The little straw-woven rabbits the old man gave were exquisitely crafted, looking almost alive. The unique faint scent of the Longxu grass was trapped within the tough stems, and they felt dry and slightly rough to the touch.
Jiang Zhiwu loved them very much and hung one on her phone case the very next day.
Seeing this, Jiang Yanzhou followed suit. Now the little rabbit dangled and swayed on his phone case too.
As a frequent guest on trending searches, Jiang Yanzhou’s hilarious “Handsome Guy for Hire” service naturally went viral once again.
In the widely circulated clips, there were shots of him scowling while carrying heavy luggage, looking expressionless as foreign ladies teased him. There were also close-ups of his focused profile as he carefully placed the handicrafts into ziplock bags for the old man, and the moment his ears turned bright red after being called a “good kid.”
These images were a stark contrast to his usual cold and aloof demeanor, and the comment section was instantly flooded with question marks.
[??? What the hell, are you telling me this is Jiang Yanzhou?]
[Suddenly I feel this top star’s contrast is huge and so cute hahaha, I’m starting to change my opinion of him.]
[Jiang Yanzhou, are you possessed or something? I never knew you were this kind of younger brother.]
[I’m going to camp in the livestream to see what’s going on!]
Curious onlookers flooded into the broadcast room to find out more.
After breakfast, the director stood in the middle of the group holding a mission card. To help everyone get to know each other better, we’re changing things up today — we’ll draw lots to reshuffle the teams and continue yesterday’s earning challenge.
Jiang Yanzhou asked instinctively, Reshuffle the teams? Does that mean we have to change partners?
That’s right. Come draw a card from me. Whoever’s name you get will be your temporary partner for today.
Jiang Yanzhou’s fingers tightened abruptly, leaving a slight crease in the card.
His gaze drifted uncontrollably towards Jiang Zhiwu. She was looking down, replying to messages from her assistant, seemingly completely indifferent about changing partners.
This realization made his chest feel inexplicably heavy. When he saw the name “Li Bo” written on his own card, he merely glanced at it before stuffing it into his pocket without a word.
From the other side, Li Lele called out excitedly, Sister Jiang! We’re in the same group!
Jiang Yanzhou’s eyes were drawn like magnets, staring fixedly at Jiang Zhiwu’s profile, unable to look away.
It wasn’t until Li Bo nudged his arm. Yanzhou, how about we go busk on the street today? You sing so well, I’m sure we’ll get lots of tips.
Only then did he snap back to reality, his eyes still filled with confusion. After a long pause, he let out a vague “Mhm,” yet his feet involuntarily took half a step in Jiang Zhiwu’s direction.
The camera zoomed in on him at just the right moment, and the producer asked with a smile, Mr. Jiang, how does it feel to be paired with Mr. Li Bo? Are you confident about today’s mission?
Jiang Yanzhou’s gaze pierced through the gap in the camera lens, landing on Jiang Zhiwu who was tying her shoelaces, her movements as calm and composed as ever. His mind was a mess, and the words slipped out before he could think:
Who’s going to miss her? I definitely won’t miss her.
Producer: …
Only then did Jiang Yanzhou realize what he had said. He quickly turned his head away, pretending to study the table leg beside him.
Just then, Jiang Zhiwu finished tying her laces and looked up. Meeting his eyes, she smiled and waved. We’re planning to go check out the market first. What about you guys?
Jiang Yanzhou’s heart skipped a beat. He almost walked over right then and there, only stopping when Li Bo pulled him back. He pressed his lips together, his voice sounding muffled. We’re going to perform.
Jiang Zhiwu laughed at his awkwardness. Alright then, make good money. Good luck!
Got it… Jiang Yanzhou mumbled.
When she turned and walked away with Li Lele, he couldn’t help but crane his neck, watching their figures walking side by side until the hem of her light blue shirt disappeared around the corner. Only then did he look back, looking visibly lost.
Li Bo, who had seen everything, couldn’t help but tease him. The way you were looking just now… you were like a big abandoned puppy.
Jiang Yanzhou shot him a cold, blank stare.
Li Bo touched his nose and quickly changed the subject. Let’s get going then.
Jiang Yanzhou didn’t reply. He just strode towards the car.
Left behind, Li Bo hurried to catch up, muttering to himself.
He thought the kid’s temper had improved lately because Sister Jiang was around. But without her here to keep him in check, that icy, unapproachable aura was back in full force, cold enough to freeze the air.
When they arrived at the same spot as yesterday, Li Bo shouted enthusiastically, Come one, come all! Guitar singing! Requests only five yuan, tips are welcome —
His voice was loud and welcoming, and soon a crowd gathered to watch.
In the center, Jiang Yanzhou sat on a small stool holding his guitar. His fingers moved across the strings flawlessly. Eyes lowered, his long lashes cast shadows under his eyes, and his clear, cool voice flowed out along with the melody.
Passersby took videos nonstop, and the notification sound for receiving tips rang continuously.
But Jiang Yanzhou seemed completely indifferent. He never interacted with the audience, nor did he exchange a single word with Li Bo.
By noon, looking at the substantial amount of money in the payment app, Li Bo finally breathed a sigh of relief. Wiping sweat from his forehead, he smiled, Today’s earnings are great! Let’s go to that famous old restaurant at the street corner for lunch —
He waited a long time but got no response.
Turning around, he saw Jiang Yanzhou staring past the crowd, looking fixedly towards the street corner.
Following his line of sight, he saw a girl wearing light blue clothes standing there, her back somewhat similar to Sister Jiang’s.
Yanzhou? Li Bo raised his voice. Want to go eat braised fish?
Jiang Yanzhou came back to his senses, sounding annoyed. Whatever.
Li Bo coughed awkwardly to ease the tension, then acted as if nothing had happened.
He knew perfectly well that almost all the tips were because of Jiang Yanzhou. Geniuses were allowed to be a bit cold, right? No need to take it to heart.
However, the comments weren’t so forgiving:
[Why didn’t he answer when his partner called him twice? Does he really think he’s some young master?]
[Nobody did anything to him today, why does he look like everyone owes him money?]
[Stop calling it cute contrast. This grumpy attitude is probably his real face! If you’re gonna act, at least put some effort into it!]
Not far away, Shen Yu and his new partner Jiang Ting were helping out in a restaurant.
He ran out of the kitchen holding his nose, the smell of grease and smoke lingering stubbornly in his nostrils.
How could Jiang Ting stand being in such a crappy place? It was oily, dirty, and absolutely disgusting!
Frowning, the young master brushed imaginary dirt off his clothes. Glancing at the crowd gathered around Jiang Yanzhou and Li Bo’s stall, he changed direction and walked over.
Yanzhou, he greeted with a warm smile. Your business is booming! I came to learn from you guys.
As he spoke, he tried to sit down next to Jiang Yanzhou, but before he could, he heard Jiang Yanzhou say coldly, If you want to learn how to shut up, I can teach you right now.
Shen Yu: C’mon, I just came to see if you guys needed any help.
Jiang Yanzhou didn’t hold back. We don’t need people here, especially not people here to cause trouble.
I’m not causing trouble… Shen Yu forced a smile.
Jiang Yanzhou’s voice carried an undeniable order to leave. But you’re blocking our business.
Shen Yu wanted to get angry, but one sharp glare from Jiang Yanzhou made him hold it back grudgingly.
Fine, you guys carry on then…
Not seeing you off.
[Why does it feel like Jiang Yanzhou suddenly ate a firecracker?]
[He didn’t suddenly eat a firecracker, he’s just gone back to normal after being unusually gentle lately.]
[Hahahaha ‘If you want to learn to shut up I can teach you’… Jiang Yanzhou really is toxic.]
[Though honestly, Shen Yu deserves this cold shoulder. He clearly just came here to slack off instead of working. Serves him right.]
Meanwhile, Wen Jing and Huang Zhihe were busy running around in a cat café.
Huang Zhihe had just finished refilling food for a Scottish Fold cat when she turned and saw a little girl with pigtails sitting by the window, frowning at her workbook looking very troubled.
For some reason, Huang Zhihe suddenly remembered yesterday’s livestream, where the screen was filled with comments like “Sister is so amazing” and “Goddess level intelligence” when Jiang Zhiwu was translating.
An idea struck her. Putting on a smile, she walked over. Little girl, stuck on a problem? Let big sister help you, okay?
The girl looked up, her eyes slightly watery. Sister, this math problem is so hard, I can’t solve it no matter how I try.
Huang Zhihe leaned over to look. It was a complex distance-speed problem involving ratio conversions, even more convoluted than the ones she did in school.
Her heart skipped a beat, but she kept her face calm. It’s not hard at all. Let sister help you figure it out step by step.
She picked up a pen and pretended to write calculations on the scratch paper, muttering to herself, See, speed and time… we need to find the total distance first, right? She scribbled furiously, listing one formula after another, but the numbers got messier and messier, and the final result didn’t even make sense to herself.
The girl blinked her big eyes and reminded her softly, Sister, I think you mixed up the units here. It should be kilometers per hour, not meters…
Huang Zhihe’s face instantly heated up. She quickly erased it and started over, but the more anxious she got, the messier it became, until the paper was covered in scribbles.
Who knew elementary school math could be this hard?
Jiang Zhiwu was just lucky, getting to translate and easily build that genius image.
The girl looked at the chaotic calculations, then sighed. Maybe I should just do it myself. Thank you, sister. She took back her pen and started solving it quickly and smoothly on her own.
Humiliated, Huang Zhihe turned and practically fled to the counter to wash cups.
The afternoon sun was gradually swallowed by dark clouds, and the air felt heavy and damp like a wet cotton blanket.
Jiang Yanzhou sat on his stool, still holding the guitar. His fingertips were red and raw from the strings, but he didn’t seem to notice.
Li Bo wanted to tell him to take a break, but facing that icy expression, he didn’t dare approach.
Suddenly, Snap! One of the guitar strings broke with a sharp sound.
Jiang Yanzhou lowered his eyes, his long lashes casting heavy shadows under his lids. The atmosphere around him dropped several degrees. Even the faint emotion present while singing had completely vanished.
Not long after, huge raindrops began to fall without warning. At first just a few, then quickly forming a curtain of rain, drumming loudly against the canopy.
The crowd scattered in panic, looking for shelter. It’s raining! Quick, put the guitar in the car! Li Bo shouted frantically, packing up their things.
Jiang Yanzhou jolted awake. His first reaction wasn’t to protect his instrument, but to look up at the sky.
Dark clouds pressed down heavily, and the rain grew violent, splashing water everywhere and quickly soaking the streets.
His heart tightened inexplicably.
Jiang Zhiwu had left without an umbrella this morning. Her clothes were thin; getting caught in this rain would definitely make her catch a cold.
The thought had barely formed when he heard familiar voices and laughter coming from outside the car. One clear, melodious female voice cut through the sound of the rain, reaching his ears clearly: …Lucky we ran fast, or we’d be soaked like rats.
It was Jiang Zhiwu!
Almost instinctively, Jiang Yanzhou shot up from his seat. He grabbed an umbrella prepared by the crew and moved so fast he seemed to blur. Li Bo had just put the guitar in the trunk, and when he looked up, his partner was already gone, leaving only a trail of wind behind him.
Viewers in the livestream were stunned:
[WTF? What just flashed past there?]
[Jiang Yanzhou heard his sister’s voice and literally launched himself like a rocket hahahaha.]
[He’s in such a hurry!]