A Marshmallow: Chapter 23
Chapter 23: Poke His Dimple
Although she knew that beneath his exterior, there was a very gentle soul, it was the first time he had become so obedient and responded to her murmurs with a soft "Big brother knows."
His tone was very gentle and obedient, with a slight hint of indulgence for no apparent reason.
Gu An's ears turned slightly red, and the warmth kept spreading; the kitchen became an oven, and the air heated up.
But she knew that Jiang Yan probably didn't realize what she had just been thinking.
After all, straight guys can't understand the convoluted thoughts of young girls...
She pouted and sighed softly, thinking to herself with a touch of resentment, 'What do you know? I bet you don't know a thing.'
I can tell you're a simpleton just by looking at you.
As her heart rate calmed down and the warmth on her cheeks faded, she quickly changed the subject, "Brother Jiang Yan, can you cook?"
Jiang Yan lowered his beautiful eyes and said, "No, but I can help."
Gu An didn't know how this pampered young man suddenly developed such a strong interest in cooking. Testing the waters, she asked, "How about you wash the vegetables then?"
Jiang Yan nodded, behaving like a kindergartner trying to impress the teacher. Gu An decided to give him a chance to try, but three seconds later, she regretted it.
"Big brother, if you wash it like that, you won't be able to clean a bunch of vegetables with a ton of water. Let me do it."
"Big brother, if you put that much salt, the three of us will have to drink a ton of water tonight. Let me do it."
"Big brother..." Gu An's small face crinkled, with a mix of amusement and exasperation, "I'll just do it."
Jiang Yan's eyes curved slightly. He actually enjoyed listening to her murmur and complain. Her wrinkled little face, acting like a child pretending to be an adult, was incredibly cute. He listened to her lecturing in silence, always with a hidden smile in his eyes.
Gu An had thoroughly scolded the person she liked and was a little regretful afterward.
Did she go too far with her words just now?
Did she discourage the young master too much? After all, he finally wanted to cook...
Thinking like this, she turned to look at Jiang Yan with a guilty expression.
The handsome guy had a relaxed expression, and his clear eyes were filled with gentle and bright light, as if being scolded didn't bother him at all.
Gu An pursed her lips; maybe he recently received a bonus!
Because Gu An was back, the empty house turned into a home. The table was filled with dishes, colorful plates, and a lively atmosphere.
Although Gu Zhen still teased her, he was also feeding her while rearranging his plate, and there was a slight smile at the corner of his mouth.
"Big brother, do you miss me a lot?" Gu An held her bowl, grinning with her little tiger teeth.
Gu Zhen piled her favorite spare ribs into her bowl, "You're daydreaming."
Being at home was still the best.
Even though the early autumn weather was getting cooler, Gu An still felt surrounded by warmth.
After dinner, she curled up in a corner of the sofa, crunching on potato chips. The German Shepherd cub in the house stayed with her, not going anywhere, sitting quietly by her feet like a knight guarding a princess.
This kind of German Shepherd looked imposing, but in reality, it was very, very gentle with its family. And in that regard, it was remarkably similar to its owner.
"Zaizai, are you okay when I'm not at home?"
Gu An's heart was melting, and she kept stroking its fur.
"It's fine." Jiang Yan, a tall figure, sat down beside her with a book in his hand. He had a very clean and cold tone, and his demeanor was as calm as usual. But Gu An inexplicably sensed a hint of his pitiable grievance.
It felt like he wasn't talking about Zaizai but... himself.
Moonlight shone in through the window. He lowered his head to read, and his profile was fair and delicate. His eyelashes hung like raven feathers, and he looked very refined and elegant. From his jawline to his Adam's apple and down to his neck, every line perfectly fit her sense of aesthetics, clean and cold.
So... was it just her imagination?
-
On October 2nd, Jiang Yan returned home because of his grandfather's birthday. As soon as he entered, his grandmother called him, "Xiao Yan, your grandfather wants to see you in the study."
Jiang's grandfather was in his eighties, but he was still spirited and spoke with the same vigor he had when he led troops in battle. "Three years before you graduated from the police academy, you were on the frontlines in the Southwest battling drug trafficking. There's something I haven't seriously discussed with you until now. When you were kidnapped and taken to the South, an old police officer rescued you. He passed away a few years ago, leaving behind only a granddaughter, who should be of age now."
Jiang Yan nodded slightly.
He knew about the man's death, and he had quietly attended the funeral.
As for the granddaughter, she was probably the little girl who followed him back then.
She had grown so much.
"That old police officer and I hit it off right away, and we made an engagement for the two of you." Jiang's grandfather looked at him, his eyes sharp and commanding.
Jiang Yan had always known about the engagement, but he never took it seriously. He had no intentions of going through with it. He had never even considered marriage.
"Grandfather, I can't honor the engagement. It's impossible for both her and me."
Actually, during his first year at the police academy, he flew to the south to visit the old police officer who had saved him. At that time, the old man's health wasn't very good, but he was happy to hear that Jiang Yan was studying at the police academy.
Little Tuánzi wasn't at home; he heard that he had gone with classmates to the river to catch crayfish.
Jiang's old man had been a military man his whole life, and his temper had always been tough. It was only as he got older that he became slightly milder. "I will consider this matter carefully and respect your opinion and the young lady's."
Jiang Yan came out of the study, and Jiang Ning was enthusiastically sending WeChat messages on her phone:
"Gu An, do you know that your favorite band is having a concert in Jing City tomorrow?"
"I know a scalper who posted it on their Moments!"
"Do you want to go? I can introduce you to him."
In a few minutes, the person on the other end replied with a soft tone, "I'm just planning to pick someone up... If possible, I might stroll around outside the stadium, hehehe."
Jiang Ning's lips twitched after listening to the voice message.
Maybe she shouldn't have mentioned the concert to Gu An.
In Gu An's understanding, if you like something, you should go for it. What's money for if it can't buy what you enjoy? But she had forgotten that Gu An was different.
She would restrain her likes because she wanted to save money...
"Are you going to the concert?" Jiang Ning's mother asked when she heard this.
"Do you want to go to a concert?" Jiang Ning's mother asked.
"No, it's my desk mate. She has a favorite band she's been a fan of for seven years, and they're finally having a concert in China. She's reluctant to miss it."
When it came to Gu An, Jiang Ning had a lot to say, "Mom, do you know? Her parents divorced when she was very young, and she grew up with her grandparents. Later, her grandparents passed away, and she had to rely on others..."
"What a sensible girl. Invite her to our house for dinner another day. Mom will cook something delicious for her."
"Yeah!" Jiang Ning snuggled into her mother's arms, "Mom, you're so nice..."
-
Gu An had a favorite rock band that she had liked for seven years.
When the tickets went on sale, she thought that if she could get one, she would bite the bullet and go. After all, she could earn the money back by working. If she couldn't get one, that would save her a significant amount of living expenses.
But this band was just too popular. Tens of thousands of tickets sold out in a second, and the only ones available were from scalpers at nearly ten times the price.
She decided to go with the fan club just to catch a glimpse from afar. After all, a concert is about the music, and who knows, she might be able to hear it from outside the stadium!
When Jiang Yan came back from outside, Gu An's eyes widened.
The handsome guy didn't know where he was attending a formal event today. He was wearing a neatly pressed white shirt, black trousers, and a suit jacket casually draped over his elbow, looking like a noble and carefree young man. He had unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt, drawing attention to his delicate collarbones.
"You're not asleep yet."
"Going to sleep, going to sleep!" Gu An came down from the sofa, holding a notebook in her arms, with the computer wallpaper displaying that rock band.
The lead singer of this rock band was extremely handsome. Fans once joked that even if he stopped singing in the future, he could still make a living with his looks. But now, looking at the detective in a shirt and trousers right in front of her, she realized he was far more appealing.
"Do you like them?"
"Huh?"
Jiang Yan raised his chin, his gaze landing on her computer screen.
Gu An let out a slow breath.
She was almost scared to death just now.
She thought he was asking if she liked him.
She was about to blurt out "Yes, yes, yes" to that face that could only be described as otherworldly.
"Oh... You mean this band? Yes!"
Her hair was slightly messy, and the little bun on her head was crooked, but her eyes were shining, and her little fangs peeked out with a smile.
Jiang Yan's usually cold and distant tone unconsciously softened:
"A friend gave me two tickets."
"Do you want to go?"
...How can this be happening?
...And such friends exist?
Gu An's eyes widened, and her mouth formed a surprised "Wow." She was completely stunned and could hardly believe her ears.
It seems she truly likes it.
Jiang Yan couldn't help but poke her forehead with a suppressed smile. "So, are we going, or should I just toss them? I'm not really interested."
"Go, go, go! Don't toss them, don't toss them, don't toss them!" Gu An exclaimed with a gleeful smile, and she spent the entire night tossing and turning, unable to sleep.
Oh! Life is so wonderful!
She was actually going to a concert with the person she liked!
Gu An wrapped herself in a small blanket, flipped over countless times in bed, and yet, she woke up in the morning just as excited, seemingly unaffected by her lack of sleep.
The concert was tonight, just a few hours away. Gu An, wearing her slippers, hurried to the wardrobe.
Since the beginning of autumn, she had often seen Jiang Yan wearing that deep blue hoodie. When Gu An opened her wardrobe, she found that she also had a baby blue hoodie. She took it out and paired it with her denim overall skirt.
She looked at herself in the mirror and thought:
I wear this because it looks good, not because I want to match him.
Yes, that's it.
She deceived herself, but her cheeks blushed honestly, regaining their fair color only after she had everything neatly arranged and stepped outside.
The concert started at 7 in the evening, and at 6, Gu An waited outside the Jing City Public Security Bureau.
She was dressed in blue, carrying a milky-white crossbody bag, looking fresh and sweet, like a summer lemon soda.
Gu An paced with her hands behind her back at the entrance of the Public Security Bureau, acting like a little lady, but her excitement was hard to contain.
To think she could go to a concert with the person she had liked for seven years.
The air had become sweet, and her heart started producing pink bubbles, layer upon layer, surrounding her.
As quitting time approached, people began to leave. She looked up and spotted Jiang Yan, the handsome guy who always stood out, no matter where he was or at what time. Not to mention that today, before leaving work, he changed from his police uniform back into his own clothes, wearing that incredibly attractive deep blue hoodie, light blue washed jeans, and a pair of white sneakers.
Dressed like this...
He was way too good-looking!
Tall and slender, impeccably clean, exuding a youthful vibe. As Gu An gazed at him not far away, she could even imagine what he must have been like in college.
Then she noticed that not only was she staring, but there was also a tall and beautiful woman who appeared behind Jiang Yan at some point.
"Brother Jiang Yan!" a tender and sweet female voice called out, leaving Gu An completely stunned.
Jiang Yan halted his steps, lifting his cold and distant gaze. Before him stood the daughter of their unit's leader.
"Brother Jiang Yan, do you have some time? I'd like to treat you to dinner. I just returned from abroad today."
So, the beautiful woman knows the handsome guy...
Gu An bit her lip, suddenly feeling a pang of heartache.
But this sourness is without a position.
Clearly, it's because of Jiang Yan, but she couldn't blame him, so she could only lower her head and pretend to be an onlooker.
Look at other people, long flowing hair, slim waist, long legs. If you were a guy, wouldn't you like that?
Then look at yourself, like a small bean, not very tall, and although your proportions are decent, you're short!
Then her face, Gu An reached up and pinched her cheek. Her friends would often greet her by pinching her face, saying it felt like a soft, squishy cake, a nice touch.
But standing next to Jiang Yan was a stunning beauty, every move and gesture exuded charm, and she couldn't take her eyes off her.
So, all in all, she was completely defeated.
The two of them standing together were like a match made in heaven, the tall, handsome guy and the beautiful lady, both eye-catching and attention-grabbing.
What are they talking about?
Why haven't they finished yet?
Gu An told herself to stay calm and not look, but her eyes had their own ideas, sneaky and uncontrollable.
Jiang Yan stood tall, his handsome face with a thin layer of ice, he glanced in her direction, nodded slightly, and she didn't know what he said to the girl.
The beautiful lady's smile instantly froze on her face as she followed his gaze.
Jiang Yan, with his long legs, walked over to her in a few steps, reached up and patted the back of her head, "Let's go."
Gu An replied with an "Oh" and hurried to catch up.
She was curious about how Jiang Yan would reject the beautiful girl's dinner invitation, but she also felt that it had nothing to do with her and she shouldn't pry too much; it would make her seem annoying.
"How long have you been waiting?"
Gu An shook her head, "Just arrived, just arrived."
Then she saw the beautiful lady talking to you.
The concert at the sports arena was half an hour away.
"Look at that guy, he's really handsome!"
"You can tell he has a girlfriend, right? The girl next to him..."
"Doesn't look like it, she's more like a little sister."
Gu An had come here full of excitement, but now she felt deflated and couldn't muster up any enthusiasm, like a closed-off little mushroom.
The sourness in her heart seemed to silently intensify for some reason.
Although Jiang Yan had only exchanged a few words with that girl, his expression remained unchanged. But she couldn't help but feel that there was more than just seven years that separated her from him.
There was a gap in experience, and there were many other girls who admired him. Growing up faster wouldn't magically turn him into her boyfriend.
Jiang Yan lowered his gaze, and today, the usually talkative girl was unusually quiet.
With her head down, her long, curled eyelashes were like small brushes, and her porcelain doll-like face showed signs of deep thought.
The lips, which used to slightly curve even when not smiling, were now turned downward, conveying a sense of disappointment.
"Are you unhappy?"
Gu An lifted her head, and when Jiang Yan looked at her, it was very different from when he looked at that other girl. He was very gentle, like a big brother from next door.
He takes her to concerts, indulges her in many ways in everyday life. If she felt unhappy, would it be too much...
After all, you like someone, and that person is innocent.
Gu An gently curved her lips, shook her head, and her voice was especially soft and sweet, "No."
"Can you tell me?" His cold voice sounded in her ear, with a soothing tone.
Gu An's heart felt even more tender.
Oh, how can this person be so gentle!
So gentle, but not just for her...
"Or, what would make it better?"
Gu An finally lifted her head and looked into his eyes. "Will you agree to whatever I say?"
Compared to her unhappiness, it seemed like she could say anything.
Jiang Yan spoke calmly, "Tell me."
You asked for it!
"I... " Her watery round eyes blinked non-stop as she stared at him, as if it took great courage. Even her hand was clenched into a fist, and her knuckles turned white.
She wanted to say something.
Jiang Yan slightly leaned forward, his ear close to her mouth, as if he was listening intently.
The young girl leaned in, and with her, there was a sweet fruity scent.
"I want to poke your dimple."
"You can poke me..."
She raised her neck, her face turning red, but she persisted, "Poking it will make me happy."
After saying this, Gu An paused, and Jiang Yan was momentarily stunned. The usually cold and composed young master, with long eyelashes and clear eyes, looked... especially innocent, like a decent young man being teased.
The air became tense, and although there was a lot of noise around them, Gu An could hear her own increasingly loud heartbeat. Her face started to blush, and she suddenly felt a bit regretful.
She was originally just throwing a little tantrum, or you could say, she was speaking without thinking due to jealousy, and she regretted it immediately after speaking, feeling impulsive.
Especially unreasonable.
Last time, it was just a glance, but this time, she actually wanted to poke.
Classmate Gu An, when did you become so bold...
Gu An, when did you become so good at being nosy...
"You can deal with me however you want."
His voice was barely audible, more like a sigh, but it carried a deep indulgence. Gu An's heart skipped a beat after hearing it.
When she looked up, Jiang Yan's brows and eyes seemed helplessly curved. Normally, his profession exuded an air of detachment and solemnity, but now, it had completely vanished.
He reached out and touched her head, as if there was no other way but to compromise. In the next moment, he bent closer.
He had maintained a crew cut hairstyle since last year, clean brows and eyes with no obstruction. He left her no room for buffering, and she stared back at him, taken by surprise.
His youthful and handsome face seemed sculpted from the finest white jade, with a clean and aloof demeanor. But when he didn't look cold, his long, gentle eyelashes made him unbelievably beautiful.
"Come on." He raised the corner of his lips, tilted his head slightly, revealing the dimple she had yearned for.
Gu An reached out, and her fingertips landed on his face.
She didn't expect the handsome guy's face to be so soft. Wow...
Seeing her stunned, he blinked, appearing charming and innocently mischievous. He spoke with a hint of a smile, "Is that enough?"
Gu An quickly withdrew her hand, her face blushing.
Jiang Yan couldn't help but suppress a laugh.
What strange thoughts were running through this kid's head?
He had been in college before, and Gu Zhen had experienced the feeling of being a father decades in advance. Now, inexplicably, he was experiencing the feeling of being a big brother.
His earlier posts on social media were just an excuse to talk to her. Anything would have sufficed, but she had rushed back from school immediately.
Now she had been to a concert.
And he'd even let her poke his dimple.
The concert started at 7 PM sharp.
In front of her were her favorite band, and every song felt perfect, but she couldn't resist glancing at the person beside her.
The colorful lights shimmered in his clear eyes, radiant and brilliant. The moon in the sky couldn't compare to even a fraction of his gentle brightness.
The concert ended at midnight. After entering autumn, there was a significant temperature difference between day and night in Jing City. Gu An had chosen a denim skirt that only reached her knees for fashion's sake, and a light breeze had raised goosebumps on her arms.
At this moment, Jiang Yan's coat, originally in his hand, was draped over her. It carried a faint scent of mint, while he wore just a thin hoodie.
"Put it on."
Gu An raised her head. "Aren't you cold? What if you catch a cold?"
"It's for you."
Gu An just remembered that he had taken this piece of clothing from the Land Rover's back seat when he got off the car, and he had been holding it in his hand without wearing it.
His clothes were too big, reaching down to her knees, and the sleeves too. The entire person was enveloped in the faint and pleasant scent of his coat. Gu An unconsciously tightened her hand in the sleeve, thinking of something, and her face blushed completely.
In her heart, the slight, tingling feeling from the afternoon was slowly evaporating like water droplets meeting sunlight, leaving behind a subtle warmth and the scent of his coat.
-
The next day was October 4th, and for once, Gu Zhen didn't receive a notice for overtime. He got up early, bought a bunch of Gu An's favorite foods, and filled the table with a hearty meal.
Gu An happily smiled, revealing her cute little fangs. Her big brother was truly an angel with a tough exterior but a soft heart. Who cares about his pride and occasional temper? He's just adorable!
"Has Jiang Yan not woken up yet?"
"It seems like he caught a cold, went for a ten-kilometer run, and went back to sleep."
Gu Zhen set the breakfast on the table one by one, then went into the kitchen. When he came out, he had some medicine and warm water in his hand. "Go on, take these to your big brother Jiang Yan."
"Why do I have to go?" Gu An's face blushed briefly as she obediently accepted what her big brother handed her.
"Because I've accidentally discovered that he can't get angry with you when he's in a bad mood."
Is that so? Is it really like that?
A mischievous smile tugged at the corner of Gu An's mouth as she looked up at Gu Zhen. She casually asked, "Is that so?"
Gu Zhen nodded, thought for a moment, and then gazed at his little sister with her innocent, deer-like eyes. He mused, "Maybe it's because you're a bit shorter and smaller, like a little kitten or puppy, and he can't get mad at you."
Gu An's sweet pink bubble inside her heart was ruthlessly burst. She let out a drawn-out "Oh" and then slipped on her slippers, heading towards Jiang Yan's room.
Standing at the door, she politely knocked. "Big Brother Jiang Yan, I'm coming in..."
In the room, there was only a dim night light on. The dark gray curtains were tightly drawn, and the air was filled with the clean scent of mint and lime.
After a brief moment for her eyes to adjust to the darkness, Gu An gently placed the warm water and medicine on the bedside table. As she bent over slightly, in that instant, she was particularly close to Jiang Yan's face, close enough to see his distinct and densely scattered eyelashes in the dim light.
"Big Brother Jiang Yan..."
"Big Brother Jiang?"
"Jiang Yan!"
Jiang Yan buried his face in the blanket, seeming a bit annoyed, only revealing his brows, eyes, and his high bridge of the nose.
Gu An reached out to touch his forehead. In the next second, their skin touched, and her fingertips trembled slightly. She quickly withdrew her hand, as if she had been shocked.
Thank goodness.
It wasn't too hot.
He must have caught a cold because he gave her his jacket yesterday.
If only she hadn't worn a skirt.
She felt sorry for him now.
It seemed like it was starting to rain outside, her least favorite weather.
But on this gloomy, rainy day she disliked, the person she liked was right in front of her.
Gu An sat cross-legged on the carpet next to his bed, her hand propping up her chin.
Prince, are you waiting for your princess to come and wake you up?
"It seems like that pretty lady from yesterday isn't too bad."
"I think her height matches well."
"Her face is the same, a look that stands out in a crowd."
"She seems to like you, her gaze at you was kind of strange..."
"Good-looking boys should take care of themselves when they're out there, you know?"
Gu An let out a sigh, feeling relieved after saying it all.
Jiang Yan's eyelids flickered, his long and dense eyelashes quivering lightly.
He didn't open his eyes, and his voice was very soft, with a hint of a nasal tone. It was unclear if he was uncomfortable from her disturbance, mumbling in his sleep, or actually responding to her unspoken thoughts.
"Be good."
"Brother doesn't like her."
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