CEG Chapter 8

Jiang Muping’s working hours are not as flexible as Cheng Yan’s. Although it is Saturday, he still has a lot of things to do at school. The two of them agreed to go to the art exhibition at 4:30 in the afternoon. Cheng Yan arrived at North City University early, parked his car at the south gate of the school, and sat in the car waiting for Jiang Muping.

 

Cheng Yan didn’t have Jiang Muping’s WeChat, so he sent him a message saying that he was waiting for him at the south gate of Beicheng University.

 

Jiang Muping is the youngest professor in the University. Although he is young, he also has a lot of work to do. Cheng Yan received a text message reply from Jiang Muping, and the content was no different from their last meeting: Jiang Muping had a short meeting and would be here later.

 

Jiang Muping: Sorry.

 

Cheng Yan: It’s okay, I’ll wait for you.

 

Jiang Muping: Come up.

 

Cheng Yan:?

 

Jiang Muping: Don’t wait outside, go to my office.

 

Cheng Yan wanted to reply “No thanks”, but Jiang Muping had already sent him the specific location of the office, along with a message: I don’t know how long it will take, so come over first.

 

It was a hot day, and it was really unbearable to keep the air conditioner on in the car all the time. Cheng Yan thought about it and got out of the car.

 

Beicheng University covers a large area, and its south gate is close to the law building. Cheng Yan asked a few students passing by and found the building of law studies.

 

The door of Jiang Muping’s office was closed. Cheng Yan knocked on the door, but no one responded, so he stood at the door for a while.

 

A teacher passed by with materials in his arms. Cheng Yan looked at the teacher keenly. The teacher suddenly stopped and asked, “Student, what are you doing?”

 

Cheng Yan thought he might have attracted the attention of passersby because he looked too suspicious, but then he thought, I don’t even look so childish. He looked down at his outfit today, a light gray stand-up collar shirt and black trousers. He didn’t look like a student at all.

 

Cheng Yan was thinking this, but the other party treated him as a confused student who couldn’t find a teacher, and continued with the previous question, “Are you looking for a teacher?”

 

Cheng Yan said casually, “Looking for Professor Jiang.”

 

The teacher laughed and pointed to the door behind him, “Isn’t it this office?”

 

Cheng Yan finally pushed the door open and went in. He hadn’t expected Jiang Muping to have a single office. It only had a desk and a black leather sofa in front of it. The room was air-conditioned and cool.

 

Cheng Yan wanted to find a place to sit, but the only available sofa was piled high with documents, neatly arranged and packed. The only other available spot was Jiang Muping’s office chair, but it was considered impolite to sit in someone else’s office, so Cheng Yan decided to stand.

 

There were no potted plants in Jiang Muping’s office, but the air in the room was very fresh. He probably didn’t smoke, unlike Cheng Yan, whose workplace was always filled with a faint smell of tobacco.

 

Cheng Yan stood for about ten minutes, his legs aching. He decided he might as well wait in the car. He finally sat down in Jiang Muping’s office chair.

 

Cheng Yan only sat on half the chair, his back straight, playing with his phone. Not long after, there was a knock on the door. Cheng Yan remained silent, creating the illusion that no one was home.

 

Unexpectedly, the person outside knocked a few times and then pushed the door open and came in, “Professor?”

 

Cheng Yan raised his head while holding his phone and exchanged glances with the young student standing at the door.

 

The student’s expression froze, and then his brows furrowed slightly, his eyes questioning, “What are you doing?”

 

Cheng Yan put away his phone and continued sitting, “I’m waiting for Professor Jiang.”

 

“Why are you sitting in the professor’s seat so casually?” The student walked in with a stack of information, acting like the host.

 

Cheng Yan didn’t like the man’s pretentious attitude, but he still politely explained, “The sofa is full of things, there’s no place for me to sit.”

 

“You can’t just sit in the professor’s chair casually.” The student said with a serious expression, wondering, “Why aren’t you getting up?”

 

The student’s aggressive tone made Cheng Yan’s face turn cold.

 

“Where’s Professor Jiang? Why are you staying here when no one is in the office?”

 

“I asked him to stay here.”

 

Jiang Muping’s voice came from behind, and Cheng Yan looked past the students towards the door.

 

The student turned his head and said respectfully, “Professor.”

 

“What’s the matter?” Jiang Muping walked over with documents in his hand. He looked at Cheng Yan and saw that Cheng Yan was sitting in his seat somewhat stiffly.

 

“There are some things I don’t understand about the two cases you told me before…”

 

Jiang Muping put the documents on the table and looked down at Cheng Yan who was sitting on the chair.

 

“Let’s do it another time.” Jiang Muping picked up the cup next to Cheng Yan, and his middle finger joint accidentally rubbed the back of Cheng Yan’s hand, and Cheng Yan’s hand shrank to the side.

 

Jiang Muping took a sip of water and said to the student, “I don’t have time right now.”

 

The student glanced at Cheng Yan, then turned his gaze to Jiang Muping: “Then I’ll come to see you next time. Sorry to bother you.”

 

Cheng Yan sat in Jiang Muping’s seat from beginning to end. When the student left, he looked more and more confused, but he didn’t say anything in the end.

 

Cheng Yan stood up and immediately explained, “The sofa is covered with information. I have no place to sit, so I’m sitting here.”

 

Jiang Muping hummed and asked, “Why are you so reserved? He’s just my student.”

 

“I know.” Cheng Yan thought to himself, I’m just being reserved because you came.

 

“Your students are quite energetic.”

 

Jiang Muping understood his implication and said with a smile, “You look young, he thinks he’s treating you like a student.”

 

“I feel like he’s really protective of you,” Cheng Yan looked at Jiang Muping, “This kid really seems to admire you, right?”

 

Jiang Muping’s face was expressionless, and his tone was almost indifferent, “Maybe.

 

Jiang Muping glanced at his watch and said, “Wait a moment, I’ll go change my clothes.”

 

“Isn’t the one you’re wearing quite nice?” Cheng Yan glanced at Jiang Muping quickly from head to toe and said casually.

 

“Li Sizhi doesn’t like me wearing a shirt. She will definitely say that I ruin the mood.”

 

Cheng Yan looked confused, “Why, you’re so handsome…”

 

Jiang Muping smiled slightly in response to Cheng Yan’s unintentional compliment, “She’s a weirdo.”

 

Jiang Muping changed into a casual T-shirt and looked a lot younger. Cheng Yan’s car was left at the south gate of North City University, and he took Jiang Muping’s car to go to the art exhibition together.

 

By evening, the exhibition had become less crowded, and Li Sizhi was nowhere to be seen. Cheng Yan, whose tattoos had instilled in him a habit of focused attention, admired the paintings for a while, but when he came to, Jiang Muping was gone.

 

Jiang Muping is not an expert in this field, and in fact, Cheng Yan is not either. He is just a half-baked painter who has studied painting for two years, so the two of them didn’t communicate much throughout the whole process. They just quietly appreciated the work. He looked at what he liked, and Jiang muping looked at what he liked, and then they parted ways.

 

When Cheng Yan found Jiang Muping, Li Sizhi was beside him. They were chatting in low voices and looking leisurely at a painting hanging on the wall.

 

Cheng Yan could faintly hear their conversation.

 

“I thought you wouldn’t come, but now you’re here.”

 

“There’s no need to waste an invitation.”

 

“But you don’t like my paintings.” Li Sizhi turned to look at Jiang Muping, with the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

 

“You gave me two invitations, didn’t you just want me to come with him?”

 

Cheng Yan stood there in a daze for a while, then quietly turned around and left.

 

Jiang Muping met Cheng Yan in the bathroom, where he was washing his hands at the sink.

 

“Li Sizhi is here.” Jiang Muping walked to Cheng Yan’s side. “I’ve been looking for you for a long time, but I haven’t seen you.”

 

Cheng Yan hummed and turned off the faucet. He turned around, looking as if he wanted to say something.

 

Jiang Muping noticed his strange mood and asked, “What’s wrong?”

 

“Jiang Muping.”

 

“Well, go ahead.”

 

“I know Laoshi(LSZ) wants to bring us together,” Cheng Yan looked at him, “If you don’t like this, don’t force yourself to do it.”

 

Cheng Yan’s low, raspy voice always gave him an almost melancholic aura. His expression w

as dull, but the sadness in his words could not be concealed.

 

Cheng Yan said, “I don’t like things done just because you’ve been forced.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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It seems baby Yan is still doubtful of his feelings and interactions with Muping!!!

Aahhhhhhh I’m super impatient!!! I can’t wait till they get together. It’s a long journey! Slowly but surely their love will bloom, and the sweetness of love they’ve missed out during their youths will finally be here.

But we’ll have to wait because, reminder that their love came after marriage and i don’t think the marriage talk will be coming anytime soon ToT