DXXZL - 67

Jiang Tu’s breath caught, and he stiffened, lowering his head. His emotions swirled thickly in his eyes as he looked at her uncertainly: “What did you just say?”

He had heard her clearly, but she had already given him so many touching surprises tonight that he couldn’t quite believe it.

Zhu Xingyao leaned against his chest. Whether it was an illusion or not, for a fleeting moment, his heartbeat seemed to quicken. Her face flushed as she tilted her head up and whispered softly: “I just want to be with you. I’ll be gone for over a week, and Hua has been receiving many collaboration offers recently, all of which are under negotiation. I might get really busy soon, and there’s also a competition to prepare for…”

Moreover, it wasn’t just her who’d be busy—he’d be busy too.

Jiang Tu paused, seeming to understand her meaning now. She simply wanted to spend time with him, nothing more. He lowered his gaze, masking his yearning. Perhaps he had overthought things. After all, they hadn’t been together for very long.

Just moments ago, Zhu Yunping had spoken with him. They still weren’t sure if they approved of their relationship.

He recalled how unpredictable she had been in high school—always catching him off guard, stealing his heart, and nearly driving him mad. He helped her adjust her mask and said helplessly: “Stars, think carefully before saying certain things.” He hesitated briefly, then added bluntly, “I might misunderstand.”

Zhu Xingyao froze, momentarily confused.

Jiang Tu’s eyes were dark and deep. His slender fingers gently pinched her earlobe, the emotions in his eyes still lingering: “I’ve liked you for so long. My feelings for you aren’t purely platonic, do you understand?”

Zhu Xingyao’s ear tingled from his touch, and her heart raced. She quickly lowered her head, nervous: “I… I didn’t think that far ahead…”

They had only recently confirmed their relationship. Aside from when he kissed her, Jiang Tu usually maintained a distant, self-restrained demeanor. She truly hadn’t considered anything beyond companionship.

Silence stretched for a few seconds.

Jiang Tu ruffled her hair, turned to unlock the door, and murmured: “Your dad is probably still outside. Even if I wanted to take you home, it might not be possible.” He glanced back at her. “I need your parents to accept me first.”

Zhu Xingyao followed him out of the dressing room, her face completely red.

Xiao Kui and Xiao Tian had walked outside earlier but returned upon realizing they hadn’t followed.

Zhu Xingyao looked at Xiao Kui: “Where’s my dad?”

Xiao Kui replied: “He’s outside. He told me and Xiao Tian to go home first; he’ll drive you back himself.”

Zhu Xingyao glanced at Jiang Tu. He released her hand, looked down at her, and said: “Send me a message when you get home. Go to bed early tonight. If you can’t sleep, you can call me.”

Worried about nearby reporters, they parted ways.

As a public figure, Zhu Xingyao wasn’t concerned about being photographed or exposed. However, considering Jiang Tu’s personality, she knew he wouldn’t appreciate their relationship being scrutinized and discussed by netizens. Sitting in Zhu Yunping’s car, she leaned forward: “Dad, do you really dislike Jiang Tu?”

Zhu Yunping chuckled while driving: “Stars, it’s not that I dislike him. I just don’t think he’s the most suitable person for you. Being with him might bring back unpleasant memories.”

“But I’m happy now!” Zhu Xingyao countered.

Zhu Yunping fell silent for a moment, then sighed helplessly: “You’re twenty-six now. Your mother and I can’t force you to make a choice.”

Zhu Xingyao blinked, then smiled brightly: “So does that mean you agree?”

Zhu Yunping gave a faint hum: “Did I say that? I only said we won’t strongly interfere with your decision. It still depends on his actions.”

The incident years ago had left a deep psychological scar on Zhu Xingyao, causing her to instinctively avoid thinking about it. Since the root cause involved Jiang Tu, only he could help her confront and resolve her inner struggles. Only then could Zhu Yunping and Ding Yu truly feel at ease.

________________________________________

The next afternoon, Zhu Xingyao flew to New York with Hua Ling and her team. Her interview aired online that same day, sparking widespread speculation among netizens about the identity of the person she mentioned. Zhu Xingyao remained tight-lipped on the matter.

In mid-November, after finishing her work, Zhu Xingyao prepared to return home the following day. Sitting on her bed, she opened Xiao Jiang and tapped the “On-Demand Service” button.

Due to final testing and the product launch, Jiang Tu had been extremely busy lately. With the time difference between them, they often missed calls—either he was occupied, or she was asleep. Today, however, both finally had some free time. It was evening where Jiang Tu was, and Zhu Xingyao waited anxiously for a response. Eventually, she received an automated reply.

Frowning, she wondered: Didn’t he say he’d be home early tonight?

She tapped the button again.

Half a minute later, the video connected. The camera showed the familiar gray bed, with a black sweater lying on it—but no sign of Jiang Tu. A moment later, his muscular back came into view. His shoulders were broader than in his youth. He picked up the sweater and quickly pulled it on, facing away from the camera. The entire process took only four or five seconds, but it was undeniably captivating.

Over the years, Jiang Tu had maintained a habit of long-distance running, capable of running ten kilometers without stopping. His physique had always been excellent, and Zhu Xingyao found herself momentarily mesmerized. Turning around and approaching the camera, he explained: “I was taking a shower. How many times did you call?”

Zhu Xingyao’s mind was still replaying the image of him putting on the sweater. Looking at his calm face, she cupped her cheeks and rubbed them nervously: “Just… twice.”

Jiang Tu took the phone to his study. His hair was still damp, and he wasn’t wearing glasses. “Tomorrow is the final test, and the day after, I’ll head to Beijing for the product launch,” he said, sitting down and looking at the screen. “Can you fly directly to Beijing when you return? I’ll change your ticket.”

Zhu Xingyao pouted: “In a couple of days, it’s Grandma’s eightieth birthday. I have to go back.”

Jiang Tu paused, thought for a moment, and replied: “Then never mind.”

“Will you appear at your company’s product launch?” Zhu Xingyao suddenly asked.

Jiang Tu opened his laptop and nodded slightly. Zhu Xingyao pressed further: “Will you be nervous?”

Leaning back in his chair, Jiang Tu smiled: “Not nervous, just not fond of cameras. But since this product is something I developed, I can’t avoid presenting it myself. My explanation will be more effective.” He paused, lifting his gaze to meet hers. “And since I’m your boyfriend, in the future… I’ll try my best to attend your performances. I don’t plan to keep avoiding the spotlight forever.”

I’m your boyfriend, and someday, I’ll be your husband.

Zhu Xingyao suspected that was what he truly meant. Smiling faintly, she lowered her head.

________________________________________

Two days later, Zhu Xingyao returned home and was unpacking her luggage when Zhang Sao brought in a box: “Miss, this arrived yesterday. It’s for you.”

Zhu Xingyao opened the box and found a robot inside, along with a note:

This robot is perfect for keeping elderly company.

A gift for Grandma’s eightieth birthday.

Wishing her longevity.

—November 20, 2017

Signed: Jiang Tu.

Zhu Xingyao took a photo and sent it to him, asking curiously: “I received it, but why wasn’t the note written with your left hand?”

Jiang Tu replied: “It wasn’t a love letter.”

Zhu Xingyao: “…Oh.”

After pondering for a moment, she abandoned her luggage and rushed to the kitchen to find Ding Yu. Ding Yu was stir-frying vegetables when Zhu Xingyao entered. Smiling, she asked: “Hungry? Dinner will be ready soon.”

“No,” Zhu Xingyao said quickly. “Mom, those love letters I asked you to throw away back then—did you really toss them?”

Ding Yu set down her spatula and looked at her quizzically: “Why? Do you want them back?”

Zhu Xingyao felt embarrassed to admit she had searched the attic multiple times. Lowering her voice, she explained: “Those letters… were written by Jiang Tu. I want to retrieve them. If they’re already gone, then it’s fine.”

Ding Yu paused, understanding dawning on her. She instructed Zhang Sao to watch the stove and turned to Zhu Xingyao: “I didn’t throw them away. You’ve kept every unbroken toy since childhood, so I stored those eighty-seven love letters in the attic.”

Zhu Xingyao stared at her.

Ding Yu sighed: “Let’s go upstairs and look for them.”

They climbed to the attic, where Ding Yu retrieved the stack of love letters from beneath Zhu Xingyao’s old elementary school textbooks. Zhu Xingyao frowned: “You hid them so well—it’s no wonder I couldn’t find them…”

Ding Yu shot her a look: “So you’ve searched before?”

Zhu Xingyao puffed out her cheeks: “Only twice.”

“When you were little, you couldn’t even lie without avoiding eye contact,” Ding Yu teased, brushing dust off the cards. Spotting the one dated August 29, 2008, she paused, then looked up at her daughter: “These are really from Jiang Tu?”

Zhu Xingyao accepted the stack, feeling a weight lift from her chest. She murmured softly: “He wrote them with his left hand.”

Jiang Tu’s product launch was scheduled for November 26th, and Zhu Xingyao booked a flight to Beijing for the evening of the 25th.

The night before her departure, Lin Jiayu called: “Stars, would you mind if Waiting for the Stars were published? My editor has been hounding me for the manuscript. She wants to publish it, but I said I needed consent from the real-life inspirations. I’m worried she might contact you directly.” Lin Jiayu sighed in frustration. “Besides, the old fans have already guessed that you’re the prototype. I feel like I can’t hide it anymore.”

Zhu Xingyao thought for a moment, then said softly: “Whether I mind or not doesn’t matter anymore. The posts from First High School have already gained so much attention, and the last school anniversary exposed everything. I think the person who should care the most is Lu Ji.”

Jiang Tu had endured years of misunderstanding without ever explaining himself. Now that he was with Zhu Xingyao, those things no longer mattered to him.

Lin Jiayu fell silent, then laughed: “You’re right. If it gets exposed, Lu Ji might get torn apart by the backlash.”

Zhu Xingyao pursed her lips: “Have you told him?”

“How could I dare? I don’t even know how to approach it…” Lin Jiayu groaned, regretful. “If I’d known this would happen, I wouldn’t have written about my high school crush on him. Jiang Tu will definitely scold me when he finds out… I feel like I’ve stirred two hornet’s nests, and I’m doomed.”

Zhu Xingyao chuckled: “Don’t worry. If Jiang Tu scolds you, I’ll stop him.”

As for Lu Ji…

That was something Lin Jiayu would have to handle on her own.

________________________________________

At 10:30 PM on the 25th, Zhu Xingyao dragged her small suitcase out of the airport alone. Beijing was colder than Jiangcheng, so she buried her face in her scarf and walked toward the parking lot. From a distance, she spotted Jiang Tu standing beside a black business car.

Suddenly, Zhu Xingyao realized she hadn’t had that recurring nightmare in a long time.

Jiang Tu wore a black overcoat, his pale skin contrasting sharply with his sharp features. As Zhu Xingyao approached, her eyes curved into a smile. Jiang Tu immediately pulled her into a tight embrace and whispered: “Why are you here alone? Where’s Xiao Kui?”

Zhu Xingyao mumbled: “I came to see you, not to work. Why would I bring Xiao Kui?”