Chapter 177: Reunion after a long separation
Chapter 177: Reunion after a long separation
In the afternoon, Xu Qing put away the pliers and metal rings. With the casino closed for the May Day holiday and no stock charts to monitor, he turned to see if Jiang He was gaming. However, her computer sat quietly, untouched. Picking up his phone, Xu Qing noticed that Jiang He hadn’t sent any photos or shared her travel experiences. Feeling idle, he got up to stretch. The weather felt warm, so he opened the tightly shut window a crack, letting in fresh air to dispel the stifling atmosphere.
Sometimes people are strange—being idle every day feels fine, but when others have time off, you suddenly feel like doing something.
Xu Qing tinkered around and brought out the electric fan from the storeroom. He found a small wooden stand to elevate it and positioned it by Jiang He’s computer. After some thought, he pulled his couch over so that both of them could enjoy the fan’s breeze when it oscillated.
Clapping his hands in satisfaction, Xu Qing sat in Jiang He’s chair to test it out. By spinning halfway around, he could prop his legs on the couch, enjoying a half-reclined, relaxed posture. Only he found this enjoyable—Jiang He preferred sitting cross-legged.
Leaning back with half-closed eyes, Xu Qing opened Jiang He’s computer but paused, startled, at the login screen. It was password-protected.
“What does she take me for? Like I’d snoop through her browsing history?” Xu Qing huffed indignantly, shutting the computer down. Standing up, he rearranged the furniture, pushing the coffee table aside and moving the stools to the corners. The living room instantly felt more spacious.
Winter calls for a cozier arrangement, while summer benefits from a more open layout—it was something Xu Qing vaguely remembered reading somewhere. It did feel refreshing and even lifted his spirits.
He moved the potted ginger plant from beside the TV to the window for some fresh air, wiping its leaves with a yellowed rag. Just as he finished, he noticed an older woman and a younger woman walking by outside. As they got closer, he realized it was Jiang He, who turned her head and spotted him standing by the window.