Chapter 1553: Regret Awaits Whichever One Is Chosen

This time, Jiang Chenghao understood what the elder sister meant.

He lowered his eyes and said in a flat tone, "You've misunderstood; I have no intention of pursuing anyone."

Sister Zhang felt that Jiang Chenghao was simply deceiving himself.

Just look at his concern for Xu Xiaoxiao, look at the way he looks at Xu Xiaoxiao—that affection is practically overflowing, okay!

However, young people are thin-skinned, so it's normal for him to be unwilling to admit it.

But Sister Zhang genuinely wanted to help, so she said, "Big sister has a few words of advice for you, you'd better listen carefully."

"What is it?"

"No matter how strong or independent a girl is, she is still a girl. She likes romance, she likes being cared for. Therefore, compared to scary movies and piles of documents, a surprising gift is much more likely to win her heart."

On the surface, Jiang Chenghao remained calm and composed.

But he remembered every single word the elder sister said.

At the end, he even asked, "Could you be a bit more specific?"

"In short, four words: cater to her preferences!"

Cater to her preferences?

Jiang Chenghao thought for a moment, and his heart suddenly cleared.

He smiled at the elder sister and said, "Thank you."

No sooner had Jiang Chenghao finished speaking than he felt something extra in his palm.

Looking down, it was a book with a yellowed cover.

"This..."

"I can see you don't have much experience. This book is my treasure from when I was young; you should take a good look at it!"

Jiang Chenghao looked at the cover of the book, which read: Thirty-Six Maxims of Love.

Hmm...

Jiang Chenghao pondered for a moment and murmured, "Actually, I have been in love before."

"Huh? Then why do you still seem like you haven't figured it out?"

"Because... they were very different, so I was at a loss. Besides, I don't want to cause her trouble because of my own personal reasons."

Sister Zhang was left speechless.

She tilted her head and sighed, "You academics are so lukewarm when it comes to romance; it's infuriating! Remember, falling in love requires passion. If you're this calm, you'll never catch a girl!"

As she spoke, Sister Zhang added mysteriously, "Don't blame me for not warning you, there is another gentleman who also seems to have a crush on Xiao Xiao."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Chenghao asked, "Has Wang Sinian been here?"

"Oh, it seems you know him."

Knowing him was an understatement...

Jiang Chenghao's voice turned deep: "What did he come here for?"

"In the name of visiting a patient, but in reality... hmm..."

Jiang Chenghao was listening intently, only to find that Sister Zhang had fallen silent.

This made Jiang Chenghao immediately press, "In reality, what?"

Thinking back to that day's situation, Sister Zhang summarized, "He was constantly bickering with Xiao Xiao; the two of them were at each other's throats."

After finishing, Sister Zhang hurriedly added, "The scene wasn't very harmonious at the time, but so many people turn from bickering enemies into true lovers. You need to have a sense of crisis!"

After saying this, Sister Zhang patted Jiang Chenghao on the shoulder with a solemn expression.

Jiang Chenghao, however, showed no change in expression.

After hearing Sister Zhang's advice, he only lowered his brows and eyes, saying indifferently, "Thank you for the guidance."

As his voice fell, Jiang Chenghao took the yellowed book and walked away step by step.

Sister Zhang did not follow him this time; she just stood where she was, staring at Jiang Chenghao's back, and then clicked her tongue twice.

Sigh, this young man, he really looks quite good!

Handsome, well-built, and with a great temperament—a rare hunk!

But then again... that Wang Sinian looks pretty good too.

In a roguish, handsome way.

How will Xu Xiaoxiao choose?

It feels like she'll regret it no matter which one she gives up.

Sigh, what a headache!

Xu Xiaoxiao did not know that Sister Zhang was worrying about her life's major events.

At this moment, she was lying on the bed, savoring the bits and pieces of her time with Jiang Chenghao just now.

Immersed in her memories, she would smile blankly one moment, look flushed the next, and then feel a sense of loss the moment after.

Truly, her emotions were volatile.

But when she returned to reality from her reverie, her mood became low.

The reflection in the mirror and the moon in the water were fake.

The fleeting sweetness was also fake.

Xu Xiaoxiao felt she should be more realistic, for instance, by reading more books instead of immersing herself in unrealistic fantasies.

After all... dreams cannot come true.

Xu Xiaoxiao let out a long breath and then turned over.

With this turn, Xu Xiaoxiao saw a book on the bookshelf.

That was the one Elder Wang had given to Xu Xiaoxiao before.

When she saw that book, she saw that old gentleman who loved to smile...

After learning about the situation of the old Mr. Wang, Xu Xiaoxiao did not contact him immediately.

On one hand, the old gentleman needed more rest.

On the other hand, Xu Xiaoxiao had not yet adjusted her own emotions, worried that as soon as she spoke with the old Mr. Wang, she would show sadness on her face.

Now, Xu Xiaoxiao's mood had stabilized a bit.

She decided that tomorrow, she would first order a bouquet of fresh flowers for the old Mr. Wang.

The next day—

After Xu Xiaoxiao finished her lunch, she was just preparing to go to the balcony to bask in the sun.

But the mobile phone placed on the sofa suddenly rang.

She walked over and picked up the phone.

After seeing the number on it, she answered with a smile.

"Hello, girl, I have already received the flowers, thank you."

Xu Xiaoxiao hurriedly said: "You must absolutely not thank me; I should have visited you in person, it is just that I cannot go out for the time being. Once I am better, I will certainly come to pay a visit."

Upon hearing this, the old gentleman muttered: "It seems that brat Wang Sinian told you about my affairs after all."

Before Wang Sinian went to see Xu Xiaoxiao, the old gentleman had instructed him not to mention his own affairs.

When Wang Sinian returned, Xu Xiaoxiao had no news, so the old gentleman assumed Wang Sinian had kept his word.

Unexpectedly...

That brat!

The old gentleman complained about Wang Sinian in his heart, while Xu Xiaoxiao said: "He should have told me; such a big matter, you shouldn't have kept it from me either."

"Sigh, it should have been known later, so as to avoid you, this girl, worrying along with it."

The old Mr. Wang did not meet with Xu Xiaoxiao, and the voice with which Xu Xiaoxiao spoke still carried vitality.

But the old Mr. Wang knew that this girl was not feeling well inside.

The old Mr. Wang guessed correctly; Xu Xiaoxiao's heart was indeed filled with bitterness.

She had clearly delayed for several days before contacting the old Mr. Wang, but time had not filled the regret in her heart.

Xu Xiaoxiao sighed silently.

The old Mr. Wang, however, looked at things very openly and even took the initiative to comfort Xu Xiaoxiao:

"Do not worry about me, I have no more regrets. When I was young, I went to the places I wanted to go and did the things I wanted to do. Even if I can only sit in a wheelchair now, those past memories are enough for me to savor."

The old Mr. Wang's voice was very free and easy, without the slightest hint of tragedy.

This also influenced Xu Xiaoxiao to a certain extent.

The old Mr. Wang also said: "You are young now; you should do the things you want to do and see the people you want to see, instead of spending all your time working."

"Mm, I know."

"As for your career, you have a lifetime to strive for it, but many opportunities in life are fleeting; if you miss them, you will regret it for a lifetime."

"You are right."

"Then what about you? After experiencing this surgery, is there anything you are particularly eager to do?"

Xu Xiaoxiao did not expect the old gentleman to ask her this, and she was stunned for a moment.

Li Beijue's expression darkened instantly; he stood up abruptly, strode over to Jiang Baobao, grabbed her wrist, and said in a voice as cold as ice: "What did you just say? Say it again if you dare!"