Chapter 473

Is this really Jiang Nian's desk?

Li Hua walked up, wanting to flip through the books on Jiang Nian's desk to see their titles, but couldn't bring himself to ruin this artistic scene.

A strong sense of panic rose from deep within Li Hua.

There was already Wu Jungu, a mildly obsessive-compulsive cleaner, in the group—he didn't want a second clean boy in the group.

Because that would make him look lame.

"Oh, you're here so early?" Ma Guojun arrived late, slapped him on the shoulder, "What're you zoning out for? Did Lu get fragmented?"

"Look at this!" Li Hua pointed with a sage's finger.

"Huh?" Ma Guojun froze like he'd seen a ghost, his brows knitting tightly, "Shit, Jiang Nian's possessed."

"What are you looking at?" Jiang Nian returned from the bathroom and leaned in to ask.

At this, both turned their heads toward him at once.

"Who cleaned this up for you?"

"I did." Jiang Nian leaned back strategically, feeling utterly satisfied, "What do you think? Give me a review."

"Not bad."

"Red stone. Average."

Jiang Nian didn't care much about it.

He cleaned it this neatly—not for these two people. Neat organization? That's what a rich little loli would like.

"You're back?" Zhang Nianzhi arrived, about to sit down, "Lunch…: …: …? Did you clean this?"

Baby Zhizhi's eyes sparkled, as if she'd discovered a new continent.

"Mm."

"So impressive." Zhang Nianzhi couldn't help staring again—there was a harmonious beauty here, a blessing for OCD, "How'd you do it?"

Cheating.

"Sudden impulse—I've always been like this," Jiang Nian smirked slightly, "I just usually get too busy studying."

She really wanted to ask Jiang Nian to help tidy her room. But then she thought—this would make her own room seem untidy.

So she gave up, nodding sullenly.

"Your room must be super clean, right?"

"Yeah, and I've got a cat that can do backflips," Jiang Nian played along, "I'm a bit OCD."

"You have a cat at home?" Zhang Nianzhi's eyes lit up with anticipation.

"Doraemon. The robot cat."

Zhang Nianzhi:

,

After a while, Li Qingrong arrived.

She glanced down at Jiang Nian, then at his desk. Her eyes showed no surprise—only calmness, or rather, indifference.

Jiang Nian turned to look at her twice, unable to resist asking.

"Don't you have anything you want to ask?"

Li Qingrong stared at him for two seconds, then finally spoke.

"Did you finish the test paper I handed out this morning?"

At this, Jiang Nian's smile vanished. His expression froze, then twisted into horror as he turned to look at Zhang Nianzhi.

"Test paper?"

"Yeah, I forgot to tell you," Zhang Nianzhi said, "It's all in the drawer. Didn't you see it?"

Jiang Nian couldn't joke anymore—he had to flip through the papers himself.

Li Qingrong watched him frantically searching for the test paper, and her lips curled slightly. When he looked over, she instantly smoothed them back into neutrality.

The afternoon class was dull.

Jiang Nian sneakily filled out the test paper while listening to the lecture—he realized his ability for harmony had indirectly shaped his sense of aesthetics.

Looking at Qing Bao on the podium, her outfit coordination was actually pretty good.

But he had a better plan.

Then Qing Bao called on the distracted Jiang Nian to answer a question.

Jiang Nian:

1

Fuck, what a shitty skill.

If I keep playing like this, I'll turn into a full-blown OCD case. Better to focus it on myself—otherwise it'll mess up my studying too easily.

Hmm… maybe I can use it occasionally.

After school in the afternoon, Jiang Nian went nowhere. He stayed in the classroom to finish the test paper, only heading to eat right before the next class.

He rushed back just in time, gazing at the brightly lit Gao San building. He couldn't help feeling reflective—he could finally legally drive now, byd, a veteran driver can handle any road.

Just say, is there a license or not?

Jiang Nian climbed the stairs, pondering when to take the car out for a spin.

Buying a car isn't worth it; renting one requires careful eyes.

Locals aren't afraid of anything, but they'll still get screwed by this—see you're a student, they'll treat you like a Japanese and rip you off.

On the first floor, he passed by the English office.

Jiang Nian loitered at the door, saw Qian Bao inside, then walked right in and sat down to chat aimlessly.

Qian Bao had been revising her lesson plan; seeing Jiang Nian enter, she frowned in confusion.

"What brings you here all of a sudden?"

Hearing this, Jiang Nian instantly understood. The old woman didn't even know he'd gotten his license—he couldn't help but smile inside.

"Nothing much. I just like chatting with teachers."

Qian Bao immediately rolled her eyes, thinking: if she hadn't seen him constantly heading to the Science Office, she might've believed him.

"Don't give me that."

Just then, the bell rang. Jiang Nian had no intention of lingering. He chatted a few meaningless things, then pretended to rise and take his leave.

After taking two steps, something clattered to the floor.

"Huh?" Qian Bao's gaze snapped to it, and she instinctively called out to Jiang Nian, "Hey, wait—you didn't even notice you dropped something?"

Jiang Nian acted as if he heard nothing, walking to the office door before turning back.

"Ah"

"?"

"You dropped something."

"No I didn't. I haven't lost anything."

"You person..." Qian Bao was speechless. She stood and knelt gracefully, "I saw it with my own eyes—this is clearly yours..."

"License?"

In an instant, Qian Bao's vision went black.

"Jiang Nian, are you even human?!"

He'd just entered the classroom.

Jiang Nian saw the monitor and Cai Xiaoqing standing together, discussing something—he couldn't help but wonder what they were talking about.

As everyone knew, Li Qingrong was lazy.

She hadn't shown up for two years, acting like a mascot. But whenever something couldn't be decided, Cai Xiaoqing still had to consult her.

That wasn't the point. The point was that the monitor could actually get things done.

Like someone who'd been offline for a year, unaware of how many game updates had come, yet still mastered the game instantly and dominated effortlessly.

"What are you two talking about?" Jiang Nian joined them.

The triangular formation stabilized.

Li Qingrong shot him a glance, then looked away. Jiang Nian read her silent exasperation—he thought, Embracing Qingqing had gone bad.

Women turn bad so fast—even without anyone teaching them.

Whatever. For now, he'd endure the humiliation.

Cai Xiaoqing also glanced at him, paused, then volunteered an explanation.

"We're talking about the New Year's cultural evening."

"When?"

"The day after tomorrow," Cai Xiaoqing said. "It's in the afternoon this time. The grade team wants class officers to keep their students in line."

Hearing this, Jiang Nian suddenly remembered.

Old Liu had mentioned it, but he'd gone on and on—"ah ah ah"—so boring Jiang Nian hadn't paid attention.

Besides, Class Three hadn't signed up for any performances.

So.

Jiang Nian stood in the middle, pretending to listen. Cai Xiaoqing started speaking three times, but couldn't finish a single sentence.

"Do you really have to listen?" Cai Xiaoqing asked.

"Aren't I in Class Three?" Jiang Nian's expression was smug. "Go ahead. I won't interrupt you."

"Then...:::" Cai Xiaoqing still couldn't speak.

Li Qingrong stared at Jiang Nian for several seconds. Only then did he rein himself in, quietly turning to leave.

,

Jiang Nian returned to his seat, acting strangely.

"Hello hello."

Thud!

Someone took a heavy hit. This time, not even a little apology essay—just sprawled on the desk, panting.

Zhang Ningzhi glared at him, furious, her eyes as if ready to devour him.

"Copycat!"

Jiang Nian turned his head on the desk, cheek pressed flat against it, looking sideways.

"I was just greeting you normally."

"No you weren't! You did it on purpose!" Zhang Ningzhi puffed up, hitting him again. "You're terrible—deliberately mocking me!"

Li Hua, sitting in the same row, chuckled and joined in.

"True. This guy's rotten to the core."

Jiang Nian glanced at Li Hua, said nothing. He raised his hand and formed the gesture "8," waving it repeatedly.

"Where's that dog barking from?"

"Chi Shi!" Li Hua was exasperated and angry. "The provincial mock exam's almost here anyway. You little dog, just wait and see."

Hearing this, Jiang Nian started laughing already.

"Tsk."

Evening self-study. The classroom was quiet.

Lin Dong was still lost in the joy of counting money, occasionally glancing at his card balance, his whole face nearly split with smiles.

Fuck, this Christmas Eve was really fun.

He decided to buy his parents a set of clothes—just joking. He'd keep it all for himself, spend every penny on himself.

He wasn't at the age to filially support his parents yet; he should be ruthlessly burning coins instead.

He turned his head and saw his desk mate with a gloomy expression.

"What's wrong, Acheng?"

"Nothing, just a little..." Sun Zhicheng sighed, having eaten the chocolate apple all by himself.

Late at night, he ate until he cried out loud.

His mom's were bitter.

Sometimes one wrong step leads to endless mistakes; now he felt life was truly capricious, and looking back, it was all just a pile of shit.

If only back then he hadn't done so many stupid things.

Lin Dong didn't pay much attention, thinking he had money now, was a person of some standing, and truly ought to treat those around him better.

He thought for a moment, then patted Sun Zhicheng on the shoulder.

"Acheng, don't be down."

"I'll buy you snacks."

Hearing this, Sun Zhicheng felt a faint warmth in his heart—he remembered how, when his mood had swung up and down, Lin Dong had always helped him.

"Thanks, Dongge."

"Between brothers, no need for thanks." Lin Dong pulled a handful of things from his drawer. "Here, have some Dove chocolate."

"Puke!!"

"Holy shit, who's gonna throw up?" Li Hua turned around and saw Sun Zhicheng stumbling, running toward the back door like Lin Daiyu. "Maybe... he's got a cold?" Jiang Nian said offhandedly. "Flu always hits around year-end—if you catch it, don't come to class."

"Then how do we attend class?" Li Hua snorted.

Jiang Nian had a sudden idea.

"I'll get you a photo, put it on your desk. The teacher will remember you, and classmates can reminisce about you."

"Shit shit shit!!" Li Hua snapped, shouting,

"Put your sister's photo? That's called 'reminiscing'?"

Jiang Nian thought for a moment, then said seriously.

"I don't have a sister, but you seem to have one."

Li Hua:

The second evening self-study session ended.

Jiang Nian balanced work and rest, stepping outside the classroom to catch some wind. He'd originally planned to go downstairs and show Qing Bao his storage skills.

But then he thought—this was late at night; the science department office was probably empty anyway. Better not go bother Qing Bao.

So he gave up.

"Hey, can I ask you something?" Yu Zhiyi leaned over, smiling. "Help me cover for the New Year's Eve party the day after tomorrow."

Jiang Nian: "Huh?"

"They'll call roll, but I've got something to do." Yu Zhiyi fidgeted. "Liu Yang's easy to handle, but the Discipline Committee is tough."

,

"So what's it to me?" Jiang Nian glanced at her. "You planning to skip school? Or go on a date?"

"If I vanish, I'll drag you down with me."

"Get lost!" Yu Zhiyi was speechless. "Who's on a date? I'm going back to my dorm to drink with a girl from the next class."

"Don't they care about their class?" Jiang Nian asked curiously.

"They're looser."

"Oh, I see." Jiang Nian nodded, turned to her. "Alright then, go ask someone else."

"Okay, thanks a lot." Yu Zhiyi started to say it cheerfully, then stopped mid-sentence. "Wait, you're this stingy?"

"What about Niu Mo?" Jiang Nian said.

"I'm speechless, you're such a person..." Yu Zhiyi was furious.

"If you're at a loss for words, read more, kid." Jiang Nian turned to leave. "Life's long—learn till you die."

"You're a 2:1." Yu Zhiyi flushed red.

But Jiang Nian walked off without looking back. A man's refusal was light, without a hint of hesitation.

Talking about Niu Mo? Who does something with no benefit?

Baby, we're just friends.

Ding!

Jiang Nian reached the door, his phone vibrated. He picked it up and looked.

Yu Zhiyi: "(Smiling) Name your demand."