CHAPTER 994: CHAPTER 573: NO NEED TO TELL ME

In the afternoon, the marathon came to an end.

After the bustle, calmness returned.

The orange-red sun slowly descended, painting the sky with a pale golden hue.

Qingyu Lake was like a mirror, reflecting the afterglow of the setting sun. In the distance, Hu Qi Mountain merged with the lake surface, its reflection swaying gracefully in the water, an indescribable beauty.

Xue Yuantong stood barefoot by the shallow waters of Qingyu Lake’s edge, surrounded by a golden glow, with the world cast in warm tones.

This half-marathon passed by Qingyu Lake, a region contracted by the Evergreen Liquid and covered by Jiang Ning’s Spiritual Energy Array, offering an extremely picturesque landscape.

Many participants and tourists from afar were enamored, wishing to visit after the race, but were unfortunately turned away by Changqing Liquid Company’s security.

Seeing this, Xue Yuantong wanted to play at Qingyu Lake. Just as she was feeling disappointed, Jiang Ning presented a volunteer badge, allowing access to the area.

Xue Yuantong was surprised that the volunteer badge held so much sway! She secretly kept her own volunteer badge.

"Jiang Ning, why did you donate so much money?" After the race, the tardy Xue Yuantong learned he had secretly won the championship.

Xue Yuantong had long been accustomed to Jiang Ning’s prowess. However, Chuchu seemed very surprised, which made Xue Yuantong quite smug.

Xue Yuantong carefully took a step, her movements blending with the water. As her feet touched down, the soft green aquatic plants beneath gently brushed against her, soft yet slightly ticklish.

A few small fish swam past her feet. Lowering her head, Xue Yuantong only saw ripples spreading out on the water’s surface from her tread, intertwining with the lake’s natural ripples.

"Because there’s too much money, and I just can’t handle it," said Jiang Ning as he walked up to Xue Yuantong.

Xue Yuantong was only one meter fifty, reaching just his shoulder, looking very petite.

"Can there really be too much money to handle?" Xue Yuantong didn’t understand.

Jiang Ning fabricated, "Yes, just like a child holding a lethal weapon—can they really control it?"

Realizing this, Xue Yuantong reflected on herself: "Oh, when I was young and got pocket money, I couldn’t resist temptation and spent all of it on snacks without saving any."

Jiang Ning continued to cajole her: "That’s what it means to be unable to manage money. Many people can’t save money even after starting to work post-graduation."

Xue Yuantong tilted her head up: "Well, could it be that the reason people can’t save money after graduation is because their salary is too low?"

She thought of her former mother and her mother now.

Jiang Ning: "...Anyway, it’s already donated."

"Alright." Xue Yuantong fully supported his actions. Besides, there were still 60,000 yuan left, which was quite a lot and hard to spend.

She stepped into the water again. Unlike other lakes, Qingyu Lake, transformed by Jiang Ning, spread out into a vast area of shallow waters.

This area was only a dozen centimeters deep, with clear, transparent waters full of lush green grass, making it very pleasant to walk on.

"It’s a pity Chuchu went home to study; otherwise, she would have loved this place," Xue Yuantong remarked.

Jiang Ning gazed into the clear waters of Qingyu Lake, his thoughts adrift. If only an island could be built in the lake, planting trees and building houses with a terrace facing the water. Enjoying a coke and barbecue while admiring the scenic beauty would be quite an experience.

After all, their generation had grown up just in time for peak housing prices. Owning a home in the city with one’s ability seemed almost a luxury.

Jiang Ning pondered whether life’s inconveniences on the island, such as mosquitoes and humidity, could be easily solved once an array was set up.

"We’ll bring her next time," Jiang Ning said.

"Alright, we’ll all wade in the water then."

Walking through the wetland, Xue Yuantong bent to pick up a small stone and tossed it into the water, creating three little splashes.

"Three! Am I impressive?" she exclaimed joyfully.

When she was younger, she loved skipping stones, but her mother feared she might drown and never allowed her near the water. Besides, there weren’t many places in their village to skip stones.

But now, with the omnipotent Jiang Ning by her side, she could play to her heart’s content.

Xue Yuantong happily skipped smooth stones across the water and urged Jiang Ning, "You play too, you play too!"

Jiang Ning took a stone from Tongtong’s hand and casually tossed it over the lake surface. "Splash!" The serene surface erupted into a string of water flowers, the glistening lights in the sunset resembling a school of golden carp leaping out of the water.

Xue Yuantong’s mouth gaped in amazement, "So impressive!"

She was even more shocked than when she heard Jiang Ning had won the marathon.

For such a grand marathon seemed too distant, whereas skipping stones was a game she played often.

Hearing Little Bud’s awe-filled tone, Jiang Ning felt quite pleased, for getting the stubborn Tongtong to praise him was no mean feat.

After playing for a while, it got rather late. Xue Yuantong said, "Jiang Ning, we should go. We have evening classes to attend!"

"Okay," he replied.

Jiang Ning walked with her towards the lakeside.

Xue Yuantong fell behind him, her small hand clutching his sleeve as she treaded the water with him.

At the lake’s shore, Xue Yuantong dried her little feet, put on her socks, tied her shoelaces, preparing to head towards the modern city ahead.

Before leaving, she glanced back to see the sun setting, its afterglow slanting across the sky. The lake’s surface turned from golden to crimson, with the horizon bathed in a blood-red glow and clouds beginning to envelop the distant Hu Qi Mountain.