Chapter 2

At first, Jiang Qingchi was just an empty-handed college student. After graduation, he founded his own animation studio. He had suffered a lot in the past few years. At first, he was giving his everything, not caring for a return. Now, he had become a well-known director in the industry. Although he was young, he had an extensive resume. Every stroke of his career had won him the love of his fans. What made the female fans extremely envious was that Jiang Qingchi had a girlfriend who had accompanied him from poverty until now. The two of them had been together for a full six years, and it was said that their relationship was still as warm as when they first met. Entertainment reporters seized the opportunity to verify. Jiang Qingchi had openly admitted it during an interview some time ago, “Thank you for your blessings. My girlfriend and I are about to have some good news to share. We will definitely treat everyone to wedding candies.” After the interview, the fans loved him even more.

As Jiang Qingchi’s girlfriend, Jin Nian had imagined this scene countless times: the boyfriend was outstanding, and they had a happy ending. Now that her dream had illuminated reality, Jin Nian watched the interview video of Jiang Qingchi over and over again, and she could not help but feel her eyes heat up. After being in love for six years, Jin Nian had always felt that she could not enter the depths of Jiang Qingchi’s heart. Back then, Jin Nian was brave enough to chase after her love. Only she knew how sad she felt. Although they were lovers, Jin Nian was often in a trance. She felt that Jiang Qingchi was like a gust of wind. The more she chased after him, the more she felt alienated. Jiang Qingchi always placed animation first. He would not eat, drink, or sleep just to polish a special effects shot that had already passed the test. Because of this, he could not help but neglect Jin Nian who was by his side.

Jin Nian had doubts and complaints before. However, she liked Jiang Qingchi too much. She liked him so much that she digested all her emotions silently. Occasionally, Jiang Qingchi, who looked tired, would coax her with a gentle and guilty tone. The unhappiness in her head immediately disappeared and she was filled with hope again. Jin Nian had always thought that Jiang Qingchi was a man with real ability. One day, he would be successful and famous. The two of them finally looked forward to this day, but behind his success and fame was the gradually estranged relationship between them. Jiang Qingchi was getting busier by the day. In the past two years, the number of days they had met could be counted with both hands. They often did not talk on the phone once a week. Occasionally, they would exchange a few words with each other, which supported Jin Nian’s thoughts day and night. Jin Nian often wondered if they were still a couple.

Jiang Qingchi’s pace was too fast, and she was left too far behind.

Just as she was becoming more and more uncertain, Jiang Qingchi announced the news of their engagement to the media. On the night of the celebration party for Summer Monogatari, Jiang Qingchi’s exquisite face appeared in front of the camera, his eyes full of tenderness, “The person I’m most grateful to is my girlfriend. She’s always been by my side. Even though I’ve neglected to take care of her because of my busy work these past two years, she’s always been able to understand me. I will always be grateful for her efforts.” On the other end of the screen, Jin Nian’s eyes were filled with tears. That morning, Jiang Qingchi suddenly appeared in front of her house with a big bouquet of red roses and a diamond ring in his arms. He proposed to her.

Jin Nian cried so hard that she could not say a complete sentence. She could only cover her mouth and nod in agreement. The family and friends around her all sent their blessings, and Jin Nian was also immersed in the pink bubbles. The parents of the two families met according to schedule, finalized the engagement time, betrothal gifts, selected an auspicious day, and prepared the invitation. Although it was nothing new, Jin Nian felt the most genuine happiness.

Every girl was looking forward to a romantic wedding, and so was Jin Nian. However, behind this romance, various details had to be finalized over and over again, from the wedding venue to the wedding incense. Jiang Qingchi was busy with work and could not arrange anything, so he left everything to Jin Nian alone. Jiang Qingchi hugged her gently when she was in low spirits and told her in his usual calm and gentle tone, “I’ll leave everything to you to decide, Niannian. If you need money, just swipe my card. Please understand me. I really don’t have time.” Of course, Jin Nian understood him. His dream had finally come true, so she naturally could not hold him back.

Jin Nian had been looking forward to love and marriage since she was young because her parents were close and her grandparents grew old together. So now she only wanted to get one person’s heart, and grow old together. She looked through the proposals one after another and tried on one wedding dress after another. During this period of time, not only did she have to prepare for the wedding, but she also had to keep up with her work. Jin Nian was so busy that she could not see the sun. Tomorrow was a good day for the engagement party. Jiang Qingchi had just finished his Film Award trip and flew back to Binhai City from abroad.

Jin Nian looked at the time and stopped hesitating. “This one then. Qingchi will be getting off the plane in two hours. I’m going to pick him up.”