Chapter 29: The Young Master of the Jiang Family

  Is there still sweet potato congee?

  Du Ziyuan's disappointed face flashed a hint of delight, and he nodded repeatedly like a chicken pecking at rice: "Great! Great! Then thank you, Mr. Jiang. We rushed over from the city just to have your sweet potato congee. If we can't have it, that would be a pity. Bring me a few more small dishes, Zhao Heng, what do you want to eat?"

  Zhao Heng didn't respond to Du Ziyuan, but instead tilted his head and stared at Jiang Gongzi. If there weren't any waiters or Du Ziyuan around, he would have rushed over and grabbed Jiang Gongzi, subjecting him to eighteen kinds of torture until he confessed his true identity: a beggar? A low-born person? Or the young master of a wealthy family? Which one was it?

  The guy in front of him was none other than Jiang Changlong, who had been elusive and hard to find.

  Du Ziyuan pulled Zhao Heng's sleeve: "Zhao Heng, what do you want to eat?"

  Zhao Heng didn't look at the menu she handed over, but instead looked at Jiang Changlong with a smile: "Of course, we have to listen to Mr. Jiang's introduction, he is the host after all. Forget it, no need for an introduction, just bring out the signature dish and let us see the true standard of the Jiang family restaurant. This way, our trip won't be in vain."

  Jiang Changlong flashed a trademark smile: "Alright! I'll give you the best breakfast."

  As Zhao Heng turned to enter the kitchen to prepare food, he and Du Ziyuan laughed and talked about some school anecdotes and history, full of expectation and curiosity for next week's opening. After a moment, Zhao Heng found an excuse to go to the bathroom and directly rushed into the inner kitchen, where Jiang Changlong was holding a bowl and chopsticks preparing exquisite small dishes.

  "Many questions?"

  Jiang Changlong seemed to have anticipated Zhao Heng's arrival, so he opened his mouth without surprise: "Actually, there's nothing good to ask, all identities can be linked together, just like I said in the library last time, poor academic performance can't find a job, leading to begging for a living, occasionally discovering a conscience and helping out at Lao Tzu's restaurant."

  "Your reason is perfectly valid, it's just a pure excuse."

  Actually, Zhao Heng suddenly became relieved when he said this. Ah, why bother pursuing Jiang Changlong so fiercely? He had nothing to gain from it anyway. However, Zhao Heng still threw out a few playful words: "It's not impossible for a former genius to become useless, I just don't believe it would happen to you, Jiang Changlong."

  "You have a story."

  Zhao Heng let out a long sigh, his eyes becoming deeper: "But I don't want to gossip either, after all this is your private matter. It's just that I'm a bit curious, why do you like paying attention to me? That panda car is yours, right? Several times it followed me while I was running, could it be purely coincidental? Or did you want to take a look at my back?"

  "I thought I was being secretive, but unexpectedly you still found out."

  Jiang Changlong's face still didn't show much surprise, as if he had never doubted Zhao Heng's abilities. He raised his head and smiled faintly: "However, don't think I was intentionally following you. I'm mainly worried that someone would harm you. That day, I overheard a few people whispering that Qing Bang's Fei Hu Ge already knew you were at Hua Hai University."

  Under Zhao Heng's fixed gaze, Jiang Changlong stirred the sweet potato porridge and added: "They are gathering people to take revenge on you. It is said that some experts have joined them, saying that you severely injured them on the train. I wanted to remind you in the library, but I forgot while chatting with you. When I looked for you again, I was afraid of being suspected of having ulterior motives."

  "So I'll follow you every day and help report it when the time comes."

  Zhao Heng was originally wary of Jiang Changlong, and he still had many doubts in his heart now. After all, it was a bit too good to be true that Jiang Changlong would help him purely out of admiration. There must have been other purposes behind it. However, he still thanked Jiang Changlong for what he did, and he could tell that the latter wasn't lying, so he nodded in response:

  "Thank you!"

  Jiang Changlong turned down the heat for cooking porridge, and the fragrance of the stirred porridge was already spreading out, extremely enticing: "I know you have reservations about me, after all my unpredictable and changing identity makes you feel insincere, but I can say one thing sincerely, I truly want to be friends with you, genuinely admiring from the bottom of my heart."

  Here is the translation:

  "Up to this point, Jiang Changlong closed the thick lid: 'In these eight years, although I've been down on my luck, I've also managed to scrape by in many professions. I've sold newspapers, carried bricks, cleaned toilets, transported pigs, and even worked as a foreman at First Floor for a few days. I've had dealings with all sorts of people, but there are only a few close friends who understand me.'"

  "For you, I have an inexplicable good feeling, and it's pleasing to the eye."

  Zhao Heng fell silent, looking at Jiang Changlong's silence, then picked up two small dishes and opened his mouth: "Friend? True heart? Alright, you help me with one thing. You can track me for so many days without being discovered by me, your skills and tracking are top-notch. How about it? Are you willing to help me protect Qiao Yuncai and Song Qingguan for ten days or half a month?"

  In Jiang Changlong's calm and composed smile, Zhao Heng continued to add: "They are good friends I met in Huahai, Qingbang can do whatever they want to me, but I'm worried that they will also be implicated, in order to avoid them getting hurt, I want you to secretly keep an eye on the two of them, if something happens, help report it."

  By the way, Zhao Heng threw out a sentence: "Right, Song Qingguan also has entanglements with the Qingbang, it's very risky."

  Jiang Changlong let out a hearty laugh, and his eyes flashed with approval: "You're in grave danger yourself, yet you're thinking of your two roommates first. Zhao Heng, you truly have a sense of loyalty. Alright, I'll take care of this matter. Although I don't dare guarantee their absolute safety, if they encounter any danger, I'll let you know right away."

  "Great! This meal is on you."

  After finishing speaking, Zhao Heng took two small dishes and walked out. He had no foundation in Huahai, nor could he let Qiao Yuncun and Song Qingguan encounter danger, so he could only do his best to make good use of every resource, including Jiang Changlong who was still confused now, but compared to before, he trusted Jiang Changlong a lot more.

  Because of Jiang's restaurant, Zhao Heng is not worried about Jiang Changlong playing tricks.

  Looking at Zhao Heng's gradually disappearing back, Jiang Changlong was stunned at first, and then became smiling, he knew the underlying meaning of Zhao Heng just now, that is, everyone can make friends with each other, so he laughed loudly and shouted: "Okay, this time I'll treat!" He picked up the already cooked sweet potato porridge and quickly followed.

  "This young lady, your boyfriend is really great."

  Jiang Changlong put the hot sweet potato porridge on the table, then smiled and said to Du Ziyuan: "Not only is she beautiful, but also helps me serve dishes and meals. In this day and age, it's rare to find young people who are so polite and enthusiastic. You must cherish her well, don't let other women snatch her away."

  The sweet potato porridge is fragrant, and the steaming hot air makes Ziyan's face flush red.

  "No, it's not!"

  Du Ziyuan's face turned red as he waved his hand: "We are not in the kind of relationship you mentioned."

  Jiang Changlong ignored Zhao Heng's gaze and smiled as he served the porridge to the two of them, saying: "Hehe, you're still shy, huh? Nowadays, it's rare for young people like you. It's very normal, your boyfriend is really not bad, although I've only met him once, but I have a deep impression of him, he's a good guy."

  Du Ziyuan saw Jiang Changlong misunderstand her and Zhao Heng, and a hint of redness appeared on her face. She didn't explain their relationship again, because it would only make things worse. However, she secretly glanced at Zhao Heng, with complex emotions in her heart. Then, she heard Zhao Heng calmly say: "Mr. Jiang, let's handle this ourselves."

  "We two just want to drink congee and have a light bulb."

  "Alright, let's just be the two of us in this world for now, I'll treat you to dinner!"

  Jiang Changlong burst out laughing and turned to leave, but not before throwing a glance at Du Ziyuan, who was blushing furiously. She stole another glance at Zhao Heng, her heart filled with emotions that were hard to express. Meanwhile, Zhao Heng remained oblivious, pushing the bowl towards Du Ziyuan with a smile: "Ziyuan, have some porridge."

  "Hmm!"

  Du Ziyuan nodded, stirring the sweet potato porridge with a spoon, but her heart was filled with a hint of panic. She had only met Zhao Heng twice, and they hadn't discussed anything romantic, but she still had some good feelings towards him. Now, being teased by Jiang Changlong, she felt both helpless and sweet, because Zhao Heng was really not bad.

  She then glanced at Zhao Heng again, pretending to be unintentional, and didn't know if it was Jiang Changlong's approval or psychological effect. She felt that Zhao Heng's weight in her heart had increased by two points. Thinking of the train and helping people incident, she had a certain recognition of Zhao Heng's character: frankness, and a kind heart to help others.

  Much better than Ding Sanshao who delivers roses every day.

  "This porridge is really good."

  Zhao Heng had a few small dishes and drank several sips of sweet potato porridge. Jiang's craftsmanship was quite good, and then he looked at Du Ziyuan in surprise: "You don't like the sweet potato porridge here? Why aren't you drinking it?" Then he pushed a plate of relatively delicious small dishes in front of Du Ziyuan: "Come on, try this one, it tastes great."

  Du Ziyuan nodded: "Good!"

  Not far away, Jiang Changlong sighed slightly in his heart: This girl is completely different from her sister.