Chapter 125: All Right, the Double Standards Have Already Begun

The ride back was calm; nothing happened.

Jingyue Lin yawned, carrying her suitcase as she got off the vehicle. The northeast in the first month of the lunar year was still very cold. Fortunately, she had the foresight to wear an extra sweater over her cashmere shirt, topped with a thick cotton-padded jacket.

She wore cotton pants and cotton shoes.

Only then did she feel somewhat better, no longer worrying about appearances.

Warmth was the priority.

“Jingyue!” A tender voice called out, making her shiver as the cold wind blew. She suddenly turned around.

A man stood there, dressed in a thick work jacket and a navy blue wool coat, wearing the scarf she had knitted. He held a suitcase, tall and graceful, his deep, shimmering eyes fixed on her, as if everything else around them dimmed in comparison.

His gaze was solely on her.

Jingyue Lin’s eyes curved into a smile, but a faint trace of guilt flashed quickly in their depths.

It was over—she had only sent one letter to Xun Jiang.

“You’re back? Did the trip go well?” Jiang Xun approached naturally and took her suitcase from her hands.

His tone was gentle and affectionate, filled with deep longing.

“Yes, it went quite smoothly...”

“Hey, brother, why are you walking so fast!” Yunzheng Xie came rushing over, interrupting Jingyue.

“Oh? Jingyue Lin, what a coincidence,” he said with a sly grin, oblivious to the mood.

Zhou Yan walked over, seeing Jiang Xun’s mouth twitching in annoyance, and gave Yunzheng Xie a sympathetic glance.

The four of them left the train station together.

The train had arrived in Long City, but they still needed to take a shuttle to the county seat. The sky was still early, and none of them planned to stay in Long City.

The shuttle rocked as it drove into the county seat. Jingyue Lin eagerly jumped off, taking deep breaths of fresh air, finally feeling alive.

“Let’s eat something first before heading back,” Jiang Xun said, carrying her suitcase.

Seeing her nod, they headed straight to the state-run restaurant, paying no mind to Zhou Yan and Yunzheng Xie.

“…Indeed, my brother only behaves normally in front of Jingyue Lin,” Yunzheng muttered.

Zhou Yan overheard and chuckled, “What’s wrong with him acting normal around his girlfriend?”

“Nothing,” Yunzheng rolled his eyes. “You’re just as close as I am to my brother, huh? Hmph.”

The state-run restaurant served braised chicken with potatoes, sauerkraut stewed ribs, several vegetable dishes, and dumplings with fillings of sauerkraut and pork, cabbage and pork, and scallion and pork. They also had steamed buns and meat pies.

Rice was available, too.

But the group all ordered shredded pork noodles—dumplings on the train, noodles off, a good omen for the new year.

Afterward, they added orders of braised chicken with potatoes and scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and she had enough.

“Has the head chef changed?” Yunzheng frowned after slurping a mouthful of noodles.

The taste was off.

“Probably,” Jingyue agreed.

Someone nearby overheard and added quietly, “They changed before the New Year. Something happened in the head chef’s family...”

The rest of the sentence was left unsaid, as if it were taboo.

Others nearby remained silent, clearly uncomfortable discussing it.

The group exchanged glances and dropped the subject.

After the meal, Jiang Xun and Jingyue told Zhou Yan and Yunzheng to head back first; the two planned to visit Old Huo.

But the scrap collection station was manned by a stranger, and Old Huo seemed to have urgent business in the capital.

“Master, why did you go to the capital?” Jingyue pondered.

From their usual interactions, it was clear Old Huo was somewhat reticent about the capital, as if he preferred not to tread there.

What was going on?

“I haven’t heard; it must be something recent. I’ll go to the post office and make a call,” Jiang Xun frowned.

“Good idea.”

They went to the post office.

Mingxue Zhou wasn’t there; another young woman was on duty.

There was a queue for phone calls, but only three people ahead, so it was soon their turn.

Jiang Xun dialed the capital. Once connected, he said, “Grandpa, it’s me.”

A somewhat aged but strong and clear voice came through.

The old man sounded vigorous.

“Yes, arrived safely? Grandpa, have you seen Old Huo?”

“Old Huo? He’s in the capital?”

Jiang Lao was even more surprised than Jiang Xun.

“He hasn’t come to see me. Is something wrong?”

“No. Old Huo suddenly left Baixian County. We’re a bit worried. Grandpa, please keep an eye out while you’re in the capital. Let us know if you hear anything.”

“We?”

Jiang Lao raised an eyebrow on the other end. “Is that young lady beside you?”

Jiang Xun glanced at Jingyue, who didn’t object, and said, “Yes. Grandpa, Jingyue is a bit worried. Please be watchful. The call is expensive, so I’ll hang up first. Send a telegram if you have news.”

“If you hang up, I won’t keep an eye out for you,” Jiang Lao’s voice floated softly through the line.

Jingyue beside him heard it clearly.

They exchanged a glance, both silently sighing.

“I want to talk to the little girl. Step aside,” Jiang Lao grumbled, clearly displeased with his grandson.

Jiang Xun looked at Jingyue helplessly.

Jingyue smiled and took the phone. “Hello, Grandpa Jiang. I’m Jingyue Lin, Jiang Xun’s girlfriend.”

Her voice was bright and clear, energetic and lively, with a hint of laughter—open and friendly.

Instantly, a smile spread across Jiang Lao’s face. Ah, this girl must be wonderful.

“Can I call you Yueyue? Yueyue, did that rascal not bring you home for the New Year? Tell Grandpa, and I’ll scold him,” Jiang Lao said, his voice softening.

The tender, gentle little girl’s voice had to be treated with care, lest he scare her.

Jiang Xun’s mouth twitched at the contrast.

“No, I couldn’t leave on my side. I returned to An City. Grandpa Jiang, I’ll visit the capital when I get the chance. So don’t worry; your granddaughter-in-law isn’t going anywhere.”

Jiang Lao caught the implied meaning.

“Hahaha...” The old man’s hearty laughter came through the receiver. “Alright, then I’ll wait. Don’t fool this old man, okay?”

He liked straightforward, cheerful girls.

“Got it. But you remember, Grandpa Jiang, don’t kick me out when I come visit,” Jingyue said with a bright smile.

She had no idea what “brazen” meant.

Jiang Lao laughed again. This little girl was indeed interesting—very interesting.

He promised on the phone.

Jiang Xun listened to their conversation, feeling helpless yet warm inside.

After a few more words, Jingyue said goodbye to Jiang Lao and asked if he wanted to speak to Jiang Xun again. The old man disdainfully hung up.

Jiang Xun...

Why did it feel like before the conversation even started, his status had already plummeted?

Jingyue smiled, her eyes sparkling. “Grandpa Jiang is very kind.”

Kind?

Jiang Xun’s mouth twitched. “You’re the first person to describe him as ‘kind.’”

“Why? Is there something wrong?”

“No,” Jiang Xun chuckled softly. “By the way, how was your trip to An City this time?”