"Xianxian, I found a really good barbecue place. Let me take you to try it."
The speaker was Chen Jingxian’s colleague, Lü Xuejiao. Their desks were adjacent, so they were closer than most of their coworkers.
Chen Jingxian shrugged helplessly. "I can’t today, I already have plans."
Lü Xuejiao’s eyes lit up, her inner gossip-monger roaring to life.
"A date at noon? It’s not your boyfriend with the Maybach, is it?"
"Don’t be ridiculous, he’s not my boyfriend."
Chen Jingxian wanted to say that Lin Jiang was her brother-in-law, but she was afraid Lü Xuejiao would misunderstand, so she held her tongue.
"He’s not your boyfriend, but he comes to see you every day? Stop trying to fool me," Lü Xuejiao said with a teasing, knowing look.
"When did you meet? Have you two hit a home run yet?"
"What home run?"
"You know, whether you’ve... done it. That thing between men and women. We’re all adults here, how can you not know what that means?"
"Don’t be absurd. Nothing like that has happened."
RING RING RING—
Just then, Chen Jingxian’s phone rang.
Seeing it was a call from Lin Jiang, she answered it.
"Where are you?"
"Okay, I’ll be downstairs in five minutes."
Chen Jingxian hung up and checked her makeup in a compact mirror.
But she noticed Lü Xuejiao giving her a strange look.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"I just saw. The person who called was your brother-in-law."
Lü Xuejiao sized up Chen Jingxian with a suggestive gaze.
"I think I remember you saying your sister and your brother-in-law got divorced. He’s been picking you up for meals a lot recently. You two aren’t... Wow, that’s so thrilling."
Chen Jingxian’s heart started to race, and she even felt a little guilty.
"You said it yourself, he’s my brother-in-law. How could we possibly do something like that?"
"Why would it be impossible? Your situation even has that slightly taboo element. In this day and age, people are all about the thrill."
"Just stop talking. You have no shame."
With that, Chen Jingxian grabbed her bag and left, too embarrassed to listen anymore.
"Hey, don’t go! Wait for me."
Lü Xuejiao followed her. "Quick, tell me, how far have you two gone? Even if you haven’t hit a home run, you’ve probably kissed, right? Did he... get handsy?"
"Huh? What does kissing have to do with getting handsy?"
"What guy just kisses? When they’re kissing, they’re definitely going to start touching you. How did it feel?"
"Nothing’s happened yet."
"That’s no good. The progress is too slow," Lü Xuejiao commented critically.
"Your brother-in-law might be rich, but he’s not very bold. It’s been so long already. If he were any faster, you’d be at home recovering from childbirth by now."
VROOM VROOM VROOM—
Chen Jingxian was about to say something when she saw Lin Jiang drive the car over.
"I’m not talking to you anymore. I’m leaving."
"Fine, don’t tell me. I’ll just talk to your brother-in-law."
Lü Xuejiao, showing more initiative than Lin Jiang himself, leaned on the passenger-side window and looked at him.
"Hi, I’m Jingxian’s colleague. You must be her brother-in-law, right?"
"I am," Lin Jiang replied with a smile.
"Don’t just keep taking her out to eat, that’s so boring. A man needs to be bolder. Our Jingxian is getting anxious. Hurry up and move on to the next step."
"Go, go! Your mouth has no filter."
To stop Lü Xuejiao from saying anything else outrageous, Chen Jingxian quickly pulled her away, opened the car door, and got in.
Lü Xuejiao giggled and took a few steps back, her expression full of suggestion.
"I’ve said what needed to be said. You better hurry it up."
"I’ll try to get it done tonight."
"Then I’ll be waiting for the good news."
"You got it."
Lin Jiang smiled and drove away, leaving Chen Jingxian so embarrassed she didn’t know what to say.
"Don’t listen to her nonsense. That’s just how she is, she has no filter."
"But she did offer some valuable advice. It’s worth considering."
"You’re terrible, even daring to think about such things," Chen Jingxian said quietly.
"Every man probably thinks about such things."
"Such unhealthy thoughts."
Chen Jingxian made the noncommittal remark and then fell silent.
The two went to the same Northeast restaurant as before and ordered a few dishes.
"You came to find me at lunchtime, so you must have something to discuss, right?"
"Yeah," Lin Jiang nodded.
"If you’re okay with it, you should quit your current job."
"Quit?"
"Your workload is increasing. From now on, you should focus your efforts on Berkeley and stop doing it as a side job."
"In that case, we’ll need to establish another company for the unified management of the shopping center."
"That’s exactly what I mean. And the matter of the food and beverage company needs to be put on the agenda too."
"I’m already preparing the documents," Chen Jingxian said. "What about the location? Any other ideas?"
"Let’s stick with Central Plaza. It’s closer and more convenient for work."
Chen Jingxian nodded and said,
"We already have an investment company. If we register a food and beverage company and a commercial management company, you’ll have three companies under your name. In the future, if you expand into other industries and get up to five, you can form a conglomerate."
Hearing the word "conglomerate," Lin Jiang felt a wave of emotion.
He never thought he would one day reach this point.
"Then let’s keep working hard. When that day comes, you’ll be my Chief Financial Officer and secretary."
"Oh no, I don’t have that kind of ability. I’d be liable to run the company into the ground," Chen Jingxian said with a laugh.
"In that case, you can just be the secretary. That part of the job doesn’t require much ability," Lin Jiang said.
"You just need to be able to wear black stockings and a uniform. But don’t worry, I definitely won’t treat you unfairly. There’s a commission if you do a good job."
Chen Jingxian looked at Lin Jiang with great interest.
"I’d like to ask, President Lin, what exactly counts as ’doing a good job’? And how does one earn this commission?"

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