DXXZL - 63

Zhu Xingyao felt that Waiting for the Stars was a book that unveiled the secrets of time. Within its pages, she saw another side of Jiang Tu, one unknown to most, and also uncovered Lin Jiayu’s deeply hidden teenage secrets.

—Lin Jiayu seemed to be the clearest-headed among their group. She was the first to realize Jiang Tu’s feelings for Zhu Xingyao and the first to know about Lu Ji’s hidden truths. Yet, no matter how much she understood, those secrets were hers to bear silently.

Even so, she still ended up falling for Lu Ji.

Zhu Xingyao asked again: “Did you choose Guangzhou over Beijing because of Lu Ji?”

Perhaps at that time, even Lin Jiayu thought she and Lu Ji could work things out, which is why she chose to distance herself. Let alone Jiang Tu.

Lin Jiayu looked at Zhu Xingyao and smiled faintly: “You know, when I first started serializing Waiting for the Stars online, many readers criticized Lu Ji. But in reality, he was seen as bright and outstanding by his parents, school leaders, and classmates. In essence, people like me and Jiang Tu are cut from the same cloth. Growing up together in Hexi Alley, we viewed you and Lu Ji as belonging to a different world. Over the years, I’ve been much happier than Jiang Tu because I’m more open-minded and better at letting go. If you ask me now whether I still like Lu Ji, honestly, I don’t know. He’s certainly special, but I don’t have Jiang Tu’s stubbornness, nor do I see him as irreplaceable.”

Zhu Xingyao fell silent for a moment before saying: “I’m sorry... If it weren’t for me...”

“Stop!” Lin Jiayu exclaimed, feeling overwhelmed. She covered her face awkwardly and muttered, “It’s not your fault—it’s all on Lu Ji and Jiang Tu, those two troublemakers. Besides, liking someone isn’t inherently right or wrong.”

She lowered her hands and looked earnestly at Zhu Xingyao: “Don’t forget, the protagonists of this book are you and Jiang Tu. People like me, Lu Ji, and Li Xixi are just supporting characters. Since I’ve written it all out and dared to show it to you, there’s nothing left to dwell on.”

At this point, anything Zhu Xingyao said would only make things awkward.

________________________________________

That night, the R&D department at Weichuang Technology was working overtime. Jiang Tu and Lao Yuan didn’t leave until after 10 PM. As they headed to their cars, Jiang Tu glanced at Lao Yuan: “How are things between you and Lin Jiayu?”

Lao Yuan sighed: “I think Little Lin might not like me. Every time I ask her out, she says she’s busy…”

Jiang Tu paused, his expression calm. Lao Yuan assumed he was pondering whether there was anyone else suitable. Sure enough, Jiang Tu’s tone was indifferent as he said: “If she doesn’t like you, then there’s nothing we can do about it.”

Lao Yuan rolled his eyes: “Brother, you’re so heartless! Don’t you know feelings can develop over time? If we don’t spend time together, how can we build a connection? This is where助攻 (support) comes in. You should arrange more opportunities for us to meet!”

Jiang Tu turned off the car lights, lit a cigarette inside the vehicle, and took a slow drag. Then he called Zhu Xingyao.

It was past 10 PM when Zhu Xingyao returned home after shopping with Lin Jiayu. She carried two shopping bags and her cello as she stepped inside. After changing her shoes at the door, she held the phone to her ear: “Arrange opportunities for them to meet? You could invite Lao Yuan and Lin Jiayu over for dinner at your place, like last time.”

Ding Yu and Zhu Yunping were watching TV in the living room. She gave them a quick smile before running upstairs and closing her bedroom door.

Jiang Tu spoke softly: “I’ll be going on a business trip in two days. I probably won’t be back until early November.”

More than a week? Zhu Xingyao tossed the shopping bags onto the bed and asked worriedly: “Will you make it to my concert?”

“Yes,” he chuckled softly.

Relieved, Zhu Xingyao walked to the desk and opened Xiao Jiang: “Tu Ge, I’ve opened Xiao Jiang.”

She wanted to video call him.

This had already become a habit.

The video connected, and Zhu Xingyao saw the dim lighting and confined space through the screen. Standing in front of the camera, she asked: “Are you still in the car? Did you just get off work?”

Jiang Tu turned the phone slightly, revealing the familiar security booth.

“Stars, I’m here,” he said.

Zhu Xingyao had gone upstairs just minutes ago but quickly ran back down. Only Zhu Yunping remained in the living room. She told him: “Dad, I’m going out for a bit.”

After putting on her shoes, she dashed out of the house.

The cool night breeze brushed against her face, blowing her hair behind her ears. She ran past the security booth and spotted a black Mercedes parked under the shadow of a tree nearby. Jiang Tu opened the car door and stepped out. She ran to him, stepping on fallen leaves that crunched underfoot.

Breathless, she looked up at him with surprise: “What are you doing here?”

Jiang Tu reached out to touch her chilled cheek. He pulled her around the front of the car and said: “I’m leaving early the day after tomorrow and likely won’t have time tomorrow, so I came to see you tonight.” He ushered her into the car and circled back to the driver’s seat.

The car was warm, and Zhu Xingyao’s heart raced. Turning to look at Jiang Tu, she realized she had missed him despite parting ways just after midnight the previous night. She couldn’t help but smile: “You’re leaving at 8:30 AM the day after tomorrow? I can come to see you off.”

“No need,” Jiang Tu replied. “It’s too early.”

Suddenly, the outside lit up. Zhu Xingyao turned to see fireworks being set off across the way, illuminating the distant sky.

She turned back: “Tu Ge, shall we go for a walk?”

They got out of the car. Seeing her wearing a loose, chunky-knit sweater, Jiang Tu asked softly: “Are you cold?”

Zhu Xingyao shook her head: “No.”

The road outside the villa was quiet and serene, perfect for jogging or strolling at night. Jiang Tu held Zhu Xingyao’s hand as they walked. Suddenly, her phone rang—it was Li Xixi calling.

Li Xixi had just finished work and was lounging in the passenger seat of Xu Xiangyang’s car. Lazily, she said: “Stars, let’s continue our conversation from this morning.”

Xu Xiangyang leaned over helplessly to buckle her seatbelt, giving her lips a quick peck. Li Xixi shot him a sidelong glance. Xu Xiangyang raised an eyebrow, whispering: “What? Got something against a kiss?”

Hearing this, Zhu Xingyao interjected awkwardly: “Are you calling to let me listen to your private moments?”

“Not at all,” Li Xixi swatted Xu Xiangyang away.

A gust of cold wind blew past, scattering yellow leaves. Zhu Xingyao shivered, and Jiang Tu stopped walking. He turned and pulled her into his arms. Feeling warmth envelop her, Zhu Xingyao tilted her head up, then lowered it shyly: “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

Xu Xiangyang held Li Xixi’s hand tightly. Unable to resist, Li Xixi glared at him but continued earnestly: “Oh, by the way, Ding Xiang’s wife is pregnant. She just bragged about it on her social media. I thought you might not check your feed, so I wanted to let you know in case you’re unprepared next time we meet.”

After the accident years ago, Zhu Xingyao developed multiple traumas related to that day. She avoided stairwells, steered clear of pregnant women, and suffered recurring nightmares. Though she had improved significantly over the years, she still instinctively avoided such triggers. Her psychologist had said she hadn’t fully healed.

Zhu Xingyao fell silent, burying her face in Jiang Tu’s chest. Her voice was muffled: “Okay, I know.”

Jiang Tu faintly heard Li Xixi’s words and assumed she meant preparing a gift for the baby.

After hanging up, Zhu Xingyao brushed away some fallen leaves from Jiang Tu’s shoulder and blurted out randomly: “Tu Ge, the eighty-seven love letters you wrote me may be lost forever.”

Jiang Tu looked down at her, surprised: “You kept them?”

Zhu Xingyao shook her head: “They’re lost.”

A beam of light swept over them as a car drove by. Jiang Tu led her back toward the villa, his tone calm: “If they’re lost, then so be it. If you want, I’ll write them again later. I remember everything.”

Zhu Xingyao’s heart softened, and a sudden impulse washed over her—an impulse that had lingered since finishing Waiting for the Stars the night before.

She turned, stood on her tiptoes, cupped his face with both hands, and kissed his lips.

Jiang Tu froze, surprised by her initiative. The soft, moist sensation on his lips confirmed it was real. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he raised a hand to cradle the back of her head, deepening the kiss.

When Zhu Xingyao returned home, Zhu Yunping was still watching the evening news. He glanced back at her and smiled gently: “Who came to see you?”

Zhu Xingyao sat beside him and admitted: “Jiang Tu.”

Zhu Yunping let out a heavy sigh: “Isn’t Jiang Yi good enough? So many people are pursuing you, yet you insist on choosing him.”

“Dad…” Zhu Xingyao leaned against Zhu Yunping’s shoulder, pouting playfully. “Don’t hold a grudge against him because of those incidents. He’s really good, and he’s different from others.”

“How so?” Zhu Yunping countered. He did harbor some bias against Jiang Tu, but wasn’t that justified?

Zhu Xingyao turned her head, blinking innocently: “Because he’s my boyfriend now.”

Zhu Yunping gasped audibly, looking like he wanted to scold her.

Lowering her head, Zhu Xingyao whispered: “Dad, I think he’s the best. Even though something terrible happened to me because of him, I still believe he’s the best, and I like him.”

Zhu Yunping frowned, ruffling her hair in disapproval. Without commenting on Jiang Tu, he said: “Go upstairs and get some rest.”

________________________________________

Jiang Tu went to Beijing on a business trip, and Lin Jiayu also traveled there to sign a contract. Coincidentally, their return dates aligned—both were scheduled for November 6th. Upon learning this, Lao Yuan eagerly booked Lin Jiayu’s flight ticket alongside theirs.

On the plane, Lao Yuan sat beside Lin Jiayu, enthusiastically saying: “I read Embracing the Moon . It’s incredibly well-written.”

Lin Jiayu was surprised: “You actually read it?”

“Of course!” Lao Yuan replied. “I plan to read all your books eventually. Except for one that’s locked—I couldn’t access it. What was it called? Waiting for Stars ?”

Lin Jiayu quickly glanced across the aisle at Jiang Tu, who had removed his glasses and was resting with an eye mask on. Relieved, she whispered: “That one… I’ll show it to you if there’s a chance.”

“Great!” Lao Yuan beamed.

________________________________________

Zhu Xingyao arrived at the airport at 5:30 AM and waited for ten minutes before Jiang Tu’s tall figure came into view, with Lin Jiayu and Lao Yuan following behind. Zhu Xingyao told Old Liu: “Uncle Liu, you can go back first. No need to pick me up tonight.”

The temperature was low that day, so Zhu Xingyao wore a thick scarf, covering half her face while leaving her clear, sparkling eyes exposed. Her porcelain skin and elegant appearance naturally drew attention, and passersby couldn’t help but turn their heads to look at her. She lowered her face and walked toward Jiang Tu.

Jiang Tu paused, raising his head to look at her: “Didn’t I say not to come pick me up?”

Zhu Xingyao’s eyes sparkled with laughter: “Aren’t we having dinner together? Waiting for you at the airport feels better than waiting at the restaurant.”

Seeing Zhu Xingyao, Lao Yuan happily remarked: “Du Yunfei arrived in Jiangcheng two hours earlier. If he sees you and knows you’re Jiang Tu’s girlfriend, he’ll be both thrilled and shocked.”

Du Yunfei worked in Shenzhen and had come early specifically to see Jiang Tu—they hadn’t met in years—and attend Zhu Xingyao’s concert. He even fantasized about buying a VIP ticket from scalpers.

Lao Yuan, mischievous as always, deliberately kept this information from Du Yunfei, setting up a trap for him.

Jiang Tu said: “Let’s get in the car first.”

Lao Yuan walked toward Lin Jiayu, declaring matter-of-factly: “I won’t be a third wheel. I’ll ride with Little Lin.”

“Oh, okay,” Lin Jiayu responded.

Zhu Xingyao and Jiang Tu got into the car. She fastened her seatbelt and commented: “Lao Yuan seems quite skilled at pursuing girls.”

“Does he?” Jiang Tu pushed his glasses up, starting the car.

“Mm,” Zhu Xingyao hummed softly, turning to look at him. “Actually, you’re pretty good too. You just… don’t use your skills properly.” She suddenly remembered something and glanced at the phone on the center console. “By the way, about those photos you made Xia Jin delete—are you secretly keeping them?”

Jiang Tu paused, exasperated: “Is this Lin Jiayu telling you again?”

He didn’t yet know that Lin Jiayu had written down all the secrets she knew in the book. Zhu Xingyao pressed further: “Can I see them?”

“They’re in the phone album,” Jiang Tu said.

Delighted, Zhu Xingyao picked up his phone, only to find it locked with a password.

Jiang Tu murmured: “Your birthday is the password.”