An Nuonuo handed him the peeled apple.
She flashed a curious glance and asked, "What money-making method?"
Jiang Xu had already organized his thoughts on the way back.
He said, "You know Zhang Xiaohui, right? She just came to me, offering me one million yuan to leave you."
"Why would she do that?" A rare look of anger appeared in the young girl's eyes.
Jiang Xu said, "Isn't she always encouraging you to study abroad?
I guess it's probably because she sees your potential.
She wants you to develop your skills overseas and upon your return, work for her and make money for her.
And I, became a stumbling block."
This reason was, in fact, slightly far-fetched.
However, since An Nuonuo had not yet stepped into society and lacked experience,
combined with her trust in Jiang Xu, she didn't have any suspicions.
She quickly caught on, her eyes bright like stars.
She smiled, "So you want me to cooperate with you and trick her?"
"Exactly." Jiang Xu sat down and took a bite of the apple.
Um, it was deliciously sweet.
It even retained the faint fragrance of the young girl.
Leaning into her ear, he spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear.
He said, "On Saturday, we'll work together and put on a show.
I will say that we're breaking off our friendship, and we should stop contacting each other.
Then, you will leave in tears, and voila, the money is in our grasp.
At that time, we'll share the money equally, isn't that great?"
An Nuonuo asked, "But after that, will we really break off our friendship?"
"Are you silly?" Jiang Xu said, "I said we would break off, but you didn't agree.
You will persistently stick to me every single day.
I'm just a weak, poor, innocent boy, what can I do to you?"
An Nuonuo kept giggling non-stop, amused by his words.
So, that's how the deal was settled.
It's a delight to be able to earn some money.
As for whether it would infuriate Zhang Xiaohui and thus trigger a series of unpleasant consequences, Jiang Xu wasn't worried at all.
He wasn't a pushover who will be manipulated at her will.
All he wondered was whether, given the current development of things, An Feng would still be able to take the top position of the wealthiest in the future.
At the end of the school day, Jiang Xu received a phone call from his mom.
After saying a few words, he nodded and turned to An Nuonuo beside him, "My mom invited you for dinner at the restaurant tonight.
Shall we go directly now? You can inform your aunt about it."
"Why the sudden dinner?" An Nuonuo couldn't help but feel a bit anxious.
She felt a sense of unease that comes during a daughter-in-law's first meeting with her in-laws.
Jiang Xu shrugged, "I don't know, probably she just misses you and wants to invite you for a meal."
"Alright then, let's buy some fruit and head there."
Jiang Xu said that was unnecessary.
However, An Nuonuo insisted, so he went along with her.
They bought two durians, a few kilos of fruit and some grapes.
Upon arriving at the restaurant, they noticed it was relatively empty as it was the off-peak season.
The one advantage they had over other restaurants was not having to pay rent, hence a higher profit margin.
"Uncle, Auntie, hello."
Seeing Jiang Shan and Chen Yue, An Nuonuo greeted them politely.
"Ahh, my dear child, it's good that you're here, why did you bring stuff?"
Seeing An Nuonuo, Chen Yue was as enthusiastic as seeing her own daughter.
She held Nuonuo's hand, showing concern, "How's your study going lately? Are you sleeping well? Eating well? Has that brat Jiang Xu been bullying you?"
"All is well. How about you and Uncle, Auntie?"
"Hehe, we're well. It'd be even better if you visited us more often."
"Mom..." Jiang Xu expressed helplessly, "From the moment we entered, you haven't said one word to your own son."
Chen Yue was surprised, "Oh, when did you come in?"
Jiang Xu: "..."
Believe it or not, I'm thinking of running away from home.
This was really too much.
Boys need attention too, you know.
Of course, he only dared to think about it.
If he were to actually say it out loud, another solid beating would surely follow.
Jiang Shan said, "Alright, let's go inside, food is ready."
Entering the private room.
Jiang Xu was shocked by the many dishes.
It was a feast to behold.
Twelve dishes and a soup.
Heavy hitters like lobster and tuna were included.
This spread couldn't have gone for less than two thousand yuan.
An Nuonuo was astonished too: "Uncle, Auntie, are there additional guests?"
"No, it's just us," Chen Yue pulled her to sit down. "We invited you over to dine with us.
Firstly, to thank you for the gloves and scarf you knitted for your uncle and me last time, we love them.
Moreover, your uncle and I are going on vacation tomorrow.
We won't see you for a while."
Jiang Xu was stunned. "Such big plans, how come you didn't inform me?"
Chen Yue replied, "Why should we report to you what we do?"
Jiang Xu: "..."
About the rebellion phase that his parents hit in their fifties.
Without a doubt, Jiang Xu had completely lost favor in his family.
At the dining table, both parents kept serving An Nuonuo.
An Nuonuo was flattered.
However, she didn't forget about Jiang Xu.
She kept peeling shrimps for him.
Jiang Xu finally felt a touch of warmth in this world.
Oh, how difficult it was.
By the time dinner was over, it was almost eight o'clock.
Everyone had eaten their fill.
An Nuonuo helped tidy up.
Though Chen Yue resisted, An Nuonuo insisted.
"What a delightful child," Chen Yue looked at An Nuonuo with satisfaction. "Really, our troublesome boy doesn't even deserve you."
An Nuonuo blurted out, "He's really good."
As soon as she spoke up, seeing Chen Yue's teasing expression, she regretted it.
She had been tricked.
Auntie was too shrewd.
Once the tidy-up was over, Chen Yue pulled An Nuonuo aside.
From her pocket, she took out a red-cloth wrapped item and handed it to An Nuonuo: "My sweet girl, this is the main purpose of calling you here today. Please take good care of it."
"Auntie, what is this?"
Curiosity piqued, An Nuonuo unwrapped the item.
Inside was an exquisite, hollow gold bangle engraved with a double phoenix design.
Remarkably beautiful.
It had been well-preserved, gleaming under the light of the room.
"This," Chen Yue began, "is a family heirloom passed down from my ancestors, intended for a daughter-in-law.
Even though the two of you are young, and don't even have a confirmed relationship yet,
I just couldn't wait to give you this bracelet."
An Nuonuo blanched in fright, "Auntie, I can't accept this. It's too valuable."
She tried to push it away.
Chen Yue pretended to be upset, "Are you rejecting it because this bracelet isn't valuable enough, or because you don't like my son?"
"No, auntie…"
"Since that's not the case, then that's it, keep it."
Without another word, she put the bracelet on An Nuonuo's right hand.
An Nuonuo stared blankly at her dazzling new bracelet.
Her emotions were a tangle of joy, fear, and a touch of confusion.
However, joy was the overwhelming majority.
Chen Yue added, "Don't tell that brat about this for now.
If he ever bullies you, show him this.
Treat it as your Imperial Sword. If anyone dares to offend, decapitate them!"