21: Chapter 21 Antique Street

I don't know how much time passed before the two of them slowly calmed down amidst their warm breaths.

Su Wanqing leaned softly in Jiang Chen's arms, her cheeks flushed, the corners of her eyes glistening with a faint moisture, and even her fingertips carried a lazy soreness.

After reason reclaimed the territory of emotion.

She knew better than anyone that status, age, and future prospects stood between them; this path was so difficult that the end was almost invisible.

But she didn't want to let go anymore.

Even if it was only a brief companionship, even if there was no result in the end, as long as she had owned it, she felt it was enough.

Jiang Chen lowered his head and gently kissed the sweaty crown of her head, his voice hoarse and tender: "Lie down for a while longer, or get up and clean up?"

Su Wanqing buried her face in his chest and shook her head gently: "No more sleeping, let's get up."

The two slowly got up, washed, and changed clothes.

Su Wanqing first changed into a set of soft cream-white loungewear. Her long hair hung loosely on her shoulders, lacking the coldness she had on the podium and adding a bit of domestic gentleness and elegance.

"Hungry?" she asked softly.

Jiang Chen nodded, his gaze falling on her soft profile, and asked seriously: "Shall I take you out to eat? Or... just whip up something simple at home?"

Su Wanqing lowered her eyes slightly, thought for a moment, and her voice was gentle and steady: "Let's not go out. It's a hassle with so many people outside. I'll make you a bowl of noodles, clear soup, to warm your stomach."

A simple sentence, yet it contained a full sense of domestic bliss and peace of mind.

"Okay, I'll listen to you. I'll be your assistant."

The two of them walked into the kitchen one after the other.

Su Wanqing tied on a light-colored apron. Her figure was graceful as she skillfully took out dried noodles, then two eggs, a handful of small green vegetables, and a few slices of fresh luncheon meat from the refrigerator.

Jiang Chen stood quietly by her side, helping her hand over things, turning on the gas stove, and washing dishes and pots. Every move was coordinated and natural.

Soon, the water in the pot began to bubble and steam.

The noodles went into the pot, tumbling and stretching. She added round poached eggs and then the emerald green vegetables. The aroma gradually filled the small kitchen, warm and healing.

Su Wanqing focused on the pot, her profile soft. Jiang Chen stood behind her, gently wrapping his arms around her waist, his chin resting on the top of her head, quietly accompanying her.

There were no extra words, yet it was more moving than any sweet talk.

In less than ten minutes, two steaming bowls of clear soup noodles were ready.

The noodles were chewy, the poached eggs had runny yolks, the vegetables were fresh green, and the broth was clear. It looked simple, but it was full of the taste of home.

The two of them carried the noodles to the small dining table in the living room and sat down. The morning light spilled through the window onto the table, warm and comfortable.

Jiang Chen picked up his chopsticks and ate with great relish. After finishing a bowl of noodles, even most of the fatigue on his body dissipated.

"How does it taste?" Su Wanqing asked him while taking small bites, looking up at him.

"It's amazing."

Jiang Chen put down his chopsticks, his eyes full of satisfaction. "A hundred times better than the noodles in the school cafeteria."

"Then I'll make them for you often in the future."

Su Wanqing ate in small bites, watching him wolf down the food. The corners of her mouth were constantly tilted up, and her eyes were as gentle as water.

Having lived for thirty years, it was the first time she had experienced this kind of plain and steady happiness.

Not an exquisite feast, not an expensive gift, just a bowl of hot noodles in the morning with the person she liked by her side.

After finishing the noodles, Jiang Chen rushed to take the dishes to the kitchen, carefully washing, drying, and putting them away. His movements were skillful and considerate.

"Teacher Su, since there are no classes today anyway, why don't we go to the mall?"

Su Wanqing was slightly taken aback, then nodded gently: "Alright, I'll go with you."

A relaxed smile appeared in Jiang Chen's eyes as he said frankly.

"My previous clothes have been worn for several years, washed until they're faded and out of shape. It's long overdue for a change. Coincidentally, I made some money in the stock market a while ago, and now I have the ability. I should treat myself well."

Driving to a high-end shopping mall in the city center, the first floor was full of international light luxury and men's designer brands.

Jiang Chen was tall and had a straight posture. He looked exceptionally good in designer cuts. The sales guide saw at a glance that he was a "clothes hanger" and enthusiastically recommended classic styles suitable for tall people.

He wasn't extravagant, only picking three sets of designer clothes with good texture that could be worn for a long time.

• Canada Goose Black Simple Windbreaker: 7,900 Yuan

• Lululemon Light Grey Hoodie + Black Sweatpants: 3,200 Yuan

• Theory Cream-white Wool Knit Sweater + Dark Grey Casual Trousers: 5,800 Yuan

• Common Projects White Sneakers: 4,300 Yuan

Total price: 21,200 Yuan.

After trying on the last set, Jiang Chen stood in front of the mirror, completely transformed from a green student into a tall, clean, and eye-catching young man.

Just as he was about to pay, Su Wanqing gently pressed his hand, walked to the cashier first, and swiped her card to pay directly.

"I'll pay."

Her voice was gentle yet firm, "Think of it as a gift from me."

Jiang Chen looked at her, his heart warming, and he didn't decline further.

"Then next, it's my turn to buy for you. No refusing."

Without waiting for Su Wanqing to decline, he had already led her toward the luxury goods area on the second floor.

He led her into the Tiffany & Co. counter and pointed straight at a Tiffany T series rose gold diamond-encrusted necklace.

The design was simple and elegant, with small and exquisite diamonds. It complemented her skin tone and highlighted her temperament, making it very suitable for a cold, intellectual, and mature woman like Su Wanqing.

Price: 30,000 Yuan.

As soon as Su Wanqing saw the price, she immediately said softly, "It's too expensive, I can't take it."

Jiang Chen pressed her shoulders, made her sit in front of the mirror, and gently put it on her from behind.

The rose gold rested against her slender collarbone, both cold and gentle, instantly lighting up her whole person.

He lowered his head and whispered close to her ear.

"You deserve the best."

Without waiting for her to refuse again, Jiang Chen had already turned to pay, and 30,000 Yuan was charged instantly.

The clerk smiled and handed over the gift box: "Sir is really good to his girlfriend."

Jiang Chen took the small red box, held Su Wanqing's hand, and a gentle smile appeared in his eyes: "Let's go, girlfriend."

Su Wanqing held the heavy box, her fingertips trembling slightly.

Having lived for thirty years, it was the first time she had been pampered so blatantly yet carefully.

After buying the things, the two watched a movie and then found a place to sit for a while.

Under the warm yellow light, Su Wanqing leaned on his shoulder, her fingertips unconsciously touching the necklace between her collarbones, her heart full of peace.

Seeing that the time was approaching 3:30 PM.

Jiang Chen remembered the daily wealth intelligence updated this morning.

[Today's Intelligence: At 4:00 PM today, at Antique Street in the west of the city, enter from the south entrance and go straight to the 37th stall. The stall owner is surnamed Wang. Inside the third old yellow cardboard box just unloaded from the truck, at the bottom corner, there is a cracked old wooden box. A box within a box hides a Qing Dynasty Hetian Celadon Jade Pendant. Market value is 100,000 Yuan, unnoticed by anyone.]

"Teacher Su, I'll take you to a fun place."

"Where?"

"You'll know when you get there!"