TSDT - 7

Jiang Ying had been quite busy lately, constantly moving through tedious work. When she received a WeChat message from Xu Jiahong asking her to dinner this weekend, she was confused.

Jiang Ying: “Where? What kind of meal? Are you back in the country???”

Xu Jiahong: “Did you travel through time???”

He rattled off a long explanation, and only then did Jiang Ying remember the whole thing. To be honest, Jiang Ying didn’t really want to go. She didn’t know what kind of mood she was in, but she just didn’t want to face that person.

However, no matter how many legal codes she had memorized, she couldn’t out-argue Xu Jiahong’s mouth.

“You say, our class president and vice president, how many years has it been since we last saw each other? Huh? How many times have you said you’d treat me to a meal, have you? Honestly, back when you were pursuing Brother Meng, even though you didn’t succeed, I helped a lot, didn’t I? Even if it wasn’t a major contribution, it was still hard work, right? Now that I’m finally back in the country, you won’t even have a meal with me??? I’ll tell you secretly, I’m not just back for a meeting this time, there’s also an interview. If things work out, I’ll most likely move back to the country... If you don’t come, Huang Yanfei might not come either... You get what I mean, right?”

Jiang Ying couldn’t resist at all and had to agree, afraid he’d continue to chatter endlessly.

The dinner was set at a Japanese restaurant in the city center. It would take Huang Yanfei a long time to get there, so Jiang Ying waited for her. As a result, both of them were late.

There were five people from their high school class currently working in Zebian City. Besides the two of them, all were guys. Tonight, with Xu Jiahong, there were a total of six people, and the exquisite private room happened to have a six-person table.

Gentlemen always showed courtesy to ladies, so they didn’t mind their tardiness at all. Xu Jiahong even courteously went to the door to meet them, winking at Jiang Ying as soon as he saw her, but acting very reserved towards Huang Yanfei.

Once inside the private room, there was no shortage of laughter and greetings. The other two boys had met during the class reunion during the long holiday, so they weren’t unfamiliar at all and even teased them.

A Bo said, “The two beauties are finally here. The class president has been complaining endlessly. Come, come, I’ll make a spot, you two sit next to the class president, let him enjoy having beauties on both sides.”

Xu Jiahong: “No, I can’t handle that. How about this, for balance, Jiang Ying, you sit over there.”

It was a long table for six, three on each side. They left two facing seats at the ends open. One side was next to Xu Jiahong, and the other... was next to tonight’s host.

Someone had done this on purpose.

Jiang Ying took her seat, every strand of her hair feeling uncomfortable. On their side, the ‘Big City’ at the other end was a large man, taking up a lot of space. The person sitting in the middle naturally sat closer to Jiang Ying’s side, and a crisp, light men’s fragrance wafted in and out.

Jiang Ying was not unfamiliar with this scent.

This realization challenged her facial nerves.

With Xu Jiahong, the chatterbox, there, the private room would never have a dull moment.

He brought up all sorts of topics, from how the moon abroad isn’t round at all, to how green they were back in the day, and then to how Big City had gotten fat again, too many to count.

The gentlemen were deep in conversation about fitness, while Jiang Ying, having drunk too much, needed to go to the restroom.

They were sitting on a tatami mat, with the table hollowed out underneath, so there was no need to sit cross-legged, but getting her feet out from under it required some space.

Jiang Ying had no choice but to speak to the person beside her, “Excuse me, could you move?”

Her voice was very low, but she made sure he could hear her.

Meng Jingshu remained stone-faced, appearing to be engaged in serious conversation with them, not moving an inch.

Well, not entirely unmoving; Jiang Ying did notice that he had instinctively tilted his head a moment ago to hear her speak. Then he showed no reaction, his entire body clearly declaring: I, am, doing, this, on, purpose.

How was he so good at making people angry?

Jiang Ying couldn’t keep her composure any longer. She moved her cushion further away and pulled out her feet, regardless of whether she might kick him. In the midst of a peaceful atmosphere, this series of actions appeared quite swift. As expected, she didn’t kick him, but her shoulder bumped him hard when she stood up.

The person involved hadn’t said anything yet, but Xu Jiahong cried out first, “What’s wrong with our vice president? Such a big temper?”

Jiang Ying coldly retorted, “Urgent need to pee.”

Xu Jiahong laughed, “Jiang Ying is as straightforward as ever.”

Meng Jingshu raised an eyebrow, “Indeed.”

A Bo and Da Cheng exchanged knowing smiles, about to recall her past exploits.

Jiang Ying had a headache and warned, “Don’t talk bad behind my back, I have spies.”

Huang Yanfei tilted her head.

Xu Jiahong said, “Wouldn’t dare, wouldn’t dare.”

He said he wouldn’t dare, but when it came to reminiscing about the past, Xu Jiahong simply couldn’t stop. Jiang Ying returned from the restroom and hadn’t even reached the door when she heard her name frequently mentioned.

“I used to be in charge of the class keys, and I was really enthusiastic at first, leaving home when it was still dark. But in less than a month, I got lax, and every day when I arrived at the classroom, there were already over a dozen people waiting at the door. Jiang Ying couldn’t stand it and even lectured me about it. Later, the keys went to her. For three years, come rain or shine, she was basically the first one to arrive.”

Da Cheng said, “Yes, otherwise how could she be the discipline committee member? Back then, my tardiness record was sent to the homeroom teacher by her devilish hand, and I was punished with running so many times. Thinking about it now, it’s incredible, how could I possibly run ten laps? Teacher Jiang was truly my childhood trauma.”

At that time, Jiang Ying was the vice class president and discipline committee member. Tardiness, early departures, and talking during self-study all had to be recorded. If a student violated the rules three times within a week, the law showed no mercy, and they would be punished with a three-kilometer run on the track. Jiang Ying was therefore once jokingly referred to as “Teacher Jiang.”

Huang Yanfei said, “Oh, please. You were already 180 in height and weight in high school, and you’re still talking about childhood? Honestly, every time you were marked down twice, didn’t Jiang Ying warn you? Don’t even talk about you guys; even our dorm’s officials’ dependents were treated equally.”

A Bo lamented, “I just loved chatting during self-study. One time I ran three thousand meters for three consecutive weeks. After that, every time Teacher Jiang recorded me, she would come and talk to me, lecturing me patiently. I was even embarrassed, but I just couldn’t help it.”

Xu Jiahong took a sip of tea and sighed, “The things Teacher Jiang lectured us about back then... Didn’t even Brother Meng get lectured a lot? At that time, when Jiang Ying saw him smoking, she’d grab him and lecture him and brainwash him every time she saw him.”

Meng Jingshu seemed to smile slightly.

Jiang Ying felt a little chaotic inside and quickly pushed open the door. As she returned to her seat, she said expressionlessly, “Xu Jiahong, you still have the nerve to talk about this? If you, the class president, weren’t so irresponsible, why would I have to bear this responsibility? And you’re still clamoring for me to treat? You should be treating me instead.”

Xu Jiahong: “Ah, that’s a separate matter. My asking you to treat is a personal matter. Didn’t I create many opportunities for you to...”

Jiang Ying’s gaze was piercing, fixed on him. Xu Jiahong immediately shut up.

Jiang Ying, of course, knew what he wanted to say.

Xu Jiahong and Meng Jingshu shared a dorm, and he was also the class president. From the moment Jiang Ying became interested in Meng Jingshu, Xu Jiahong created many opportunities for them to be alone: doing chores, drawing on the blackboard, calling people to meetings, arranging them together for activities, adjusting the seating chart—every single one was a behind-the-scenes manipulation. Later, it became too obvious, and the entire class knew about her little crush.

Even so, she couldn’t fulfill her girlish dream.

Xu Jiahong received the warning and changed the subject, smoothly transitioning to jokes. The meal was enjoyable enough, aside from the occasional half-smile from the person beside her.

But Jiang Ying didn’t look at him.

Just didn’t look at him.

Xu Jiahong had a small, selfish reason as a man for putting this gathering together.

Because he had work the next day, none of the men drank much, and they didn’t break up too late. Hearing that Huang Yanfei lived far away, Xu Jiahong immediately offered to take her home since they were going in the same direction. Then he secretly winked at Jiang Ying.

“...” Jiang Ying was speechless for a moment, but still helped him out, “You should go with him. Anyway, he called a car, so it’s a free ride, and the subway’s crowded on weekends anyway.”

Huang Yanfei subtly glanced at her, and the two had a silent conversation.

—What are you doing? Selling me out?

—So what, haven’t you sold me out too?

—Hmph.

Huang Yanfei didn’t fuss and readily agreed.

Then she added, “I originally wanted to go with Jiang Ying, but since that’s the case, Meng Jingshu, if it’s convenient for you, could you give her a ride home?”

Jiang Ying: “?”

The others, with a tacit understanding, agreed in unison, essentially egging them on.

Meng Jingshu smiled, “If Jiang Ying is willing, of course, no problem.”

Then he looked at her.

The crowd cast concerned glances.

Jiang Ying gritted her teeth and smiled, “Okay, thank you for the trouble.”

Everyone followed Xu Jiahong downstairs, saying he was going back abroad in a few days and wanted to see him off. After he and Huang Yanfei got into the car, everyone else dispersed. A Bo and Da Cheng lived not too far away and took the bus, leaving Jiang Ying and Meng Jingshu staring at each other.

Finally, Meng Jingshu spoke first, “Let’s go, to the parking lot.”

Jiang Ying followed him into the mall and down the escalator. The parking lot was on B2, but she stopped on B1.

“I’m taking the subway, goodbye.”

Meng Jingshu frowned, looking at her, already displeased: “Is it necessary, Jiang Ying?”

Jiang Ying saw no point in pretending anymore and said directly, “It’s awkward being with you.”

They were close, and Meng Jingshu lowered his voice, his tone icy: “Why wasn’t it awkward when we were in bed?”

There were passersby all around, so Jiang Ying didn’t want to say more. Without even another glance at him, she just walked away.

It was no exaggeration to say that the city center mall on a weekend evening was packed with people. On her way to the subway station, she brushed past countless strangers. Some, like her, walked alone in a hurry; others were in groups of three or five, laughing and playing. The mall played broadcasts, and the stores had their own playlists. There were many chaotic sounds around her, many people. But the more people there were, the more she felt utterly alone.

What did other people have to do with her? Everyone was just themselves, walking their own paths, holding their own memories.

She recalled many years past, thinking of Meng Jingshu, his character, his words. Hearing Xu Jiahong’s slip-up and his half-smile made her incredibly uncomfortable.

He probably guessed it all.

If she had ever moved him, then all those years of secret admiration, laid bare before him, would have been her commendable courage and effort.

But he never was.

All those years were just foolish jokes.