In early July, on a sunny and warm afternoon, Jiang Qin received a call from the Housing Authority's Demolition Department. They agreed to his compensation terms and invited him to sign the contract immediately, hoping to set an example for other property owners.
Why? Because there were too many greedy people, all of whom had even started to band together, each demanding a higher price than the last.
The demolition team had worked hard for three days but failed to secure a single agreement. Everyone felt that the longer they waited, the more they could get, and whoever signed first would undoubtedly be at a loss.
Compared to them, Jiang Qin's flat-rate offer seemed rather fair.
After some consideration, the department decided that if the property owners were going to band together for a higher price, they might as well break them apart from the inside. Simply put, if one person signs, others will follow.
Thus, Jiang Qin became the breakthrough point to encourage everyone to sign contracts as soon as possible.
After signing the contract, Jiang Qin received a total of 4.79 million yuan in compensation and was allocated four resettlement houses—two in the new city district of Yushui Bay and two opposite Fuzi Lake in Jingyuan.
From the 2008 perspective, these locations weren't ideal. The new city district was newly built, and nearby facilities were still under development—in short, desolate.
However, by 2010, a high-speed railway station was constructed opposite Yushui Bay, and the new No. 1 Middle School moved to the south of Fuzi Lake. The municipal government also moved northward, and housing prices changed every day.
But Jiang Qin didn't dare tell his parents about the house demolition and compensation because he couldn't easily explain it.
Anyway, his parents were living comfortably without any problems, so it didn't matter if he told them later. For now, he chose to keep it a secret.
On July 13th, the Demolition Office transferred the compensation to Jiang Qin in less than three working days to entice tenants to sign.
On July 15th, Jiang Qin successfully filled out his college application, choosing to study finance at Linchuan University.
On July 16th, he transferred 2.73 million yuan out of his bank account to repay the money he had borrowed from Feng Nanshu. To show his appreciation, he took her to a hot spring town in the eastern suburbs for a day of fun.
The steaming private hot spring was built on a cliff, facing towering mountains. The view was absolutely beautiful.
Feng Nanshu, dressed in a swimsuit, soaked in the hot spring. Her face turned rosy from the steam. She was holding a glass of soda in one hand and an osmanthus cake in the other, continually gazing at the mountains opposite, feeling extremely delighted.
The swimsuit she wore was bought by Jiang Qin. It wasn't a sexy bikini but a conservative two-piece in white, with a strap top and a skirt bottom.
done.me
When he bought it, Jiang Qin thought it was conservative enough but still underestimated Feng Nanshu's enticing figure.
Her long, snowy white legs and slim waist were almost mesmerizing. Her abdomen even showed signs of abs.
The naturally naive girl wasn't guarded around Jiang Qin. She comfortably stretched her perfect curves, unaware of how seductive her innocence blended with her sensuality. She also didn't realize that the guy opposite her couldn't take his eyes off her.
"A big bird just flew by," she said.
"Yep, big and white."
Feng Nanshu slowly turned her head, a hint of confusion flashing in her eyes. "But the bird that just flew by was black."
Jiang Qin wiped the sweat off his face with a towel. "You know, you can't just judge things by their appearance. Sometimes, you have to look beyond that to see the pureness within."
"?"
Feng Nanshu looked down at her chest. "Are you staring at my chest?"
Caught in the act, Jiang Qin remained unfazed. "You're overthinking it. I'm a proper gentleman who doesn't let his eyes wander!"
"Could you then stop massaging my foot? It's starting to hurt a bit."
"That's because the hot spring pool is small. I was worried you'd kick me if you moved too much."
Jiang Qin was full of gentlemanly excuses but discreetly let go of Feng Nanshu's tender, fair little foot, pretending to look at the distant mountains and scenery as if nothing happened.
"Splash—"
Feng Nanshu stood up from the hot spring pool, bent over the edge, and tried to reach for the bag of seasoned rice crackers in front of her but couldn't.
Jiang Qin was sitting quite close to her. He felt like he could even sense the warmth radiating from Feng Nanshu's skin. Who could resist that?
"I'm done soaking. I'm going to take a shower."
Jiang Qin climbed out of the hot spring pool, handed her the bag of rice crackers, and went straight into the shower.
The cold water cascading down his back made him shiver to his core, and he couldn't help but despise himself. Here he was, a 38-year-old man lusting after an 18-year-old girl. Was this respectful? Men are always focused on younger women, it seems.
Listening to the sound of the shower, Feng Nanshu looked down at her chest, slightly frowning. She then tore open the bag and crunched a rice cracker in her mouth.
Hmm, he really likes to stare at chests and play with feet, huh?
After showering, both left the hot spring hotel and took a sightseeing car to the town's commercial street to grab something to eat.
When they asked for the price of a roasted chicken, they were told it was 58 yuan. Jiang Qin doubted his ears.
This is 2008, and a roasted chicken is 58 yuan? If I had known, I would've bought a half-priced chicken from the zoo and roasted it myself. These tourist spots really know how to make money.
But then...
Feng Nanshu looked at the chicken roasting on the spit and was practically drooling.
Jiang Qin couldn't help but laugh. It was the first time he had seen someone so enticed by roasted chicken. So he reached for his wallet and shelled out 58 yuan for a chicken.
The over 1.7 million yuan he had earned was all thanks to Feng Nanshu. His golden goose wanted to eat the moon? Well, he'd find a way to pluck it down for her. It's about gratitude.
But is Feng Nanshu really a rich heiress? Why is she so greedy for food that she can hardly walk?
"Have you never had roasted chicken before?"
Feng Nanshu wipes her mouth, her eyes still cold: "My mother says that a real lady won't be swayed by her appetite; that way, she won't have any weaknesses."
Jiang Qin sighs, thinking to himself, you're practically being ruled by your desires, aren't you? What kind of alpha culture is this? "Go ahead and eat, eat more. Just don't waste food."
"Jiang Qin, thank you for buying me roasted chicken. You're my best friend."
"Miss, you have only me as a friend, so aren't I naturally the best?"
After pondering for a while, Feng Nanshu thinks he has a point and changes her wording: "Then, I think you're a good person."
Jiang Qin is somewhat taken aback: "If you want to compliment me, just say I'm handsome. Don't give me this wishy-washy 'good person' card."
"Oh."
"By the way, I'll be busy in a few days. I'll be learning to drive and trying out a small business venture, so I probably won't have time to hang out with you. Do you have other places to go?"
"I can read in the library," Feng Nanshu answers succinctly.
"Won't you feel lonely?"
"Not lonely. I used to be like this too, alone."
Feng Nanshu lifts her head to look at him, her eyelashes trembling slightly, as if she has no idea what loneliness is.
Whether in the past or the future, her life likely won't change much regardless of whether someone is or isn't there for her.