If the person who rescued Jiang Baiyan was an adult, he would probably say something like "his parents must be very worried", "no parent would have such an idea", "where else can the child go if he doesn't go home", and so on.
However, Jian Jing is not.
She didn't say anything, just asked: "Where are you going?"
Jiang Baiyan couldn't answer.
"If I don't go back to my parents, what about my grandparents?" she asked, "Is there anyone who can take me in?"
He lowered his head for a long time before saying, "Grandpa is still alive."
"Then call me." It was her first time being a hero, so Jian Jing was happy to offer her rescue services. "Do you remember your phone number?"
Jiang Baiyan wanted to say that he didn't remember, but his mind told him that it was useless. If he didn't want to go back to the Jiang family, he had to remember.
I gave out my phone number, feeling both hopeful and not expecting it.
As I recall, every time my mother called my grandfather, she was scolded and accused of being shameless. He claimed that he did not have such a daughter, let alone acknowledge her.
But something unexpected happened.
Jian Jing got through on the phone. The old man on the other end listened to her story indifferently. He didn't even say "I don't have this grandson". Instead, he asked for her address and said he would come as soon as possible.
"I'll wait at the McDonald's at the bus station." The girl was also cautious at the last minute and chose the bustling city center.
She said to Jiang Baiyan: "I am very familiar with that place. If there is any unexpected situation, I will take you away immediately."
He uttered "hmm" and pulled the corner of her clothes.
The 13-year-old boy had not yet developed, was a head shorter than the 14-year-old girl, and looked like a child. At this moment, he pulled her sleeve pitifully, like a stray dog hiding in the corridor on a rainy day, with wet fur and shivering.
Jian Jing felt extremely sympathetic, but she was still young and didn't know what to say. She had no choice but to think about emergency measures on the way to the station, fearing that such a terrible accident would happen.
Fortunately, none of them were used.
’s grandfather came rushing over, exhausted, and looked at his weak grandson without saying a word for a long time.
Jiang Baiyan kept his eyes down, never looking around. He was neither afraid nor sad, just quietly waiting for his fate to come.
But grandpa said: "Thank you for saving my child."
I didn’t ask why I didn’t go back to the chairman, nor did I call him... bastard. I just said, thank you for saving my child.
"If you don't want to go back there, then come back with me." Grandpa said the second sentence, "Of course, you have to think about it. I am a poor old man and can't afford to support you. If you follow me, you will suffer."
Jiang Baiyan had never expected such an outcome, and looked up in confusion.
The old man had a blank expression on his face, and smiled even less than his cold second brother. But I felt that it was only the muscles on his face that didn't move, his eyes weren't cold.
"Is it okay?" he asked hesitantly, stunned by the sudden good luck.
Why didn't I encounter such a good thing in all these years, but I encountered it in just two days? Do I deserve such luck
Perhaps, we will regret it soon... But, even if it is taken away immediately, I still want to have it once.
Want to be liked.
Want to be accepted.
Even once, even for one second.
The old man looked into my eyes and was horrified. I wanted to say something, but I was always reluctant to express myself, and I was also not good at comforting people.
After a long, long time, she spoke with difficulty: "Do you want to eat? I'll buy it for you."
The voice was stiff, not at all like that of a kind elder.
But Jiang Baiyan's defense collapsed in an instant, and he heard himself say unconvincingly, "It's all right."
Ah, what a pathetic person, what a poor heart.
A little bit of warmth can turn you back into the person you hate.
Why should we please others
It's obviously useless, why do you do this
Why am I such a wimp? I'm awful.
Grandpa was very angry: "You are such a grown-up, and you can't even tell me what you want to eat?"
Jiang Baiyan was confused.
"I, I want to eat..." He looked at the menu hastily and pointed at something randomly, "That one."
Well, I ordered a spicy burger, which was so spicy that tears kept flowing and I couldn't stop it. But Jian Jing and Grandpa didn't laugh at me, and they silently accompanied him to eat this embarrassing dinner.
As night fell, grandpa bought a ticket and prepared to take him home.
Jiang Baiyan hesitated for a long time, and finally mustered up the courage to ask Jian Jing: "What is the ending of that story?"
"Well." The girl, who had made up a story without thinking of the sequel, thought about it and had an idea. "Go to the bookstore and read it yourself after a while."
"Eh?" He tilted his head.
The young girl said quietly, "I'll go back and sort out the story and think about the ending. I can't make it up now." She said seriously, "I'm a very famous novelist. You can find my books in bookstores."
Jiang Baiyan widened his eyes.
"So, let's keep it a secret." She waved her hand. "Next time we meet, tell me if I guessed it right."
Jiang Baiyan looked at her and nodded gently. He thought he had a good memory and had already memorized her home. It wouldn't be long before he could see her again.
Unexpectedly, things are unpredictable. When I came over, the neighbors said that their daughter had made a lot of money, bought a new house, and moved out a long time ago.
I was sad for a long time because of this, thinking that being separated from others was the most miserable ending in the world.
—But she didn’t know that in the first month after her family moved into their new home, they were met with a tragedy that wiped out their entire family.
Yes, in 2014, Jiang Baiyan's life went from destruction to rebirth.
Jian Jing fell into hell and struggled for 6 years, finally ending her life in the spring of 2020.
[Task name: The Secret of Pudding (Completed)]
[Content description: Behind the cute cat is the story of your first brave act. You saved an innocent life and saved a person's life. Perhaps this is why you were chosen. I applaud your bravery and kindness.]
[Task Reward: You will receive a directional limited card]
[Limited pool has been opened, start drawing cards]
[Get a new card]
[Name: Limited Card: White Kitten State]
[Content description: Get the status of the fictional character "White Kitten", and greatly improve jumping, climbing, balancing, and night vision abilities. Limited time 100 seconds/day, refreshed at 0:00 every day]
[Note: If she is as brave as the heroine in my novel, then it is reasonable for her to be as strong as her, right?]
Jian Jing: “…” I want to be quiet.
"Teacher Jingjing?" Jiang Baiyan shook his palm and asked worriedly, "Are you okay?"
She came back to her senses and smiled apologetically: "A little surprised."
As soon as Jiang Baiyan finished his story, Pudding's long-term mission was automatically completed. Not only that, it was exactly past 12 o'clock, the limited pool opened, and a... God-defying card was drawn.
In "White Cat Detective", the little white cat has been transformed by aliens and has the agility of a cat. Not only can it fly, but it can also climb walls and dodge with ease.
In a sense, it's like cheating.
She couldn't help but be shocked.
However, now is not the time to talk about this.
She stared at the boy in front of her and suddenly understood a lot of things.
In the eyes of many people, Jiang Baiyan is smart, hardworking, has great acting skills, and is full of spirit. He is a rare talent among the younger generation in the entertainment industry. He is also very good at keeping a low profile, never offends people easily, and has no youthful impetuousness at all. It is hard not to like him.
But everyone knows that no one can be so perfect.
The influence of environment on people is extremely terrible. The world we live in is a drama that is played out all the time, with money, interests, fame, false feelings, and promiscuous relationships. Today you are in the clouds, but tomorrow you may be in hell.
With so many people enjoying life today, why should you be different
Now she understands.
Everyone has something they want. Some want money, some want fame, and some want status. But what Jiang Baiyan wants is probably love.
—I want others to like me.
The huge black hole eroded by an unhappy childhood can only be slowly repaired with a lot of love.
Only celebrities in the world can receive so many “likes”.
"Is it hard to live like this?" she asked.
Just like the last time, Jiang Baiyan easily understood what she meant: "It's not hard, it's just..." She hesitated, obviously having forgotten how to open her heart. After a while, she slowly said, "Sometimes I wonder, what would happen if you knew my life experience one day?"
"I don't know why, but I always have a feeling that this day will come sooner or later." He murmured softly, like a curse, "What will happen when the time comes?"
Jian Jing couldn't help but remain silent, if something comes easily, it should also leave easily.
Unfortunately, fans’ love is like fireworks, beautiful but difficult to last.
She thought for a while and said, "I said before that some people will not like you no matter how much you try to please them. By the same token, some people don't need you to be perfect to still like you."
"No," Jiang Baiyan shook his head, very sober. "The story is written this way, but the reality is just the opposite. People are most likely to be fickle and get tired of the old and love the new. I just hope..."
There was a pause in his speech, as if his brain had temporarily stopped working and he suddenly forgot what he was saying.
After a while, he made a face and said with a smile: "Make more money, and it would be best if I could win two Best Actor awards, and then retire in style."
Jian Jing knew that he was not telling the truth, but she did not ask further questions. The topic tonight was beyond her expectations, and if she continued, it would easily go wrong.
She just said, "Then work hard, maybe you can win a prize for Rose Gold."
Jiang Baiyan took a breath and said, "I suspect you are hinting at me."
"I like your interpretation." She ignored his probing and said to herself, "Love is of course good, but it is by no means a panacea. People always like to exaggerate love and ignore themselves."
He was startled, as if he understood something, and swallowed back his original words.
Jian Jing remembered the important matter and asked again: "By the way, what day was that day, the day you escaped?"
said: "April 20, 2014, happened to be Easter."
She thought, "It's a good day. Well, I should go back."
Jiang Baiyan responded, and while he stood up to see her off, he tried to persuade her to stay: "Are you really going to give me the role? Do you need me to repay you?"
"Okay." She stopped and pointed to the succulent plants on the balcony. "Give me one pot. They are well cared for. I like the plump ones."
Jiang Baiyan tilted his head and picked out a pot of the best-raised bear's paw for her: "I really don't consider it..."
Jian Jing smiled: "Hmm?"
He immediately changed his tone: "Would you like to let me take you down?"
"No."
When I came out of Jiang Baiyan's house, I saw the sky full of stars.
Jian Jing's mood is as clear as the night sky.
She had gained a lot tonight. She solved the secret of Pudding and found out why Jiang Baiyan was overly enthusiastic about her.
The result was satisfactory. His diligence was not aimless, but originated from a good deed he did when he was a teenager.
How nice.
Now, there's only one final piece of the puzzle left.
Will April 20, 2014 be the day to unlock Saint Angel’s code