Qian Xiaoke didn’t really want to ask Jiang Tongyan for money; he just wanted to change the subject.
“Be careful.” Seeing Jiang Tongyan bump into the table, he sent a caring words, “Don’t break the table, it’s fragile.”
“… You’re crazy!” Jiang Tongyan yelled at him, “Is it as valuable as a broken table like yours?”
Qian Xiaoke said, “I’ll have to pay for the table if it’s broken.”
“What? Are you afraid of breaking it?”
“That’s your own doing; what does it have to do with me?” Qian Xiaoke’s logic was meticulous, leaving Jiang Tongyan speechless.
It was past six now. Qian Xiaoke usually got up at six-thirty, washed up in a daze, returned to the room to be in a daze for a while, and went out at seven. He always kept his routine well, but today, he was woken up by Jiang Tongyan a bit earlier.
“Are you leaving?” Qian Xiaoke asked.
As soon as Qian Xiaoke finished asking, he suddenly had an idea and said with a smile on his face, “Are you going to our company later? Directly from here? Taking a taxi? Can you give me a ride?”
Jiang Tongyan sneered, “You really know how to take advantage of a situation.”
If there’s an advantage to be taken and there’s a chance to turn the tables on him, of course, Qian Xiaoke wouldn’t miss out on such an opportunity.
“Rest assured,” Jiang Tongyan adjusted his clothes, saying, “Even if I go back to the hotel first, I won’t give you a ride anyway.”
Qian Xiaoke pouted, “Scumbag.”
“Why am I a jerk now?” Jiang Tongyan felt extremely wronged.
“What do you think? You stayed here overnight, didn’t pay for the room, and you won’t even give me a ride.” Qian Xiaoke said, “If you’re a scumbag, then who isn’t?”
This logic was too powerful, so powerful that Jiang Tongyan had nothing to say and left quickly.
He opened the door, and Qian Xiaoke said, “Do you need me to see you off? Do you know how to get out?”
Just as he was talking, the neighbour who had been howling all night also opened his door.
Qian Xiaoke had met that neighbour several times, so they could be considered ‘acquainted’. When the other party saw him, he looked at Jiang Tongyan again and smiled knowingly, “Hi, good morning.”
Qian Xiaoke felt he might misunderstand something but before he could explain, Jiang Tongyan had already left.
It was pitch dark.
It was filthy and chaotic.
It was a mess.
It was a group of rabble.
Jiang Tongyan didn’t want to stay here for another second.
After he left, Qian Xiaoke went through his usual morning routine, leaving at seven for work, buying an egg-filled pancake outside the neighbourhood, and eating it all the way to the subway station.
Everything was going on in an orderly manner, and there was no difference just because there was one more person sleeping at his home last night.
However, this was just Qian Xiaoke’s opinion.
In Jiang Tongyan’s opinion, he had something important to solve.
Jiang Tongyan first returned to the hotel to shower and then had a meal. After finishing his work, he saw it was almost time, so he picked up the phone and called Cheng Sen.
Cheng Sen had just arrived at the company and was checking his emails. He saw that it was Jiang Tongyan calling, and he smiled when he picked up the phone, “Up so early? Are you coming over this afternoon?”
“Something’s up.” Jiang Tongyan said, “Are you at the company?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay, then wait, I’ll come over.”
Since Jiang Tongyan was back in the country for a project, Cheng Sen thought he was coming to discuss work, but to his surprise, Jiang Tongyan was in such a rush for something else.
It was ten in the morning when Jiang Tongyan arrived at Cheng Sen’s company. As soon as he walked out of the elevator door, he saw Qian Xiaoke sitting at the front desk.
Qian Xiaoke said naively, “Good morning, Chairman Jiang!”
When Jiang Tongyan saw him, he avoided his eyes for no apparent reason. He dared not look directly at him, and he knew why.
He waved his hand as a greeting and went straight to Cheng Sen’s office.
Qian Xiaoke was too lazy to pay attention to him. He watched him walk away and then continued to do what he had to do.
When Jiang Tongyan passed by Qian Xiao’s front desk, he stole a glance at him from the corner of his eye. When he walked to the corner, he took the opportunity to turn his head and look at Qian Xiaoke.
He watched him, but Qian Xiaoke paid him no mind.
Jiang Tongyan pouted and muttered in his heart: Ungrateful brat!
Jiang Tongyan arrived at the door of Cheng Sen’s office, and Cheng Sen was waiting for him.
“What’s wrong?” Cheng Sen asked, “What happened?”
“Something’s up.” Jiang Tongyan said, “Does your company provide dormitories for employees?”
“Huh?” Cheng Sen was about to get him some water, but this question threw him off, “What dormitories?”
“A lot of your employees are from out of town, right?” Jiang Tongyan sat on the sofa, “Do you manage them all?”
Cheng Sen didn’t understand what he meant at first and thought he was talking about himself, “If you come over, I will definitely arrange something for you.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about.” Jiang Tongyan said, “That’s all easy to say.”
“Then what are you talking about?” Cheng Sen realised after asking and stood there with a cup, looking at him and smiling.
“What are you smiling at? It’s so creepy.” Jiang Tongyan reached out to take the water cup, “Don’t look at me like that.”
“Who are you speaking up for? Qian Xiaoke?” Cheng Sen looked like he saw through everything, “What did he say to you? That kid’s getting bold, even daring to complain about the company.”
“What complaints!” Jiang Tongyan said, “That’s not it. He didn’t say anything.”
Cheng Sen smiled, Then what’s this about?”
“Just asking,” Jiang Tongyan said, “I went to his place yesterday and took a look. That place is not habitable at all. If you live there for a long time, you will become a psychopath.”
He glanced at Cheng Sen, “You wouldn’t want your employees to be psychopaths during their employment, would you? That would be terrifying!”
Cheng Sen leaned on the table and looked at him meaningfully, “It doesn’t matter. If he becomes a psychopath and goes crazy, we can just fire him. It’s not a big deal.”
When he said this, Qian Xiaoke happened to come to deliver a package to Cheng Sen and stood at the door and knocked softly.
Cheng Sen smiled when he saw him, “Xiaoke, perfect timing. I want to ask you something.”
“Sure, ask away!” Qian Xiaoke was just another person in front of Cheng Sen and Jiang Tongyan. When he stood in front of his boss, he was as well-behaved as a harmless little white rabbit. But when he was with Jiang Tongyan, he turned into a crazy rabbit.
“Say, if an employee goes crazy, can we keep him?”
Qian Xiaoke was shocked, “Who? Who went crazy?”
Gossiping is a must. Even in front of the boss, if there’s gossip to be had, it must be had.
“You.” Cheng Sen laughed, “Tongyan just said your living environment is so bad it could drive you crazy. We’re wondering if the company can continue to employ someone with such an unstable mental state, what do you think?”
Qian Xiaoke turned around and glared at Jiang Tongyan when he heard it. The anger in his eyes had soared to Jiang Tongyan’s forehead.
Qian Xiao: “Jiang Tongyan! Do I owe you something?”
Jiang Tongyan thought for a moment, “It seems like you do. Have you not paid back the 20 yuan before?”
Qian Xiaoke heard, “It’s so hard to get a stable job! Why are you doing this to me?”
Jiang Tongyan clicked his tongue, impatiently saying to Cheng Sen, “Why are you scaring him? Could you not start trouble?”
Cheng Sen drank water and laughed at them, thinking these two people were interesting.
“By the way, Xiaoke, what’s going on?”
Qian Xiaoke was full of rage but managed to hold it in front of the boss.
“Well, there’s a package for you.” Qian Xiaoke handed the package to Cheng Sen. When he walked out, he kept looking at Jiang Tongyan viciously.
Jiang Tongyan felt uncomfortable under his gaze, and rolled his eyes and looked out the window.
After Qian Xiaoke left, Cheng Sen laughed, “You two get along pretty well.”
“Who? Who gets along with him? Don’t slander me.”
“If you don’t get along, why come here this morning to talk about this?” Cheng Sen said, “We don’t manage employees’ private lives, nor do we ban office romances. Your coming here in a while won’t affect anything.”
“Can you stop this?” Jiang Tongyan seemed unhappy, “Who wants an office romance with him? I wouldn’t stoop so low to fall for a mad rabbit with no looks, no brains, no quality!”
Jiang Tongyan didn’t feel like talking to him anymore. He stood up to leave, “Even if I were to date, I’d go for that person, what’s his name, the one Zhou Mo introduced, someone with style, grace, eloquence…”
Jiang Tongyan turned around to see Qian Xiaoke standing at the door again.
“Why are you back?” Jiang Tongyan was dumbfounded.
He recalled what he just said, pretty sure Qian Xiaoke heard it all.
But so what if he heard? Was anything he said untrue?
He wasn’t afraid!
However, when Jiang Tongyan saw Qian Xiaoke staring at him with a dark expression, he still couldn’t help feeling a little guilty.
What was he afraid of?
He didn’t know.
Of course Qian Xiaoke heard everything—he had no looks, no brains, and no character.
He remembered every word!
Qian Xiaoke ignored Jiang Tongyan and said to Cheng Sen, “Chairman Cheng, Manager Guan came looking for you earlier and asked if it was convenient to see you.”
“Okay, let him in.” Cheng Sen glanced at the dumbfounded Jiang Tongyan, not even bothering to mock him, “Tongyan, you’re done here, right? Then let’s talk about other things in the afternoon, I have a guest to entertain now.”
Jiang Tongyan raised his hand and rubbed his eyebrows, “Alright, you get busy, I’ll come back this afternoon.”
He walked out, following Qian Xiaoke with a dejected expression.
This was the second time he got caught bad-mouthing someone behind their back, and Jiang Tongyan felt genuinely ashamed.
He watched as Qian Xiaoke smiled and brought the person who came to see Cheng Sen in and then exited through the door. He watched as Qian Xiaoke didn’t spare him a glance and walked past him, treating him like he was nothing. His heart was clogged with panic.
“That… Well…” Jiang Tongyan stood at the front desk, saying to Qian Xiaoke, “Just now… I’m sorry.”
Qian Xiaoke was really angry, and he felt so wronged.
He thought he had been quite good to Jiang Tongyan, aside from the misunderstanding that made things awkward, he had always been like a ‘benevolent father’ figure, yet Jiang Tongyan spoke of him like that in front of Cheng Sen.
Speaking ill of him was one thing, but trying to get Cheng Sen to fire him was another.
Qian Xiaoke felt so wronged that tears were about to burst out.
Seeing Qian Xiaoke ignoring him, Jiang Tongyan rubbed his hands awkwardly: “I really didn’t do it on purpose.”
“Which one was on purpose then?” Qian Xiaoke looked up and asked expressionlessly, “Was it not intentional to bad-mouth me, or not intentional to get Chairman Cheng to fire me? Jiang Tongyan, I’ve been trying to make it up to you, why do you have to treat me like this? Do you really hate me that much?”
The two of them seemed to be acting in an idol drama, and Qian Xiao’s eyes turned red as he spoke.
Jiang Tongyan never thought it would turn out like this. When he saw Qian Xiaoke was about to cry, he panicked.
He quickly grabbed tissues from the desk, holding them out to catch Qian Xiaoke’s tears.
Qian Xiaoke found his action silly and burst into laughter.
“Annoying!”
Jiang Tongyan saw him laughing and secretly let out a sigh of relief, “Yes, okay, good, I’m annoying.”
Qian Xiaoke pouted and didn’t say anything.
“Don’t cry,” Jiang Tongyan said, “It really wasn’t intentional. How about this, I’ll treat you to dinner tonight, hotpot or street barbecue, your choice, okay?”
Qian Xiaoke looked up at him. He pursed his lips and muttered, “Is that all I’m worth to you?”
“Huh?” Jiang Tongyan genuinely didn’t know how to soothe someone, always saying the wrong thing.
Qian Xiaoke said, “Eat spicy hotpot and also barbecue.”
He sniffed and said, “Tonight, I want to eat snail noodles!”
Although Jiang Tongyan didn’t know what snail noodles were, he agreed readily, saying to Qian Xiaoke, “Okay, whatever you want to eat.”
He looked quite doting like this.
Jiang Tongyan found that Qian Xiaoke was actually quite easy to coax. Just give him delicious food, and he wasn’t picky. He didn’t need Michelin-starred restaurants, just street food would do.
He asked, “But, what is this snail noodle?”
Qian Xiaoke shook his head and sighed, “You rich people are so ignorant!”
Jiang Tongyan conceded, whatever Qian Xiaoke said today, he’d accept. He didn’t know how, but Qian Xiaoke had him wrapped around his finger. Life was indeed mysterious.
“Then see you in the evening?” Jiang Tongyan said, “I have an appointment with Cheng Sen to discuss something in the afternoon. I guess the meeting will last until quite late. Will you wait?”
“Why not, I’ve got nothing else to do.” Qian Xiaoke had nothing else to do anyway.
Jiang Tongyan’s mood inexplicably improved, not even knowing why.
After Jiang Tongyan left in a good mood, Qian Xiaoke sat there, happily checking the time. He also didn’t understand his own feelings, it was like there was a little bird in his heart, flapping its wings, making him restless, eager to fly.
Maybe it was because of the snail noodles tonight, or because Jiang Tongyan was treating, he’d order an extra large bowl with ten quail eggs!
Cheng Sen had no idea what had transpired outside, unaware of what ‘deal’ his partner had struck with his employee. After finishing his business meeting, he finally sent off the legendary guest who was extremely obsessed with cleanliness just before noon.
Normally, if a client was still discussing business by noon, Cheng Sen would definitely invite them for a meal. But Manager Guan was different—he had a cleanliness obsession and couldn’t handle eating food from outside. Especially in the past couple of years since getting a partner, he had to go home for every meal.
After seeing off the guests, Cheng Sen turned around and looked at Qian Xiaoke who was laughing foolishly.
“What’s up? So happy?” Cheng Sen smiled and walked over, leaning against the front desk and asked, “Have a girlfriend?”
Qian Xiaoke was shocked, “Chairman Cheng! How dare you say such a thing! It’s ruining someone’s reputation!”
Cheng Sen laughed loudly, “Just asking casually, why are you so nervous?”
He tapped the table lightly with his fingers, “Where do you live now?”
Qian Xiaoke frowned and said nervously, “Chairman Cheng! Don’t believe the slander of the wicked!”
“Hmm? Who’s the wicked one? What slander?” Cheng Sen laughed, “Don’t be nervous, just asking.”
“Chairman Cheng, you must believe me, although the place I’m living is bad, living there won’t affect my mental health! It’s quite sunny there!” Qian Xiaoke explained, “And I’ll move out in another month and a half, although I won’t be able to rent a nice place, but it’ll be fine! You have to believe me, Chairman Cheng!”
Cheng Sen looked at him, a little amused. As a boss, he really never asked about the employees’ private affairs, but now listening to Qian Xiaoke’s words, he realised how hard it must be for those who came to work from out of town. Their monthly salaries might be high, but the rent was even higher.
“Okay, I understand.” Cheng Sen walked back thoughtfully.
Qian Xiao had wanted to ask what he knew, but trying to guess what the boss was thinking was pointless. No matter how much he guessed, he would never figure it out. And if he had to guess, he knew better than to ask too much—asking would only have increased his chances of bad luck.
During the lunch break, Qian Xiaoke thought about having a ‘big meal’ in the evening, so he bought a piece of bread and sat there. While eating the bread and playing a mobile game, Jiang Tongyan returned.
Jiang Tongyan originally agreed to meet with Cheng Sen in the middle of the afternoon, but he was really bored in the hotel, so he came early.
As soon as he got out of the elevator, he saw Qian Xiaoke playing mobile games and eating bread there and suddenly felt he was so pitiful.
He was not even having a proper meal for lunch.
So miserable.
It was pitiful to see him.
“What are you doing?” Jiang Tongyan looked at the time, “Are you busy now?”
Qian Xiaoke looked up at him, “Busy.”
“… What are you busy with? Busy playing games?”
“Busy eating!” Qian Xiaoke said, “It’s my lunch break, not taking clients.”
Jiang Tongyan wanted to ask this man to go downstairs to eat together. He was purely pitiful for Qian Xiao, but this kid didn’t appreciate it, so he just left.
Jiang Tongyan rolled his eyes and turned away.
Qian Xiaoke looked up at him, ignored him, and continued to eat bread and play games.
Not long after, Jiang Tongyan returned with a packed lunch box in his hand.
Qian Xiaoke ignored him until Jiang Tongyan put the lunch box in front of Qian Xiao.
“Leftovers, eat it.” Jiang Tongyan said, “A reward for you.”
Qian Xiaoke looked up and said to him, “Your leftovers are so neat?”
“If I say it’s leftovers, it’s leftovers!”
Qian Xiaoke pouted, “Then I won’t eat! You have a mysophobia!”
Jiang Tongyan was happy, “What’s wrong with you kiddo? You are picky when I give you food.”
“Although poor, but I have dignity, okay!”
“…” Jiang Tongyan turned away, took a deep breath, then turned back, “Fine, I bought it for you.”
Qian Xiaoke hadn’t finished the bread yet and looked at him while biting the bread.
“What are you looking at? Just eat it.”
“Then I won’t eat.” Qian Xiaoke said, “I won’t accept something for nothing. I can’t eat your food without knowing why.”
His eyes lit up, “Unless you want to poison me?”
“Why would I have the time for that? Who are you? Why would I want to poison you?” Jiang Tongyan said, “I just feel sorry for you, eating bread for lunch.”
Qian Xiaoke stared at him and didn’t move.
In the end, Jiang Tongyan gave in first.
“Consider this your medical fee,” Jiang Tongyan said, “Did you not do that for me yesterday?”
It was self-inflicted humiliation!
Why did he have to bring that up?
Jiang Tongyan bit off his tongue in hatred.
Qian Xiaoke was upset, but he smiled. He put down the bread and opened the lunch box.
“Alright, if you put it that way, I’ll accept it.” He opened it and exclaimed in surprise, “Wow, rich people are really something!”
This restaurant had just opened recently, and Qian Xiaoke had passed by it several times. He looked at the promotional boards but never dared to go inside.
One meal, four dishes, a mix of meat and vegetables, all colourful and aromatic!
Qian Xiaoke said, “Chairman Jiang, you were really not that bad. Just for this meal alone, I’ll definitely give you a good massage tonight!”
“What do you want to massage?” Cheng Sen walked out of the office.
Jiang Tongyan gave Qian Xiaoke a glare, and Qian Xiaoke quickly shut up.
This was Chairman Jiang’s secret, a wound that would bleed if touched.
“Nothing,” Jiang Tongyan said, “Where are you going?”
“I was going to ask you, why are you here so early?” Cheng Sen glanced at the lunch box in front of Qian Xiaoke and knew why Jiang Tongyan had come so early, “Have you eaten?”
“No.” Jiang Tongyan thought: I was busy buying food for this ungrateful brat! And this little bastard still didn’t appreciate it!
“Together?”
“Let’s go.”
Cheng Sen turned his head and asked Qian Xiao, “Xiaoke, let’s go eat together?”
Qian Xiaoke almost choked and waved his hand quickly.
Cheng Sen laughed and took Jiang Tongyan downstairs.
In the elevator, Cheng Sen said, “If you’re going to pursue someone, do it properly; don’t act so weird all the time.”
“Who am I pursuing?” Jiang Tongyan’s eyes almost popped out, “Who’s acting weird?”
Cheng Sen just smiled without saying more, enjoying the drama and encouraging them to continue.
Jiang Tongyan then had a meeting with Cheng Sen and the project team that lasted the whole afternoon.
At around 4:00, they left the company to check out a site. Before leaving, Jiang Tongyan secretly told Qian Xiaoke at the front desk, “Wait for me to come back.”
The two of them seemed to have a bit of that secret romance vibe.
Qian Xiaoke got off work at six. Jiang Tongyan thought he’d be back by then, but they encountered some issues, and by the time they were resolved, it was almost six. Cheng Sen invited the project team to dinner, but Jiang Tongyan made an excuse to leave quickly.
Cheng Sen didn’t stop him because he had guessed where he was going.
On the way back from the site, Jiang Tongyan got stuck in traffic. He wanted to call Qian Xiaoke to let him know he was almost there but realised he didn’t have Qian Xiaoke’s number.
That was awkward.
Jiang Tongyan didn’t want to ask Cheng Sen because it was embarrassing, and he wanted to save his pride.
He was really anxious as if his buttocks were growing grass on the way, making the taxi driver stop and turn around to look at him. The driver almost wanted to recommend a hospital for haemorrhoid treatment.
Jiang Tongyan was very anxious, but Qian Xiaoke was waiting patiently.
He didn’t really want to go home; the office environment was much better than his place.
Jiang Tongyan rushed into the office building, waited anxiously for the elevator, and once inside, he watched the floor numbers. He took deep breaths to calm himself before the doors opened.
When the elevator door opened, Qian Xiaoke looked up.
“You’re back.” Qian Xiaoke was so calm, and then he continued to play games with his head down.
Jiang Tongyan originally imagined that Qian Xiaoke was anxiously waiting and jumping up and down in the company. However, he didn’t expect that it was all in his head.
“What are you doing?” Jiang Tongyan came over, “Still playing?”
“Almost done.” Qian Xiaoke said, “I’m really good at this.”
Jiang Tongyan really didn’t get what was so impressive about playing a match-3 game. If he had the ability to make him hard, now that would be truly impressive!
“Okay, stop playing, pack up and go, I’m starving.”
Jiang Tongyan urged, but Qian Xiaoke insisted on finishing this game.
In fact, Jiang Tongyan was never a patient person. There were not many people who could make him wait.
But he actually stood there and waited for Qian Xiaoke to play games, which was unbelievable.
After finishing, Qian Xiaoke put away his phone contentedly, picked up his small backpack, and followed Jiang Tongyan off work.
When the two walked into the elevator, Qian Xiaoke said, “Do you think we might suddenly have a power outage and get stuck in the elevator?”
“…Qian Xiaoke, what’s in your head? Can’t you think of something good?”
Qian Xiaoke laughed and apologised obediently.
Fortunately, they did not encounter a sudden power outage or get trapped in the elevator. They walked into a snail noodle shop very smoothly.
As soon as they entered the door, Jiang Tongyan frowned and rubbed his nose hard, “What’s this smell? Is this place sanitary? Can we eat somewhere else?”
He found out Qian Xiaoke liked this kind of dirty, smelly food. What kind of person was he?
Qian Xiaoke said, “This taste is authentic! You know, you will understand when the snail noodles come up.”
Jiang Tongyan didn’t understand; he had never eaten this thing before.
Jiang Tongyan stood there and ordered a portion of the snail noodles and then found a place to sit by the window.
Jiang Tongyan was a little overwhelmed by the smell in the room. He wanted to take his head off and put it outside the window.
At this moment, he didn’t know what was coming; when the snail noodles arrived, the smell would be even more pungent!
Jiang Tongyan swore that he would never eat with Qian Xiaoke again!
“What the hell!”
When the waiter brought a bowl of deluxe snail noodles, Jiang Tongyan’s brain was about to explode.
Are you sure there is no shit in it?
Are you sure this thing is edible?
Are you sure Qian Xiaoke is not deliberately messing with him?
Jiang Tongyan rolled his eyes so hard he nearly fell out of his seat.
Qian Xiaoke said, “I told you, rich people have no experience; this stuff is delicious.”
“… This is a question of whether you have money or not.” Jiang Tongyan said, “Normal people would want to eat shit, right?”
“You are the shit one! Can’t you be more civilised?!” Qian Xiaoke was annoyed; how could one insult snail noodles like that? This was one of humanity’s greatest inventions!
Jiang Tongyan said, “If that’s the case, I’ll pay for it. You can have as many bowls as you want, but I’m leaving.”
“No way!” Qian Xiaoke slammed the table, “You promised to have dinner with me!”
The two people were shouting here, attracting the attention of the people around them. Those who saw thought they were a couple quarrelling.
Jiang Tongyan, “Keep your voice down, keep your voice down, it’s embarrassing.”
It was a Chinese virtue not to make noise in public places.
Qian Xiaoke obediently lowered his voice, “Try it! It’s really delicious.”
He added, “Snail noodles smell bad but taste amazing!”
Jiang Tongyan was frowning, trying to distance himself.
He felt like he couldn’t wear these clothes anymore; he was covered in the smell after sitting there for a while.
Qian Xiaoke really wanted Jiang Tongyan to try it; missing out on this delicacy would be living in vain!
Qian Xiaoke persuaded earnestly, “Chairman Jiang, remember the hotpot we had? You were hesitant at first, but you liked it after trying, right?”
Seemed like it.
“Also, you resisted the street barbecue at first, but who ate so much last night?” Qian Xiaoke said, “I used to blame and discriminate against you. You rich people are like this, going in and out of high-end restaurants all day but missing out on the real delicacies of the world.”
Qian Xiaoke mixed the snail noodles in the bowl, “Do you know what the most important thing in life is?”
“Being happy?”
“Exactly!” Qian Xiaoke said, “The most important thing in life is daring to challenge oneself. As a seven feet tall, strong man, isn’t it embarrassing to go out and say you’ve never had snail noodles?”
“Well,” Jiang Tongyan said, “I’m not seven feet tall.”
“Huhh?” Qian Xiaoke was full of question marks. “In ancient times, ‘seven feet’ was roughly equivalent to ‘seven inches’ now. Calculated, it’s about 1.7 meters,” Jiang Tongyan said. “I’m almost 1.9 meters.”
“…That’s not the point!” Qian Xiaoke said, “It’s embarrassing not to have eaten snail noodles!”
Jiang Tongyan looked at him, “Yes, it seems like no one around me has tried them.”
“Then you should definitely try them!” Qian Xiaoke said, “Think about it, they haven’t tried it, but you have. Wouldn’t that make you look cool? More well-informed?”
Jiang Tongyan actually wanted to say that they would not be comparing this. No one would give him a thumbs up and say ‘awesome’ from the bottom of their hearts just because he had eaten snail noodles.
However, seeing Qian Xiaoke so seriously and earnestly in recommending this stinky thing, Jiang Tongyan was actually swayed.
“Try it.” Qian Xiaoke said, “If you don’t believe me, I’ll eat some first.”
Qian Xiaoke picked up a clump of noodles with chopsticks, slurping it down with evident enjoyment, good enough for an advertisement.
Jiang Tongyan had already adapted to the taste a little bit at this time. He felt it was not as pungent and unbearable as at the beginning. Seeing Qian Xiaoke eating so deliciously, he even began to doubt whether he was really ignorant and did not know how to appreciate food.
Jiang Tongyan looked around. Everyone was eating this thing, and everyone was eating with a flushed face.
Try it?
Maybe he should just try it.
Jiang Tongyan picked up the chopsticks hesitantly.
Sometimes, once the door to this new world was opened, incredible things would happen one after another.
From the day Jiang Tongyan met Qian Xiaoke, he had stepped into a world he’d never known before–the ordinary, lively world of common people.
Jiang Tongyan came from a wealthy family for generations. He was a real ‘golden’ young master and had been living a life of luxury since he was a child. He had always eaten the best steaks, drunk fresh milk, frequented high-end restaurants, and had a private car to ferry him around.
He was the epitome of a pampered life.
However, he was not overly spoiled except when dealing with Qian Xiaoke, where he often lost control of his temper. In front of others, he was always the epitome of grace, though his love life had never been smooth.
Or rather, it had been completely smooth.
In short, Jiang Tongyan never imagined he’d one day sit in an unremarkable street-side shop eating something that smelled this bad.
What he didn’t expect was that this thing was actually delicious!
“Why?” Jiang Tongyan couldn’t fathom how something could smell so bad yet taste so good.
“Amazing, isn’t it?” Qian Xiaoke smiled and raised his eyebrows at him, “Try the peanuts in it, they’re amazing, my favourite!”
Qian Xiaoke was thrilled, feeling like he’d contributed to promoting the cause of the snail noodles business today!
Jiang Tongyan was once again amazed; this stuff wasn’t just edible; it was delicious.
Spicy hot pot, roadside barbecue, snail noodles. He suddenly found that Qian Xiaoke was right, and he was a friend who could be deeply befriended—the premise is that Qian Xiaoke was mute.
After eating, the people came out, and the breeze blew. The ‘wonderful’ smell of snail noodles was everywhere, which made Jiang Tongyan roll his eyes again. Jiang Tongyan, who had eaten and then destroyed the bridge, once again disliked the taste.
“It stinks.”
“It’s okay.” Qian Xiaoke said, “I’m happy.”
Jiang Tongyan looked at him with a question mark on his head, thinking and wondering what there was to be happy about.
“Chairman Jiang, do you have any plans later?”
“What do you want to do?” Jiang Tongyan suddenly got nervous.
Qian Xiaoke was full, standing there rubbing his bulging belly and said, “I practised a little this afternoon.”
“Ah?”
“I’ll give you a massage.” Qian Xiaoke said, “If you have nothing to do later, I’ll go back to the hotel with you and give you a massage.”
Jiang Tongyan was shocked.
“Qian Xiaoke! Are you serious?”
“Of course, your disease hasn’t been cured yet.”
Jiang Tongyan was starting to question his life.
“Let’s go,” Qian Xiaoke said, “It’s been more than an hour.”
“…During work hours?”
Qian Xiaoke stopped and smiled awkwardly and said, “Well, you will tell Chairman Cheng, right?”
Jiang Tongyan sneered, “It depends on my mood.”
“So, are you in a good mood now?” Qian Xiaoke’s eyes sparkled, looking at Jiang Tongyan with pure innocence.
“Neutral,” Jiang Tongyan pretended, “Neutral.”
“Then if I perform a musical duo for you, will you be happy?”
Jiang Tongyan laughed out loud, “You also know to do musical duo? Can you do it alone?”
Qian Xiaoke looked at him and smiled, “See, you’re laughing, which means you’re in a good mood. You won’t tell Chairman Cheng then!”
Such powerful logic left Jiang Tongyan speechless!
“Let’s go,” Jiang Tongyan waved and called a taxi, “I’m impressed by you.”
Qian Xiaoke followed behind and continued to ask, “So what you mean is that you are in a good mood now, right?”
“Yes, yes, if you keep talking, I definitely won’t.”
Hearing what he said, Qian Xiaoke immediately shut up obediently.
Back at Jiang Tongyan’s hotel, as they walked in, Jiang Tongyan started to question his life choices again: What was he doing? Was this not better than seeing a psychologist? Why was he messing around like this with Qian Xiaoke?
Meanwhile, Qian Xiaoke followed behind like a little assistant, reviewing in his mind what he needed to ‘study’ next.
Hold it first, then gently and tenderly…
It would be best to say things like ‘You’re so great’ or ‘You’re so big’ to boost confidence during the process.
Qian Xiaoke really prepared for the lesson!
They went upstairs together and entered the suite.
This time, when Qian Xiaoke walked into this suite again, he had a new appreciation for the place.
3688 for one night, which was 688 more than his rent for a month!
Luxurious!
It’s too luxurious!
Qian Xiaoke put his schoolbag aside and then heard Jiang Tongyan say, “Let’s take a shower first.”
“Okay.”
“You go too.”
“Huh?” Qian Xiaoke was startled, “Do you want to shower together? That’s not part of the treatment!”
“Shower together, my head.” Jiang Tongyan said, “I’ll use this bathroom, you use that one.”
He removed his clothes and walked to the bathroom, “You’re covered in that smell; you’ll stink up the whole room.”
Qian Xiaoke smelled himself, and indeed, not only his clothes but even his hair smelled of snail noodles.
He trotted off to take a shower, feeling somewhat embarrassed, but then he thought, he had already done those things with Jiang Tongyan. Although it was ‘unfinished and ended halfway’, they had already seen each other naked.
There was no need to be shy.
So, Qian Xiaoke took a comfortable bath.
After he finished his bath, he was fragrant and soft. He walked out in a clean bathrobe hanging in the bathroom and said to Jiang Tongyan happily, “It’s so comfortable. This is the perfect time for grown-ups to do what grown-ups do!”
Jiang Tongyan was in a good mood after taking a bath, but when he heard Qian Xiaoke’s words, he felt that the other party was mocking him.
He stood by the window sipping tea and turned back angrily, but seeing Qian Xiaoke looking all rosy and warm, he felt an indescribable surge of desire.
Qian Xiaoke sat on the bed and patted him, “Chairman Jiang, come on, let’s get started.”
It was late and after the massage, he could go home.
Or so Qian Xiaoke thought, but in Jiang Tongyan’s eyes, this gesture looked like an invitation for something else, something very intimate.
Jiang Tongyan’s heartbeat suddenly quickened. He realized that whenever he was around Qian Xiao now, he would constantly experience that strange, inexplicable feeling—something similar to… the feeling of a crush.
This was simply wonderful.
He didn’t like fools or sharp-tongued people.
But here he was, his mind and body out of his control, sitting obediently next to Qian Xiaoke.
Qian Xiaoke tilted his head to look at him, “Then let’s get ready.”
Jiang Tongyan’s heart beat fast, and he felt that the blood in his body was flowing backwards.
Given the situation, shouldn’t it be enough?
Qian Xiaoke didn’t notice his unusual behavior; instead, he calmly began his ‘treatment’.
With the heart of a healer, Qian Xiaoke maintained his integrity and composure at this moment.
Qian Xiaoke said, “Chairman Jiang, relax, take a deep breath, and imagine the happiest moment of your life.”
The happiest moment?
Jiang Tongyan’s face instantly turned red.
T/N:
It’s long right? It feels like the chapter is excitingly long right?
This chapter is 2-3x longer than usual (*꒦ິ꒳꒦ີ)
I’ll try to keep the 1x/week update but this chapter makes me quite tired because it’s long, lmao
So forgive me in advance if I didn’t post anything next week ><
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