Chapter 1082: Chapter 616: Not Human
River Dam Bungalow.
Xue Yuantong sat on a small stool, watching the western sunset gradually dip below the horizon. As it continued to sink, the golden-red glow slowly dimmed, and the horizon was swallowed by darkness.
Until the sunset completely disappeared, the whole world fell into silence, and darkness entirely enveloped the sky, replaced by the deep and mysterious night sky filled with stars.
’Time to go home and cook.’ Xue Yuantong muttered to herself.
She picked up the small stool and headed home.
At the same time, a few guests arrived at the rural tourism house at the end of the bungalow street.
...
Urban penthouse.
In the spacious living room, Jiang Ning leaned back against the sofa at Aunt’s house, with legs crossed, watching a variety show on the 55-inch TV.
On the coffee table in front of him, there were some nuts, jerky, and strawberries.
"Jiang Ning, take whichever you want, feel free at our place!" Aunt greeted warmly with a smile.
Compared to the sense of restraint he used to feel at Uncle’s house, Jiang Ning now came here feeling much more at ease.
He was no longer seen as an outsider but rather as a well-regarded nephew.
"Alright." Jiang Ning picked up a strawberry and put it in his mouth.
Beside him, Jiang Junlong, originally doing homework in the bedroom, was called out to accompany him.
Jiang Junlong wanted to chat with his cousin. His League of Legends account had reached the King level, making him stand proud in his class.
Despite his real understanding of the game being only at the Silver level, the Golds and Platinums in class listened attentively to his advice whenever he bragged.
Yes, the gaming experience he shared was exactly the same as what he said when he was Silver rank.
The classmates who once dismissed him now listened as if it were sage advice.
Of course, there were doubts about Jiang Junlong’s skills. Jiang Ning got someone to play on his behalf, which dispelled his classmates’ suspicions completely.
Now, Jiang Junlong admired his cousin even more. He wanted to discuss the game, but seeing his mother nearby, he held his tongue.
Shen Qing’e sat on the other side of the sofa with an indifferent expression. When Jiang Ning didn’t respond to her earlier small talk, her face remained emotionless.
Jiang Ning used his Divine Sense to probe and found that she was quite good at hiding her emotions, unlike in the past when they were written all over her face.
Living with her sister’s in-laws strengthened her mental defenses, making her increasingly inscrutable, like a more scheming version.
However, no matter how inscrutable, as long as he had no interest in her, it was irrelevant.
Aunt said, "Ningning, look at you, you didn’t have to bring anything when you came!"
"Next time, don’t buy anything at all."
As she spoke, she untied the plastic bag Jiang Ning brought, revealing four oranges in front of her.
Without even peeling them, the fragrance of the oranges wafted through the air.
"Bro, you brought fruit again!" Jiang Junlong was a bit excited; previously, Jiang Ning had brought watermelons and tomatoes, all of excellent taste.
These oranges were naturally expected to be top-notch in flavor.
Jiang Junlong got up to touch the oranges, but before his hand could reach, it was slapped away by another large hand.
Uncle Jiang Qitian scolded, "What do you think you’re doing?"
Aunt also reprimanded, "You want to peel it with your hands? The juice will sting your eyes, and you’ll regret it!"
After a double scolding from his parents, Jiang Junlong sheepishly returned to the sofa.
Jiang Qitian, now calmer, said, "You still have to study tonight, you can’t be distracted by oranges, let me handle it!"
Saying that, he grabbed an orange and started to peel it by hand.
Jiang Ning watched this loving scene and couldn’t help but smile.
Aunt eventually put the oranges back, saving them for dinner as a dessert.
Shen Qing’e was looking at her phone, engaged in a lively class group chat.
Lu Qiqi posted a photo holding an orange cat, after editing it, which made other girls envious.
Cui Yu remarked, "If only you really looked like your photo?"
Lu Qiqi retorted, "You need to go cure your mental illness at the hospital."
Ignoring Cui Yu, Lu Qiqi explained to Meng Ziyun and others how she got to hold the orange cat, which involved booking the place for three hours at the cost of ten thousand yuan.
Lu Qiqi didn’t hesitate to praise, "I rarely meet someone so rich. Brother Tian was so generous, ten thousand yuan meant nothing to him."
Her words caused a slight stir among some classmates.
Lu Qiqi added, "It’s not even that much, I’ve been to bars in Nan City where rich people spend a hundred thousand yuan on drinks in one night."
Cui Yu quipped sarcastically, "Oh my, high society."
Lu Qiqi retorted, "Have you ever been to any high-end places?"
She exuded a strong sense of superiority.
"Not only have I been, I’ve spent money there too." Meng Gui interjected.
Seeing this person, Lu Qiqi immediately felt something was off, but her perspective and dignity wouldn’t allow her to back down:
"Oh please, what high-end places have you been to?"
Meng Gui replied, "The hospital."
Cui Yu added, "Just asking if it’s high-consumption, that’s all."
After a bit of chatter in the group, they talked about the recent Evergreen Liquid launch event, saying it was an honor that Yuzhou made it to the trending list with a local enterprise.
"This event was truly high-end, I heard many top executives from big companies came, along with local leaders and global elites." Dong Qingfeng said.
Lu Qiqi didn’t deny it, "Being able to attend such a high-level event, you must be elite among elites."
Meng Zi Yun added, "Someone on Weibo posted their invitation, decorated with beautiful engravings, made of gold."
Zhang Chi, eyes lighting up at the mention of gold, said, "If I had an invitation, I’d definitely sell it."
Lu Qiqi mocked, "Get real, those who receive an invitation, people like that, would never stoop so low as to sell it."