It wasn't that he didn't want to pursue something with Tong An'an. As a normal man, it was natural to want to get closer to a woman he liked.
However, he was very worried about Tong An'an's current physical condition.
Through Tong An'an's coldness over the past two days, he became even more certain of his love for her and his inability to let her go.
He needed them to open up and have a thorough talk, to confirm that Tong An'an had truly thought things through before taking the final step.
Therefore, he took Tong An'an's shy hand and led her to sit on the sofa.
"I know you've been a bit down these past two days. The change in your attitude today is because my sudden appearance brought you a pleasant surprise. But this surprise isn't enough to make you make this decision."
"An'an, I like you, but I won't morally blackmail you into doing anything. Let's talk it over properly, and we'll discuss everything once you're completely sure, alright?"
Since he wanted to talk so openly, Tong An'an had no choice but to do so.
She hadn't intended to mention the photo in his wallet, but now, she might as well bring it up.
"Alright then. Since you've brought it up, let's be open. Do you know why I was unhappy the past two days?"
"The other day when you went to shower, I looked through your wallet and found a photo that looked almost exactly like me. But I was very sure it wasn't me."
"Actually, I've had doubts before. We've only known each other for such a short time, and I'm not someone particularly distinctive. How could you fall in love at first sight and be so devoted to me?"
"So after seeing the photo that day, I understood. I was very hurt, but it's okay now."
A smile of candid release appeared on her face.
"I don't want to know what happened between you two, I don't want to ask about your current relationship with her, and I don't want to know if you've always had feelings for her."
"As long as you're willing to marry me and continue to be with me in this way, even if I'm just her shadow, I'll be content."
So that was the reason.
Jiang Jingyu regretted not listening to Ge'er and Tiantian's advice to confess the matter to her sooner.
It wasn't that he was afraid to say it, he just felt it was unnecessary.
It had been many years since then, Lu Jiaying would never return, and Tong An'an was completely different from her.
Why mention it and create a scar in her heart?
Seeing how wronged Tong An'an looked, Jiang Jingyu completely understood her inner struggle over the past two days and held her in his arms with concern.
"Silly girl, why didn't you tell me then? Things aren't what you think they are."
Then he recounted everything that had happened when he was eighteen.
"Honestly, her death filled me with guilt. This guilt made me completely unable to accept any other woman's advances for the past few years. I felt like I could only live the rest of my life in penance to be considered human, until the day you appeared."
"I admit, it was your striking resemblance to her that first drew my attention. But from the moment I walked into your house for dinner, I realized that you and she are completely different people. You can't replace her."
"She was decisive, capable, and efficient, never cracking a smile. Her aura was so powerful that I felt pressured even in her presence. But you are different."
"The other day, while you were quietly doing chores listening to your mother's nagging, I felt you were like the common little sunflowers in a roadside flowerbed. Small, but so sunny, resilient, and approachable."
"That's why I was willing to get closer to you later. No, rather than being willing to get closer to you, I was unconsciously drawn to you."
"You are not her shadow, An'an. You are my lover now, my strong spiritual pillar for the rest of my life. I can't imagine what I would become if I experienced the pain of losing a loved one again. You've driven me almost mad these past two days. So let's not do this anymore, okay?"
"If you have anything to say, just say it directly. Don't guess, let's walk forward with firm steps, okay?"
Tong An'an was deeply moved by his words and proactively lifted her head to kiss him.
As their passion deepened, they naturally became intimate.
Although this was Tong An'an's first time, she didn't experience the discomfort that came with ingrained stereotypes or hearsay.
Jiang Jingyu was incredibly gentle, exceedingly tender, and very considerate of her, making Tong An'an deeply feel that love at its deepest is truly a wonderful thing.
Despite a tiring day, the two young, restless hearts couldn't be contained.
They were almost sleepless, yet both were energetic the next day.
After breakfast, they went to the exhibition hall together.
The CEO personally appearing to handle sales here was a great morale booster.
The other three sales representatives, having received IV fluids all day in the hospital and rested for a night, had recovered significantly and rushed back to the battlefield.
Working side-by-side, they held a very successful six-day exhibition.
They secured nearly two hundred letters of intent, ensuring two months of business for the International Marketing Department.
Everyone was overjoyed. On the closing night, Jiang Jingyu personally treated everyone to a meal.
Dining with the group's CEO was an immense honor.
They all dressed up meticulously and posted on social media to show off.
For a time, the International Marketing Department became the envy of the entire group.
Having been away from the group for so long, there were many accumulated matters that Zhan Beijue had been handling, so Jiang Jingyu wasn't in a hurry to return.
This was Tong An'an's first time in Shenzhen, and he had to accompany her for a day of sightseeing.
The next morning, everyone else returned to Nancheng, leaving only the two of them in Shenzhen.
Jiang Jingyu planned a full day of outings, meticulously scheduling their itinerary.
They went to the beach, enjoyed delicious food, visited famous landmarks, and strolled through the local specialty food streets. After dinner, they lingered hand-in-hand on the street, reluctant to part.
Tong An'an quite liked the city.
Perhaps it was ingrained in women to love romance, to love places with the sea, and to love consistently warm temperatures so they could always wear beautiful dresses.
Jiang Jingyu said, "If you like it here, it's simple. We can buy a place here and come for vacations from time to time."
"I can buy a house wherever I like? Won't you think I'm being fussy?"
"Of course not. You are my lover, and whatever you do, I will only find it endearing."
As he spoke of her as his lover, they were stopped by an old man setting up a stall by the roadside.
"Handsome couple, would you like me to make you a pair of couple rings? Purely handmade, very commemorative, and at a fair price."
Tong An'an pulled Jiang Jingyu down to squat. She saw that his small box contained many styles of ring bands.
They were all silver, with simple and unpretentious designs.
"You can engrave letters, words you want to say, or even patterns you desire. Young couples love to do this, get a pair."
Tong An'an asked how much a pair would cost. The owner said 200, which she felt was a bit expensive.