation in it. Originally, everyone wanted to hear her sing. Many people naturally thought that such a beautiful girl must sing very well and be pleasing to the eye. However, Lao Jiang declined the offer and participated in the recitation activity that would maximize the advantages of her voice.
When Cheng Ran arrived, there was still a commotion at the venue. Although some people had heard about this matter before and it was spread among Chinese students, now that they saw it with their own eyes, everyone couldn't help but come over to greet him enthusiastically or express their concern. After all, everyone was familiar with each other at the previous Spring Festival activities.
"Jiang has a boyfriend now, it's all broken, it's all broken..."
"Didn't I say before that he would come after the Spring Festival..."
"That boy is pretty good-looking, and he looks good when he smiles. I like him..."
"As a man, you shouldn't get involved in this kind of conversation with an old woman, okay?"
Cheng Ran felt that Lao Jiang was deliberately "catering to the other party's preferences" by taking him to crowded places, or to the circle of Chinese students. In fact, showing himself to others was also a disguised way of reassuring himself
Lao Jiang was pulled over because he had a performance. The classroom was decorated with colored paper and some balloons. Cheng Ran stood at the back and watched from a distance as Jiang Hongshao communicated with the organizer of the party, discussing the words and the like. It was mainly a gathering of the Chinese community, but there were also students of different skin colors present. When the girls were talking to each other, they would look at him, and Jiang Hongshao would just look at him at this time, then turn around and talk to her friends... This process was really fucking great.
His appearance today itself was a demonstration of his sovereignty, so Cheng Ran felt that such an appearance was just what he wanted.
The party had not started yet. It was not large in scale, but it was exquisite. It was obvious that everyone was taking it very seriously. Those who were going to perform were at the front desk, and those who were going to watch the performances were in the classroom. There were also Chinese students communicating with Cheng Ran. One of them seemed to be discussing funds and stocks. One Chinese student was very active. When he spoke, the people around him seemed to be listening to his suggestions and advice.
Everyone knew that this person was John Lee, the top figure in the college's Chinese circle, whose family was quite wealthy. The college's Chinese circle was also divided into many different types of circles. Some were rich kids and playful people, who often went to bars, had hangovers, and the girls in the back or passenger seats of cars changed every few days. Some were very positive in life, traveling, working out, participating in activities, and studying hard, just like most of the participants in this party. John Lee was a person who had all the advantages. He was chatting with three or four boys next to him, and he didn't avoid Cheng Ran.
In fact, because of Jiang Hongshao, she paid more attention to Cheng Ran and might want to find out his background.
John Lee introduced his stock experience, "I bought 3,000 shares of this one. I'll recommend a few more to you, GEND, HESG... Don't listen to the experts' opinions, trust your own judgment... Afraid of risk? Then do option hedging, these tools are more or less useful. I bought 1,000 shares of this one, and the account value is now $40,000..."
"I have lost a lot recently. I couldn't apply for additional funds from my family. There was nothing I could do. The Nasdaq stock fell from $12 to $2.3, which wiped out most of my funds. I suffered heavy losses. I couldn't get away even if I sold my stocks..."
"Mine was OK. I started to withdraw when the Nasdaq saw the situation was not good. I couldn't bear it anymore. I thought something was wrong when I saw it falling that day. I restarted my computer and uninstalled and reinstalled the software. Later I had to accept the reality... I lost all the money I earned last year... Now I only dare to buy some other stocks. They have rebounded at present, but of course I can't compare with you. I only bought more than 20,000 of various types..."
Those who are involved in funds and stocks are also very confident. During the conversation, some of the stocks are worth hundreds of thousands of RMB. Most of those who can buy tens of thousands of dollars for a single stock and are still in college have a rich family background.
Cheng Ran heard that John Lee was talking about a Nasdaq stock, and he felt that this foreign student John Lee was quite knowledgeable. He nodded slightly, but this action was caught by others. John Lee was a very talkative person, especially since Cheng Ran was like a candle in the dark because of Jiang Hongshao. So John Lee came over and asked, "Are you Jiang's boyfriend?"
Cheng Ran nodded.
"Then you are very lucky, brother. Jiang is an outstanding girl. Believe me, she is full of treasures. I am very accurate in judging women..."
Cheng Ran frowned slightly. He didn't like this kind of discussion about Lao Jiang. But the other party obviously didn't feel offended. It was probably because of his personality. When you are always in the upper reaches of the environment, you naturally don't need to care too much about the subtle feelings of others. It is most refreshing to live by yourself based on your own feelings.
"We were just talking about the U.S. stock market, and you seemed to know something about it? So, do you usually invest, buddy?"
Cheng Ran nodded, "That's fine."
"You also know the stock I just mentioned? It seems that great minds think alike. This one is worth investing in. Although the bubble of technology stocks has evaporated, opportunities are often seen only when they are stranded. I like this one. The stock price has fallen from dozens of dollars to 1.24 dollars. It fell to 1 dollar some time ago, and then rose slightly. I also regretted not buying it at the lowest point. I am optimistic about the future trend. It may go up again. It may not return to its glory, but it is very likely to break away from the one-dollar line. Now is a good time to buy it while the price is more than one dollar a share. I bought 5,000 shares of this stock alone. How many did you buy? You can’t buy more than me, right?"
With the curiosity of observing and chatting with him, it is inevitable that I will spy on him.
Cheng Ran looked at John Lee and the eyes around him, thought for a moment, and said, "About... 7 percent."
John Lee: “…???”
Others: “???”
…
It was a small evening with a joyful atmosphere. Jiang Hongshao won applause with her recitation of an English poem, "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night" by British poet Dylan Thomas.
Jiang Hongshao was eye-catching on stage, and Cheng Ran off stage also left a certain legend.
Although I don’t know if many people will think he is bragging, not really or just joking, as the saying goes, “there is no cow under the big hat”, it is worth chewing on anyway, controversial, and at the same time conveys the announcement that Lao Jiang has found a lover, achieving the strategic goal.
As for those who are suspicious of everything, the best strategy is to confuse others. Making others unable to figure out what is going on is a high-level tactical disguise.
At night, Cheng Ran stayed in a hotel near the college, only a few hundred meters away from the college. The room was not big, rather narrow, and simple in structure, but it was warm and cozy, especially for two people.
Even though Jiang Hongshao said that he could live in her dormitory and no one in the dormitory would care about these things, considering her reputation, Cheng Ran still didn't want people to talk about her behind her back. And after actually seeing Lao Jiang's dormitory, she found that the single bed was really cramped... It was not easy for two people to sleep.
So I stayed in a hotel outside the college at night, rustling around...
But this time, Cheng Ran hugged Lao Jiang at night, looking at the night sky outside through the skylight on the sloping roof of the hotel, and did nothing.
Because I could still feel Lao Jiang's body trembling. This was her home court, so one could imagine the courage she had when she came to HKUST alone and left after one night. She also felt a little heart-wrenching when she thought about how she had destroyed herself.
So that's the make-up.
Cheng Ran hugged the girl and whispered, "Yes, between us, it's not about being together day and night. The road is long and arduous, and we should keep searching." It's time to search, and then his hands would caress... and hold that warm dove.
With a tremor, Cheng Ran just held her like this. Although he didn't need to do anything in-depth, he could still explore her from top to bottom under the witness of the white moonlight from the skylight above his head, and he could continue tirelessly...
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