286: Chapter 286 A Huge Misunderstanding!

The next morning, the sky was just beginning to brighten.

Jiang Ye was still immersed in a complex dream—one where he felt "light as a feather without hair" yet slightly melancholy—when the phone by his pillow began ringing like a death knell.

Dazed, he grabbed the phone and pressed the answer button without looking, bringing it to his ear and mumbling a vague "Hello?"

“Hahaha! Xiao Ye! Your daddy is back! Did you miss me?!”

“???”

Jiang Ye jolted, snapping upright in bed. His first thought was: Holy crap! Is it the Qingming Festival already?!

A second later, his chaotic brain finally finished booting up and recognized the voice on the other end—Fang Wei.

“Phew...”

He let out a long sigh of relief and collapsed back onto the bed, still shaken. He barked irritably into the microphone:

“Screw off! Is that how you talk to your father? Show some respect! You're back? Did you get fired for peeping on female guests in the shower at the hotel?”

“Damn! Can't a guy have a holiday for New Year's? I'm taking the high-speed rail back to Shengtian tomorrow. You're going to arrange things, right?”

“Arranged. It'll definitely be arranged—I'll have you sorted out perfectly. Pick wherever you want to go; Daddy's paying.”

“Holy crap?”

Fang Wei's voice was full of disbelief. “So generous? Really anywhere I want?”

Jiang Ye curled his lips, an aura of 'humblebrag' radiating from him. “Of course. In this territory of Shengtian, as long as you name it... cough, except for Dadong District. Anywhere but Dadong District, take your pick.”

“Not Dadong District? Why?”

Fang Wei was stunned for a moment. “I was thinking of checking out the Green Wave Garden. Everyone says it's great there.”

“Green Wave Garden is in Dadong District! No!”

Jiang Ye's tone was firm. “Going to Dadong District now requires me to apply for a visa in advance. It’s a huge hassle and won’t be approved anytime soon.”

Fang Wei fell silent for a few seconds. He didn't understand what this 'visa' business meant, but he was too lazy to ask.

As roommates who had hung out for three years, he knew Jiang Ye too well—this guy looked decent on the surface, but deep down, he hid a restless, abstract heart that wasn't quite human.

He had long predicted that it was a good thing Jiang Ye was poor; if this guy ever actually became successful, he’d definitely act so 'extra' he'd launch himself off the Earth and into the universe.

“Fine, fine. I have no idea what nonsense you're spouting.”

Fang Wei gave up on thinking. “Then let's make it the night after tomorrow. I'll find a Shengtian then. Once we're done messing around, I'll just hop on the train on the morning of the 10th to go home for the Little New Year.”

“Aren't you arriving tomorrow? What are you doing tomorrow?” Jiang Ye yawned.

“Damn! Did you ignore the class group chat again?!”

Fang Wei's volume rose again. “There's a class reunion tomorrow night! At New Hong remember!”

“Oh, I muted it. Didn't look.”

Ever since starting his internship, Jiang Ye had set the class group to 'Do Not Disturb'.

Firstly, his classmates were scattered everywhere for internships, and as someone with 'flexible employment,' he really couldn't find common ground to chat with them.

Secondly, the group had gradually shifted from sharing funny stories to a cesspool of negative energy—boasting about salaries, complaining about bosses, and comparing partners. He didn't care to see it.

“A reunion... who's going?”

“About twenty people? Those in Shengtian, those passing through, and those few who love to show off will all be there! Oh, right, Cheng Weiwei also said in the group that she’s coming.”

“Cheng Weiwei?” Jiang Ye was taken aback.

The name instantly cleared his head quite a bit.

Cheng Weiwei was the beauty of their class. She was also the one he had messaged in a fit of overconfidence right after getting the system, saying, "Tonight at the Yuanmeng Hotel, be there or be square," only to be decisively blocked until this very day.

He scratched the back of his head, put the phone on speaker, tossed it aside, and reached for the Vaseline on the nightstand.

“Wait a sec, let me cast a divination to see if I should go.”

With a thought, Jiang Ye summoned the system interface and refreshed the monthly task.

【February 2026 Monthly Task: On-the-Spot Savior】

Task Objective: In a public social setting, successfully rescue a female stranger with a Charm Value > 80 from an awkward or difficult situation and receive her heartfelt gratitude.

Task Difficulty: ★★★☆☆ (Relies on random events and requires high on-the-spot reaction capability from the host)

Task Description: A true gentleman is skilled at diffusing storms at critical moments. Use your wisdom and grace to become a bright spot in someone else's memory.

Task Rewards:

A. 【Quick Wit Aura】 (Passive Skill): Slightly improves mental agility and adaptability during unexpected situations.

B. Cash reward: 1.26 million yuan.

Jiang Ye blinked at the task description.

Class reunion? Public social setting—that part fit.

But the "female stranger" part immediately excluded Ye Cheng, Lin Wanxing, and Cheng Weiwei.

He had no interest in showing off or slapping faces in front of his classmates. Before, he didn't have the means; now he did, but he felt it was unnecessary.

If the reunion could help complete the task, then a quick visit would be fine. But since the task required a stranger, going to the reunion would be a waste of time. He'd rather stay home and research how to regrow hair.

“Forget it, I'm not going. It's either listening to those guys brag or watching people hook up. It's boring.”

As Jiang Ye spoke, he unscrewed the small round jar of Vaseline, preparing for his morning "follicle soothing project."

He had tried this stuff last night, and the effect was outstanding. Applying it formed a protective film, significantly easing the stinging itch from the newly growing stubble.

It was just that the application process was a bit weird; he always felt the movements were somewhat familiar.

On the other end of the phone, Fang Wei wasn't surprised by his refusal to go, but he was stunned by the latter half of the sentence:

“Holy crap? Hooking up is boring?!”

“I might consider it if Cheng Weiwei was willing, but anyone else is a no-go.”

“Damn! She’s had you blocked for over half a year, and you’re still fantasizing?”

Jiang Ye rolled his eyes, about to boast that "that was then, but now Buddy's charm value is off the charts"—

“Jiang Ye, are you eating...”

Ye Cheng's voice accompanied the sound of the doorknob turning as the bedroom door was pushed open with a 'click'.

In a flash, Jiang Ye's mind simulated the consequences of her seeing his current look—it would be an epic dark history that she'd laugh at until the next century!

His survival instinct triggered a burst of incredible speed. He pulled up his pants in a thousandth of a second, but he didn't have time to hide the Vaseline in his hand or the guilty expression on his face.

“...breakfast? I... ordered...”

Ye Cheng pushed the door open. Before she could finish, she saw Jiang Ye sitting on the edge of the bed, clutching his underwear, looking at her with a face full of "I'm screwed." She froze instantly.

“Oh, give it a rest! Stop acting!”

At the same time, Fang Wei's oblivious shouting came through the phone speaker: “I bet just hearing the name ‘Cheng Weiwei’ makes you stand at attention! Tell me! Are you busy doing some ‘handiwork’ right now?!”

Jiang Ye: “...”

Expressionless, he looked down at the sticky Vaseline on his hand, then looked up at Ye Cheng, whose pupils were shaking as she stood frozen in the doorway. He was completely petrified.

The voice on the phone continued: “Hello? You there? Fine, fine, I won't mess with you anymore. Anyway, if you're afraid of the awkwardness of seeing Cheng Weiwei, then don't go. Just make sure you've got things arranged for me the day after tomorrow! Hanging up!”

“Beep... beep... beep...”

The dial tone sounded, and the room fell into a deathly silence.

Ye Cheng blinked. Her gaze swept back and forth between Jiang Ye's hand and his pants. Her face rapidly cycled through a complex mix of 'shock -> realization -> disgust -> holding back laughter' before she zipped out of the room.

“Sorry, I didn't knock. My fault. Sorry for the interruption.”

“Holy crap! Don't go! It's not what you think! Let me explain!”

It took Jiang Ye two seconds to react. He let out a roar and chased after her while pulling up his pants.