When she was young, her elders often joked about it, but Jiang Yuekai didn't take it to heart. Everyone has a time when they don't understand things. Lin Jingchu only called her that a few times when he was in kindergarten, and he definitely didn't understand the concept of a wife then.
"Did Jingchu ge get jealous when you were dating?" Shen Yujin was very curious. She felt that Lin Jingchu liked Jiang Yuekai a lot. Who would be willing to see the person they liked with someone else?
"How could he?" Jiang Yuekai found it amusing and had to emphasize to her again that she and Lin Jingchu had a pure sibling relationship.
However, Shen Yujin didn't quite believe it. Jiang Yuekai immediately understood. No wonder Gu Jiang made such a request. Perhaps her interactions with Lin Jingchu did indeed lack boundaries. If Lin Jingchu had a girlfriend in the future, he would definitely mind.
When Shen Yujin learned that Jiang Yuekai hadn't seen Lin Jingchu for over three months, her jaw nearly dropped. "Why?"
Didn't they used to play together every day?
Jiang Yuekai explained to Shen Yujin, "Because I have a boyfriend, and Jingchu ge is also a guy. We need to avoid suspicion. He'll have a girlfriend too in the future."
Although Shen Yujin was a year or two younger than Jiang Yuekai, she understood. "Did your boyfriend say that?"
Jiang Yuekai didn't answer. Shen Yujin scoffed, "Your boyfriend is really petty. Why do you listen to him?"
Jiang Yuekai instinctively defended Gu Jiang, "He's not petty. Any normal person would mind. Think about it, if there was a girl your boyfriend was very close to, wouldn't you feel uncomfortable?"
"But you said you didn't have that kind of feeling for Jingchu ge, so why listen to him, unless you're afraid you'll fall for Jingchu ge," Shen Yujin said, eating a strawberry mochi, and logically reached her conclusion.
Before, Jiang Yuekai hadn't thought about it that way. After Shen Yujin mentioned it, she suddenly started asking herself. Was she going to keep avoiding Lin Jingchu just because of something Gu Jiang said? It didn't seem right. If she was truly confident that she wouldn't develop feelings for Lin Jingchu, there seemed to be no need.
Sometimes, those involved are blind to the situation. Shen Yujin's remark made her feel that this was inappropriate. At this point, Shen Yujin added, "Yuekai jie, I think you're a bit prioritizing your boyfriend over your friends."
These four words were a bit harsh, but Jiang Yuekai couldn't refute it. It seemed to be true.
She and Lin Jingchu had known each other for seventeen years, from birth until now... And Lin Jingchu was so good to her.
At this moment, Shen Yujin's mind was filled with all the things Lin Jingchu had done for her in the past. For example, when she was little and wanted to eat a small cake but ran out of pocket money, Lin Jingchu gave her all his pocket money. For example, every time Lin Jingchu went out to play, he would bring her back a gift. For example, on her birthday last year, Lin Jingchu bought her limited edition merchandise...
There were too many things Lin Jingchu had done for her, and things like these.
Now that she was dating Gu Jiang, she had completely ignored him. Lin Jingchu must think she was quite heartless.
Seeing Jiang Yuekai start to ponder, Shen Yujin said, "I think your boyfriend has a lot of problems too."
People in love definitely couldn't stand to hear such things. Although Jiang Yuekai wasn't completely blinded by love, she couldn't help but defend Gu Jiang a little, "It's not like that. I can understand him. If he had a platonic opposite-sex friend similar to Jingchu ge around him, I would also feel uncomfortable."
Shen Yujin pouted her lips, half understanding and half not. She was only in her third year of junior high, and it was too early to discuss these things with her. "So, are you planning to ignore Jingchu ge forever? That's too unkind!"
"You're right, I need to think of a way." Jiang Yuekai had figured it out. Hiding from Lin Jingchu like this wasn't a long-term solution.
This outing with Shen Yujin was spent ninety percent of the time listening to Shen Yujin talk about Lin Jingchu. Their parents were all very good friends, and Lin Jingchu was the oldest among them. Shen Yujin had long regarded him as an idol, and whenever she mentioned him, it was always with praise.
Jiang Yuekai wasn't that exaggerated, but they were all very aware of Lin Jingchu's excellence.
After parting ways with Shen Yujin, Jiang Yuekai seriously considered how to communicate with Gu Jiang, and also... how to explain the recent distance to Lin Jingchu?
If he heard the truth, he would probably be quite sad.
It was during Jiang Yuekai's indecision that Lin Jingchu found her again.
At that time, Jiang Yuekai had just finished her last final exam at school. Lin Jingchu had already found out the time and was waiting at the school entrance with pastries he had bought in Kyoto.
At four o'clock, the school gate opened. Not long after, he saw Jiang Yuekai. Gu Jiang was by her side, tidying her messy ponytail.
Both of them were wearing white down jackets. At first glance, they looked like matching couple outfits. Gu Jiang was good-looking, otherwise Jiang Yuekai wouldn't have fallen for him. Although she was reluctant to admit it, they did look like a good match standing together.
After not seeing her for several months, she seemed even more beautiful than before. Perhaps it was because of her relationship, her face was always filled with happiness. Even from more than ten meters away, Lin Jingchu could feel it.
Lin Jingchu put his hands in his pockets and walked towards the figure he had been dreaming of. He stopped opposite her and said, "Yuekai."
Jiang Yuekai was discussing physics problems with Gu Jiang. Neither of them had noticed Lin Jingchu nearby. When their path was blocked, Jiang Yuekai was surprised, while Gu Jiang's expression turned somewhat unpleasant.
"Jingchu ge, why did you come here?" Jiang Yuekai asked.
Lin Jingchu felt Gu Jiang's hostile gaze but ignored it. He said to Jiang Yuekai, "I brought you some pastries from Kyoto. Let's have dinner together tonight."
Jiang Yuekai looked troubled. She had already made plans with Gu Jiang to watch a movie and have dinner tonight. With the winter break approaching, they wouldn't have many opportunities to see each other.
Before Jiang Yuekai could answer, Gu Jiang spoke, "We have plans tonight."
His tone was barely polite, but upon closer listening, one could detect his dissatisfaction. Jiang Yuekai also heard it. She said to Lin Jingchu, "Gu Jiang and I have plans. How about we eat another day? I'll invite Xiangxiang too."
Lin Jingchu ignored her and remained standing in place. Although he didn't say anything, his attitude clearly indicated that he intended to have dinner with her today.
Gu Jiang's dissatisfaction grew. He pulled Jiang Yuekai's arm. "Yuekai, let's go first."
Jiang Yuekai felt a bit torn. She already felt guilty towards Lin Jingchu. "Jingchu ge, I'll invite you another day. We're leaving now."
Lin Jingchu's hands, which were in his pockets, clenched into fists, his knuckles almost crushed. He wasn't a person who advocated violence, but at that moment, he did have the thought of laying hands on Gu Jiang.
"Wait," Lin Jingchu said. "Go to the car and get the things."
Jiang Yuekai said, "Okay," and then went to the car with Lin Jingchu.
Gu Jiang watched gloomily as Jiang Yuekai took the small pastries from Lin Jingchu's car. She seemed very happy, and his brows furrowed even tighter.