"Can’t hold back already?" Lin Jiang teased with a smile.
"Oh, Brother..."
"I’m going to have a few more bites, or I won’t have any energy in a bit."
Lin Jiang picked up the oysters, preparing to fuel up.
"Brother, maybe you should eat a little less. You’re already very... impressive..."
Lin Jiang chuckled slyly. "Why don’t you eat some more? So you don’t run out of energy later."
"I’ve had about enough. I can handle it."
Lin Jiang made short work of the oysters. After paying the bill, he took Li Zhiyi to the Ritz-Carlton and got a presidential suite.
"Brother, you don’t have to spend so much next time. A standard room would have been fine."
’If I don’t spend extravagantly like this, how am I supposed to launder... ahem, use the special development fund on you guys!’
"The main thing is the floor-to-ceiling windows. You can see the view. Other rooms don’t get this kind of treatment."
"Brother, you’re so naughty."
With the key card in hand, the two arrived at the room.
First time awkward, second time familiar. Li Zhiyi wasn’t so reserved this time. She hugged Lin Jiang as soon as they entered and offered him a sweet kiss.
A few seconds later, their lips parted.
Lin Jiang patted Li Zhiyi’s butt. "Go take a shower first."
"Okay. Qiu Yunong added me. You can use my phone to chat with her."
"Alright. I’ll check out the situation first. No rush."
"Then I’ll go take my shower."
"Mm."
Li Zhiyi went into the bathroom.
Lin Jiang opened the main quest displayed above her head.
[Quest Name: The Birth of Capital]
[Quest Description: Register a company of your own.]
[Quest Reward: Delicious Sour Plum Soup Recipe, 50 EXP]
’Finally, I’m in sync with Tongzi for once.’ This main quest coincided perfectly with his own plans.
He had two quests now, but the main quest took priority. He would invest in Qiu Yunong’s venture after registering the company. That arrangement was perfect.
As for the type of company, it would primarily be an investment firm.
For the specific procedures, he could just find an agency to handle it. It would be convenient and save him a lot of trouble.
BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ—
Just then, Li Zhiyi’s phone vibrated. Seeing the contact name, he knew it was a message from Qiu Yunong.
"Qiu Yunong just sent a message," Lin Jiang said.
Li Zhiyi turned off the showerhead and said, "Go ahead and look, Brother. It’s not like she really wants to talk to me anyway. She’s just trying to get close to you."
"Fair enough."
He picked up Li Zhiyi’s phone and looked at the previous chat history. It didn’t mention him or the investment; it was just about the minor conflict between the two of them.
Qiu Yunong had apologized, and Li Zhiyi hadn’t held a grudge. Overall, things seemed relatively harmonious.
This was the outcome Lin Jiang had wanted. It was such a trivial matter, there was really no need to make a big fuss.
Li Zhiyi: "This is Lin Jiang. She’s in the shower and can’t reply right now."
Qiu Yunong: "Hello, President Lin. In that case, I won’t disturb you two. We can talk about the investment tomorrow."
’As expected of an entrepreneur. She’s quite perceptive.’
Li Zhiyi: "Okay."
Qiu Yunong: "President Lin, would it be convenient to share your contact information? Could I add you as a friend?"
Li Zhiyi: "152********."
Qiu Yunong: "OK, got it."
Lin Jiang didn’t reply again. He tossed Li Zhiyi’s phone aside and picked up his own.
Qiu Yunong’s friend request had already arrived.
He accepted it, and Qiu Yunong sent a grinning-face emoji.
Lin Jiang didn’t reply. Adding her as a friend was all he needed to do.
Neither the main quest nor the daily quest was difficult now. All he needed was time. Once the business license was issued, he could invest the money.
"Brother~~~"
Just as Lin Jiang was thinking about these things, Li Zhiyi’s head peeked out from the bathroom.
"What is it?"
"Let’s shower together..."
"You’d even make such a request? This young master will definitely conquer you!"
「Bicui Garden, Building A, Unit 1, Room 1801.」
"It’s rare for you to come home. You dance that dance every day, I don’t even know what you’re so excited about."
Seeing her daughter Qiu Yunong return, Zhou Hejuan couldn’t help but nag her a little.
"Hurry up and change your clothes. Dinner’s ready, we were just waiting for you."
"Hey, I was busy with serious business," Qiu Yunong said with a playful grin.
"When I make money in the future, you and Dad can relax."
"Your mother and I both have pensions. We don’t need you."
Qiu Yunong’s father, Qiu Zhengliang, came out of the kitchen with two bottles of beer and placed them on the table.
"Dad, grab two more bottles. I’ll drink with you today."
"You’re drinking with me? What happened that’s made you so happy?"
"Hehe, I have a chance to secure an investment."
"Huh?"
Hearing this news, the couple was both surprised and delighted.
"You just said getting an investment was hopeless. You found one so quickly?"
Zhou Hejuan pulled up a chair. "Come, sit down and tell us all about it."
"I got this investment opportunity because of my dancing, so don’t you go saying I’m not doing proper work anymore."
"Then hurry up and tell us what happened."
Qiu Yunong, with an air of great importance, recounted the whole story from earlier.
After she finished, the couple exchanged a glance, joy showing on their faces.
"Since he’s the one who brought it up, that means there’s a good chance," Zhou Hejuan said.
"That’s what I was thinking, too. The only problem is that I don’t have a very good relationship with his girlfriend. It’s my fault, really. I was being a little too competitive," Qiu Yunong said self-reproachfully.
"I told you long ago not to be so arrogant. See? Now there’s a problem," Zhou Hejuan said.
"But let me tell you, even though we need his investment, you don’t have to grovel. Our family isn’t short on money for you."
Parents are like that. They can accept their child not doing well in school, they can accept them earning a small salary, but they can’t accept their child being wronged out in the world.
"Oh, don’t get so worked up. Li Zhiyi is actually pretty nice. We just had a small disagreement over the performance, that’s all," Qiu Yunong said.
"We chatted for a bit on the way back. She’s great, she keeps personal grudges and work completely separate. It’s unlikely she’d try to trip me up."
"That means she’s a decent person," Qiu Zhengliang said.
"A single performance is no big deal. You could have just let her have it. Try to clear the air. There’s no need to fight over such a trivial thing. But like your mom said, getting an investment is one thing, but you can’t be subservient, you hear?"
"I know. I’m not the type to grovel," Qiu Yunong said.
"I’m going to prepare my materials and then schedule a meeting with him. I won’t go into a battle unprepared."
"Look at that! As expected of my daughter. You’re outstanding," Qiu Zhengliang laughed heartily.
"Do you know his name? I can ask your Aunt Xia. They’re all from the same circle in Zhonghai, maybe she knows him," Zhou Hejuan said.
"His name is Lin Jiang. But I don’t think Aunt Xia would know him. He’s really young, they’re not in the same age group."
"Lin Jiang?"
Qiu Yunong noticed her mom’s tone was a bit off. "What’s wrong? You don’t actually know him, do you?"
"Is he in his twenties, tall, good-looking, and drives an SUV?"
"He is very handsome. And he drives a Maybach, it’s worth millions."
Qiu Yunong studied Zhou Hejuan. "Mom, you don’t really know him, do you?"
"There’s a teacher at my old school. She has a friend who seems to be named Lin Jiang."
Qiu Yunong looked surprised. "For real? Could it be the same person?"
"Did you add him as a friend? Let me see his Moments photos," Zhou Hejuan said.
"His Moments are set to be visible for only three days. I can’t see anything."
"Then I’ll make a call and ask."
"You’re working at the Bureau of Education now. Can you still find out?"
"Do you think I’ve just been freeloading all these years?" Zhou Hejuan said. "Do you have his phone number?"
"I do. Why are you asking?"
"To check the number, of course. To see if it’s the same person. Why is your brain so slow?" Zhou Hejuan said with disdain.
"Sheesh, you’re a director now. How can I compare to you? Hurry up and call."
Zhou Hejuan took her phone, dialed Jiang Xiaoqi’s number, and put it on speaker.
"Xiaoqi, are you resting?"
"Not yet, Principal Zhou. Oh, I can’t call you Principal Zhou anymore. I should call you Director, hehe."
"You little rascal," Zhou Hejuan said with a laugh.
"I’m calling to ask you about someone. The man who picked up the child at the school gate the other day, is he your friend?"
"The person who picked up the child..."
Jiang Xiaoqi muttered, "Principal Zhou, are you talking about Brother Jiang?"
Even though Zhou Hejuan had been promoted, it wasn’t wrong for Jiang Xiaoqi to still call her that.
"Yes, him. Is his name Lin Jiang?"
"Yes. Principal Zhou, do you need him for something? I can help you contact him."
"No, no, just tell me his phone number."
"Should I tell you now or send it to you?"
"Just send it over. You have my WeChat, right?"
"Yes, yes, I do."
"Just send it to me."
"Okay."
After a few more pleasantries, Zhou Hejuan hung up. Shortly after, Jiang Xiaoqi sent over Lin Jiang’s phone number.
"It’s really the same!"
Qiu Yunong said in surprise, "Isn’t that too much of a coincidence?"
"I didn’t expect it either. With this connection, things will be much easier," Zhou Hejuan said.
"How about this, I’ll call him tomorrow and talk about it. Now that we have this extra layer of connection, it will be easier to talk."
"Let me do it. I’m starting my own business, and I don’t really want your help. You can’t help me for the rest of my life," Qiu Yunong said.
"Besides, your positions are sensitive. Although the country doesn’t prevent the children of civil servants from starting businesses, we still have to be mindful of the optics."
"You, why do you have to get so hung up on principles," Zhou Hejuan said.
"Look at the big bosses of those publicly listed companies. Which one of them started from scratch? They either had a good father or a good father-in-law. Who really makes it on their own?"
"Leibusi, President Lei. He started from scratch without relying on his family."
"Do you have his brain?"
Qiu Yunong: ...
’Don’t hit below the belt, Mother.’
"Your mom isn’t that powerful. I help where I can. Don’t be stubborn and act all high and mighty. Other people don’t have this kind of network."
"I know, Mom."
"Alright, let’s eat first before the food gets cold," Zhou Hejuan said. "And don’t you worry, I’ll call him tomorrow."
"I’m going to take a shower first. I’m all sweaty from dancing."
"Then be quick about it. Don’t take forever in there, like you’re laying an egg or something."
"You’re the one laying eggs."
"You little brat, who are you saying lays eggs? I’ll smack you."
"Hehehe."
Qiu Zhengliang smacked his lips. "Can’t lay them even if I wanted to."
Qiu Yunong took her newly bought underwear and went to the bathroom.
Her mind was filled with thoughts of Lin Jiang.
’What does Li Zhiyi have that I don’t?’
*Sob sob sob...*
’A man that handsome... why didn’t I get to meet him sooner?’
Muttering resentfully, Qiu Yunong’s gaze fell on her new underwear.
’Is it because I’m not feminine enough?’
’But it seems like men don’t really like this type.’
’Maybe...’
’I should change my style from now on?’

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