"Qin Lu actually has such a domestic side."
"Isn’t that normal? It’s no big deal," Qin Yangyang said matter-of-factly.
"Female lawyers aren’t robots. I’m very capable when it comes to daily life, you know."
"Excellent."
DING-DONG—
The doorbell rang.
"Go, go, go, get the door."
Throwing on some clothes, Lin Jiang opened the door to find the neighborhood security guard standing outside.
"Mr. Lin, President Qin asked me to deliver this to you."
"Alright, thank you."
Lin Jiang took the items from the guard. He saw the breakfast Qin Yangyang had bought, but there was also a very exquisite bag.
"What’s this?"
"I didn’t know what your mother would like, so I just bought her a bracelet."
Qin Yangyang walked over and took a gift box out of the bag. Inside was a jade bracelet that looked expensive at a glance.
"This is too extravagant."
"It’s not extravagant at all, as long as your mother likes it," Qin Yangyang said.
"I’ve finished packing your things. You can just take them when you leave."
"You really didn’t have to go to so much trouble. I’ll probably be back in a day or two."
"You’re finally going back for a visit. Why not stay a few more days?"
"I’d like to, but my mom’s maternal love for me has a shelf life of one or two days, tops, before it goes bad."
"Pfft... You’re so mischievous every day, it’d be a miracle if your mom still loved you."
"You’ve got a point."
Lin Jiang suddenly wrapped an arm around Qin Yangyang’s shoulder. "I think my mom would love you. You’d definitely make her happy."
"Of course. You should know who you’re talking to."
Looking pleased, Qin Yangyang pulled over a chair. "Alright, eat first. Head back early and don’t waste time."
"Yeah."
Just like always, Qin Yangyang left when Lin Jiang was halfway through his meal, having changed into her own clothes.
"I’m heading to work now. Take your time eating, and let me know when you get home."
"Okay, drive safe."
"You too."
Qin Yangyang left, and Lin Jiang continued eating.
BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ—
Just then, Lin Jiang’s phone buzzed. It was a video call from Li Yueting. She spoke in a cutesy voice:
"Big brother~~~ did you miss me?"
"I have all the food and drinks I want. I’m living it up every day. Why would I miss you?"
"Damn! If you keep treating me like this, you’d better watch out, or you won’t be allowed into the ancestral tomb after you die."
"Alright, what do you want? Did you run out of money?"
"I have enough money. I heard from my mom that you’re going home today. I plan to go back too. When you pass through Hang City, come pick me up."
Lin Jiang’s home was in a county under Hang City’s jurisdiction. Li Yueting attended university in Hang City, so it wasn’t far—about 50 kilometers.
"Shouldn’t you be studying hard at school? What are you going home for?"
"I’m not here serving a prison sentence. Why can’t I go home?"
"Fine, wait for me," Lin Jiang said while eating.
"Is there anything you want to eat? I can buy some for you."
"No need, Sister Xian already bought me stuff."
"Huh? You’re friends with Chen Jingxian on social media?"
"Of course. I’ve always really liked Sister Xian, okay?" Li Yueting said.
"When you guys had your wedding, Sister Xian and I talked for quite a while. We added each other back then."
"If you don’t need me to buy anything, I’ll head back soon."
"You may withdraw. I must now bathe and change. The future graduate student is about to return home in glory."
Not giving Lin Jiang a chance to curse at her, Li Yueting hung up the video call.
Lin Jiang then made another call, this time to Chen Jingxian.
In the video, Chen Jingxian was driving.
"Are you about to leave?"
"Yeah, what’s up?"
"I bought some things for your mother and Tongtong. I’m heading your way now. Let’s meet at the main gate in a bit, and you can take the stuff back with you."
"You should keep your money for yourself. You don’t have to buy them things in the future."
"I’m about to become your employee, so I have to suck up to the boss, don’t I?" Chen Jingxian joked, a rare occurrence. "If the boss is happy, maybe you’ll give me a raise."
"That’s secondary. You get a raise for being capable."
"Don’t you worry, I’ll definitely work hard and won’t slack off," Chen Jingxian said with a smile.
"I can’t talk now, there’s a lot of traffic here. I’m almost there. Let’s meet at the main gate."
"Okay."
After hanging up, Lin Jiang, who had also nearly finished eating, quickly cleaned up and went out.
He waited at the gate for a few minutes before he saw Chen Jingxian drive up.
"You must have been getting anxious waiting."
After getting out of the car, Chen Jingxian said thoughtfully, while taking out three large bags. She listed the contents as if they were family heirlooms:
"This is clothes for your mother. Of the other two bags, one has snacks for her, and the other is for Tongtong."
"Buying stuff for her is a bit of a waste. You should just give it to me to eat."
"How can you be like this as her big brother?" Chen Jingxian said with a laugh.
"On the day of your wedding, Tongtong was in the crowd crying her eyes out."
"I guess she has some conscience after all. Fine, I’ll reluctantly let her have it."
"Alright, you two are siblings, after all. Try to get along."
Tucking away her long hair that had been tousled by the wind, Chen Jingxian said:
"I spoke with President Huang on the phone yesterday. He said that in the next few days, the district leaders might be coming to inspect Berkeley."
"An inspection..."
Lin Jiang muttered. Given Berkeley’s scale, it was considered a significant enterprise in the entire Ning’an District. Now that the mall had a new owner, it was only natural for the leaders to come and inspect.
However, it was unlikely the top two leaders would come personally. It was more probable that the department heads in charge of various sectors would be the ones to visit.
"They haven’t confirmed which day they’re coming, have they?"
"No, that depends on the leaders’ schedules. President Huang will let you know in advance when they’re coming."
Lin Jiang nodded. An inspection from the leadership wasn’t a small matter; it had to be taken seriously.
"Berkeley shouldn’t have any problems with its taxes, right?"
For any company, tax matters were extremely important. Any issue could become a major problem.
"Don’t worry, Tai Feng Group handled this aspect very well. There are no loose ends," Chen Jingxian said.
"Coincidentally, the tax officer who used to be in charge of the investment company was incredibly surprised to learn you’d acquired Berkeley. He even said he knows people at the tax bureau in your Hongnan County."
"That is quite a coincidence."
"Anyway, these are all minor things. Don’t waste any more time. You should get going."
Lin Jiang nodded. "You drive safe. And don’t rush the paperwork and all that. Don’t wear yourself out."
"I know. Go on."
Lin Jiang took the things and got in his car. Chen Jingxian sat in her car, watching him until he was gone.
The journey was less than 200 kilometers. After driving for a little over two hours, Lin Jiang arrived in Hang City and called Li Yueting.
"I’m almost there. I’ll wait for you at the south gate of your school."
"Coming, coming! Junjun is being so slow! We’re heading out right now."
"Junjun’s coming too?"
The girl called Junjun was named Xu Yingjun. She was Li Yueting’s roommate, and the two were very close. When he got married, Li Yueting had even brought her to the wedding.
And Lin Jiang had a deep impression of her, not just because of her close relationship with Li Yueting, but more importantly, because Xu Yingjun was the campus belle of the University of Finance and Economics.
"Junjun’s about to go crazy from studying. It’s the perfect chance for me to take her home to relax and get away from all those simps."
"Alright, I’ll be waiting for you two."

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