Chapter 100: Five Hundred Thousand in Hand

“Oh my goodness! What wind blew you here?”

With lightning speed, Song Nianqiang’s scowl swiftly transformed into a broad smile as he cheerfully looked at Jiang Ningzhi.

“Stop grinning like that! Do you realize how big a mess you’ve made?” Jiang Ningzhi said sternly, raising her voice at Song Nianqiang.

Inside, Song Nianqiang was suffering—what kind of mess was this? He’d gotten into worse trouble before.

“Yes, the leader’s reprimand is well-deserved. I was wrong. Right now, I’m reflecting on my mistakes, on how I shouldn’t have hit the teacher, on my behavior. But, leader, I’m really hungry. Can you do me the honor of letting me treat you to a meal?” After a long preamble, he finally got to the point.

Jiang Ningzhi had also organized a club event, but because of Song Nianqiang’s interference, the school completely canceled it. All those students had wasted their efforts. Yet, strangely, Jiang Ningzhi felt a faint joy deep down, for Song Nianqiang had unintentionally solved a major headache for her.

Everyone knew Ren Tian liked her, but at this moment, Jiang Ningzhi’s heart belonged only to Song Nianqiang. She was annoyed by Ren Tian’s persistent pursuit. Now, since Ren Tian was injured and would be hospitalized for some time, she could finally enjoy some peace.

“Great! I’m actually starving!” Hearing Jiang Ningzhi’s agreement, which completely disregarded her original intentions, Song Nianqiang hurriedly grabbed her arm and dashed out of the school. He worried that if she suddenly remembered he had hit a teacher, it would cause more trouble.

Holding onto Song Nianqiang’s warm hand, Jiang Ningzhi’s heart pounded. Once outside the school, Song Nianqiang called “Big Fatty,” who soon told him to wait at the school gate and that he would arrive shortly.

With no choice, Song Nianqiang and Jiang Ningzhi playfully teased each other at the school gate, drawing curious glances from passing students. Jiang Ningzhi was stunningly beautiful, and though Song Nianqiang was no top-tier handsome guy, he was certainly good-looking enough for the crowd. But that wasn’t the main point.

Perhaps instinctively, whenever Jiang Ningzhi slapped Song Nianqiang, he would slide backward a great distance without much movement of his feet—it was baffling. Yet Jiang Ningzhi, standing nearby, remained oblivious.

After about ten minutes, Big Fatty arrived with a group of people, both men and women. They chattered noisily, but their attire made it clear they were far from ordinary. Big Fatty trailed behind them, his face stretched long in displeasure—anyone with eyes could tell he was not happy.

“Damn it! Big Fatty, why did you bring all these… what are they? Your relatives?” Song Nianqiang casually remarked, surprisingly hitting the mark.

“How did you know? Are you some kind of prophet?” Big Fatty looked at him in shock.

Three dark lines appeared on Song Nianqiang’s forehead. “Get lost! I was just guessing! You’re not planning to have them eat with us, are you?”

Suddenly, a sense of alarm rose in Song Nianqiang’s heart. Looking at the group of young masters and ladies, he found himself troubled—not because of the hassle, but because of the cost. How much would it take to keep all those mouths fed?

“Boss, that idiot’s calling. Should we pick up or drag him out for a shooting?” The phone rang just as Song Nianqiang pondered. Big Fatty’s eyes lit up at the ringtone.

“Damn! Qiangzi, where’d you get that ringtone? Get me one too!” The two were kindred spirits indeed.

Feeling a chill, Song Nianqiang quickly answered, worried Jiang Ningzhi might overhear the call.

“Hahaha!” Before Song Nianqiang could speak, a long burst of laughter came from the other end. Puzzled about who was bothering him, the laughter stopped and was replaced by a firm voice.

“Song Nianqiang, I never thought you’d really pull it off. The five hundred thousand has been transferred to your account. Check it!” Then the call ended.

Staring at the phone in shock, Song Nianqiang frantically checked his messages and saw the bank notifications confirming the transfer. He couldn’t help but chuckle foolishly.

Big Fatty thought Song Nianqiang had lost his mind and rushed over to feel his forehead, giving him a shove.

“Bro, don’t scare me! I’m a coward!”

But Song Nianqiang was still glued to the phone, unresponsive.

Curious, Big Fatty glanced at the screen and his mouth dropped open. After a moment, he finally shouted, “Damn!” His gloomy expression instantly melted into joy. That five hundred thousand was earned by himself. Though Big Fatty’s family could easily afford such a sum, the money his father gave and the money he earned himself were two different things.

“I’m giving you guys ten thousand. Just don’t die and have fun!” Big Fatty’s father had entrusted him with ten thousand to take care of these young masters and ladies. Big Fatty had planned to skimp a bit, but after seeing the message on Song Nianqiang’s phone, he generously handed the full amount over.

Although these kids were young, their elders usually restricted their spending. So when Big Fatty’s ten thousand was offered, their eyes lit up as they eagerly grabbed it and left, happily cheering.

“Those brats are finally gone. Now we can really celebrate!” Big Fatty was ecstatic, and Song Nianqiang agreed. But Jiang Ningzhi watched curiously.

“What’s got you so happy? Let me see!” Before Song Nianqiang could react, she snatched the phone and frowned reading the message.

“You got scammed out of five hundred thousand?” Jiang Ningzhi asked, eyebrows furrowed, shivering.

“It’s nothing, let’s just eat!” She quickly changed the subject, worried that if she pressed further, Song Nianqiang’s stubborn nature would force him to get to the bottom of it.

Speaking of eating, Jiang Ningzhi’s stomach growled loudly. She pulled Song Nianqiang’s arm and hurried toward a nearby restaurant, urging, “I’m starving! Let’s go!”

The three arrived at the restaurant, and Song Nianqiang handed the menu to Jiang Ningzhi. But she only picked the cheaper dishes, trying to save money for him.

Song Nianqiang wasn’t stupid; he saw through her intentions and snatched the menu away. “Forget what you ordered. I’ll order now!”

The waiter nodded without any sign of irritation. Song Nianqiang scanned the menu and started ordering from the most expensive dishes downward, finally ordering ten dishes.

“Are you crazy? There are only three of us—can we even finish all this?” Jiang Ningzhi frowned, worried. She knew Song Nianqiang came from a modest farming family, and he had no father.

“It’s fine. It’s a rare chance to treat you to a meal, so I’m willing!” Song Nianqiang declared nobly, unaware that in Jiang Ningzhi’s mind, his words took on a different tone. “He’s willing to spend so much just for himself—how sweet!”

At that moment, Song Nianqiang was still lost in the joy of receiving the huge sum. Had he known Jiang Ningzhi’s thoughts, he might have been so embarrassed as to bash his head against a tofu block.

Soon, the dishes arrived one after another. Song Nianqiang feasted happily, savoring the lavish meal after a long time. Yet, in front of Jiang Ningzhi, neither he nor Big Fatty drank alcohol; they simply ate in silence.

After about an hour, the three were nearly full, but plenty of food remained on the table. Jiang Ningzhi planned to pack the leftovers, but Song Nianqiang, now a wealthy man, couldn’t care less about leftover food. After patiently explaining for over ten minutes, Jiang Ningzhi was overwhelmed and followed him out in a daze. Of course, Song Nianqiang paid the bill—just three hundred in change.