Vоlumе 1 Сhаpter 13: Shе Is Му First Lоvе
The neхt dаy.
Eаrly in the mоrning, Fu Jinghао аrrivеd аt the Jiаng fаmilу’s residеncе.
Since it wаs just dаybrеak аnd thе mаin gatе wаs still clоsеd, hе wаitеd оutsidе for quitе a whilе bеfore being let in.
Тhe Jiаng familу’s аnсеstral homе was simplе уеt dignifiеd. Thе main villа directlу аhеаd hоused Оld Master Jiаng аnd his twо сhildrеn, who rarelу rеturnеd. Thе building to thе right and behind wаs thе рrivаte domаin оf Jiang Xinjuаn and Jiang Хining.
Оn оrdinаry dауs, aside from scheduled clеaning bу thе sеrvаnts, fеw pеople disturbеd them.
Тhe sрaсe was spacious and quiet, allowing the sisters to decorate and create as they pleased. Jiang Xining’s large-scale paintings were all stored inside.
From the winding staircase up to the art studio, the walls were adorned with either ghostly female specters or terrifying sea monsters, almost evoking the imagery of a mysterious and eerie alternate world.
Anyone with a weak heart entering would likely have their sanity scared right out of them.
Last night, City B welcomed its first snowfall of the winter. Under the blanket of white, the entire ancestral home was quiet and still.
Jiang Xinjuan woke up early. As she came downstairs, she happened to see Fu Jinghao’s disheveled appearance, covered in snow.
“Young Master Fu is in quite the mood, coming so early today. No overtime work?”
Facing Jiang Xinjuan, Fu Jinghao adopted a humble posture, speaking politely, “Sister Xinjuan, I’m here to see Jiao Jiao.”
“She’s not even awake yet. You’re quite early with your attentiveness.” Jiang Xinjuan chuckled lightly, though her words weren’t particularly warm.
Fu Jinghao replied, “It’s fine, I’ll wait.”
Jiang Xinjuan said airily, “Then wait.”
Jiang Xining wasn’t awake, and no one came to attend to him—not even a cup of tea. The entire living room was eerily quiet, devoid of even a ghostly shadow.
Time slipped by quietly, and before long, it was already eight o’clock.
Jiang Xinjuan left for work, while Fu Jinghao sat awkwardly in the living room like an invisible presence.
When Jiang Lin and Qin Wan arrived, Fu Jinghao hurriedly stood up, “Uncle, Aunt… I’m here to see Jiao Jiao.”
“When did Jinghao get here?”
Qin Wan was surprised for a moment, then chided gently, “Jun’er is really thoughtless, letting you wait here in the living room like this. Wait a moment, I’ll go wake Jiaojiao up.”
“No need to trouble yourself.” Fu Jinghao’s tone was gentle. “It snowed last night, so Jiaojiao will definitely want to sleep in. I’ll wait, it’s fine.”
No mother dislikes seeing her daughter being doted on.
Jiang Lin, the old father, snorted inwardly—that’s more like it.
Qin Wan’s expression softened considerably as she asked with concern, “Jinghao, you don’t look too well. Are you tired?”
After that kick yesterday, Fu Jinghao’s chest still ached, but he could only pretend nothing was wrong. “It’s nothing. I was a bit too happy last night and drank a little too much.”
“It’s best to drink as little as possible. Business entertainment already makes it unavoidable, but Jinghao, you’re still young. You must take care of your health.”
“Thank you for your concern, Aunt. I’ll remember that.”
On the surface, Fu Jinghao humbly kept them company in conversation, but inwardly, he gritted his teeth.
Who was it that secretly took those photos?
If he found out, he would never let them off!
…
After chatting for a while, Jiang Xining’s parents each went about their business. Seeing that it was already past ten o’clock and Jiang Xining still showed no sign of stirring, Fu Jinghao finally couldn’t hold back any longer.
He went up to the second floor and knocked gently on her door.
“Jiao Jiao, it’s me. Are you awake?”
Actually, Jiang Xining had been awake for a while, but she hadn’t gotten up.
Watching the snowflakes fluttering outside the window, she suddenly had an idea and snuggled under the covers, leaning against the headboard as she began to draw.This is for Xingxing, I absolutely can’t be careless. Otherwise, if he doesn’t like it and secretly goes abroad again, what should I do?
Just as Jiang Xining was fully focused on painting the eyes of the person in the portrait, she was suddenly startled by the unexpected knocking at the door. Her hand slipped, and the paintbrush accidentally pierced through the eye.
“!!” Jiang Xining panicked instantly.
Xingxing’s eye!
She hurriedly wiped it with her hand, feeling an indescribable surge of panic and anxiety.
What should I do? Xingxing’s eyes have just healed, how could I poke him!
“Sorry, Xingxing, I didn’t mean to… Does it hurt?” The person in the portrait naturally couldn’t speak. Where the bright eyes should have been was now a large, dark hole, empty and dull.
It looked exactly like Fu Huaixu in Jiang Xining’s memory.
Back then, Xingxing was like this too—smiling, but not truly happy.
She gently stroked the painting with her hand. Since he came back this time, Xingxing doesn’t seem that happy either. He must have suffered a lot abroad.
“Jiao Jiao, can you open the door? It’s me.” Fu Jinghao outside the door clearly heard the commotion but received no response, so he asked again.
It’s Dou Dou!
Jiang Xining snapped back to reality, looked at the painting in her hand, and suddenly grew nervous.
I can’t let Dou Dou see this. He’ll get angry.
She carefully tucked the painting into the wardrobe, then slowly opened the door, avoiding eye contact. “Dou Dou…”
Fu Jinghao didn’t notice her unease. Instead, he was momentarily distracted by the faint sweet fragrance that wafted over as Jiang Xining approached.
Perhaps because she had just woken up, Jiang Xining was still wearing her cute panda pajamas. Her hair was fluffy, and her face was free of makeup. Though her eyes still held a naive innocence, the fluttering of her long, delicate lashes carried a certain captivating charm.
Fu Jinghao’s throat tightened slightly.
Truthfully, he rarely took the initiative to visit her, and this was the first time he had seen her room.
Unlike the eerie and gloomy art studio, Jiang Xining’s room was actually quite adorable and cozy. The carpet was plush, and the bed was covered with all kinds of animal plushies, enough to easily bury someone in.
“Dou Dou, why are you here so early?” Jiang Xining shifted her feet, subtly blocking the doorway.
Fu Jinghao looked slightly uncomfortable and didn’t notice her small movement. “Jiao Jiao, I want to confess something to you.”
Jiang Xining blinked. “What is it?”
Seeing Fu Jinghao’s somewhat pale face, she seemed to remember something. Barefoot, she ran back into the room and retrieved the apple from the bedside table that was starting to wilt.
“Dou Dou, are you hungry? I still have something to eat here.”
Fu Jinghao took the apple, feeling a pang of guilt.
He loved A Xun, but he couldn’t say he felt nothing for Jiao Jiao either.
After all, she liked him so much, always following him around. Even if she wasn’t clever, he couldn’t help but feel some pity for her. It’s just—
If only Jiao Jiao weren’t so naive.
“Actually, I… had a girlfriend before. She was my first love.”