Camping for a kill.

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September in South City had not yet ushered in autumn; the daytime temperature still soared to thirty-four degrees, oppressively hot to the point of unbearable. Walking under the blazing sun, her skin felt as if it were being scorched.

That morning, after Grandma woke up, Dr. Shi arranged another check-up for her. The results showed her condition was stable, and she could be discharged today.

“Getting old, the body’s weak. As soon as I open my eyes, I’m back in the hospital,” Grandma said weakly, lying in bed and watching Jiang Ci feed her porridge, her voice faint. “Have I made you worry, Ci?”

Jiang Ci nodded. “I really was worried sick. Grandma, if you ever feel unwell, you have to tell me…”

“People get aches and pains when they get old. When it’s time, it’s time. Don’t be so anxious,” Grandma smiled gently, as if she already foresaw something.

“No, Grandma, you have to grow up with me, okay?” Jiang Ci held Grandma’s wrinkled hand and gently rubbed it against her cheek.

Grandma smiled and said no more.

After staying with Grandma in the hospital room for a while, Jiang Ci got up and stepped outside, holding the medical record to collect Grandma’s medicine downstairs.

She stood before the elevator, watching the numbers on the electronic screen flicker and stop at five. With a ding, the elevator doors opened.

She looked up, and reflected in her eyes was a devilishly handsome, roguish face.

Jiang Ci blinked, feeling as if the person before her was unreal. “Zhang, Zhang Heyu?”

Zhang Heyu stepped out of the elevator, a fresh and elegant scent of tea drifting from his nose. He stopped before her, lifting one brow. “Yeah.”

“What are you doing here?” Jiang Ci asked.

She recalled not telling Zhang Heyu where she was in the hospital last night.

“Not on the way, I came specially.”

Jiang Ci let out a small “ah,” seriously doubting her hearing.

“Haven’t eaten?”

Jiang Ci nodded quickly like a little chick pecking at rice.

“There are shrimp dumplings, wonton noodles, and porridge inside.” Zhang Heyu handed her the food. “The porridge is light; it’s good for Grandma.”

Jiang Ci stood still, surprised that Zhang Heyu had even brought a portion for Grandma.

“Grandma’s already eaten,” Jiang Ci said. “You can have the rest. I’ll transfer the money to you later.”

Zhang Heyu’s expression changed at the mention of “transfer the money later,” then he chuckled lightly and said quietly, “Jiang Ci, do I look like someone who needs that money?”

“But I don’t like owing people,” Jiang Ci replied. “Although we’re friends, money matters should be settled clearly.”

“Who told you to owe me anything?”

Jiang Ci was confused. “What?”

“Just repay me in another way,” Zhang Heyu said casually. “As for how, I’ll think of something and let you know.”

Jiang Ci agreed to this muddled arrangement.

Suddenly remembering, Jiang Ci glanced at him. “Aren’t you going back to school for lunch break? You still have classes this afternoon.”

Zhang Heyu seemed to hear a joke, looked down at her, and smiled. “Deskmate, which class don’t I sleep in?”

Jiang Ci: “...”

After spending some time together, Jiang Ci realized that although Zhang Heyu didn’t listen during lectures, he would quietly work on problems during study periods, often more efficiently than those paying attention.

She truly witnessed firsthand what it meant to be a genius.

Remembering what she had to do, Jiang Ci handed him the food. “I’ll eat later. I’m going to get Grandma’s medicine.”

As she reached to press the elevator button again, a sudden tug pulled her wrist backward.

“Eat, I’ll go get it.”

Zhang Heyu opened his palm. “Your Grandma’s medical record.”

Jiang Ci, acting on impulse, handed him the record. The lunch Zhang Heyu just took from her hand was now back in hers.

Resigned, Jiang Ci sat on a chair in the lobby and began eating.

Not long after, as Jiang Ci was stuffing the last shrimp dumpling into her mouth, Zhang Heyu returned.

Jiang Ci saw him approaching, puffed out one cheek, and chewed a couple of times. “Thanks, for the trouble.”

“Eat first, then talk,” Zhang Heyu said, standing nearby lazily, holding his phone and looking at something.

Jiang Ci nodded and finished the rest.

After eating, she returned to the hospital room.

However, Zhang Heyu carried Grandma’s medicine in one hand and an unknown bag in the other.

The two entered the room one after another. Grandma was momentarily stunned when she saw the young man behind Jiang Ci.

Zhang Heyu was still wearing the white-and-blue short-sleeved uniform of South City No. 3 High School, tall and with a demeanor far superior to ordinary students. He looked like a reserved, cold, and aloof academic prodigy.

The prodigy part was true; the cold aloofness was true. As for being polite and refined…

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Jiang Ci couldn’t see that at all.

“Ci, who’s this?” Grandma looked at the boy behind Jiang Ci, dressed in the same uniform as her granddaughter, and seemed to have an inkling.

Before Jiang Ci could answer, Zhang Heyu spoke first: “Hello, Grandma. I’m Jiang Ci’s friend. I heard you were unwell, so I came to visit.”

He placed the fruit he brought on the cabinet. “I brought some fruit; it’s good for your health.”

Jiang Ci stared at him in astonishment. Somehow…

Grandma beamed. “How thoughtful, how thoughtful! Ci is lucky to have a friend like you! Come visit Ci often; Grandma will cook delicious food for you.”

Zhang Heyu smiled. “Alright, then I’ll look forward to Grandma’s cooking.”

Watching their easy banter, Jiang Ci couldn’t help but admit that Zhang Heyu was truly charming; even Grandma was delighted by him.

Zhang Heyu didn’t stay long and returned to school.

Jiang Ci completed the discharge procedures and took Grandma home.

Once home, Jiang Ci watched Grandma take her medicine before finally feeling at ease.

“Ci, that young man who came to see you just now is quite nice,” Grandma suddenly said.

Jiang Ci blinked. “You mean Zhang Heyu? He really is nice.”

“How’s he at school? Is he good at studying?” Grandma asked with a smile.

“He’s first in our grade, very impressive,” Jiang Ci smiled. “A lot of people at school like him.”

Grandma seemed to sense something different. “Ci, what about you? Like him too, just like the others?”

Jiang Ci paused, a little shy as her secret was touched upon. “Grandma, what are you saying!”

Seeing her embarrassment, Grandma stopped teasing. “Alright, don’t just stand here. Grandma wants to rest. You go about your business.”

Jiang Ci helped Grandma back to her room, tucked her in, concern etched on her face, and reminded her: “Grandma, if you feel unwell, remember to tell me.”

“I know. Go on,” Grandma replied.

Jiang Ci returned to her room, sat at her desk, gazed out at the bright sunlight, squinting as her thoughts drifted.

Perhaps the sunlight was too dazzling; her nose began to itch, and she sneezed unexpectedly.

She opened a mobile banking app to check her account balance, and her heart sank.

The twenty-eight thousand yuan Jiang Nanyan transferred yesterday, plus the money earned from Gao Wanqing during the holiday, had all gone to Grandma’s medical expenses.

There were still follow-up hospital check-ups to be done, and the money on hand was barely enough.

Jiang Ci was troubled.

While worrying, an idea popped into her mind. Although the method might be clumsy, she didn’t know if it would work, but she had to try.

Jiang Ci opened her social media feed, drafted a post hesitantly, then finally hit send.

After the third period in the afternoon.

Zhang Heyu went to the broadcasting room to arrange his duties and then joined Huo Chensi and the others at the sports field.

Huo Chensi and the others had been waiting at the field, bored and playing on their phones.

Someone suddenly said, “Hey, Heyu’s here.”

Huo Chensi paused scrolling, saw Zhang Heyu arriving, and called out, “Whoa!”

Zhang Heyu glanced at him as if looking at a fool.

“Don’t be so jumpy,” Fan Mian frowned, holding a basketball in his arm. “You’re so nervous.”

Huo Chensi waved his hand and opened a social media profile with a strawberry bear avatar, handing the phone to Zhang Heyu. “Bro, your deskmate is looking for a part-time job!”

Jiang Ci?

Zhang Heyu took out his own phone and opened Jiang Ci’s social media. Indeed, she was looking for a part-time job.

“Dear friends, if you have part-time job offers, please message me. Thank you so much!! (>^ω^<)”

Suddenly remembering, Zhang Heyu realized that several times he’d seen Jiang Ci working.

Could she really be short on money?

Zhang Heyu lowered his gaze, his brow twitching. Then he heard Huo Chensi say, “By the way, your cousin is staying at your place, right? A few days ago when I went to your house for a meal, your aunt mentioned finding a tutor for her.”

“Smart, Huo Chensi!” Fan Mian slapped his shoulder and smiled. “Rare to hear you say something smart.”

Huo Chensi rolled his eyes. “Real bro, don’t force a compliment.”

Huo Chensi’s words indeed woke Zhang Heyu up.

“At last, you’ve used your brain a bit,” Zhang Heyu complimented coldly.

It was unclear whether that was praise or sarcasm.

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“Let’s play!” Huo Chensi nudged Chen Yanzhou. “Heyu, you’re up first.”

*

For dinner, Jiang Ci simply cooked some porridge for Grandma and reminded her to take her medicine.

According to Dr. Shi, it was best to measure Grandma’s blood pressure daily, as high blood pressure could affect her condition.

After finishing, Jiang Ci accompanied Grandma downstairs for a breath of fresh air.

Back home, Grandma soon went to bed, and Jiang Ci took a shower.

Having not checked her phone for hours, Jiang Ci finally picked it up, only to see several messages popping up one after another on WeChat.

Looking at the profile picture and the contact name, she was clearly startled.

She slowly opened the chat with Zhang Heyu and read through all the messages he had sent.

All were inquiries about whether she was available, followed by several cute line-drawn puppy emojis flooding the screen.

Jiang Ci quickly replied.

[Jiang Ci: Here, sorry, I was busy and didn’t see my phone earlier.]

Zhang Heyu responded promptly with a voice message.

“If you don’t reply soon, I’m coming to camp outside your house.”

His voice was low and magnetic through the speaker.

Jiang Ci’s cheeks warmed, and her hand holding the phone felt weak.

[Jiang Ci: Sorry, is it something urgent?]

She barely sent the message when Zhang Heyu immediately called her.

Startled, her heart raced.

She hesitated before answering, “Zhang Heyu.”

“Yeah,” Zhang Heyu replied. “You’re free now, right?”

Jiang Ci nodded, realizing he couldn’t see her actions, and added, “I’m free.”

“Got something to talk to you about.” Zhang Heyu glanced at the woman leaning against the doorframe outside the room.

Jiang Ci was puzzled and nasal with a hum. “What’s up?”

“I heard you’re looking for a part-time job?”

“…Yes.”

“Coincidentally, I have a part-time job for you.” Zhang Heyu smiled faintly. “Interested?”

Jiang Ci’s black lashes fluttered. “Interested. Tell me more.”

As long as it paid and wasn’t illegal.

“My cousin needs a tutor, and I think your English is good. Interested?”

Jiang Ci hadn’t expected this offer.

“Can I do it?” she asked.

Zhang Heyu chuckled, his brows lifting with a smile. “Jiang Ci, you really don’t have much confidence in yourself.”

Jiang Ci: “...”

“Alright, as long as you’re interested.” Zhang Heyu nodded toward the woman outside. “Talk to the employer and see if it’s a good fit.”

Jiang Ci agreed, and Zhang Heyu handed the phone to the woman.

They chatted for about ten minutes.

Jiang Ci was very satisfied with the job—both the schedule and salary.

The woman was also pleased, her voice clearly that of a well-behaved young lady.

“Well then, tomorrow’s weekend. I’ll have Heyu send you the address. Come for a trial lesson,” the woman said.

Jiang Ci had nothing planned for the weekend and agreed.

Shortly after, she received the address and approximate location from Zhang Heyu.

[Jiang Ci: Okay! (>^ω^<)]