Chapter 372 - 224: Jiang Ming to Call Him Brother-in-Law?! A Breakthrough in the Relationship with Yixia?

Chapter 372: Chapter 224: Jiang Ming to Call Him Brother-in-Law?! A Breakthrough in the Relationship with Yixia?

Jiang Sifan left the studio, the night wind cool against his face.

He took out his phone and scrolled to his chat history with He Lingyi.

The photo from last night of her in the Christmas outfit was still there: a short red-and-white skirt, pale legs, and smiling eyes.

He stared at it for a few seconds, a slight smile playing on his lips. Then, he exited the album and typed out a message.

Jiang Sifan: [Merry Christmas.]

After sending the message, he slipped his phone into his pocket and headed for his dorm.

Halfway there, his phone vibrated.

He Lingyi: [Brother Sifan! Merry Christmas! I thought you’d forgotten.]

He Lingyi even sent several stickers.

Jiang Sifan looked at the string of exclamation points and could just imagine how excited she was as she typed.

He was about to reply when another message arrived.

He Lingyi: [Brother Sifan, do you think Santa Claus will come today? If he does, I really hope he wraps you up and brings you over tonight. That way, I could fall asleep hugging Brother Sifan.]

Jiang Sifan paused, his face growing a little warm.

After a moment’s thought, he replied.

Jiang Sifan: [Go to your girls’ dorm? Wouldn’t that make me a pervert? Haha.]

He Lingyi: [Of course not! You’re so handsome, all the girls in my dorm would think it’s the greatest gift ever. I already showed them your picture. They’re all so jealous of me, saying I have such a handsome tutor.]

A warmth spread through Jiang Sifan’s chest as he read her message.

He remembered the joyful way she acted whenever she saw him, her smiling face when she’d said, "That little girl was me!" and the message that came with her costume photo: "You’re the first boy I’ve ever sent this to."

She was never one to hide her feelings. If she liked someone, she showed it, open and forthright.

He glanced at the time. Nine-thirty.

The dorms were brightly lit, and the school gates probably weren’t closed yet.

Jiang Sifan: [Can you get out of school right now?]

He Lingyi: [Of course! I just have to tell my mom, and she can get me excused by my head teacher. What’s up, Brother Sifan? Are you coming over?]

Jiang Sifan: [Yeah. Meet me at the school gate at ten. I’m bringing you a gift.]

He Lingyi: [Really?! That’s amazing! I’ll go tell my mom right now!]

Jiang Sifan smiled as he looked at the string of exclamation points.

He turned and headed for the school gate. On the way, he passed a dessert shop and bought a small, strawberry-flavored cake with a piece of white chocolate on top.

The clerk put it in a beautiful box for him and tied it with a ribbon.

By the time he arrived at the gate of He Lingyi’s school on his electric scooter, he could see her from a distance, standing under a streetlight.

She was wearing a white puffer jacket, with a scarf wrapped so snugly that only her eyes were visible.

When she saw his scooter approaching, she immediately jumped up, waved, and then jogged over to greet him.

"Brother Sifan!" she called out, running up to him. Her eyes were bright, and the tip of her nose was red from the wind.

Jiang Sifan parked his scooter, took the cake box from the footboard, and handed it to her. "A Christmas gift," he said.

He Lingyi took it, holding it in her hands and admiring it for a moment. Her eyes curved into crescents as she smiled. "It’s beautiful! Can I open it now?"

Jiang Sifan chuckled. "Of course."

She carefully untied the ribbon and opened the box. In the lamplight, the strawberry cake released a sweet aroma.

She took a deep breath and looked up at him. "Brother Sifan, did you really come all this way just to bring me a cake?"

Jiang Sifan nodded. "How long did your mom get you excused for?"

He Lingyi replied, "An hour. I just have to be back before eleven."

"Then how about we go to the Marine Corridor?" Jiang Sifan suggested after a moment’s thought. "The night view is beautiful there. We can eat the cake while looking at the sea."

He Lingyi was so happy she nearly jumped for joy, quickly agreeing.

She carefully set down the cake box and then, quite naturally, settled onto the back seat of his scooter.

The moment the scooter started, her arms came around and wrapped lightly around his waist.

Jiang Sifan’s body stiffened.

He could feel her pressing against him—soft and warm.

Even through their thick puffer jackets, he could feel the warmth of her body.

Her cheek rested against his back, her warm breath seeping through his clothes.

This wasn’t the cautious, tentative way Wen Wan might have done it. Her embrace was completely natural, as if this was how she was always meant to sit.

He Lingyi hugged him, not feeling at all that there was anything wrong with it.

Jiang Sifan’s heart beat a little faster. Without a word, he twisted the throttle.

He Lingyi laughed from behind him, her voice filled with happiness. "Brother Sifan, you’re such a steady rider."

Blushing slightly, Jiang Sifan replied, "Mm."

"You’re so warm," He Lingyi added, smiling.

Jiang Sifan didn’t respond, clearly a little flustered.

The Marine Corridor was mostly deserted at night. Streetlights lined the coast, casting an orange-yellow glow on the water that the wind shattered into a thousand pieces.

In the distance, the city lights twinkled, their reflections in the sea looking like another world.

The two found a stone bench and sat down, facing the sea.

A breeze blew in from the sea, carrying the salty, damp air. It was cool, but not biting.

Jiang Sifan took a candle from the cake box, stuck it in the cake, and lit it with a lighter.

The small flame flickered, casting a warm yellow glow on their faces.

"Make a wish," Jiang Sifan prompted.

He Lingyi looked at the flickering flame and laughed. "It’s not my birthday. Can I still make a wish?"

"You can make a wish whenever you want. Who says you have to wait for your birthday?" Jiang Sifan chuckled. "Wish for good grades on your tests."

"Okay!" He Lingyi nodded, growing excited.

She closed her eyes, clasped her hands together, and her lips moved slightly.

The sea breeze made the candle flame sway. Her eyelashes were long, casting a small shadow in the flickering light.