Hello, Jie Fen – CH3

Chapter 3: Saying One Thing, Thinking Another

Zuo Qianxing chattered on as they walked away. “You didn’t see it, but that kid threw one left hook and one right hook, taking down three big guys—bam! Just like that, quick as lightning.”

Xie Siheng, disinterested, said, “Let’s go back.”

“Wait, I want to see more,” Zuo Qianxing replied.

But Xie Siheng had already started walking forward. Zuo Qianxing called after him, “Hey!” and hurried to catch up. “Why are you in such a rush?”

Xie Siheng ignored him.

Zuo Qianxing felt like something was off about Xie Siheng today. He couldn’t pinpoint it, but sensing that he was genuinely in a hurry, he reluctantly dropped his curiosity about Chi Wang and drove Xie Siheng back to school.

Meanwhile, Chi Wang and Kong Tianxi emerged from the alley, appearing oddly amicable despite their earlier fight.

Moments ago, they had been at each other’s throats, and now they were calmly talking it out.

Chi Wang patted Kong Tianxi on the back, his tone soothing. “Let’s not resort to violence next time, yeah? It’s just causing trouble for yourself. Sure, I took your spot—that’s on me. But I’ve quit now, so it’s not like I’m in your way anymore. How about we bury the hatchet?”

Having just been beaten up, Kong Tianxi couldn’t argue. He hadn’t expected Chi Wang, who looked so skinny and frail, to hit so hard. Still nursing his bruises, he mumbled, “Fine.”

What else could he say? This seemingly delicate, youthful guy had a fighter’s precision, targeting his most vulnerable spots with speed and force. He clearly wasn’t new to brawls—he fought like someone who had survived the underworld.

Chi Wang added, “So… shouldn’t you compensate me with another gig?”

Kong Tianxi’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Me? Compensate you?”

Chi Wang reasoned, “I quit the job to spare your feelings. Don’t you think you owe me a replacement gig?”

Kong Tianxi wanted to curse but, wary of Chi Wang’s strength, held back. “…What kind of gig do you want?”

Chi Wang thoughtfully stroked his chin. “Something similar to playing guitar. I know quite a bit—erhu, violin, piano. Just find me a similar job that won’t interfere with my classes. Deal?”

Kong Tianxi: “…”

If he had those kinds of connections, would he still be stuck in a no-name band earning three or four thousand yuan a month?

Seeing his expression, Chi Wang relented. “Fine. Looks like it’s tough for you. Forget it; I’ll figure something out myself.”

That remark unexpectedly softened Kong Tianxi’s resentment. It made him believe that Chi Wang had really quit the guitarist gig for his sake.

Though his animosity lessened slightly, it didn’t make much difference. If not for the beating he had just endured, Kong Tianxi wouldn’t have been talking so civilly with Chi Wang at all.

Still, he found himself saying, “Give me your contact info. I’ll keep an eye out for you.”

Chi Wang’s lips curved into a bright smile. “Sure, here you go.”

Kong Tianxi: “…”

Something felt off.

Before he could figure it out, Chi Wang added him on social media, waved goodbye, and headed for the bus stop.

After Chi Wang was out of sight, the two guys who had been beaten alongside Kong Tianxi finally spoke up. “Are you really going to find him a gig?”

Feeling humiliated, Kong Tianxi grumbled, “I was just saying it. If I had those kinds of connections, would I still be playing guitar in this crappy band?”

“Fair point,” one of the guys muttered, grimacing in pain as he held his side. “That kid kicks like a mule. I still haven’t recovered from that one hit—it really hurts.”

“That’s what happens when someone’s been in a lot of fights—they know exactly where to hit. Tianxi, maybe you should leave him alone. You already said you’d find him a gig. Just follow through; otherwise, what if he comes after you again?” the other guy suggested.

Kong Tianxi: “…”

—

On the bus, Chi Wang finally noticed a long scratch along the outside of his arm. Blood had dripped onto the floor.

He grabbed a few tissues to clean up the bus floor, tossed them in the trash, and got off at a stop near a clinic.

He needed a tetanus shot.

Small clinics weren’t cheap—400 yuan for one shot. Chi Wang winced at the cost but decided it was worth it. A round trip to a major hospital would take over two hours by bus, and time was money for him. He could weigh priorities clearly.

This was why Chi Wang didn’t like fighting. He had a high pain tolerance and often didn’t even notice injuries until later. Back when he didn’t have the money, he’d been lucky to avoid infections. Now that he could afford it, scrimping here wasn’t worth it.

After getting the shot and having the clinic doctor bandage him up, Chi Wang paid an additional 25 yuan for the service.

The day’s gig earnings were effectively gone.

With a sigh, Chi Wang returned to school.

—

On the bus ride back, he received a call. Seeing the caller ID made his head ache. He took a moment to compose himself before answering.

“Hello, Mom,” he said, his tone deliberately light and cheerful.

He hadn’t expected much, but hearing his mother immediately ask for money still made him feel resigned. “It’s only been half a month. You’ve already spent all the money I sent?”

His tone unconsciously leveled out, becoming calm and measured. “I know Chi Cheng’s illness is expensive, but I haven’t graduated yet… Forget it. I’ll transfer it to you on WeChat.”

After hanging up, Chi Wang sent the money, leaving himself with just 800 yuan for living expenses.

Alright, work couldn’t stop.

Chi Wang asking Kong Tianxi to find him a part-time job was just casting a wide net—he wasn’t putting much stock in it. He still needed to carve out time to search for something new.

When he returned to the dormitory, the first thing he did was head for the shower. The scorching summer heat meant outdoor temperatures were above 40°C, and even at night, it was stifling. With all his service industry jobs, he had to shower at least three times a day.

After his shower, he nearly slipped as he stepped out. Stabilizing himself by grabbing the wall, he immediately turned to Shu Tingyu with a stern expression.

“You need to wring out the mop before you use it. Now go mop the floor again properly.”

Shu Tingyu: QAQ

Reluctantly, Shu Tingyu put down his crunchy bag of chips and grabbed the mop to re-clean the floor.

Luo Lianyun, watching Shu Tingyu being bossed around like a maidservant, adopted a dramatic expression and said in mock indignation, “Your Majesty, I must expose Noble Consort Xi for illicit affairs that disrupt the harmony of the inner palace!”

Having lived together for so long, they all knew Chi Wang’s uncanny ability to trip over nothing. It was a legendary trait he had displayed from the very first night they moved in. Back then, he had spectacularly slid from the dormitory doorway to the bathroom entrance, only to seamlessly split into a perfect floor wipe as he tried to stand back up.

Shu Tingyu, clueless at the time, thought Chi Wang was showing off his flexibility and even applauded, marveling at his agility.

Only Luo Lianyun’s sharp eyes caught the split-second awkwardness that revealed Chi Wang’s improvised effort to save face.

As Chi Wang’s “stunts” increased over time, Shu Tingyu eventually realized they were simply the misadventures of an unlucky guy trying to make the best of a bad situation.

Hearing Luo Lianyun’s sarcastic commentary now, Shu Tingyu jumped to defend himself, puckering his lips as if ready to cry. “Your Majesty! I have been wronged! I— I cannot defend myself against such accusations!”

Chi Wang: “…”

Chi Wang kept a straight face. “Mop the floor. No sleep until it’s dry.”

Shu Tingyu muttered a resigned “okay” and diligently mopped the floor three more times under Chi Wang’s watchful gaze until it was properly dry. Then he turned to Chi Wang with a hopeful smile, seeking praise.

Chi Wang indulged him with a few compliments, leaving Shu Tingyu grinning like an idiot.

It was then that Luo Lianyun noticed the bandages on Chi Wang’s arm. He casually asked about it, unsurprised—it wasn’t unusual for Chi Wang to get injured. The dorm was always stocked with band-aids and Yunnan Baiyao because of him.

Chi Wang’s explanation was nothing new.

When he mentioned that he had lost his bar gig and was unsure of what to do next, Luo Lianyun offered a suggestion. “How about working as an online influencer’s data manager? Like boosting fan stats for celebrities.”

Chi Wang considered it but shook his head. “Too tedious and low-return. Besides, I already have an online gig, and they’d overlap.”

His online job for a startup company involved tedious tasks and wasn’t highly paid, but it used his downtime efficiently, so he was satisfied with it.

Though Chi Wang took on a variety of part-time jobs, he aimed to learn something valuable from each one. Accumulating skills little by little would eventually allow him to find high-value work.

For instance, while working at the bar, he had picked up drumming and bass guitar. Though he hadn’t had the chance to practice yet, he had a mental framework in place. With time and opportunity, he could master them.

This was why Chi Wang, despite not spending a cent on formal lessons, knew so many instruments.

Luo Lianyun, unlike Chi Wang, lacked experience. Although his family was average, as an only child, he was spoiled. He received 2,500 yuan a month for living expenses—top-tier among college students.

He worked as an online data booster for fun, earning 60 yuan a day, but didn’t take it seriously.

Thus, he couldn’t offer Chi Wang much advice.

Chi Wang had only asked casually and hadn’t expected anything useful from Luo Lianyun.

Suddenly, Luo Lianyun climbed down from his bed, slung an arm around Chi Wang’s shoulders, and said ingratiatingly, “Come to the mixer this weekend, will you? Help your brothers out. If you come, the pretty girls from the neighboring school will show up in droves. The happiness of our STEM guys rests on your shoulders!”

Chi Wang looked troubled. “I need a new job. I’m almost out of money.”

“But the campus belle from the other school is stunning! Long black hair—she looks like a younger version of the Milk Tea Girl!” Luo Lianyun persisted.

Chi Wang sighed. “Skipping a shift makes me feel restless—like ants crawling all over me.”

Luo Lianyun: “…”

Shu Tingyu glanced back and forth between the two of them, amused, munching on his chips noisily as he enjoyed the show.

Finally, Luo Lianyun clapped his hands. “Alright, how about this: if you come to the mixer, Shu Tingyu and I will chip in 500 yuan to sponsor you.”

Shu Tingyu was taken aback. “What does this have to do with me? I’m not even looking for a girlfriend!”

Standing at 1.9 meters tall with a hearty appetite and a childlike nature, Shu Tingyu cared more about food and fun than relationships, unlike Luo Lianyun, who was eager to mingle.

Luo Lianyun shot him a disappointed glare. “With so many single guys in our dorm, a few hundred yuan each for a top-notch mixer isn’t too much. You can eat whatever you want.”

Drooling slightly, Shu Tingyu asked, “Will there be lobster? Big crabs?”

“Yes! Plenty of both!” Luo Lianyun assured him.

Shu Tingyu turned to Chi Wang with a pleading look. “I’ll chip in! Please, Chi Wang, come with us! It’s been ages since we had a dorm outing!”

Chi Wang: “…”

Finally, Chi Wang relented. “Alright, since Xiao Yu insists, I’ll go. But… I don’t need the money.”

As he spoke, he stared pointedly at Luo Lianyun.

Luo Lianyun understood instantly—Chi Wang was like a relative at Lunar New Year, saying “no” to red envelopes while subtly opening his pocket to accept them. With mock solemnity, Luo Lianyun declared, “How can you refuse? You’re our wingman for meeting beautiful girls. You have to take it! If you don’t, I’ll be forced to turn against you!”

Chi Wang, satisfied, pretended to be embarrassed. “Well, if you insist, I suppose I have no choice but to accept!”

Translator’s Note:

There are a lot of Chinese puns/slang in this new novel… Try my best to translate it, if they sound a bit off, please kindly forgive me >.<