Chapter 114: The Cannon Fodder in a Dogblood Novel (114)
On the day of the Preliminary New Year, Zhou Geng delivered Zhou Shuli’s will to Shen Tangqing.
Shen Tangqing sat on the sofa, his gaze falling on the document that looked light but felt as heavy as a thousand pounds. He felt a tightness in his chest. After a long while, he suddenly called out to the System.
“System…”
[What is it, Host?]
After another few seconds of silence, Shen Tangqing slowly spoke, his voice carrying a hint of hope. “Is there any way to bring Brother Zhou back to life?”
Since this was a small world, Shen Tangqing thought that maybe the System had a way.
0032 was stunned for a second, this being the first time it had encountered such a strange request. It then replied, [There is a way, but…]
“But what?”
[I currently lack sufficient energy. I can only perform a time reversal once you have completed the tasks of this world and I have gathered enough energy.] 0032 added a crucial piece of information: [Once I use the energy for time reversal, I will not have enough energy to send the Host back to the real world. Host, please consider carefully.]
Actually, returning to the real world didn’t hold much of an attraction for him now. He was originally an orphan with no family or friends. Here, he had family, and he had friends…
Shen Tangqing fell silent for a moment and asked softly, “Do you mean I can only stay in the small world from then on?”
[Unless something unexpected happens, yes.]
Shen Tangqing fell into deep thought. Stay here?
He reached out and picked up the will from the table, his fingertips gripping it tightly. His gaze fell on the beneficiary’s name, and a surge of courage suddenly rose in his heart. “I understand.”
The mission wasn’t completed yet, so everything was just empty talk. After sitting for a while longer, Shen Tangqing got up and went into his room. He placed the will, along with Zhou Shuli’s diary and the lapis lazuli bracelet, into the deepest part of his drawer.
…
On New Year’s Eve, Shen Tangqing returned to the Jiang residence.
Seeing him return, Jiang Qingyan was very happy. Even his usually cold and hard features softened quite a bit. The two of them had nothing to do, so they curled up in the study to play chess.
Oh, it was Gomoku (Five-in-a-Row). Shen Tangqing didn’t know how to play Chinese Chess.
Jiang Qingyan was very skilled at the game, and Shen Tangqing was no match for him at all. In the end, he started acting like a rogue. He picked up one of Jiang Qingyan’s black pieces that had been placed on the board. “Qingyan-ge, I placed my piece wrong just now. I’m going to go again…”
Jiang Qingyan looked at him with doting eyes. He felt that at this moment, Shen Tangqing looked exactly like a girlfriend acting spoiled with him. He even had the illusion that in the next second, Shen Tangqing would pounce into his arms. Of course, that was definitely an illusion. Shen Tangqing wouldn’t pounce into his arms.
He spoke with helpless indulgence, “Fine…”
Shen Tangqing gave a “hehe” laugh and was happy again. He quickly picked up his white piece and blocked Jiang Qingyan’s black piece.
Jiang Qingyan’s gaze fell on Shen Tangqing’s face, feeling a sense of softness. His heart felt like it was melting into a pool of water. Jiang Qingyan knew Shen Tangqing didn’t like men—he had known ever since Shen Huayan introduced the Lin family’s daughter to him. It was just that back then, he was arrogant and self-centered, wanting to seize Shen Tangqing and keep him by his side…
But now—after experiencing Shen Tangqing’s “death” once, seeing this person sitting safely in front of him made everything else seem unimportant. As long as he was safe and happy, that was enough.
Lu Yanli shared this thought. As for Fu Sizhao, who still harbored some secret intentions, he had been “educated” by Jiang Qingyan’s barbed words and had quieted down.
A knock suddenly sounded at the door. Jiang Qingyan glanced over, his expression cooling from the displeasure of being interrupted. “Come in.”
Shen Huayan entered with a small plate of pastries and a beaming smile. “Lady Li just made some Yunxiang Cakes. I brought a small plate for you to try.” As she spoke, she walked over to the two and placed the pastries on the table, then naturally sat down beside Shen Tangqing. “Who’s winning?”
Shen Tangqing curled his lip. “Qingyan-ge is winning. I can’t beat him.”
“It’s just for fun; winning or losing doesn’t matter,” Shen Huayan said with a smile. Her gaze briefly and covertly fell on Jiang Qingyan before she quickly withdrew it.
“Where’s the old man?”
“Your father is on the phone with your Uncle Wang.”
Jiang Qingyan glanced at Shen Huayan but didn’t speak again. He felt that this person really lacked any sense; why was she sitting here acting like a third wheel? She was disturbing his two-person world with Shen Tangqing.
Sensing the chill from Jiang Qingyan, Shen Huayan tactfully stood up. “You two have fun. New Year’s Eve dinner should be ready soon. I’ll go down and check.”
Jiang Qingyan’s expression softened slightly, and he gave a small nod to Shen Huayan. “Alright, Aunt Shen.”
The words “Aunt Shen” made the smile on Shen Huayan’s lips deepen by two points. After turning around, the smile on her face slowly faded. As expected, when Shen Tangqing wasn’t around, Jiang Qingyan never gave her a good look, let alone calling her “Aunt Shen” in such a pleasant manner. She felt even more certain about her plan…
…
The New Year’s Eve dinner was relatively harmonious. After all, it was the New Year, and everyone wanted to be pleasant. When Shen Tangqing greeted Jiang Jianjun, Jiang Jianjun didn’t act as arrogant as he used to.
After dinner, Jiang Qingyan took Shen Tangqing to the rooftop. Shen Tangqing was wrapped in a long black down jacket. As soon as the door was pushed open, the cold wind scraped against his face, and he couldn’t help but shiver. The winter in Jing City was still a bit too cold.
Seeing this, Jiang Qingyan took off his own scarf and wrapped it around Shen Tangqing. Nearly half of his face was hidden under the scarf, leaving only his beautiful eyes visible. “I told you to wear a scarf and you wouldn’t; now you know it’s cold, right?” Even as he said this, Jiang Qingyan’s eyes were filled with a gentle smile.
“Qingyan-ge, you should wear it yourself. I’m not cold; I just haven’t adapted to the temperature difference yet.” Shen Tangqing reached out to take off the scarf, but he was held back by Jiang Qingyan.
“Wear it. Don’t catch a cold.” His tone left no room for argument.
Shen Tangqing couldn’t win against him, so he could only obediently stay wrapped in the scarf. Jiang Qingyan took out his phone and made a call. Within a minute, colorful fireworks exploded in the night sky.
“So beautiful…” Shen Tangqing couldn’t help but sigh as he watched the fireworks.
Jiang Qingyan took a fist-sized gift box from his clothes and handed it to Shen Tangqing. “Tangtang, Happy New Year.”
Shen Tangqing took the box with a smile. He didn’t know what was inside, but whatever it was, he was very happy. This was his first time celebrating the New Year with family. “Thank you, Qingyan-ge.” After saying that, he tucked the box into his coat pocket and looked back up at the fireworks in the sky.
Jiang Qingyan’s gaze fell covertly on Shen Tangqing’s face, tracing his silhouette inch by inch, as if he could never get enough. If only time could stop at this moment.
Unfortunately, no matter how beautiful fireworks were, they would always burn out. Time wouldn’t stop for anyone.
…
After coming down from the rooftop, Shen Tangqing went straight back to his room. As for Jiang Qingyan, after receiving a message from Shen Huayan, he went to the tea room.
[Translator’s Note: “Preliminary New Year” (小年 – Xiǎo Nián) is a festival about a week before the actual Lunar New Year. “Pure Love Warrior” (纯爱战神) is a internet term for someone who believes in and protects pure love, usually in contrast to NTR or “dogblood” plots. It seems Tangqing is starting to value that pure affection!]
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