Zhang Lixia’s eyes lit up, and her face broke into a brilliant smile.
"I’m in the apparel business, and I also deal with some import and export. It looks like we’ll have a lot to talk about in the future."
Lin Jiang froze.
’I was just bullshitting, and I walked right into the line of fire?’
"Yes, yes, of course. No problem," Lin Jiang agreed with a smile.
"Then it’s settled. Boss Lin, you have to give me that opportunity."
Zhang Lixia extended her hand and shook Lin Jiang’s again.
"Boss Lin, we’ll be going now."
"Alright, take care."
After Zhang Lixia and Zhou Hejuan left, Lin Jiang turned to Jiang Xiaoqi.
"Teacher Jiang, we’re leaving too." Lin Jiang patted Zhao Wenxuan’s shoulder. "Say goodbye to your teacher."
"Bye-bye, Teacher Qiqi."
"Bye-bye, Xuanxuan."
Watching the two of them leave, Jiang Xiaoqi’s mind struggled to keep up with Lin Jiang’s rhythm.
’Why did he speak up for me?’
’If he had other intentions, shouldn’t he have stayed to talk to me more? Why did he just leave like that?’
After thinking it over and over, Jiang Xiaoqi concluded that Lin Jiang was probably just being polite and didn’t have *that kind* of interest in her.
’Waaaah!’
’Why does such a handsome guy only like older, married women?!’
Meanwhile, Zhang Lixia and Zhou Hejuan had gotten into their car.
Years ago, Zhou Hejuan’s parents ran a small workshop that produced cotton and linen goods. Zhang Lixia was one of their employees, which was how the two met.
After the small workshop went out of business, Zhang Lixia went off to start her own company, building it step by step to its current success.
Their friendship had been maintained to this day.
Besides that, there was another important reason: Zhou Hejuan was about to get a promotion.
She was being transferred to the Education Bureau, and to a position with real authority at that. For Zhang Lixia, this was naturally a connection worth maintaining.
But their friendship was also genuinely strong; there was no doubt about that.
"Sister Zhang, what does that man do? Are you business partners?"
"No, I met him a few days ago when I was buying a house," Zhang Lixia said.
"In less than half an hour, from start to finish, he bought a house worth over a hundred million. I can’t even imagine how rich his family must be."
"A connection like that is someone you should get to know. You never know, you might need his help someday," Zhou Hejuan said.
"That’s exactly what I was thinking. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have gone over to greet him on my own initiative," Zhang Lixia said with a chuckle.
"But I think he might be more interested in you."
Zhou Hejuan shot Zhang Lixia a look. "What are you talking about? I’m so old."
"Get your mind out of the gutter," Zhang Lixia teased.
"Didn’t you see? He’s interested in that female teacher. In the future, if the school has a fundraiser or needs money for something, he might donate a little for that teacher’s sake."
Zhou Hejuan nodded thoughtfully. "I did notice that."
"You could give that teacher a little promotion, as a favor to Boss Lin. That way, you’ll have a connection with him in the future."
"Is that a reliable plan?" Zhou Hejuan said hesitantly.
"What if he has no such intentions, and we’re just imagining things?"
"I’m not saying you should give her an extraordinary promotion. Is there some kind of honor she already deserves? You could use this opportunity to do an easy favor."
"You know, now that you mention it, there is an opportunity just like that," Zhou Hejuan said after a moment of thought.
"I have a spot for an ’Outstanding Teacher’ award. In terms of ability and teaching quality, giving it to Jiang Xiaoqi would be no problem. But there’s another teacher who’s been here two years longer than her, and I was originally planning to give it based on seniority. Now that this man has appeared, giving it to Jiang Xiaoqi is also an option."
"Then give it to Jiang Xiaoqi. If we can make him owe us a favor, we come out ahead. If we’re overthinking it, we don’t lose anything either, right?"
"I’ll think about it."
"Take your time. I don’t understand school matters, I’m just giving you some advice," Zhang Lixia said.
"By the way, what’s Nongnong busy with? I haven’t seen her in ages. Let’s ask her out for a meal together."
"Don’t even get me started on her. She’s always saying she’s busy trying to pull in investments or whatnot and has no time to come home, but then she runs off to go dancing every day. She’s going to give me a heart attack," Zhou Hejuan complained nonstop.
"They say a daughter who marries is like water splashed out the door. She isn’t even married yet, and she’s already as good as gone."
"Young people are all like that. It’s normal to have hobbies, so don’t worry about it so much," Zhang Lixia comforted her with a smile.
By now, Lin Jiang had already gotten into the car with Zhao Wenxuan.
"Uncle Lin, this isn’t the way home," Zhao Wenxuan said, looking out the window.
"Your mom said you’re going to your grandma’s house today. I’m taking you there."
"Huh? I don’t want to go. I want to go home, and then go to your house for noodles."
’If you don’t go, how am I supposed to talk about that import-export trade deal?’
"What’s going on over there? Why is everyone crowded around the entrance of the stationery store?" Lin Jiang changed the subject, trying to think of a solution.
"The limited-edition Ultraman Tiga just came in stock. I asked my mom to buy it for me, but she wouldn’t," Zhao Wenxuan said listlessly, pressing his face against the window.
"Well, that’s where your mom is wrong. If you like it, you should get one. It’s not a big deal."
"Right?"
"Don’t worry, Uncle Lin will get you one."
"Really?" Zhao Wenxuan looked at Lin Jiang, pleasantly surprised.
"Of course. But..."
"I’ll go to Grandma’s! I love going to Grandma’s house! I’ll go tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow, too!"
’They say the son takes after the mother, and that’s absolutely true. He’s so sharp, he gets it in an instant.’
"Look at you. I never said I’d only buy it for you if you went to your grandma’s."
"Then I won’t..."
"A real man’s word is his bond. A promise is a promise, so I have to buy you one."
"Mhm, thank you, Uncle Lin."
’That was fucking close!’
After parking the car on the side of the road, Zhao Wenxuan dashed out, his backpack swaying from side to side behind him—the very picture of a carefree childhood.
Lin Jiang watched quietly and let out a sigh.
’If the spring wind pities the flowers, might it grant me my youth once more.’
When they reached the stationery store, the limited-edition Ultraman Tiga toys were displayed on a rack outside.
Even though they were all the same, Zhao Wenxuan carefully picked through them, as if trying to find one with a more perfect paint job.
The elementary schoolers next to him were chattering away, shouting that Ultraman Tiga was the best in the world.
Lin Jiang smiled. ’This kid’s never played Zelda.’
RING RING RING—
Lin Jiang’s phone rang. It was a call from Xu Lin.
"Did you pick up Xuanxuan?"
"I did. We’re here buying a toy."
’Xu Lin might not buy a toy for Zhao Wenxuan, but as an outsider, I still should.’
"We already have a lot of toys at home. You can’t buy him another one."
"If I don’t buy it, he won’t go to his grandma’s house."
On the other end of the line, Xu Lin was silent for several seconds.
"Then buy him one."

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