Chapter 1362 - 891: I Feel Sorry for You Too
"Got it, got it." Jiang Nian responded vaguely, thinking to himself that he really should thank Xu Qianqian for not killing him.
An entire summer vacation went by, and he didn’t say a word.
"Oh, right, Mom." He changed the subject, "I’ve got some extra money now, and I’m thinking about getting you guys a new house."
Suddenly, it’s seven o’clock in the evening.
At the dinner table, Old Jiang listened to Jiang Nian’s plan to buy a house. He frowned and thought for a moment, and his first words were.
"We’ll pay half, let’s buy two houses."
"Preferably next to each other."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Nian understood why. It’s not that he was stingy; he just didn’t like the idea.
The risk was too high.
What if they had New Year visits and Xu Qianqian was just next door, bringing people over? What would that be?
A punch that doesn’t kill is considered a dud.
"Cough, cough." Jiang Nian coughed, "How about buying a villa? It’d be too small for the New Year otherwise."
"Get lost!!" Li Hongmei snapped.
Jiang Nian shrank.
The topic was stuck. Escaping wasn’t the solution. But if he went ahead and bought it, Old Jiang couldn’t do anything.
He’d persuade him slowly later, with plenty of excuses to use.
For example:...
Living too close could lead to conflicts, some kind of quarrel. The neighbors would hear it, engage and escalate the situation.
Things get loud, making both sides awkward.
....
The next day.
At school, Jiang Nian and Old Liu were drinking tea in the admin building.
"Teacher, what’s with your expression?"
Jiang Nian raised his eyebrows, "An excellent alumni thinking of their alma mater, respecting teachers, why the long face?"
Old Liu: "...."
Is that really respect?
"Forget about respecting teachers; your respect is crooked." Old Liu said, "Whenever you seek me out, it’s never for anything good."
"I beg to differ," Jiang Nian said, munching sunflower seeds, "What did I do? Was it wrong to come see you?"
"If I don’t look for you, who else would I find?"
Old Liu opened his mouth, secretly thinking it was true. At least this kid followed the rules, only seeking some information.
"Well, you come often, that’s fine."
"Teacher, it’s during your busy schedule," Jiang Nian paused, emphasizing, "Finding time to often visit."
"I hope you come less."
"That wish might not come true."
After some bickering, they finally got to the main business. Jiang Nian was looking for Old Liu because of the house-buying issue.
As the saying goes, Director Liu is the encyclopedia of the county.
"Buying a house?"
"You brat..." Old Liu was shocked for a moment, sighed, "Well, okay, what kind do you want?"
Jiang Nian shared his requirements, first being it had to be big enough, or there wouldn’t be enough space for many people.
Old Liu struggled to hold it together, almost speaking up.
"What does your mom think?"
"She told me to get lost," Jiang Nian answered truthfully, "But it’s a deep love with harsh words, I won’t take it seriously."
Old Liu: "...."
"True."
"Second, it should be quiet, somewhat private." Jiang Nian said, "Zhizhi’s split-level was average for privacy."
Old Liu: "..."
"Third, it’d be best if it’s cheaper." Jiang Nian said, "Teacher, you know me, I’m quite poor."
Old Liu thought about it, speechless.
"Should we just give it to you for free?"
Jiang Nian paused, feeling a bit embarrassed, "Does Zhennan County have such a policy?"
Old Liu laughed, when someone is truly speechless, they are very speechless.
"I’ll help you look."
"Thank you, teacher."
After Jiang Nian left, Old Liu looked at the empty seat, squinting his eyes and clicking his tongue in praise.
"Ten years to grow a tree, a hundred years to nurture a person."
"Really....."
Another day passed, and Jiang Nian sent a message to Director Chen at the municipal hospital, roughly expressing his gratitude.
"Director Chen, the elderly have been resting well. Thank you for your hard work, I left some local specialties for you in the parking lot."
After a while, a young man came down with keys.
Jiang Nian left after placing the items, not socializing with the young man. He then drove Chen Yunyun to the airport.
Before taking off, Chen Yunyun poked him.
"Is it very expensive?"
"What?"
"Gift-giving." She pursed her lips, speaking softly, "Thanks for handling my mom’s matter this time."
Jiang Nian looked at her and simply smiled.
"Actually....."
"What?"
"Giving gifts and your mom’s issue aren’t unrelated, but the connection is indeed minor, it was something I intended to do."
"I could even say, the opportunity to meet Director Chen came through this matter, so you don’t need to feel burdened."
"After all, my parents are also in Zhennan."
Chen Yunyun quickly thought it over, realizing it was true. But with Jiang Nian’s candidness, she felt even happier.
"Hmm, still, thank you."
"By the way, how do your parents perceive me?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Yunyun suddenly blushed. Even though she knew they were just friends, she couldn’t help feeling embarrassed.
"Pretty...good."
"Pretty good? That means average."
"No, no, that’s not it." Chen Yunyun’s face turned red like blood, "Very.... very satisfactory, they said you are very mature."
"Old?"
"No, just that you’re a great person."
Jiang Nian raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything. After a while, once Chen Yunyun relaxed, he suddenly leaned closer.
"And what about you, are you satisfied?"
Chen Yunyun turned away, stammering.
"I.....I don’t know."
"Then you’re not satisfied?"
"No."
Seeing her like this, Jiang Nian didn’t continue teasing her. He just tapped his phone, his mind thinking about other things.
.....
After returning to Beijing.
Jiang Nian became busier, day and night. He either replied to work emails or dealt with academic matters and exams.
If he didn’t take it seriously, he’d truly fail the courses.
No kidding.
Even though currently, he had filed a report with the academy, offering him some leeway towards graduation without issues.
But not failing still required personal effort.
Even if Jiang Nian could take a year off from school, to return after work commitments, yet....
He didn’t want to.
Because, for Jiang Nian, being a student was his anchor point, much more important than being a founder or boss.
No matter how hard or tiring, he wanted to maintain it.
Also, if someone worked outside for a year, could they truly settle down to study again when everything had changed?
Despite the busyness, he met Xu Shuang once.
At Xu Shuang’s apartment.
However, it wasn’t a date this time, since Xu Yuanshan was also there, miserably preparing fruit and serving it on the table.
"This person wanted to skip school, and I caught him back."
Jiang Nian: "???"
Skip school, what the heck?
"More accurately, he got tired of school." Xu Shuang bit into an apple, "He said he wanted to be with some sauce."
"It’s Rem!" Xu Yuanshan retorted.
Jiang Nian felt awkward, not knowing what to say. But different aspirations were fine, even in confinement, one is true to their nature.
Knowing not to like Ayanami Rei could easily turn one into Fanta.
"This is good."
He racked his brains and came up with, "In the future, find a girlfriend like Rem, and it’d be happiness for life."
"Right!" Xu Yuanshan’s eyes shined.
"Right, my foot! I could just....." Xu Shuang began, then suddenly retracted her words and changed her mind.
"Attend school properly, or else you’ll be sorry."
Xu Yuanshan: "...."
Jiang Nian: "...."
In the afternoon, Zhao Yiqiu ordered a table of dishes. They were delivered home, and the four of them had a hearty lunch.
After the meal, while Xu Shuang was away.
Xu Yuanshan pulled Jiang Nian outside, venting about his sister while using gestures vividly.
"I’m serious, my sister really might just break my legs."
"Ah?"
"Sigh, you’re quite pitiable too." Xu Yuanshan said, "My sister is so violent, yet you’re with her."
"Ah.... it’s alright I guess." Jiang Nian didn’t know how to respond, "Your sister treats me well; perhaps she’s tough on you."
"Hmm... very strict."
"How do you put up with her?" Xu Yuanshan continued to complain, "I heard from my sister, you’re pretty wealthy now."
"Having money, why not find someone obedient, gentle, like Rem, a girlfriend?"
"I feel for you, my sister like this is just..."
"Just what?"
A cold voice coiled around Xu Yuanshan’s neck. Xu Shuang appeared behind him, unnoticed.
"Keep talking, huh?"