The issue of addressing someone was ultimately interrupted by two unexpected phone calls. Tang Wan sat in front of the computer, replying to work emails, her heart in turmoil due to a certain someone's influence. The back of her hand, which had been touched by him, still felt faintly warm.
The instigator leaned against a chair, with a soft blanket on his knee. Sunlight poured down, as if a layer of pale gold danced on his eyelashes.
Accompanied by a gentle knock on the door, "Master Wu, the doctor is here."
"Then I'll head back to my room first," Jiang Jinsang stood up. Tang Wan also got up to see him off. The doctor, in his forties and accompanied by an assistant, greeted Tang Wan very politely before following Jiang Jinsang back to the room.
Tang Wan's mind was a jumble, and she couldn't focus on work, so she simply strolled around the garden a few times.
"Big brother, may I ask what flower this is?" Tang Wan looked at the man in black holding a small pink spray bottle. She worked in the fashion industry and recognized most flowers and plants due to needing to draw designs, but not all of them.
"This is..." the Jiang Family member responded politely.
At that time, the door to Jiang Jinsang's room wasn't closed. Every movement in the yard could be seen clearly, and Tang Wan could hear most of the conversation between him and the doctor.
It was nothing more than advising him to rest peacefully, pay attention to his health, and other routine matters. Since it was often repeated, Jiang Jinsang's mind wandered outside and did not listen, but Tang Wan heard it distinctly.
**
Around lunchtime, Tang Wan mentioned that she had an appointment and wouldn't be eating at home.
Jiang Jinsang was playing with a small stick, teasing birds. Two birdcages hung under the eaves of the Tang Family's corridor, containing two Hua Mei birds raised by the old man.
He caught a glimpse of some fishing gear and the like in the corner, used by the old man to pass the time.
Isn't there a saying, "Fishing for three years and raising birds for a lifetime"?
He was not interested and naturally did not understand why some people enjoy pursuing these things. The main issue was that some young people also liked this despite the fast-paced modern life; they probably had too much free time.
He glanced at Tang Wan changing into clothes and leaving, a simple black suit, with a tight pencil skirt, and a white shirt underneath, simple and elegant, her graceful figure on full display.
Jiang Jinsang's eyes lingered on her slender waist, and his hand holding the stick was unsteady, accidentally poking the Hua Mei. The bird, already loud, was jostled hard—
"Chirp, chirp, chirp—" flapping its wings.
The noise was telling its owner, "I'm damn scared!"
Jiang Jinsang was just a guest, and their relationship had not reached that level, so he naturally wasn't in a position to ask what she was doing. Fortunately, the old man spoke up, "Going out to see Manager Chen?"
"Mm, talking about something, do you want me to bring back some snacks for you?"
"Sure."
...
After Tang Wan left, the old man feigned nonchalance and walked over to Jiang Jinsang, "This Manager Chen is in his forties, a partner of her studio, has been married for a long time, and their kid is about to start high school. The couple's relationship is quite good; they've even brought their kid over to our house for meals a few times."
Indirectly telling Jiang Jinsang,
"Don't worry, our Wanwan has nothing to do with him. I'm still optimistic about you two."
Once Tang Wan was gone, the old man loosened up, patting Jiang Jinsang's shoulder, "Xiaowu, you didn't get your fill of drinking last night, and we have nothing to do this afternoon. How about we get thoroughly drunk today?"
Saying that, he pulled out the Plum Wine.
*
Tang Wan went out to discuss two work-related matters. One was a company wanting to acquire their studio and merge it into a big company. The platform resources would naturally be different, but it also meant losing ownership of the studio. There were pros and cons.
"I need to think this over."
Manager Chen had anticipated this and merely smiled, "How's Mr. Tang's health lately? I heard he almost performed Tai Chi in the hospital room to get discharged recently."
Tang Wan's eyelids twitched, "How did you know?"
"I told you before, my niece works as a nurse at the hospital, remember?"
Tang Wan suddenly remembered and nodded.
"If Mr. Tang is okay, I have a project here. Would you be interested? It's a historical drama with an investment of two hundred million, a Qing Palace Drama. I'll send you the materials later, so you can take a good look."
"A Qing Palace Drama, I'm afraid it's a heavy task. My grandfather needs someone around, and I might not have that much energy."
"The opposite party has only approached our studio so far and is very sincere. It's still in the preparation stage, so there's plenty of time. The offer is exceptionally generous."
"I'll think about it."
...
Tang Wan returned home before two o'clock without having lunch. As soon as she entered the door, she heard her grandfather speaking in the living room, his voice slurred, clearly drunk.
"Miss, you're back!" Aunt Chen looked uneasy.
"He drank again? Why didn't you stop him?"
"I couldn't stop him," Aunt Chen said apologetically.
Tang Wan quickly entered the living room, realizing the old man wasn't just drinking alone—he'd even pulled Jiang Jinsang in. Seeing her return, he smiled and waved at her, "Wanwan, you're back! Have you eaten? Come over and have a drink with me."
"Don't drink anymore!" Tang Wan frowned, feeling that he didn't take his health seriously. She took away his wine glass and had someone help him back to his room.
"Don't you know the state of your own body? A couple of glasses should be enough, but you drank the whole bottle!"
"And you dragged Master Wu to drink with you. It's not advisable for him to drink much," Tang Wan felt he didn't care for his health and spoke louder than usual.
When she returned, Jiang Jinsang was evidently a bit drunk, holding a wine glass and about to bring it to his lips. As her cold gaze swept over, he paused. His pupils were dark, exuding a purity indifferent to worldly matters.
The Jiang Family had advised him to drink less, but he didn't listen.
However, when he saw her now, Jiang Jinsang obediently set the glass down and sat upright obediently.
Just missing the words on his face: "I'm well-behaved."
How could he be like this after drinking? Tang Wan couldn't help but laugh and cry.
In fact, both of them were drunk. As she supported the old man back to his room, she noticed Jiang Jinsang was still there in the front hall.
"Why haven't you helped him back to his room to rest?" Tang Wan looked at the Jiang Family members.
"He won't go." The Jiang Family members were helpless.
If that family member were here, they would certainly have said directly, "Not going? Tie him up and take him back!"
But no one was here now, and a few people didn't dare act rashly.
"Master Wu, shall we go back and rest?" Tang Wan's voice was gentle, deliberately slowing down, as if coaxing someone.
"Mm." Jiang Jinsang nodded, but when he got up, he was a bit unsteady. As Tang Wan extended her hand to support him, he grabbed it...
Holding her hand tightly.
His breath carried a trace of alcohol, warm and steady, and he spoke almost against her ear, "Let's go back and rest."