Chapter 1257: Chapter 839: Afternoon Downpour
"Why?" Qianqian asked.
She almost instinctively remembered something. Her face blushed, and her legs inexplicably started to ache.
She also decided that no matter what Jiang Nian said, she would vote against it, as this was too embarrassing.
How is this different from indulgent daylight activities?
"Why what? It’s for a private space," Jiang Nian said. "I’ve lived on campus, so I don’t mind."
"You guys don’t have the experience, and dorm mates can be a mixed bunch. If you don’t get along, wouldn’t that be uncomfortable?"
Upon hearing this, Qianqian was momentarily at a loss. On second thought, what he said made a lot of sense.
"Seems... seems you have a point."
At this moment, Song Xiyun spoke up.
"Rent must be expensive, right?"
"Indeed, since it’s Beijing," Jiang Nian said lightly. "But I can find something suitable."
"How?" Qianqian asked, curious.
"By snagging a deal," Jiang Nian bluffed, knowing they wouldn’t understand. "Like if someone wants to sublet or something."
In reality, finding a deal price-wise is unlikely. Here, the deal refers to the location and type of apartment.
Some places, at the same price, have vastly different living experiences.
That’s where fortune shines through.
"Oh, oh," Qianqian nodded, still feeling something was off. "Is having alone time really worth renting a place?"
"Yeah, it doesn’t seem cost-effective," Song Xiyun pondered for a while. "Also, doesn’t the school forbid it?"
Jiang Nian waved his hand and responded, "With 24-hour facial recognition access, the better the school, the less they care."
With that, the two girls looked at Jiang Nian.
On this topic, if the rent were cheap, they’d probably be tempted, because who wouldn’t want private space?
Day after day.
But Beijing’s rent is really high, and the two girls were genuinely worried about money. Even if Jiang Nian were to pay.
But no one’s money comes from the wind, right?
"You could watch TV, cook, stuff like that," Jiang Nian suggested. "And you can even get a game console."
The conversation quickly shifted from rent to living quality.
"Four years, are you really going to stay in the dorms the whole time?" Jiang Nian asked. "Aren’t you likely to go for grad school?"
There’s a peculiar fact that at Beijing University, there’s a sort of disdain hierarchy. Geniuses who get in through exams aren’t as well-regarded as those who are recommended.
Recommendation isn’t some trickery after all.
Not really.
Brother Bao Song is still impressive, considering they don’t have to take tests. Those who get in via exams find the beginning rather tough.
Without putting in a lot of effort, it’s easy to fail classes.
Jiang Nian heard this from Li Lanying, an honored alumnus. Generally, those who work hard succeed in getting into graduate programs.
Even direct to a Ph.D.
Qianqian and the others hadn’t thought that far ahead, but upon reflection, thought it made sense. Staying in dorms for six or seven years straight wasn’t feasible.
Eventually, they’d still need to rent a place.
She thought for a moment and said, "Well then... how about we share the rent? We can’t let you cover it all alone."
Song Xiyun nodded, also agreeing.
"Yeah, since we’re living there too. Having you pay for everything isn’t quite fair."
Jiang Nian made a grand gesture, "Let’s split it 50-50. I’ll pay for the first three years, and you guys cover the next three."
Qianqian: "???
Is that how 50-50 works?
Song Xiyun was also a bit puzzled, only regaining her composure after a few seconds, "Shouldn’t it be split by month instead?"
"Of course not, first-year courses are tough," he explained. "You guys aren’t used to it yet, so how would you have money for rent?"
"By the second and third year, you can do things you’re interested in, and wouldn’t it be better to pay then?"
Honestly, there wasn’t anything wrong with what he said.
One of the girls is a future millionaire boss, the other’s mom is in e-commerce and will likely get into a business someday.
Qianqian has ideas, and Xiao Song can execute them. Hard to say how successful they’d be, but they certainly wouldn’t be poor.
Hearing this, the two girls gave each other a look.
"Seems... you’re right."
"Then..."
With a few words, they settled the renting matter and simultaneously piqued their interest in Beijing.
"We should do some research in advance," Song Xiyun said, "otherwise we might get overwhelmed when the time comes."
"Indeed," Qianqian agreed.
.....
Dinner was just a small episode, and after returning home, Qianqian turned around and saw Jiang Nian still in the living room.
"Why aren’t you leaving?"
As she said this, she looked nervous, like she was up to no good, lowering her voice to urge him.
"You..."
"Why would I leave?" Jiang Nian said, irritated, "Haven’t you noticed? Every time I go home lately, I get scolded."
Hearing this, Qianqian looked puzzled.
"Why would Aunt Li scold you?"
"Just annoyed with me, I guess. So I’m avoiding it," Jiang Nian said vaguely, then continued lying on the sofa, playing on his phone.
Qianqian: "..."
She had no words, and saying more seemed like she was trying to hide something. Besides, he was fond of putting labels on things.
"Oh, then I’m going back to my room."
"Go ahead." Jiang Nian really had no plans, after all, he was just a flirt, not crazy.
Xiao Song was still there, and the room wasn’t too soundproof.
These things can’t be taken lightly. They have to be done cautiously, like treading on thin ice, with a variety of creative spins.
After a while, Qianqian went to the bathroom to shower. Xiao Song came out to fill up water and glanced at Jiang Nian.
"Huh?"
"Are you staying here tonight?"
She hadn’t seen everything, but she wasn’t stupid either. Some things are left unspoken, just understood by everyone.
"No, just hanging around for a bit." Jiang Nian used the same excuse, continuing to lie there.
"Oh, oh." Song Xiyun nodded, then thought to herself.
Who believes that?
She filled the water without looking sideways and quickly returned to her room. Then she put on Bluetooth headphones and started the game.
A ton of friend requests, all ignored.
Meanwhile, the bathroom door opened.
Qianqian carried her clothes, tiptoed, and glanced towards the sofa. Jiang Nian was already asleep.
But his sleeping position was odd compared to normal people—he lay flat, face toward the back of the sofa.
