Married Thrice to Salted Fish - - - Chapter 140

Chapter 140 is the last. And I do think this is a pretty elegant ending to these extra chapters.) But wait! The author isn’t quite done. She might not have written Married Four Times to Salted Fish but she did write (as of June 2023) seven extra chapters (she made a separate novel page to house these). But they aren’t really full blown extra chapters, they’re more like snippets.

144

New Year Greetings

For their first year in modern times, Jiang Xing lived a life of three with Lin Qingyu and Shen Huaishi. Knowing that Lin Qingyu didn’t like too lively celebrations. Jiang Xing found excuses to postpone large family gatherings. However, the elders closest to him still wanted him to visit; the aunt who doted on him the most being one of them.

On the second day of the New Year, Jiang Xing brought Lin Qingyu and Shen Huaishi to his aunt’s house. It was Jiang Xing’s cousin, Pei Zhiqi, who opened the door for them.

Pei Zhiqi had on glasses and was wearing loose, thick pajamas. She hadn’t washed her hair for at least three days — What a joke. It’s just her younger brother coming to visit. Why even bother washing her hair?

However, when she opened the door — she was well aware that her cousin was a handsome guy but where did the other two handsome guys come from?!

Jiang Xing introduced her to Lin Qingyu, “Qingyu, this is my aunt’s daughter…”

Before he could even finish speaking, Lin Qingyu felt a whirlwind fly by. When he came back to his senses, Jiang Xing’s cousin had disappeared.

The three boys looked at each other.

Half an hour later, the female college student with exquisitely applied makeup, wearing a windbreaker and boots, came sauntering down the stairs and begun serving fruit and snacks to the guests.

Jiang Xing: “…There’s no need, really.”

Pei Zhiqi ignored him and turned to chat with the guests.

“Are you Jiang Xing’s classmates?”

“That’s right.”

“Huaishi, you don’t look too well?”

Shen Huaishi was so plagued by motion sickness that he hardly looked human. He said weakly, “Replying to the Eldest Princess, I, I am a little motion sick.”

“Ah, you really do seem dizzy. Here, have some more hot water.” Pei Zhiqi turned to Lin Qingyu, “Qingyu, what do you usually like to do?”

Lin Qingyu thought for a while and said, “I like reading.”

“Reading? I also like reading. It will still be a while yet before dinner. Would you like to see my study?”

“Okay.” Lin Qingyu turned to Jiang Xing, hesitated for a moment and added a little stiffly, “Thank you, Jiejie.”

Pei Zhiqi brought her younger brothers to her study room and pointed to several fully stocked bookshelves. She said, “These are all my books. Feel free to read any that you’d like. Oh, the books in the innermost row might not be suitable…”

Pei Zhiqi was halfway through her introduction, when her mother called her downstairs to help in the kitchen. Jiang Xing said, “I’ll go and help out too. Baobei, would you like to stay here and read?”

“I can also help.” Lin Qingyu hesitated, “Although I don’t know how to cook, I can be eye-candy.”

“From where are you picking up these words?” Jiang Xing said with a smile, “There’s no reason to put guests to work. Huaishi, please keep watch here. I’ll call you when the meal is ready.”

Jiang Xing headed to the kitchen to help his aunt and cousin prepare the ingredients. His aunt asked curiously, “Don’t your friends need to visit their family during the New Years?”

“No need,” Jiang Xing said, “They’re black householders and they have no relatives here.”

His aunt was moved to pity. “It’s the Lunar New Year’s… I’ll give them big red envelopes later.”

The meal was almost ready. Jiang Xing went back to the second floor and pushed open the half-opened door of the study, “Qingyu, Huaishi, it’s time to eat…” Seeing the expressions on the two’s faces, Jiang Xing’s heart skipped a beat, “It’s time to eat— — are you all right?”

Lin Qingyu and Shen Huaishi were seated side by side on the sofa, holding a book each. Both of them had the same expression of shock and bewilderment on their faces. Their three views seemed to have been subverted and they were about to split apart.

Lin Qingyu’s voice trembled slightly, “In this place, can men also give birth?”

“Ah?” Jiang Xing’s eyes fell on the books each of them had. One was “After Being Marked by the Campus Heartthrob, I Bore his Cub [ABO]” and the other, “Huai’s Refusal of the Monarch.”

Jiang Xing: “…”

After a strange prolonged silence, Jiang Xing’s phone buzzed. It was a WeChat message from Pei Zhiqi:

[I just forgot to mention that the last row of the bookshelf are the physical books I’ve collected for many years. They’re not suitable for them to read. Please tell them not to read any of those. Especially “Huai’s Refusal of the Monarch” since the protagonist and supporting character happen to have the same name as they do. It’ll be a huge blow to them if they see it and it might affect their mood.]

145

Motion Sickness

The three of them headed home after dinner at Jiang Xing’s aunt’s house. As the only person with a driver’s license, Lin Qingyu sat in the driver’s seat, Jiang Xing sat in the co-pilot and Shen Huaishi sat in the back.

While waiting for the traffic light to change, Lin Qingyu looked in the rearview mirror and saw Shen Huaishi looking pale and dazed, looking as though he still hadn’t gotten over his shock.

Lin Qingyu called out to him, “Huaishi?”

“This subordinate…” As soon as Shen Huaishi opened his mouth, a wave of nausea hit. His stomach gurgled and he quickly covered his mouth.

When the light turned green, Lin Qingyu began driving and said casually, “Could it be that you’re in heat?”

Jiang Xing didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Qingyu, didn’t I explain it to you just now? The so-called ABO is just a setting in a novel. It doesn’t exist in the real world.”

Lin Qingyu said slowly, “For people in this world, “Huai’s Refusal of the Monarch” is just a novel. But Huaishi and I still came from there to here. How can you be sure that the ABO world in the book doesn’t exist somewhere?”

Jiang Xing was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly felt terrified at the mere thought of it.

“This subordinate is not in heat.” Shen Huaishi said weakly, “This subordinate is just dizzy, mo-motion sickness.”

After finding out that he easily got motion sickness, Shen Huaishi felt very depressed. He was the dignified leader of the shadow guards, a direct subordinate of the emperor. He’s able to perform astounding feats, can run through eaves and up walls as though he were flying. He was like a ghost at night. And he actually gets motion sickness! After sitting in a car for ten minutes, he starts to feel dizzy, nauseated and so weak. How is he supposed to protect the Emperor and Empress?

Jiang Xing looked back at Shen Huaishi’s half-dead appearance and said, “How about I pull over and let you rest?”

Shen Huaishi shook his head, gritted his teeth and said, “How can we waste Your Majesties time because of my matter?”

At this time they happened to passing by a park, Lin Qingyu stopped the car in the parking lot, directly ignoring his nonsense. “Go on. Out the car and get a breather.”

Shen Huaishi really couldn’t hold on anymore. He opened the car door, stepped outside and retched.

Jiang Xing watched and shook his head. “That is absolutely miserable. Next time we take Huaishi out, let’s take the subway.”

The Emperor and Empress of their nation accompanied Shen Huaishi to catch a breather in the park. Once Shen Huaishi recovered, he felt very embarrassed, “Your Majesties, please go home first. This subordinate will make his own way back.”

Lin Qingyu said, “Don’t say such stupid things. Do you know how far this place is from home?”

Shen Huaishi said, “I can use Qinggong to fly back home.”

Lin Qingyu and Jiang Xing looked at each other and said in unison, “Use what to fly back home?”

“Although this subordinates may be in a different world, I dared not allow my skills to go rusty.” If you were to ask what Shen Huaishi has the most confidence in, it was his skills.

Jiang Xing thought that Shen Huashi was joking and said with a smile, “Then fly and show me.”

“This subordinate obeys!”

That very instant, a black shadow flashed before Lin Qingyu and Jiang Xing’s eyes and Shen Huaishi disappeared. All they heard was the rustling of leaves. They looked up and saw that Shen Huaishi had landed firmly among the branches of a big tree.

It was just a couple of days into the Lunar New Year and the city was somewhat deserted. Even the subways weren’t crowded. Although it wasn’t yet late, there were hardly any pedestrians in the park. But Shen Huaishi was up so high and there were surveillance cameras in the park. It was hard for him not to be noticed.

Jiang Xing choked. He turned to ask Lin Qingyu, “When you introduced Huaishi to modern common sense, did you tell him not to fly around?”

Lin Qingyu asked back, “Is flying around against the law?”

Jiang Xing was speechless. He raised his head and said to Shen Huaishi. “You fly very well but don’t fly next time – come down quickly.”

When Shen Huaishi landed to the ground, Lin Qingyu’s face suddenly changed and his eyes widened slightly. “The police are here.”

Jiang Xing looked at the policeman who was walking towards them, yelling loudly. He sighed, “Oh, how troublesome.”

Lin Qingyu took a few steps back, hiding behind Jiang Xing. He firmly grasped Jiang Xing’s arm. With wary eyes, he looked over Jiang Xing’s shoulder. He said softly, “Jiang Xing, do you think he has a gun on him?”

“I don’t know.” Jiang Xing pondered and said, “But he must at least have an electroshock weapon.”

Lin Qingyu hid deeper behind Jiang Xing. “Laogong, I don’t want to be shocked.”

“Oh, now it’s Laogong.” Jiang Xing couldn’t help laughing, “When Empress Lin was in the Dayu, he wasn’t afraid of anything; even raising poisonous snakes and scorpions. Are you so afraid of the police?”

Lin Qingyu frowned, displeased, “It isn’t the same. How can feudal society and modern society be compared? — The Qing Dynasty is long dead.”

Jiang Xing was helpless. “Are you the modern person or am I, huh, Qingyu?”

The police strode up to the three of them and said seriously, “Were you climbing trees just now?”

Shen Huaishi knew that one must bear responsibility for one’s actions. Though “disabled” he was mentally strong. “I am the only one who climbed the tree. It has nothing to do with these two.”

The police looked at them. “Please show me your ID cards.”

Jiang Xing said, “What if I don’t have my ID card with me?”

“Your ID number will do.”

The three of them reported their ID numbers and the policeman found nothing unusual. He asked, “Tell me, why are you climbing trees in the park at night?”

“May I ask,” Lin Qingyu said, feeling guilty and maintaining courtesy when addressing the police, “But which law stipulates that tourists are not allowed to climb trees in the park?”

The police sternly said, “Climbing trees is a dangerous. Not to mention that he was climbing public property!”

Jiang Xing hurriedly apologized, “I’m sorry, Uncle, these two are new here and don’t know much about the law. I apologize to you on their behalf.”

The policeman couldn’t understand. “You’re a minor. Why are you apologizing for these two adults? Who are they?”

Jiang Xing had on a sincere and honest expression as he said, “Do you read a lot of novels? Specifically time-travel novels?”

The police uncle was silent for a moment and then said, “You better come with me to the station and I’ll arrange for you to take a drug test.”

“Actually, I was joking just now.” Jiang Xing smiled politely, “The truth is, although I’m not yet an adult, I’m mentally older than these two. — Trust me.”

146

Sickness

After school started, it rained continuously for a week and the temperature hovered near of zero. The room was so damp that water seeped from the walls.

Under this kind of magical attack of damp and cold, ancient people who lived in the north of the Dayu all the year round would routinely fall ill. — That is to say that it was the leader of the Heavenly Prison Sect, Shen Huaishi, young and strong, skilled in martial arts and who was more muscled than Jiang Xing who fell it.

Shen Huaishi took a sick leave for the day and Lin Qingyu rushed home to take care of him as soon as school was over. Jiang Xing was called to the office by the class advisor because he he’d foregone his English homework to sleep early last night. His wife, who was now the class’ English representative didn’t cover for him at all.

Shen Huaishi was dazed from the fever and was lying in bed, in deep slumber. Lin Qingyu took his temperature and pulse for him. He then put a cold towel on his forehead and then stayed by his side.

Not long after, the Emperor of the Dayu, having finished his homework in the class advisor’s office, came home. His winter school uniform was dripping wet from the rain. He threw his schoolbag on the sofa and walked into Shen Huaishi’s room. “How is Huaishi?”

Lin Qingyu made a “shh” gesture and said softly, “He just fell asleep.”

Jiang Xing touched Shen Huaishi’s forehead. “It seems that his fever hasn’t subsided yet? Poor boy.”

Shen Huaishi felt the coolness of Jiang Xing’s palm. He moved his lips and mumbled in his sleep, “Father, mother…”

The two looked at each other, their expressions similar, with the subtlety between husband and wife.

“It’ll take too long to reduce the fever naturally.” Lin Qingyu said, “Go to the pharmacy downstairs to buy some medicine. Remember to take an umbrella.”

Jiang Xing picked up his phone and went downstairs. He chose several cold medicines and antipyretics at the pharmacy. As he was checking out, the cashier told him with a smile on his face, “Sir, today the pharmacy is offering a discount of 20 yuan when you spend 120. You’re already at 80 yuan. Would you like to add a little more?”

For a moment, Jiang Xing couldn’t think of any medicines that were missing at home. He looked around and his eyes finally fell on a small box by the cash register. He picked up a box, his movements very natural. “Then I’ll take this too.”

The cashier’s smile froze, silently looking at Jiang Xing’s high school uniform.

Jiang Xing looked at the cashier, a frank and open expression on his face. “Just something to add to the bill.”

Back home, Jiang Xing and Lin Qingyu gave Shen Huaishi the antipyretic medicine. The medicine took effect quickly and Shen Huaishi started sweating out the fever not long after. His sleep became much more peaceful.

At night, Lin Qingyu and Jiang Xing were lying on the bed wearing the same style of flannel pajamas, playing with their mobile phones and chatting from time to time, just like an old married couple. Lin Qingyu looked at the weather forecast for the next few days and said, displeased, “The temperature won’t rise until next week.”

“Cherish the current winter.” Jiang Xing said while playing Fight the Landlord, “When the temperature rises, it’ll usher in a summer that lasts for eight to nine months.”

Lin Qingyu wasn’t used too the humidity and cold of the south. Even with the heater turned on and auntie bringing out the thick quilts for them, it was still cold in the bed. He asked Jiang Xing, “Should I ask Auntie to change to a thicker quilt?”

“This…” Male high schoolers naturally run hot and he already found the thick quilt he was sleeping under somewhat hot. “Okay.”

Lin Qingyu caught Jiang Xing’s hesitation and asked, “Don’t you feel cold?”

“It’s cold. Better change it right away.”

Lin Qingyu saw through Jiang Xing’s lies. “Liar, you don’t feel cold at all.”

Jiang Xing just laughed: “You don’t have to worry about me, you can change it if you want.”

Lin Qingyu said, “Since our perception of hot and cold is out of sync, we can just sleep under separate quilts…”

“Then I’d rather die of heat.”

After turning off the lights, the two slept together. Not long after sleeping, Jiang Xing began to feel extremely hot and he quietly stretched his hands out of the quilt. Feeling the movement of the person next to him, Lin Qingyu pulled the quilt off slightly.

Jiang Xing asked, “Baobei, what are you doing?”

Lin Qingyu said: “Don’t you feel hot? I’m letting a little of the heat escape.”

Jiang Xing was taken aback for a moment. “Aren’t you cold?”

“Yes, but you’re hot.”

Jiang Xing’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He said hoarsely, “Qingyu…”

Lin Qingyu was puzzled. “What’s wrong?”

“You’re actually willing to let out the heat from under the quilt for me.” Jiang Xing was very pleased, “You really like me.”

This reason for being moved… as expected of a salted fish.

Lin Qingyu wanted to laugh a little. He said deliberately, “It’s fine. It’s just a normal kind of like.”

Jiang Xing smiled and leaned over. “Well but I like you very much…”

Before Lin Qingyu could speak, he found himself surrounded by the scent of this male high schooler.

The temperature in bed was getting higher and higher and Lin Qingyu no longer felt cold. At this time, a hand opened the drawer of the bedside table.

Lin Qingyu looked at what Jiang Xing was holding and raised his eyebrows.

Jiang Xing sat on the bed, quilt over his head. He smiled at Lin Qingyu, a small packet between his fingers. “We can do bad things secretly. If we don’t tell others, Baobei won’t be caught by the police.”

The two of them have been sleeping together in the same bed for so long and the most they’ve done is make out which always left them unsatisfied. Lin Qingyu couldn’t help being tempted but Shen Huaishi was still sick in bed in the other room. Having fun like this while someone was sick…it would be too irresponsible.

Lin Qingyu took a deep breath and said calmly, “Sorry, I don’t really want to.”

“Ah?” Jiang Xing was so surprised. “Why?!”

“After we do something bad, I’ll have to get up and clean up. It’s so cold, I don’t want to get out of bed.”

Jiang Xing was silent for three seconds and then asked uncertainly, “Are you serious?”

“En.”

Jiang Xing’s defenses broke in an instant, “What the fuck, Qingyu! You’ve changed! You weren’t like this before!”

Lin Qingyu faintly spit out, “Is this the pot calling the kettle black?”

Jiang Xing: “…”

147

Birthday

The eleventh day of the third lunar month is Lin Qingyu’s birthday. This day fell on a weekday and they still had classes. The only time they could celebrate was at night. Jiang Xing spent a lot of money to book a suite in a hot spring hotel. He arranged for a candlelit dinner, birthday cake, massage chairs, the works.

Jiang Xing originally wanted to skip afternoon classes to bring Lin Qingyu there earlier but Lin Qingyu insisted on not skipping any class. The most he’d skip was evening self-study. So when the two arrived at the hotel, it was already long after nightfall.

After getting out of the car, Jiang Xing stretched his arms then turned to ask, “Qingyu, are you tired after driving for so long?”

Lin Qingyu said calmly, “Even if I am, there’s nothing to be done about it. Hurry up and get your driver’s license when you turn 18 that way I won’t get tired.”

“You can’t blame me for that.” Jiang Xing said, “Then let’s have dinner first and then have a soak in the hot spring?”

Lin Qingyu nodded. “Okay.”

The candlelit dinner was exquisite and very romantic but to Lin Qingyu, who was once the Empress of a country, there was nothing impressive about it. It was more the male high school student’s smile under the candlelight that made him happy.

The male high schooler even gave him a bouquet of roses. It wasn’t any rare variety and it was only a small one, but each one was in full bloom. Each had obviously been carefully selected.

“I’m sorry it’s not the expensive kind. I bought it with money I earned myself.” Jiang Xing said, “It didn’t come from the living expenses my father gave me nor from the proceeds of the fund my mother left me—I earned it through the labor of my own two hands.”

The labor of his own two hands?

Lin Qingyu asked curiously, “How did you earn it?”

Jiang Xing slowly said, “By sticking screen protectors.”

Lin Qingyu: “…”

“I set up a stall under the bridge and put on 20 pieces of screen protectors for customers to get this bouquet of roses. My hands are sore.” Jiang Xing looked at Lin Qingyu expectantly, “Do you like it, Baobei?”

Lin Qingyu lowered his eyes and smiled. He said softly, “Baobei likes it very much.”

The selling point of this hotel was its natural hot spring. The water was pure natural hot spring water that bubbled from deep underground. It was known as the “Thousand Year Holy Bath”. Lin Qingyu couldn’t tell if it was the “holy bath” but surrounded as it was by a bamboo forest, misty and serene, with a lack of many modern facilities, it had the feel of the Dayu.

Jiang Xing had been the one to choose this hotel. Lin Qingyu didn’t know if this was the reason why he’d chosen it.

The two changed into swimming trunks and went downstairs with bathrobes on. Jiang Xing’s phone rang suddenly. Seeing the caller ID, he said, depressed, “It’s the class advisor.”

Lin Qingyu: “…”

Jiang Xing sighed. “She must be calling to ask me why I skipped class. And why I dragged along our class representative who’s both good in character and academics to skip class together.”

“Go and deal with her.” Lin Qingyu said, “I’ll wait for you by the hot spring.”

While Jiang Xing was confronting the class advisor, Lin Qingyu approached the hotel staff and asked, “Is it possible to reserve the hot spring?”

The staff said, “It is possible but there will be an additional fee.”

“You don’t need to worry about this small amount of money,” Lin Qingyu said, “My husband has plenty of money.”

The staff smiled and said, “Alright.”

The Emperor of the Dayu, who’d been reprimanded by the class advisor, arrived at the hot spring bath to see his Empress already having a soak. Jiang Xing took off his bathrobe and put it aside. “Qingyu, I’m here.”

Lin Qingyu asked suspiciously, “Why are you still wearing your swimming trunks?”

“I want to soak in the hot spring, Baobei.” Jiang Xing had an ominous premonition, “Aren’t you wearing yours?”

Lin Qingyu said, “In modern times, you don’t need to wear clothes when soaking in the hot springs.”

“Who said that?”

“You did.” The memory was fresh in Lin Qingyu’s mind. “You said it when we were in the Dayu.”

Jiang Xing was momentarily at a loss for words. He remembered that he had indeed lied to Lin Qingyu about that, saying that modern people don’t wear clothes when they go to the hot springs.

Jiang Xing’s expression changed slightly and he said, voice trembling, “Then, are you wearing yours?”

“Of course not”

Jiang Xing sucked in a breath of cold air and the frantically looked around. “Did anyone see you?”

“A man and a woman were sharing the pool with me just now.”

Jiang Xing wished he could slap himself. He stammered out, “Qingyu, you, you…you stay in the water and don’t move. I’ll get you a pair of swimming trunks right away.”

Lin Qingyu finally couldn’t hold back anymore and he chuckled softly. “You’re so gullible.”

Jiang Xing was momentarily dazed and then realized what had happened. “I was tricked.”

Lin Qingyu raised his eyebrows. “Have you forgotten? I’m one to hold grudges.”

Jiang Xing choked and said, “You hold grudges even against your husband!?”

“I do.”

…All right. Jiang Xing jumped into the hot spring. Water splashed everywhere, “Then allow Zhen to see whether the Empress really is wearing clothes.”

Lin Qingyu didn’t try to dodge and allowed Jiang Xing approach him, saying, “I’ve wasted money, Laogong.”

“Hm?”

“I reserved the hot spring and it cost a lot of money.” Lin Qingyu said, “I’m afraid you’ll be sticking protective screens for 20 years to earn that much money.”

Jiang Xing was momentarily stunned. He then raised his lips in a smile, “I’d be happy to do so.”

Lin Qingyu looked on as the male high schooler lowered his head towards him.

Moonlight reflected on the pool’s surface.

148

Weibo Jokes

Two small jokes posted on Weibo before, here we go~

Choosing a major

Lin Qingyu, Jiang Xing and Shen Huaishi performed well in the college entrance examination and their results were very satisfactory. Shen Huaishi was admitted to a sports university in the capital and Lin Qingyu and Jiang Xing had their choice of any major at any domestic university.

Lin Qingyu finally realized his dream in Jiang Xing’s hometown, his dream that he hadn’t been able to pursue in the Dayu — to attend the nation’s best school for medicine.

As for Jiang Xing’s major…

“As the ruler of a country, you have to learn a lot.” Lin Qingyu flipped through the booklet introducing the different majors and said, “The first is the social sciences, including economics, political science, law, ethics…etc. The country would benefit greatly.”

Jiang Xing: “There’d to be a lot of things to memorize if I took law.”

Lin Qingyu continued, “However, mathematics, physics and chemistry are the basic subjects for the development of science. If you learn science and engineering, you would also benefit the people.”

Jiang Xing: “En…that does seem to be so.”

Lin Qingyu: “Then you should take a double degree.”

Jiang Xing: “Ah…”

Shen Huaishi suggested, “Qingyu, as the saying goes, ‘For the People, Food is Heaven’. The Dayu relies on agriculture to survive. If he learns agriculture techniques, it might help the Dayu avoid famine.”

Lin Qingyu nodded. “That makes sense. In addition, Jiang Xing can learn about urban construction, drainage and water control. It would alleviate the people’s suffering from floods.”

Jiang Xing: “Then what…”

Lin Qingyu pondered the matter. “I don’t know if it is possible to study three or four degrees in the university. But if you can’t, you could still sit in for these classes.”

Jiang Xing couldn’t bear it anymore and said, “Qingyu, do you really love me?”

Lin Qingyu: “I love you.”

Jiang Xing: “…Then shouldn’t you ask me what major I want to take?”

Lin Qingyu was taken aback for a moment and he said apologetically, “I’m sorry, I was negligent. — Then, which major do you like?”

Jiang Xing fell into deep thought.

The only things he liked were sleeping and Lin Qingyu. He didn’t seem to have any special hobbies.

“I like you,” Jiang Xing said with a smile, “So no matter what we study, my dormitory can’t be too far away from yours. It would be best if we’re in the same dormitory.”

Lin Qingyu smiled slightly. “So we can sleep on bunk beds again?”

Jiang Xing: “…”

In the end, the choice of majors resulted in each of the three taking double degrees — one that they liked and one that benefited the country and the people. If one had be exhausted, all of them were to be exhausted.

If “Married Thrice to Salted Fish” happened in modern times

Of course, our Qingyu is still that cold and aloof beauty, a top student of the medical school, with a little dark heart. Though he definitely won’t be poisoning classmates who like to provoke him, he will still silently wish for his stupid classmates to fail the exam.

He then catches the attention of the greasy domineering president (yes, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince), who wants to keep him by his side as a substitute. Naturally, Qingyu would rather die than submit. The president makes life in school difficult for Qingyu, making it impossible for him to go to school but he’s also unable to go home.

In order not to cause trouble for his parents, Qingyu rents an apartment with what little savings he has. He saw rental ad on the Internet and following the address to locate the building.

Standing in front of the building, he calls the owner but can’t get through. Just as he’s hesitating whether to just go in, a tenant sees his good looks and takes the initiative to chat with him.

“Are you here to rent an apartment? Oh, it’s only 11 o’clock in the morning. Our little landlord must not be up yet. Just knock on his door and if no one answers just pound on it.”

Lin Qingyu: “…Little landlord?”

“He’s only in his early twenties so that makes him a little landlord.” The tenant pointed to the building behind him and said, “Look at this building, it’s all his! That building too! Don’t be fooled by his young age. He shuffles around in his slippers every day, going to the various apartments to collect rent. It’s a complete waste of his XX University degree! I heard that he got a full ride at that school. But after he graduated, instead of getting a job or going to graduate school, he came straight home and just collects rent!”

Lin Qingyu is slightly taken aback. He wasn’t expecting for this little landlord to be his school junior.

Their university is the top in the country, with countless talents from all walks of life. However, this is the first time he’s met a junior in the rental industry.

149

Qixi Festival

On Lin Qingyu’s first Qixi Festival in modern times, Jiang Xing made a perfect date plan in order to give Lin Qingyu a firsthand experience of the sweetness of their married life.

The first stop on their date was the zoo and then the amusement park. Jiang Xing had a great plan. They’d first feed the giraffes and then take a look at the giant pandas. At night, when the fireworks in the amusement park are set off, he and Lin Qingyu will kiss at the highest point of the Ferris wheel. It was all very romantic.

After lunch, the two of them sent Shen Huaishi off to his summer football interest class. They then set off according to their original plan.

The moment they left the range of the air conditioner, waves of heat rushed towards them. It was as though they were standing before the external exhaust of an air conditioner. The road seemed to warp under the high temperature. They stood before a volcano, one looking at the other and the other looking right on back, looking at each other blankly.

Jiang Xing took out his phone and checked the temperature: 41.5°C.

Jiang Xing: “…”

Lin Qingyu: “…”

Fortunately, Shen Huaishi’s football interest class had air conditioning.

After a moment of silence, Jiang Xing said, “Qingyu, should we still go to the zoo?”

Saying “Should we still go?” before a date usually meant only thing: they were trying to cancel.

Lin Qingyu saw through Jiang Xing’s thoughts at a glance and asked, “Do you still want to go?”

Jiang Xing thought for a while and said, “Why don’t we find somewhere air-conditioned for our date? Do you have anything you want to buy? I’ll take you shopping at the mall and we can watch a movie while we’re there?”

Lin Qingyu, the future medical student, said, “I want a full set of lab equipment and reagents. I’m going to try to cultivate penicillin. Can these be bought in the mall?”

Jiang Xing: “…I’m afraid not.”

“Then why do we still have to go out?” After just a short while outside, Lin Qingyu’s cheeks were already slightly red from the sun. A thin trail of sweat meandered down his nose. “Jiang Xing, your hometown is too hot. I’ve had enough, I want to go back to the Dayu.”

Lin Qingyu, who was losing his cool literally and figuratively, was made a little more vividly beautiful and the future college student felt both distressed and a little like laughing. “Don’t be angry. It’s not this hot every year. But this year is indeed too much. ”

Thinking of how they would have to undergo military training in this scorching heat after school starts, Jiang Xing wished he could pick up Shen Huaishi and follow Lin Qingyu back to the Dayu that very night.

No one would want to go out in this sweltering heat. If this was in the past, Jiang Xing would lie in his air-conditioned room for the entire summer vacation. But things were different now, he was no longer a salted fish living alone.

He was willing to get up early for Lin Qingyu and he was also willing to go out in the 40-degree heat for Lin Qingyu – if Lin Qingyu wanted to go out, he really… could.

“I’ve even reserved a table at an overpriced restaurant.” Jiang Xing said, “If we drive there, it shouldn’t be too hot.”

However, Jiang Xing hasn’t obtained his driver’s license yet, so it would be up to Lin Qingyu, this ancient man, to drive.

Lin Qingyu squinted against the dazzling sunlight. He asked, “Can this super expensive restaurant deliver?”

…The power of nature is too scary; able to turn his amazing wife into a house-bound beauty who just wants to stay at home.

“I can ask. But Qingyu, it’s the Qixi Festival.” Jiang Xing hesitated, “Qixi is a day for lovers. We can’t just stay at home and spend it doing nothing special. — Of course, I don’t have to go out. I’ll go with whatever you want.”

Lin Qingyu said, “Since I’ve arrived here, you’ve taken me out for Christmas, New Year’s Day, Spring Festival, our anniversary, Valentine’s Day, White Day, my birthday, 520, Children’s Day, 618 mid-year promotion… …Every time — no, every day is like Qixi. It’s enough.” Lin Qingyu paused, “If you don’t want to pass the day without doing anything, then let’s sleep together tonight and I’ll have you work til you’re tired.”

Is there such a good thing?

Jiang Xing couldn’t believe it. His eyes, as he looked at Lin Qingyu, was clearly saying: ‘What kind of fantastical wife is this? Thank the Heavens for this gift!’

Lin Qingyu asked, puzzled, “What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing.” Jiang Xing smiled and grabbed Lin Qingyu’s shoulders, walking him back in. “Let’s go, Baobei. Laogong will turn on the air conditioner, order you the most expensive takeaway and milk tea and then buy a set of lab equipment online—— How about I buy you a white lab coat and gloves too? Tonight, we can hide from Huaishi in our room and you can show me how you look wearing them…”

Lin Qingyu smiled slightly. “Okay.”

The author has something to say:

I wrote this story last year and didn’t realize that I’d forgot to put it here orz

my bad QAQ

150

University

Lunch time at the university cafeteria. Jiang Xing held a plate in one hand and a bottle of Coke in the other. After looking around the crowd for a while, he spotted his classmate who came to eat with him.

Jiang Xing sat down opposite his classmate. He saw that his classmate’s eyes were dull and his expression was dazed, as if he were already a waste.

Jiang Xing has long been used to this kind of situation and he no longer even bothers to ask. This classmate of his is always like this every time he finishes his major subject class. He took out his mobile phone, lowered his head and read WeChat as he let his classmate rant.

“Why why why!” This classmate yelled, holding his head in his hands, a copy of “Solid State Physics” and “Quantum Mechanics” in his hand. “Why did I choose physics in the first place? With my IQ, how dare I! Does physics even really exist???”

Jiang Xing didn’t even raise his head. “I don’t know why you’re studying physics. Anyway, I want to go back to ancient times to be the emperor.”

His classmate was stunned. “What?”

Jiang Xing explained solemnly, “Physics is the law of all things and all production and construction are inseparable from basic physics. Only by learning physics well can I benefit my people.”

His classmate had this constipated look on his face. “You think you’re funny, Mr. Campus Heartthrob?”

Jiang Xing shrugged. “If you don’t believe me, it’s no skin off my back.”

His classmate asked again, “Then did you chose a double degree in architecture to build a new palace for yourself, Your Majesty?”

Just as Jiang Xing was about to answer, another person suddenly sat beside him. It was their class representative. Jiang Xing saw that he only had a large steamed bun and a vegetarian dish his dinner plate and asked, “Is this all you’re going to eat?”

The class representative said bitterly, “Yeah, I’ve got no money right now. I just came back from seeing my girlfriend last week and the airline tickets were so expensive.”

Jiang Xing rejoiced at meeting a bosom friend. “Oh? Are you also in a long-distance relationship?”

The class representative said, “Yeah, my girlfriend’s in Shanghai. That’s more than two hours by plane.”

Jiang Xing sighed, “I have a deep understanding of the pain of long-distance relationships.” He put down his chopsticks, “Come here. Let’s shake hands in camaraderie. Next time you need money, you can always borrow from me.”

The class representative firmly clasped Jiang Xing’s hand and feeling moved, asked, “My dear brother Jiang! Where’s your partner?”

Jiang Xing: “In the Med Studies Department.”

Class representative: “Huh?”

Their classmate said, deadpan, “Yeah, you heard that right.”

The class representative still didn’t quite understand. “Med Studies Department? Our university’s Med Studies Department?”

Jiang Xing explained, “All med studies classes are concentrated in the southern area, while our classes are all in the northern area. It takes half an hour to ride a bicycle from here to the southern area. Isn’t that so far?”

The class representative picked up his plate and left, not forgetting to say. “Damn it, Jiang Xing. You’re gonna get it one day!”

*

A match was about to be held on the football field of the sports university. In the stands, besides the students of their school, there were also many girls from nearby schools who came to watch the excitement — no one can refuse the charms of a sports student, no one.

But today, the object of attention of the face-obsessed audience wasn’t the sports students exuding hormones on the field but a young man standing by the stands.

This young man wasn’t as tall as the sports students nor did he have exaggerated muscles. His figure was slender and thin. Just standing there, his whole body exuded an aura that could be seen even from a distance. But despite being so cool and good-looking, the young man was wearing a loose, even a size too big, hoodie. E=mc2 was printed on the hoodie. It looked extra casual and it was this sense of casualness that lent the young man a sense of real existence.

Shen Huaishi, who was warming up on the court, saw Lin Qingyu walking towards him. Like a primary school student who was about to perform and finally saw his parents, his eyes lit up. “Qingyu!”

Lin Qingyu walked up to Shen Huaishi and said, “Jiang Xing has classes the whole day today, so he can’t come to watch your match. He asked me to tell you sorry.”

Shen Huaishi hurriedly said, “No apologies needed. I’m already very happy that you’re able to come.”

Lin Qingyu smiled. “Do your best out there. I’ll be watching you from the sidelines.”

Shen Huaishi watched Lin Qingyu return to the stands. A teammate patted him on the shoulder and asked, “Who’s that? He isn’t from our school, is he?”

“He’s a good friend of mine.”

When Shen Huaishi said the word “good friend”, he felt a little uneasy at his presumptuousness but it was overwhelmed by a warm joy.

“He’s fuckin’ attractive.” His teammate said, “Send me his WeChat.”

Shen Huaishi’s face darkened instantly and he interrupted coldly, “Do you know who you are coveting?”

Shen Huaishi has always been a good-tempered and honest person. This was the first time his teammates have seen such a scary expression on his face. His teammates have seen his skills before and they knew that this guy was really serious about fighting. Not even the Sanda team and boxing team combined were a match for him.

The teammate tried laughing it off. “I’m joking, pretend I didn’t say anything. Pretend I didn’t say anything.”

Lin Qingyu sat down in his seat and received a call from Jiang Xing.

Jiang Xing: “How is it? Has Huaishi’s match started?”

Lin Qingyu: “It’s starting soon. Aren’t you in class?”

“It’s the five minute break between classes.” In the middle of their conversation, Jiang Xing suddenly sighed, “Qingyu.”

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing. I’m just sleepy. I want to sleep and I miss you too.”

Lin Qingyu asked, “Do you want to sleep with me?”

All in all, due to their busy schedules, they haven’t had a serious sex life these past few days.

Jiang Xing didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “No, that’s not it. Didn’t we do it yesterday? I also need to rest.”

Lin Qingyu said incredulously, “Jiang Xing, are you even resting in your thoughts?”

Jiang Xing said half-jokingly and half-seriously, “Even doing it in your thoughts is tiring, you know?”

“…Amazing.”

“Missing you doesn’t mean I want to do bad things with you, I just want to see you.” Jiang Xing complained, “You woke up too early today, I didn’t even get to see you.”

Lin Qingyu had classes early this morning and when he woke up, Jiang Xing was still dead asleep beside him. He wanted to let Jiang Xing sleep a little longer and so didn’t wake him up. “If I remember correctly, you’ve got a full schedule today. You won’t have time to come to me.”

Jiang Xing complained, “True.”

“Don’t miss me too much, study hard.” Lin Qingyu comforted, “I’ll go find you when I’m free.”

Jiang Xing thought to himself, ‘free, my ass’. With four majors between them, his and Lin Qingyu’s timetables were crammed full with classes; they sometimes even had classes at night. For others, university life was a celebration of boundless youth. For him, Lin Qingyu, and Shen Huaishi it was simply two words – Purposeful Learning.

Fortunately, they’d rented an apartment near the school. No matter how busy he and Lin Qingyu were, at least they could sleep in the same bed at night.

In the afternoon, Jiang Xing was sitting in the last row of the lecture hall, feeling drowsy. Suddenly, he heard a voice ask, “Is there anyone sitting beside you?”

Jiang Xing’s half-closed eyes suddenly widened. Was that his wife’s voice?

He looked up – wow, it really was his wife.

Jiang Xing said, “No one.”

The classmate sitting next to him: ?

He was so pleasantly surprised that Jiang Xing couldn’t spare a thought to the other people around him. So he dismissed his classmate first, then took Lin Qingyu’s hand and pulled him to sit beside him. “Why are you here?”

Lin Qingyu’s answer was simple. “I wanted to see you, so here I am.”

Jiang Xing still wanted to say something but when he saw the professor walking in, he had no choice but to shut his mouth. However, he did keep staring at Lin Qingyu.

“Don’t stare at me, Classmate Jiang.” Lin Qingyu opened Jiang Xing’s textbook for him and said softly, “Read.”

Only then did Jiang Xing look away, lowered his eyes and smiled silently.

He hates studying very much. Even though he studies seriously and is able to get high grades, he still hates it.

But he likes Lin Qingyu and this like is far greater than his dislike of studying. Therefore, being able to attend class with Lin Qingyu beside him has also become a pleasure.

*

One day a week later, after Lin Qingyu finished one of his classes, he was pulled into a familiar chest just as he walked out of the classroom.

The book in his hand was taken away and Jiang Xing’s voice sounded above his head: “Good afternoon, Qingyu. I will accompany you to class today. Where’s your next class?”

Lin Qingyu was quiet for a few seconds and said, “Jiang Xing.”

“Hm?”

“My next class is Human Anatomy.”

“…I’m sorry.” Jiang Xing solemnly returned the book to Lin Qingyu, “Excuse me.”