Entertainment starting from the windy place

Chapter 209 Extra: Us Afterwards (2)

"cheers!"

The four of them raised their glasses and clinked them together.

Chen Nanxing put down his cup, looked around, and said with emotion, "I never thought we'd be able to get together in this house again."

Jiang Congwen laughed and said, "Yes, I only rented it at first, and later let him and Hongdou live closer to it. Who knew he would buy it?"

The place where Chen Mo and Xu Hongdou now live is the same two apartments they rented when they first met. Chen Mo bought both apartments and combined them into a three-bedroom apartment.

"Don't even mention you guys, I didn't know at the time."

Xu Hongdou looked at Chen Mo and complained, "He inexplicably said he would take me on a road trip, but I never expected it was to propose to me. After I agreed, I was still a little dazed when we came back, and then he suddenly brought me here and said he bought it as a betrothal gift."

Chen Mo laughed smugly, "Haha, I didn't intend to buy it at first. It was only later that I met Zhang Pei in Chengdu, who is the buyer of this apartment. She was being transferred back to her hometown of Chengdu for work, and I was planning to propose to her at the time, so I started thinking about it."

The reason he bought this house was partly because it held memories for the two of them, and partly because he wanted to enjoy some time alone together after marriage.

Chen Nanxing asked in confusion, "But now that you've had a baby, why don't you move back to the villa? That way, the nanny won't have to travel back and forth."

Xu Hongdou explained, "My mom came to take care of me for a little over a month after I gave birth, right? Chen Mo thought my mom would be more comfortable here, so we didn't move back."

Chen Mo said, "I'm planning to move to a bigger place. It's quite cozy for the two of us, but with a child and both sets of parents coming over from time to time, it's getting a bit small."

Chen Nanxing clicked his tongue and said, "When Boss Chen talks about buying a house, it's easier for him than for me to buy a handbag."

“Of course.” Jiang Congwen smiled. “Not to mention the short drama craze of the past two years, which has made him a fortune, just one summer’s ‘Ne Zha’ alone grossed 5 billion yuan at the box office.”

Chen Nanxing added, "And the Tea Horse Road that I previously invested in, I heard that it has started to expand overseas this year, with branches opening in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand."

Chen Mo waved his hand casually, "It was all by chance."

"I was lucky to get the short drama; I invested in 'Ne Zha' initially to support Chinese animation, even though I was prepared to lose money; and as for Mr. Ma, it was purely a favor investment. Otherwise, as someone in the film and television industry, I would never have thought of switching to the tea beverage business."

Chen Mo spoke modestly, but his mouth was clearly grinning from ear to ear; he could never have too much money.

Seeing his smugness, Xu Hongdou couldn't help but pinch the soft flesh on his waist. "Yes, you're amazing. You can make money just by investing in an anime. Our guesthouse might not even have that much revenue in ten years."

"Sigh~~"

Chen Mo winced in pain, then turned around and flattered, "Hehe, it's mainly because marrying you is auspicious for my family; that's why we're so prosperous."

After saying that, Chen Mo added, "Yes, the population is also thriving."

Xu Hongdou rolled her eyes dramatically.

Chen Mo chuckled and shook Xu Hongdou's hand, his eyes filled with a gentle smile.

Xu Hongdou made a token effort to pull her hand away, but failed, so she let it go.

Jiang Congwen and Chen Nanxing exchanged a glance, shook their heads, and silently clinked their glasses.

Clearly, the two of them were already used to this kind of affectionate scene.

Upon seeing this scene, Chen Mo couldn't help but sigh, "If it weren't for the little one, I would have thought we were back to the time when the four of us had our first meal together."

"Don't say it, it's true."

Xu Hongdou gently rocked the cradle beside her, watching the child gradually become sleepy. She smiled knowingly and recalled, "Back then, I had a stomachache, and you had to drive. Neither of us drank alcohol, so they had to drink with each other. Now, to take care of this little guy, it's still just the two of them drinking together."

Jiang Congwen shook his head, "No, you two both drank it in the end."

"Really?" Xu Hongdou couldn't quite remember.

Chen Nanxing nodded and said, "That's right. Back then, Chen Mo was trying to stop you from drinking, and the two of you were bickering like little kids."

Jiang Congwen grinned, "I knew it was a sure thing back then."

Chen Nanxing glanced at Xu Hongdou and said, "I know it's over. We're going to lose her."

Xu Hongdou and Chen Mo exchanged a smile.

Chen Mo smiled and waved his hand, saying, "When the child grows up, he'll have him offer you both a toast!"

Jiang Congwen said happily, "I'll have to remember that."

Chen Nanxing shouted, "I'm his godmother, so he should pay me a salute."

Jiang Congwen stroked his chin. "Speaking of which, can I be a godfather too? I gave him a red envelope."

Chen Mo waved his hand and said, "Since you two like being parents so much, you should hurry up and have your own babies instead of always watching us."

Chen Nanxing snorted, "Your opinion doesn't count. I just need to ask Hongdou for her consent."

Xu Hongdou smiled and said, "I'll listen to my husband."

"Wow, you don't have to go to a nursing home now, just say that. You've forgotten your best friend now that you have a husband!"

"No, I will still visit you at the nursing home."

Chen Mo raised his hand and interjected, "I'll pay for the wheelchair!"

Jiang Congwen quietly added, "I can sponsor a pair of crutches."

"You...you just wait."

Chen Nanxing glanced at the group in disbelief, then gritted his teeth and uttered a heart-wrenching vow:

"I'm determined to find a partner this year!"

Laughter echoed, and time passed like frames of a film reel.

Jiang Congwen went from a small-time news anchor to a well-known singer, Chen Nanxing resigned and started a new career, and Chen Mo and Xu Hongdou both took on new roles. All four of them have changed, unlike before, but everything seems to be the same, as before.

"Ding-a-ling~~" The door of the coffee shop was pushed open, and the man walked in. The first thing he saw was her sitting by the window.

Despite the fact that there was more than one table of customers in the shop, and despite the girl's disguise, he recognized her at a glance.

What recognized her before memories came was her heartbeat.

The girl seemed to sense the familiar gaze, turned her head, and suddenly smiled.

Just like he had done downstairs at the girls' dormitory, she waved to him with a smile from the balcony.

Pulling himself back to reality, the man smiled and shook his head, politely declining the waiter's inquiry, and walked straight over.

"Am I late?" Jiang Congwen asked with a smile as he sat down.

Li Jinting shook her head. "I arrived earlier."

Jiang Congwen breathed a sigh of relief. "I knew it. I was prepared to wait at least another half hour."

Li Jinting glared at her feigned anger, then smiled and said, "You've always been the one waiting for me, now it's my turn to wait for you."

Jiang Congwen chuckled and shook his head. "How have you been lately?"

“It’s great.” Li Jinting nodded with a smile. “I just got an endorsement deal, I’m also preparing a new album, and a group talent show has asked me to be a mentor, similar to the one you did before.”

"He's already a mentor?"

Jiang Congwen joked, "I remember two years ago you were just a student waiting to be critiqued, and now you've finally become the mother-in-law."

Li Jinting looked resentful and said, "Yes, you even commented on me back then."

The two looked at each other and couldn't help but laugh.

Jiang Congwen smiled and shook his head, saying, "These kinds of talent shows, whether they have mentors or not, are just about whether you're popular, famous, and can bring in viewers."

"As long as there's traffic, anyone can sit on the platform and comment on electronic music and rap."

Having been in the industry for so long, Li Jinting naturally knows the realities of the entertainment circle. She shrugged and said, "That proves that I'm doing alright now, at least I don't have to worry about not having enough to eat for the time being."

Jiang Congwen chuckled to himself.

Li Jinting looked at him, "And you?"

Jiang Congwen smiled and pointed to the background music playing in the shop, "We should be able to eat soon."

The song playing in the store at that moment was from Jiang Congwen's new album.

I know neither of us was wrong; we just forgot how to back down. We made promises with unwavering conviction, only to have them shattered by time.

I know neither of us was wrong, but letting go will be easier. The most beautiful love story continues in our memories.

Jiang Congwen smiled wryly, "Isn't it quite fitting for the occasion?"

Li Jinting was silent for a moment, then said softly, "I'm sorry."

Jiang Congwen shook his head and repeated a line from the song: "None of us are wrong."

Some people break up after a big argument, arguing about right and wrong; others simply drift apart silently, regardless of who is right or wrong.

The two seemed to have had a premonition of this day coming.

Even though both sides had vowed in their hearts that they would wait until the very end.

But as they waited and waited, they long lost track of what they were waiting for.

Perhaps if you like someone for too long, you'll lose sight of whether it's genuine liking or just resentment.

Nostalgia is sometimes a grand deception.

Jiang Congwen said softly, "Over the years, I have been grateful for two things."

"One thing is that time has finally worn away all my longing for you."

"The other one is..."

"A long time ago, one day, I met you."

The two stood facing each other at the doorway.

Jiang Congwen opened his arms and smiled, "How about a final farewell hug?"

Li Zhijin stepped forward with a smile, immersing herself in that familiar warmth one last time.

Jiang Congwen said softly, "We all need to be well."

Li Zhijin nodded vigorously, "Yes."

"gone."

"it is good."

Jiang Congwen waved his hand and turned away with a carefree air.

Li Zhijin watched Jiang Congwen until he was almost out of sight before turning and leaving in another direction.

Jiang Congwen, who was in the distance, suddenly stopped and turned to look at the girl's back.

My only wish now is for you to be happy.

We continued on our journey, but no longer side by side; we each pursued our own paths in life.

Goodbye, my girl.

The stories always begin with tenderness, but most end in regret.
(End of this chapter)