The next day.
Shrek City, South.
Bai Zhou met Jiang Nannan, who had arrived as promised.
Today, Jiang Nannan wore light makeup and a simple white dress. However, she, who rarely wore stockings, specifically put on a pair of ultra-thin flesh-colored ones today, likely knowing Bai Zhou's preference.
Although dressed simply, paired with Jiang Nannan's exquisite beauty and long, slightly wavy golden hair, she still exuded a noble and aloof aura that made most girls feel inferior.
However, despite the light makeup, Jiang Nannan's complexion wasn't very good; she looked a bit weary, clearly because of her mother, Mu Yun'er.
"Nan Nan Jie, you look really beautiful today~"
Seeing Jiang Nannan's special outfit today, Bai Zhou walked up with a smile and took Jiang Nannan's small hand.
"What are you doing... let go quickly..."
Jiang Nannan struggled slightly, her Face red as she said coyly.
Fortunately, there was no one else around.
Seeing that Bai Zhou was holding on tight and she couldn't break free, Jiang Nannan could only let him do as he pleased.
Anyway, she had been touched several times already, so holding hands was still acceptable...
Moreover, being held by Bai Zhou's warm large hand gave her a strange sense of security.
Apart from being a little mischievous, this guy Bai Zhou had many good points and was reliable, which was one of the reasons she somewhat liked him...
"Nan Nan Jie, how about I pretend to be your boyfriend and meet your mother? That way, it could give her a surprise~" Bai Zhou thought of some common tricks from his previous life, leaned towards Jiang Nannan, and suggested.
"No, no, I told her last time that I didn't have a boyfriend..." Jiang Nannan knew exactly what Bai Zhou was up to and quickly waved her hand in refusal.
"Then I can't just go as a classmate, right? If we don't act a bit intimate, your mother definitely won't want me to help."
Bai Zhou shrugged and said, "Nan Nan Jie, I'm sure you wouldn't want your mother to feel indebted forever because of this matter..."
Jiang Nannan: ...
At this moment, Jiang Nannan really wanted to shut this guy Bai Zhou's mouth; he was just too...
Putting everything else aside, she had to admit that what Bai Zhou said made a lot of sense.
This matter had troubled her and her mother for a long time. If she asked Bai Zhou for help, her mother would definitely ask about their relationship.
If they were just classmates, the favor owed would be huge. While she didn't mind owing debts, her mother would definitely mind greatly and try everything to repay it, otherwise, she would feel uneasy.
But if Bai Zhou pretended to be her boyfriend, her mother would instead feel very relieved about such help.
Jiang Nannan fell silent instantly.
"Alright, it's decided then. Nan Nan Jie, let's go~"
Bai Zhou, however, didn't give her any chance to think, settled the matter directly, and pulled Jiang Nannan towards her mother's residence.
...
Jiang Nannan had settled her mother, Mu Yun'er, on the south side of Shrek City, an area with relatively backward development, considered a "slum," with poor environment but very cheap rent.
However, this kind of place was also a mixed bag, with many thugs and ruffians, and these people were backed by influential figures.
Mu Yun'er was initially harassed by a thug. When the thug learned that Mu Yun'er's daughter was a student of Shrek, he became somewhat fearful but was unwilling to give up, so he reported Mu Yun'er's matter to the influential figure behind him, a noble of Shrek City.
Mu Yun'er was thus targeted.
A young noble who liked mature women directly brought a luxurious motorcade and betrothal gifts, wanting to marry Mu Yun'er, but she refused.
Feeling he had lost Face, the young noble began ordering the thugs in the slum to harass Mu Yun'er, causing great trouble in her life.
Later, other nobles also learned of this matter and were similarly attracted by Mu Yun'er's appearance and temperament, leading to even more harassment for Mu Yun'er.
Although there was no life-threatening danger, it was very unpleasant.
...
"It's a bit dirty here, Xiao Bai, I hope you don't mind..." Entering the slum, Jiang Nannan said somewhat awkwardly.
After all, she knew that Bai Zhou was also a noble and might have never been to such a dirty place; she was afraid he would be disgusted.
"Don't worry, I'm your boyfriend, how could I mind? It would even be fine if I moved here to live with you in the future."
Bai Zhou gently squeezed Jiang Nannan's soft little hand and gave her a comforting look.
"It's a pretend boyfriend..." Jiang Nannan mumbled in defense, her voice only audible to herself.
Soon, Jiang Nannan led Bai Zhou to a narrow small courtyard. The courtyard wall was dilapidated, patched up with various rags and weeds. Many flowers and plants were grown in the courtyard, adding a different kind of color to the ordinary dwelling.
The courtyard was swept clean, completely out of place with the dirtiness outside.
In the middle stood a small wooden house. It looked old but was enough to shelter from wind and rain.
This small wooden house was where Jiang Nannan's mother, Mu Yun'er, lived.
As soon as the two entered the small courtyard.
They encountered an exquisite mature woman in a plain long dress walking out of the house.
The beautiful woman looked to be in her thirties. Although dressed simply, she still couldn't hide her voluptuous figure.
Although Mu Yun'er was just an ordinary person, her appearance was well-maintained; her skin was fair with no wrinkles, and her shiny black hair was coiled up, fully displaying the charm of a mature woman.
Because she had recovered from a serious illness, Mu Yun'er's complexion now looked countless times better than when Bai Zhou last saw her, and her temperament had also undergone a drastic change.
Bai Zhou was somewhat captivated.
She was indeed a femme fatale.
Such a beautiful mature woman, and a widow at that, who wouldn't love her?
If it were Bai Zhou, he would like her too.
It's a pity, Mu Yun'er was just an ordinary person, not a Spirit Master. Although Bai Zhou was tempted, he wouldn't make a move on Mu Yun'er; at most, it was just admiration.
"Nannan, why are you here!"
Seeing Jiang Nannan, Mu Yun'er greeted her with great surprise.
However, she quickly noticed Bai Zhou, as well as the two holding hands tightly. She was instantly somewhat bewildered and looked at Jiang Nannan, asking, "Nannan, this is..."
"Hello Auntie, I am Bai Zhou, also Nannan's boyfriend, and a student of Shrek Academy."
Bai Zhou knew Jiang Nannan was thin-skinned, so he stepped forward and spoke proactively.
"Ah, hello, hello, please come in quickly~"
Although Mu Yun'er was curious about when Jiang Nannan had gotten a boyfriend, she didn't ask immediately but rather welcomed Bai Zhou into the small house with some joy.
Jiang Nannan was now almost fifteen. In their village, girls basically got married at sixteen or seventeen, so it was just right for Jiang Nannan to find a boyfriend now.
Mu Yun'er had been somewhat worried before that with Jiang Nannan's cold personality, it would be difficult for her to find a boyfriend in the future. She never expected her to bring one today, and he was also a student of Shrek Academy, which made her very pleasantly surprised.