"Alright, I'm leaving now."
"Mm."
She humd a song as she walked towards the small shop, but halfway there she hesitated. It seed Jiang Nian only talked about making an oath.
That rascal, he didn't even ntion any actual vow!
Yu Zhiyi turned back in a huff, ready to confront Jiang Nian. But as she took a step, she hesitated again.
"Wouldn't that be too annoying?"
The afternoon school bell rang.
Jiang Nian had arranged to et Xu Shuang at the sa milk tea shop. Pure loss business, it was a miracle it hadn't closed down.
He exited the school gate, turned left, and soon arrived. As usual, there were not many people, just the leisurely female shop assistant.
The long table was adorned with potted plants, and there was an ordering counter. It displayed seven or eight types of drinks, along with so very average snacks.
Jiang Nian ordered a few things and asked,
"How much is it?"
"No need to pay, it's already been covered," the female shop assistant with flaxen hair smiled, "Please sit upstairs."
Jiang Nian responded with an "Oh," and climbed the quaint staircase. He looked around and realized he was the only one there.
Xu Shuang hadn't arrived, so who paid?
Probably put on the tab.
There was a leather sofa and a big wooden table on which a desk lamp cast a dim yellow light.
In the middle of the day, the curtains were drawn.
Jiang Nian thought he would just sit for a while and leave, not bothering to open the curtains. After a while of waiting, he suddenly felt a slight chill.
The air conditioner above was running, quite considerate.
A bell jingled as conversation drifted from downstairs. After a mont of quiet, the wooden staircase echoed the sound of heavy steps.
"I'm late." Xu Shuang's figure halted at the top of the stairs, her slender outline only faintly illuminated by the dim light.
Her voice was gentle, as lodious as the strings of an instrunt.
It wasn't that Jiang Nian was exaggerating; she did indeed seem to be in a good mood. When she sat down, a faint smile adorned her face.
"Did you call for sothing?"
Just so casual chat, a mundane task.
"Nothing much, just wanted to ask how you've been." Jiang Nian smoothly shifted the topic, "Is the dicine working?"
Xu Shuang smiled and nodded,
"Yes."
"That's good," Jiang Nian nodded. It seed effective, but how long it would last was uncertain.
Forget it, best to say so auspicious words.
He pondered for a mont and then asked, "What's your brother up to lately?"
When eting the sister, ask about the brother, and vice versa. If they both are there, complint Yuanshan on growing taller behind bars!
In any case, the conversation won't fall flat.
Xu Shuang: "..."
"He's at school, showing off his cards to the boys." She pouted, her tone quite "gentle."
Hearing this, Jiang Nian couldn't help but grin.
Oh, will there be a beating behind bars?
"Boys are like this, having a hobby is normal. It's not intentional; they'll grow out of it."
Upon hearing this, Xu Shuang frowned slightly. The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. When she went up the mountain, he stayed ho playing gas.
Not acceptable, she'll need to give him a few kicks when she gets ho.
They chatted for a while longer, and Jiang Nian glanced at the system panel. Seeing Ti Stop obtained, he was ready to leave.
Suddenly, Xu Shuang stopped him.
"Wait."
"Mm?" Jiang Nian sat back down, looking at the girl with delicate and smooth skin across the table.
"What's up?"
"Cough, just... thank you." Xu Shuang bit her lip, "It's finally been bearable over this ti."
"Mm-mm." Jiang Nian never took such gratitude to heart, "Glad I could help you."
Actually, this response was quite perfunctory. After all, Jiang Nian was paid to do his job; he wasn't sure what he had done to help her.
Xu Shuang, preconceived, viewed Jiang Nian through a "shared hardship" filter.
"The situation is still sowhat chaotic; once it's settled, if there's further need for herbal dicine, you'll be the first I'll consult."
Actually, she shouldn't have said this.
With the situation still unstable, surrounded by wolves outside, many are waiting to ally with her dad and strip them clean.
The old man's condition should be kept under wraps.
After all, if sothing unexpected happened, who could take care of her dad, let alone stabilize the situation?
But people aren't plants, how can they be emotionless?
Even as rational as Xu Shuang, she's just a senior high school student. She can't remain rational forever, especially after going up the mountain.
She slept soundly on Jiang Nian's back, subconsciously increasing her trust in him.
From a business partner to a reliable friend.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Nian was naturally pleased. His main inco sources were the trading store and card drawing.
The latter heavily relied on Xu Yuanshan.
Before, it was a mutual need; after getting familiar, he couldn't just exploit him nonstop, he had to watch his behavior.
Therefore, aside from so occasional errands, the [purchase] from the trading shop beca his steady gig.
He couldn't finish it all, but herbs weren't sothing one could just entrust to one person; that would be too odd.
Given that the key custor has a long-term need, it's best to have a steady flow.
"Alright, happy cooperation."
Xu Shuang smiled, "Mm."
...
Before the afternoon break, Jiang Nian returned to the classroom.
Chen Yunyun had moved a stool out to the corridor to work on so problems. She wore a white long-sleeved top paired with beige trousers.
Slender figure, yet not lacking in grace. The empty and quiet hallway basked in platinum sunlight at her feet.
"Writing under the sun, won't it strain your eyes?"
"Hm?"
She looked up to see Jiang Nian standing beside her, "It's too stuffy inside the classroom, ca out for so fresh air."
"Then let block the sun for you," Jiang Nian joked, casting a shadow over Chen Yunyun.
She complained, "I can't see properly now."
So Jiang Nian stepped aside, standing at the railing to catch the breeze. He glanced at Qingmu Ridge, squinting slightly.
"Such nice weather today."
Outside the school building, the sun was bright, and the sky was cloudless. A cool breeze blew under the blue sky.
Both of them, one standing, one sitting, complented each other rather well.
"Yeah," Chen Yunyun nibbled her lip, feeling a bit complicated, "Just two months left."
"There's still ti," Jiang Nian reassured, casually patting her shoulder, "By the way, that Wang Yuhe..."
He bit his tongue before saying "bitch," and changed it to, "that person, why's she so quiet today?"
"She went to buy snacks," Chen Yunyun replied.
After a while, Wang Yuhe and Chai Muying returned, chatting and laughing in clear, cheerful voices.
Wang Yuhe wore a loose short-sleeved top, looking quite flat-chested, with a pair of light blue jeans below.
Sturdy, yet still like a little girl.
She was in a good mood today, it was snack restocking ti, until she saw a person standing at the classroom door.
"Good afternoon," Jiang Nian greeted her.
Wang Yuhe rarely saw Jiang Nian so friendly, so she grew a little wary, clutching her snacks tightly.
"You promised not to take my snacks last ti, and I don't have enough, I need to save so for my roommates tonight."
Ever the generous elentary student, hopefully Jiang Nian had no tricks up his sleeve, so she could consider sharing a bit with him.
"I'm not into snacks," Jiang Nian waved off, "You're too petty-minded."
Wang Yuhe tilted her head, hugging her snacks even tighter.
"Stay away."
But Jiang Nian really didn't take her snacks. He followed the elentary student into the classroom and sat down beside her seat.
"The weather's nice today."
Wang Yuhe kept silent for a bit, then said,
"I'll give you a pack of snacks."
"Not hungry at the mont," Jiang Nian said, "That little tank of yours is nice, let borrow it for two days."
Hearing this, Wang Yuhe's eyes widened, realizing Jiang Nian wanted her tank, "That's my only toy."
"You're such a big kid now, playing with toys?" Jiang Nian was a bit exasperated, "Still an elentary student?"
Wang Yuhe was slightly annoyed, "But you still want to play with it!"
"Alright then, just give the snacks," Jiang Nian said, "and a few AD calcium milk boxes."
Hearing this, Wang Yuhe was stunned. Instinctively, she wanted to protest, but she had promised the snacks just now.
"I'll..... I'll just give you the tank."
Grinning, he got what he wanted.
Jiang Nian returned to his seat for the afternoon break, fully satisfied. The little tank was placed on the desk as he opened his phone.
Then suddenly a commotion ca from the neighboring class, "Science results are out!"
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