Feng Jing regretted his words. That had been a rather forward statement, and it wouldn't do to scare her off now. He was debating how to step back gracefully when Jiang Ran laughed, teasing him. 

"Well then, the next time I eat seafood I'll call upon you!"

Seeing her smile, Feng Jing heaved a sigh of relief. Smiling back, he said, "Just kidding."

He would have liked to eat with Jiang Ran, but eating meant taking off the mask and exposing his identity.

When the two were preparing to go upstairs, out came another resident who seemed to know Jiang Ran fairly well. 

"Little Jiang." She called to her affectionately. "Did you go collect veggies again?"

"Yes! The tomatoes look gorgeous this time! Sister Wang, why don't you take a couple?"

Sister Wang and Jiang Ran were old neighbors. When the old building had not yet been demolished, they lived in the same apartment complex. Later, the developer bought up the land it sat on and made some changes to the building, so Jiang Ran's parents moved to a different house. Once the original was repaired, they were too lazy to move back, and now Jiang Ran lived there alone.

Sister Wang checked out the produce in Jiang Ran's bag. "Those tomatoes look lovely, very red."

Seeing them chatting, Feng Jing took the initiative to say goodbye. "I'll go up first."

Jiang Ran nodded to him. "Sounds good."

Feng Jing brought his vegetables into the elevator. Sister Wang looked at his back, then turned around and asked Jiang Ran, "Are you and Mr. Feng very close?"

"We're all right, is there an issue?"

"I've always wondered if there was a problem with him." Sister Wang's voice was light, but she looked serious. "He's moved in for a while but still always wears a mask and hat. No one's ever seen his face."

Jiang Ran said, "Oh, that. Mr. Feng said he had a cold."

"Anyone can say anything! He just says it and you believe it." Sister Wang looked at Jiang Ran, a little worried. "Little Jiang, no offense meant by this, but you're a young girl living alone, and you're very beautiful. You're easily remembered. Mr. Feng's mysterious and secretive, make sure to keep your guard up."

"I'm not alone. " Jiang Ran protested. "I have a dog."

"What can that little dog of yours do?" Sister Wang imagined the scene, and couldn't help but urge her. "In short, don't get too close to him. He doesn't appear to be a good man."

Jiang Rans smiled and did not answer, instead took out two tomatoes from her bag, stuffing them into the other's hands. "Sister Wang, here take these two tomatoes."

"Thank you." Sister Wang bid her goodbye and went outside the gate.

Jiang Ran carried her bag of vegetables into the elevator, thoughtful.

There really were a lot of strange things about the newly moved-in Mr. Feng. Though his clothes were very low-key, Jiang Ran was a saleswoman who came into contact with many luxury brands, and she could easily see that all his belongings were well-made and valuable. But she had never seen him go out to work. What did Mr. Feng do? Was he a rich second generation? But then why would a rich man rent a house here?

Sister Wang's suspicions were not unreasonable, but Jiang Ran instinctively felt like Mr. Feng was a decent man.

 

Over on the other side, Feng Jing was full of joy, completely unaware that he had been classified as a "suspicious person" by his neighbours. He couldn't wait to post on Weibo and show off the vegetables Jiang Ran had just given him.

But if he did that, Jiang Ran would definitely recognize him.

What to do? Feng Jing frowned and meditated on it.

Ah, there was that!

He took out the vegetables, washed his hands, and began to chop them up. Since Mi Xi Er often cooked for him here, the ingredients in the fridge were varied and plentiful. He added in some vegetables from the fridge, drizzled in some salad dressing, and served up a bowl of vegetable salad.

Looking at his masterpiece, Feng Jing patted himself on the back. Really, he was a genius. Jiang Ran would never notice like this.

He took photos of his vegetable salad and posted them on Weibo.

【Feng Jing (V): Vegetable salad looks good! [glutton]】

Although there was no selfie included, his fans were still eager to comment.

【Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh!】

【Has Feng Jing been on a diet lately? Does he always eat this at night?】

【I'm hungry.】

【Even the Film Emperor cooks!】

【Here's a picture of my own dinner today! [photo]】

He sat at the table and ate the salad, watching his profile. Ahh, the vegetables that Jiang Ran grew really were better than the ones Mi Xi Er bought from the supermarket.

Apparently telepathic, Mi Xi Er soon called him to express his condolences. "Feng Jing, did you only eat salad tonight?"

"Of course not! I'll make something extra for myself later, you don't have to come over."

"All right. Tomorrow morning you're scheduled for a meeting with Dr. Zhang. I'll pick you up at nine o'clock."

Upon hearing the name Dr. Zhang, Feng Jing felt a headache coming on. "How long will I have to see the psychiatrist for?"

Mi Xi Er: "According to Manager Qin, until you can sleep without relying on medication."

Feng Jing："—"

It wasn't like he could control this!

❆

On the other side, Jiang Ran was now surfing Weibo. She hadn't been on for several days, and was on that day to look for special clearance tips.

Feng Jing had not shot a photo or sent a video this time, and Jiang Ran felt both relieved and disappointed by the fact.

But she was quickly attracted by the vegetable salad on the screen. Feng Jing must have added a filter - the colors in his salad looked vibrant and delicious. His knife work was beautiful, each slice of white lotus cut thin as silk and very uniformly.

Maybe she should have a vegetable salad tonight...

The idea made Jiang Ran feel like eighteen again, always thinking that if she ate the same thing as an idol, she'd feel a little closer to them. She smiled at herself and went to mix the salad.

❆

The next day, right on schedule, Mi Xi Er brought Feng Jing to Dr. Zhang's office. The doctor chatted happily for half an hour. When Feng Jing came back, he saw a familiar person standing in front of the community gate.

What was this big brother doing here?

Since he hadn't appeared for a long time, Feng Jing had almost forgotten about this person, yet now here he was. He was surely waiting for Jiang Ran.

He had Mi Xi Er park his car next to He Zhiyuan and got out.

He Zhiyuan looked a little nervous, constantly tidying his tie, and looking at his hair in the rearview mirror. Feng Jing walked slowly in front of him, his gaze fixed on him.

Judging by the car he drove, he should be in middle management. Not a bad income but not an executive either. They were about the same age. In looks, He Zhiyuan could only be considered somewhat average compared to himself. He was tall, but shorter than Fang Jing by just a hair.

Feng Jing felt that he himself was hardly inferior in any aspect, but since He Zhiyuan had once saved Er Huang, Jiang Ran must surely have a high impression of him.

Sensing eyes on him, He Zhiyuan looked back. He was a little shocked - it wasn't the mask and the cap on this stranger that made him weird, but the fact that even the mask and cap couldn't stop his sharp edge.

He Zhiyuan was in the planning department of his company, and at his company's publicity events, he had met quite a few celebrities. This person's aura was very similar to a big star. Despite being dressed in a low-key fashion and walking amongst regular people, he would always stand out in a crowd.

Was he a star? But then why was he here?

"Oh, Mr. Feng, were you going out?"

Jiang Ran's voice interrupted the thoughts of the two men. They both turned to look at her at the same time. 

Feng Jing's eyes gently curved and smiled as he looked at her. "No, I've just come back. Were you going out?"

"Yes." Not knowing why Jiang Ran suddenly felt a little guilty, and she lightly licked her lips. "This is my friend, we're going out to eat."

"Oh." Feng Jing's gaze fell on He Zhiyuan, fiercer than ever. "Your boyfriend?"

"No." Jiang Ran now felt rather embarrassed in addition to guilt.

He Zhiyuan saw that Feng Jing had been looking at him, and took the initiative to extend his hand. "Nice to meet you."

Feng Jing also extended his hand and they shook briefly. "You too." He quickly withdrew his hand, looking at Jiang Ran. "Then I'll head in first so as to not bother you."

"Okay, bye." Jiang Ran told him, watching him walk into the gate before she got into the car. Putting on her seat belt, she handed He Zhiyuan the gift she had prepared from her bag. "Happy birthday."

He looked down and smiled, accepting it. "Thank you." 

He was originally going to say that he would be happiest if she would accompany him to dinner but swallowed his words, afraid to embarrass her.

"Are you sure you don't want to come to the party tonight?"

"I'm sorry. I've been endlessly busy recently." 

He Zhiyuan had invited her to attend his birthday party that evening, but a number of his friends and colleagues would be there. Feeling that it would be inconvenient to go, Jiang Ran found an excuse to go out alone at noon with him instead.

He more or less knew what she was thinking, but He Zhiyuan was particularly patient in his treatment of Jiang Ran. He kept the right distance from her, never making her feel burdened. But the sudden appearance of Mr. Feng today sparked a little concern in him.

"Was that man, Mr. Feng, who just met us at the door, your neighbor?"

"Mmhmm, he's new here."

"What's his surname?"

Jiang Ran laughed. "Mr. Feng's surname is Feng, of course!"

He Zhiyuan couldn't help but laugh, but a name flashed through his mind. Of discussing the surname of an artist named Feng, most people would only think of one name.

Feng Jing.