Chapter 44: Senior Asks for Shelter 1

[Do you know why I love bells?]

[A true man should achieve great deeds and leave his name in history!]

[That crisp chime will echo for millennia… heard by everyone.]

This was a fan-made video with millions of likes and hundreds of thousands of comments. 

The uploader claimed to have personally visited nursing homes, gathering testimonies from elderly residents to explain why Ji Yuenian always wore that golden bell whenever he visited lonely seniors.

After watching the entire video, Ji Yuenian was utterly shocked and speechless. 

This was hitting the nail on the head-this person got him! 

A kindred spirit! 

If possible, he would absolutely stay up all night discussing life with them!

“Bro Ji, Bro Ji!” 

Ji Yuenian snapped out of his daze when someone called him. 

Su Tian gave him a thumbs-up, his face full of admiration. 

“Absolute legend! In my life, besides my dad, you’re the only one I respect.”

“Senior Ji, can I get your autograph?” 

Suddenly, a girl with twin ponytails and a short skirt stepped forward, her cheeks flushed as she shyly handed him an exquisite business card.

“Minister Ji, I’m from the photography club. The school wants you to star in next year’s admissions promo video.” 

A guy with a camera slung around his neck rushed over, waving his camera urgently as he spoke.

“Bro Ji, there’s a huge crowd outside the school-all reporters here to interview you!” 

A junior from the sports club shouted at the top of his lungs, his voice brimming with astonishment.

“Student Ji Yuenian, come with us. The Wanqing City Education Bureau wants you as the city’s ambassador. Make sure to put in a good word for the school, Wanqing, and our local specialties.” 

Soon enough, even the student council sent someone.

Ji Yuenian: “…”

“Look, someone’s jumping off a building!” 

He suddenly stood up and pointed in a random direction. 

Everyone turned to look, but there was no one there. When they turned back, Ji Yuenian had vanished.

Huff……. huff……. huff…..

Inside Secret Base No. 2, Ji Yuenian panted heavily as he slumped into a seat.

Just then, his mom sent a message: “Brat, don’t come home for a while! Stay low and lay low.”

Attached was a forwarded video. 

Ji Yuenian clicked it open-a horde of self-media reporters, armed with cameras, had swarmed his apartment building, blocking every exit.

“Damn, now I get why celebrities hire bodyguards,” he muttered under his breath.

Now he literally couldn’t go home.

Suddenly, his fingers brushed against a piece of women’s clothing on the couch. 

He picked it up, eyes lighting up, then grabbed his phone.

“Bro, I’m taking my girlfriend out of town to lay low. Recommend a fresh summer outfit-something eye-catching. Reply ASAP!!”

*    *    *

Ding-dong! Ding-dong! Ding-dong!

The doorbell rang. Jiang Chi, his kindred spirit, was editing videos in his bedroom when he heard the noise. 

He stepped out and opened the door.

“Mom, the reunion’s already-“

His voice cut off.

Because standing there wasn’t his mother, Chen Mengrou-but someone else.

“Senior Jiang, good afternoon~” 

Ji Qingchan peeked in, dragging a suitcase behind her as she greeted him.

She wore a crisp white Morandi-style T-shirt and ultra-short denim shorts. 

The T-shirt perfectly accentuated her slender waist and graceful figure, while the shorts clung tightly to her perky bottom, showcasing her long, straight legs without reservation. 

Her snow-white thighs, like polished jade, gleamed dazzlingly under the sunlight.

A small, adorable pink shoulder bag complemented her outfit, adding a playful and lively touch.

No one could quite pin down her fashion style. 

Every time she appeared, she managed to dazzle-likely because she had an entire walk-in closet of clothes at home to mix and match.

“Senior Jiang, can you take me in for a few days?” 

Ji Qingchan looked up, her almond-shaped eyes glistening with pleading.

“My boss withheld my wages, and now I can’t pay rent. My landlord kicked me out. I’ll only stay for a few days—just until my labor arbitration comes through. Then I’ll leave.”

“What about your parents?” Jiang Chi frowned.

Ji Qingchan lowered her eyes slightly, her long lashes casting a shadow that concealed the loneliness deep within. Her voice carried a hint of sorrow: “I’m an orphan.”

“Sorry.” 

Jiang Chi fell silent for a long moment before uttering those two words. 

Then, he pushed the door open.

“Come in.”

Ji Qingchan followed him inside and sat on the living room sofa, glancing around the room.

The design was minimalist yet elegant-clean and tidy, but lacking a bit of warmth.

“Here.” Suddenly, a hand clad in white gloves slowly extended a bright red apple toward her.

Ji Qingchan blinked in surprise before hurriedly accepting it, her face lighting up with delight as she thanked him. 

But inwardly, she was already laughing triumphantly.

I knew it! 

A pitiful, parentless girl is an absolute critical hit against guys!

Ji Yuenian mentally crossed her arms and leaned back in a tactical pose (Heh heh heh!!).

Ji Qingchan leisurely nibbled on the apple, first licking the lingering juice from her lips with her pink tongue before smacking her lips in satisfaction.

Meanwhile, Jiang Chi patiently explained the layout of the apartment-which bedrooms were off-limits, where the bathroom was, and the location of the washing machine.

Ji Qingchan listened attentively, nodding obediently from time to time, her expression once again shifting back to that sweet, cheerful demeanor.

By the time Jiang Chi finished speaking, the sky had darkened slightly. 

Ji Qingchan sidled up to him, her face blooming with a radiant smile, her bright almond eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“Senior Jiang, now that you’ve explained everything, what are we having for dinner?”

Jiang Chi raised a finger and pointed toward a half-opened box of instant noodles in the corner.

Ji Qingchan followed his gesture, her beautiful almond eyes widening in shock.

“Senior Jiang, you eat this every day at home?!”

“Aunt Chen, who usually cooks, went back to visit her family. She’ll return in a few days.”

“What about your parents?”

“My mom’s at a class reunion, and my dad’s on a business trip. Neither is home.”

“Senior Jiang, you don’t know how to cook?”

Jiang Chi fell silent for a long moment before finally uttering two words.

“Afraid of mess.”

The two words seemed to carry the weight of a thousand pounds, leaving Ji Qingchan so shocked that her mouth hung open wide, as if she could swallow an egg whole.