"Alright, I get it."
After leaving Chen Jingxian’s house, Lin Jiang got back in his car, called Xu Lin, and then drove over.
The house he bought for Xu Lin had only undergone simple renovations and redecorating before the mother and son moved in.
On the way, he happened to pass by a mall and picked up an Ultraman Tiga toy.
"Uncle Lin!"
He had just knocked on the door when he heard Zhao Wenxuan’s voice from inside.
Zhao Wenxuan was the one who opened the door. Xu Lin was behind him, wearing a black lace nightgown.
From what Lin Jiang knew of Xu Lin, this wasn’t what she would normally wear at home.
"This is for you. Go on and play," Lin Jiang said, handing him the Ultraman Tiga.
"Thanks, Uncle Lin."
Grabbing the Ultraman, Zhao Wenxuan paid no mind to anything else and just ran off with it.
"Why did you bring so much stuff?"
On the phone, Lin Jiang had said he was coming over, so Xu Lin thought he had something to discuss with her.
She hadn’t expected him to be delivering things.
"This is all from home. I brought some for you."
A soft light appeared in Xu Lin’s eyes.
For her, the fact that Lin Jiang had gotten things and thought of her was the greatest happiness.
[You have gained favor with NPC Xu Lin. Affinity +20]
[Affinity: 140]
[Reward: 2,000,000 NPC Special Development Fund. Has been disbursed to your account.]
[Reward: 2,000,000 NPC Special Investment Fund. Has been disbursed to your account.]
’That’s a pretty big reward. Looks like Xu Lin has overtaken Li Zhiyi again.’
"Hurry and come in."
Lin Jiang carried the things and brought them all to the kitchen.
Zhao Wenxuan was in the living room, having the time of his life.
"Go play in your room," Xu Lin said.
"But Mom, I still have to memorize an ancient poem."
Xu Lin was speechless.
’This damn kid. He’s never serious when he’s supposed to be, but now he decides to get earnest.’
"You don’t have to memorize the poem today. I’ll give you a break. Go play in your room."
"Oh yeah! I love you, Mom!"
Zhao Wenxuan was herded into his room, leaving just Lin Jiang and Xu Lin in the living room and kitchen.
"You can tell at a glance these eggs are from free-range chickens. They’re different from the ones you buy outside."
"My aunt raised them. She probably gave me all of them. They’re definitely better than store-bought," Lin Jiang said. "Xuanxuan is still young, so these are perfect for him."
Xu Lin opened the refrigerator and put the eggs inside.
"You’re so thoughtful, thinking of the two of us at a time like this."
"What are you saying? Who else would I be thinking of?" Lin Jiang looked around the room. "The decor is a little plain. It’s not like your style."
"We’ll make do for now. The rest can come slowly."
Xu Lin worked efficiently, quickly stuffing everything into the fridge.
"I seem to recall you don’t dress like this at home."
"The two of us went out tonight. You messaged me right after we got home."
Xu Lin said as she tidied up the sofa, "I know you like stockings, so I didn’t take them off. I just changed into this nightgown."
"There’s a reason I say you’re the most considerate. No one else can compare to you."
"Hmph, as long as you know."
After tidying up, Xu Lin looked at Lin Jiang.
"You just got back, right? You haven’t eaten, have you?"
"I’ll just grab a bite out later. Don’t trouble yourself. You’ve had a long day."
"I’m not tired. I might not be willing to wait on my son, but I’m more than happy to wait on you."
Xu Lin said, "Just wait. I’ll go make you something to eat."
"Just make a bowl of noodles. It’s already past eight. Don’t go to too much trouble."
"Alright. Go rest. I’ll make it for you."
"Mm."
Now that he was at Xu Lin’s, Lin Jiang didn’t stand on ceremony.
He sprawled out on the sofa. From time to time, he could hear Zhao Wenxuan roaring loudly, probably fighting monsters in his room.
Before long, Xu Lin had finished cooking the noodles.
She had added an egg, ham, bacon, hot pot meatballs, and some greens—a truly deluxe bowl of noodles.
"There are still some pickles in the fridge. Want some?"
"Don’t bother, the noodles are enough."
"It’s no trouble at all. I’ll go get them for you."
Xu Lin went back to the kitchen. When she returned, she not only had the pickles but also a can of beer.
"Bringing out a beer... you don’t want me to drive home, do you?"
Xu Lin made a hushing gesture. "In another hour, he’ll be asleep."
Lin Jiang watched Xu Lin with a grin.
Everything was understood without a word.
"I had them draw up a Class-A contract for you. You should have received it, right?" Lin Jiang said while eating.
"I received it, but I’m a bit conflicted."
"What’s there to be conflicted about? Are you trying to be polite with me?"
"That’s not what I mean. Didn’t you tell me to go independent? You’ve got me itching to do it," Xu Lin said.
"If I really open my own Chinese medicine hospital, there’s no need to renew the lease. I’d have to start planning for it now."
"Then let’s scratch that itch."
Tapping Lin Jiang lightly, Xu Lin pouted playfully, "You’re so naughty. The child isn’t even asleep yet."
"Your mind is in the gutter. I meant, don’t hesitate. Just do it."
"Do what? Me?"
"Hey, now. You."
"Alright, alright, no more joking." Xu Lin’s expression turned serious. She said,
"I did some calculations these past few days. I can come up with 2 million. If I liquidate the stock from my two shops, I can get another million-plus. My parents can support me with 500,000 at most. All in all, I can scrape together 3.5 million."
Her glistening, watery eyes looked at Lin Jiang.
"If I really want to do this, I’m going to need your help."
"What’s the specific plan?" Lin Jiang asked while slurping his noodles.
"How much initial investment do you need?"
"For the initial phase, my money is enough," Xu Lin said.
"The biggest expense is the equipment. A state-of-the-art color ultrasound machine costs about 2 million."
"After buying the machine, you’d only have about 1.5 million left. With rent, inventory, and renovations, that’s definitely not enough, right?"
Xu Lin held up two fingers. "I did a rough calculation. I’ll probably need another 2 million."
"A small matter. I’ll transfer the money to you tomorrow."
"I’ve thought it over. Let’s keep business and personal matters separate. The 2 million will be your investment, and you’ll get dividends at the end of the year according to the shares. On this matter, there’s no room for discussion. You have to listen to me."
"Oh? It’s rare to see Boss Xu so serious."
"Buying me a house was more than enough. I can’t just take your money for free again. A person can’t live without providing any value. I don’t want to be a freeloader."
"Alright. Since you want to do this by the book, we’ll do it by the book. I won’t invest in my personal capacity, but in the name of the investment firm under my name."
Lin Jiang took out his phone and did some calculations. "I’ll take a 36% stake."
"No problem. A pleasure doing business with you, Boss Lin."
After they finished talking, Lin Jiang had also finished his meal. He took his bowl and chopsticks to the kitchen.
"You go to my room first. I’ll take him for his bath, and then I’ll put him to bed."
Lin Jiang made an "OK" gesture. "Sounds good."
He got up and went to Xu Lin’s master bedroom. The room was tidy and had a faint, pleasant scent.
’Xu Lin’s intentions are quite clear now. The next step is to make the investment.’
Just then, Xu Lin’s voice came from outside.
"It’s past nine. Stop playing and go take a bath."
"Mom, I want to play a little longer."
"No. You have school tomorrow."
"Okay... Where’s my Uncle Lin?"
"Your Uncle Lin left."
"Oh, okay."
"You’re sleeping by yourself today. You can’t sleep with Mom anymore."
"Why not? I want to sleep with you."
"You’re about to start third grade. You’re a big boy now. You can’t sleep with Mom anymore."
"But I still want to sleep with you."
"No. From now on, you have to practice sleeping by yourself."
"I don’t want to."
"Do you want the complete set of Ultraman figures or not?"
"I do!"
"So? If you want them, what do you have to do?"
"Sleep by myself!" Zhao Wenxuan said firmly.
"Mom, don’t worry. I’ll sleep by myself from now on."
"That’s Mom’s good boy."
Listening to the mother and son’s conversation, Lin Jiang sighed. ’It’s not easy being a mom!’
About half an hour later, the sound of their voices came from the bathroom; they had finished their baths.
After coming out, Xu Lin took Zhao Wenxuan to the secondary bedroom.
Around ten-thirty at night, Xu Lin quietly returned.
When she came back this time, she had changed into a wine-red nightgown just long enough to cover her bottom.
Seeing Lin Jiang lying on the bed, she locked the door from the inside and pounced on him. Lin Jiang instinctively wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Next time you come over, tell me in advance so I can send him away."
"Send him away for what?" Lin Jiang asked with a wicked grin.
"You’re so annoying. You know the answer, yet you still ask..."

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