Chapter 46 I Like You

Chapter 46: I Like You

Jiang Jiang stared at the multicolored mold in the basin and sighed.

It seemed that while God had opened countless doors for him, He had to close a window somewhere after all.

404 said, trying to comfort him, "In a way, being able to cultivate so many different types of mold simultaneously is a talent. Maybe you could list it on the second-hand app Xianyu and make some money."

Jiang Jiang: "..."

If you don't know how to comfort someone, you don't have to.

He picked up the basin, ready to dispose of the fermented rice that had become a breeding ground for mold.

"Click."

Jiang Huaiyu came back and was taking a photo of him with the basin using his phone.

He gloated, "I'm going to title this photo 'Chef Jiang Jiang's Microbial Expo' and share it in the family group chat for everyone to admire."

Jiang Jiang: "???"

He immediately put down the basin and made a grab for Jiang Huaiyu. "Delete it!"

"No way." Jiang Huaiyu held up his phone, teasing his younger brother, who was the shortest in the family.

That same night.

A new listing suddenly appeared on Xianyu.

One older brother, in service for 20 years. Fluent in multiple languages, handsome, 1.87 meters tall.

Original price: 99. Now at a rock-bottom price, only 0.99.

No refunds upon purchase, shipping not included.

Perfect for any home that's lacking an annoyance. Annoyance effect highly praised by previous users.

......

The next day, the Jiang parents returned as scheduled.

In the evening, the Jiang family villa was brightly lit, and the dining table was piled high with carefully prepared dishes.

Father Jiang, Jiang Zhenglin, was tanned a healthy wheat color. He wore a floral print shirt with a distinct beach vibe, a pair of sunglasses hanging from the center of the shirt.

Looking down, he had on board shorts and flip-flops, looking as if he had just returned from a seaside vacation.

If no one mentioned it, no one would guess this man was in his fifties; he looked like a handsome guy in his thirties.

As soon as he entered, he spread his arms wide. "My precious sons! We're back. Did you miss your dad? I know you must have."

Mother Jiang, Xiao Linxuan, walked in behind him. With her long black wavy hair and a striking red dress, she was a stunning beauty.

If this were posted online, people would undoubtedly be flooding the comments with "Sis, step on me!"

The couple hugged each of their three sons in turn.

Xiao Linxuan opened her suitcase right in the living room and pulled out a pile of bizarre souvenirs.

"This is from that African tribe we sent you the disc about earlier. I served as the tribe's chieftain for a while. This is their mascot. They gave it to me when I left, saying it brings good luck and protects whoever possesses it."

After saying this, she thrust the wooden carving into Jiang Huaijin's hands. "Son, you can put this in your office."

Jiang Huaijin looked at the abstract, even somewhat ferocious-looking wooden carving in his hand and fell silent for two seconds. "...Thanks, Mom."

Seeing her eldest son's expression, Xiao Linxuan couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Don't knock it. You should know I got this after refusing the five husbands the tribal elders insisted I take with me."

Jiang Zhenglin added gloomily, "You have no idea what I went through during that time."

He had to guard against everyone around his wife, not just men but women too.

Yes, even the women in the tribe wanted to become his wife's partners.

It was only through his relentless vigilance that he managed to maintain his position as the one and only husband.

Jiang Jiang: "Hahahahaha."

"This is for you." Xiao Linxuan shoved a box into his hands.

Jiang Jiang opened the box. Inside was a very delicate bracelet emitting a faint sandalwood fragrance.

Before he could ask, Xiao Linxuan explained the bracelet's origin. "We came across a temple while wandering in Country D. According to the locals, it's very powerful, but each person can only request one blessing. This is the one Mom got for you."

Only one per person?

Jiang Jiang looked at his dad.

Noticing his gaze, Jiang Zhenglin smiled and said, "Of course, Dad prayed for one for your mom."

Xiao Linxuan cooperatively raised her wrist, revealing a bracelet very similar to the one in the box.

She continued, "And this temple is particularly strict. Each bracelet can only be blessed once, for one specific wish among love, career, or studies."

Jiang Jiang asked curiously, "So which one did Mom request for me?"

"Of course..." Xiao Linxuan paused dramatically for effect, "...all of them! Since we were already there, how could I show my sincerity without requesting everything?"

"Didn't you say only one per person?"

Jiang Huaijin and Jiang Huaiyu also looked at Xiao Linxuan.

"The power of money, even Buddha cannot resist." Xiao Linxuan said proudly. "Mom may not have much else, but she has plenty of money."

"Your mom directly had the largest Buddha statue in the temple gilded." Jiang Zhenglin added gloomily. "This is what you call, 'wealth has no limits.'"

"..."

Finally, Xiao Linxuan pulled out a pile of colorful stones. "These are natural minerals we collected in the rainforest."

She shoved the entire bag of stones into Jiang Huaiyu's hands.

Jiang Huaiyu tossed them in his hand. "What are these for?"

"Nothing really, they're just pretty."

Jiang Huaiyu: "..."

"Just kidding. The tour guide said there's a local legend that stones collected with sincere and devout intentions can protect the health of whoever receives them for a lifetime." Xiao Linxuan stood up and patted Jiang Huaiyu's head. "Mom wants you to have a lifetime of good health."

This second son had always been the most prone to illness since childhood. Compared to his brothers, he caused her a lot more worry when he was little. Fortunately, he stopped getting sick so often after growing up and even became much stronger.

Xiao Linxuan closed the suitcase. "Some stuff is being shipped back. You can divide it yourselves when it arrives—I bought three of everything."

"Come on, let's eat before the food gets cold." Jiang Zhenglin took his wife's hand and led her toward the dining room.

......

After dinner, in the living room.

The couple cuddled together on a single armchair, with Jiang Zhenglin's arm around his wife. "Did anything interesting happen while we were away that you'd like to share?"

Jiang Huaijin sat on the armchair opposite the couple, a laptop on his lap. "The company's performance this period saw an increase of X percent compared to last quarter..."

The couple exchanged glances but didn't interrupt.

Aside from the person reporting, the other four were dozing off.

Only when the sound of the laptop closing was heard did they jolt awake as if startled.

*Clap clap clap.* Jiang Jiang wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth and was the first to applaud. "Well said, big brother!"

*Clap clap clap.*

"Well said, big brother!"

"Well said, son!"

"Well said, son!"

Jiang Huaijin: "..."

Then, Jiang Jiang and Jiang Huaiyu told quite a few funny stories, having the couple in stitches.

Xiao Linxuan noticed that a certain name kept coming up in her youngest son's stories.

Lu Nanzhou.

If she remembered correctly, that was the heir of the Lu family.

She glanced at Jiang Zhenglin, who immediately got his wife's drift and nodded in agreement.

After Jiang Jiang finished speaking, Xiao Linxuan asked offhandedly, "Jiang Jiang, have you met anyone you like recently?"

"Huh?" Jiang Jiang hadn't expected his mom to ask this and was caught off guard.

"No one you like?" Xiao Linxuan feigned surprise as she looked at him. "When I was your age, I'd already been in several relationships."

Beside her, Jiang Zhenglin leaned even closer to his wife.

The first image that popped into Jiang Jiang's mind was Lu Nanzhou.

He shook his head. It was all 404's fault, making him overthink.

404: "??? What's my fault this time?"

"No, no. I'm busy with studying—no time for dating."

Xiao Linxuan could tell her youngest son was flustered. She smiled without pressing further. "Alright, no one then. But if there is someone, you must tell me. I'm very open-minded."

Jiang Jiang mumbled a reply, his mind involuntarily wandering back to Lu Nanzhou again.

The three-day distance agreement passed in the blink of an eye.

......

Soon, it was the day they'd agreed he would pick up Xiao Lv.

At 5 p.m., Jiang Jiang's phone dinged. He picked it up.

Lu Nanzhou: Are you sure you don't want me to bring him over?

Jiang Jiang typed quickly.

Jiang Jiang: Nah, it's fine. I'll come to you. Wait for me at home. I'll be there soon.

His parents were both home these days. Just the thought of Lu Nanzhou meeting them made him feel inexplicably guilty.

Lu Nanzhou: Okay.

Lu Nanzhou: Be careful on the way.

Lu Nanzhou: Looking forward to it.jpg

Jiang Jiang: Got it! See you soon!

Before the door even opened, Jiang Jiang could hear Xiao Lv's barking through the thick door.

......

"Werwerwer!"

The "wer" arrived before the dog did.

As soon as the door cracked open, he saw a dog's head desperately trying to squeeze out, its eyes squinted from the pressure.

Jiang Jiang crouched down and was almost bowled over by the dog charging into his arms.

"Werwerwer!"

Ooh ooh ooh, it's the person the dog likes!

Jiang Jiang stopped it from trying to lick his face.

No way was he letting it lick him—who knows what it had eaten before.

"Come in." Lu Nanzhou stepped aside to make room.

Only then did the human and dog stop their roughhousing and walk in side by side.

"I've packed all of Xiao Lv's things. They're over here. I'll help you take them out to the car later." Lu Nanzhou pointed to a spot behind the door.

"Okay." Jiang Jiang then picked up Xiao Lv. "Are you happy to be coming home with me?"

"Wer!"

"Whoa, this dog has gotten even heavier than before." He hefted Xiao Lv and looked at Lu Nanzhou.

Lu Nanzhou looked a bit helpless as he mentioned this. "A couple of days ago, he managed to open the cabinet where the dog food is stored and ate several pounds of it."

Jiang Jiang looked at Xiao Lv, who wore an innocent expression.

Wer? Werwer.

What are you talking about? Dog doesn't understand. Dog was just hungry.

"I bought you some of these new snacks that just came out; they're all things you mentioned wanting to try before." Lu Nanzhou walked over to the coffee table, gesturing to the assortment of bags on it.

Jiang Jiang froze. Even his family wouldn't take his offhand comments this seriously.

He couldn't help but recall what the System had said earlier.

"Lu Nanzhou, why... are you so good to me?"

Lu Nanzhou was taken aback.

He fell silent for a few seconds, then took two steps closer to Jiang Jiang. The distance between them instantly closed until they could clearly feel each other's breath.

"Jiang Jiang," Lu Nanzhou's voice was low but clear, "why do you think that is?"

Jiang Jiang opened his mouth but couldn't find the words.

Lu Nanzhou let out a soft sigh. "Because I don't want to just be your friend."

He reached out, his fingertips gently brushing the slightly curled strands of hair on Jiang Jiang's forehead. His movements were tender, as if treating a fragile treasure. "Jiang Jiang, I like you."

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

Author's note: Mr. Lu takes the initiative [glasses emoji]

Taking a little from Mr. Lu's wallet to hand out red packets to everyone~