The Reborn Sidekick Rejected The Male Lead
Chapter 161 - 158:

Chapter 161: Chapter 158:

Why bother looking further, they simply bought a pound of pastries to make do.

"Uncle, what kind of pastries are you selling?"

"Comrade, we have the Supply and Marketing Cooperative’s eggettes, as well as mung bean cakes and glutinous rice cakes, all one yuan per pound, and no tickets are needed."

"Can we mix and match?"

"Sure."

Jiang Nanzhou immediately took out his money and said, "Uncle, we’ll take two pounds."

"Alrighty."

Lu Jingqiu turned to him and asked, "Which filling do you like?"

"I like them all," he wasn’t picky.

Lu Jingqiu didn’t ask further, ordering more mung bean cakes and taking a liking to the glutinous rice cakes as well.

"Comrade, for two pounds, I’ll throw in an extra mung bean cake for you. I usually roam around, going everywhere in the city. If you like it, remember to buy more next time we meet."

Lu Jingqiu hadn’t expected the uncle to be so lively in business and nodded in agreement, "If it tastes good, I’ll definitely remember your pastries, uncle."

After selling them his goods, the uncle rode off on his bike to the next customer. Lu Jingqiu took out an eggette and held it to Jiang Nanzhou’s mouth, "Try it, see if it’s good."

Initially embarrassed, Jiang Nanzhou saw that there weren’t many people on the street at the moment, and bashfully took a bite.

Lu Jingqiu also had a piece of the mung bean cake; the mung beans were soft, gluey, and individually distinct, "Mmm, it’s delicious."

Jiang Nanzhou nodded as well, "It’s no worse than the ones in the shops."

"This is what they call a master amongst the common folks. From now on, those who are flexible in thinking and skilled with their hands will surely be among the first to get rich. Just look, one pound, two pounds—selling ten or twenty pounds a day isn’t difficult, and the costs are low. They can make a fortune in a month."

"Now that you mention it, that does seem to be the case. Jingqiu, my future wages might not even compare to a third of what these people make." Jiang Nanzhou had encountered many things while running around for the renovation work in the past few days. For instance, the workers from the hydroelectric plant could take private jobs on the side.

A carpenter might earn three to five yuan for a cabinet, and a bricklayer might make one to two yuan a day in wages.

What Jingqiu said was also true; running your own business really was the most lucrative, less tiring, and the profits were considerable.

Lu Jingqiu quickly put a stop to it, "Every person has their own mission. Earning money is tough for others too, and it comes with risks. We shouldn’t envy them. As long as we live comfortably and happily within our abilities, that’s enough."

As Jiang Nanzhou looked into Lu Jingqiu’s bright eyes, which seemed to embrace everything yet were as pure as a spring, it moved him deeply. He always knew she was different from other girls.

"Jingqiu, although I can’t give you the best in the world, I will certainly do everything in my ability to give you the best I can, both materially and emotionally. You are the treasure of my heart."

Looking at Jiang Nanzhou’s tender eyes, Lu Jingqiu’s eyes smiled like crescent moons, "Mmm, I believe you."

Indeed, between two people in love, even a snack on the roadside can be filled with sweet nothings. Every time he was able to speak such passionate words, while she found it hard to speak out. However, in her heart, she was becoming more and more attached, falling deeper in love.

Lu Jingqiu had agreed to help Xue Jianian, so she had to take the opportunity to ask Luo Xinyue. Jiang Nanzhou dropped her off at the entrance of the Government Compound without going in.

Fortunately, Luo Xinyue was at home, which was a relief as Jingqiu feared she might come for nothing.

"Jingqiu, why have you come at this hour? Is something urgent?"

Luo Xinyue was quite surprised to see Lu Jingqiu at the door, as the two of them had just parted ways the day before.

Once inside, Lu Jingqiu went straight to the point, "There is something. A friend of mine, a student at the Agricultural University, is getting married tomorrow and needs a bridesmaid. I was hoping you could help her out. Are you free tomorrow?"

"Your friend is getting married, and you want me to be a bridesmaid?"

"She’s not from here; she’s the one who rents a room at my house, marrying a soldier. They don’t have many friends, and she came across me today and asked if I was willing. I thought since it’s not easy for a young girl to be on her own, I’d help her out if I could, so I recommended you."

"Oh, no problem. If you’re going, I’m going. Where is her wedding?"

"She has a godfather and godmother here; she’ll get married from her godfather’s place. If you agree, let’s meet her together and see how she plans to arrange everything tomorrow."

"Sure, I’m pretty bored at home anyway."

"You’re bored? Isn’t your Shang Ze also on holiday?"

"As soon as he takes a break, his dad drags him off to ’experience life,’ making him help sort files."

"Oh, okay, let’s go then. We can also swing by and check out your new house on the way."

"My boyfriend’s downstairs, so you’ll need to ride your own bike."

"Hmph, got it. At least your boyfriend knows to spend his holiday with you," Luo Xinyue complained, while she and Lu Jingqiu headed downstairs.

"He’s only free these few days; when he’s busy, I don’t get to see him for a week or two. Your Shang Ze thinks of you every day. Be content."

Luo Xinyue greeted Jiang Nanzhou as she went downstairs, and the three of them cycled to Academy Road. Lu Jingqiu asked Jiang Nanzhou to go back and keep an eye on things at home, while she and Luo Xinyue went to see Xue Jianian.

Jiang Nanzhou handed over the car to them and, cautioning them to be careful on the road, he went straight into the alley.

Lu Jingqiu led Luo Xinyue forward for two more blocks.

On the way, Luo Xinyue exclaimed, "Wow, this place is really close to Shang Ze’s apartment."

"Over there?"

"Just behind your house, across the street."

"We sure are coincidental."

By the time the two of them arrived, Xue Jianian was at home arranging the house.

The moment Luo Xinyue saw the courtyard, she fell in love with it at first sight. It was spacious and well-arranged, especially the large table in the yard.

"Niannian, we’re here."

Xue Jianian came out of the house with a smile. "Jingqiu, who’s this?"

"Luo Xinyue, my classmate. Xinyue, this is Xue Jianian, a student at Agricultural University."

"Hello, Comrade Jianian."

"Hello, Comrade Xinyue. I’m really sorry to trouble you this time."

Luo Xinyue said, "What are you talking about? It’s a joyous occasion, and having me as your bridesmaid is like letting me share in your happiness. After attending this wedding, we’ll be friends."

Xue Jianian laughed. "I’m very happy to become friends with you. Please take a seat, I’ll go make you some tea."

Lu Jingqiu quickly waved her hand. "Don’t bother, is there anything we can help with?"

Xue Jianian replied, "I’ve got most things settled, come on, let me show you around."

Luo Xinyue and Lu Jingqiu were rather excited, following her to see what their new room looked like.

The doors to the living room were already open, revealing a sofa, a TV cabinet, and even a TV.

Luo Xinyue gasped in surprise, excitedly asking, "Comrade Jianian, did you buy this TV from a department store?"

Xue Jianian smiled. "Since we’re going to be friends, let’s not be so formal. You can call me Jianian or Niannian. The TV was bought from Jingqiu’s second cousin."

Sure enough, Luo Xinyue turned to look at Lu Jingqiu, who was also quite surprised, as she thought Xue Jianian had lost contact with her cousin. "My cousin found you to procure goods?"

"No, I don’t have much merchandise now. It was my Jincheng who found him to buy it."

The amount of information was a bit overwhelming. Luo Xinyue, confused, said, "Hey, comrades, can someone explain to me what this ’second cousin’ and ’procuring goods’ is all about? Sister, you can’t be like this."

Lu Jingqiu laughed. "My second cousin brought back some TVs and watches from Yangcheng City this time. Oh, my second cousin works for a transport team; he usually... likes to deal with stuff."

Luo Xinyue pointed at Xue Jianian. "What about her?"

Xue Jianian said somewhat sheepishly, "I know people in the Black Market, and I usually trade in grain and the like. Oh, right."

As she spoke, she went to the kitchen and brought out two small parcels tied with red strings. "These are gifts for you bridesmaids. I hope you don’t mind."

Luo Xinyue, looking at the gifts, quickly said, "We can’t accept this. It’s enough for us to just enjoy a meal, haha."

Lu Jingqiu also declined the gifts.

Xue Jianian said, "It’s just five pounds of millet. If you don’t take it, I’d feel embarrassed asking you to come over. Just keep it, didn’t you just say we’re friends?"

"What, millet?"

"Yeah."

"Comrade Niannian, do you have more of this? Ahem, I mean, do you have any extra? I’d like to buy some."

Lu Jingqiu laughed. "She has plenty of good things."

Xue Jianian stuffed the parcels into their hands. "Right, I have lots of good stuff. Whenever you need anything, just come to me, and I’ll give you a good deal."

"What all do you sell?"

"Rice, flour, oils, chicken, ducks, geese, pork, beef, lamb, fish, shrimp — I have them all."

"Wow. Jingqiu, you’ve introduced me to some kind of magical friend. This is fantastic. Oh, does your second cousin still have TVs? I’ll ask my mom tonight if she wants one."

"I’ll check for you when I get back."

Xue Jianian hadn’t expected Luo Xinyue to not only not disdain her for doing business but to be happy about it.

Thinking about it, Jingqiu’s friend would probably be fine too.