Ever since Jiang Xiao came out of the hair salon, he felt like he had gotten a fresh start in life.
Han Jiangxue seemed to be in a good mood, perhaps because she wanted to celebrate their survival. Hence, she decided to bring Jiang Xiao on a shopping trip.
Jiang Xiao could tell that she was not actually that poor and was usually just being thrifty.
The pair of siblings window-shopped at a few places and Jiang Xiao picked out a set of clothing.
“I don’t quite understand your taste,” Han Jiangxue said with a frown as she stared at the sweater that Jiang Xiao had picked. In the end, she succumbed to Jiang Xiao’s persuasion and the store assistant’s glib tongue and bought the sweater for him.
He paired the red and white checkered hooded sweater with a pair of jeans. Clothes from such miscellaneous brands were not expensive either, each costing only one or two hundred yuan. They were cheap and comfortable.
Of course, they couldn’t afford to get a pair of Air Jordan sneakers, but sneakers from a random brand would do the trick too.
Han Jiangxue stared at the red and white checkered sweater and thought to herself, How pompous and gaudy.
However, Jiang Xiao felt that he ought to dress like a sixteen-year-old.
He had to be sloven inside out and make his nonchalance be the first thing that others noticed about him.
Jiang Xiao felt that he ought to purchase some Star Beads that he could use. He planned to keep one White Ghoul Witch Star Bead if he were to encounter any White Ghoul Witches again during his next visit to the snowfield and sell it to the business firms later.
He would only feel safe if he had money.
Jiang Xiao was not an ordinary Awakened. He didn’t have to pay 50,000 yuan to enter the snowfield, and the abilities of his team members were strong enough too. Although the chances of them encountering White Ghoul Witches were slim, they would definitely encounter them.
Jiang Xiao could just be thick-skinned and insist on pocketing the White Ghoul Witch Star Bead alone instead of sharing it with the team.
Tsk, tsk, perfect.
200,000 yuan seemed to be waving at him.
“Well, it’s fall now. I should have a change of clothes,” Jiang Xiao said. It was already the beginning of October. Regardless of how warm the temperatures had become because of global warming, it was still rather cool. There was no longer a trace of summer too.
“By the way, did the school give us a week’s break?” Jiang Xiao asked while continuing to shop with Han Jiangxue. Being tall, beautiful, and slender, she looked good in any kind of clothing.
However, Han Jiangxue seemed to be really thrifty, for she did not make any crazy purchases and only bought herself a cream-colored sweater in the end.
Jiang Xiao thought to himself, What an obedient child. I’ll buy you an expensive coat when I sell a White Ghoul Witch Star Bead in the near future.
“Yeah, Xia Shanhai has invited us for dinner at his home this evening. Remember to address him as Uncle Xia.” Han Jiangxue grabbed the shopping bag and continued, “From tomorrow onwards, I’ll be giving you tuition at home.”
Jiang Xiao subconsciously tried to help her hold the shopping bag, but he retracted his hand after hearing her words…
Han Jiangxue smirked at Jiang Xiao and threw the shopping bags at him.
The pair then strolled aimlessly along the stone-paved streets while enjoying the pleasures of life.
The bustling streets definitely helped to warm them up.
Summer was indeed over and the girls on the streets were all more covered up in thicker clothes.
What a shame.
Hmm…
Jiang Xiao got a rare chance to spend a relaxing afternoon with Han Jiangxue. In the evening, they hailed a cab to Xia Shanhai’s home.
Xia Shanhai’s home was different from that of the wastrel Xia Yan. It was not a bungalow but a regular apartment in a residential building.
However, the estate was located in the center of Jiangbin City and Jiang Xiao reckoned that it should be rather expensive as well.
At 6 pm sharp, Han Jiangxue and Jiang Xiao arrived at Xia Shanhai’s house on time and knocked on the door.
A beautiful, elegant, and benevolent-looking middle-aged woman was the one who answered the door.
Jiang Xiao knew that she was Xia Yan’s mother, He Zeyun.
She was extremely friendly towards Han Jiangxue and there was a tinge of gratitude in her smile too. Apart from the affection that an elder would show to their juniors, she also seemed to shower Han Jiangxue with kindness out of gratitude.
Jiang Xiao reckoned that Xia Yan had said something to them.
“Hurry and come in, Jiangxue,” she said to Han Jiangxue before turning to look at the pompous Jiang Xiao.
She was slightly stunned for a moment, but she did not show any peculiar reactions or acted like she disapproved of his and Xia Yan’s “relationship”. She smiled and said, “Xiaopi, you’ve grown taller.”
Grown taller?
Did she say that out of courtesy?
It was just like how girls would definitely feel thrilled to hear that they had lost weight, regardless of what the truth was.
“He has indeed grown a little taller,” said Xia Yan, who popped up out of nowhere and walked towards Jiang Xiao. She then pressed a hand on his head before sliding it towards her forehead.
Xia Yan got a great shock and took a step back to scan him from head to toe. After a while, Xia Yan pointed at Jiang Xiao and exclaimed, “Remove your shoes!”
Jiang Xiao was speechless.
“You silly child. How are they supposed to enter and change out of their shoes if you keep blocking the entrance?” said the beautiful Mrs. Xia, who stared at Xia Yan while chiding her. She then quickly urged the siblings to enter.
“But you did grow a little taller.” Xia Yan entered and moved closer to Jiang Xiao. This time, they were both wearing the same type of slippers, so they could not lie about their heights.
“Oh? I’ll measure my height later.” Jiang Xiao’s interest was piqued. At 16 years old, he was indeed at the age where he should be experiencing a growth spurt. If he didn’t grow taller during this period of time, it would be difficult for him to grow again in the future.
Xia Shanhai was still drinking tea on the balcony and being a good host while the ditzy Xia Yan brought Jiang Xiao inside to get his height measured.
Fortunately, Han Jiangxue was well-mannered. She went to the balcony to greet Xia Shanhai.
“Tsk, tsk, you’re actually 1.74 meters tall,” Xia Yan said while pressing Jiang Xiao against the door of her room. There were several lines drawn on the door, which were annotated with Xia Yan’s height and the date that the measurement was taken. “You’re as tall as me when I was in middle school.”
Jiang Xiao chuckled and said, “You’re already in Year Three of high school now. Three years have passed, but you seem to be about the same height.”
“Shut up.” Xia Yan chided and pushed Jiang Xiao away before standing beside the door. “Help me take a look.”
“Ah…” Jiang Xiao tilted his head and looked at the lines to see that the last time Xia Yan measured her height was two years ago when she was in Year One. She was 1.76 meters tall back then, and he reckoned that she should have grown by three or four centimeters.
“What are you waiting for? Grab a ruler. There’s one beside my desk.” Xia Yan chastised while glancing at Jiang Xiao.
Xia Yan was over the moon after getting her height measured because she was now 3.1cm taller than the line she had drawn.
179.1 cm?
Provided she was genuinely 1.76 meters when she drew the line.
Jiang Xiao was equally overjoyed.
Although he didn’t have a wholesome diet in the past month that they were training in the snowfield, the vigorous training and the nourishment of the Star Beads had helped him grow by 2cm. At this rate, he might really grow to 1.8 meters tall one day.
“Did you move out of your parents’ home when you were in Year One?” Jiang Xiao asked.
“Huh?” Xia Yan was slightly stunned, but she was soon reminded of the markings that she had made on the door. She rubbed his head forcefully and said, “You’re indeed a little intelligent, but this is the end of our conversation.”
Jiang Xiao shrugged his shoulder. He could tell from the tension between Xia Shanhai and Xia Yan, that they probably had a huge conflict in that year.
Xia Yan’s mother, He Zeyun, was rather kind and gentle towards Jiang Xiao, regardless of what she truly thought about him.
During the meal, she even specially thanked Jiang Xiao for the Blessing.
Jiang Xiao thought to himself, Just be thankful that you fainted.
If you were awake, you probably wouldn’t be thanking me now.
Jiang Xiao was not making groundless guesses, because Li Qingmei had already tried to talk to him on WeChat countless times before.
Jiang Xiao was a brave person who could remain dauntless despite facing the White Ghouls and mercenary corps. Why would he be afraid of an ordinary woman?
Without hesitation, Jiang Xiao immediately muted all notifications from Li Qingmei’s number on WeChat. Even till now, he had never dared to reply to her.
Before dinner even ended, Jiang Xiao’s mobile phone began to ring again.
Jiang Xiao secretly whipped out his mobile phone and looked at his WeChat app, only to realize that Li Qingmei had sent him several messages. The notification tone was for Li Weiyi’s number.
59 Tulong Street: Help me out. Reply her.
Jiang Xiaopi-mischievous-or-not: ???
59 Tulong Street: She’s driving me mad.
Jiang Xiaopi mischievous-or-not: Well, you have to suffer because she’s your girlfriend.
59 Tulong Street: There were plenty of people that day and she does feel really awkward about it.
Jiang Xiaopi mischievous-or-not: Shouldn’t you be blamed because you were the one who told me to give her a Blessing? Why are you putting the blame on me instead?
59 Tulong Street: But… it was your light that made her make those strange sounds.
Jiang Xiaopi mischievous-or-not: So you’re trying to matchmake us?
59 Tulong Street: Jiang! Xiaopi!
Jiang Xiaopi mischievous-or-not: Love is a ray of light, so green that you’ll panic.
…
“I’ll go!” Li Weiyi dropped his mobile phone and put a hand on his forehead before rubbing his handsome face. “This kid is toxic…”