Chapter 8: Life Is a Book - Its Final Inscription Should Be a Tall, Evergreen Tree

Haicheng. A dorm room bed.

After replying to Pei Heyun, Jiang Wan launched into her nightly flirting mission.

She opened Facebook and the chat with Shang Shixu.

Her eyes sparkled with mischief - she fired off an unconventional opening line.

A little abstract, sure - but it worked.

Over the past month, she'd pried open Shang Shixu's gilded mouth through sheer creative persistence.

Sure enough, a reply came fast.

Lie: [What do you want?]

Jiang Wan replied instantly.

[You.]

The moment she hit send, even she couldn't help laughing.

If she said that to his face, there was no way it'd come out of her mouth.

But through a screen? She'd say anything.

Boston. A bright, pristine classroom.

The instant Shang Shixu saw those words -

A frosty brow caught the first whisper of spring.

He didn't reply immediately. He stood and walked out of the classroom.

A full five minutes passed before Jiang Wan got her response.

Lie: [No.]

This man. An iron fortress, as always.

She fired back fast.

Nice2MeetYou: [Hmph (¬_¬) Fine, keep it to yourself! I'm not giving up!]

Give up on five hundred thousand?

Not a chance.

This time, his reply came quickly.

Lie: [You should sleep.]

Nice2MeetYou: [Mm! Goodnight, brother~]

Lie: [Night.]

The next day.

Just past five AM. Dawn was barely a gray smudge on the sky.

Wang Yurong's phone went off on the desk below her bunk, ringing with abandon.

The ringtone woke everyone - except Wang Yurong herself, sleeping soundly above.

The phone shrieked on and on. No one got up.

Li Zhile, temper already a lit fuse, ripped back her curtain and roared in Wang Yurong's direction: "WANG YURONG!"

One blast. The girl shot awake.

Wang Yurong sat up groggily, slid down from her bunk, and answered.

A sales call. She muttered a curse and hung up.

"Screw this."

Waking people up at dawn. May you never find toilet paper again.

She crawled back into bed and went right back to sleep.

The dorm returned to peace.

Jiang Wan, now wide awake, had no chance of falling back asleep.

She stretched, fished her phone out from under the covers.

The daily ritual - message Shang Shixu.

Nice2MeetYou: [Good morning, darling~]

A quick reply this time.

Lie: [Up early.]

Nice2MeetYou: [Roommate's phone woke me up. Can't sleep anymore.]

Lie: [You don't have a place near campus?]

Listen to that - such a simple, unassuming question.

Jiang Wan hadn't forgotten she was wearing Gu Manning's identity, so she improvised a reason.

Nice2MeetYou: [I do! But I like living with my roommates. It's more fun.]

One sentence, clean explanation for why "Gu Manning" would always be on campus.

In reality, Gu Manning rarely stayed in the dorms at all.

Jiang Wan and she almost exclusively communicated by phone.

After the explanation, the man replied: [Oh.]

Jiang Wan pivoted to a new topic.

Nice2MeetYou: [What are you up to?]

Two minutes later, a photo arrived.

A broad, solid wood desk. Stacked file boxes - blue and black checkered - lined up in neat piles.

At the center: a stack of documents, black text on white paper. A fountain pen that looked like it cost more than most people's rent lay beside them.

Lie: [Working.]

He added two words.

Through a month of conversation, Jiang Wan knew he was juggling grad school with managing his family's overseas business empire.

The gap between people could be that vast.

Nice2MeetYou: [Won't disturb you then, darling~ Go work!]

Sent. She lazed in bed scrolling her phone for another half hour before dragging herself up.

Today was Friday.

The campus hummed with a giddy energy - even the air tasted sweeter.

Morning classes ended. Jiang Wan packed her bag to go home.

Perks of being a local.

Just grab a bag and go. No ticket-scramming required.

In the dorm, only Jiang Wan and Li Zhile were Haicheng locals.

Li Zhile was from the city proper - a true "Haicheng citizen."

Jiang Wan was from Zhijiang County, under Haicheng's jurisdiction.

A county town, yes - but under the umbrella of a major metropolis, the local development wasn't shabby at all.

Jiang Wan loved her hometown.

Backpack on, she rode the bus home like a kid let out of school, swaying with the rhythm of the road.

4 PM. She reached her front door.

The keypad lock beeped open. Familiar sights flooded in.

No one home.

Her parents ran a restaurant on the next street over. Her younger brother was a senior in high school - a day student who wouldn't be out until 6:30.

Jiang Wan didn't come home every week.

Sometimes she had gigs. A month or two could pass without a visit.

This time, she hadn't given advance notice. She was going to surprise them.

She went to her bedroom, set down her bag.

Checked her phone - a new order on TT.

She booted up the desktop computer, put on her headset, and took the call.

An hour and a half of gaming later, her client signed off, thoroughly satisfied.

She shut down the PC, changed clothes, and grabbed a taxi to pick up her brother.

Time to surprise the kid.

6:30 PM.

The gates of Zhijiang County No. 1 Senior High School. Packed with people.

Day students streamed out in clusters, every youthful face radiating Friday joy.

Jiang Wan stood to the right of the main gate, squeezed in among the waiting parents.

She scanned the crowd, searching for a familiar figure.

A hand reached from behind, hooked over her collarbone, clamped onto her shoulder, and yanked her back.

Her back hit a solid chest.

She tilted her head up. A face three parts similar to hers grinned down, wide and brilliant.

"Sis, are those big eyes of yours just for show?"

"Your brother is 182.1 centimeters tall. You still can't spot me?"

"I'm mad!"

He put on a mock-serious face.

Jiang Wan turned to face him, coaxing with a smile. "It was too crowded! I couldn't see~"

"Come on. I'll carry you in ranked tonight."

Jiang Feng's eyes lit up. Instant switch to golden-retriever mode.

"Sis~ You're the best!"

He bumped his forehead against hers like an overgrown puppy.

Jiang Wan, bumped sideways, grabbed his ear in retaliation. "Quit being clingy. Let's go!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

The striking siblings vanished into the crowd.

Students who didn't know them assumed the school's heartthrob had bagged a gorgeous girlfriend from another school.

Envious whispers: Some guys have all the luck.

But the rumor died before it could breathe, snuffed by those in the know.

What girlfriend?

That's his sister!

Upon learning the truth, everyone was even more envious.

On the way home, Jiang Feng insisted on giving her a ride.

He commuted on an electric scooter.

Jiang Wan couldn't refuse. She sat on the back, gripping the hem of his school uniform.

The evening breeze lifted their hair, painted gold by the setting sun. They rode toward home.

His voice drifted back on the wind.

"Sis, are you seeing anyone?"

For some reason, Shang Shixu's face flashed through Jiang Wan's mind.

She shook her head, flinging the image away. "No."

"Good."

Jiang Feng's voice was half-scattered by the wind, but his tone was dead serious.

"Let me tell you - most guys are trash. You need to keep your eyes wide open."

Jiang Wan teased. "As a member of the vast brotherhood of males, are you trash or treasure?"

The scooter stopped at a red light.

Jiang Feng twisted around, flashing a grin full of white teeth. "I'm the exception~"

Jiang Wan snorted. "I can tell."

(1/2)

翻译

回复 QYun: 

第8章 人生这卷书，落款应是亭亭常青树
海城，宿舍床上。

姜晚回应完裴鹤云，开始了每日睡前撩汉任务。
她点开脸书，打开和商时序的对话框。
眼珠一转，就是一条不走寻常路的开场白。
虽然有点抽象，但架不住有效。
过去一个月，她都是靠各种 “耍活” 才撬开商时序那张金口。

果不其然，回复来得很快。
Lie：【想要什么】

姜晚秒回 ——
【想要你】

消息发出去的那刻，姜晚自己都忍不住笑了。
这句话要是当面说，她绝对说不出口。
但隔着屏幕，那是什么都敢说。

波士顿，窗明几净的教室。
商时序看到那行字的瞬间 ——
料峭的眉梢捎见了春。
他没有立刻回复，而是朝门外走去。
过了整整五分钟，姜晚才等来回复。
Lie：【不给】

这男人，一如既往的铜墙铁壁。
她飞快敲下一行：
奶思兔米鱿：【哼 (¬\_¬) 不给就不给，我是不会放弃的！】

谁能放弃五十万？
反正她不能。

对方这次很快发来消息。
Lie：【你该睡觉了】
奶思兔米鱿：【嗯嗯，哥哥晚安～】
Lie：【安】

翌日。
早上五点多，天刚朦朦亮。
王语蓉的手机在床下面的桌上响得正欢。
来电铃声吵醒了所有人，唯独没吵醒上铺睡觉的她。
铃声聒噪，半天没人下床。
脾气火爆的李知乐猛地掀开帘子，朝王语蓉的方向大喊一声，“王语蓉！”
一嗓子直接把人喊醒。

王语蓉迷迷糊糊地坐起来，从床上溜下去接起电话。
发现是推销，嘟囔地骂了一声，“操。”
大早上搅人清梦，诅咒你拉屎没有纸。
她挂了电话，爬回去接着睡。

宿舍重新归于平静。
姜晚被吵醒后没了睡意。
她伸了个懒腰，从被窝里摸出手机。
照例给商时序发消息。
奶思兔米鱿：【亲爱的早上好～】

对面回复的很快。
Lie：【醒这么早】
奶思兔米鱿：【被室友电话吵醒，睡不着啦】
Lie：【你在学校附近没房子？】

听听，多么朴实无华的疑问。
姜晚没忘记她顶的是大小姐顾曼宁的身份，于是很快编了个理由。
奶思兔米鱿：【有啊，但我喜欢跟室友住一起，热闹】
一句话，直接解释了她为什么总住学校的原因。
现实中，顾曼宁其实很少住校。
姜晚跟她基本上也都是手机联系。

解释完，对面男人回了个【哦】
姜晚挑起新话题。
奶思兔米鱿：【你在干什么呢？】

两分钟后，对面发来了一张图片。
宽大的实木桌上，摆放着许多蓝格子、黑格子摞起来的文件盒。
图片正中央是一叠白纸黑字的文件，桌上有支看着就价值不菲的钢笔。
Lie：【工作】

他补上两个字。
通过一个月来的了解，姜晚知道他是边读研，边管理家族海外产业。
人和人的差距，有时候就是这么大。
奶思兔米鱿：【不打扰亲爱的工作啦～】

发完，姜晚在被窝里又玩了半个小时手机，才磨磨蹭蹭地起床。

今天周五。
学校弥漫着一种欢快的氛围，连空气都甘甜了几分。
上午课结束，姜晚收拾背包准备回家。
这就本地人的优势。
回家背个包就行，不用抢票。

宿舍里，只有姜晚和李知乐是海城人。
李知乐是海城市区，真正的 “海城市民”。
姜晚则属于海城管辖范围内的支江县。
虽然是个县城，但在繁华大都市的管辖下，当地发展并不差。
姜晚很喜欢自己的家乡。

她背着双肩包，像个放学回家的孩子，乘坐大巴车晃晃悠悠地往家走。
下午四点，到了家门口。
密码锁 “嘀” 的一声打开，熟悉地场景映入眼帘。
家里没人。
爸妈在隔壁那条街上开饭馆，弟弟是高三走读生，六点半放学。
姜晚并不是每周回家。
有时候要兼职，一两个月也回不来一次。
这次回来她没提前打招呼，准备偷偷给家里人个惊喜。

她进到自己卧室，把包放好。
打开手机看了眼，TT 软件里有人下单陪玩。
于是打开桌上的台式电脑，戴上耳机，开始接单。
陪客户打了一个半小时，对方心满意足地下了线。
姜晚关上电脑，换了身衣服，打车去接弟弟。
准备给那小子一个惊喜。

傍晚六点半。
支江县第一高级中学校门口，人头攒动。
走读生们成群结队走出校门，一张张青春洋溢的脸庞上，写满了周五的欢乐。
姜晚站在大门右侧，和一群家长挤在一起等待。
她张望着，在人群中寻觅那道熟悉的身影。

身后忽然伸出一只手，环过她的锁骨，扣上她肩膀，向后一捞。
姜晚后背撞上一具硬邦邦的身体。
她仰起头，就见一张和她有着三分相似的脸，正咧着嘴笑得灿烂。
“姐，你这么大的眼睛是摆设吗？”
“你弟弟我好歹也 182.1 的身高，这你都看不见？”
“我生气了！”
说着装模作样地板起脸。

姜晚反转身体面朝他，笑眯眯地哄道：“这不是人多看不过来嘛～”
“好啦，晚上我带你打游戏上分。”
姜峰眼前一亮，整个人瞬间切换成 “奶狗” 模式。
“姐～你真好！”
他说着就用头去顶姜晚的头，像只大型犬科动物。
姜晚被他顶得侧过脸，反手揪住他的耳朵，“少撒娇，走了！”
“Yes,madam！”

这对高颜值的姐弟很快消失在人群中。
不了解两人关系的学生，以为他们学校的校草谈了个校外的天仙女友。
众人羡慕：校草命真好。
然而流言还没兴起就被知情人戳破。
什么女友？
那是人家校草的亲姐！
得知实情后，众人更羡慕了。

回去的路上，姜峰非要载姜晚。
他平日里上学都是骑着电动车。
姜晚拗不过他，只能坐在后面，揪住弟弟的校服衣摆。
傍晚的风吹起姐弟俩的发丝，映着橘红色的夕阳，一路往家回。
随风飘来弟弟的声音。
“姐，你谈恋爱了没？”

姜晚脑子里莫名其妙闪过商时序那张脸。
她晃了晃头，把那张脸甩出去，“没有。”
“没有就好。”
姜峰的声音被风吹得有些散，但语气却很认真。
“我告诉你，男的没几个好东西，你千万得擦亮眼。”
姜晚促狭，“作为广大男性同胞的一员，那你是好的还是坏的？”

电动车恰好来到红绿灯前，红灯亮起。
姜峰扭过头，笑得露出一口白牙，“我是例外的～”
姜晚 “噗哧” 笑出声，顺着他的话，“我看出来了。”
姜峰挑了挑眉，“我跟你说，你要是哪天谈恋爱了，必须带回来让我掌眼。”
“我可不许你被猪拱了。”

姜晚拍了下他的肩膀，“什么猪不猪的，你当姐姐是白菜啊？”
“不是，我那是亭亭常青树！”
姜晚满意地哼了声，“算你小子会说话。”
“好，我答应你，如果未来有了男朋友，一定带回来让你掌眼。”
姜峰满意地调转车头。
绿灯亮起，电动车启动。
姐弟俩的欢声笑语，一路洒在回家的路上。

波士顿，早上七点。
商时序睁开眼，第一件事是摸手机。
脸书上，最后一条消息还停留在前一天下午五点多。
这边一晚上，国内一白天。
那只 “小蛤蟆” 居然一条消息都没给他发。
商时序心头，蒙上一层躁意。
他把手机往枕头边一扔，闭上眼。
…… 她在干什么？
这个念头冒出来，商时序觉得自己有够荒唐。
他居然在想那只 “小蛤蟆”。
该死！

“叮 ——”
手机屏幕亮了。
一条脸书新消息飞入。
奶思兔米鱿：【亲爱的该起床啦～元气满满新的一天开始喽！♡ω♡】

Jiang Feng raised an eyebrow. "Listen - the day you start dating, you have to bring him home for me to inspect."

"I'm not letting some pig gobble you up."

Jiang Wan smacked his shoulder. "What pig? Am I a cabbage to you?"

"I'm not a cabbage. I'm a tall, evergreen tree!"

Jiang Wan hmph'd, satisfied. "Look at you, knowing how to talk."

"Fine. I promise - if I ever get a boyfriend, I'll bring him home for your inspection."

Jiang Feng nodded, satisfied, and turned the scooter.

The light went green. They rolled forward.

Their laughter scattered all the way home.

Boston. 7 AM.

Shang Shixu opened his eyes. First order of business: reach for his phone.

On Facebook, the last message was still from yesterday afternoon at five-something.

His night had been China's day.

That "little toad" hadn't sent him a single message all day.

A layer of irritation settled over Shang Shixu's chest.

He tossed his phone onto the pillow and closed his eyes.

...What was she doing?

The thought surfaced, and Shang Shixu thought himself absurd.

He was actually thinking about that little toad.

Damn it!

Ding-

The screen lit up.

A new Facebook message.

Nice2MeetYou: [Time to wake up, darling~ A brand new day full of energy starts now! ♡ω♡]