"They’re coming?" Lin Jiang said, surprised.
"Isn’t this a little sudden? I didn’t hear your aunt mention it."
"I heard it was a last-minute decision. She’ll probably call you in a bit."
Just as Li Yueting finished speaking, Li Xiaoping’s call came in.
"Alright, I gotta go. Your aunt is calling."
With that, Lin Jiang hung up.
"Mom."
"I’m heading to Zhonghai with your uncle and aunt. Are you free to join us for a meal later?"
"How could I say no? My dear mother is here. Even if I were rushing off to be reincarnated, I’d have to make time for you."
"That mouth of yours! When are you going to learn to filter yourself? Don’t say such unlucky things."
"Alright, alright. When do you guys think you’ll arrive?"
"Your uncle says it’ll be another hour and a half. We’re going straight to Tongtong’s place."
"Sounds good. We can have lunch together."
After a few more words, Lin Jiang hung up and drove to Shen Qingqiu’s place.
He waited for a little while at the entrance to Jiaoda and saw Shen Qingqiu walking out. She was wearing yellow cropped trousers, flat shoes, and a casual women’s blouse.
’The outfit gave her an even stronger "auntie" vibe.’
She hurried over with quick, small steps, getting into Lin Jiang’s car before she even had a chance to catch her breath.
"Is there a problem at the company?"
"Don’t worry, it’s not about the company."
As he spoke, Lin Jiang took out two copies of an agreement.
"Go ahead and sign this. It’s not legally binding, but it should be enough to fool him. He won’t come looking for you anymore."
Seeing the agreement in her hands, Shen Qingqiu was silent for a long time, her fair, slender fingers trembling slightly.
"How did he agree to sign this...?"
"Remember that 300,000 yuan IOU you wrote me? I showed it to him. As your legal guardian, he’s obligated to repay the debt. If he dares to bother you again, I’ll demand the money from him. I’m guessing he won’t dare to come back."
Lin Jiang couldn’t be certain that Shen Ziquan would never return, but with Yang Tao and his two buddies around, he’d have to think twice before trying.
"Thank you..."
Shen Qingqiu’s voice was choked with emotion. Lin Jiang watched as tears welled up in her eyes.
"It’s not a big deal. What are you crying for?"
His words of comfort made the glistening teardrops instantly slide down her cheeks.
Lin Jiang handed her a tissue and took out the pen he had prepared.
"Go on, sign it. Let’s get this process over with."
"Okay."
Holding the pen, Shen Qingqiu signed her name on the agreement and stared blankly at the text.
For her, this was like a dream.
In all these years, no one but her mother had ever done so much for her.
Just then, a system notification appeared in Lin Jiang’s mind.
[Mission Complete (Sever Ties): Reward: Fitness Technique Card*1, 20 points]
’Use Fitness Technique Card.’
The moment he gave the command, techniques and knowledge about fitness flooded into Lin Jiang’s mind.
But...
’Even postpartum pelvic floor recovery was included. Isn’t that a bit of a wide scope?’
’Mission complete. Open attribute panel.’
[Name: Lin Jiang]
[Skills: Culinary Skill (Basic), Fighting Technique (Basic), Baji Fist (Beginner), Driving (Master Level), Swimming (Beginner), Basketball (Basic), Diving (Master Level)]
[Attributes: Physique 27, Comprehension 36, Charm 25]
[Martial Force: 28]
[Teammate: Xu Lin]
[Item: Fitness Card*1]
[Treasure Chest: 100/100]
’I’ve already got 100 points. I can pick a treasure when I get back tonight.’
"Thank you..."
Having just cried, Shen Qingqiu spoke with a thick nasal tone, which sounded surprisingly cute.
"Didn’t I tell your mother I’m your boyfriend? It’s only normal for me to help you out a little."
"I’m not good enough for you. You should find a better girl."
"What’s wrong? Worried this slacker will hurt our future kids’ IQ?"
PFFT—
Shen Qingqiu burst out laughing through her tears.
"Of course not! Don’t be ridiculous, that’s not what I meant."
"Alright, let’s drop it."
Lin Jiang buckled his seatbelt again. "Do you have anything else at school? Or should I take you home?"
"No, I’m done. Let’s go back."
Lin Jiang started the car and drove toward the teacher’s dormitory.
"Tongtong’s parents—my uncle and aunt—and my mom are coming over later. I might be tied up for a few hours, so I need to ask for some time off."
"What a coincidence. Junjun’s parents are visiting today too. Let’s just give everyone the day off. You can’t be tense all the time."
"Okay."
Lin Jiang already knew that Xu Yingjun’s parents were coming. She had mentioned it when they were chatting yesterday.
It wasn’t far, and they soon arrived at the entrance of the teacher’s dormitory.
Shen Qingqiu opened the car door and said to Lin Jiang.
"Thank you for your help. I feel like I owe you more and more."
"You’re a consultant for our company now. You can repay me by working hard in the future," Lin Jiang said with a smile.
"I will."
That was just how Shen Qingqiu was. Even if you were joking, she would respond with complete sincerity.
Grabbing her bag, Shen Qingqiu got out of the car. Lin Jiang sat inside, waiting for his mom and the others to arrive.
But just then, he heard a familiar voice.
"Son!"
He glanced back and saw his mom and the other two walking over from up ahead.
’I didn’t notice before. They were already here.’
"Mom."
Lin Jiang got out of the car and walked toward Li Xiaoping.
But Li Xiaoping’s attention was entirely on Shen Qingqiu, and her face was wreathed in smiles.
Lin Jiang had a bad feeling. ’Something’s about to happen.’
"Child, where are you going? Why are you leaving already?"
Li Xiaoping had already jumped to the conclusion that Shen Qingqiu was Lin Jiang’s girlfriend.
And being called "child" made Shen Qingqiu freeze for a moment.
It had been a long time since anyone had called her that.
Smart as she was, she knew their relationship had been misunderstood and instinctively looked at Lin Jiang.
"Mom, if I said we’re just friends, would you believe me?"
"Of course not."
"She’s Tongtong and Yingjun’s teacher."
"Oh, so she’s a university teacher! That’s very impressive."
Li Xiaoping’s smile grew even wider. "After all these years, you’ve finally done one thing that makes me happy."
The smile spread across Li Xiaoping’s face, unable to hide her fondness for Shen Qingqiu.
Especially after learning she was a university teacher, her delight was beyond words.
"Not just anyone can be a university teacher. That’s really amazing."
Li Xiaoping looked her up and down. Shen Qingqiu’s mature, "auntie-like" attire gave her a very steady and reliable air.
This kind of demeanor was highly favored by the older generation.
They believed that someone with this type of personality would surely be able to live a good life and was the number one choice for a daughter-in-law.
"My son is great in every way, he’s just a bit of a smart-mouth. If he ever makes you unhappy in the future, just tell me, and I’ll deal with him for you."
"I understand, Auntie."
Shen Qingqiu didn’t want to be a spoilsport at a time like this, especially since there were other people around.
When her mother passed away, Lin Jiang had helped her keep up a pretense. She couldn’t make the atmosphere too awkward now.
"Dad, Mom, Auntie, Teacher Shen..."
Just then, Li Yueting came out from inside, quickening her pace to join them.
Seeing Li Xiaoping holding Shen Qingqiu’s hand, she looked a little surprised but was tactful enough not to say anything.
Seeing his daughter, Li Rongjun grinned from ear to ear, the wrinkles crinkling at the corners of his eyes.
"Your sister-in-law is tutoring you, so you better listen carefully. Don’t make your sister-in-law unhappy."
The term "sister-in-law" made Shen Qingqiu’s heart rate shoot past one hundred.
She wanted to say something, but she was bad with words and stammered for a while without getting anything out.
"I know, don’t worry. I’ll definitely get into Shanghai Jiaotong University."
"That’s the spirit. Come on, it’s already noon. Let’s go eat first," Li Rongjun said, gathering everyone.
"Okay."
"I won’t go. You all go ahead and eat."
This was Lin Jiang’s family meal, and Shen Qingqiu didn’t want to intrude.
"We’ll be family soon, how could you not come?" Li Rongjun joked.
"Is it because your future mother-in-law didn’t prepare a red envelope for you, so now you don’t want to eat with us?"
"No, no, no, that’s not what I meant."
Shen Qingqiu explained hastily. It was her first time in such a situation, and she was getting tongue-tied.
"Then let’s go. It’s just a casual meal. It’ll be a good chance to get to know each other."
Li Yueting didn’t say anything, her eyes darting slyly between everyone.
’Is this the part where my teacher becomes my sister-in-law?’
’The question is, when did those two get together?’
’She has so much to do at school, and she still has to find time to tutor me.’
’And on top of that, she was dating my cousin on the down-low?’
’Are all top students masters of time management?’

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