Watching Xiao Su dismiss Zhang Xiaoxiao and Bai Yi with a single phone call, Jiang Linyuan once again realized just how terrifying her family background truly was.
But that's fine! He was, after all, Auntie Shaqima's certified boyfriend-in-pursuit of Xiao Su.
He was practically part of the Heavenly Court now! From now on, he could borrow Xiao Su's connections to bluff his way through!
Just as Jiang Linyuan was contemplating whether to belt out a triumphant "Stumbling into the Celestial Palace," a voice sounded in his ear.
"Earlier... thank you."
Shen Wanyu's voice came through the thin mist.
"Department Head, that's not exactly what I wanted to hear."
Jiang Linyuan said with a cheeky grin.
"Then you won't be hearing what you want right now either."
Shen Wanyu tucked her windblown long hair behind her ear and continued:
"Back then, when you were in the External Liaison Department, you were just like this."
"Do you remember what I said at the time?"
When Jiang Linyuan first set his sights on Shen Wanyu as an A-grade target, he had actually formulated a plan. But unfortunately, it yielded zero progress.
What truly brought them closer was an event planning session a year ago.
Shen Wanyu's personality was sharp, her words always carried thorns. At that time, she was working with a female student.
No one knew what conflict arose between them, but that girl started spreading rumors about her throughout the External Liaison Department, making Shen Wanyu quite unpopular.
It made sense. Shen Wanyu had a cold demeanor, spoke incisively, and always gave off an air of superiority. Those who knew her already had a poor impression, and after this incident, everyone deliberately avoided her.
Of course, at that time, Jiang Linyuan was still wet behind the ears. His methods for dealing with Green Tea weren't refined enough. He thought that properly punishing that girl would earn him favor with Shen Wanyu.
In the end, the girl did apologize to Shen Wanyu, but he ended up with a bad reputation instead.
The nickname "Green Tea Detector" was spread by that girl, intended to disgust both Jiang Linyuan and Shen Wanyu.
What Shen Wanyu said to him back then was:
"To help me even at the cost of being hated by others... how foolish."
Shen Wanyu looked into Jiang Linyuan's eyes and repeated herself.
"Department Head, I helped you out here. And this is how you address me?"
Jiang Linyuan sounded somewhat dissatisfied.
"Deputy Minister Jiang, it seems that over this past year, your physical fitness and brain capacity have grown inversely proportional. You only remember half of it."
Shen Wanyu sighed.
"How could I possibly forget? I was just afraid that if I said it, you'd fall in love with me, Department Head."
Jiang Linyuan smiled and recited the second half:
"But I don't hate foolish people. You've earned my friendship. From today on, you're considered my friend."
Shen Wanyu nodded with satisfaction:
"It seems you still remember the kindness I've shown you."
"Department Head, what if Xiao Su hadn't stepped in to save the situation earlier? Your uncle has your back, but I'm just a small fry with no connections!"
"Relax. You're my subordinate, and you're also my... friend. Nothing will happen."
"Department Head, are you blushing?"
"People who talk too much usually end up in a bad way."
The two of them spoke, then sat down quietly to rest for a while, waiting for the sunrise.
...
"We finally got it!"
"So worth it!"
Suddenly, the previously silent crowd around them burst into excitement. Everyone lifted their heads and looked toward the sky.
"Is the sunrise here?"
Shen Wanyu opened her eyes and asked.
"That's right, Department Head. Today on Purple Mountain, two suns are rising! One is me..."
"Shut up."
Shen Wanyu cut him off without mercy.
"Hmm... so this is a sunrise? Not bad, actually."
Su Muzhi raised her hand as if trying to catch the sunlight.
"Xiao Su, you rarely see sunrises?"
Jiang Linyuan asked.
"Hehe, if a view doesn't come to me on its own, then it must be flawed."
Su Muzhi said with a smile.
Tch. Never seen one, just say so. Why be so stubborn about it?
"Take a photo. You can look at it later."
Shen Wanyu said unexpectedly, pulling out a camera from her bag.
Su Muzhi was stunned for a moment, then looked at her:
"Hehe, that's quite novel."
It was unclear whether she was talking about the person or the act of taking photos.
"What fun is just taking scenery? Let's take a group photo."
Jiang Linyuan suggested.
"With who? Me or Shen Wanyu?"
Su Muzhi raised an eyebrow and asked.
"Why not take one together?"
Jiang Linyuan said.
A photo of two people was ambiguous. A photo of three was friendship.
Su Muzhi thought for a moment, then lowered her head and smiled:
"Alright. Come to think of it, it's been a while since we took a photo together."
"Only because you refused."
Shen Wanyu said.
The three of them found a passerby to take the photo.
"Hey, good, just like that."
The photography-loving passerby looked at the handsome man and beautiful women before him, his heart screaming inside.
I must unleash ten times my skill! With faces this magnificent, I have to capture them perfectly!
"The young man can move closer, yes. Long-haired girl, try to smile... ah, forget it, no smile is fine too..."
They quickly arranged their positions. Jiang Linyuan stood in the middle, Su Muzhi on the left, and Shen Wanyu on the right.
Half the sun swayed, red light piercing through the clouds. The entire cloud layer blushed crimson, incredibly enchanting.
Jiang Linyuan felt a poke on his left cheek and instinctively turned his head.
At the moment of sunrise, Su Muzhi flashed him a mischievous grin. Sunlight painted her profile, and her pupils reflected a flowing, dreamlike light.
"Did I scare you?"
She asked.
Click.
As she spoke, the camera captured the moment.
On top of Purple Mountain, amidst the distant clamor of the crowd, a boy in a sweater coat looked bewildered, his hair slightly tousled by the wind, staring at the girl on his left who wore a sly smile.
The girl on the right stood quietly, eyes fixed straight ahead on the lens, as if none of this had anything to do with her.
...
When descending the mountain, Su Muzhi demanded that Jiang Linyuan carry her on his back for the first half of the journey.
"Why? Xiao Su, didn't you get enough rest? Even if I have to carry you, shouldn't it be for the second half when you're actually tired!"
Jiang Linyuan naturally refused. Was she trying to use him as an overworked beast of burden?
"If Jiang-classmate intends to carry me all the way back to school on the second half, I wouldn't mind at all."
Su Muzhi said with a smile.
People always compromised. Hearing this, Jiang Linyuan reluctantly agreed.
Su Muzhi skillfully climbed onto his back.
Shen Wanyu didn't say much either, walking ahead of the two.
The early morning was very quiet, with only the occasional wind rustling through the leaves.
Su Muzhi once again wrapped her arms around Jiang Linyuan's neck and whispered in his ear with a smile:
"The sunrise was beautiful. I really liked it."
"Xiao Su, I didn't expect you to utter such a provincial saying. Where's the Shanghai elegance?"
"Hehe, it was thrown away by some country bumpkin."
"How tragic... Xiao Su, do you think there's a chance you're a fake heiress? The kind who was switched at birth?"
"Don't say things that ruin the atmosphere."
Su Muzhi lazily punched him, without much force. She seemed genuinely tired.
"Alright, let me show you my skills as a love-talk master!"
"If you dare say something like that again, I'll kill you!"
She suddenly perked up, speaking with authority.
"Fine, then I'll recite a poem."
Jiang Linyuan put on an announcer's tone:
"To the Oak Tree, by Shu Ting."
"If I love you, I will never be like the climbing trumpet creeper, showing off on your high branches..."
Amidst the broadcasting-style recitation, Su Muzhi couldn't make out what he was saying.
She was too tired. Her eyelids began to droop uncontrollably.
She only remembered the morning light flowing across Jiang Linyuan's profile as the wind brushed his cheek, his expression deadly serious, both funny and ridiculous.
And the faint verses echoing in her ears:
"Oak trees are deciduous. In autumn, they must shed their leaves."
"She is a girl, so she must fall for him."
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