CHAPTER 202: CHAPTER 199 [ON DRIED SEAFOOD]

Chapter 199: Working in the Seafood Industry

Old Jiang felt that he had once again been tricked by Chen Nuo, that rascal, into taking on a disciple.

His instinct was to refuse, but...

Looking at Zhu Dazhi kneeling before him—the young lad hadn’t been around for more than a couple of days, yet he seemed to be a straightforward and naive kid.

Moreover, it was Chen Nuo who brought him to become an apprentice!

Chen Nuo and Zhang Linsheng had come all the way to Hong Kong to follow him, and just yesterday on the arena, they stood up to fight for him—well, Zhang Linsheng was the one who really took action.

But Old Jiang was certain that it was Chen Nuo who came up with the idea!

In light of this, it wouldn’t be easy to turn down such a favor.

Sighing internally, Old Jiang gave Chen Nuo a sidelong glance, then looked at Zhu Dazhi kneeling before him.

Suddenly, a thought struck him.

Hmm? This scene seems oddly familiar! Wasn’t it a similar scene when Zhang Linsheng was brought by Chen Nuo to apprentice under him? It looks oh so familiar!

「Tokyo.」

In the high school art studio, Xicheng Xun sat in front of a drawing board, pinching the tip of a sketching pencil.

The girl’s long, straight black hair was tied in a simple ponytail, her gaze intently fixed on the drawing board before her.

In the drawing was the face of a refined-looking young man.

Smiling with a roguish... PTUI! It was a kind and righteous smile!!

Slowly setting down the pencil, the girl stretched out her finger, her fingertip gently touching the face of the young man on the drawing board, rubbing delicately over the eyes.

After a few seconds, the girl’s amused gaze turned to annoyance, and she muttered softly,

Damn it, he didn’t even say goodbye when he left! Just dumped me in the hospital and never came back...

Footsteps approached, and Xicheng Xun quickly lowered her hand. Turning her head, she saw the art studio’s teacher walking up behind her, hands clasped behind his back.

The teacher was a middle-aged man, a flat cap perched on his head—as if a painter wouldn’t look like a painter without one.

"Xun, you’ve improved quickly. This portrait is quite lifelike," the teacher observed after scrutinizing the drawing. "But there are places where the shading isn’t quite right..."

As he spoke, the teacher nonchalantly reached for a pencil, seemingly ready to make some adjustments to Xicheng Xun’s portrait.

"Ah! Please don’t!"

Xicheng Xun snatched the pencil away, gripping it tightly, then hastily added, "Teacher, please let me complete my work on my own!"

The teacher paused, a bit surprised, but said nothing.

Artists often have their own quirky habits; many students don’t like others altering their artwork.

"Then, continue to do your best," the teacher smiled. "Xun, you have a real talent for drawing. In just a short time, your portraiture has already improved remarkably. If you keep working hard, you should have a future in this field."

Xicheng Xun took a deep breath, then stood up and bowed to the teacher.

"Teacher, I appreciate your kind words. However, starting tomorrow, I won’t be coming to learn painting anymore."

"Ah? Why? You’re very talented..."

"...I’m very sorry."

Xicheng Xun silently turned, rolled up the portrait, carefully tucked it into her drawing tube, and slung it over her back. She bowed to the teacher again to take her leave.

The teacher’s expression revealed his regret, "Such a pity, truly a pity."

As Xicheng Xun was about to leave, she couldn’t help but glance back at the teacher.

"Um, Teacher, there’s something I’ve been very curious about, and I wonder if I can ask you."

"What do you want to ask?"

"Your hat." Xicheng Xun looked at the teacher’s flat cap. "It’s summer now. Doesn’t it get hot wearing it in such weather?"

"..."

After walking out of the art studio, Xicheng Xun stepped on the shadows of the trees cast by the afternoon sun and slowly left the school along the roadside.

Yeah, I... seem to have become more and more impolite when speaking—it’s all because of that detestable guy’s influence! Before I met him, I was famously known as a gentle and well-behaved girl who excelled in both character and studies!

Summer vacation would last until September. There was still some time left. These past few days, Xicheng Xun had chosen to learn painting.

However, after tomorrow, I won’t need to learn anymore. After all, the sole reason I took up painting was to capture that guy’s likeness. Because... there were no photos left.

Carrying the drawing tube on her way home, Xicheng Xun cautiously peeked inside when she passed by Jiang Chuan Dojo. As expected, there were fewer people.

After Ah Xiu beat the dojo master’s face to a pulp, his reputation was ruined, so many students probably quit.

However, when she reached the convenience store at the intersection, Xicheng Xun stopped.

This was where she treated Ah Xiu to ice cream after they beat up the dojo master that day.

At that thought, a touch of sourness filled Xicheng Xun’s heart.

Behind her rang a series of crisp bell sounds, followed by a pleasant young girl’s voice.

"Xun!"

Xicheng Xun turned to see a girl on a bicycle, dressed in summer attire. Slightly chubby with a round face, her features were very cute, and she had a short bob.

"Yu?" Xicheng Xun smiled.

This was a classmate she got along very well with at school.

"Xun, I was just about to go to your place to find you."

"Is something the matter?"

"About the school trip!" The round-faced girl stopped her bicycle by the roadside and laughed. "We’re organizing a group to plan it. Do you want to come with us to Kyoto?"

After thinking for a moment, Xicheng Xun shook her head. "I’m not really interested in Kyoto."

"That’s true." The round-faced girl sighed. "I’ve been to Kyoto twice already, and it really isn’t very interesting."

After a bit of thought, the girl’s eyes suddenly lit up. "How about we go abroad then!"

"Huh?"

"The school has another school trip program to Huaxia, and the cost isn’t high. I heard a partner school over there is covering half of the expenses."

Xicheng Xun’s heart leaped.

Although he never acknowledged it, based on their conversations... Xicheng Xun had roughly guessed that he must be from Huaxia! To go... to his country...

The fiery enthusiasm rising within her could no longer be suppressed.

Seeing the strange expression on Xicheng Xun’s face, the round-faced girl misunderstood and said apologetically, "Ah, I’m so sorry, Xun. I forgot about your family’s situation. Even if the cost is reduced by half, it would still be a heavy burden for you. Otherwise, let’s go somewhere closer. I’ve looked carefully at the school trip programs, and there are several domestic places that are very cheap. We can go to Nagoya..."

"No! Let’s go to Huaxia!" Xicheng Xun suddenly exclaimed.

The round-faced girl was startled. "Ah? But... what about the cost..."

"It’s okay, I have money," Xicheng Xun nodded without hesitation.

Money was no longer an issue for Xicheng Xun. A few days after Ah Xiu left, she received tens of millions of yen in her bank account. This money was enough to cover her future university tuition fees, as well as living expenses until graduation.

"The school trip to Huaxia, what places will we visit?"

"Only the Capital of Huaxia and Shanghai City." The round-faced girl laughed. "But that’s already pretty good."

"It really is. These are the two biggest cities in Huaxia."

Hmm, the two biggest cities... Maybe Ah Xiu will be there too?

Li Yingwan had been feeling extremely irritable lately.

During the summer vacation, she and her mother went back to their home in South Korea to rest for a few days.

Then she got entangled.

Her older brother, Li Yuzhe, was preparing for university entrance exams this year and brought two close classmates home during the summer vacation.

As a result, one of the boys took an interest in her.

That guy with a face full of acne talked in an exaggerated and childish manner and kept saying pretentious things to her! Hmm, the word ’pretentious’ was something she learned in Huaxia from Chen Nuo. He was obviously an inexperienced guy, yet he insisted on acting cool and mature in front of her. He even bought concert tickets to invite her. Who would want to go with him!!

The worst part was that her idiot brother also seemed to approve.

Because that fool was one of her brother’s best friends.

Heaven knows if her idiot brother had been encouraging that guy behind her back!

That guy was always coming over to hang out with her brother and always took the opportunity to talk to her.

What he talked about was the ultimate in childishness. It was nothing more than boasting about how impressive he was as a senior in school, how he bullied the younger students, and the various ways he devised to punish them... Childish!

Finally, yesterday, Li Yingwan couldn’t endure it any longer.

When he brought the concert tickets over, Li Yingwan returned them to him directly.

And she bluntly delivered a heart-piercing blow.

"I already have someone I like. When you say such rude things to me, it puts a lot of pressure on me!"

Ah, she really wanted to hurry back to Jinling in Huaxia!

The frustrating thing was, recently, it had been quite hard to get in contact with Brother Chen Nuo.

For several days, she couldn’t even get through to his phone; it would sometimes take ten tries to reach him once.

And whenever they did talk, the conversations were short.

But still...

There was some good news! Brother Chen Nuo might not have time to talk to her on the phone, but according to Li Yingwan’s intel, he hadn’t been spending the whole summer vacation with that detestable Sun Fatso! Rather, it seemed he had been away on a business trip for a long time.

Hmm... How did Li Yingwan come by this information? Simple! Xiao Yezi!

The long-legged girl was quite smart. Before leaving Huaxia for the summer vacation, she had already bought off an informant.

Her deskmate from last semester: a true ’tool’—the nameless class president!

After all, as her deskmate, he had his uses.

The class president couldn’t provide any truly sensitive information, but he did manage to find out some general news.

The class president took remedial classes with Sun Fatso and would occasionally greet him, and also pretend to ask about Chen Nuo’s situation.

And according to the class president, Sun Fatso was in a bad mood for a long time because Chen Nuo wasn’t in Jinling and had gone off on a business trip somewhere.

This was great! If Brother Chen Nuo had spent the whole summer with Sun Fatso, would she even have a chance when school started again?!

However, tonight’s news wasn’t so good.

I just chatted briefly with the class monitor on QQ and found out that Brother Chen Nuo returned to Jinling a few days ago. Sun Fatso even fell ill and missed several days of makeup classes. It wasn’t until last night that I ran into the class monitor at the tutor’s house for makeup classes and got the latest news.

Damn it! No, I must get back to Jinling immediately!

She closed QQ, ignoring the class monitor’s messages asking when she would introduce him to pretty South Korean female students...

Hmph!

Li Yingwan immediately picked up the phone and called her mother, Jiang Yingzi.

"Mom, I’m going back to Jinling! Tomorrow! Book me a flight!"

"Are you in such a rush?" Jiang Yingzi sounded like she had just finished work. "Can you wait a few more days? I was planning to finish the recent meetings and take you and your brother to Jeju Island for a few days during the summer break."

"No!!"

Li Yingwan angrily raised her voice. "That idiot brother of mine is currently encouraging one of his friends to pursue me, you don’t know about this yet!! If Brother Chen Nuo finds out, aren’t you worried your silly son will get his legs broken!"

"...I’ll get my secretary to book the flight right away."

Sun Keke climbed to the fifth floor carrying a bag full of things. The young girl was a bit out of breath, fine beads of sweat on her forehead.

Using the key Chen Nuo had given her, she walked into the Chen Family’s house as if she owned the place.

First, she put all the ice cream and popsicles from the plastic bag into the freezer.

After thinking it over, she took out a Clown Face popsicle, tore off the wrapper, and nibbled on it.

At the same time, she quickly gathered the bedsheets she had hung out on the balcony the day before.

The girl was actually in a very good mood.

Especially recently, her mentality when coming to Chen Nuo’s house was different.

Even though they were boyfriend and girlfriend, she always felt like a guest before.

But now...

Ever since Chen Nuo’s visit to her home and his talk with Old Sun and Yang Xiaoyi, things had changed. Old Sun, for his part, had always tacitly approved.

And even Yang Xiaoyi, who previously had the most obvious opposition, accepted her daughter’s relationship with Chen Nuo.

What’s more, when Chen Nuo visited again, Yang Xiaoyi’s attitude toward him underwent a dramatic shift!

In Sun Keke’s heart, her thoughts were simple. A relationship already approved by parents... That’s as good as set in stone, right? In the countryside, with parental approval and at her age... they could probably get engaged! Many would even be married!

Now, when Sun Keke came to Chen Nuo’s house, she subtly felt like the "lady of the house."

Just yesterday, on a whim, she even bought a potted plant for the balcony.

Sun Keke wouldn’t have done that before.

She would help Chen Nuo clean his room occasionally, but she never took the initiative to buy anything for the house.

But now, well... it seemed like she could make some small decisions... right?

Sun Keke had some money now.

Chen Nuo had given her some pocket money.

Not much, a thousand yuan.

Any more, and Old Sun would have started to worry.

This money was for Sun Keke to buy snacks, clothes, and other little trinkets girls liked.

Sun Keke didn’t spend it recklessly.

But with money in her pocket, at Chen Nuo’s house, looking around, she couldn’t help but have new ideas.

The ceiling light looked too old-fashioned; perhaps it should be replaced. The color of the bedsheets was also very dated. She could take Chen Nuo to the mall to check out new styles another day. Oh, and maybe some cute throw pillows for the sofa—like the fashionable ones in TV shows. And more potted plants for the balcony.

Aiyo... Every time she thought about these things, she couldn’t help but blush. Is this... what they call building a life together?

After she finished her Clown Face popsicle and put the stick on the table, Sun Keke carried the sun-dried bedsheets back into the room and remade the bed.

She smelled it. It had the scent of sunshine.

Oh, right, I saw on TV that scented candles are really popular. They appear in many romance dramas and seem so romantic when lit. I could buy some later.

After tidying up the house—yes, that’s right, *her* house!

That’s the word!

Sun Keke felt elated. Before leaving, she didn’t forget to pick up the ice cream stick from the table.

She could throw it in the trash can outside on her way downstairs.

When she walked out of the community gate, Sun Keke looked back at Chen Nuo’s building.

Suddenly, another thought popped into her head.

The water heater at home is old, still gas-powered. I heard it’s unsafe and can easily cause gas poisoning. Electric water heaters are popular now. They’re safer, just use a bit more electricity. Well, when Chen Nuo comes back, I’ll discuss getting a new one with him.

Oh right, yesterday while shopping, I saw some cute couple’s kitchen aprons. Next time I see them, I could buy a pair. They’re not expensive. Then, when cooking with Chen Nuo in the kitchen, we could both wear matching aprons. I chop the vegetables, he stir-fries... Xiao Yezi does her homework in the living room... Bliss!

Sun Keke stood at the community entrance, staring at the fifth-floor window of Chen Nuo’s building, daydreaming for a while. Then she blushed and suppressed those thoughts.

She turned, retrieved her bicycle from the roadside, and was about to ride home.

However, Sun Keke didn’t notice a taxi stopping right beside her at the community entrance.

From the car, an astonishingly beautiful, almost bewitching woman slowly got out. She stood on the curb, smiling as the taxi driver got out and took the largest silver suitcase from the trunk.

Lu Xixi casually pulled out a hundred-yuan note and gave it to the driver. "No need for change."

Then she pulled the suitcase and walked into the community.

As she reached the gate, she suddenly turned back, frowning at the pretty girl daydreaming on a bicycle by the roadside.

Squinting, Lu Xixi quickly recognized her.

She had actually seen her before! In a furniture mall, in the washroom... They even exchanged phone numbers. Well, at that time, she was in a state of "amnesia"! But then, after regaining her memory, she carefully investigated everyone around Chen Nuo. The South Korean girl Li Yingwan, and of course... this Sun Keke! Especially this Sun Keke!

To be honest, when Lu Xixi secretly found out about Sun Keke and realized this girl was the one she’d met in the washroom... Lu Xixi recalled that day and quickly understood all of that annoying Chen Xiaoguo’s strange behavior!

Taking a deep breath to suppress the urge to throttle Chen Xiaoguo, Lu Xixi pulled her suitcase and slowly approached.

She gently tapped Sun Keke on the back.

"Hello."

"?" Sun Keke turned, first dazzled by the beauty before her, then quickly remembered. "Ah! You, you are... we’ve met, I remember you."

Sun Keke had a particularly strong impression of Lu Xixi—in reality, she rarely encountered women whose appearance and figure were better than her own.

Sun Keke’s expression shifted from surprise to delight. "Why are you here too? What a coincidence!"

Lu Xixi smiled, her eyes crinkling. "Yeah, what a coincidence."

Sun Keke got off her bike, propped it up, and glanced at the suitcase in Lu Xixi’s hand. "Eh? Do you live nearby?"

"Yes. I live close by," Lu Xixi smiled warmly.

"That’s such a coincidence! I also..." Sun Keke stopped, her face reddening, and she corrected herself, "I mean... um, my boyfriend also lives nearby, right in this complex."

"Oh, really? I live in this complex too."

"Isn’t that too much of a coincidence??"

Sun Keke’s eyes widened as she looked at Lu Xixi.

"I remember... your name is Sun Keke, right? We’ve texted," Lu Xixi smiled.

"Yes, my name is Sun Keke. Um... your surname is Lu, right, Miss?"

"Yes, my surname is Lu, and my name is Lu Yiyi," the Star Sky Empress smiled.

"But then I texted you and never got a reply. I thought you had forgotten about me," Sun Keke said with a smile.

"Uh..." The corner of Lu Xixi’s eye twitched.

That little rascal threw my phone into the washing machine! And after that night, the Wizard came looking for a fight, a huge battle unfolded, and I regained my memory... So naturally, I stopped using the phone number I had at Chen Nuo’s place.

"My phone number changed." Lu Xixi smiled, took out her phone, and sent a text to Sun Keke. "I remember your number. I just texted you; this is my new one."

"Okay." Sun Keke immediately took out her phone to save the number.

Lu Xixi examined Sun Keke carefully, sighing internally.

Such a charmingly naive and cute girl, also beautiful with a great figure... But... on closer thought, according to my investigation, Chen Nuo knew her first. I’m the one who came later. Right, there’s also that Li Yingwan! Chen Nuo, that bastard!! I feel like hitting someone again, what should I do?

Glancing at her wristwatch, Lu Xixi suddenly had an idea. "Would you like to come over to my place for a bit?"

"Ah?" Sun Keke hesitated, but... it was still early, and the sky was bright.

And since they were in the same complex... and Lu Xixi was so good-looking, she didn’t feel any sense of alarm.

"...Alright."

So, pushing her bike, she followed Lu Xixi back into the complex.

After a few steps, she realized Lu Xixi was leading her straight to Chen Nuo’s building...

"Eh?"

A few more steps, and they were at the entrance to Chen Nuo’s apartment block!

"Ah?!"

Sun Keke exclaimed excitedly, grabbing Lu Xixi. "Sister Xiao Lu, do you... do you live in this unit?"

"Yep," Lu Xixi remained composed.

"Oh my gosh!!" Sun Keke shrieked. "My, my, my boyfriend does too!"

Lu Xixi sighed internally but kept a straight face. "Oh, what a coincidence, huh?"

The two women climbed the stairs, Sun Keke taking the initiative to help Lu Xixi with the suitcase.

One in front of the other, they carried the suitcase upstairs together.

Lu Xixi deliberately didn’t use much strength, leaving Sun Keke with half the burden. The girl didn’t notice, simply trying her best to help.

It was only when they reached the fourth floor and it seemed "Sister Lu" had no intention of stopping...

Sun Keke’s eyes widened in surprise!

The fifth floor is just above! Chen Nuo lives on the fifth floor!

When they reached the landing between the fourth and fifth floors, Sun Keke caught her breath. "S-Sister Xiao Lu... do you live on the fifth floor?"

Lu Xixi turned and looked at Sun Keke carefully.

The girl’s innocent, kind smile ultimately softened Lu Xixi’s heart.

Forget it... I, the Star Sky Empress, shouldn’t bully a little girl.

Actually, if Lu Xixi were more ruthless, she wouldn’t need to say anything! She could just drag Sun Keke straight to Chen Nuo’s door!

Although she didn’t have the key, Empress Lu had Special Abilities, right?! Once she opened the door and walked in, she could put on the airs of the lady of the house! Without saying much, just a few words could leave this naive, cute girl heartbroken and storming off in a fury! It would be like a knife to the heart, completely destroying her!

But looking at Sun Keke’s unsuspecting, innocent smile and her pleasantly surprised expression...

Lu Xixi sighed internally again.

After they reached the fifth floor, Lu Xixi finally didn’t head towards Chen Nuo’s apartment but stopped at the door directly opposite his.

Pretending to take out a key, she fumbled with it a few times, then, deploying her Special Ability, the door opened!

Don’t misunderstand, this apartment now belongs to Lu Xixi! To be precise, it was rented for her by an acquaintance in Jinling! It was originally intended as a surprise for Chen Nuo. Well, that acquaintance’s name is Li Qingshan.

Li Qingshan had handled this matter, and actually, Hall Master Li felt like he was risking his neck!

He was scared witless! The wife of Brother Haonan commissioning him to secretly rent an apartment right opposite Brother Haonan’s junior martial brother’s place! This... if this wasn’t an affair, what was it!!! Dare Hall Master Li refuse? He wouldn’t dare!! Could he even speak of it? He dared even less!! Even in Chen Nuo’s presence, he wouldn’t dare mention it!!!

Once inside, Lu Xixi quickly and discreetly surveyed the apartment.

The layout was identical to Chen Nuo’s.

However, it was obvious Li Qingshan had sent someone to clean it thoroughly. The place was spick and span, with all necessary furniture and appliances. Some were brand new, apparently replacing older items.

This apartment, she’d heard, had only been vacated a few days before Li Qingshan rented it.

A female tenant had lived there previously but had moved out.

Moreover, the landlord was troubled because this apartment was difficult to rent.

Rumor had it that someone had died here.

However, while ordinary people might be wary of such a thing...

Empress Lu just smiled casually.

She quietly scanned the room and was generally satisfied.

She turned to invite Sun Keke in. "Have a seat. I’ve been away on business for a while, so it’s a bit dusty."

Lu Xixi checked the fridge. Fortunately, Li Qingshan was reliable—there was bottled water inside.

She opened a bottle and handed it to Sun Keke.

Sun Keke’s face turned red. "Um, Sister Xiao Lu, I can’t drink cold things these days."

Lu Xixi paused, then smiled and took the bottle back.

"Sister Xiao Lu, isn’t this too coincidental? You actually live right across from my boyfriend’s place!!! My goodness, what kind of fate is this!!"

Sun Keke was jubilant, not doubting the situation in the slightest.

Lu Xixi also sat down opposite Sun Keke.

"Sister Xiao Lu, what do you do for work? Do you travel often for business?"

Sun Keke asked curiously, then her eyes lit up. "Ah, you’re so young and beautiful, and you travel often... Are you a flight attendant? I’ve heard flight attendants are all very pretty!"

"Eh... sort of."

Lu Xixi thought for a moment.

Well, she did have her own private plane in Britain and employed an aviation service team.

"Oh right, last time we met, I remember you said you had a husband. Why isn’t he home?"

"He’s dead!" Lu Xixi said curtly.

"..." Sun Keke was stunned.

Lu Xixi sighed and shook her head with a smile. "Just kidding. We had a fight recently. And, we aren’t really married; calling each other ’husband’ is just something couples do for fun. He doesn’t live with me."

"What does your husband do for work then?"

"Him... he works in aquaculture."

"Aquaculture?"

"Yeah, he raises fish."

Sun Keke smiled. "You’re so beautiful, your husband must be really handsome too, right? Definitely a dashing guy."

"Tsk, he’s just got that roguish look."

"I don’t believe you." Sun Keke shook her head. Then the girl suddenly smiled. "Since we’re so fated and even live across from each other... how about we have a meal together sometime? Invite your husband, and I’ll invite my boyfriend. The four of us can have dinner together."

"Great idea. We should definitely do that!"

Lu Xixi agreed with a beaming smile.

Four people? Hmph, Chen Nuo, let’s see how you manage to conjure up four people for this!

ACHOO!

ACHOO ACHOO ACHOO ACHOO!!

Chen Nuo was sitting in the car when he suddenly felt a chill and sneezed several times in a row.

Damn... Am I catching a cold? That can’t be...

The car drove on, heading towards the Song Family residence...

Tonight, there’s a family feast! Yeah, I need to wrap things up in Hong Kong and get back soon. There’s a pile of things waiting for me at home.