A Marshmallow: Chapter 31

 

Chapter 31: Captain Jiang is coaxing 

Do you want me to come see you? 

Then you mustn't pay any more attention to those younger boys.

Jiang Yan's pair of immaculate eyes, reflecting the deep night and the bright moon on the horizon, black and pure, looked straight at her without any distractions from a close distance.

That gaze inexplicably made her heart race. Any young girl being looked at so intensely by him would probably remember it for a long time.

Gu An's brain had lost its ability to think. She just heard that Jiang Yan would come to see her, and fireworks of happiness exploded in her heart. Nothing else mattered.

"I won't pay attention," she clenched her little fist, promising, "Not a single one."

She didn't think of anything else. In her straightforward little mind, not paying attention to those young boys was equivalent to "daring to have an early romance, break a leg." Gu Zhen had said it many times, and it didn't sound like an unreasonable request.

Jiang Yan drove Gu An back to school. When he started the car, his beautiful eyes remained calm and emotionless, with a subtly raised curve at the corner of his lips, a cold and composed profile softened for no apparent reason.

Twenty minutes later, the black SUV arrived at University A.

Jiang Yan looked down and realized that Gu An had fallen asleep.

There was still thirty minutes until the gathering time, and the drive from University A to City A Police Station was only twenty minutes. He was used to arriving five minutes early.

So... he could stay with her a little longer.

The moon's gentle radiance silently enveloped them, and the evening breeze was tender and soundless.

The tension that had built up over the past few days suddenly eased. Jiang Yan leaned against the black seat, turning his head to look at the young girl in the passenger seat. His eyebrows were slightly furrowed, and his gaze was clear as water.

She was cradling some uneaten, delicious food in her arms. Her small head was leaning against the seat, and the graceful curve of her thick eyelashes gave her an innocent look. Her porcelain-like cheeks made her look like a glutinous rice ball.

His gaze lowered and fell on her often chattering lips. It turned out that when she didn't smile, the corners of her lips would still curve slightly.

Time passed second by second, until they had to leave.

Jiang Yan touched Gu An's head and said, "Gu An, we're here."

Gu An was awakened from her deep sleep. Her eyelashes blinked as she opened her eyes, rubbing them to wake up. "We're here?"

Her voice had a pronounced nasal tone, and the curve at the corner of her mouth turned downward, making her look like a little child who had been picked up from bed and taken to kindergarten without fully waking up. Her pitiful appearance seemed like she might burst into tears any second.

The child's muddled little mind slowly started working. She went from looking at Jiang Yan with delight when she woke up to realizing that he was about to leave. Her mood fluctuated drastically in just a few seconds.

She always seemed to have a hard time dealing with goodbyes, whether it was when she went to study art in her sophomore year, when Jiang Yan went on a mission and they didn't see each other for six months, or now, when she was in college. Every time they parted, her nose would inevitably become sore.

"Brother, can you drive a bit slower? I'm leaving..." She was a small, petite figure, and her voice was soft and had a nasally sound. Her mouth had turned downward, giving her the appearance of a child who hadn't fully woken up and might start crying any moment.

"Sure," Jiang Yan responded.

He watched Gu An walk to the dormitory building, take out her access card from her SpongeBob SquarePants backpack, and just as he was about to drive, the little girl ran back.

The car window lowered, and she reached up, her adorable little head peeking through, her soft brows and eyes very close. "Promises must be kept. If you say you're coming to see me, you have to come."

She rarely used such a domineering tone. Her doll-like face displayed all expressions and looked at him intently, one word at a time.

Jiang Yan's heart softened beyond words. He reached out and touched her head.

Every time he touched her hair, Gu An felt like a beloved child who didn't need to grow up, who could depend on him wholeheartedly, make all sorts of requests, and he would unconditionally indulge her.

Just when she thought she might be imagining it, Jiang Yan genuinely used a tone like he was talking to a child and said softly, "You have to be good."

-

After Jiang Yan returned to Jing City, Gu An began counting the days until the May Day holiday.

During this time, the only thing different was the occasional moments when Jiang Yan would proactively send her messages. Each time she saw a new message, her face inevitably turned red and her heart raced. Then, she would respond with a happy message, even though his straightforward opening line was always, "What are you doing?"

Gu An would reply with a cheerful smile, despite the fact that her heart was racing when she sent the seemingly nonchalant messages like, "Eating, studying, or drawing."

After she casually expressed her longing for Zaizai one time, Jiang Yan's WeChat messages changed from "What are you doing?" to photos taken on the spot.

There were pictures of the freshly showered Zaizai, the Zaizai watching One Piece with Gu Zhen, the Zaizai taking a walk with him. Occasionally, the handsome guy himself appeared, showing his cold, fair, and slender fingers or a somewhat blurry silhouette.

Later on, pictures of sunrises on his way to work, the streetlights he passed on his way back, and even the new instant noodle flavors developed by Gu Zhen were shared with her.

In this way, he shared his life with her in his own unique way when she wasn't at home.

In the blink of an eye, the May Day holiday arrived.

As soon as Gu An finished her classes, she grabbed her small backpack and happily headed back home.

The May breeze seemed particularly gentle. When Gu An got home in the evening, the sunset had cast a warm hue over the air.

She changed into her hoodie adorned with fried egg patterns, prepared dinner before 6 o'clock, and then went outside, sitting on the swings in the community while waiting for her older brothers to finish work.

Not far away, high school students were playing basketball in the court, still wearing their school uniforms since the holidays had just started. They were full of youthful vigor.

There was a time when she, at a similar age, used to play basketball with Jiang Yan. He would pass the ball to her and almost made her cry with his tough play.

Gu An's lips curved slightly. She had known him for so long and liked him for so long. However, the basketball game was so captivating that she lost herself in it until she heard a familiar and mischievous voice from behind, "You come home as soon as you have a holiday. Looks like you really don't have a boyfriend, no progress at all, Gu An."

Following this remark, she felt a light tap on her head.

What do you mean I don't have a boyfriend? Her future boyfriend was at home, and where else could she go?

Gu An turned around with a pout, full of indignation, but saw her future boyfriend standing next to her brother, now staring at her with his hands in his pockets.

Gu An pursed her lips and her previously flaring temper quietly subsided. She even smiled warmly at Jiang Yan.

If her brother hadn't spoken, she might have become the envy of many young girls at this moment, after all, the handsomest guy in the entire community was right here.

"Brother," Gu An cleared her throat and opened her mouth, "Look at that young boy over there; his legs are longer than yours! So handsome!"

Gu Zhen poked her forehead with his long finger and said gently, "Did you grow two marbles under your eyebrows? Which eye saw his legs longer than mine?"

"Even if his legs aren't longer than yours, he's younger..." Gu An wrinkled her pure and innocent face, saying seriously, "You have to admit your age."

As it turns out, men remain forever young.

Gu Zhen said with a hint of exasperation, "Tomorrow is the internal sports event for the department. Are you coming to watch me play basketball?"

Gu An blinked her eyes and, casting her gaze beyond her brother to the figure behind him, asked, "Brother Jiang Yan, are you participating?"

Jiang Yan withdrew his gaze from the basketball court and, expressionless, replied with a simple "Hmm" before turning and walking away.

Gu Zhen completely ignored the fact that he was being overlooked by his own younger sister. "Jiang Yan, weren't you not going to participate? The Criminal Investigation Support Team was short on people, and even Chu Hang couldn't get you to go."

Jiang Yan, wearing a cold, young master's expression, replied in a flat tone, "You heard wrong."

-

On May 1st, the Jing City Public Security Bureau basketball tournament was held at the university sports field. The participants included units from the Jing City Municipal Bureau and various district county bureaus.

Gu An sat in the audience with family members, police officers, and many university students who came to watch the event.

"Look, look, it's the handsome guy from the Jing City Public Security Bureau, Jiang Yan!"

"Indeed, the good-looking men all serve the nation."

"Oh my gosh, those eyes, that nose bridge, and those long legs! And the waistline when he bends over to tie his shoelaces!"

"I prefer Gu Zhen. Look at that damn youthful vibe."

"Ah, he's coming towards the audience!!!"

The girls beside her cheered and rejoiced, and Gu An followed their gazes. Sure enough, a fair and handsome young man was getting closer.

In the crowded basketball court, he was still the most conspicuous figure.

Jiang Yan wore a white basketball jersey, with a black short-sleeved shirt underneath, and he had a black baseball jacket in his hand.

The cool and restrained young man, the more aloof and indifferent he appeared, the more attractive he seemed.

Before Jiang Yan could approach, Chu Hang appeared from somewhere. "Sister, can you hold my jacket for me?"

"Sure!" Gu An agreed crisply. She was about to reach for it but was stopped by Jiang Yan. "Take mine."

"Take... mine."

His icy tone was exceptionally domineering.

Gu An couldn't help but think of the girls at school who held their boyfriends' clothes. She nodded slightly and expressed her apologies to Chu Hang. Then, under the envious gaze of the girls, she held Jiang Yan's jacket in her arms.

When it came to basketball games, the experts focused on the game, while the novices... focused on looks.

In a short time, the group of girls around her had turned from Jiang Yan's fans to his wives. They even began to speak incoherently, from "What would it be like to date someone like him, who has that restrained charm?" to "What's the point of life if we can't sleep with such a handsome guy," and more.

Gu An hugged Jiang Yan's jacket obediently. The black jacket had the same light minty scent as him, making her cheeks turn red.

There was a burst of cheers from the crowd as Jiang Yan scored again.

The scores on both sides were already far apart, and there was no need to continue the game.

Gu An raised her eyes, and Jiang Yan happened to look her way. Their gazes met, and he raised an eyebrow, his lips curved with a faint smile, appearing bright and clear like a young man.

His usual police uniform, dress shirts, or sports jackets were always meticulously neat. However, the basketball jersey had a larger neckline, emphasizing the smooth curve from his jawline to his neck. The line of his throat was clean and distinct. If the gazes of the girls around him could materialize, his clothes might have already been torn to shreds by now.

The competition ended without suspense after forty minutes, and the Criminal Investigation Division emerged as the clear winners.

Gu An ran down from the audience seats to bring water, and there was already a group of girls surrounding Jiang Yan.

There were female colleagues in police uniforms, elegant and tall young ladies with stunning beauty, and their allure was evident within seconds. There were also those not in uniform, dressed alluringly with a fragrant presence, blushing cheeks, and they gazed at the people in front of them with a charming innocence.

Gu An was short and stood on the outskirts of the crowd.

In her heart, a lemon seemed to have been accidentally punctured, and the sour taste overwhelmed her.

In the three and a half years of her university life, there might be even more girls pursuing him. Among them, there might be his ideal type, and after meeting, they would confess their love and gradually proceed to meet the parents and step into marriage. Maybe one day, while she was in class, Gu Zhen would call her and say, "Jiang Yan, my brother, is getting married. Do you want to come to the wedding?"

Gu An hung her head, waiting on the side like a kindergartener left unattended after school, staring absentmindedly at her jacket.

What does the dating Jiang Yan look like? Would he still have that cold and handsome face? Or perhaps, despite the cold exterior, he's incredibly gentle...

The more she thought, the more suffocated she felt, and the more she thought, the more she believed that the scenes she had imagined might come true in the near future.

"Gu Zhen is waiting to receive the award," Jiang Yan tapped the back of her head, "Let's go."

Gu An responded with an "Oh" and followed slowly.

The glances of those girls behind her felt like daggers.

Since the sports competition was held at the university sports field, and the basketball game ended just at the time of school dismissal, the campus was full of university students. Just like at University A, wherever you looked, there were a few couples holding hands.

Carrying his jacket and walking on campus together in basketball uniforms, they did look like a couple.

Gu An looked at the shadow of the two walking side by side and thought, "What a shame that we're not..."

Today, it seemed that the little chatterbox was unusually silent.

Jiang Yan lowered his head, walked beside her, and the child pouted her lips, looking like a withdrawn little mushroom.

He lightly pursed his lips, "Is the basketball game boring?"

The little mushroom shook her head, turning into a tiny drum, "No, it's great! Police uncles are so amazing."

"Then why aren't you happy?"

He stood in front of her, half-closing his eyes as he gazed at her, with long, dense eyelashes and deep double eyelid folds.

No matter what, he seemed to be just the way she liked him.

Was she... so obviously not happy?

Why was she so easily unhappy about things related to him, like an unreasonable child?

When young girls surrounded him, she wasn't happy; when young girls admired his handsome looks, she wasn't happy; when young girls followed him closely, she wasn't happy. Even though he remained silent with a cold expression, without a single wrong move, she just wasn't happy.

Gu An shook her head, forcing a smile that felt somewhat strained, "No, not at all. Brother, you're super amazing!"

As she spoke, she gave Jiang Yan a genuinely enthusiastic thumbs-up.

Super amazing, scoring so many points.

And attracting so much attention.

After just one basketball game, she couldn't even begin to count how many admirers there might be...

Waaah, I should have stopped him from joining!

"Are you really not going to tell me?" His gaze was pure, and his tone overly gentle, coaxing like talking to a child.

Under his gaze, Gu An's little brain stopped working, as if she was bewitched.

He was too tall, and what she wanted to say wasn't suitable for shouting, so she extended her hand and beckoned to him.

Jiang Yan obediently bent down, his ear close to her mouth.

In front of her were his neatly trimmed sideburns, a well-defined jawline, and Gu An's heart started racing again. She suppressed her feelings and whispered, "You have so many girls around you..."

As she finished speaking, Jiang Yan was briefly taken aback.

Gu An suddenly realized that her jealousy had been too obvious.

And the words she had already spoken couldn't be taken back like a message click.

She panicked and patched up her explanation before Jiang Yan could react, "Because there are so many girls around you, I can't even deliver water to you. I'm carrying water and clothes, so that's why I was upset..."

After saying this, Gu An seemed to have developed a keen interest in the coat in her hands.

She lowered her head and focused on examining his clothing, her eyelashes trembling, too nervous to look up.

A faint pink color spread visibly from her cheeks to her ears and down to her neck.

"Big brother was wrong."

His voice was clean and pleasant, like a clear spring, as it fell into her ears.

She raised her head and unexpectedly collided with his clean eyes.

He bent down, supporting his knee and looking at her. The distance suddenly shortened, and it seemed like every subtle expression on her face fell into his eyes. Gu An felt both guilty and defenseless, so she could only meet his gaze with a flushed face and a pounding heart.

The proximity was too close, and when he blinked, his long eyelashes were clearly visible.

Moving downward, the handsome guy had a straight nose bridge, thin and distinct lips, and because he had just taken a sip of water, his lips were particularly enticing.

Not to mention, there was a shallow dimple at the corner of his mouth.

Red lips, white teeth, pure and beautiful features.

The beauty she had secretly coveted was within arm's reach, and Gu An's heart was almost about to stop beating.

Then, in the next moment, Jiang Yan's slender fingers touched her cheek, and he gently pinched her with his thumb and forefinger.

His melodious voice was slightly lowered, carrying a hint of indulgence, and he spoke innocently and obediently into her ear:

"But if you don't let me talk to them, big brother won't say a word to them."

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