Chapter 007 – Stayed Out All Night

The next day, Shen Qingli left for school early again.

Even though she didn’t have any 8 a.m. classes today, she made sure to leave early because Jiang Junwen hadn’t come home last night. Newly an adult, and already spending the night out — his mother had spent the entire night arguing with her husband in their main villa.

She kept insisting that Jiang Junwen was nothing like her; all this rebelliousness clearly came from his father’s side.

She even sent people to the bars overnight, hoping to drag Jiang Junwen home.

But unfortunately, Jiang Junwen had already left early with Luo Shuyao.

It was the first time he had rebelled against his parents like this—staying out all night.

Madam Jiang must be furious.

Worried that she’d be dragged into questioning, Shen Qingli got up and left the house early.

Looking back, she thought to herself that being in the same school as Jiang Junwen must be the worst kind of bad luck.

Just as Shen Qingli left the house, Madam Jiang—who hadn’t slept all night—arrived at their little house.

Since Jiang Junwen didn’t return and didn’t need a ride to school, Shen Guiqi, his personal driver, had instead taken the old master out.

In the courtyard, Liu Lifen was chatting with other maids while trimming the garden flowers with them.

That’s when Madam Jiang stormed over and shouted, “Driver Shen! Driver Shen! Where’s your daughter?”

Liu Lifen quickly rushed forward with a flattering smile and replied, “Madam, my daughter already left for school. Is there something you need from her?”

Madam Jiang looked youthful with her well-maintained appearance. Her features were refined, and her wavy hair framed her angry expression. She said coldly, “I heard your daughter is attending A University, right? During the first few days of school, she commuted with Ah Wen. I just want to ask if she’s seen him lately. He didn’t come home last night, and his phone’s turned off.”

Clearly, Madam Jiang was anxious.

She had already called the families of Li Wenyao and Yu Zhenghao.

But both of them had been picked up by their drivers before midnight.

Only Jiang Junwen didn’t return.

And when she asked the two of them, they both claimed they didn’t know anything.

Madam Jiang was fuming.

They’d all grown up together, practically wore the same pants, and they expect her to believe they don’t know anything? Obviously, they’d been warned by Jiang Junwen not to tell her anything.

Liu Lifen, not entirely clueless, quickly spoke up for Shen Qingli: “Although Ali used to commute with the young master, they aren’t very close. She came home early yesterday and didn’t even attend the freshmen events. She probably doesn’t know what the young master is up to.”

Madam Jiang’s expression remained stern. “Understood. When your daughter gets back this afternoon, have her come see me. I need her help with something.”

Liu Lifen nodded repeatedly: “Of course, Madam, don’t worry. Once Ali is home, I’ll bring her to you right away.”

What “help” could Madam Jiang possibly need from Ali? Clearly, she wanted her to spy on Jiang Junwen.

But with a personality like Jiang Junwen’s, who could really keep an eye on him?

Still… this was a chance!

Liu Lifen made a mental note — this opportunity must not be wasted.

—

That morning, as Shen Qingli boarded the bus, she spotted Pei Songjiang right away.

Today, he was dressed in a black hoodie with the hood pulled up as usual, backpack slung over his shoulders. This time he wasn’t carrying a cactus, but instead, he held a small pot of succulent plants.

The tiny succulent was about palm-sized, crystal-clear in appearance, with green bases and translucent white tops.

Shen Qingli had never seen this kind of plant before.

Worried that the middle-aged man from before might show up again, she quickly walked over to Pei Songjiang and greeted him with a smile, “Good morning, Senior Pei.”

Pei Songjiang had on a pair of silver-rimmed glasses today, with dark circles under his eyes. He looked down at her and nodded, “Morning.”

Then, he subtly shifted to give her space between the handrail and the bus wall, standing behind her—essentially shielding her.

Shen Qingli appreciated his attentiveness and asked, “Senior, what kind of plant is that? It’s so pretty—it looks like a crystal.”

Pei Songjiang glanced down at the small potted succulent in his hands. It was planted in a little green agate pot, with plump triangular leaves. Under the sunlight, it shimmered with hints of purple and pink, looking like a round, vibrant lotus blossom.

Shen Qingli admired it for a long time but didn’t try to touch it.

This plant looked very much like the one she had in her past life — a graduation gift. But maybe it wasn’t the same one.

Pei Songjiang said, “It’s called Neon Haworthia. Do you like it?”

The name suited it—it really did look like a neon light.

Shen Qingli nodded. “Yes, it’s beautiful…”

Before she could finish, Pei Songjiang pushed the plant toward her. “Take it. It’s yours.”

Shen Qingli: “Huh?”

She instinctively caught it, looking between the plant and him in surprise. “You’re really giving it to me?”

Such a pretty plant, and he just gave it away?

Pei Songjiang looked at her expressionlessly. “Didn’t you say you liked it? Take it. I have lots at home.”

Only then did Shen Qingli remember that he was a student in agriculture. Maybe he was great at growing these?

Last time he was carrying a cactus, too.

Anyway, it was just a little succulent—probably not worth much. In her memory, a small one like this might cost twenty bucks at most.

So she happily accepted it and said, “Thanks, senior. I’ll treat you to milk tea next time.”

Pei Songjiang looked at her with a calm gaze, then took out his phone. “Really? Don’t go back on your word. Let’s add each other.”

Shen Qingli nodded quickly. “Of course, I won’t.”

They exchanged contacts.

Soon the bus reached their stop, and they got off together.

This time, Pei Songjiang didn’t walk away immediately. He actually said goodbye: “I’m going now. See you.”

Shen Qingli was a bit stunned. She waved with one hand while holding the plant in the other like a little guardian spirit: “Bye, senior.”

Pei Songjiang looked at her once more before turning and striding off.

Shen Qingli carefully carried the beautiful succulent and headed toward the university.

Since she didn’t have any early classes, she went to the library to read for a while and headed to class around 10.

She chose a seat near the back, and soon enough, Qian Xiqiao rushed in, hair disheveled, and flopped into the seat beside her.

Seeing how flustered she was, Shen Qingli asked quietly, “Couldn’t you just wake up a bit earlier? Did you even eat breakfast?”

Qian Xiqiao lowered her voice, “I was up all night following gossip in the group chat. You wouldn’t believe it…”

She leaned closer to Shen Qingli and whispered, “That Jiang family young master? He’s dating! He’s with the campus beauty from Polytechnic!”

The campus beauty from Polytechnic… that had to be Luo Shuyao.

Luo Shuyao was originally supposed to study abroad, but due to her father’s issues, she ended up taking the national college entrance exam and scored well enough to attend Polytechnic.

As for Jiang Junwen, a total love-struck fool, his mother had even bought a house for him abroad. But he refused to leave the country.

He stayed in China to pursue an arts degree—majoring in acting.

His decision nearly sent Madam Jiang into a coma from rage.

Now that university had just begun, and Luo Shuyao’s family was in trouble, she clearly wanted to cling to a rich second-generation heir like Jiang Junwen.

And Jiang Junwen, who even fought with his parents and gave up studying abroad for her, definitely expected something in return.

The two of them were a perfect match—probably holed up in her rental apartment right now.

Seeing Shen Qingli’s blank expression, Qian Xiqiao looked speechless. “Ali, you’re not even shocked? Jiang Junwen is dating! There were hundreds of people in the group chat yesterday crying over it!”

Shen Qingli shook her head. “What does his love life have to do with me? If I had time for gossip, I’d rather pick up an extra part-time job.”

Qian Xiqiao nodded. “Fair enough. That rich kid can date whoever he wants. Meanwhile, we ordinary folks can barely afford to eat, let alone fall in love… Wait, Ali—this Neon Haworthia is yours?”

She pointed at the succulent plant and widened her eyes in disbelief. “Shen Qingli! You’ve been pretending to be broke, and you brought a four-figure plant to class?!”

Shen Qingli: “…”

Even she was shocked. She stared at the beautiful succulent and lowered her voice, “Are you joking? It’s just a tiny plant. It’s worth four figures?”

In her past life, she had a very similar one—received at graduation. She never knew who gave it to her, or what it cost.

She just liked it and kept it on her desk for years.

Qian Xiqiao leaned in and carefully examined the plant for a whole minute, then clicked her tongue and said, “No way. It’s not worth four figures.”

Shen Qingli relaxed instantly.

But then Qian Xiqiao added, “It’s worth five figures at least. Four figures would be an insult.”

Shen Qingli: “…”

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