TSDT - 28

Jiang Ying was used to falling asleep and waking up in Meng Jingshu’s embrace. The two of them were squeezed under her small blanket, limbs entwined, feeling warm and snug.

Reaching out from under the covers to turn off the alarm, she then curled back in, rolling over to continue lingering in bed, muttering, “You stole my blanket again...”

Originally, Jiang Ying’s blanket was a small, single-person size. Now that she had a regular guest in her home... on her bed, she kindly bought a larger one for him. But he, good as he was, only covered himself properly for a few hours at first. By the middle of the night, he’d grope his way over to her side while half-asleep and brazenly occupy her space from then on. That brand new large blanket spent the night cold, only a corner touching her small blanket, thus acquiring a trace of warmth.

Just as plants are phototropic, so too are people; they instinctively gravitate towards and seek out things that bring them comfort. Meng Jingshu had already discovered that he slept very well when sleeping with her. Recently, he had a firsthand experience that sleeping while holding her was particularly effective. She was just the right size to hold, soft and warm.

He couldn’t describe the feeling in more detail, but it was probably the same principle as a girl liking to sleep with a doll.

As a result, the plush toy, her veteran bedmate, retired, domineeringly piled in the corner by his pillow by the newcomer. Then he himself moved to the other side of the bed, deliberately hugging her as if she were a doll.

Jiang Ying was initially very unaccustomed to it.

It wasn’t that she hadn’t experienced intimacy with the opposite sex before, but never this intimate, with limbs intertwined, unable to sprawl out freely. A perfectly good double bed was made to feel as cramped as a dorm bunk by him.

She struggled, pushing and kicking. When he was amiable, he’d roll over and give her freedom, but the next day she’d wake up again, held between his arms and legs, like a soulless cotton quilt. When he wasn’t amiable... he would exhaust her energy through intense physical activity, and by the time she was too tired to move, she would just let him be.

However, there was an upside: men have higher body temperatures, so he was like a large human furnace. This winter, she wouldn’t need a hot water bottle or electric blanket; her icy feet could just be pressed directly against his legs, warming right up.

But even if she didn’t dislike it, she had to show dissatisfaction. She had to complain out loud: “Don’t you have your own blanket? Why do you have to steal someone else’s?” She squinted and continued to grumble, “If I just turn over, my hand will be out... Don’t you feel cramped?”

In fact, she was very warm, and even if her hand was exposed, she wouldn’t feel cold.

Sleeping soundly every night, feeling refreshed, Meng Jingshu listened to her complaints and smiled, kissing her on the back of the neck, tickling her with his stubble, and saying hoarsely, “Not cramped, you’re comfortable here.”

Jiang Ying grunted, shrinking back, then rolled out a bit further.

Meng Jingshu pulled her back, pressing the edge of the blanket tightly. He got up first, dressed, and then suddenly asked her, “Have you heard the sound of a panda?”

“No, do pandas make noise? What do they sound like?” Jiang Ying was mostly awake and curious about his question, her eyes rolling around, waiting for his answer.

Meng Jingshu patted her on the bottom and went straight to the bathroom.

“Hey,” Jiang Ying thumped the bed, “it’s not fair to leave someone hanging like that!”

He just smiled.

What did they sound like?

Just like you did a moment ago.

Humming vaguely through her nose, delicate and soft, making one feel that no amount of hugging or kissing was enough.

...

Jiang Ying got up and changed her clothes, running her hands through her fluffy sleep-tousled long hair, just as Meng Jingshu emerged fresh and clean from the bathroom. He had shaved his beard; the previously bluish area around his lips and chin instantly became smooth, and his roguish charm was replaced by a bright handsomeness.

Blindingly handsome.

Jiang Ying’s momentary daze pleased the man. He took a few steps over, lowered his head, and touched her with his forehead.

The scent of aftershave hit her, instantly refreshing her.

She wrinkled her nose and said, “You smell like concentrated Piglet now.”

Meng Jingshu said nothing, leaned down, and kissed her.

After the kiss, half of Jiang Ying’s face felt cool and refreshed.

He smiled, “Now you too, are concentrated Panda.”

“Hmph,” Jiang Ying tilted her head, “So, what does a panda sound like anyway?”

“Look it up yourself.” He ran his fingers through her hair, asking, “Mediation today?”

“Yeah, are you coming?”

“No.”

“Hmph.”

...

Meng Jingshu’s parking space case, after various parties coordinated, finally scheduled a mediation with the judge for today.

However, Mr. Meng, the client, was not coming. Only Jiang Ying and Assistant Liu, along with the representatives of other property owners, came to negotiate with the property management.

Jiang Ying secretly sighed, no wonder Meng Jingshu wasn’t coming. Sure enough, rich people had more important things to do. Today, it was all people like them, the laborers.

Sigh.

So poor.

With the pressure of litigation, the property management’s attitude was much more conciliatory than before. After several discussions, the amount of liquidated damages and a mutually acceptable deadline for property rights return were determined. After reaching an agreement, Jiang Ying explained the subsequent procedures and details to the agents, and the matter was largely concluded.

At 11:30 AM, returning to the law firm was just in time to order takeout with the office.

Jiang Ying had taken this route hundreds of times: leaving the courthouse, she would take bus 62 for five stops to Development Building, where she would transfer to subway Line 7, and then another five stops to reach the law firm.

Every time she took the same route and saw the same scenery, but with the changing seasons, the same scenery would undergo changes. Perhaps the roadside flowerbeds had a new variety, perhaps a building was renovated, perhaps a few shops changed ownership, or perhaps road cracks were repaired. Some changes were immediately noticeable, while others slowly permeated, unnoticed by people.

Even though it seemed like living a day-to-day life, no one could deny that every day was unique.

Jiang Ying saw Meng Jingshu’s call when she got off the bus.

This scoundrel was comfortably sitting in his office. Was he having a change of heart now, coming to comfort the person who ran errands for him?

She didn’t rush to answer. After getting off the bus, she crossed the pedestrian street and hid under the eaves of the building. She estimated that if she didn’t answer soon, it would hang up automatically, so she slowly tapped the green circle.

“Hello.”

“Just got off the bus?”

“...” Jiang Ying’s eyes widened, looking around. “What floor is your company on? Can you see me??”

He chuckled softly, his breath seemingly able to warm her ear through the screen.

He said, “I just estimated the time.”

Jiang Ying hummed, “What do you want? I’m going to the subway station.”

Meng Jingshu said, “You’re already downstairs, won’t you honor me with lunch?”

Jiang Ying: “I thought Mr. Meng was very busy?”

He laughed: “There’s always time for lunch.”

Jiang Ying was about to hesitate a bit longer when she heard what sounded like a knock on his door. Meng Jingshu whispered, “You pick a place, wait for me for fifteen minutes.”

Jiang Ying: “Oh...”

Development Building was located in a commercial center. Across a skybridge was a large connected shopping mall, exceptionally prosperous. Jiang Ying casually chose an entrance in front of a mirror-like building and entered. Worried about waiting in line during peak lunch hours, she first wandered around the fourth floor of the dining area and took a few numbers.

As quitting time approached, the mall gradually filled with people. Jiang Ying, having nothing else to do, decided to browse the fifth floor to see if there were any restaurants she liked more.

One minute later, she realized this was a mistake.

At the entrance of a Southeast Asian restaurant, she had a close encounter with the man whom she had previously doused with coffee, ruining his hairspray—her cheating ex-boyfriend.

When Chen Tianjing saw her, his eyes first widened, then he took a small step back, watching her warily.

It seemed he was indeed still traumatized by being drenched last time.

Seeing him like this, Jiang Ying couldn’t even be angry; she just found it amusing.

She scoffed, “Don’t worry, I don’t have anything to throw at you this time.”

Chen Tianjing coughed twice, hiding his embarrassment: “Are you here for lunch too? Alone? You probably won’t get a table at this place during lunch, I booked online in advance.”

“Oh.” Jiang Ying didn’t want to talk much and turned to leave.

“Hey.” He called out to her.

Jiang Ying frowned, “What now?”

Chen Tianjing said, “Don’t always look at me like that. I’m not interested in you anymore. We’re both in the same profession, we’ll have chances to meet again in the future, no need to make it too awkward.”

Jiang Ying: “Just don’t do anything trashy yourself first.”

He cleared his throat dramatically: “I have many choices, no need to get entangled with you again. On the contrary, you, with your straightforward temper, are sometimes too arrogant. I’m actually quite worried about you.”

Truly profound and heartfelt.

“...You and that guy, are you still good? Why isn’t he with you?” he asked again.

“How do you know he’s not with me?” Jiang Ying instinctively retorted.

“It really is him, huh...” He suddenly looked melancholic, sighing, “I knew it, you could kiss him on the street last time, you were never that passionate with me.”

Jiang Ying wasn’t a shy or conservative girl; they had shared intimacy as a couple. But most of the time, their interactions were rather bland, lacking the passion men desired. So whenever Chen Tianjing recalled the scene of their fiery, deep kiss under the streetlights that night, his vanity was bruised, and he couldn’t help but feel jealous.

Jiang Ying sneered, threatening him: “You miss him so much, how about we meet up later? I’m sure it’ll be even more memorable than hot coffee.”

Chen Tianjing took another step back upon hearing this, seeming to want to respond calmly while on high alert. Just then, his phone vibrated. He quickly answered it, then adopted an obsequious expression. He spoke softly into the phone, glanced at Jiang Ying a few times, and then quickly walked to the elevator to meet someone.

Soon, Jiang Ying saw him lightly embracing a beautiful girl’s shoulder, and they both entered the restaurant. She couldn’t recognize her face, but judging by her style, she was probably the one Hu Ruochen had seen in his Moments last time.

Sure enough, he couldn’t stand being alone and seamlessly transitioned to another relationship.

Jiang Ying recalled why she had been with him in the first place. Perhaps it was because, whether genuine or feigned, he was always attentive and caring towards women. They indeed had a good time for a while; he was gentle in every way, giving her attention and care, and she tasted the sweetness of love. But ultimately, it was his nature to always desire what he didn’t have.

She had been angry, cried, cursed, and then considered him dead. If he dared to reanimate, she would step on him a few times.

Sometimes she wondered if, as one grew older, one’s feelings for things would gradually become rough like skin, and all the traces left would no longer be as deep as in youth.

A vibration in her pocket interrupted Jiang Ying’s thoughts. Someone sent her a message, short and without punctuation.

“Which floor.”

She quirked her lip and replied: “4.”