Chapter 6: Shopping
LB Academy’s school day ended very early. Next to Green Gables was the White Tower dormitory area.
A thin mist pervaded the sky. Even in the afternoon, it was hard for it to clear up completely. There weren’t many good days to air out a quilt all year round.
Shi Huaibai pushed a small leather suitcase. The style was very old, full of the scent of antiques left over from the last century. He took a deep breath and strode forward with his head held high: Now I am a man with a monthly salary of 50,000. Isn’t this a qualitative leap?
LB Academy’s accommodation area had always been cramped with poor orientation. Although the decoration was ornate, it was gloomy and narrow.
Those who could attend the Noble Academy were mostly powerful or wealthy heirs, picked up by private cars. Over time, it became a convention that only ordinary-background special admission students lived in the White Tower zone.
And Shi Huaibai was now a man with a base salary of 50,000!
Base salary!!!
When Shi Huaibai was leaving the White Tower zone, his roommate poked his head out of the bathroom, toothbrush in mouth and mouth full of foam, asking indistinctly: “Hey, why are you packing? Where are you moving?”
Shi Huaibai paused his movements, the corner of his lips tilting up imperceptibly. He had been waiting for this question.
So Shi Huaibai said with super-transcendent nonchalance: “Moving to a villa.”
The roommate froze, then rolled his eyes, the toothbrush gurgling in his mouth: “Keep dreaming! I’m speaking seriously. Renting outside isn’t like school; if you default on rent, you’ll be kicked out directly. Which residential district do you plan to live in? Don’t end up living on the streets.”
This was the effect Shi Huaibai wanted.
He put one hand in his pocket, and with the other, casually brushed the broken hair on his forehead, his eyelids lifting lazily: “How could a person with a monthly salary of 50,000 not afford rent?”
“Pfft!” The roommate sprayed a mouthful of toothpaste foam directly. “How much?!”
Now the roommate’s sleepiness completely vanished. Monthly salary of 50,000 and living in a villa? Was Shi Huaibai being kept by someone?
Shi Huaibai, with super-transcendent nonchalance, demonstrated that he had achieved financial freedom. After putting on a big act, he walked out with his head held high and toes pointed out.
He walked to the Green Gables spot. Suddenly, the roaring sound of generator engines came to his ears. The dust kicked up by wheels blew into Shi Huaibai’s face. In the time it took Shi Huaibai to rub his eyes and open them again: Cool business Buick sedans were lined up in a row. At the very end of the convoy, a Lamborghini Phantom took the finale spot.
With a soft click, the Lamborghini’s gull-wing door slowly rose. Jiang Xinian sat elegantly on the leather seat with legs crossed, his slender fingers carelessly flipping through an all-English financial magazine. The eyes behind the gold-rimmed glasses swept over indifferently, looking exceptionally unfathomable in the reflection of the lenses.
When he spoke, it was as noble as giving alms: “Get in.”
Shi Huaibai outside the car gritted his teeth: “…”
Bro, posing even harder than me.
The roommate on the rooftop caught a “glimpse of a startling goose”βonly to see a Lamborghini pick Shi Huaibai up.
Roommate: “…”
He really is being kept.
The car started. Jiang Xinian carefully sized up Shi Huaibai. The other was still wearing a white shirt and faded jeans, simple and rustic. If one didn’t know better, they’d think Shi Huaibai was living poorly even while following him. “Uncle Zhao, go to the shopping center first.”
After experiencing so many things, the System wished it could grow on Shi Huaibai’s body, watching him 24 hours a day to prevent the Host from doing something earth-shattering again.
Hearing what F1 said, the System’s eyes instantly lit up: Jiang Xinian is going shopping with the Host? Going on a date?
Thus, the System, which had learned to be smart, used its linguistic arts again:
γBeep beep…
Mission Update: Adventure on the Commercial Street!
Mission Description: Through the efforts of the previous missions, the Host has become F1’s personal bodyguard. You must protect F1 well in daily life, improve your service spirit, and strive for a promotion and raise. F1 is delicate, soft, and has no sense of direction. What if he encounters an accident during the adventure? Please protect F1 closely. You can prevent F1 from getting lost by holding hands!
Mission Reward: 40 Mission Points.γ
The car arrived at the destination. Just as Jiang Xinian was about to push the door open to get out, he suddenly felt his cuff tighten.
He looked down and saw a hand with distinct knuckles carefully tugging at the corner of his clothes. That hand was fair and slender, the fingertips turning slightly pink from the exertion, like the tentative touch of some small animal, carrying a hint of hesitation.
Is this… acting spoiled?
Shi Huaibai’s hand was too slender and delicate; grabbing the sleeve made one’s eyes hot.
Jiang Xinian’s expression instantly became subtly moved. He didn’t expect Shi Huaibai… to be quite sensible.
Indeed, a very well-behaved puppy.
A dog that knows its master works hard and comes up to initiate cuddles.
Jiang Xinian adjusted his glasses, a smile rising at the corners of his mouth. This time, it was a sincere smile: “What’s wrong?”
He pressed step by step: “Are you afraid I’ll throw you away and run when paying the bill later? Holding on so tight?”
Shi Huaibai glared at him: “Why would you think that? Do you actually plan to throw me away?”
That glare made Jiang Xinian feel extremely comfortable. He reached back and patted Shi Huaibai’s fluffy head: “Go get a haircut later too.”
Jiang Xinian also raised puppies when he was little, but his mode of raising them was different from others.
He simply selected the prettiest one at the pet store. Then threw it to the nanny to train. Finally, dressed the puppy up beautifully.
When he took the puppy out, all the kids in kindergarten would swarm over, and those who wanted to cling to his father would also praise him: What a kind and loving person.
Now, Shi Huaibai was no different from the dog he “raised” in his childhood.
Just as obedient, just as pretty, just as much a pet used to demonstrate his “kindness.”
Thinking of this, Jiang Xinian put on his gold-rimmed glasses with a click. Only then could he hide the greed that had just surfaced in his eyes.
As soon as he stepped out of the car door, the world became the stage where he performed “perfection.”
“You can buy whatever you want later; I’ll pay for you.”
Jiang Xinian nodded slightly, the gaze behind the lenses holding a few degrees of nonchalant indulgence.
He thought: Shi Huaibai should be like all sensible “pets,” choosing a tie that doesn’t exceed four digits, or a small cufflink. Then I will gently swipe the card and lightly rub the top of his hair.
That way, everyone will think I am a great person supporting a poor student!
The System was finally satisfied too. There shouldn’t be any problems this time, right? Romantically pulling and tugging while shoppingβwhat could go wrong?
The System turned its head self-righteously, and then… it let out the screech of a rubber chicken again: γAHHHHHHH…..γ
F1…
F1 was being swungβpthβflown like a kite by Shi Huaibai!!!
Shi Huaibai performed a drift-style emergency stop and yanked the car door open. Before Jiang Xinian could react, he had already grabbed his coat hem and dragged Jiang Xinian out like pulling a kite.
“Wait…” Jiang Xinian’s gold-rimmed glasses almost flew off, his red-soled leather shoes making a harsh scraping sound on the asphalt road.
System: γHelp me, woo woo… woo woo woo!γ
When I said the Host should stay together with F1, I didn’t mean this.
I didn’t tell the Host to carry F1 around like a keychain pendant!
Once Shi Huaibai started running, he ran for his life, lost in the moment. He couldn’t care less about what Jiang Xinian was jabbering about. A bird that has long been in a cage and returns to nature will never want to go back to the cramped cage.
When the Beagle leaves the house, not a blade of grass survives.
He even felt that F1, who couldn’t keep up with his speed behind him, lacked exercise.
Oh, poor F1. His physical fitness is so poor. Allergic to cat hair, afraid of heights, afraid of pain, frail body. He really needs a good workout.
Jiang Xinian: “…”
Shi Huaibai is really pushing his luck more and more.
“Stop right now!”
When they reached the Chanel counter, Shi Huaibai was finally yelled at by Jiang Xinian to stop his grand stride.
For the first time, Jiang Xinian felt a sense of intimacy returning home at the counter. His butt had just touched the sofa in the VIP area, and it was like he had taken root and sprouted.
He guzzled the coffee served by the familiar sales associate like an ox. Jiang Xinian’s elegant demeanor completely vanished, replaced by dark circles under his eyes.
This is completely different from what I thought!
How is Shi Huaibai an obedient puppy? He is clearly a mad dog!
When the sales associate wasn’t looking, Jiang Xinian kicked Shi Huaibai hard.
He never expected that “walking the dog” would be so tiring.
Shi Huaibai comforted the System, which had gone autistic again for some unknown reason, while changing clothes: “What’s wrong with you again?”
The System’s accusing voice was hysterical: γDidn’t I tell you to hold onto F1, walk a little closer to F1, and not get separated from F1? Can’t you do even this tiny little thing?γ
γDidn’t I tell you to protect F1 well and become good brothers and friends with F1? Can’t you do this either?γ
Shi Huaibai curled his lip, expressing dissatisfaction with the System, and wiped his sweat: “I was working hard taking F1 for exercise just now too!”
Before he could discuss anything further with the System, Jiang Xinian, who had been slumped on the sofa, seemed to suddenly see something and immediately sat up straight, restoring his dignity.
The System’s tone became alert: γAlert! It’s the aura of F2, Song Chi.γ
The curtain of the changing room opened with a swish. Shi Huaibai ran headfirst into a wall of a person. The other party’s studded biker jacket almost brushed against the tip of his nose, and a cologne mixed with cedar and gunpowder hit him in the face.
“Dog Jiang, is this the new little lover you’re keeping?” Song Chi’s mouth quirked up arrogantly. He peered at Shi Huaibai as if assessing an accessory, then let out a burst of uncontrollable laughter.
Shi Huaibai let out a cold sneer: Really being completely looked down upon, huh.
The subject in the other person’s eyes is Jiang Xinian, not me.
I am the protagonist. I am Long Aotian.
Over on that side, Jiang Xinian had recovered that glib, bad-fox expression at some point. He just touched his cuff, and using four ounces to move a thousand pounds, threw F2’s malicious question back: “Song Chi, why would you think that? Shi Huaibai and I are just friends, just classmates. Thinking like this, could it be that a person with a dirty heart sees everything as dirty?”
Jiang Xinian stood up, his eyes narrowing into new crescents, seemingly very concerned about the other party: “Also, Student Song, skipping class every day. If your name gets noted down a few more times, you’ll probably have to chat with the professor.”
Song Chi stretched lazily: “I don’t have time to play lip service with you.”
A male sales associate walked over with a calfskin bag. Song Chi took it and started to leave.
He didn’t have time to chat with Jiang Xinian, a ghost who claimed to be civilized but actually drank blood and ate flesh.
Just as he brushed past Jiang Xinian, Jiang Xinian immediately retracted his amiable and infuriating smile, cursing gloomily: “Limbs developed, head simpleβbig gorilla!”
Song Chi’s ears were sharp too: “What did you say?”
He ground his back molars: “I’ve tolerated you for a long time.”
Before his fist could gain momentum, just as his head turned, Song Chi’s expression changed.
Shi Huaibai’s fist was faster than his, coming straight at him: “You touched my Reverse Scale!”
The fist hit flesh with a loud smack.
Everything around them fell silent.
Jiang Xinian’s pupils shrank in shock: What… is the situation now!
Author’s Note: Beagle: Walking humans is really too tiring. (Wipes sweat) Young Master Jiang, who was walked like a kite all day: “…”
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