When Will My Childhood Sweetheart Marry Me?-Chapter 254: Haste Makes Waste

Time flew by, and the hot June ushered in the graduation season for this year’s senior college students.

After their final thesis defense, the department organized a group photo. At the moment of farewell, everyone, holding their cameras, roamed the campus in groups, taking pictures, reminiscing, discussing current situations, and talking about the future amidst a chorus of laughter and chatter.

Compared to their high school days, college graduates had become much more rational and composed.

There is no feast that doesn’t end. The four-year academic journey would draw to a close with this passionate season, either satisfactorily or regretfully. From the moment they stepped out of the campus and officially entered society, they were greeted by the next Chapter and challenges of life.

After parting with her roommates, Jiang Shuyao went to the administration building to find Pei Yan.

Inevitably, in Old Man Jiang’s office, they encountered an old acquaintance, Jiang Xubai.

The two figures stood to the left and right in front of the old man, a scene that could plunge Jiang Shuyao deep into memories with just one glance.

Those turbulent years could not be easily erased by anyone.

Even though Jiang Xubai had started to break out again and had added a pair of black framed glasses on his nose, she could still see that Jiang Xubai’s occasional look was unmistakably that of the same Jiang Xubai from their past.

That evening, the four of them, teacher and students, sat down together for the first time in such an arrangement for dinner, and they had a delightful time.

Since the old man had high blood pressure, Jiang Shuyao specially chose a Chinese restaurant with mostly mild and bland dishes, which were relatively suitable for the elderly.

Of course, this elderly man didn’t feel old at all tonight. Ignoring everyone’s advice, he insisted that his son bring over that bottle of ten-year-aged spirit from home.

"Alcohol, in moderation brings pleasure; in excess, it harms the body. Tonight, I just want to be happy. Don’t anyone try to stop me, just one small glass."

After saying so, Old Man Jiang sipped it with his eyes closed, a look of satisfaction on his face.

She suspected that at home, his wife must be very strict about this, otherwise the old man wouldn’t act as if he hadn’t drunk in ages.

No one spoke at the table, Pei Yan sat by silently watching the old man drink slowly, and when only a tiny bit was left at the bottom, Pei Yan expressionlessly reached over to take the glass away.

"Switch to tea," Pei Yan spoke softly.

Jiang Shuyao quickly reacted, picked up the teapot, and pulled out a fresh cup to fill with tea for the old man.

Hey! You little rascal.

Couldn’t you let him drink a bit more?

The old man snorted through his nose, annoyed, and turned to the girl, "You eat your meal. Don’t mind me, or the food will get cold."

Jiang Shuyao couldn’t help but smile wryly. Was the old man blaming her for listening too much to someone else?

This dinner lasted for two whole hours, mostly spent listening to Old Man Jiang talk, whether good or bad, as a final lesson from a teacher to his students.

Only when leaving did the old man suddenly ask about their employment status, Jiang Xubai pulled out three business cards from his pocket and handed them over one after the other.

Xinyuan Technology, Game Development Engineer.

Xinyuan...

Jiang Shuyao and Pei Yan exchanged glances.

Old Man Jiang scrutinized the business card for a while, nodded without saying anything, and then asked Pei Yan, "What about yours? Show me yours too."

Jiang Shuyao couldn’t help but feel a bit schadenfreude.

Show off all day, and now the old man is asking for your homework. Let’s see what fancy story you can come up with.

After a moment of silence, Pei Yan slowly reached over and took a small, single-shoulder leather bag from the side.

That was Jiang Shuyao’s bag.

She frowned, not knowing what he was up to.

Pei Yan, mimicking Jiang Xubai’s earlier action, reached into the bag, and pulled out a black card with gold foil... a business card.

Compared to the refreshing feeling of Jiang Xubai’s card, his was undoubtedly filled with a strong nouveau riche vibe.

Jiang Shuyao was extremely surprised, not expecting him to be so well-prepared.

Pei Yan knew Old Man Jiang all too well.

Almost as soon as the graduation ceremony date was set, he began arranging these props.

Jiang Xubai was curious too, but due to some unspoken reasons, he managed to suppress the urge to sneak a peek.

However, since it was about inheriting the family business, the position must be that of a general manager or CEO.

Lost in thought, Jiang Xubai heard Old Man Jiang say indifferently, "This company’s name is quite meticulously chosen."

Jiang Xubai almost spit out his drink.

Old Man Jiang’s focus was always so unique; after all, the company was the largest property developer in the province, how could the name not be well-chosen?

And Jiang Shuyao was somewhat intoxicated.

What exactly was written on it? Seeing Old Man Jiang’s reaction, he seemed quite interested in the name.

In contrast, after handing over his business card, a certain individual picked up a nearby glass of wine. For every word Old Man Jiang said, he took a sip, quickly consuming all but one-third of the decade-aged liquor in the bottle.

Pei Yan usually didn’t drink heavily, just moderately during gatherings with friends.

But Jiang Shuyao realized today just how formidable his drinking capacity was.

The alcohol content of the spirit wasn’t low. Jiang Xubai had only had three glasses and already felt overwhelmed, whereas he casually took sip after sip. Within minutes, half the bottle was gone; yet his expression and heartbeat remained unchanged, as calm as a machine.

Seeing his beloved liquor dwindling, Old Man Jiang quickly grabbed the bottle and stood up, declaring, "That’s enough for today. Next time I’m out for dinner, bring your own if you want to drink."

As people age, their temperament becomes childlike.

Teacher Jiang devoted his life to computers, abandoning all worldly distractions and impurities, approaching his career and beliefs with the purest of hearts.

As students, they felt proud.

And they hoped that Old Man Jiang would continue to live a peaceful and happy life.

On the way back, Jiang Shuyao rummaged through her bag over and over but couldn’t find the business card.

She reached out her hand to him, "Give it here, let me see."

"What."

"You know what," Jiang Shuyao said as she started searching his pockets, "Always so mysterious, when did you even get business cards printed, I had no idea."

Summer clothes were thin, and Pei Yan felt ticklish from her fumbling, laughing as he caught her mischievous hand, "Princess, haste won’t get you hot tofu."

His voice was gentle and attracted a few glances from passersby.

She abruptly withdrew her hand, her cheeks slightly flushed.

Who wants to eat your tofu, don’t get smug.

He laughed even more joyously, pulling her closer by the shoulders and whispering in her ear, "First, I’m taking you somewhere."

As night fell, neon lights flickered on the streets.

Ever since Young Master Pei had sold his supercar, his daily ride had reverted back to that flashy motorcycle.

Jiang Shuyao had previously been terrified to ride it and once had been tricked into it, only to find that sitting close behind him offered a different kind of view.

The motorcycle sped through the wide streets and amidst the bustle of the night city, her thoughts drifted into a vast, endless sea.

That feeling of letting everything go, wanting to drop all responsibilities and recklessly elope with him to the ends of the earth.

Elope.

Jiang Shuyao silently repeated the word and couldn’t help but smile.

Proper matches, parental support, friends all waiting for their big day.

Sadly, there was no chance to elope.