Xiangyang doesn't like Tangxi; at most, they're just friends of the opposite sex.

Xiang Yang didn't explain it deliberately; Qin Gang had seen through it over time.

Xiangyang's three roommates were quite familiar with Qin Gang, but no matter how much time passed, the three of them always felt reserved in front of Qin Gang.

Whenever Qin Gang is around, they start to avoid him. Xiang Yang invited them several times, but they refused to go to Qin Gang's house with him.

The school's construction period was only three months, and it was completed smoothly.

It just so happened to be Sunday, and Qin Gang brought him along when he was celebrating with some fellow villagers.

These fellow villagers had also heard a bit about Xiangyang's story. They knew that his father, Xiang Dahai, had followed Qin Gang around, and that Qin Gang had taken pity on him and taken him in.

A group of people believed it to be true, but Zhu Erliang, no matter how he thought about it, felt that something was off.

"Xiangyang," a slightly older man asked as usual, "have you found a girlfriend at school?"

Qin Gang listened without even raising his eyes.

Xiangyang: "Not yet, I haven't met anyone I like."

Another person chimed in, "Hey, young man, don't be shy. You have to be more proactive, otherwise no girl will like you."

Xiang Yang smiled and nodded, repeatedly agreeing, "Yes! Yes!"

"You're still living with Brother Qin?" Another person looked around the small house, thinking it was really small, not even as nice as the countryside. "How do you guys live here? Xiangyang, I see your room doesn't even have an air conditioner."

Xiangyang: "Huh? It's hot or cold, so I'll sleep with Uncle Qin."

Upon hearing this, the man said, "That's alright. At least I can talk to your Uncle Qin."

Seeing how frankly Xiang Yang spoke, Zhu Erliang realized that he had misunderstood before.

That makes sense. Although there are such people, there aren't many. Besides, he could tell that Qin Gang really cared about Xiangyang, so he probably wouldn't drag him into that kind of thing.

A group of people, drunk and laughing, walked away supporting each other.

Xiangyang had also drunk quite a bit and was feeling a little dizzy.

He had intended to tidy up, but Qin Gang stopped him, saying, "Don't bother, I'll tidy up myself tomorrow."

Seeing that Xiangyang's face was flushed, Qin Gang touched it and asked, "Are you feeling unwell?"

"I don't feel unwell," Xiangyang said, unsteady on his feet. "I'm dizzy."

Qin Gang helped him to bed and poured him some water.

Xiangyang held the cup, taking small sips. After a few sips, he sat there, his eyes moist, staring at Qin Gang with difficulty focusing.

Qin Gang sat there indifferently, lit a cigarette, and blew a smoke ring. "What are you looking at me for?"

Xiang Yang curled his lip and then muttered, "Uncle Qin, when are you going to find a girlfriend?"

Qin Gang frowned, as if he thought Xiang Yang was meddling in other people's business. "Mind your own business!"

Xiangyang muttered, pressing his lips against the cup, "Can't I even ask one question?"

Xiangyang stopped drinking water. He looked at Qin Gang and suddenly said, "Uncle Qin, you have a strong smoking habit. Is smoking very enjoyable?"

Qin Gang narrowed his eyes and said, "Why don't you have a bite too?"

As he spoke, Qin Gang twirled the cigarette in his hand and handed it to him.

Xiang Yang took it and, imitating Qin Gang, took a puff.

Xiangyang doesn't smoke. He tried to learn, but he's not smart enough and couldn't master it.

But since it wasn't the first time I'd tried it, I wasn't choked too badly.

Xiangyang coughed, unsure how to process the air, and said, "Uncle Qin, please teach me."

Qin Gang looked at him, his eyes growing increasingly intense. "What, not wanting to be a good student anymore?"

Xiang Yang smiled, handed him a cigarette, and asked him to teach him.

Qin Gang looked at the cigarette offered to him and took it.

Xiangyang asked, "What should we do?"

Qin Gang took a puff and then stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray.

"Hmm?" Xiangyang looked at him in confusion.

But then, Qin Gang grabbed his chin and, amidst Xiang Yang's bewildered expression, moved closer and closer.

The bitter taste of cigarettes filled Xiangyang's mouth instantly.

Xiangyang opened her eyes and looked at Qin Gang, her eyelashes trembling slightly.

Qin Gang finally pulled away from Xiang Yang's lips and said, "This is the last time. I won't smoke anymore."

After saying that, Qin Gang didn't look at him again and went to bed to sleep.

Xiangyang was left touching her lips, then silently watching his retreating figure.

Xiangyang sighed one last time and said to Xiaoguai, "Only 3% left, that's about enough. Can I consider it done?"

Xiao Guai: "...Xiangyang, this won't do."

"Fine," Xiang Yang said helplessly.

Qin Gang said it was his last puff, but unexpectedly, he actually planned to quit smoking.

Xiangyang had to admit that Qin Gang's execution ability was frighteningly strong.

If I say I won't smoke, then I won't smoke a single drop.

The remaining half pack of cigarettes was left unattended and was still on the bedside table. Qin Gang didn't even glance at it, and just like that, he quit.

This is shocking in the entire "smoking cessation community".

Xiangyang wanted to give him a thumbs up and say "Awesome!"

However, Qin Gang's attitude towards him seemed to revert to what some others had assumed.

Xiang Yang is Xiang Dahai's son. Xiang Dahai used to hang out with Qin Gang. After Xiang Dahai died, Qin Gang kindly took him in.

Zhu Erliang had completely abandoned that absurd idea.

Zhang Yu, having not noticed anything amiss for so long, even felt somewhat embarrassed and told Xiang Yang that he might have been overthinking things back then, and that he had said those kinds of things, asking Xiang Yang not to mind.

"You're just guessing!" Zhang Yu asked with some concern, "Um... did my nonsense affect your relationship with Brother Qin?"

Xiang Yang reassured him, "Don't take it to heart."

Zhang Yucai finally felt relieved and said with a smile, "If Brother Qin knew that I had spread rumors about him, I'm afraid he would kill me!"

Xiangyang said, "It's not that exaggerated."

Zhang Yu chuckled and, after returning to his dorm, started chatting about other topics.

"I heard that Brother Qin's business is growing bigger and bigger!"

"That's right! That building in our city center, wasn't it booked by Brother Qin?"

"Wow? That must be a huge order!"

Cao Xingwang made a gesture: "My dad works in construction. He said it has to be at least this much!"

"Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit!" Wang Xin was utterly shocked.

Cao Xingwang added, "My dad said that Qin Gang is really daring. He opened up those connections by force. If you're not careful, you could not only go to jail, but you might even lose your life. He just took it down like that."

"Is it really that exaggerated?!"

"Anyway, even if my dad doesn't know much, he wouldn't dare to say a word. I heard that yesterday at the Xiangdian Nightclub, just because someone was talking nonsense, Qin Gang was sitting there without saying a word, and a business tycoon made that person kneel down to Qin Gang."