Chapter 347: Feng Nanshu’s Parents Come to Accuse?

In the evening, students returning to Linchuan University were increasing. This made the off-campus pedestrian street particularly lively.

Jiang Qin looked around at the long street lined with hair salons like Yi Jian Fang, Focus Hair, and Xiang Lan Hair Studio before finally entering a shop named Xingnan Hairstyles. Choosing Xingnan seemed like a destiny’s choice for him.

Including queuing and washing hair, it took forty minutes before Tony the stylist could put down his scissors.

With a refreshing new hairstyle, Jiang revealed his full forehead. He looked much more spirited.

Seriously, could this not captivate the little rich girl?

Standing in the middle of the street, he looked around and noticed early returnee students pouring into the shops from the east while nearby restaurants wafted inviting smells of stir-fry.

Jiang took out his phone, scrolled through his contacts, and called Zhou Chao.

Chao’s family lives the farthest from school. He often struggles to buy tickets during holidays, so he usually arrives early.

“Hey, Jiang, what’s up?”

“I’m on the pedestrian street; have you eaten dinner? If not, come join me for a meal.”

“Sure, I’ll be right there.” Zhou’s enthusiasm spiked at the mention of food.

Jiang thought for a second: “Did your Brother Cao come?”

“Yeah, he just arrived. Oh right, Old Ren is here too.”

“Let’s call them over too. I’ll be waiting at the entrance of Nanshan Restaurant. Hurry up, I won’t wait forever.”

Jiang hung up and stepped into Nanshan Restaurant only to find members of the university’s student council also dining there. Famed Peng was standing in a private room, ostentatiously flaunting with a wine glass in hand.

Seeing Jiang from the doorway, Peng’s rigid spine suddenly bent, resembling a sudden hunchback, his domineering face now sporting a sheepishly friendly smile.

“Jiang, coming to eat as well? Oh, got a new haircut, looking sharp. Come join us?”

“Peng has keen eyes. But I’m waiting for my roommates; maybe next time.” Jiang waved and walked past.

One of the new student council members gaped, “Is that Jiang Qin? The entrepreneur star? Even someone like him shows great respect to you?”

“This world operates on personal connections. He might have money, but I have power. Big shots like us know each other privately.”

Tan Shipeng’s arrogant declaration won admiring looks from the new council members, making them feel their membership was worthwhile.

“Peng?”

Just then, Jiang reentered: “I just remembered I need to discuss something with you. Is now a good time?”

“Of course, just speak, Jiang. What do you need?” Tan put down his wine glass and stepped outside.

“Those leave slips you stamped for me last time—I’ve used them all. Can you stamp a new book for me?”

“Sure, no problem. I’ll arrange it by tomorrow afternoon.”

Observing this, the new members whispered among themselves, noting how connections worked among elites, though they sensed Tan acting somewhat subservient.

Jiang was back outside within a minute, and Tan returned to invite everyone for a drink.

Meanwhile, Cao Guangyu, Zhou Chao, and Ren Ziqiang had also arrived, completing what would normally be a fifteen-minute walk in just ten minutes.

Who wouldn’t rush when there’s a free meal?

Though Jiang’s tales usually provided fresh entertainment, making them nearly cripple with laughter, who would bear a grudge against a free meal?

Cao prepared by inserting earplugs he usually used for sleeping before even stepping inside, determined to eat heartily no matter how Jiang would try to ‘dazzle’ them.

Unexpectedly, as soon as they had ordered, Jiang started showing photos from his album.

“I visited Old Cao’s place during the vacation. Did you know he lives in a really classy Chinese-style mansion?”

“…”

Cao’s grip on his chopsticks paused, and after hesitating, he removed his earplugs.

He couldn’t just ignore such a conversation; his pride wouldn’t allow it.

“Chao, see this tree here? This is a Golden Flowing Spring; it must be worth a fortune.”

“And this pond, goddamn, it sounded like a ‘little pond’ but it’s nearly bigger than my living room!” Jiang’s tone was full of envy.

His envy seemed forced, but Zhou Chao and Ren Ziqiang were genuinely taken aback: “For real?”

Jiang pointed to his eyes: “Saw it with my own eyes. Plus, they even have a stretch Lincoln—heavy stuff. Shame I forgot to snap a picture.”

“Brother Cao, we always thought you were exaggerating, but it was all true?”

“I told you it was. You just lacked vision.” Cao responded nonchalantly.

After dinner, with the sky still clear, they left the private room to settle the bill downstairs.

In the past, meals usually had Cao listening to Jiang’s one-man show. Unexpectedly, this time, it was Jiang flaunting on his behalf, leaving him somewhat reluctant to leave.

But no worries, they were all dorm mates. The conversation could continue back at the dorm.

At the cash register, the salesgirl quickly brought out the bill for Room 3: “One hundred twenty-three, let me round it off to one-twenty for you.”

Cao turned to Jiang, anticipating him to pay since he had invited them for the meal.

Jiang nodded understandingly, then turned to the cashier, “Our Brother Cao lives in mansions and drives luxury cars back in Hangcheng; he doesn’t need the discount—he might even get mad if you insist.”

“Alright, one hundred twenty-three then,” the cashier shrugged, quite used to such ostentatious behavior.

“…”

Cao took a deep breath, stunned, only two words in his mind: “Damn.”

The walk back to the dorm from the pedestrian street took fifteen minutes. The mansion-dwelling Cao cursed the entire way, save for a minute’s break when Jiang casually reached over, took his earplugs, and popped them into his ears.

Back in the dorm, Jiang shared half the meal cost, finally quieting Cao’s rant.

Yet, Cao still felt shortchanged. “Damn, I was only trying to freeload, and still ended up paying half.”

Especially as Zhou Chao got progressively fatter, making him increasingly irritated.

“Can we do laundry tomorrow? Will it be dry?” Jiang suddenly asked.

Ren considered, “The forecast mentioned overcast skies tomorrow, might not work.”

“…”

Jiang pulled out his favorite shirt, wrinkled maybe worn twice before the vacation and apparently unwashed since.

“Hey Cao, didn’t you have a shirt just like this one? Mind if I borrow it?”

Cao held up a finger, “If you cover tonight’s dinner, I’ll lend it to you.”

“You’re a rich second generation, how can you be so practical?”

“That’s just me.”

Jiang handed over sixty yuan: “Now I see why you can’t play the part of a rich second-gen. You wouldn’t even spend sixty yuan to pretend.”

As Cao took the money, he examined the bills under the light for a long while, puzzled: “Jiang, you’re such a miser and not even handsome. How could you bear to spend sixty today just to rent my shirt? Weird.”

“What did you just call me?”

“A miser.”

“That’s a compliment. What did you insult me with?”

Cao paused, uncertain, “Not handsome?”

Jiang fished out a coin from his wallet, “Take a bus to the People’s Hospital tomorrow and get your eyes checked.”

“…”

The next morning was just as Ren had described: the skies turned gray but, long clouded, it didn’t rain.

No classes for Year Four that morning. The ladies of Room 503, who should have been sleeping in, were all up early, fussing over their appearance in anticipation of meeting Feng Nanshu and her family.

They believed anyone capable of raising a daughter like Feng had to be exceptionally attractive and elegant.

Half an hour later, all dolled up, the Room 503 group descended the stairs just as a Rolls Royce, complete with statuette, rolled timely onto campus.

A middle-aged man emerged from the passenger side, followed by a middle-aged woman in a khaki long-sleeve jacket stepping out from the back, revealing Feng Nanshu’s beautifully coy face.

Gao Wenhui and Fan Shuling were taken aback.

These were Feng Nanshu’s parents? They seemed so ordinary, not at all like the upper-class parents they had imagined, more like their own middle-class parents.

Despite the distraction, Gao quickly rallied, leading the greeting.

“You must be Nanshu’s roommates?”

“Yes, aunty. I’m Gao Wenhui, this is Fan Shuling, along with Wang Haini, Cai Fang, and Yang Min.”

“Such sweet kids. Nanshu’s shy; thanks for looking after her. Let’s have lunch together later.”

Feng stood by, her lashes trembling slightly before she puffed up her cheeks, her gaze brightening.

The woman quickly surveyed the group, then frowned, “Where’s that dog, Jiang Qin?”

“…”

Hearing this, Feng’s roommates held their breath, their hearts skipped a beat. Trouble has found its way.

Jiang, always the friend, consuming their offerings, and now, familial retribution was here, name-calling included—a sign of deep disdain.

This wasn’t surprising. Any parent who’d pampered their daughter only to see her fooled at university would feel murderous.

Gao was initially confused but now understood—true traits of a wealthy family. The disdain in calling him ‘dog Jiang Qin’ carried a formidable force.

She regretted informing Jiang about Feng coming with her family. Had he shown up, he might have been struck down on the spot.

Thankfully, Gao, experienced from her time working at Xitian, quickly devised a diversion: “Aunty, haven’t seen our dorm yet? Let me show you around!”

“That would be lovely; thank you.”

“However, uncle can’t come in.”

The man gestured casually: “No problem. I’ll chat with Uncle Gong; you go ahead.”

Gao sighed in relief, knowing she’d successfully diverted their attention, then sent Fan ahead with them while she paused on the third floor to call Jiang.

Though she often bickered with Jiang and he occasionally threatened her pay, she knew underneath his cynical facade was a genuinely good person.

Yes, her wages were docked, but the bonuses he issued were more than her regular salary combined.

Most importantly, she saw through him. Jiang truly adored Feng Nanshu. That’s why Gao couldn’t stop herself from getting too involved, hoping to spare her real-life friend from the dramatic fates common in soap operas, like relationships thwarted by parental disapproval.

Soon, the call connected and Jiang Qin’s voice came through.

“What’s up? I was just about to head over to you guys.”

“You better not come. I think Feng Nanshu’s parents have quite an issue with you. They sounded like they want to butcher you. You just attend to your other matters, I’ll keep you posted once I find out more.”

“?”

Jiang Qin stopped in his tracks beneath the male dormitory, puzzled.

Although the piecemeal information Uncle Gong had shared suggested that Feng Nanshu’s stepmother was formidable, it didn’t sound like she would butcher him on sight. Wasn’t she always disinterested in the little rich girl?

Meanwhile, Gao Wenhui put away her phone and returned to the dorm. Upon entering, she saw “Feng Nanshu’s mom” standing on a ladder, bending over to carefully change the bedding and sheets.

To Huihui, she didn’t seem like the elegant lady of a wealthy family but rather resembled her own ordinary but gentle and kind-hearted mother.

Feng Nanshu’s gaze lingered on this scene, her beautiful eyes seemed to mist over.