If the person who had saved Jiang BaiYan was an adult, they would most likely say something like, "Your parents must be very worried about you," "No parent would think that way," "Where else could a child go if they don't go home?" and so on.
However, Jian Jing was not like that.
She didn't say anything, she just asked: "So where do you want to go?"
Jiang BaiYan couldn't answer.
"If you're not going back to your dad and mom, what about your grandpa and grandma, or your maternal grandparents?" she asked. "Don't you have anyone who could take you in?"
He lowered his head, and after a long while, said: "My grandpa on my dad's side is still alive."
"Then call him," the girl was happy to provide follow-up services after the rescue. "Do you still remember his phone number?"
Jiang BaiYan wanted to say he didn't remember anymore, but his rational side told him that would be useless. If he didn't want to go back to the Jiang family, then he had to remember.
He recited the phone number, both hopeful and apprehensive at the same time.
He remembered that whenever his mother called grandpa in the past, she would be met with angry yelling, with grandpa declaring that he didn't have a daughter like her, let alone a grandson.
But to his surprise, the opposite happened.
Jian Jing got through the call, and after calmly explaining the situation to the old man on the other end, instead of saying "I don't have a grandson like that," he asked for the address and said he would come over right away.
"I'll wait for you at the McDonald's in the bus station," the girl exercised caution at the critical moment, choosing the lively city center.
She told Jiang BaiYan, "I know that area very well. If anything happens, I'll take you and run immediately."
He murmured in agreement, grabbing onto the corner of her shirt.
At 13 years old, the boy had yet to hit puberty, and was still a full head shorter than the 14 year old girl, looking very much like a child. Right now, pitifully holding onto her sleeve, he was like a stray dog who had taken shelter from the rain in a hallway, wet all over and shivering uncontrollably.
Jian Jing felt extremely sympathetic, but still so young herself, she really didn't know what to say. As they headed towards the bus station, all she could do was rack her brains for contingency plans, terrified that something awful might happen.
Fortunately none of it was needed.
His grandpa hurried over looking travel-worn, and stared wordlessly at his frail grandson for a long time.
Jiang BaiYan kept his eyes lowered, not showing any fear or sadness, just calmly waiting for whatever fate had in store.
But grandpa said: "Thank you for saving my child."
He didn't ask why he didn't go back to Chairman Dong's place, nor did he call him a bastard. He just said, thank you for saving my child.
"If you don't want to go back there, come home with me," was grandpa's next sentence. "Of course, you have to think it through clearly - I'm just a poor old man, I can't afford to raise a young master like you. If you come with me, you'll have to endure hardship."
Jiang BaiYan had not expected this outcome at all, and looked up at him in a daze, confused and lost.
The old man was usually sparing with his expressions, and his smiles were even colder than his second older brother's. But he could feel that it was only because the muscles on his face didn't move - his eyes were not cold at all.
"Can I?" he asked hesitantly, completely blindsided by this sudden stroke of good fortune.
Why hadn't anything this good happened to him in so many years before, yet in just two days, he had encountered it twice? Did he deserve to have such good luck?
Maybe they would soon change their minds... But even if he was taken away immediately, he wanted to experience it once.
He wanted to be liked.
He wanted to be accepted.
Even just once, even just for one second.
Grandpa looked into his eyes and was deeply moved. He wanted to say something, but just like him, grandpa had always been reluctant to express himself, and was equally inarticulate at comforting others.
After a long, long time, he finally spoke haltingly: "What do you want to eat? I'll buy it for you."
His voice was gruff, not at all resembling an affectionate elder.
But in that moment, the defenses Jiang BaiYan had erected came crumbling down. He heard himself pathetically say again: "Anything is fine."
Ah, how pitiful, how destitute his heart was.
Just a tiny bit of kindness was enough to turn him back into his hated self.
Why did he have to curry favor with others again?
Clearly it was useless, so why did he still do it?
Why am I so weak? I'm completely worthless.
Grandpa got very angry: "You're so old already, how can you not even say clearly what you want to eat?"
Jiang BaiYan was bewildered.
"I, I'll eat..." He looked at the menu in panic, randomly pointing at something, "That."
He had pointed at a spicy burger, so spicy that his eyes streamed unstoppably with tears. But Jian Jing and grandpa didn't laugh at him, just ate this awkward dinner together in silence.
When night fell, grandpa bought tickets to take him home.
After much hesitation, Jiang BaiYan finally worked up the courage at the last moment to ask Jian Jing: "What was the ending to that story?"
"Oh that one," the girl who had made up the story on the spot still hadn't thought of how to continue it. After thinking for a bit, a flash of inspiration hit her. "Go find out for yourself at a bookstore later."
"Huh?" He tilted his head quizzically.
The young girl Jian Jing thought to herself, let me organize this story properly when I get back before deciding on an ending, no way I can come up with one now. She said seriously: "I'm actually a very famous novelist, you can find my books in bookstores."
Jiang BaiYan's eyes went wide.
"So let's leave it at a cliffhanger for now," she waved and said. "Next time we meet, you can tell me if you guessed the ending correctly."
Jiang BaiYan looked at her and nodded lightly. He thought he had a good memory, and had firmly memorized where she lived, so it wouldn't take long before he could see her again.
But life is unpredictable. When he went back later, the neighbor said their daughter had earned some money and bought a new house, moving out long ago.
He was heartbroken over this for a very long time, thinking that separation in the sea of people was already the most tragic ending possible.
Yet he didn't know that in the first month after her whole family moved into their new home, they met with a massacre that wiped out the entire household.
Yes, in 2014, Jiang BaiYan's life went from destruction to rebirth.
While Jian Jing fell into hell, struggled for 6 years, and finally in the spring of 2020, ended her own life.
[Task Name: Buding's Secret (Completed)]
[Description: Behind the cute kitten is the story of your first act of bravery. You saved an innocent life and turned a person's life around. Perhaps this is why you were chosen - applause for your courage and kindness.]
[Task Reward: You have obtained a limited edition card]
[Limited draw pool opened, begin drawing]
[You obtained a new card]
[Name: Limited Edition - Bai Xiaomao Status]
[Description: Obtain the status of fictional character "Bai Xiaomao" - greatly enhanced agility, balance, night vision, jumping and climbing ability. Limited to 100 seconds per day, resets at midnight daily]
[Note: Since you're as brave as the female protagonist you created, it makes sense for you to be equally powerful, no?]
Jian Jing: "......" I need some peace and quiet.
"Teacher Jingjing?" Jiang BaiYan shook his palm worriedly. "Are you alright?"
She came back to her senses and smiled apologetically: "A little shocked."
As soon as Jiang BaiYan finished telling his story, Buding's long term task was automatically completed. Not only that, it just so happened to have turned midnight at that moment, opening the limited draw pool and pulling out a... god-tier card.
In "Bai Mao Shen Tan", the alien-modified white kitten Bai Xiaomao possessed the agility of a cat, easily scurrying up walls and evading attacks. In a sense, it was like "cheat mode activated".
No wonder she was so shocked.
But now was not the time to talk about this.
She looked at the boy before her, and suddenly understood many things.
In many people's eyes, Jiang BaiYan was clever, hardworking, quite talented in acting, very spirited, a rare sapling among the younger generation in showbiz. On top of that, he knew how to keep a low profile and never easily offended others, making him very likable indeed.
But everyone knew no one could be so perfectly flawless.
The influence of one's environment was extremely frightening. The world he was in constantly staged grand spectacles, with money, benefits, fame, false affections, promiscuity - shining brilliance one day and plunging into hell the next.
With so many people living by the motto "eat, drink and be merry today", what made him so different?
Now she understood.
Everyone wanted something - some wanted money, some reputation, some status, but what Jiang BaiYan seemed to want was love.
- I want others to like me.
The huge black hole carved out by his unfortunate childhood needed a tremendous amount of love to slowly mend.
And in this world, only celebrities could obtain that much "liking".
"Is it tiring, living like this?" she asked.
As before, Jiang BaiYan easily understood what she meant: "It's not tiring, it's just..." He hesitated, obviously having forgotten how to open his heart, and after a long pause, said slowly, "Sometimes I think, what if one day they find out about my background, what would happen?"
"I don't know why, but I always have a premonition that this day will come sooner or later," he murmured softly, as if cursing, "What will happen then?"
Jian Jing couldn't help but fall silent. Things that come easily also leave just as easily.
Unfortunately, a fan's love is like fireworks - beautiful, but not long-lasting.
She thought for a moment, then said, "Earlier you said some people will never like you no matter how much you try to please them, but by the same logic, some people will like you regardless of whether you are perfect or not."
"No," Jiang BaiYan shook his head, very sober, "stories are written that way, but reality is just the opposite. People are most likely to lose interest and desire something fresh and new. I only hope..."
His words trailed off, as if his brain had momentarily jammed, suddenly forgetting what he was talking about.
After a while, he made a funny face and laughed, "Make more money, and hopefully win a couple Best Actor awards, then retire in glory."
Jian Jing knew he wasn't telling the truth, but didn't press him. Tonight's conversation had gone beyond expectations, and continuing further could change the mood.
She just said, "Then work hard, maybe Roses of Gold could win an award."
Jiang BaiYan sucked in a breath of cold air: "I suspect you're implying something."
"I like your interpretation," she ignored his probing and went on, "Of course love is great, but it's not a panacea. People always exaggerate love and overlook themselves."
He was startled, as if he understood something, and swallowed back his original words.
Jian Jing remembered the main issue, and asked again: "By the way, what day was it when you escaped? That day."
He said, "April 20, 2014, it was Easter."
She nodded thoughtfully: "A good day. Alright, I should head back now."
Jiang BaiYan responded, and while seeing her off, tried to keep her longer: "You're really giving me the role? Do I need to repay you in some way?"
"Sure," she stopped and pointed to the succulents on the balcony, "Give me one of those, you've raised them so well, I like the chubby one."
Jiang BaiYan tilted his head and picked out the healthiest looking panda plant to give her: "Are you sure you don't want to..."
Jian Jing smiled, "Hmm?"
He quickly changed his words: "Are you sure you don't want me to walk you down?"
"No need."
Leaving Jiang BaiYan's home, she happened to see the starry sky.
Jian Jing's mood was as clear as the night sky.
She had gained a lot tonight - solved the mystery of Buding, and figured out why Jiang BaiYan was overly friendly with her.
The results were also satisfactory. His attentiveness was not without purpose, but stemmed from a kind deed in his youth.
How nice.
Now, there was only one last puzzle left.
Would April 20, 2014 be the key to unlocking Saint Ange's code?
