Chapter 015

Yan Jin glanced at Yu Shu without saying a word.

Someone who could outargue a skilled talker and take money from her hands was even more frightening than the former.

In the end, the two didn’t take the suggestion of hiring someone to clean.

Yu Shu was in high spirits, “The first big cleaning after moving into a new home naturally has to be done personally to have commemorative significance.”

Although Yan Jin didn’t like cleaning, she also agreed with Yu Shu’s view.

The two decided to tidy up the kitchen first and see if the ancient stove was easy to use. If it was easy, they would just cook for themselves for a while.

Yu Shu: “Once we find work, we can hire someone to cook.”

“I have an idea, I’ll need your help with it later.” Yan Jin wiped the kitchen table with a rag and said jokingly to Yu Shu, “Since we’ll need to ask someone for help anyway, with your great strength, let’s keep the benefits in-house.”

“With our relationship, saying ‘ask’ is too distant.” Yu Shu cleaned while saying mysteriously, “I have a side gig that should also earn money here, but I need to investigate first.”

After finishing the work at hand, the two went to clean the stove.

While lifting the pot lid on the stove, Yu Shu complained, “This stove is so dirty, don’t know if it can be cleaned well… Ants!!!!”

Caught off guard, Yan Jin was startled by Yu Shu. Looking in his direction, she saw the chopping board under the pot lid covered densely with a sea of black ants.

[Ah!! Bullet screen, come protect me!] [How can there be so many ants?! Even without a fear of crowds, this is sickening.]

Yan Jin felt her scalp go numb. Seeing Yu Shu still standing there dumbly, she walked over in quick strides. Placing her hand on Yu Shu’s that held the lid, she decisively pressed the lid back down, covering up the army of densely packed ants.

“Dealing with these ants is simple, just scald them to death.” Yan Jin was also a bit frightened in hindsight, “But we don’t know how to use the stove here to boil water.”

Just as the two were about to go out to hire someone to do a big cleaning, they heard the door being knocked loudly.

Opening the door, they saw a handsome young man around twenty years old standing outside.

Different from the made-up men Yan Jin imagined in a female-dominated country, the young man before her had sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, as refreshingly clean as a bamboo shoot.

Because Yan Jin’s gaze only swept over him in a restrained manner, the young man didn’t notice anything amiss. He said to Yu Shu in a straightforward way, “I’m Xu Junde who lives next door. I heard activity at your place and was afraid you newcomers ran into difficulties without knowing who to ask for help, so I came over to see if you need any assistance.”

Considering the era’s background and that the other party was male, Yan Jin quietly took a step back, giving the floor to Yu Shu.

[This Junde guy is so sunny, hiss ha.] [Haha, Yan Jin actually retreated! I bet ten cucumbers she’s secretly happy to have dodged a bullet.] [Everyone quiet, social expert Yu Shu is coming online.]

Contrary to Yan Jin who disliked talking to strangers, Yu Shu not only didn’t resist socializing, he quite enjoyed it.

Seeing Xu Junde extend an olive branch of friendliness, Yu Shu immediately caught it, “Hello Brother Junde, I’m Yu Shu, just call me Ah Yu.”

“Then just call me Ah De.” Xu Junde was puzzled, “But why call you by your surname? Wouldn’t calling your given name show we’re closer?”

Yu Shu coughed, “Ah De, if you’re willing to call me by my given name, I won’t refuse either.”

“Ah Shu.” Xu Junde had just called out when he came to his senses amidst Yu Shu’s teasing response.

“Agh,” Xu Junde patted Yu Shu’s arm, torn between laughter and tears, “First time meeting and you dare tease me, aren’t you afraid I’ll get angry?”

“I could tell Ah De has a straightforward personality and kind heart, so I dared to make a small joke with you.” Yu Shu’s eyes curved into crescents, “If it was someone else, they would have cursed me out long ago. Only someone magnanimous like Ah De would still speak nicely to me.”

These words from Yu Shu were extremely smooth. Not only did Xu Junde feel comfortable and at ease in his heart upon hearing it, his attitude toward Yu Shu became even friendlier. Even Yan Jin who was observing from the side listened dumbfounded.

One can joke around with someone they just met for the first time?

After being joked with, the other party wasn’t angry? Instead their tone became even closer?

…

The many questions and incomprehension in Yan Jin’s mind could be summed up in four words: This works too?!

Next time, should she also try this method of bringing two strangers closer at a first meeting?

After pondering for a bit, Yan Jin ultimately dispelled this notion.

Blindly imitating is ill-advised, lest in trying to paint a tiger she ends up with a dog.

Everything is possible if one is willing to give up.

One should have self-awareness and not challenge things they aren’t good at.