CHAPTER 37: CHAPTER 37: BAI YUEGUANG’S STAND-IN

He waited for Jiang Lai’s surprised and delighted gaze to turn to him, but after waiting and waiting, all he got was a helpless laugh.

"Pfft..."

She laughed.

She laughed?

It wasn’t that kind of surprised laughter, but... helplessness and speechlessness?

Xiao Jun never expected Jiang Lai to have this kind of reaction, so still holding the painting, he asked in a calm manner.

"What’s wrong? Don’t you like this painting anymore?"

"It’s not that I don’t like it, I just think it’s funny that you bought it and gave it to me."

"Funny?"

The man frowned, feeling a little displeased.

His attempt to please her was something she found funny?

Besides, the painting was indeed good, even he, an outsider, could sense its charm; could Jiang Lai not feel it?

Jiang Lai shook her head, covering her mouth.

"Sorry, I find it funny because, I was the one who painted this."

"..."

Xiao Jun’s face was full of confusion, as if he didn’t understand what Jiang Lai meant.

"You, you painted this?"

"Yes, did you see the word at the bottom? Jiang, it’s Jiang from Jiang Lai. It was my alias in college. I painted this in my sophomore year, and since I was short on money I sold it on the bridge, and then a foreigner bought it. Who would’ve thought after so many years, I’d see it again, and... and you bought it and gave it to me. Tell me, how can there be such a coincidence in the world?"

Xiao Jun stared at the corner of the painting’s frame where the letters were, looking carefully, it really was the pinyin for Jiang.

This painting, was really painted by Jiang Lai?

Looking back at the woman in front of him, she was still smiling, her eyes bright, eyebrows curved like the moon, her bright and delicate features seemed to glow with the golden light of the sunset, for a moment making Xiao Jun lose his senses, not moving his gaze for a long time.

Jiang Lai laughed boldly and heartily, without causing Xiao Jun to feel the slightest offense, even oddly finding her charming and adorable at this moment.

The man’s ears reddened, not knowing what to say for a moment, and finally laughed along with her.

"Oh my gosh... what is this called? A wasted effort?"

"It’s fine, since you bought it, keep it for yourself, I didn’t expect my painting to be bought by a collector in Italy, now that it’s with you, it means you have good taste!"

As Jiang Lai spoke, she slightly lifted her chin, like a proud little peacock, her confidence infectious to those around her.

After laughing, Xiao Jun realized he hadn’t laughed so heartily and without burden in a long time.

In front of this woman, his scheming and plans always seemed to fall apart without effort, in the end just doing something thankless was okay, but somehow he didn’t even feel the slightest sense of defeat, instead his mood inexplicably improved.

"I didn’t expect you to be so good at painting, your Italian is fluent too, and you even know how to use a gun. Could it be you’re a noble lady with a prominent background?"

The man’s tone was much more casual, his body relaxing, looking at Jiang Lai awaiting her response.

Jiang Lai was still smiling.

"Then you might be disappointed, my parents are very ordinary people, and I’m just an ordinary person too, it’s just that I have a lot of hobbies, on the contrary, you seem more like a rich young master."

Xiao Jun smiled without speaking, watching as Jiang Lai finished a large piece of cake, then helped her take a photo in front of the café.

When the woman’s smile was captured, under the dazzling warm sunset, Xiao Jun suddenly felt, Jiang Lai, this girl, was not as bad as rumors said.

Tomorrow is Jiang Lai’s last day in Italy.

"You love water so much, tomorrow you can go to Venice for a tour, just by sitting on a boat you can tour the whole city."

"Sure, but I feel a bit guilty for making you accompany me these past two days, I’ll go to Venice by myself tomorrow, you must have your own itinerary since you’re here too."

Thinking of parting ways with Jiang Lai tomorrow, Xiao Jun subconsciously made an excuse.

"It’s fine, I came to Italy to have fun too, it’s better to play together than alone, let’s go together."

Seeing Jiang Lai staying silent, Xiao Jun added.

"After all, you’re my savior."

"Why do I feel like being your savior is a bit of a loss for me."

The two exchanged smiles, Xiao Jun could only see Jiang Lai as straightforward yet adorable, shaking his head helplessly.

"You’re really blunt."

"I’ve always been like this, it’s hard to keep things bottled up."

On the gondola in the Venice water city, a freelance photographer randomly captured the city’s beautiful landscapes and culture, as the shutter clicked, the lens caught a man and woman sitting together, the man saying something, the woman propping her chin listening attentively; this scene became a highlight frame of the romantic water city.

The photographer handed the camera to Xiao Jun, whisperingly asking if they could keep this photo.

Xiao Jun looked down, examining the photo in front of him, a smile slowly appearing, slightly nodding before looking at the unsuspecting Jiang Lai, then asked the photographer,

"Can this photo be sent to me?"

"Of course, you and your girlfriend are really well-matched."

Xiao Jun smiled without speaking, after saving the photo he accompanied Jiang Lai to stroll through the mall.

"Did you book your flight? If not, you can fly back with me."

"No need, no need, I’m going back with my boss, I won’t trouble you."

"Your boss?"

"Yes, I’m the original illustrator for the Light Sensing Game, my boss is here for business and I’m waiting to go back with him."

Jiang Lai laughed openly, while Xiao Jun silently frowned.

The boss of Light Sensing Game? Xu Guang? That playboy?

He could actively invite Jiang Lai to take his private jet together?

Xiao Jun didn’t say much, this trip to Italy seemed successful, yet not so successful, even he himself couldn’t figure out what’s going on right now.

After parting, Jiang Lai received a call from Xu Guang, telling her to wait at the hotel to return to the country together.

Not long after hanging up, another call came.

It was Shen Liao.

He’s been persevering with a call every day these past few days, a man who wouldn’t even reply to messages in the past, now humbly seeking reconciliation every day.

This time, Jiang Lai didn’t hang up.

"Jiang Lai..."

The man’s voice was low and hoarse, sounding heart-wrenching.

"When are you coming back?"

"Just in a few days, why?"

"I miss you."

Silent and concise, Shen Liao never spoke nonsense, but his straightforwardness always caught one off guard.

Jiang Lai pursed her lips and smiled.

"I’m about to board the plane, hanging up now, goodbye."

Hanging up and getting into Xu Guang’s car, they flew back to the country.

This time Jiang Lai didn’t stay in Jiang City, but went directly back to her hometown, when she arrived at her door with her luggage, she immediately noticed a new car parked under the building, for some reason, Jiang Lai instinctively felt something was off about this car.