Chapter 13: Raising a Childhood Friend Is Like Raising a Daughter

She wasn’t at all worried that Li Xingming might encounter danger or be wronged while doing his part-time job. Only a foolish childhood friend would have such concerns, and Jiang Qianshan knew Li Xingming’s character inside out.

This guy might seem carefree on the surface, but at heart, he was steady and mature; he never took on anything he wasn’t confident about. Moreover, he had a habit of never letting himself be wronged.

So there was simply nothing to worry about. Rather than fret over Li Xingming suffering hardships outside, it was better to worry whether he might get involved with some sly temptress.

The sound of Li Xingming climbing the drainpipe gradually faded into the deep night. Jiang Qianshan couldn’t help but recall how, back at the art training center, the female staff had whispered that Li Xingming claimed he would personally catch a destined spirit for her.

Heh~

Jiang Qianshan didn’t doubt him for a second. When it came to matters concerning his childhood friend, Li Xingming never bragged; if he said he could get it, he definitely could.

As for why a novice like Li Xingming had the qualifications to explore ruins and find high-quality spirits that many professional adventurers couldn’t, well, that was beyond Jiang Qianshan’s full understanding.

She did know, however, that Li Xingming’s physical constitution was extraordinary, and his combat talent was almost supernatural. Perhaps he had already devised a detailed plan.

First, trust. Then, trust again.

As the adorable childhood friend, Jiang Qianshan’s role was to help Li Xingming manage the household, study diligently to pass the awakening test as soon as possible, wait for Li Xingming to obtain the spirit and successfully contract it, and then train hard... Since Li Xingming had designated that spirit, it meant Jiang Qianshan would inevitably have to be useful in the specified field.

Therefore, she had to work hard.

Keep pace with Li Xingming.

Suddenly, the drowsiness vanished inexplicably. Jiang Qianshan decided to wait for Li Xingming’s return before sleeping. She switched on the bedside lamp and picked up a book from the stack on the nightstand: "Introduction to Druidic Music Theory."

This was an introductory textbook combining traditional academic music theory with the transcendent knowledge of the Druidic school.

It was also one of the key and difficult subjects for art entrance exams.

For art students, it seemed somewhat profound.

Li Xingming seemed to expect Jiang Qianshan to go far on the path combining art and the supernatural. Sending her to the institution wasn’t just a frivolous indulgence but a sincere consideration for her future.

Jiang Qianshan felt quite uncertain about this. She thought herself rather dull-witted and feared she might disappoint Li Xingming’s expectations.

Besides, delving into profound supernatural knowledge was exhausting. She still preferred to revolve around Li Xingming like his little woman.

But today, seeing Li Xingming chatting so harmoniously with the academic star Ye Sheng, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy.

Hmph, so you’re the top scholar, huh? Well, I, Jiang Qianshan, am no slouch either. This Druidic music theory? Ye Sheng might not even master it...

I must pass the supernatural awakening test this month!

Imagining Li Xingming and Ye Sheng standing shoulder to shoulder in simulated combat.

Jiang Qianshan was fired up.

Sometimes, people only know how to strive when pushed by external pressure.

A book left untouched for three whole months was now revisited late at night, all because another girl had used her game console to sweetly duo with her man.

Women—how curious they are, right?

Only when the sound of someone climbing the drainpipe faintly reached her ears did Jiang Qianshan put down the book, turned off the lamp, and pretended to sleep quietly in the now dark bedroom.

A Ming always used the drainpipe to sneak in, probably to avoid waking her with the door’s creak. But Jiang Qianshan’s hearing was naturally sharp, and her sense of smell was keen as well.

Lying on her side under the covers, she poked out her head and pricked up her ears.

Sure enough, Li Xingming had gone to take a shower.

Usually, Li Xingming took about five minutes in the bath. Jiang Qianshan timed it perfectly, so when he stepped out of the bathroom in slippers, she “accidentally” bumped into him.

“Mm... A Ming, you just finished showering. It’s so late,” she murmured, rubbing her half-awake eyes.

“Yeah.”

Sniff, sniff.

Jiang Qianshan leaned in to inhale his scent, giggled foolishly, and mumbled indistinctly, “A Ming, you smell so good. Hold me for a while~”

Whenever Jiang Qianshan was half-asleep, Li Xingming found her particularly adorable, like a newborn kitten less than a month old.

She was probably just addicted to his scent, always sniffing him after his showers.

So Li Xingming chose to indulge her, letting her lean her wobbling body against his chest.

She nuzzled a few times, unwilling to let go. Li Xingming understood and scooped her up by the legs.

Jiang Qianshan was about 1.56 meters tall and very light. With Li Xingming’s physical prowess—enough to handle granite-guarded mechanical hounds—carrying her was effortless.

Holding his cute childhood friend, he sank deeply into the sofa, his arms filled with the soft warmth unique to a young girl.

Since she had been abruptly awakened from sleep, Jiang Qianshan was only wearing a long cotton T-shirt that covered half her thighs as nightwear, along with plain white undergarments.

Getting up from deep slumber, her body temperature was slightly higher than usual, warm to the touch, like a giant heat pack in his arms.

She rested her cheek against Li Xingming’s neck, her gentle breath accompanied by faint murmurs, her nose brushing the sensitive skin on his neck, tickling him so much he shivered.

Heh.

Jiang Qianshan smiled inwardly. “Enjoying this, A Ming?”

This move was pure girlfriend power at its fullest.

Warm and soft in his arms, and it was the kind of late night when people easily get mischievous thoughts. Maybe it was time to give some feedback?

Throughout their long childhood friendship, Jiang Qianshan sought every chance to tease Li Xingming. This might sound a bit like flirtation, but Jiang Qianshan was a fiercely loyal girl. If she devoted her whole life to scheming for just one man, could that really be called flirtation?

Yet Li Xingming only chuckled at her tickles and reached out to tousle her hair.

No reaction like Jiang Qianshan had hoped for.

“It’s great having a childhood friend,” Li Xingming sighed.

“After fighting and earning money all day, coming home to Jiang Qianshan’s embrace feels like having a daughter!”

This was the ideal teammate for Li Xingming. His previous life had been full of troublesome girls, all causing internal strife, never understanding the hardships he bore as team leader.

Compared to them, Qianshan and Shengsheng were incomparably better.

Thinking this, Li Xingming ran his fingers through the strands of hair around Jiang Qianshan’s temple and pressed a gentle kiss there.

Jiang Qianshan, who had been feeling a bit down because she hadn’t sensed any tangible response, was instantly electrified all over, completely comforted.

“Mmm~ I like that!” She wriggled on Li Xingming’s lap, unable to resist acting spoiled, “More, please.”

Li Xingming kissed her a few more times.

See? What’s wrong with being a little girl?

In truth, Jiang Qianshan was basically a lazy kitten at heart. Maybe she was diligent with housework and cooking, but strategically, she was consistently lazy. Once she tasted some sweetness, she was reluctant to work hard to change her relationship with Li Xingming.

She dreamed of upgrading from childhood friend to wife, but the road ahead was full of trials and dangers, so giving up and coasting became an easy choice.

Just as Jiang Qianshan was feeling pleased with herself, Li Xingming’s phone resting on the sofa beside them chimed with a message notification.

Jiang Qianshan glanced casually, then her eyes sharpened instantly.

[Shengsheng Unceasing: Who is Robert?]

[Shengsheng Unceasing: Tell me quickly.]

[Shengsheng Unceasing: Tell me!]