Chapter 140 She Won't Come
The next day, when Jane came to the Smith family, everything went on just as usual. Only Justin lost his appetite and ate much less than usual for breakfast. When they asked him what was wrong, he just said he ate too much last night.
During the break between the two classes, Justin asked, "Are you free on Saturday night?"
Jane said, "This Saturday?"
"Yeah."
"This Saturday is the 19th, right?"
"Yes."
"I have an arrangement on that evening."
"Is it important?" Justin saked.
Jane said, "Yes, with my boss."
"Ok. I got it."
Jane asked, "What's up?"
Justin looked as usual. "Nothing, I was just too bored and wanted to invite you to dinner."
Jane said, "Then see you on Sunday, and think about what you want to eat. This time we won't go to the supermarket, and I'll take you to a new place. There is a vegetable market nearby."
Leaning on the sofa, Justin was gonna to accept her advice. But suddenly, there was a compulsion sprang up in his mind, which could make him less comsiderate. "Do you dare to stand your boss up?" he asked.
Jane looked at him. "If you have dinner with me, I can ask my Uncle Edward to give you a raise." Justin said without turning his hair.
Jane raised an eyebrow. "Money talks?"
Justin said, "Aren't you going to have dinner with your boss just for promotion and raise? Then why not just let Uncle Edward give you a raise. It's a one-way bet."
Jane still raised an eyebrow. "Who told you that having dinner with your boss must be for a promotion and raise?"
"Then, what else?"
"Personal worship?"
Obviously, Justin didn't believe it.
Jane said, "You are still young, and always thought that the world of adults is all about utility. Well, I admit that at least 90% or even more than 95% are about that. But as a person, sometimes we could be a little selfish, right? If you don't have any personal space in your heart except money, then you are not a person, you are just a piggy bank."
Justin was very good at extracting key points from complicated information. "Then what's your selfishness towards your boss?" he asked.
Jane rested her chin with one hand and habitually drew a circle on the scratch paper with the other, which was even rounder than the compass. Justin stared at her without blinking, and heard her said "No comment." after waiting for a long time.
Justin pulled his long face instantly.
Jane looked at him and said, "You are not honest."
"What?"
"If I tell you something, you will tell your Uncle Edward in most cases. There are no secrets between us."
Justin wanted to deny it, but he was unable to argue. So he took a breath and paused for a moment and said, "Uncle Edwarde is not an stranger."
Jane said, "Even betwwen friends, there still exsit something that we can't talk about. I have never told Henry what you said to me, nor did I tell you what he said to me. Does it affect the friendship between the three of us?"
Justin was defeated. "Then I won't tell him anymore." he replied honestly.
Jane said, "You are a stand-up guy."
"Then can you tell me what kind of selfishness you have towards your boss?" he asked immediately.
Jane rolled her eyes. "You are so gossip."
Justin was very curious why Jane had to go to other people's dinner on the 19th.
"My boss and I graduate from the same school, and he is just few years earlier than me. He is really awesome, and I am just a rookie compared to him. Recently, I did something wrong and thought that I would be punished by the company, but he didn't blame me and still backed me up. So I have been trying to find a chance to invite him to dinner, but he is too busy. And the dinner on Saturday was set a week ago."
Justin looked suspiciously. "Do you know each other well?"
Jane shook her head. "I've met him several times at uniersity awards ceremony. And after I came to S City, we also have met once or twice."
Justin said, "Then why is he so supportive of you?"
"He is a great guy." Jane said.
The expression on Justin's face showed that he was mocking her for being too young, "Didn't he just think you are beautiful and meddle with ill attentions?"
Jane stared at him. "Then why do you always keep denying that I am good-looking?"
Justin snorted. "There are a thousand Hamlets in a thousand people's eyes. My aesthetic is different from the public."
Jane gagged while Justin brought the topic back by himself. "So, you mean that you are having a crush on your boss?"
Jane frowned. "Do you need a Chinese teacher? Or would you like someone to help you with reading comprehension?"
Justin said, "You don't admit that Uncle Edward is a genius, but you are willing to be a rookie to support your boss. If it's not blind worship, it can only be blind unrequited love."
Jane pulled a wry face. "Have you ever been in love? You look like a love expert. "
Justin said, "Though I have never been in love, I have seen other people fall in love."
Though being angry, Jane also thought it was so funny. "Who taught you that adjectives?"
Justin squinted at Jane, and asked, "What do you want to do? "
"I didn't expect you to have someone loved."
She didn't deny it. "Do I look like a fairy, and don't konw these thing at all?"
"Humph."
They have chatted for 20 minutes between classes. Justin didn't mention the dinner on the 19th, and Jane also didn't think he was eager to meet her on Saturday and thought he just said it casually. So, that was the end of it.
The two came downstairs at noon. Edward sat on the sofa in the living room and waited. As soon as he heard the voice, he turned his head to look. He first observed Justin's expression, but he couldn't tell his mood. "Since class is over, let's have the meal." he said as usual.
At the table, Edward asked, "Did you invite Miss Cooper?"
Justin ate with his head down. Hearing this, he replied calmly, "On Sunday."
Edward said, "Why not Saturday?"
"She was busy on Saturday." Justin said.
Hearing that Edward was saying Saturday, Jane raised her head and looked around. "Is Saturday a special day?
Brefore Edward answered, Justin said first, "It's just a boring day."
Edward knew Justin too well. Since he refused to tell, Edward wouldn't debunk him.
"There are many projects on Sunday, and you'll see." Jane said.
Justin didn't want Jane to sense something wrong there, and was more reluctant to let Edward notice his disappointment. So he pretended that nothing happend, and just chatted with Jane as usual.
After the meal, Jane drove away. Edward stopped Justin. ''If you want her to come, I can ask her out for you."
Justin put his hands in his pocket and said cooly, "No, don't tell her that Saturday is my birthday. She'll spend time with a important guy on that day. "
Edward said, "Well, she can refuse it. If you tell her directly, she will definitely come here."
''I don't need her. Don't tell her and the arrangement on that day means a lot to her." said Justin.
After saying this, he turned around and walked outside. ''Where are you going?'' Edward asked.
"Play the ball with my dog."
The more heartless and relaxed Justin was, the more sad Edward became. He knew that Gary's not coming would upset Justin, but he thought it won't last too long and Jane was here this year. But, who knows, she won't come either.
Is the appointment really so important that Justin couldn't say anything for fear that she would feel awkward?