Chарtеr 24: Тhis Is Оur First Кiss
Jiаng Zhengzheng сrоuсhеd оn the beaсh, using hеr finger to drаw a largе hеаrt in thе sаnd. Insidе the hеаrt, shе skеtched twо long-haired stick figurеs аnd wrotе hеr оwn nаmе and Ji Тingсhаn’s name bеlоw them.
“Isn’t it рretty, Chаnchаn!”
“Yes, very рrettу!”
Thе sеa breеze gently tоuslеd thе girl’s jеt-black hаir, hеr sсhоol uniform skirt fluttеring in the wind. Нer faсe seеmed like а masterpiесе crаftеd by God with utmost сarе, sо beautiful it сould makе anуоnе fall fоr her.
Jiang Zhеngzheng loоkеd uр and met Ji Tingchan’s slightly affeсtiоnate peасh-blossom eуеs. Behind her was the glaring sunlight and the sparkling sea. Backlit, Ji Tingchan didn’t appear dark at all; instead, she looked breathtakingly beautiful.
Wow, the Female Lead is truly the Female Lead! If I had looks like that, I’d be willing to win a billion dollars in the lottery!
Jiang Zhengzheng wasn’t just mesmerized—she even subconsciously wiped away nonexistent drool from the corner of her mouth.
“So beautiful…”
Ji Tingchan, on the other hand, thoroughly enjoyed watching her little puppy gaze at her in a daze.
One minute passed.
Three minutes passed.
Five minutes passed.
Finally, Ji Tingchan couldn’t hold back a soft chuckle.
“Ah! Sorry, Chanchan! Your beauty is just too overwhelming! I didn’t mean to offend you! Please don’t think of me as some kind of river imp like Fu Mingkai!”
Jiang Zhengzheng desperately tried to justify her behavior.
“Zhengzheng is not a river imp.”
She was the sincere little puppy who belonged only to her.
Looking at the drawing in the sand, Ji Tingchan took out her phone and snapped a photo, then set it as her lock screen wallpaper. Satisfied, she put her phone away.
Meanwhile, Jiang Zhengzheng also took out her phone and captured the scene, but she felt something was missing from the photo. So, she used her finger to write two lines below the drawing:
Wishing Ji Tingchan peace, happiness, and a blissful future.
Wishing Jiang Zhengzheng wealth, wealth, wealth, wealth, wealth, wealth, wealth, wealth, wealth, wealth.
Perfect!
Jiang Zhengzheng clapped her hands in satisfaction, took out her phone again to snap another photo, set it as her wallpaper, and posted it on her social media feed, even though she only had Ji Tingchan and Lin Xin as friends.
When Ji Tingchan saw the two newly added lines, the curve of her smile deepened.
She also took another photo and posted it on her social media feed with the caption:
With her.
This was Ji Tingchan’s first-ever social media post.
As soon as Ji Tingchan posted it, Cheng Xiao commented below: “? Who is this Miss Jiang? Is she your friend, Miss? Why didn’t I see her earlier?”
Ji Tingchan ignored the comment and turned off her screen.
Then, she saw her little puppy grinning foolishly at her phone.
Ji Tingchan leaned closer to look at Jiang Zhengzheng’s phone. It was the social media post Jiang Zhengzheng had just made, with the caption: With my little angel~ (heart)
Below it was a comment from someone named Lin Xin.
Lin Xin: Ahhh, Zhengzheng, you went to the beach!
Lin Xin: Wuwuwu, my name isn’t even mentioned (collapses, sobbing, heartbroken).
Zheng Youqian replied to Lin Xin: Don’t cry, little sis! Uncle feels bad for you (holding a rose in mouth, holding a ring, kneeling on one knee, proposing version).
Lin Xin replied to Zheng Youqian: Uncle, what would my sister-in-law think if she knew about this~ (shy and green tea).
Just as Jiang Zhengzheng was about to reply again, she suddenly felt a chill beside her.
She turned around abruptly and met Ji Tingchan’s slightly resentful gaze!
“Chanchan! Listen to Uncle—I mean, listen to your sister! You hold this position in my heart!” Jiang Zhengzheng gave a thumbs-up over her own chest.
“Really?”
Ji Tingchan looked unconvinced.
She felt jealous inside, but she didn’t say it—she just kept it bottled up!The sun slowly descended toward the sea, casting a warm orange veil over the water and the sandy shore, like a vintage oil painting, leaving a warm hue in people’s eyes.
The two sat under a coconut tree, snacking while gazing at the distant horizon.
“Chanchan, is there anything you want to do? Like, which university do you want to get into?”
Jiang Zhengzheng tossed a soft candy into her mouth, then picked up another piece to feed to Ji Tingchan.
After accepting the candy from the puppy, Ji Tingchan finally parted her lips:
“Leave Shangjing, go to Jinghuai, and get into Jinghuai Academy.”
“Jinghuai Academy? Chanchan, even though I don’t study in your area, I’ve heard the most about Jinghuai and Jinghuai Academy at your school these past two days. Are this place and school really that famous?”
Seeing Jiang Zhengzheng’s confusion, Ji Tingchan offered her a potato chip and patiently explained:
“If Shangjing is a city of extravagance and indulgence, then Jinghuai is not only that but also a city of power and nobility, the home of prestigious families. You could say ten Shangjings wouldn’t compare to one Jinghuai. Jinghuai Academy is the dream school for all examinees, with top-tier resources and a strong faculty.”
Wow, isn’t this just like City A in novels? Isn’t that usually where the Male Lead appears? So, does that mean this Fu Mingkai might not be the Male Lead?!
Jiang Zhengzheng suddenly understood. She remembered that Text Brother had mentioned the book’s title: The Demon Cold Young Master’s Palm Sweetheart: Don’t You Dare Run Away, Darling Wife.
Oh my heavens! No wonder the Male Lead couldn’t be that scumbag! It’s Cold Young Master! The Male Lead’s surname is Cold!!
“Hahahahahaha, Chanchan, your spring! Is coming!”
Jiang Zhengzheng suddenly stood up, tossing the snack bag aside as she burst into laughter.
“…”
Puppy, sit!
“The reason I want to get into Jinghuai Academy is also largely because of my mother’s final wish. She wanted me to live in Jinghuai, and Jinghuai Academy is also the school she attended. I want to follow in her footsteps and experience the school she once studied at.”
Ji Tingchan continued speaking on her own. Hearing her mention her mother, Jiang Zhengzheng worried she might recall something unpleasant and quickly crouched down to feed her a small dessert.
“Chanchan, in that case, let’s work hard to get into Jinghuai. Here, have a bite of dessert first~ Matcha flavor~”
Ji Tingchan looked at the large spoonful of dessert before her and took a small bite.
The overly sweet matcha flavor made her brows furrow slightly.
“It’s a bit too sweet.”
“Ah? Really? Let me try!”
Since the spoonful was quite large, Jiang Zhengzheng took a bite from the same spot Ji Tingchan had tasted.
Seeing this, a hint of sweetness welled up in Ji Tingchan’s heart.
“Oh, it really is! So sweet! I don’t want it anymore!” Jiang Zhengzheng found it cloyingly sweet and was about to toss it into the trash bag when Ji Tingchan swiftly took the unfinished spoonful.
“Don’t waste what’s left on the spoon. The second bite isn’t as sweet.”
Ji Tingchan nonchalantly finished the small remaining piece on the spoon.
Puppy… this is our first kiss.
Ji Tingchan looked at Jiang Zhengzheng, her clear eyes concealing a trace of affection.
“Jiang Zhengzheng, look at the Female Lead, how noble she is! Unlike you! So wasteful! Shameful!”
“Chanchan, you’re such a great role model!”
Jiang Zhengzheng praised sincerely.The sun had sunk halfway below the sea’s horizon. After tying up their trash bags, Ji Tingchan and Jiang Zhengzheng left the beach and walked toward the asphalt road.
For both Jiang Zhengzheng and Ji Tingchan, their heartfelt conversation by the sea that afternoon would leave a deep imprint on their hearts for a long time to come.
Just as they were about to reach the asphalt road, Ji Tingchan called out to Jiang Zhengzheng and asked casually:
“Zhengzheng, you’ll go to Jinghuai with me, right?”
Her expression seemed calm, but her fingers, hidden behind her back, trembled slightly.
I’ve already decided on my answer, otherwise I really would…
“Wherever Ji Tingchan is, that’s where I’ll be!”