Chapter Three: The Key

  Jiang Zhen smiled lightly: "If it's Peach Blossom Doom, then so be it."

  I took a deep breath and told myself he was just joking.

  Followed him into the private house dish restaurant, the decoration inside the restaurant was very clean, although it couldn't compare to the high-end atmosphere of a hotel, but it also had some subtle elegance. The waiter led us to a suite outside and knocked on the door.

  "Come in."

  The waiter helped us push open the door, and Jiang Zhun gestured for me to go in first. When it came down to it, I wasn't nervous at all, and I walked in with a faint smile, calling out to the person standing up: "Aunt Shen." Aunt Shen smiled warmly and welcomed me over, putting her hand on my shoulder and pressing me into the seat: "Come come come, little Shu, busy with school? Sit down quickly, what do you want to eat, order yourself."

  "Auntie, you're too polite," I hastily said, "Auntie, please sit down too."

  Shen Aunt sat down beside me and turned around saying "Jiang Zhun, come sit here." As she said that, she pulled Jiang Zhun to her other side.

  I breathed a sigh of relief, fortunately he didn't sit next to me.

  We soon ordered our food. The waiter came and took away the menu, then left.

  There were only three of us left in the private room. Then, Shen Ayi smiled and said: "It's been almost two months since we last met, how come you look thinner again?"

  I smiled and said: "Where is it? The weather is getting cold soon, just in time for nourishing the skin."

  Aunt Shen burst out laughing: "You silly girl, Jiang Zhen. What are you standing there for? Pour the drinks! Xiao Shu, do you want to drink coconut milk? If not, Auntie can order something else for you. Do you want orange juice or grapefruit juice? How about blueberry juice?"

  "No need, no need, coconut juice is fine."

  Throughout the whole process, Jiang Zhen didn't say a word, quietly pouring coconut juice for us, sitting quietly on one side drinking, and listening quietly. I sneaked a few glances at him, seeing that he was staring at his phone, so I felt relieved, at least it wasn't that awkward.

  But I didn't know that when I withdrew my gaze, he happened to lift his head.

  At the table, Aunt Shen kept serving me dishes and asked me to eat more to nourish my body. I looked at the full bowl of braised pork trotters in front of me, feeling like crying but unable to shed a tear.

  "Cough, Auntie, don't just give her meat all the time." Jiang Zhun picked up a chopstick of stir-fried greens and put it on the plate in front of me, saying to Shen Auntie, "No matter how delicious the meat is, it will get tired of eating it."

  "Ah, yes, yes, you're very understanding. By the way, Xiao Shu."

  "Ah?" I was staring blankly at the small green vegetable in front of me, when she called out to me. I hastily lifted my head, but unexpectedly collided with Jiang Zhen's deep and profound gaze.

  "Ah, the old Tang family mansion? I've already taken it over officially. I invited some Taoist priests to perform a ritual and we're currently renovating. I was able to get this house thanks to you too. I've reserved a guest room for you, whenever you want to come stay, just let me know." She placed a key in front of me as she spoke.

  Now, I was completely awake and didn't care about Jiang's awkwardness or being a lady. I hastily stood up and said: "How can this be? Auntie, I won't accept it, this really won't do. Please take it back quickly."

  "Xiao Shu." Aunt Shen's face was serious, "In this matter, I have no other personal motives. I've always wanted a daughter, but I couldn't give birth to one myself, and now you're my only niece. You are my lifesaver, so don't mention just one guest room, I'd be willing to give you the entire mansion if you want it. Take this key, whether or not you plan on coming to stay, the room will always be reserved for you."

  "But..."

  "Aunt." Jiang Zhun interrupted me, he reached out and took the key, smiling lightly, "I'll keep it for her, is that okay with you? Whenever she wants to go live there, I'll give her the key."

  "Hey, you little scamp, don't think about embezzling it."

  Jiang Zhun nodded with a hint of a smile.

  I have no choice but to give up for now.

  After finishing lunch, it was already one o'clock in the afternoon. Aunt Shen drove herself and left first. After sending her off, we decided to take a walk by the river.

  I found a quiet place to sit down, and Jiang Zhun suddenly grasped my hand. I was shocked and tried to pull it back in a hurry, but there was a sudden addition of a hard object in the palm of my hand.

  "Shu Ling." Jiang Zhun handed me the key, but didn't let go. "You take the key, if you don't want to stay, no one will force you."

  I nodded reluctantly: "Okay."

  Jiang hooked up the corner of his lips and then let go of his hand. I withdrew my own hand, then carefully put the key into my backpack.

  "I..."

  "Today..."

  The bizarre phenomenon of speaking in unison actually happened to me, and I simply don't know what language to use to describe this incredibly absurd moment.

  Jiang Zhen smiled and said, "Go ahead."

  I was just about to speak when my phone suddenly rang. At the same time, Jiang Zhun's phone also rang.

  An email from an organization.

  I opened it casually and suddenly felt like I had fallen into an ice cellar.