The Reborn Sidekick Rejected The Male Lead
Chapter 124 - 122: Discovering Xue Jianian’s Secret

Chapter 124: Chapter 122: Discovering Xue Jianian’s Secret

Lu Jingqiu had intended to have a chat with a colleague and didn’t expect such a great surprise.

She decisively treated Zhang Miao to a lavish meal at the State-owned restaurant at noon.

"Why did Luo Xinyue quit? Where did she go?"

"When she left, she only told the editor-in-chief directly. She told me she needed to take an exam, quite mysterious. She also mentioned she’d give us a surprise after a while."

"How long has she been gone?"

"It’s been two weeks. Oh right, last week one of her illustrations was selected by the daily newspaper. She even boasted to me about it."

"Wow, I’ll go back and check it out that day."

Zhang Miao told her the date and they discussed some recent situations at the newspaper office.

Not many books had been printed in the summer, just a popular science book, all the illustrations for which were done by Yang Bo. Now Yang Bo was the only one left in the illustration and editing department, and the office wasn’t planning to hire anyone else.

For illustrations in the future, they will look for Jingqiu and Luo Xinyue. Xinyue said if needed, she could still be contacted.

For the office, it was a cost-saving opportunity, and for Lu Jingqiu and the others, it was a chance to earn some extra money while studying—a win-win.

After parting with Zhang Miao, Lu Jingqiu rode her bike straight to Xue Jianian’s place. Upon reaching the alley, she checked her watch; it was already one o’clock.

Pushing her bike along, she suddenly spotted a young man sneaking into Xue Jianian’s courtyard. Lu Jingqiu’s expression shifted, she quickened her pace and didn’t forget to look around for any handy tool.

When she reached the door, she carefully parked her bike, picked up a wooden stick standing against the wall at the entrance. Seeing that the door was unlocked, she swung open the door with the stick and went to strike at a shadow she saw.

Just as the stick was coming down, the young man dodged out of the way.

"You..."

"..."

When she steadied herself and took another look, she saw Xue Jianian removing his cap, his face smeared with some dingy substance which now had been half wiped away. His basket lay on the ground, containing a few bags of rice and flour.

Lu Jingqiu then recognized this attire, indeed it was the same young man she had encountered at the Black Market.

Lu Jingqiu was surprised, but Xue Jianian was even more so.

After his morning visit to the Black Market, he had passed through a nearby residential compound and bought several tens of pounds of rice and flour. He had just sneaked back in, wiped his face because of the heat, was about to take off his outer clothing, when this unexpected incident occurred.

In the sweltering heat, he had been scared into a cold sweat and now just stood there, looking intently at Lu Jingqiu.

Lu Jingqiu was even more surprised, realizing Xue Jianian had such audacity to trade goods on the Black Market, and the volume was considerable.

Both of them hadn’t quite recovered from their shock, standing there frozen. Xue Jianian was scared that Lu Jingqiu might report her, and Lu Jingqiu, having stumbled upon someone else’s secret, didn’t know how to wrap things up.

Just as the atmosphere was becoming delicately tense, laughter and voices suddenly came from the alley at the entrance. Lu Jingqiu, quick-witted, hurriedly closed the door.

They waited until the footsteps had faded away before cautiously looking at each other again. Lu Jingqiu let out a sigh of relief and said to Xue Jianian, "I thought a thief had gotten in just now." She quickly threw down the stick and added, "I came today to collect the room rent ... you can rest assured, I won’t tell anyone."

Seeing her say this, Xue Jianian’s tense expression eased. He picked up the bamboo basket from the ground, gave her an appraising look, and silently counted out five yuan to hand over.

Lu Jingqiu quietly accepted the money, aware of his scrutinizing gaze. She thought she definitely couldn’t just leave now—who knew what he would think of her after she left.

Thinking it over, she added, "I didn’t expect you were that ’young man.’ My cousin was quite satisfied with the goods last time. Oh, and by the way, the country now advocates for free trade, so you don’t have to sneak around anymore."

It was only then that Xue Jianian remembered he had sold a batch of goods to them before. Considering this, they were in the same boat. His taut nerves instantly relaxed. "Are you serious, we can trade freely now?"

"Yeah, I went to Capital City a few days ago, and there were so many street vendors there."

Xue Jianian dropped his gaze slightly as he explained to Lu Jingqiu, "I came here not knowing anyone, with no money. I had brought some seafood from home, so I sold them at the Black Market to get some cash. Later, by chance, I met a woman who was dealing in goods. I got some items from her to sell, just to take care of my own food and drink. I didn’t have a choice."

Lu Jingqiu pursed her lips in a smile and said, "I understand."

She didn’t know what the circumstances of Xue Jianian’s previous life had been like over the past ten years, just like she didn’t know about most people’s last ten years.

Because she had been locked up in a sanatorium during those ten years.

Xue Jianian didn’t suspect anything, after all, Lu Jingqiu had also helped relatives with reselling stuff. Fortunately, she hadn’t just directly entered the space; otherwise, it would have been really hard to explain.

"It’s hot right now, come in and sit for a while. I just bought some grapes at the market, they’re really sweet. You should try them."

Lu Jingqiu thought for a moment and then nodded in agreement. Xue Jianian led her to a long wooden table under an osmanthus tree and washed two bunches of grapes. "You eat first, I’ll take a shower and change clothes."

Lu Jingqiu nodded, watching her go inside the house, then pinched a grape and put it into her mouth. Huh, it was indeed quite sweet.

Taking advantage of this time, Lu Jingqiu seriously took in the courtyard that Xue Jianian had tidied up. There was a row of five rooms with a kitchen on the east side, and a bathing room. The backyard wasn’t very big, with the toilet at the back, and there was also a small shed, specifically for coal balls and miscellaneous items.

The front courtyard was more spacious, with an osmanthus tree on the west side. Now, a long table was placed underneath. It must have been quite poetic to drink tea and eat under it during the summer.

There were many flowers planted on both sides of the courtyard, and there was also a small vegetable garden with lush and healthy plants. It was clear that Xue Jianian knew how to live life.

By the time Lu Jingqiu finished looking around, Xue Jianian had also come out of the bathing room.

"How are the grapes?"

"They’re delicious... You’ve done a very nice job with the courtyard."

Xue Jianian smiled, "I’m used to it. My grandma at home likes plants and grew some things. I naturally picked it up from her. Living in the city without a ration of commodities, everything costs money."

"School is starting soon, and there will be a subsidy, so I’m not worried. Are you going to keep renting this place?"

"Yes, I’m not staying on campus. What about you, are you staying on campus?"

"Yes, my home is a bit far from the school."

"West City University is quite close from here; if you want to stay here, I can move out."

"No need, no need. By the way, do you still have millet? I’d like a few pounds."

"Yes, how much do you want?"

"About ten pounds."

Xue Jianian said, "Wait here," and went inside with a cloth bag, soon returning with ten pounds of millet.

Lu Jingqiu gave Xue Jianian nine yuan and eight, but Xue Jianian only took nine yuan and also gave her some eggplants and chili peppers from her own garden, "The vegetable garden is quite large, and I can’t eat it all by myself. Here’s some for you. I’m going to be at school soon where I’ll eat lunch. I won’t eat much in the morning and evening anyway."

Lu Jingqiu didn’t refuse, "Thank you. Then I’ll be leaving now."

Xue Jianian nodded, "You can come and hang out when you have time, I don’t really have friends around here."

Lu Jingqiu nodded in agreement, "Sure."

She was supposed to collect rent but ended up giving away a few yuan instead. Still, looking at the plump millet, Lu Jingqiu was very pleased.

Riding her bicycle leisurely back to the complex, she arrived at the gate only to see Wu Zhengran, who had already been waiting there for a long time.