X
Join our Discord server and get release updates for every novel you follow.
Join the Server“Wednesday afternoon.”
Li Xiao looked ahead, his tone casual.
“I asked someone to contact the vice chair of the Computer Science department. He’s mentored quite a few competition students. I thought since Jiang Qing has good grades, if she could get in through independent recruitment or a professor’s recommendation, her chances would be much higher.”
Jiang Yu opened his mouth, his throat tightening.
He didn’t know what to say.
What Li Xiao had done for him and Jiang Qing went far beyond what any “creditor” or “suitor” should do.
“Li Xiao…”
“Don’t say thank you.”
Li Xiao interrupted him, his voice gentle.
“If you really want to thank me, consider the reward I mentioned earlier.”
Jiang Yu was puzzled.
“…What reward?”
“A one-minute hug.”
Li Xiao turned his head and winked at him.
Jiang Yu ignored him, turning to look out the car window, but the tips of his ears were red.
Li Xiao smiled and didn’t tease him further.
The car stopped in front of a tastefully decorated private restaurant.
There was no sign at the entrance, only a small brass plaque engraved with “Jinglu.”
They got out of the car. The host clearly recognized Li Xiao and respectfully led them to a quiet private room.
The room was small but exquisitely furnished, with a window overlooking a small courtyard planted with bamboo and winter plum.
After ordering, the host retreated, leaving just the two of them.
Jiang Yu gazed at the blooming winter plum outside the window and suddenly asked, “Jiang Qing… if she goes through independent recruitment, what does she need to prepare?”
“Transcripts, competition certificates, and a professor’s recommendation letter.”
Li Xiao poured him a cup of hot tea.
“I’ll handle all that. Don’t worry.”
Jiang Yu took the cup, feeling the warmth through his fingertips.
“Li Xiao.”
He looked up, meeting Li Xiao’s eyes.
“Why are you doing all this?”
Li Xiao set down the teapot and looked at him.
The winter sunlight streamed through the window, casting soft shadows on Jiang Yu’s face.
His high-neck sweater made his face look small, his eyes clear and earnest.
“Because I’m pursuing you.”
Li Xiao said, his tone matter-of-fact.
“Of course I want to be good to you, and to the people you care about.”
“But…”
“No buts.”
Li Xiao interrupted him.
“Jiang Yu, I know you have concerns. You think we’re too different, that maybe I’m just acting on a whim. But time will prove everything.”
He paused, his voice dropping.
“I’ve lived over twenty years, and this is the first time I’ve wanted someone so badly. Not just physically—everything.”
“So I’ll do everything I can to make you happy, to make things easier for you. If you’re not used to it, I’ll take it slow. If you resist, I’ll step back. But don’t think I’ll ever give up.”
Jiang Yu’s fingers tightened around the cup.
The tea was scalding, the heat traveling through the porcelain to his palm, spreading to his heart.
He lowered his eyes, staring at the tea leaves floating and sinking, and remained silent for a long time.
The food arrived.
Steamed sea bass, crab roe tofu, asparagus with shrimp, and a pot of steaming chicken soup.
Li Xiao naturally served Jiang Yu soup and dishes.
Jiang Yu ate quietly, the knot in his heart tightening ever more.
After the meal, Jiang Yu insisted on paying.
This time Li Xiao didn’t stop him, watching as Jiang Yu scanned the QR code to pay, a smile on his lips.
“Now you don’t owe me.”
He said to Jiang Yu.
“You treated me to a meal; the debt is cleared.”
Jiang Yu glanced at him.
“One meal can’t clear what I owe you.”
Li Xiao chuckled, stood up, and grabbed his coat.
“Come on, I’ll take you back.”
They arrived at the neighborhood gate at two in the afternoon.
Jiang Yu unbuckled his seatbelt.
“Thanks. I’ll head up.”
“Jiang Yu.”
Li Xiao called out.
Jiang Yu turned back.
Li Xiao looked at him, his eyes tender.
“Wednesday afternoon, bring your sister and come with me to meet the professor.”
Jiang Yu nodded.
“Okay.”
“And one more thing.”
Li Xiao smiled.
“That sweater looks really good on you. Wear it more often.”
Jiang Yu’s ears burned as he pushed the door open and got out.
Watching Jiang Yu disappear into the neighborhood, Li Xiao leaned back in his seat and started the car.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yu returned home, took off his down jacket, and looked at himself in the mirror wearing the cream-white sweater.
He remembered Li Xiao’s sudden hug, the low voice saying “It’s really soft and warm,” and the words he spoke at the private restaurant.
Some frozen corner deep in his heart was slowly melting.
Just then, a sudden knock came at the door.
Jiang Yu frowned, thinking Li Xiao had come back. He walked to the door and peered through the peephole.
Outside stood two men in a certain brand’s work uniforms, carrying toolboxes and packaging boxes.
“Who is it?”
Jiang Yu asked through the door.
“Hello, we’re here to install a water heater.”
The man outside spoke loudly.
“Are you Mr. Jiang?”
Water heater?
Jiang Yu was stunned.
He opened the door.
“I didn’t order a water heater.”
“The landlord called this morning to make an appointment.”
One worker handed Jiang Yu a form.
“See, is the address correct?”
The address was indeed correct.
Jiang Yu pressed his lips together.
“Wait a moment, I’ll call the landlord.”
He walked back to the living room and found the landlord’s number in his phone contacts.
That local man in his fifties was usually penny-pinching, always on time for rent but never on time for repairs.
The phone rang seven or eight times before connecting.
“Hey, Xiao Jiang, what’s up?”
The landlord’s voice was lazy, with the clatter of mahjong in the background.
“Uncle Wang, there are two workers here to install a water heater. They said you sent them?”
“Water heater?”
The landlord paused, then his tone became vague.
“Ah… yeah, that was me. It’s getting cold, and I figured you and your sister don’t have hot water. It’s inconvenient for washing clothes and cooking, so I’m getting one installed for you.”
The excuse didn’t sound like Uncle Wang at all.
Jiang Yu’s fingers tightened around the phone.
“Uncle Wang, how much does the water heater cost? Should I pay you, or deduct it from the rent…”
“No need, no need!”
The landlord’s voice shot up.
“Consider it a gift. You always pay rent on time and take good care of the place… Ah, I’m busy here. Just let the workers install it.”
The call ended abruptly.
Jiang Yu stared at his phone screen, the suspicion in his mind growing clearer.
He walked back to the door.
“Excuse me, how much does this water heater cost?”
“We’re only in charge of installation; we don’t know the price.”
The worker enthusiastically explained.
“But this is the latest model of air-source water heater. It heats up quickly, so it must not be cheap.”
Latest model.
Jiang Yu’s suspicion was basically confirmed.
He was silent for a few seconds, then stepped aside.
“Come in.”
The two workers quickly got to work.
Removing the old unit, wiring, installing the new one—their movements were professional and swift.
Jiang Yu stood by, watching. The brand-new machine looked out of place in the dim, old house.
He pulled out his phone, opened WeChat, stared at the “L” profile picture for a few seconds, then directly called a voice call.
It rang a few times and connected.
“Missing me already?”
You’ve got to see this next! Crow's Golden Fragment will keep you on the edge of your seat. Start reading today!
Read : Crow's Golden Fragment
If You Notice any translation issues or inconsistency in names, genders, or POV etc? Let us know here in the comments or on our Discord server, and we’ll fix it in current and future chapters. Thanks for helping us to improve! 🙂