Chapter 52: I’m Not a Benefactor Anymore
Xu Qing was fiddling with his computer, pondering how to co up with an excuse to trick Qin Hao.
Of course, he didn’t have to make sothing up—reporting the matter outright was an option. It’d be much simpler to fool the old man and the others later. But if he could craft a good story now, having an insider like Qin Hao to help would make the bureaucratic process for Jiang He’s integration into society far smoother.
During the last census, over 13 million people were found to lack proper household registration for various reasons. While being a "black household" wasn't a huge issue in itself, Xu Qing's real concern lay in the complications surrounding Jiang He’s very existence and the troubles early exposure might cause when resolving her undocunted status in the future.
Once she adapted to life here, that worry would naturally fade—likely by the end of the year, everything would be sorted out without incident. The first step had been executed flawlessly, without any surprises.
Knock, knock, knock.
The sound interrupted Xu Qing’s thoughts. He set down his mouse and walked over to check through the peephole before opening the door.
“Dad, it’s not rent day yet, is it?”
“Did I say anything about rent?” Xu Wenbin’s mood soured instantly. Carrying his briefcase, he stepped in, saying, “I was passing by after work and thought I’d check how the heating’s doing. If there’s a problem, it’s my duty as your landlord to… to…”
His words trailed off as Jiang He appeared wearing an apron, carrying a dish. He stared, suspecting he might have entered the wrong apartnt.
What was going on here?
“U-Uncle, hello,” Jiang He said nervously, wiping her hands on the apron and standing straight, unsure of what to do.
“…”
“…”
“Hello, hello. I just ca to check if the heater’s working. If it’s not, you can call property managent… you carry on.” Xu Wenbin inexplicably felt a bit flustered.
The last ti he visited, the place had looked like a dog’s den. How had it suddenly turned into… this?
In Xu Wenbin’s imagination, the two of them likely spent their days lazing around, playing video gas, sleeping, ordering delivery, and repeating the cycle until Xu Qing ran out of money and had to find a job under pressure. But this? This wasn’t the script!
“The heater’s fine; no need to worry,” Xu Qing replied, amused by his dad’s bewildered expression. He went to help Jiang He set the dishes on the table and asked, “Want to join us? It’s not bad—though there’s not much at.”
The satisfaction in his tone was evident.
What was that about being lazy? What was that about being idle? What was that about shutting up the cowshed? Hah.
“No, no, I’ve got food at ho.” Xu Wenbin touched the heater, glanced at the bananas and milk on top, then surveyed the apartnt. On the table was a dish of braised eggplant; at the door, there were two pairs of shoes; the coat rack held a mix of light blue and brown jackets; and on the balcony, clothes for two were drying. Even a potted ginger plant, bright green and vibrant, sat by the TV. (Originally in the kitchen, Xu Qing had decided it made a good decoration.)
This was undeniably a ho.
“Have a bite; you’re already here… Jiang He, grab so bowls,” Xu Qing urged.
“No, no, no! I really have to go, or your mom will start nagging…” Xu Wenbin quickly declined when he saw Jiang He about to fetch more dishes. He grabbed his briefcase and headed for the door but paused before leaving. “About the heating bill… uh, never mind.”
He waved dismissively. “Forget it. I’ll be off—you, uh… co by the house soon.”
“…”
Jiang He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she watched Xu Wenbin leave. She turned to Xu Qing and asked, “What was that about?”
“Nothing,” Xu Qing replied, though his heart raced a bit at her subtle gesture.
“Oh, okay. I’ll get back to cooking, then.”
Satisfied, Jiang He returned to her cooking, diligently preparing the al. Spending five yuan on a al wasn’t much, and she enjoyed eating what she made. The better the food tasted, the happier she felt. Perhaps it was a talent, but after tasting all the spices, she quickly picked up the basics. Following the simple recipes Xu Qing had bought, she rarely made anything unpalatable—already far surpassing Xu Qing, who could only manage fried potatoes.
“What are you making?” Xu Qing leaned against the kitchen door, watching her work.
“Just cooking,” Jiang He answered, glancing back at him in confusion.
“Oh, just checking if you need any guidance.” Xu Qing’s smile grew wider. This feeling… it was great.
Dinner was richer than usual. Jiang He had learned to make "Di San Xian" (stir-fried potato, eggplant, and green peppers) to go with the braised eggplant and a tomato egg soup. It was the perfect amount for two.
With Jiang He eating two full bowls of rice, there was no way they could implent the N-1 rule.
The familiar chi of the evening news echoed from the TV as Xu Qing served the rice. Jiang He sat nearby, eating with him while watching.
She had now figured out that the yellow-haired foreigners on TV were also humans—they just looked different, like how the First Boss was dark-skinned while the Second Boss was pale.
“Have you thought about the future?” Xu Qing suddenly asked.
“The future?” Jiang He paused, lowering her head. After a mont of silence, she shook it. “The future… will probably just be like this.”
“Like this?” Xu Qing laughed. “Good, this is good. Let’s keep it this way…”
“No, I an…” Jiang He hesitated, unsure how to explain. “I don’t want to keep troubling you.”
“This isn’t trouble. It’s fine.”
“No, it’s not. We’re unrelated. You’ve already done so much for —it’s a huge favor. How could I dare to ask for more? Second Boss always said that no one owes us anything. If soone helps us, it’s out of kindness. We shouldn’t push our luck. You’ve already done enough.”
“Unrelated? Then let’s not be unrelated,” Xu Qing suggested, a brilliant idea forming in his mind.
“Huh?” Jiang He looked puzzled.
“Look, I’m unmarried, you’re single. Our eting was fate. I…”
“No, that’s not right! You’re my benefactor. I can’t do that. A debt is a debt, and it has to be repaid,” Jiang He firmly interrupted, her face flushing. “You can’t pity and…”
Her voice trailed off as she struggled to articulate. “Anyway, it’s not right. You’re my benefactor.”
“Isn’t ‘repaying with your hand in marriage’ a valid way to repay?” Xu Qing teased.
“No!” Jiang He shook her head emphatically. “That’s only when there’s no other choice. Second Boss said it’s the most shaless thod. If you can’t repay a debt, you just cling to the person…”
???
Xu Qing was stunned. What was wrong with this Second Boss? ddling in people’s love lives from a thousand years away?
“I ended up here by accident, empty-handed, and clueless. You’ve already helped so much—it’s caused you enough trouble. I can’t burden you more by doing sothing shaless. That wouldn’t be fair to you.”
Xu Qing rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. “No, no, no. It’s not trouble, and it’s not shaless. If both parties agree, what’s the problem? I’m not troubled, really.”
Jiang He was as stubborn as a mule. Her belief that liking soone and repaying a debt were two entirely separate matters made Xu Qing’s head spin.
“You’re my benefactor. I can’t be selfish…”
“Then I’ll stop being your benefactor!” Xu Qing snapped, his lips trembling with frustration.
Frustrated and freezing, he thought, When can benefactors finally get a break?
“A benefactor is always a benefactor,” Jiang He said resolutely.
“Starting tomorrow, you’re cooking proper als for . Eighty yuan per al—work off your debt!”
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