Chapter 109: I

Su Ruan found it somewhat funny, shook her head, and said, "He's not here; he went to check the material."

"What's up, sis? You're being all mysterious—just tell me what's on your mind."

As she spoke, she poured a steaming cup of hot water for Jiang Jiaojiao and handed it to her.

Jiang Jiaojiao cradled the warm cup, as if she had found some courage.

She sat opposite Su Ruan, cleared her throat, and a rare hint of awkwardness appeared on her face: "Good that he's not here… I, I actually came specifically to find you."

She paused, as if gathering her words, then began her story, though her gaze was a bit wandering.

"RuanRuan, here's what's going on… I, I have a friend."

She emphasized the word "friend."

"She has liked a man for many years."

Su Ruan's mind was instantly clear as a mirror, though her face remained unchanged; she listened attentively and nodded, "Hmm, and then?"

"They were middle‑school classmates," Jiang Jiaojiao continued, a nostalgic look in her eyes, "and they got along quite well back then."

"Later that man's family was well‑off, so he went abroad to study. Yet over the years they never completely cut off contact; they occasionally corresponded, sharing updates."

Su Ruan offered an encouraging glance at the right moment, signaling her to continue.

"He only returned this autumn," Jiang Jiaojiao's tone brightened noticeably, "and after he came back, he even brought a gift from abroad for my friend—quite thoughtful."

"Moreover… he would ask my friend out, like to stroll through a department store, browse books, that sort of thing…"

Her cheeks flushed slightly as she spoke.

"Isn't that great?" Su Ruan smiled, guiding, "It shows he's thinking of you… your friend."

"But!" Jiang Jiaojiao's tone rose, laced with obvious distress and confusion, "It's been so long, they've met many times, yet he… he still hasn't made any clear indication; they just interact like old friends."

"My friend is now all nervous, completely unable to figure out what he really means."

"Does he only see my friend as an old classmate, a good friend, or… does he have other intentions?"

She stared at Su Ruan earnestly, as if Su Ruan were a sage who could solve any emotional dilemma: "RuanRuan, you have many ideas and are clever; help me… help my friend analyze this—what's really going on?"

"What should she do now? She can't just go and ask on her own, can she? That would be so embarrassing!"

Su Ruan looked at her own elder sister‑in‑law, who was fretting over a "friend" yet actually reflecting herself, and found it both adorable and amusing.

She pondered briefly, didn't answer directly, but asked back: "Sis, what does your friend feel when that man is with her? How does it feel?"

"Is it merely out of politeness, or can she feel his thoughtfulness and something special?"

Jiang Jiaojiao thought carefully, an involuntary smile appearing: "The feeling… is quite good."

"He's very attentive, noticing what my friend likes and dislikes. When they chat, he respects her thoughts, not the type who just boasts."

"It's just… it always feels like there's some barrier, not close enough, not clear enough."

Su Ruan nodded, having formed a rough judgment in her mind.

She thought for a moment, then said in a gentle, clear tone: "Sis, I think there could be several reasons for this."

"First, the man might be naturally introverted and cautious, or educated in the West, so his emotional expression isn't that direct or aggressive."

"He needs a period of interaction to reacquaint and confirm each other's feelings, and will speak up only when the timing feels right."

"Second," Su Ruan said, looking into Jiang Jiaojiao's eyes, "he may also be observing and testing, wanting to know whether your friend's feelings for him have remained the same after all these years, or have changed. After all, being apart so long, people can change."

"Third, he might genuinely haven't decided yet, or have some practical concerns."

Jiang Jiaojiao listened, nodding repeatedly, finding Su Ruan's analysis very reasonable, and hurriedly asked: "Then… what should my friend do? Just wait idly like that?"

"Of course not just wait," Su Ruan smiled, offering advice, "She can give some proactive responses and hints."

"For example, when he asks your friend out, if she is willing, she should gladly accept and show that the interaction is pleasant."

"When he gives a gift or shows concern, she can sincerely express gratitude and happiness, letting him feel his effort is appreciated and makes her happy."

She paused, adding a crucial point: "Most importantly, make sure your friend doesn't hang all her thoughts on him; work when it's work, live when it's life, maintaining her independence and charm."

"A confident woman with her own life is inherently attractive."

"Sometimes, a suitable amount of uncertainty and one's own excellence can actually prompt the other to decide more quickly."

Su Ruan didn't suggest Jiang Jiaojiao ask directly, because she understood the era and Jiang Jiaojiao's temperament.

Having a woman proactively break through that thin veil indeed requires great courage, and may not yield a good result.

Jiang Jiaojiao listened to Su Ruan's clear analysis and advice; her furrowed brows gradually relaxed, and her eyes brightened again.

She seemed to have found a backbone, nodding vigorously: "RuanRuan, you're right! I… I understand now, I know how to tell my friend!"

She set down the cup, stood up, her face regaining its usual radiance, even more resolute than before: "Thank you, RuanRuan! I'm… I'm heading back now!"

Watching Jiang Jiaojiao's brisk, fiery departure, Su Ruan couldn't help but smile.

She could sense that Jiang Jiaojiao already had a leaning in her heart, just needing a bit of affirmation and guidance from others.

Hope this yet‑unmet overseas‑returned gentleman can awaken soon, and not keep this seemingly bold yet emotionally simple and anxious elder sister‑in‑law waiting too long.

Evening, Su Ruan and Jiang Ran went home together.

At the dinner table, Li Huijuan looked at Su Ruan, ladling soup and serving dishes, urging her to eat more.

Jiang Ran even turned into a supervisor, his eyes fixed on Su Ruan's bowl; whenever he saw her eating slowly, he would immediately scoop over what he considered nutritious vegetables.

He muttered, "Daughter‑in‑law, this fish is good, no bones, eat more to nourish the brain… no, to nourish the body!"

Su Ruan felt a bit embarrassed by the family's fuss, but her heart warmed, so she tried to eat more.

After dinner, Jiang Ran broke his usual habit, not staying by Su Ruan's side, but rushing into the bathroom first.

"Daughter‑in‑law, you rest first; I'll finish quickly, it'll be ready soon!"

Su Ruan felt a bit puzzled, but let him go.

She helped Li Huijuan tidy up a little, then her mother‑in‑law sent her to rest: "You don't need to be here, go sit or take a walk, don't tire yourself."

When Su Ruan leisurely finished washing up, wiping her half‑damp hair as she entered the bedroom, she found Jiang Ran already lying on the bed.

He wore only a tank top and loose pajama pants, propped against the headboard with the blanket covering his waist, casually leafing through a fashion catalog.

When he saw Su Ruan come in, he immediately tossed the picture album, patted the warm, toasty blanket beside him, and a mischievous, self‑congratulatory grin spread at the corner of his mouth.

"Daughter‑in‑law, come over quickly! I've warmed the blanket for you; even a hot‑water bottle can't match the comfort of my human body heater!"

Here I am, here I am! I slept all day today, I've been cramming questions lately, preparing for next year's spring recruitment, and still have to go to work… Poor fresh graduate (crying loudly)