Chapter 1301: Chapter 861: Cai Xiang
Song Xiyun was exhausted from exams, but she didn’t really care. She joined them for dinner and then prepared to wash the dishes.
"Where are you going?" Jiang Nian asked.
"To wash the dishes."
"Hmm..." Jiang Nian pointed to the kitchen, "There’s a new dishwasher today, and also an oven."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Song was a bit stunned.
"Is that so?"
This was almost the same as being at home.
"Yeah." Jiang Nian stood up, ready to handle it casually, "You go rest, I’ll take care of these."
"Okay okay." Song Xiyun nodded.
Having just finished eating, it wasn’t likely she would sleep. Sitting on the sofa and watching TV felt a bit awkward.
After all, Jiang Nian was tidying up in the kitchen.
It didn’t seem right.
After some thought, she went to her room. She left the door slightly ajar, indicating she wasn’t asleep.
If anything came up, someone could knock at any time.
Jiang Nian also pondered that he seemed to have no leisure activities. It was either work or studying all day.
On rare occasions when he was free, it would be a date.
With...
Back in senior year, he used to play games and mess around with friends at night. Now he didn’t feel like doing any of that.
Jiang Nian sat on the living room sofa, replied to some messages, browsed the class group chat, and got ready to leave.
Generally, he wouldn’t stay overnight here.
Providing ample space in that aspect.
If he kept coming frequently, the day the three of them fell out, Xiao Song probably wouldn’t come over anymore.
Waiting at the academy entrance or blocking at the classroom door would look bad.
Moreover, it wouldn’t be effective.
"Where are you going?" Song Xiyun stood at the room door, looking at him confusedly, "Aren’t you staying here to sleep?"
"I have an exam tomorrow."
"Alright then."
Song Xiyun walked him to the door, watched him disappear down the stairs from the corner, and glanced back at the room.
With a somewhat thoughtful expression.
....
After that day, there were exams for three consecutive days. Jiang Nian mostly crammed at the last minute, studying intensely before the exams.
He muddled through the exams, probably on the edge of passing.
After the final exam concluded, it meant the start of the holiday. No wait for a set time, you could leave as soon as the exams were over.
Since Jiang Nian’s schedule was unpredictable, Xu Qianqian and Xiao Song didn’t wait for him and headed back to Zhen Nan together.
Snow floated over Yan Garden, and Jiang Nian returned to his dorm, "End of semester, end of semester... not sure if I can graduate smoothly."
In the dorm, Yang Jingfan was packing his stuff.
"You’re leaving already?"
"Yep." Yang Jingfan replied, "Staying in the dorm each day just adds to living costs."
"What costs? My instant noodles are free for you to have." Da Chao pulled out two boxes of instant noodles.
"What are you buying these for?" Jiang Nian was surprised, thinking it couldn’t be that he spent all his money on gifts.
"For making hotpot." Da Chao said, "I think, since it’s the end of the semester, why not have a meal in the dorm?"
Fanzi had bought a ticket, giving me two packs." Brother Bao Song grabbed two packs of instant noodles, planning to make do.
"I’m not leaving the dorm for the next two days. Gonna have fun before heading home."
"What about Chao?"
"I’m planning to crash at a friend’s school. Going home is boring, can’t gather with friends."
"Not thinking about your partner?"
"Leaving that aside, we’re all adults now." Da Chao said, "The constant bickering feels like we’re about to break up."
"Epic." Brother Bao Song gave a thumbs up, "Gift-giving is fine, but don’t gift the instant noodles, haha."
"You damn..." Da Chao blushed.
Jiang Nian sighed, thinking relationships are really troublesome. He then prepared to change shoes and go out to eat with Li Qingrong.
He encountered Xu Shuang on his way downstairs.
"What a coincidence." he said.
"Where are you headed?" Xu Shuang still had one more exam and was just out to pick up a delivery.
Jiang Nian said, "Just going out for something."
"You’re done with exams?" Xu Shuang glanced at him, "Let’s grab a meal sometime. Are you coming to my place for the New Year?"
"New Year’s dinner?"
"Those are two different questions." Xu Shuang glanced at him, "New Year’s Eve dinner might be a stretch for you."
"Can we just grab a casual meal before the New Year?"
"Sure." Jiang Nian nodded, pondered for a moment, and then asked, "Does your grandpa usually like..."
"Maybe a small gift worth a few hundred bucks? Don’t give too much, it’ll be a waste of money. Or should I visit your place for New Year’s?"
"What?" Jiang Nian chuckled awkwardly.
If Xu Shuang came for New Year’s at his place, he wouldn’t have much of a holiday himself. He might find himself thrown out with his luggage.
"Just kidding." Xu Shuang rolled her eyes.
Jiang Nian: "..."
After Jiang Nian left, Xu Shuang also left with an umbrella. But she couldn’t help turning back after a few steps.
Coincidentally, Jiang Nian turned back too.
In the heavy snow, they exchanged a distant look. Snowflakes fluttered everywhere, blown by the wind.
"Where are you going?" Jiang Nian shouted.
"Picking up a delivery."
From afar, Jiang Nian pretended he didn’t have a good grip on his phone. He squatted down to pick it up and checked the time.
It wasn’t too rushed.
He returned to Xu Shuang, "You have quite a lot of deliveries, it’s tough alone."
"It’s not that much," Xu Shuang said.
"Let’s go." Jiang Nian didn’t continue her conversation but rather put away his umbrella right away.
Then, naturally, he took her umbrella.
"It’ll be dark soon."
Xu Shuang: "???"
"Alright." she said.
She was amused yet felt a bit melancholic, which quickly subsided.
He was quite thoughtful.
....
South Gate.
The two retrieved the delivery and shared the same umbrella naturally. There weren’t many people on the road, and the snow fell silently.
Xu Shuang, while checking the road with her peripheral vision, glanced at Jiang Nian. His handsome face looked calm.
"What are you thinking about?" he asked.
"Nothing..." Xu Shuang said, "Thinking about the afternoon review and all the things to do at home."
"Xu Yuanshan is really unreliable. Wanting this family business but expecting me to manage it? It’s like a joke."
Jiang Nian thought his opportunistic little uncle was quite odd, not intrigued by a thriving family business.
