Chapter 458: A Leech Like You Only Makes the Rice More Expensive

Oh wow, oh wow!

No one knows how to assemble a computer better than me!

Jiang Nian's heart itched at once. Back when he had no money, he had always been eyeing DIY rigs. He often looked at configurations, drooling like an idiot.

Later, when he had money, he felt he had no time to play.

Buying one would just be a waste.

If it's the class president, then there's no problem.

Song Xiyun had just finished a game and glanced at Jiang Nian. Seeing his wild look of joy, she couldn't help but look puzzled.

Hmm?

She had just looked up when Jiang Nian happened to notice her. The two exchanged a glance, then tacitly looked away again.

Jiang Nian didn't mind, took a quick look at his "future ex-girlfriend," and asked casually.

"Lost the game?"

Song Xiyun wasn't so calm, inexplicably a little flustered.

"I... I won."

"You won and still have that look? Is this game that fun?" Jiang Nian reached out his hand. "I'm a student, let me play."

"No way!" Song Xiyun pulled it back.

"Then I'll ask Sister Zhao."

"You!!"

Xu Qianqian came back after ordering, saw Song Xiyun's expression was off, and instinctively turned to look at that shameless bastard.

"You're bullying Xiyun again!"

"No, just asked her what game she's playing." Jiang Nian looked indifferent. "Sit down first, don't be so hot-tempered."

Xu Qianqian sat down and pinched him as she did so.

"Help me out this afternoon, I want to pick out a potted plant. The balcony is so empty, it just doesn't look right, I want to grow some flowers."

"Hmm..." Jiang Nian stroked his chin, seemingly thinking. "Is it at night that it doesn't look right, or in the morning?"

Xu Qianqian had just taken out her phone and was a bit surprised by his words.

"Does it make a difference?"

"If it's in the morning, pull the curtains. If it's at night, I can squat on your balcony." Jiang Nian said. "Look at this face of mine, it'll look right."

"Yuck!" Xu Qianqian frowned, pointed at him. "You perverted freak, don't come near me, be careful or I'll really plant you in a flowerpot."

"Then you'd be pretty impressive."

"Hmph! A leech like you only makes the rice more expensive!"

After a while, the waiter who doubled as a runner started serving the dishes. The portions were indeed generous—two dishes and a soup.

The three ate for an hour, so spicy they couldn't stop even though they were dying. On his way to buy water, Jiang Nian paid the bill.

After the meal, the group headed toward the flowers, birds, fish, and insects market.

"So hot." Jiang Nian took off two layers of clothes, leaving only a white long-sleeve base layer. "Why is it so hot in the middle of winter?"

He didn't spoil the two girls either, tossing one to each.

Xu Qianqian was unhappy. "Your own stinky

clothes, why don't you carry them yourself!"

"I paid the bill, so what?" Jiang Nian glanced at them. "One piece of clothing and you're already complaining it's troublesome, I still have to carry the flowers."

"I didn't ask you to pay!"

"Besides, I'll take off my pants and throw them to you."

Xu Qianqian stopped talking, grabbed Song Xiyun and walked forward. She put distance between them and Jiang Nian behind, walking into a shaded area.

Jiang Nian followed leisurely behind, mentally estimating the time.

In the afternoon, they'd probably have to switch locations. After being Xu Qianqian's laborer, he'd change venues and go to the Jingfu residential area to assemble the class president's computer.

Assembling a fool-proof PC—easy as hell.

Only the cable management was a bit of a hassle, but that was about his skill level. Even if the cables weren't neat, the class president probably wouldn't get angry. As for Xu Qianqian, she really would plant him in a flowerpot.

This woman had been violent since childhood.

In the system's memories, if the original timeline held, ten years later he would be kicked solidly to the ground by Xu Qianqian.

Even wearing Li-Ning shoes, the seam would split open from the kick.

Suddenly, two young men with perms appeared ahead, walking out from the alley entrance in front and blocking the two girls' path directly.

"Hello there, beauties."

This was the Zhenbei Market, located on the edge of Zhennan County. Further out were a few small towns, and further in was the city proper.

A nursing school and a technical secondary school were built nearby, driving the economy of the night market street here.

Jiang Nian didn't mean to discriminate against anyone, but this area was indeed pretty chaotic. More street racers, and some people he had beaten up before.

Though he had beaten them too badly back then, so they should have transferred to schools elsewhere.

Recalling those turbulent years, he had paid a hell of a lot of money in compensation. What a damn shame—if life could rewind, he absolutely wouldn't be a damn idiot.

But that was then, this was now.

Having money was another story.

He walked up in front of the two girls to block them, then took a few more steps forward, stepping fully into the three-step safety range of the other party.

An eighteen-meter-tall student standing right in front of and this close. Not a trace of nervousness on his face, he actually smiled at them.

Now, the two guys who had originally planned to hit on them were a bit flustered.

"What do you want?"

"Nice to meet you, I love making friends," Jiang Nian said indifferently. "If you don't give me face, I'll punch whoever."

"Fucking crazy."

The two men with dyed hair were cowards—they actually got scared. They exchanged a glance, without a second's hesitation, turned and walked away.

Seeing them leave, Jiang Nian felt a bit disappointed. Taking care of those two would've taken half a minute, and there wasn't any surveillance here—they wouldn't even know who to sue.

But not fighting was better anyway, to avoid scaring Xu Qianqian and the others.

"Are you okay?"

"N-no..." Xu Qianqian gripped Song Xiuyun's hand, slowly coming back to herself. "I was terrified—how could there be people like that?"

"Bad luck," Jiang Nian glanced at the stunned Song Xiuyun, then pointed at Xu Qianqian. "What's wrong with her?"

"Huh?" Xu Qianqian turned and saw Song Xiuyun's pale face. "Xiuyun, are you scared?"

"N-no... I'm fine." Song Xiuyun's hands and feet were icy cold.

Jiang Nian noticed Song's condition was poor, so he pointed toward a nearby milk tea shop with a small-town vibe.

"It's still early—let's go in and rest."

"Okay."

The two of them brought Song Xiuyun inside, listening to soothing music. After sipping milk tea and chatting a little, Song Xiuyun finally opened up.

She had truly been terrified—her whole body trembled. In comparison, Xu Qianqian was far calmer.

Song Xiuyun was timid, yet curious, and couldn't help asking.

"Qianqian... weren't you scared just now?"

"Not scared. Anyway..." Xu Qianqian was about to say Jiang Nian was there, but changed her words at the last moment. "Anyway, I'm pretty brave."

"How did we even run into something like this?" Song Xiuyun took two deep breaths. "When we went out before, we never..."

"Because you're pretty," Jiang Nian said, scrolling on his phone without looking up. "When people see you on the street, this is exactly what happens."

As soon as he finished speaking, the surrounding silence suddenly fell.

"Huh?" Jiang Nian looked up to find both girls staring at him strangely. "Cough, cough—what's wrong with you two?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing."

The atmosphere grew even stranger. Jiang Nian couldn't take it anymore. He didn't think his words were odd, so he stood up.

"We've rested enough—let's go!"

The three left the milk tea shop and rushed into the flower, bird, and insect market. The girls' innocent, romantic natures couldn't be contained—they burst into joy again.

"Qianqian, look at this!"

"So pretty!"

"And over there! Over there!!"

The two beauties had incredible shopping stamina—they walked from front to back without a hint of tiredness, chattering nonstop the whole way.

Jiang Nian didn't rush them. They'd been startled earlier, so they deserved a good, carefree outing.

After happiness, only joyful moments are remembered.

So shopping continued until four in the afternoon. On the bus back to school, the two girls remained immersed in their excitement.

Jiang Nian groaned as he carried two potted plants—one belonged to Xu Qianqian, the other...

"It's already half past four."

「

"What?" Xu Qianqian turned and glared at him, but remembering how hard he'd worked all afternoon, she added thoughtfully, "I'll give you a back massage tonight. How's that?"

"Huh?" Jiang Nian instantly perked up, raising his head. "You say that and I'm not tired anymore—do you mean you'll do it alone, or..."

"Dream on. I'm afraid you'll take advantage of me," Xu Qianqian lifted her chin. "Tonight I'm still sleeping with Xiuyun."

Hearing this, Jiang Nian sat on the swaying bus and couldn't help glancing at Song Xiuyun beside him. He asked curiously.

"Did you resolve things with your mom?"

"Yeah, she's back at work," Song Xiuyun nodded. "A few days ago, I heard there was a big fight at the funeral."

"That's why my mom came back a day late."

Xu Qianqian, hearing this, also turned to look at her.

"They fought over that?"

"Not my mom—it was my uncles," Song Xiuyun clearly didn't want to say more, lowering her head. "They said my mom has no conscience."

"Don't get involved," Xu Qianqian decided, being relatively level-headed. "Just focus on getting into a good university."

"Don't get involved—just focus on getting into college," Xu Qianqian decided, being relatively more level-headed. "Okay," Song Xiuyun nodded.

She thought that if she got into a good university, she'd likely move away from Zhennan with her mom—and probably never return.

Thinking of this, she felt a little...

"Indeed, listen to Xu Shao," Jiang Nian said. "If anything comes up, you can talk to us—after all, three of us are better than one Zhuge Liang."

He deliberately downplayed his own presence. Geigei, I'm also a girl!

"Yeah, if anything happens, talk to us," Xu Qianqian nodded. "But you'd better listen less to Jiang Nian."

"Huh?"

"He's not a good person."

After getting off the bus, Jiang Nian carried the two potted plants behind the two girls. As for them, they weren't idle either—each held a potted plant.

Xu Qianqian officially announced that Song Xiuyun might often join the homecoming squad from now on—perfect for having company.

Jiang Nian had no objections—he loved having three people together.

Some things feel too intimate with just two, but with three, it's different—no need to hide anything from others.

Because Song Xiuyun did it too.

Pēn pēn, this phrase structure is really useful.

Dāng!

Jiang Nian kicked open the door and carried the plants and flowers into the balcony.

"Where do I put them?"

"That one's a rose—put it by the wall there." Xu Qianqian directed while arranging the plants herself.

Song Xiuyun helped beside her; the two girls worked feverishly.

With nothing else to do, Jiang Nian looked up and saw two sets of underwear hanging on the balcony, and suddenly felt a dry heat in his nostrils.

To be fair, setting aside the pervert aspect, it was truly pleasing to the eye.

Leaving aside the weirdness, it was truly pleasing to the eye.

Jiang Nian's parents were both home; such a commotion from across the hall naturally reached them, so they opened their door to investigate.

At a glance, they saw two pretty girls—and their own good-for-nothing son standing beside them, watching like a spectator.

Li Hongmei and Old Jiang exchanged a glance, each catching a flicker of something odd in the other's eyes.

Li Hongmei and Old Jiang exchanged a glance, each catching a flicker of something unusual in the other's eyes.

Why do these two girls and one boy look so harmonious?

"You're Xu Qianqian, right? I've seen you a few times before," Li Hongmei muttered, "You've gotten prettier since the last time."

"You go ahead—I won't join." Old Jiang shook his head and turned to head back, "I'll go chop some fruit in the kitchen."

"Mom?" Jiang Nian turned, noticing Li Hongmei at the door. "Why didn't you make a sound when you walked?"

"You didn't hear me." Li Hongmei internally rolled her eyes.

She thought: my son's so busy staring at the girls, he wouldn't even notice his own mother opening the door.

"Li Yi!" Xu Qianqian rushed into Li Hongmei's arms, pulling her to show off. "Look at my flowers—aren't they beautiful?"

"Beautiful—anything Xu Qianqian picks will be beautiful." Li Hongmei gave plenty of emotional support, praising while glancing sideways at Song Xiuyun.

The girl looked flustered, her gaze suddenly turning to Jiang Nian.

The girl looked helpless, her gaze suddenly turning to Jiang Nian.

Jiang Nian, seeing he had no role to play, simply clapped his hands and left. He changed his shoes at the door and said, "I'm going to the classroom," then departed.

Jiang Nian, seeing there was nothing for him to do, simply clapped his hands and walked off. He changed his shoes at the door, said he was going to the classroom, and left.

Jiang Nian checked his phone time—it was already half past five. He'd done nothing all afternoon except move flowers.

He shook his head and sent a message to Li Qingrong.

"I'm downstairs at the community."

Li Qingrong: "I'm coming down."

ne.::

Jiang Nian froze. He'd actually meant to say he could go up himself—his landlord's peachy sister-in-law had already registered his face.

After a while, Li Qingrong appeared at the community gate.

Dī—a sound, she swiped open the gate for him.

Jiang Nian passed through and also made a dī sound.

【Welcome home】.

Hearing it, he couldn't help glancing at Li Qingrong beside him. Seeing her expression still blank, he spoke up.

Hearing this, he couldn't help glancing at Li Qingrong beside him. Seeing her still expressionless, he couldn't resist speaking up.

"What?"

"'Welcome home'—I actually registered my face too." Jiang Nian pointed to the facts. "You don't need to come down to meet me next time."

Li Qingrong gave him a sharp look. "I want to."

Jiang Nian: "???"

What does "want to" have to do with it? Why walk an extra step? Whatever, if she's happy…

?? What more could I say?

Day after day, I'm being crushed into Guinan by them.

In the elevator.

Jiang Nian, thinking of what was about to happen, felt a restless excitement coursing through him.

"Embracing Qingqing, did all your computer parts arrive?"

"Embracing Qingqing, have all your computer parts arrived?"

"I should warn you—I'm terrible at cable management." Jiang Nian said. "Cable management means making the wiring inside the case look neater."

"Mm, it's fine." Li Qingrong nodded.

"Even that's fine?" Jiang Nian rejoiced, rubbing his hands together. "This is my first time building a PC—only theoretical knowledge so far."

"None of this matters?" Jiang Nian rejoiced, unable to resist rubbing his hands together. "I've never built a PC before—only read about it theoretically."

Dī—a sound. Li Qingrong stepped out of the elevator, unlocked the door with her key, and carried the package at the entrance inside.

Two pairs of slippers sat by the door—gray and pink.

Jiang Nian hesitated for a moment, glancing at the class monitor.

"Embracing Qingqing, should I change shoes?"

"Whatever you like. The gray slippers are yours." Li Qingrong nodded. "You don't have to change if you don't want to—it's fine."

Jiang Nian sucked in a sharp breath, thinking the class monitor seemed off. She'd said so much—so considerate a sentence.

Jiang Nian sucked in a sharp breath, feeling that the squad leader was acting strange—saying so much, so thoughtful a thing all at once.

Could there be a trap inside as soon as we enter?

It can't be that bad, can it?