Misaligned Love - Chapter 7
Two weeks later, Jiang Lin finally asked me out on a date.
On the day we met, I deliberately wore a dress that I thought was very pretty. Seeing Jiang Lin outside the hospital felt a bit unfamiliar. He had taken off his white coat and was wearing a casual shirt, with a narrow waist and long legs, exuding a clean and youthful charm. I couldn’t believe Jiajia had such a handsome cousin.
He looked me over for a moment, “Very different from your usual style.”
I was a bit nervous, “I rarely wear dresses.”
“Well, looking this good, you should wear them less.”
I was taken aback and looked up at him. He smiled gently, his gaze warm. I suddenly felt relaxed.
For the rest of the day, I finally experienced what it felt like to be cared for by a boyfriend. Jiang Lin seemed particularly patient with girls. When it got too hot at noon, because I casually mentioned wanting a peach Frappuccino, he let me wait at the seat while he went to Starbucks and stood in line for over ten minutes.
When I praised him to Jiajia on WeChat, she was incredulous, saying that every time she mentioned wanting milk tea or desserts, Jiang Lin would only tell her how high the sugar content was and how eating too much could ruin her skin, let alone personally buying them for her.
“He’s never even bought me a lollipop,” Jiajia complained indignantly. “Haha, you should ask him what if you get pimples after drinking milk tea.”
When Jiang Lin returned, I relayed the question to him verbatim. Jiang Lin handed me the Frappuccino, sat down on the chair opposite, and calmly said, “You have neutral skin, generally not prone to pimples. Even if you do get them, it’s okay, I know a bit about dermatology.”
I sincerely praised him, “You’re amazing.”
He smiled slightly. Jiang Lin’s smile was bright and refreshing. Most importantly, his eyes had me in them. Unlike Xiao Huai, who was always cold, making me cautiously cater to his preferences and ideas, my heart suspended in mid-air, rising and falling with his moods.
Sometimes, while chatting, I would feel sorry for taking up Jiang Lin’s time, “Doctors must be very busy, right?”
“Yes, very busy,” he said, “which is why I want to talk to you.”
Since our last date, we hadn’t seen each other for four or five days. Just as I was thinking about it, he messaged: Want to go out and watch a movie tonight?
It turns out a mutual affection relationship is like this, no longer just sour compromises. While I was still timidly afraid to test the waters, I realized he was also making an effort to get closer to me.
The movie ended late, and Jiang Lin drove me home. The car stopped outside the community, and as I got out, he naturally held my hand, making my heart race a little.
Then I was stunned myself.
“Which building do you live in?” he asked.
“Building 27,” I said, “It takes about one or two minutes to walk.”
He nodded, “Then I’ll walk you downstairs.”
I glanced at the time, past eleven-thirty, Xiao Huai should be asleep. Two days ago, he had just removed his cast, and his basic movements were no longer a big problem, not requiring my constant care.
To spend more time with Jiang Lin, I deliberately took him around the community, not sure if he noticed, but I felt a bit guilty.
What was meant to happen eventually did, five minutes later, we steadily arrived at the entrance of my apartment building.
“Good night,” I said reluctantly.
“Yao Jin,” he called out to me, then slightly closed the distance, placing his hand on my waist and kissed me.
When he released me, I gasped sharply, almost collapsing in his arms, relying on his arm’s support to keep from falling to the ground.
His voice was a bit hoarse, “Xiao Jin, you’re too sensitive.”
It was so embarrassing, my whole face was burning. Yet my tailbone was still tingling with a reckless numbness. Clearly a little flirt, yet never having been in a relationship until now.
Jiang Lin whispered in my ear, “With you like this, I want to kiss you again.”
I buried my face in his shoulder, pretending not to understand what he was saying.
Suddenly, I heard a familiar male voice behind me, “Yao Jin.”
I was startled and slowly turned around. It was Xiao Huai. Why was he still outside so late?