’Of all the NPCs here, Xu Lin is the one most worth developing.’
’I need to learn more about her situation in this regard.’
"Actually, when I graduated from college, what I wanted to do most was open a traditional Chinese medicine clinic. A little ridiculous, isn’t it?"
"Why do you say it’s ridiculous?"
"A college student, dreaming of opening a traditional Chinese medicine clinic... isn’t that just a fantasy?"
"It’s not that big a deal. But I am curious, why did you have an idea like that?"
"During my residency after graduation, I saw that many doctors were only interested in profit. They’d prescribe useless medicine to patients, and to generate more revenue, they’d even sell drugs developed by the hospital itself. I couldn’t stand seeing that, so that’s where I got the idea."
Xu Lin let out a self-deprecating laugh.
"But after getting knocked around by the real world a few times, I realized just how naive my idea was."
"But isn’t that what you’re doing now? You’ve opened two pharmacies, selling affordable and effective medicine. Looked at from another angle, you’ve fulfilled your dream."
Xu Lin tilted her head to look at Lin Jiang, her smile as radiant as a young girl’s.
’She suddenly realized he seemed to be the one person who understood her best.’
"You still have such a way with words. After hearing you say that, all my anger has vanished. Otherwise, that man would have made me die of anger."
"What are your plans for the future? Do you still want to open that traditional Chinese medicine clinic?"
Xu Lin was very smart and immediately understood Lin Jiang’s intention.
"You want me to do it?"
"If you have a dream like that, I’ll definitely support it."
Lin Jiang looked at Xu Lin. "Want to give it a try?"
"The costs are too high, and this industry relies heavily on reputation. The investment and return aren’t proportional. It’s impossible without enough financial backing."
She tucked a strand of hair back and slowly sipped her plum juice.
"I know you’re going to say you’ll invest in me, but you can’t think too highly of me. I’m just a pretty ordinary woman. The fact that I’ve been able to make a little money in this industry is just due to good luck."
"Oh? So there are times when Boss Xu lacks confidence?"
"It’s important to know your own limits. I’m a grown woman. It’s ridiculous for me to be talking about grand declarations like pursuing ideals and making healthcare affordable for everyone."
"I’m not trying to talk about ideals with you. Let’s just talk about making money. Being cooped up behind this little counter all the time doesn’t seem to fit your character. You need a bigger stage to show what you can do."
Hearing Lin Jiang say this, a spark ignited in Xu Lin’s eyes, but it quickly faded.
"Let’s just forget it," Xu Lin said.
"I don’t have that kind of money, and I can’t afford to take such a risk right now. If I did it, it would be with your money. What would that make me? A kept mistress? No, that’s not right. It should be Old San."
Xu Lin laughed at her own joke, and Lin Jiang was amused as well.
"So your only concern right now is the money."
"Mhm. You’ve helped me a lot, and I’m already very grateful," Xu Lin said.
"Save your money and spend it on your future wife. When the time comes, don’t forget to let me have a look. I’ll help you vet her. I may not be good at picking men, but my judgment of women is pretty solid."
"You seem even more anxious about it than I am."
"Oh, right, that reminds me of something." Xu Lin suddenly looked at Lin Jiang.
"I took Xuanxuan to your place for noodles this morning, and I heard your waitress say you gave your older sister-in-law a car? A Mercedes?"
"Go pick one you like, and I’ll buy one for you too."
"Who said I wanted a car?" Xu Lin rolled her eyes at Lin Jiang.
"I was asking how things are progressing between you two. Have you won her over yet?"
"What a wild thing to say."
"Oh, keep pretending. I don’t believe you men haven’t thought about that kind of thing."
Lin Jiang smacked his lips. ’He had, in fact, thought about it. But achieving something like that with the Qin Sisters seemed like it would be much more interesting.’
"See? You’ve gone quiet. Feeling guilty, aren’t you?" Xu Lin said.
"I really think she’s great. Her only flaw is being a few years older than you, but I don’t think that’s a flaw. Older women know how to dote on a man."
"I know that. You’re a perfect example."
"Don’t you say it!"
Xu Lin immediately covered Lin Jiang’s mouth, only letting go after a long moment.
"Why can’t I say it?"
"I know exactly what you were going to say. Don’t say it." Embarrassed, Xu Lin slurped her plum juice.
"You’re jumping to conclusions. What if I was going to say something else?"
"No way. You were just about to say..."
Halfway through her sentence, Xu Lin clamped her mouth shut.
Following her gaze, Lin Jiang saw a middle-aged man walking toward them.
’Zhao Dongming?!’
Seeing Lin Jiang sitting next to Xu Lin, Zhao Dongming was also taken aback for a moment, but he continued to walk over.
"President Lin, you’re here too."
Upon seeing Lin Jiang, Zhao Dongming greeted him with a smile, though his expression was a bit stiff and awkward.
’But the two of them had already divorced by agreement long ago. No matter what Xu Lin’s current status was, he had no right to interfere.’
Lin Jiang nodded in acknowledgment.
"What are you doing here?" Xu Lin said coolly.
"My mom misses Xuanxuan a little. She wants to take him home for a few days."
"Xuanxuan is in the toy store. Go ask him. I’m fine either way."
"Okay."
Zhao Dongming turned his head and saw Zhao Wenxuan playing with a four-wheel-drive car with a female employee in the toy store, but he didn’t go over to ask.
"President Lin, do you have a moment? Would it be convenient to talk?"
"Talk?" Lin Jiang looked at Zhao Dongming and asked, "About what?"
"We ran into each other once before at the entrance of Crab Mansion. I saw you having a meal with Zhou Chu, so I assume you two must have a good relationship. As it happens, my company has some business that’s somewhat related to Zhou Chu. I was wondering if you could..."
Lin Jiang had long guessed that Zhao Dongming was looking for him about this exact matter.
Zhou Hejuan was now a deputy section chief. The influence she wielded was enough to benefit Zhao Dongming.
"That depends on the situation. I can’t guarantee it will do any good."
"Just putting in a good word for me is enough. Thank you, President Lin."
"Mhm."
"If there’s nothing else, you should go. Don’t interrupt my business."
With a cold expression, Xu Lin told him to leave, looking as if she couldn’t stand the sight of him for another minute.
"Alright, I’ll be going then."
Zhao Dongming nodded and left, heading to the nearby toy store.
"Don’t pay him any mind. You don’t have to do that for him."
"I never planned to, but I do feel a strange sense of satisfaction. Isn’t that weird?"
Xu Lin rolled her eyes beautifully.
"Pervert."
RING RING RING—
Lin Jiang’s phone rang. It was a call from Li Yuanyuan.
"Brother Jiang, where are you?"
Li Yuanyuan’s voice was a bit frantic, and Lin Jiang’s expression turned serious.
"I’m downstairs. What’s wrong?"
"The people in charge of the mall’s fire control are here. They’re saying our fire safety equipment, smoke ducts, and all that weren’t built to code. You should come back and take a look."
’Fire control...’
"Alright, I’m on my way back now."
"Got it."
After hanging up, Xu Lin looked at Lin Jiang. "What happened?"
"The fire control people are here. I’m going to go check it out."
"They’re probably here looking for a bribe."
"Hurry and go. Don’t worry about it. He Jing was the one who recruited you, so you’re different from the rest of us. You don’t have to indulge them."
"It’s just a matter of dealing with some petty pests. I’m heading out."

Comments

Loading...