Chapter 3 Werwerwer

Chapter 3

Jiang Huaijin was the one who handled almost all of the Jiang family's external affairs. As the youngest son, Jiang Jiang barely got any attention even when he appeared at banquets.

Even though he had once publicly snatched off President Wang's wig, folks might recall the wig incident, but when Jiang Jiang appeared alone, most people still didn't really remember him.

As a result, the guests at the banquet couldn't help but whisper loudly.

"Who is that?"

"No idea. I've never heard of the Lu family having a son like that."

"From the way he's talking, could he be President Lu's secret lover?"

"People used to say Lu Nanzhou wasn't interested in women. Turns out he doesn't favor red but prefers blue."

"He's quite good-looking, he just seems a bit young."

"Tsk tsk, men are all the same, after all."

Lu Nanzhou frowned a little when he heard that and turned his gaze toward the source of the trouble.

The young man before him had a small face with round almond-shaped eyes. He wore a beige suit with only one button fastened, accentuating a slender waist. His hair was slightly wavy, with one stubborn strand escaping the control of hair gel and sticking up, giving him a childish appearance.

Seeing Lu Nanzhou look at him, the young man scratched his cheek and gave him a grin.

When you don't know what to say, just smile. That was Jiang Jiang's long-standing experience.

Lu Nanzhou looked at the young man's radiant smile, his brow twitching almost imperceptibly.

"Jiang Jiang?" Lu Nanzhou spoke, his voice deep and steady, betraying no emotion.

"Huh? Brother, you know me?" Jiang Jiang's eyes lit up.

Lu Nanzhou didn't answer his question. Instead, his gaze swept over the surrounding guests who were still eavesdropping, and the whispers immediately died down.

He looked back at Jiang Jiang, a hint of scrutiny in his tone. "What did you mean by what you just said?"

Recently, both their families had shown interest in a project and were attempting to discuss cooperation. Could it be that Jiang Huaijin didn't want to share the pie? Had he stooped so low as to send his own brother to tarnish his reputation?

System 404 urgently generated a segment of "green tea" quotes and projected it before Jiang Jiang's eyes. "Read this."

Jiang Jiang focused his gaze on the screen before him and recited word for word: "I just wanted to get to know you, brother... The way that gentleman looked at me earlier was so strange... Did I interrupt your important business talk? It's all my fault, I shouldn't have..."

The words weren't wrong, but the tone... System 404 was exasperated. "The tone needs to be innocent, pitiful, with a hint of grievance! What's with this 'Youth University Study' vibe you're giving off?!"

Jiang Jiang tried, but failed.

404: "..."

After finishing, he discreetly observed Lu Nanzhou's reaction.

One piece of good news, one piece of bad news.

Good news: no reaction.

Bad news: no reaction.

Lu Nanzhou looked at his eyes, which seemed focused one moment and vacant the next, and at the stubborn strand of hair that trembled as he spoke, falling silent for a moment.

He didn't seem very bright.

He was probably overthinking it. Jiang Huaijin wouldn't go that far.

"No," he said, not particularly concerned about what this youngest son of the Jiang family was up to.

A lot of people had designs on him—those wanting to curry favor, seduce him, or frame him. None had ever succeeded, and this one wouldn't be an exception either.

Lu Nanzhou spoke calmly, "President Zhang just had a slight misunderstanding. It'll be fine once it's cleared up." He emphasized the word "misunderstanding" slightly, sweeping his gaze over Jiang Jiang's face, hoping the person would understand his implied meaning.

"Alrighty," Jiang Jiang replied. Although he didn't catch the implication, his intuition told him he shouldn't say more at this moment.

Lu Nanzhou nodded politely, satisfied with the person's tact.

"Did the impression value go up?" Jiang Jiang asked 404 in his mind.

"No," System 404 refreshed several times.

That can't be right.

Seeing Lu Nanzhou about to leave and thinking of the stagnant impression value, he chose to step forward and grab the hem of the other man's jacket.

His mind raced, and he found a topic. "Bro, brother, have you eaten dinner?"

"He grabbed him again, he grabbed him again! What are they saying? Speak up!"

"Whose companion is this anyway? Does anyone know?"

"Ugh, getting only half the gossip is so frustrating."

"How do you think President Lu will react?"

"I guess he'll probably shake him off."

"Feels like this young guy will be kicked out directly."

Lu Nanzhou looked down at the hand clutching his jacket hem, his gaze finally settling on Jiang Jiang's face.

From this close, even the pores on the other's face were clearly visible. His round eyes looked at him, not seeming like someone with malicious intent, nor someone particularly tactful.

It seemed he had spoken too soon about the "tactful" part.

"If brother hasn't eaten dinner, let me treat you," Jiang Jiang said. "The steak over at the food station is really good."

Lu Nanzhou found it amusing. "Spending my money to treat me to a meal?"

Jiang Jiang smiled shyly. "Just take it as you praising me for being thrifty and managing the household well."

Lu Nanzhou: "..."

"I ate o—" Jiang Jiang remembered his "green tea" persona and immediately corrected himself, "Um, one portion. It tasted really good. Does brother want to try it?"

Lu Nanzhou recalled the scene he had witnessed from the second floor and raised an eyebrow. "One portion?"

Little liar. Not a single truthful word comes out of his mouth.

"Yeah, just one." Jiang Jiang nodded, his stubborn lock of hair swaying with the movement.

Before Lu Nanzhou could get another word in, Assistant Lin stepped forward, leaning in to whisper in Lu Nanzhou's ear.

"I have some business to take care of..." Lu Nanzhou said, glancing at the hand still clutching his jacket hem.

Jiang Jiang released his grip. "Then, can I get your contact info, Brother?"

The boy gave him a pleading look, making anyone feel like a monster for saying no.

It was just contact info, after all. Besides, messages to his work number were first screened by his assistant anyway.

Lu Nanzhou didn't refuse. He turned and gave a nod to Assistant Lin beside him.

Assistant Lin immediately understood, producing a black-and-gold business card and handing it to Jiang Jiang with both hands.

"Thank you, Brother!" Jiang Jiang took the card, flashing his trademark smile before turning on his heel without a backward glance.

My little desserts! Your emperor has returned, hehehehe.

Lu Nanzhou straightened his cuff, putting the matter out of his mind.

......

As the banquet was winding down, Jiang Jiang rubbed his slightly protruding belly with a fond, paternal smile.

This was proof of his paternal devotion to his subjects.

A system notification suddenly pinged.

"Ding, Impression Value +20. Current Impression Value: 25."

Jiang Jiang: ?

404 felt a bit guilty. "There might have been a slight, tiny, little bit of a delay."

"...Yeah, just a tiny bit."

The banquet ended, and Jiang Jiang stood all by himself at the entrance of the banquet hall.

"404, I have no driver, no car, no phone, and no money. How am I supposed to get home?" He squatted down and drew circles on the ground.

"The system isn't omnipotent either."

Both the person and the system sighed in unison.

......

Assistant Lin, sharp-eyed, spotted Jiang Jiang squatting at the entrance. After a moment's hesitation, he spoke up, "President Lu, Young Master Jiang is at the entrance. He seems to be having some trouble."

Lu Nanzhou looked in the direction his assistant pointed. The boy squatted there like a triangular rice ball, his stray hair drooping listlessly.

Considering the banquet was hosted by his own family, Lu Nanzhou fell silent for two seconds before walking toward the rice ball.

He stopped beside Jiang Jiang, his voice low. "Young Master Jiang?"

Jiang Jiang looked up, pitifully whining, "Brother, help, I can't get home."

Lu Nanzhou looked down at Jiang Jiang, a huddled ball on the ground, and remained silent.

Regardless, he was an invited guest.

"Lu Nanzhou would never help you, this person looks like he—" 404 hadn't finished speaking.

"Assistant Lin, bring the car around."

"Yes, President Lu."

404: ...

A car stopped at the entrance, illuminating the one squatting and the one standing.

The driver's door opened, but it wasn't Assistant Lin who got out.

Before the driver could open the rear door, the passenger had already pushed it open and stepped out, hurrying over to the two figures.

Lu Nanzhou looked at the approaching man and extended his hand. "President Jiang, long time no see."

"Long time no see, President Lu." Jiang Huaijin gave a perfunctory handshake, then turned his gaze to Jiang Jiang. "I'm here to take him home. My brother has been a bit of a nuisance today, please forgive him."

"It's no trouble. Your brother is quite charming." Lu Nanzhou smiled politely.

Charming? Jiang Huaijin remained noncommittal.

He was adorable, alright, but he was also a magnet for trouble.

"Jiang Jiang." Jiang Huaijin's tone was flat.

"Here!" Jiang Jiang jolted, instantly standing up straight.

"Let's go."

"O-okay."

Jiang Jiang took two steps, then seemed to remember something. He turned and waved at Lu Nanzhou.

After the two left, the smile faded from Lu Nanzhou's face, returning to his usual aloofness.

When Assistant Lin drove the car up, he found only his boss remained.

He wisely asked nothing, waiting for his boss to get in before silently starting the car.

......

Once in the car, Jiang Jiang cautiously observed his eldest brother's expression.

A glance.

Another glance.

Yet another glance.

"Are there words written on my face?" Jiang Huaijin's voice suddenly sounded.

Jiang Jiang abruptly withdrew his gaze.

"Tell me, what 'good deeds' did you do today?"

"Walked the red carpet to showcase the Jiang family's elegance, ate dinner, ate little desserts, had a friendly exchange with the host, and ate more little desserts."

"Were the little desserts good?"

"Delicious, delicious, will eat again next time." Jiang Jiang nodded repeatedly to show just how much he approved.

"Good that they were delicious."

Jiang Jiang had just let out a sigh of relief when he heard Jiang Huaijin's voice again.

"Come on, let's see our Young Master Jiang's dazzling appearance today."

[Jiang Jiang dismounting from the tricycle].jpg*n

[Jiang Jiang posing with the tricycle].jpg*n

[Jiang Jiang smiling and waving].jpg*n

Feeling guilty but still unable to resist admiring his own looks, Jiang Jiang said, "The, the photos turned out pretty good."

"Hmph."

Jiang Jiang explained what had happened today to Jiang Huaijin, though his reasoning was weak and his tone defiant.

"Bro, the driver."

"Fished out of the toilet and sent to the hospital."

"The car."

"Driven back."

"The phone."

"In your bedroom."

"Hehe, love you, brother." Jiang Jiang raised his hand and made a heart shape.

Jiang Huaijin's heart, which had already softened a bit, hardened again upon hearing this "brother." He tapped open a video and handed it to Jiang Jiang.

"Brother, it's all my fault... Did he misunderstand?"

Then he opened a voice message.

"Huaijin, I never heard you and Lu Nanzhou were brothers, hahahahahahaha."

Jiang Jiang's cowlick quivered guiltily.

Jiang Huaijin reached out and tugged at that tuft of hair. "Is our family lacking a brother for you? Going around calling everyone 'brother'."

"404, save me!"

"This is an automatic reply. 22:00-06:00 is this system's sleep mode."

Jiang Jiang: ...

He scooted closer to his eldest brother. "Big brother, I was wrong."

"Next time you'll dare again, right?"

"Hehe." Jiang Jiang remembered something and lifted the box in his hand, shaking it. "The best little dessert from the banquet, I packed some for you, big brother!"

Seeing his expression that practically begged "Brother, hurry up and praise me for being so great," Jiang Huaijin sighed helplessly.

Jiang Jiang's eyes darted around. "I know you're the best, big brother!"

Jiang Huaijin: "No desserts made by Aunt Wang for three days. I'll tell her."

Jiang Jiang: .0 ^ 0 .

Wuwu, my sweet concubine, I'll visit you again in three days.

Before going to bed at night, Jiang Jiang scrolled upon photos of himself arriving at the banquet by tricycle online.

Surprisingly, netizens' acceptance of his move was quite high.

"Hahahaha, such a down-to-earth entrance."

"Never thought a young master from a wealthy family would ride a tricycle too."

"Whose young master is this? He's quite good-looking."

"Upstairs, this is the young master of the Jiang Group."

Some even made memes using his photos.

The Jiang family's stock price didn't drop but instead rose.

Jiang Jiang nodded with satisfaction: It's all thanks to me.

......

Two days later, 6 a.m.

Jiang Jiang was promptly awakened by System 404.

"Good morning." System 404 took a sip of electronic tea.

Who invented 'good morning'? Who exactly is having a good morning?

Certainly not Jiang Jiang, who was forcibly woken up by System 404. He had stayed up until 3 a.m. yesterday to clear a new game.

"Hurry up, I got this information with great difficulty." System 404 thought to itself that it had even agreed to some unequal terms with System 001 for this.

Jiang Jiang slowly crawled out of bed, threw on some clothes, and left the house.

The driver was quite surprised yesterday when the young master scheduled a car for 6 a.m. He could almost say he'd never seen the young master at this hour.

After getting in the car, Jiang Jiang closed his eyes to rest, the cowlick on his head drooping listlessly.

System 404 had found out yesterday that Lu Nanzhou had a dog and would appear at the riverside in City A every morning at 7 sharp to walk it.

Today, he was here to coincidentally meet Lu Nanzhou walking his dog and improve his impression value.

Being a green tea is so hard, getting up earlier than college students with 8 a.m. classes.

Half an hour later, Jiang Jiang arrived at the riverside.

He found a bench on Lu Nanzhou's usual route and sat down, squinting his eyes.

404: ...

It, as a grand system, would be magnanimous and not argue with a mere mortal.

"Werwerwer!"

A loud bark woke Jiang Jiang before System 404 could.

The dog's sound arrived before its figure.

Author's Note:

----------------------

Jiang Jiang: This is delicious, I'll bring some for big brother. That's delicious too, I'll pack some for big brother.

Jiang Huaijin: Although very touched, the punishment is three days without dessert.

Lu Nanzhou: Did a bandit crash the banquet?