Chapter 2899: Small Town Infrastructure Construction Proceeds Happily 20

Lu Jun has been running to North Town much more frequently lately.

Before, it was just for trading and haggling, each testing the other.

These days, eight out of ten times he goes straight to the small cottage where Yan Genggu is staying temporarily.

Yan Genggu initially received him politely, but for some reason, from a certain point, Lu Jun found himself being turned away at the door more and more often.

Sometimes when he goes, Yan Genggu is busy in the test fields, occupied all day with no time to see him.

Sometimes he went because he felt unwell; twice, he clearly saw Yan Genggu airing notes in the yard, knocked on the door, but got no answer.

Lu Jun isn't stupid either; he naturally realizes Yan Genggu is avoiding him.

That day, he again made a 'stop‑by' trip to North Town, but didn't even reach Yan Genggu's gate; he came away embarrassed, feeling low and dejected as he walked back.

Jin Chen strolled along the riverbank, idly thinking about the new school's curriculum, when he noticed someone rushing toward him and stepped aside.

Lu Jun, however, couldn't check his steps, staggered forward, and was about to tumble into the muddy water beneath the bridge.

In a flash, Jin Chen firmly seized his collar and yanked him back.

Lu Jun staggered back several steps before barely keeping his footing, breaking out in a cold sweat.

Jin Chen had already let go and stood to the side, frowning slightly as he watched him.

"Thanks, Teacher Jin," Lu Jun said, a little embarrassed as he got up and brushed off the dust.

"No thanks, Lord Lu — did you forget to bring your eyesight when you left today?" Jin Chen remarked lightly.

Lu Jun: "……"

He just knew it!

His tongue is as vicious as ever.

He drew a deep breath, suppressing his embarrassment and anger.

However, Lu Jun reflected that both Jin Chen and Yan Genggu were cultured types, so they might share some common ground.

Maybe discussing this worry with him could yield a clue?

Might as well give it a try.

Lu Jun cleared his throat, no longer caring about saving face, and forced a smile that looked painful from any angle.

"Teacher Jin, what a coincidence — thanks just now, I almost ended up a soaked chicken."

Jin Chen gave a slight nod, acknowledging him, and started to move away.

"Hey, Teacher Jin, wait!" Lu Jun called out, "Just happened to run into you — I have something I'd like to ask you about."

What's gotten into him today?

Jin Chen gave him an up‑and‑down look, raised an eyebrow, and gestured for him to speak.

Lu Jun sighed, his tone unusually dejected: "Professor Yan lately… I don't know what's going on; he keeps avoiding me."

"Every time I come, I can't find him, or I'm brushed off with excuses, as if he dislikes me — am I really that unpleasant?"

"It's only human," Jin Chen said.

Lu Jun: "???"

"I…" Lu Jun gasped, glaring at Jin Chen, "Did I provoke you?"

Jin Chen gave a light cough, turned to face the sparkling river, and said, "Go on."

Lu Jun recounted how he had pursued Professor Yan, picking and choosing what to say, and told the whole story.

Finally, he rather resentfully concluded: "… I just wanted to communicate more with him and make progress together — why is he avoiding me?"

"What should I do?"

Jin Chen picked up a flat stone from beside his foot, weighed it in his hand, and threw it; it skimmed several times across the murky river before sinking.

"First, say it yourself: you, Lu Jun, owe me a big favor."

Lu Jun: "???"

"Not saying?" Seeing his silence, Jin Chen brushed dust from his hands and turned to go.

"Then I'm leaving."

"Come on, spit it out!" Lu Jun almost blurted out, not stopping to think.

His mind was full of how to solve Yan Genggu's avoidance; he'd accept this verbal favor for now and discuss it later.

Anyway, Jin Chen is from North Town, so he'll have a chance to repay later.

Jin Chen halted, turned back, and regarded him leisurely.

【Cold Relief, record it.】

999: 【All right, Master Jin Chen……】

"Eh, speaking of which, why does this lofty new high‑level system have me doing trivial tasks, Master Jin Chen?"

Eh.

Lu Jun harbored doubts, gave a light cough, and said, "I, Lu Jun, owe you a big favor."

Jin Chen nodded in satisfaction, curled a finger at Lu Jun, and said, "Come closer to whisper."

Lu Jun did as told and moved closer.

Ten minutes later.

Lu Jun stood where he was, his expression shifting from blank to realization, then to sudden clarity.

He had basically been chasing people at random!

"Thanks, Teacher Jin! I'll head back now and give it a try."

Lu Jun turned to leave, wishing he could instantly fly to South Town to work something out.

"Wait a moment," Jin Chen said in an unhurried tone.

Lu Jun halted, turning back in doubt.

Jin Chen stretched out a hand toward him, palm up, and said, "Compensation."

Lu Jun: "Compensation? Didn't I just say I owe you a big favor?"

Jin Chen wagged his finger, his expression innocent yet serious, and said, "That's another matter."

Lu Jun: "..."

Dealing with these cultured people is really exhausting!

But the words were already spoken, and he had indeed prompted him; Lu Jun wasn't the type to welch on debts.

He rubbed his brow, resignedly asking, "Fine, what compensation do you want?"

Jin Chen wasn't polite either, directly reporting a list of supplies.

Including a batch of South Town's specialty high-quality beans, several metal parts for repair tools, and some rare mineral powder that can be used to make simple pigments.

It both made Lu Jun feel the pinch, yet not so much that he would outright refuse.

After listening, Lu Jun's mouth twitched, and he finally gritted his teeth, saying, "Fine, have someone send it over in a couple days."

Only then did Jin Chen satisfiedly withdraw his hand, give him a slight nod, say no more, turn, and walk leisurely along the riverbank; his silhouette in the deepening twilight appeared especially relaxed and carefree.

——

When Jin Chen returned home, the sky had already grown dark.

He pushed open the door; the room was lit, and Huo Zhaoye was actually there.

He sat at the table, flipping through an old book he had found somewhere, not sure if he had actually read it.

Most likely not.

Because Jin Chen discovered he had held it upside down again.

Hearing the movement, Huo Zhaoye lifted his head, closed the book, and his expression turned solemn.

"Where have you been? So late."

"I just had a chat with Lu Jun." Jin Chen took off his coat, hung it up, and walked to the washbasin to wash his hands.

Huo Zhaoye: "..." clicked his tongue.

Jin Chen really has the ability to quickly establish some kind of connection with anyone.

Even that hothead Lu Jun can now talk with him.

Huo Zhaoye felt a bit uneasy.

But soon he suppressed this inexplicable jealousy.

Who else could freely come and go in this room and make Jin Chen think of coming back to eat? Only him.

Thinking this way, that little displeasure in his heart eased considerably, even giving rise to a hidden sense of satisfaction.

The two of them ate dinner together.

After the meal, Huo Zhaoye felt a faint headache; the accumulated stress of recent days had become a heavy weight pressing on his temples.

He walked to the window, pulled out the tin cigarette case from his pocket, took out a cigarette roll, and held it between his fingers.

Before lighting it, he glanced back.

Jin Chen sat at the table, making Huo Zhaoye suddenly recall that distinctive cigarette roll, the smoke in his hand, and thus he didn't feel like lighting it anymore.