Jiang Nian did not expect that her casual remark would actually be taken seriously by Lu Zhiheng.
And… what exactly was she supposed to reward him with?
After thinking it over without any result, she simply gave up.
[Disguised Potato: The organizer ran away, the grand prize is canceled!]
[My Favorite Baby: ?]
[My Favorite Baby: I’m going to file a complaint.]
Jiang Nian sent back a “don’t listen, don’t listen” emoji and then, feeling guilty, stopped looking at her phone.
Outside the courtyard, the smell of food drifted in, and a child’s loud voice rang out with strong penetration:
“It’s raining! It’s raining!”
Raindrops began to fall in a light, steady drizzle from the sky.
Soon, a group of children gathered in the corridor. Lin Xiangyu was among them, counting like he was herding sheep.
“Don’t run around. If you get sick, I’ll lock all of you in the hospital!”
Lin Xiangyu clearly had authority over the children. The two kids who had been playing wildly in the rain obediently returned to the corridor, where staff were already handing out towels.
It was said that Lin Xiangyu had studied medicine before, but later shifted his focus to business after the Lin family wanted him to take over.
Bored, Jiang Nian stood at the doorway watching him wring the children dry.
Her gaze was suddenly caught by Lin Xiangyu.
She gave a thumbs-up.
“Little Boat Older Brother, your stamina hasn’t changed at all!”
Lin Xiangyu did not expect to hear “Little Boat Older Brother” again—especially in a sentence like that.
His brow twitched. “Can you say something nicer?”
Jiang Nian stopped teasing and asked curiously, “Are you very familiar with them?”
“Of course. I come three or four times a month.” Lin Xiangyu tugged a child back by the collar. “Their food and supplies are all bought with what you once called ‘charity.’”
He emphasized the word “charity” heavily, clearly still holding onto that resentment.
After being taken into the Lin family, they had treated him well—he was not treated like a foster child at all.
He knew it was because he resembled the deceased child of the Lin couple, but he still felt uneasy, constantly afraid he would be abandoned again.
For a long time after entering the Lin family, he relied on memories of the welfare institute to steady himself. He missed that poor but free life.
So when he gained the ability, he tried to improve life for Grandma Ji and the children.
He never expected that years later, he would be criticized by Jiang Nian like that.
Hearing this, Jiang Nian lowered her gaze slightly.
She recalled what System 999 had said: world consciousness allowed NPCs to act according to their settings. As long as she, a soul placed into a supporting role, did not deviate too far, she remained within acceptable limits of the world.
And the original Jiang Nian had not truly blocked Lin Xiangyu—they had only cut contact. Perhaps she still wanted to repair things.
At that moment, a voice rang out:
“Time to eat! Everyone line up and bring your utensils!”
Grandma Ji’s voice came from inside. The children immediately rushed toward the dining hall, and the area around them suddenly emptied.
Jiang Nian stepped forward and looked at Lin Xiangyu, her deer-like eyes showing rare seriousness.
“I’m sorry, Little Boat Older Brother.”
She felt that explanations were not as important as a proper apology.
After saying it, she did not dare look at him and instead stared at his shoes like a child waiting to be punished.
After a moment, she heard him chuckle softly.
“It’s fine. Go eat.”
That meal, Jiang Nian ate until she was very full. Grandma Ji’s cooking skills were so good they could easily support a restaurant.
The children at the welfare institute were also very well-behaved. After eating, they surrounded Jiang Nian, asking her to play with them.
This made Lin Xiangyu feel slightly “abandoned” again.
He grabbed Grandma Ji’s hand and complained pitifully, “Grandma, look at them! They have new friends and ignore this old cow of yours…”
Jiang Nian snickered from the side.
When she met Lin Xiangyu’s “death stare,” she quickly corrected herself, “They’re just curious. They’d act the same with anyone else.”
Just as Lin Xiangyu was about to continue competing for attention, a phone call came in.
“Round two later,” he said.
When he came back after answering, his expression had turned serious.
“I’ve got work. I have to leave.”
Then he looked at Jiang Nian.
“Are you leaving too? I can give you a ride.”
She waved her hand. “It’s fine. I’ll stay a bit longer.”
It had been rare for her to come, and she wanted to see more. Grandma Ji also said she would show her the vegetables she planted.
Besides, she had just reconciled with Lin Xiangyu, and the drive back to the city would take nearly an hour—it would be awkward.
“Alright.”
After saying goodbye to everyone at the welfare institute, Lin Xiangyu drove away.
Jiang Nian played with the children a bit longer. By around eight, some of the younger kids had already been called to wash up.
Now she stood at the doorway watching raindrops fall from the roof edge.
She had thought the autumn rain would stop soon, but instead it grew heavier, filling the air with dampness.
System 999 popped up.
【Niannian, with such heavy rain, shouldn’t you call the Male Lead to pick you up?】
She frowned.
【He only has one reason to come in this weather.】
【What reason?】
【I’m his teacher.】
【……But that’s exactly how you test his patience! Try it!】
Under pressure from System 999, she sent her location.
[Disguised Potato: The shady boss got punished QAQ]
[Disguised Potato: The rain is too heavy. Can my favorite Baby come pick me up?]
After sending it, she helped Grandma Ji tend the vegetable garden.
If he didn’t come, she would just take a taxi and spend fifty-plus yuan—no big deal. She would just earn it back with a part-time job later.
Wearing a raincoat, she helped set up a tarp with staff under Grandma Ji’s instructions.
After finishing, Grandma Ji wiped her hair and asked, “Xiao Nian, do you want to stay here tonight? There are empty dorms.”
She shook her head. “No, it’s fine. My friend will pick me up later.”
System 999 panicked.
【Niannian, how do you know Lu Zhiheng agreed?】
She froze.
【Huh? He replied?】
She opened her phone.
Forty minutes ago, he had replied:
[On the way.]
Counting the time… he should be arriving soon.
At the entrance road, vehicles could only stop at the junction.
She said goodbye to Grandma Ji and hurried toward the road in her raincoat.
At the corner convenience store, she stood waiting for shelter.
A silver car arrived after a few minutes and honked at her.
She stepped back, but the car stopped in front of her and the door opened automatically.
It was Lu Zhiheng, driving.
“Get in,” he said.
She slightly widened her eyes, then took off her raincoat and got into the car under System 999’s urging.
Warm air filled the interior, and she relaxed slightly.
“Another borrowed car?” she asked, noticing it was different from last time and more expensive-looking.
He nodded. “Mm.”
She didn’t question further.
Probably not borrowed from a friend—more likely rented.
“How long back?” she asked, checking the time. It was already nine.
“About one hour if smooth,” he said.
“Good thing you’re here,” she sighed in relief.
The university had strict curfews at 10:30 p.m., and dorm supervisors were strict too.
If they arrived at ten, she would still have a buffer.
She yawned. “You drive. I’ll nap…”
But before the car even started, she felt something off.
A faint soap scent replaced the damp air. Warm breath brushed against her collarbone.
Her eyes snapped open.
Someone was ambushing her?
In front of her was Lu Zhiheng’s tightly defined jawline and sharp Adam’s apple.
He leaned over her, one hand reaching across her body, pulling something and stopping near her side.
A metallic click sounded.
Clack.
The seatbelt snapped into place.