Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Jiang He frowned.
What was with today?
Was his house supposed to be that lively?
Studying the woman, he replied, “I’m Jiang He. And you would be?”
There was a flash of surprise in the woman’s eyes, but she soon recovered, and took two steps forward and offered a handshake, saying, “Greetings, Mister Jiang. I’m Wu Yueru, Head of Lingzhou City’s Department of Education (DOE). I did not expect you to be so young, Mister Jiang.”
Jiang He extended his hand as well.
Eh?
It was only then that he realized he was still holding the half-eaten piece of eggplant. Because his mind was preoccupied, he ended up stuffing the eggplant into Wu Yueru’s fingers.
“That’s an eggplant!”
As Wu Yueru looked down at the eggplant in her hand, Jiang He quickly hid it behind it, saying awkwardly, “I’m sorry, Chief Wu. I was just stepping out of my yard and hadn’t even put down the eggplant I plucked.”
Putting aside the eggplant, he then studied Wu Yueru and frowned, “Chief Wu... forgive me but are you really the Head of the DOE? I’ve met the chief more than once when I visited the department itself to claim my scholarship...”
Jiang He stared at Wu Yueru warily then, adding, “And he is a man, whose last name is Yang.”
“You must be referring to Yang Wancheng.”
Wu Yueru replied. “He is the former head now, but had since been transferred away from Lingzhou City. I’ve only be appointed recently.”
Jiang He became more or less sure that Wu Yueru was the real thing when he heard her say the name ‘Yang Wancheng’, and therefore smiled. “Pleasure to meet you, Chief Wu. I’m just being careful; I hope you won’t blame me.”
“You should be careful, since according to what I know, you’ve foiled the schemes of the Sky Demon Cult more than once, Mister Jiang. Given how they usually do things, they would definitely come looking for you to settle the score when they have your information.”
Jiang He’s gaze twitched slightly.
It seems that Chief Wu did not know much about his situation at the moment.
She would not have been saying that if she really knew that he had slain both the Tranquil Heavenly General and the Earth Demon Heavenly General.
Nonetheless, Jiang He looked around.
Although his mansion was completed, it was not finished. Moreover, there were only two round stools aside, and no tea or snack to treat guests with.
Still, he pulled up the stools and said, “Please, sit, Chief Wu.”
Wu Yue took the seat as offered.
Her clothes were your standard business attire: White blouse, a black short skirt and stockings—just like the attire of a female teacher in a certain drama Jiang He had watched.
Still, Jiang He was disappointed when she kept her legs tightly crossed when she sat, instead of seducing him like the female teacher in the drama.
Hence, Jiang He went straight to the point, “We’ve not bet before, have we, Chief Wu? Why have you come to me today?”
“Have you heard about the Martial Arts Academy (MAA) of Lingzhou City, Mister Jiang?” Wu Yueru replied.
Then, upon seeing Jiang He’s nod, she skipped the foreplay and went straight to business, saying, “I wish to offer you a job as the vice-director of Lingzhou City’s MAA.”
“Eh?”
Jiang He frowned before shaking his head, saying, “That won’t do. My university degree is not in education, and I failed the teaching permit test I took after graduating. How am I supposed to take the post if I have no basis in education? I’m going to be misleading the students.”
Wu Yueru’s lips parted slightly; she had not expected that from Jiang He.
Adjusting her glasses with her tenderly white fingers, she then said, “Teaching permits wouldn’t be a problem. I could help process you as long as you’re willing, Mister Jiang.”
“Is... isn’t that a backdoor route?”
Jiang He asked meekly, “Moreover, you could see for yourself that I have a big patch of farm to look after. Where would I get the time to go to the MAA?”
“Most importantly, and you might not know this, Chief Wu... but I’m just a newbie when it comes to martial arts.”
“...”
Wu Yueru felt as if Jiang He was teasing her, and yet... he looked serious. Moreover, would a man so handsome be that shallow?
As such, she smiled. “You only need to hold the post, Mister Jiang, or only lead one class if you’re willing. The MAA had only been recently established anyway, so we sorely need instructors, but we wouldn’t force you to instruct the students if you’re reluctant, Mister Jiang.”
“That won’t do either. That’s no honest work!”
Jiang He declined Wu Yueru, but before she left, she handed him her business card, saying, “If you’ve thought things through, Mister Jiang, you may call my personal number.”
Wow!
Jiang He subtly clicked his tongue.
Private number?
Could she... be having some bad ideas toward him?
Even as Jiang He mused to himself, the clouds of dusk had arrived from the west, and he had not even had dinner.
Though his house had not been furnished, electricity was already installed and he still had his rice cooker and electric stove. Returning inside, he cooked a pot of vice and a plate of eggplant over baked meat, although he did not want to clean the dishes after he was done eating.
“Not wanting to do the dishes is a common flaw all men share...”
Jiang He sighed exasperatedly, when an idea struck him.
“Maybe I could get a babysitter?”
“Wait, no. I’m still young, why would I get a babysitter?”
“Wouldn’t I be a laughing stock if others knew? I should get a maid if I need help—the young and pretty type, wearing a maid costume...”
***
The Martial Arts Department of Lingzhou City.
Duan Tianhe couldn’t help feeling glee after hearing out a report from one of his people. “The new DOE Head? A B-class Awakened with telekinetic powers?”
“She went to see Jiang He?”
“Haha, I don’t even have to sleep on it—she would definitely be snubbed. Still, that’s fine, since Jiang He might demolish the MAA in its entirety if he really went there.”
On the couch opposite him, Cheng Dongfeng was sipping tea but could not help saying, “You’re in the wrong there, Old Duan. How many times has Jiang He helped you unwittingly? Why would you go behind his back and set him up?
Hah!
Duan Tianhe chuckled.
‘This is a set up?
‘Just a while ago, you’ve been complaining about Jiang He in every waking moment. And now you’re forbidding others doing the same thing, just because you don’t dare to do it anymore?’
“By the way, I heard that Wu Yueru has some serious background. Is she the daughter of that Wu family based in Jingdu City? Isn’t she also acquainted with Mu Wanqiu?”
Cheng Dongfeng asked, before adopting a serious tone. “Old Duan, intelligence has reported that the elites of the Sky Demon Cult had returned into the country yesterday. I’m afraid that their next target would be Lingzhou City.”
Duan Tianhe’s gaze darkened then.
After all, he had received that information earlier than Cheng Dongfeng did!