Chapter 174: He Was Inside the Car, Watching Them Kiss
Jin Yan Ting appeared at her graduation ceremony.
Lian Li still felt something in her heart, but it was no longer a surprise.
On the important days of her life, Jin Yan Ting seemed to have never been absent.
When she was a child, Lian Li liked to watch 《 Nezha Conquers the Dragon King 》 with Lian Jingcheng. Neither father nor daughter liked the saying ‘father’s love is like a mountain, silent,’ as it seemed to sculpt a great golden body for a father who didn’t love his child.
Lian Jingcheng told Lian Li that she existed as a complete person, not someone’s child, and did not need to follow anyone’s instructions or teachings.
If Lian Jingcheng did anything wrong, Lian Li could say it directly, express her demands, and state her thoughts. However, she knew he worked hard, so she turned a blind eye to some minor issues.
The Bible says that love is patient.
Their father-daughter affection roughly fit this view.
Then what about love?
From a single-parent family to being an orphan.
Although Lian Li didn’t receive much love from childhood to adulthood, she wasn’t easily moved by others’ efforts.
Cheap love, self-righteous giving, the kind of love that says ‘he doesn’t not love you, he loves you deeply and has done so much for you behind your back’ – in her opinion, that wasn’t love at all.
There were boys pursuing her at school, seemingly doing many things, but in reality, it was all empty talk on the surface.
Jin Yan Ting was different; he was generous with his kindness towards her.
His open and honest actions, in stark contrast to the verbal platitudes of his peers, led Lian Li to mistakenly believe he liked her.
Considering only actions or only intentions, perhaps neither constitutes love.
Indeed, practice is the test of truth. The above are all points she extracted from past experiences, and their truthfulness remains to be verified.
Lian Li cleared her thoughts and walked towards Jin Yan Ting.
“Brother.”
Jin Yan Ting looked her over: “Going to eat?”
Lian Li nodded: “Mm.”
“Invite me along?” Jin Yan Ting was a true gentleman, asking for her opinion, unlike Jin Shi Yue, the fake gentleman, who wouldn’t allow her to refuse.
At the freshman orientation ceremony four years ago, Lian Li also invited Jin Yan Ting to eat at the faculty restaurant.
The faculty restaurant was more expensive than the student restaurant and had an entry requirement, usually only open to teachers. Professor Lu Huier, not dining at the school, gave his card to Lian Li.
At that moment, Xue Shufan replied: “My camera is out of battery. I’ll go back to change it. You go eat first.”
Lian Li glanced at it, then looked up and said, “Okay, is it alright to go to the faculty restaurant?”
Jin Yan Ting nodded and lifted the corner of his mouth.
The distance wasn’t far, and the two walked side by side.
The contrast between a female university student in academic dress and a distinguished man in a suit naturally attracted attention. Coupled with their outstanding looks, they drew even more eyes.
Lian Li ignored the many gazes and discussions directed at Jin Yan Ting, remaining calm throughout.
They took the elevator to the third floor of the faculty building.
After ordering their food, the two chose a dining table to sit at. Shortly after, Assistant He came up with a gift box, saying it was a graduation gift for Lian Li.
Lian Li thanked him and accepted it, placing it aside.
Assistant He carried the meal tray and brought over the prepared food.
He didn’t feel humiliated. Earning such a high salary and doing basic waiter work was like a windfall.
Another reason Assistant He particularly liked Lian Li was that when Mr. Jin was with her, Assistant He’s work pressure was almost negligible.
After the meal, Lian Li and Jin Yan Ting went downstairs and walked along the tree-lined path of the school.
Their conversation revolved around Lian Li going abroad and whether she wanted to travel after graduation.
Jin Yan Ting’s itinerary was low-key today; he drove an inconspicuous domestic car. However, even with Assistant He parking the car by the roadside, it still attracted a crowd.
External possessions can change, but one’s aura cannot be hidden.
Jin Yan Ting said, “Go home for dinner tonight. The driver will pick you up then.”
Lian Li obediently replied, “Okay.”
“Tell the auntie at home what you want to eat, and she’ll make it for you,” Jin Yan Ting added.
Lian Li hummed, “I know. Brother, aren’t you in a hurry to get back to the company for a meeting? Hurry up and get in the car!”
The little girl from before had learned to urge him on.
Jin Yan Ting couldn’t help but move the corner of his mouth and smiled, “Consider it. Come to Switzerland with me next month.”
Lian Li had refused before, but since he asked again, she could only nod: “Okay.”
After watching Jin Yan Ting get into the car and seeing his car drive away, gradually shrinking, Lian Li withdrew her gaze.
The dappled sunlight illuminated her hair, a gentle breeze lifted the hem of her clothes, and she walked across the campus path, holding her graduation cap.
Lian Li lowered her eyes to her mobile phone and found that Jin Shi Yue had called her. She slowed her pace and called him back.
After a few rings, the call was connected.
The man’s casual voice drifted to Lian Li’s ears through the internet: “Where are you?”
“Teacher’s Home.”
“Whose home?”
Lian Li couldn’t help but laugh: “The school’s faculty canteen, Teacher’s Home.”
Jin Shi Yue heard her laughter: “Make me smile later.”
“Are you nearby?” Lian Li looked around.
“Lift your head higher and look northeast.”
Lian Li did as he said but saw nothing: “And then?”
“Say you miss me, and you’ll see me,” Jin Shi Yue enticed.
Lian Li: “…”
She didn’t believe him.
“Why aren’t you saying it?” Jin Shi Yue asked leisurely.
“I’m not thinking of you.”
Lian Li didn’t want to deal with him; he was always so unserious. Just as she was about to say goodbye, she suddenly saw something in the distance approaching bit by bit.
Was it the school’s aerial drone?
As Lian Li was confused, Jin Shi Yue’s voice came from her mobile phone: “See it?”
He always seemed to like asking if she saw it.
Lian Li said, “Mm.”
A soft chuckle sounded in her ear, and his pronunciation had an indescribable ambiguity: “You really miss me, Lian Li.”
If you miss him, you can see him.
She saw it, so does that mean she missed him?
Lian Li felt his logic couldn’t withstand scrutiny. Just as she was about to hang up, she realized the thing flying in the air wasn’t an aerial drone; that behemoth was clearly a helicopter!
Lian Li felt incredulous: “Are you on the helicopter?”
“You got it right. I’ll reward you when your boyfriend comes down,” Jin Shi Yue said, his tone not frivolous, but even a little serious, as if truly praising her.
Lian Li didn’t know how to evaluate Jin Shi Yue’s actions.
If you say he’s high-profile, he only brought a helicopter and landed it quietly in a little-known open space at the school.
If you say he’s low-profile, arriving at school openly by helicopter can hardly be considered low-profile.
Lian Li waited for Jin Shi Yue under a lush tree at the entrance of the canteen. He didn’t make her wait long; he appeared soon.
The man had a broad build, wide shoulders, and long legs, walking towards her with steady yet casual steps.
The calm charm of a mature man mixed with that relaxed, unrestrained, and incredibly arrogant demeanor was extremely attractive.
The branches and leaves of the Chinese parasol tree were dense, and the trunk was so large that it could completely shade Lian Li.
Jin Shi Yue strode up to her. Lian Li tilted her head up, opened her mouth, but before she could utter a sound, he cupped her face, lowered his head, and kissed her.
This kiss was different from all previous ones.
Refreshing, pure, and addictively tempting.
After the kiss, Lian Li pushed him away. Just as she was about to speak, she saw something, and her expression instantly froze.
That car had returned.
The rear window rolled down, revealing Jin Yan Ting’s refined profile.
He was inside the car, watching them kiss outside.
