Jiang Li pulled her weekend plans and realized she didn’t have anything lined up, so she decided to go to the blood donation center with Wen Wan. She had never donated blood before and wasn’t familiar with the process, but since Lin Zhao had experience, following him would probably make things a lot easier.
When Jiang Li and Wen Wan arrived at the meeting spot, they were surprised to see Tong Yi standing next to Lin Zhao. Noticing Jiang Li’s surprised expression, Tong Yi chuckled softly and asked, “Didn’t expect me to join you for blood donation, did you?”
Jiang Li nodded, “You never mentioned it before.”
Tong Yi smiled and said, “If you’re already doing something so admirable, I can’t fall too far behind, right?”
Jiang Li nodded, “Alright then, let’s all go together. Maybe we’ll even get a souvenir or something.”
Tong Yi leaned in to tease her, “Tell me what kind of souvenir you want. I could also get it for you.”
Jiang Li’s response was a sideway glance, “It’s called a souvenir because it has commemorative value, got it? Whatever you give me wouldn’t have that.”
Tong Yi sighed dramatically, “I’m offering to give you a gift, and you’re already rejecting it? That really hurts, you know?”
Seeing him pretend to look pitiful, Jiang Li couldn’t help but laugh. Maybe she was used to receiving gifts from Tong Yi, which led her to think this way. Even during his time abroad, Tong Yi would frequently send her things—sometimes items she had casually mentioned in their chats, other times quirky little trinkets, and occasionally snacks or local specialties.
Thinking about it, she realized she hadn’t given Tong Yi many gifts in return, mostly just sending him something for his birthday each year.
“For your birthday this year, I’ll give you an extra gift,” Jiang Li said to Tong Yi. This guy’s birthday was based on the lunar calendar, on the first day of the eleventh lunar month, which usually fell in November. That meant she still had a few months to prepare something special for him. This extra gift would be her way of making up for previous years!
Hearing this, Tong Yi couldn’t resist asking, “Are you planning to give me a handmade gift?”
Jiang Li was taken aback. “You want something handmade?” She rarely gave handmade gifts because they took time, and she wasn’t sure if the recipient would even like them.
Tong Yi immediately nodded, “Yes, I really like handmade things.”
“But none of the gifts you’ve given me were handmade,” Jiang Li pointed out.
Tong Yi looked hurt, “Those models I gave you were all built by me, and even the drone I gave you was something I assembled myself. You didn’t know?”
“Really?” Jiang Li’s mouth opened slightly in surprise. The things Tong Yi had given her were all so well-made that she had assumed he had bought them, but it turned out he had made them himself?
“Of course! And, actually… the scarf you made for me before was really nice. It was warm and looked great,” he said, his voice dropping to a whisper, a hint of awkwardness crossing his face.
Jiang Li couldn’t help but feel like she was watching a child ask for a present, which she found rather cute, so she nodded without hesitation, “Alright then. Before winter arrives, I’ll knit you another scarf. Consider it an early birthday gift.” Since she had learned how to knit scarves long ago, it wasn’t a difficult task. It wouldn’t take her too much effort to fulfill this request for her big nephew.
Tong Yi’s smile deepened at her words. “I’ll give you a gift, too. Got anything you really want?”
Jiang Li thought for a moment and shook her head, “I don’t think there’s anything I particularly want.”
“…” Tong Yi was a bit dejected—‘Having a crush who doesn’t need anything really is a bit of a headache!’
Jiang Li and Tong Yi walked side by side, while Wen Wan and Lin Zhao followed behind. Seeing them chatting and laughing along the way, Wen Wan couldn’t help but show an envious look. After hesitating for a few seconds, she turned to Lin Zhao and quietly asked, “Don’t you think Jiang Li and Tong Yi look really good together?”
Lin Zhao, recalling Tong Yi’s words from before, gently advised, “You’re still young. You shouldn’t be focusing on romance right now.”
Wen Wan puffed up her cheeks, clearly upset. She had already realized that Lin Zhao always treated her like a little kid, pampering her but also trying to control her like a child.
As they walked, Wen Wan kicked the small stones along the roadside, and Lin Zhao immediately knew she was upset. He softened his tone and said, “You’re only sixteen this year. You shouldn’t be thinking about dating at this age.”
Wen Wan became even more displeased and looked at Lin Zhao with a hint of defiance. “What if… what if I really want to have a boyfriend?”
Lin Zhao quickly pictured Wen Wan dating another guy, and his brows furrowed. “Then I’ll tell Uncle Wen and Aunt Wen and let them talk some sense into you.”
Wen Wan: “…”
Not only did he treat her like a child, but when he couldn’t handle her, he even threatened to tattle on her parents. This was just too much!
Wen Wan angrily followed Jiang Li and Tong Yi to the parking lot. Once Tong Yi pulled the car around, she and Lin Zhao got into the back seat together. Still upset that Lin Zhao hadn’t tried to comfort her, she deliberately sat as far from him as possible. When Lin Zhao moved slightly closer to her, she instantly scooted further away, almost pressing herself against the car door.
Leaning his chin with one hand, Lin Zhao asked, “Are you mad?”
Wen Wan huffed, determined to ignore him.
Lin Zhao sighed. “I’m just looking out for you. You’re only sixteen, while most of your peers are already adults. If they’re trying to date you, their intentions probably aren’t pure.”
Wen Wan finally met his gaze and asked, “Then… what about you? If you’re so set on stopping me from dating, are you planning to date anyone?”
Lin Zhao thought for a moment, “I’m already an adult, but for the sake of fairness, I won’t date anyone for the next two years. Does that work for you?”
Wen Wan had tears in her eyes from frustration after hearing the first part, but by the time he finished speaking, she was so surprised by the sudden turn of events that she didn’t know how to react.
“You… you mean it?” She muttered, still in disbelief.
Lin Zhao nodded. “Of course. When have I ever lied to you?”
Wen Wan huffed again. “You stole my snacks when we were little.”
“…” Lin Zhao was speechless. That was from when they were in elementary school, and she still held a grudge over it?
“Since you mean it, let’s pinky promise,” Wen Wan stuck out her pinky finger. “If you break your word, the girl you like won’t like you back.”
Lin Zhao readily nodded, “Alright, whatever you say.”
Listening to their conversation from the front seat, Jiang Li couldn’t help but laugh. She realized that Wen Wan was indeed quite childish, especially when it came to Lin Zhao. Her behavior could easily be compared to that of a kindergartener.
As they stopped at a red light, Tong Yi turned to Jiang Li, “Are you suddenly realizing that, compared to them, I seem really mature and reliable?”
Jiang Li nodded. “Yeah, they’re like two years old toddlers, and you’re a little better—maybe around three years old.”
“…” Tong Yi really wanted to ask: ‘What would it take for Jiang Xiao Li to finally see me as mature and reliable?!’
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Translator’s Note:
We had a small emergency, so sorry for the missing update last week >_<
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