The Reborn Sidekick Rejected The Male Lead
Chapter 94 - 92: Let Shen Mu Come

Chapter 94: Chapter 92: Let Shen Mu Come

Shen Mu had just finished his exams today and would be on holiday tomorrow. He was thinking of speaking to his brother before getting up to go home.

But before he could approach him, his brother came looking for him first.

He was also surprised to hear that his mother had arranged for Xiuya to meet with his brother for a blind date.

"Big brother, what did you want to see me for? Xiuya is here for the blind date with you."

Jiang Nanzhou, looking displeased, said indifferently, "What do you think?" He didn’t waste time with chitchat and soon added, "Pack your things, you’re coming with me to the guest house. For the next few days, you’ll take Comrade Xiuya around West City, have fun. In a few days, I’ll join you both and we’ll go back together."

"Ah, big brother, weren’t you planning to spend the holiday bringing Comrade Jingqiu back home to visit the family? Does Comrade Jingqiu agree with this plan?"

"Yeah, we’re leaving in a few days. It’s just that we need to spend a couple of days in Yangjiang first."

Shen Mu said, "Perfect, I’ll treat it as a trip then." His holiday was only a month, or to be precise, twenty days.

Having worked for a few years, he wanted to take the opportunity now to really enjoy himself and relax.

Xiuya had been waiting at the guest house all morning and was finally relieved to see a familiar face. When she saw Shen Mu, she said in surprise, "Xiao Mu, why is it you?"

Shen Mu replied, "I’m on holiday. My brother told me you were here. I’m free for the next few days, so I thought I’d show you around West City."

Xiuya smiled and nodded her head.

She preferred to spend time with Shen Mu rather than Jiang Nanzhou, whose cold aura could freeze a person.

After hearing that he had a significant other, Wang Xiuya inexplicably let out a sigh of relief.

In the afternoon, Shen Mu took her to the downtown department stores of West City. On the way, he informed her about his brother’s situation, "Xiuya, the adults are clueless, just blindly setting things up. Don’t let them influence you."

"Xiao Mu, don’t worry. I’m not really interested, and the adults are just worried about us kids. Especially your older brother—he’s already twenty-five or twenty-six and still not married. They might have thought there was a match since I met your brother once before, and he even spoke a word to me. I guess they think we’re a good match. I was pushed into this and couldn’t refuse, but since it’s the summer holidays and I have nothing else going on, I might as well see it through. I’ll treat it like a vacation. Xiao Mu, seriously, you have to show me around properly these next few days."

"Don’t worry, I’ll make sure your trip is worthwhile."

"By the way, what’s your brother’s partner like? I met her yesterday, she’s quite pretty. No wonder he’s been single for so many years, he must have high standards."

"Comrade Jingqiu used to be in my Educated Youth Team. She’s a nice person, comes from a good family background. Oh, and she works at a children’s publishing house as an art editor. I’ll introduce you two some other time. Since you work with children and she deals with kids’ content too, you’ll probably have a lot to talk about."

"An art editor, that makes sense."

"What do you mean?"

"That explains the... artistic vibe she has, it’s really comfortable to be around."

Shen Mu hadn’t noticed this detail too closely; he only knew that Lu Jingqiu was very different from the time she had spent in the Educated Youth Team last year.

"You have it too."

"Me? Not even close. I’m dealing with those troublemaker kids all day, constantly outwitting them in class, acting like a shrew."

"Are students really that mischievous these days?"

"You have no idea."

Wang Xiuya observed the West City streets and the surrounding construction, and couldn’t help but exclaim, "The development here isn’t much different from Capital City, in fact, it might even be better."

Shen Mu replied, "This area is close to several coastal cities to the south; the changes there are significant, and this area is influenced as well, a bit more advanced than some northern areas."

Wang Xiuya nodded, she could feel the difference.

"You’ll see when we get to the department store that there isn’t much difference between here and Capital City’s stores."

Wang Xiuya nodded, "Yeah, I brought plenty of money with me on this trip. I plan to buy some local specialties to take home. Of course, you will be treating me to a meal later, as you should extend the host’s courtesy."

Shen Mu said, "You’re all grown up, and you still like to take advantage of small benefits like that."

Wang Xiuya objected, "What’s the big deal? The salary of a primary school teacher is just so little, and on top of that, I have to save up for my own dowry. Do you think it’s easy for me? Plus, I’ve come to the place where you study, a stranger in an unfamiliar town. Your older brother doesn’t look after me, and if you don’t either, then who will? And it’s just a few meals, why are you being so stingy?"

"I’m not being stingy, order whatever you want to eat later, okay? Besides, why does a kid need to earn so much money? Just find someone wealthy to marry."

"Easier said than done. Where are these wealthy people? I haven’t met one yet."

Lu Jingqiu didn’t know that Jiang Nanzhou had already made arrangements for Wang Xiuya.

At the moment, she was rushing to complete illustrations at work. Creating a picture book of myths was taxing on the brain. It took three drafts before Zhao Wencai was finally satisfied with her work, and now she had only completed the second illustration out of more than twenty; she definitely wouldn’t be able to finish them all before leaving.

Luo Xinyue was also busy lately, occupied with creating illustrations for children’s literacy and picture recognition educational aids.

Now, the two of them only had some free time to eat lunch. During work hours, there was no time even to lift their heads to talk, as they had to go out from time to time to consult with the editors.

When she returned home, Lu Jingqiu worked overtime on her illustrations.

She had no choice, as she’d be without any free time for half a month very soon.

The serial "My Courtyard Life" that she had been publishing in the Liberation Newspaper was also about to end.

On the 1st of August, she updated it with a drawing of soldiers raising the national flag, followed by a few pictures of children.

There were only two drawings left, which Lu Jingqiu had already completed, planning to mail them over in the next couple of days.

Her uncle and aunt were already preparing for things.

Lu Jingqiu received the admission notice from West City Academy of Fine Arts on a Tuesday morning in early August.

The family’s suspended hearts could finally settle down.

"Now that’s great, college is for sure now," Lu Xianrun said, worried there might be some unexpected issue. Now looking at the college admission notice, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes seemed to deepen.

The aunt also cheerfully suggested treating everyone to a meal.

Lu Jingqiu had intended to take another trip to the Black Market after getting off work, but just as she stepped out of her workplace, she discovered Jiang Nanzhou had been standing there for who knows how long.

"Are you here to pick me up?"

"Yeah, Uncle Lu said we’re having dinner at your place tonight. I didn’t have anything on today, so I came to get you specifically."

"How long have you been waiting?"

"I just got here not too long ago."

Luo Xinyue, seeing Jiang Nanzhou beside Lu Jingqiu, teased, "Back when you were doing outdoor promotional paintings, you still stubbornly said it didn’t matter, hmph." After speaking, she walked away in a swagger.

Lu Jingqiu, cheeks slightly red, watched Jiang Nanzhou.

Jiang Nanzhou squinted his eyes slightly and said with a smile, "Let’s go."

"Okay."

Lu Jingqiu, afraid of encountering Zhang Miao and the others and being teased again, hurriedly got on the bicycle, urging Jiang Nanzhou to ride quickly.

Jiang Nanzhou breathed a sigh of relief internally as she didn’t ask about Wang Xiuya.

After riding for a while, he suddenly stopped, "I’m going to buy something. Wait for me here."

Lu Jingqiu, realizing they were near Fish Tail Alley and guessing where he was headed, said, "Let me come too."

Jiang Nanzhou said, "You wait here for me."

"I know where you’re going, let me take you to that guy – he has the best stuff. We’ll get in and out quickly, okay?"

Jiang Nanzhou knew the current crackdown wasn’t very strict, thought for a moment, and agreed.