Chapter 54:
Chapter 54:
Sitting nearby with his hands in his pockets, Jiang Feng said impatiently, “Girls are so ugly when they cry. Someone make her stop.”
“I don’t need you to care!” Bai Qingqing snapped, glaring at him. “Of course it’s easy for you to talk when you’re not the one living in that awful place! It stinks, and I’ve never lived in such a run-down house in my life. No amount of cleaning will fix it!”
Jiang Feng sighed, clearly annoyed. “Fine, fine. You’re so annoying. I’ll switch rooms with you, okay?”
“Really?” Bai Qingqing looked at him, stunned.
Was he really willing to switch?
Hadn’t he been the first one to complain about that room?
Her heart softened for a moment.
Jiang Feng rolled his eyes at her. “Cry, cry, cry—that’s all girls do. I learned at eight years old that crying doesn’t solve anything. I’ll switch rooms, but you’re going to cook for me from now on. Otherwise, forget it.”
“Xiao Feng, that’s not right. How can you make a girl work?” Jiang Nan chimed in, shaking his head disapprovingly. “Girls should be treated gently, not made to help with chores. We should have some loyalty as human beings.”
“Ugh, you’re so annoying.” Bai Qingqing turned and glared at Jiang Nan. “Where was all this loyalty just now? You didn’t say a word! Now that Xiao Feng’s willing to switch, you want to act like the good guy? I’m happy to help him cook. What’s wrong with that?”
Bai Qingqing wasn’t unreasonable. At this moment, Jiang Feng seemed much more admirable in her eyes.
“Thank you,” she said sincerely, turning to Jiang Feng. “I know you don’t like that room either, so I appreciate you being willing to switch with me. From now on, you’re a friend of mine, Jiang Feng.”
She smiled and extended her hand toward him. Her skin seemed to glow in the sunlight, her delicate features almost unreal.
“Uh… okay… okay.” Jiang Feng blushed, awkwardly reaching out to shake her hand. “I didn’t switch because of you, though. My mom always told me that boys shouldn’t make girls cry. I can’t be like my dad. So… yes…” His face turned even redder, and he muttered shyly, “But don’t get the wrong idea. You’re the one who wanted to be friends with me, not the other way around!”
“Alright, alright. I’m the one who asked.” Bai Qingqing replied with a smile.
“Well… then I guess I’ll reluctantly agree!” Jiang Feng said, trying to sound tough but clearly flustered.
Bai Qingqing couldn’t help but laugh at his awkwardness and slight arrogance. He was actually kind of cute, much better than Jiang Nan.
When the elderly woman returned, Jiang Feng and the others had already sorted out the room situation.
The old lady spoke sternly, “Now that your rooms are settled, let me explain your daily chores. You’ll need to help me in the vegetable field up the mountain—planting and watering the crops. I’ll choose the vegetables and give you a recipe each day. You’ll be responsible for cooking, cleaning, washing dishes, and, oh, don’t forget, tidying up the pigsty is also part of your duties.”
Jiang Nan: “…”
Jiang Feng: “…”
Bai Qingqing: “…”
Cleaning the pigsty.
The three sighed together.
What had to come, had come.
After the grandmother finished, the director team took each of them aside for individual interviews.
The first question?
Their first impressions of each other.