Chapter 16

Chapter 16: Yu Jianghai, for the sake of... Lin Meiyan said nothing. The others stayed silent too. "Forget it, I shouldn't be making that kind of suggestion." Gu Kaihua scratched his head. "After all, for some people it's 'promotion, wealth, and a dead wife,' but you can't have 'promotion, wealth, and a dead uncle.'" He was only forty-eight. He didn't want to die yet! If he truly offended the boss of Jianghai Dicai, he'd be lucky if he ended up just feeding the fish in the lake. "Stop being so silly." Ye Qiuju looked at him with disdain and gave him another slap before turning to Lin Meiyan. "Yanyan, what your uncle suggested—though a bit rough—is actually not a bad idea. Finding you a match and getting married would solve everything in one go. What do you think?" Her expression was somewhat serious. Unlike her husband, she was a woman, and she saw things from a woman's perspective. Lin Meiyan looked up and gave an "mm," her expression as casual as if she were deciding what to eat today. "Auntie, please start scouting some potential matches for me during this time. Don't limit the number—once Linji gets on track, I'll go meet them all." If Qiaoqiao wanted a father, then she'd satisfy that wish. Some people and some things couldn't be avoided or escaped, so she'd cut through the knot with a swift blade. Lin Meiyan had cut once five years ago. Five years later, she planned to cut again. Ye Qiuju's expression turned grave. "I understand." "High-quality matches won't come quickly—it'll probably take a few months at least. Give me some time to prepare." Lin Meiyan pressed her lips together. "It's fine, I'm not in a hurry." It was just that this matter should have been brought up long ago; she simply hadn't made up her mind. Her daughter wanted a father. Her uncle's suggestion. And the meeting with Yu Jianghai—every one of these things was pushing her forward. "Take your time finding them." Ye Qiuju acknowledged with an "oh," and seeing Lin Meiyan get up to take her enamel basin to the communal washroom, she turned back to look at everyone in the Gu family seated there. "Everything discussed today stays buried in your stomachs. No one is to breathe a word of it." Everyone nodded in unison. Only Gu Xiaoyue didn't understand. She asked in a low voice, "Mom, isn't Meiyan's situation a perfect opportunity? Why doesn't she just take it, and instead has you find her a match?" Isn't that making things more complicated than they need to be? Ye Qiuju shot her a glare. "If it could have worked out, it would have five years ago. Why wait until five years later?" "If it works, it's fate. If it doesn't, it's a doomed bond." "And if it's a doomed bond, why continue it?" Her tone grew heavier. "As for me finding matches for your Meiyan sister—keep your mouths shut. No one says a word." The rest of the Gu family nodded along. Only Gu Kaihua looked troubled. If he died... Would he be ground to ashes by that man? And would his ashes even make good tea? The Lin family house took a full two days to clean, inside and out. On Monday, Lin Meiyan dropped Qiaoqiao off at kindergarten before starting her busy schedule—on one hand, Linji needed to reopen for business; on the other, the Lin family house needed renovation. Since she no longer needed to buy a separate house for Qiaoqiao's schooling or to move out of her uncle's place, Lin Meiyan had more money on hand. Whenever Linji wasn't busy, she began looking for renovation workers. For this, she made several trips to the state-run restaurant. But strictly speaking, she wasn't that fond of the state-run restaurant's decor. Black baseboards, green wall paint, with a hanging dome light overhead—the lighting was dim and not even bright enough, which made the food served look less appealing too. Lin Meiyan looked again and again. Linji had originally been decorated in that style, and it had lasted nearly four years. After four years, it was still the same decor. Her intuition told her something was off. But she couldn't find a better option. Qiaoqiao noticed something was wrong. As soon as she was put down, she asked curiously, "Mommy, what's wrong?" Lin Meiyan didn't treat her like a child and told her everything. "I just feel like the decor available on the market isn't very nice." The green wall paint used to look pretty, but now it seemed ugly. If she was going to spend money renovating the two-story Lin family house, she didn't want it to end up ugly again. Qiaoqiao understood immediately, her eyes lighting up. "Mommy, Mommy!" But before she could finish, she slumped in disappointment. She was only four. Four years old. If she came up with a brand-new, cutting-edge, stylish design... Her mom might be fine, but would those people outside have her locked up and sliced into pieces? "What's wrong?" Qiaoqiao had called out several times without finishing, so Lin Meiyan asked. Qiaoqiao shook her head. "Nothing." She couldn't say it, after all. But honestly, Qiaoqiao was overestimating herself. Though she'd seen modern decor, she had to admit—she was just an ordinary person. She'd never studied design, and she'd never worked in that field. So when she secretly tried to sketch design drafts on her textbook that night, Qiaoqiao discovered she couldn't draw them. She simply couldn't. She gazed at the bright moonlight outside, feeling a pang of melancholy for the first time. Why wasn't she a genius? A cross-disciplinary genius could do anything. But she wasn't—in both of her lives, she had been an ordinary person. In the end, Qiaoqiao wasted half a notebook, and the design drafts she drew were a mess of mismatched elements. She didn't even have the courage to show them to her mother, because even if she did, no one would understand them anyway. Her renovation designs only existed as images in her mind—she simply couldn't bring them to life! For the second phase of Jianghai Dicai, all four houses under Luosiban had been demolished. As for the other three privately owned houses, the owners had originally refused to agree to the demolition. But they couldn't withstand the excellent terms offered by Lu Qingyuan and Secretary Shen. "Comrade Zhang, our boss said that since you don't agree with the compensation price for the demolition, how about exchanging your house for another one?" When those words were spoken, Comrade Zhang was taken aback. "Exchange my house for another one?" He was clearly hearing this concept for the first time. Secretary Shen nodded. "That's right. If you don't want money, it's probably because you're worried that after the demolition, you won't be able to buy a house that suits your preferences under the current policies." "But—" He adjusted his glasses and gave a slight smile. "If you agree to the demolition, we will exchange a house in the second phase of Jianghai Dicai for the house you currently live in." At that point, Secretary Shen stood up and walked around the room, sharply and critically pointing out the flaws of their current house. But he spoke in general terms rather than specifics. Secretary Shen naturally wouldn't do anything that would offend people. "The biggest problem with the houses on Simenkou Hengjie is the low elevation. After heavy rain, the entire Simenkou area floods. Over time, all the houses in Simenkou have developed issues like dampness, unstable foundations, and dark interiors." "But the houses in the second phase of Jianghai Dicai are different. They're built on a commercial building model, drawing from the development of Xiangjiang real estate. Each building is capped at six floors. High-rise buildings mean that problems like dampness, water backflow, and insufficient lighting are all completely resolved." "In fact, if Comrade Zhang lives on the sixth floor, you can even stand by the window and look down over the entire Simenkou." A hint of temptation appeared on Comrade Zhang's face. Secretary Shen knew when to stop. "The house-for-house compensation plan our Jianghai Dicai is offering for the demolition is only valid for three days, and the quota is limited." "If Comrade Zhang truly doesn't agree, then Jianghai Dicai will have other ideas by then." Comrade Zhang immediately grew a bit nervous. "What ideas?" "Surely you wouldn't just stop the demolition?" Right now, the second phase of Jianghai Dicai needed their houses, so the three families had agreed to hold out and demand high compensation. Secretary Shen nodded. "That's possible." His tone was ambiguous. "Just like how our original plan was to demolish Simenkou Youeryuan. Since Simenkou Youeryuan didn't agree to the demolition, that's why we approached you." "If you also don't agree to the demolition, we'll naturally activate our third plan." Comrade Zhang stood up abruptly, his voice unconsciously rising. "You would stop the demolition?" If the demolition stopped, then what was the point of them holding out? Secretary Shen didn't say anything too definitive. He hummed in acknowledgment. "That's possible." "So I'm saying, Comrade Zhang, please consider it quickly and give me an answer." Comrade Zhang's expression wavered for a long while. In the end, afraid that the prize within reach would slip away, he gritted his teeth and made his decision. "We agree to the house-for-house exchange." Secretary Shen adjusted his glasses. "Really? No going back on it?" "No going back." Secretary Shen deftly took two contracts out of his black briefcase and handed them over. "These are the contracts for the house exchange." "You can take a look first, and decide whether you want the sixth floor or the first floor." What cleverly phrased words. Comrade Zhang was no match for a seasoned businessman like Secretary Shen. He immediately fell into the trap. "I want the sixth floor. I want the highest floor." Clearly, he had had more than enough of living in a first-floor bungalow—the dampness, the water backflow, the darkness. He couldn't bear another day of it. Secretary Shen curled his lips, quickly filled in the floor number, and the contract was made in duplicate. Both parties signed swiftly. When he came out of the Zhang residence, he happened to run into Lu Qingyuan. The two exchanged a nod. "All done?" "All done." When the boss had given them a clear plan, if they still couldn't get it done, that would be their incompetence. Lu Qingyuan got into the car, and Secretary Shen drove to a spot far away before getting out. "President Lu, please wait a moment." Lu Qingyuan was taken aback, left in the car by Secretary Shen. Secretary Shen ran off swiftly with his briefcase, heading to Linji at Simenkou. He arrived at noon. Lin Meiyan went out for renovation work, usually in the mornings and afternoons, while at noon and in the evenings she stayed at Linji to mind the shop. It was lunchtime now, and four or five people were seated in the small Linji shop, clearly all waiting. Secretary Shen straightened his shirt collar, made sure he looked presentable, and then stepped through the door. Lin Meiyan was in the kitchen when she heard customers come in. Her voice was gentle, "What would you like to eat? The menu is on the small blackboard." The daily menu was written by Lin Meiyan based on the ingredients she had purchased that day. Secretary Shen gave a light cough, trying his best to appear natural. He stared at the menu for quite a while before finally saying, "I'll have a plate of egg fried rice." Not many people ordered egg fried rice at this hour. Because the summer heat was too intense, most people would choose cold noodles or cold dishes instead. Lin Meiyan poked her head out for a look—she felt that Secretary Shen looked somewhat familiar. But she couldn't recall who he was. Lin Meiyan thought for a moment and asked softly, "Just the egg fried rice?" Secretary Shen nodded. "Yes." "Or if you have anything convenient, you could recommend a dish for me too." Lin Meiyan said, "In this summer heat, egg fried rice might be a bit dry. I'll throw in a free bowl of mung bean water." "If you want a dish, fried peanuts or cold tossed edamame would both work." "Then I'll take a plate of fried peanuts." Lin Meiyan nodded. "Please wait a moment, sir." She quickly got busy, while Secretary Shen observed his surroundings. At the three or four tables, there were about three to five people eating. Based on what they had ordered, he could roughly estimate Linji's daily revenue. Since she hadn't hired anyone, there was almost no labor cost. The building was rented, so that left only the rent cost—roughly within thirty yuan. After deducting those, Linji's monthly operating profit was at least over two hundred, of course excluding rainy days. After Secretary Shen finished his calculations, he thought about the house Lin Meiyan had gotten back from Luosiban. If she moved in there, Linji could further reduce its rent expenses in the future. In other words, her operating profit would be at least over two hundred fifty. In a place like Jiangcheng, the wages of ordinary workers in factories ranged between seventy and eighty, and Youth Lin's income was three times that of an ordinary person. Moreover, she had skill, a house, and a daughter. Adding it all up, Secretary Shen lit a candle for his boss in his heart—his boss didn't have much of a chance. Just as Secretary Shen was lost in thought, Lin Meiyan had already prepared his meal. "Will you eat here, sir, or take it to go?" Secretary Shen snapped back to attention immediately. "To go." Lin Meiyan skillfully placed his portion into a lunchbox ordered by Linji, then handed the bag to him. "The lunchbox is refundable—one yuan deposit." "That'll be three and a half yuan total." Secretary Shen paid promptly, and Lin Meiyan smiled warmly. "If you enjoy it, do come again." Secretary Shen thought to himself, he would definitely come again. He just hoped Youth Lin wouldn't recognize him. After leaving Linji, Secretary Shen glanced back. He thought about it—he didn't think he had ever shown his face in front of Youth Lin. Except that one night when he accompanied his boss to do surveying at Jianghai Dicai Phase II, but that time it was dark and the streetlights nearby weren't bright. Youth Lin probably hadn't recognized him, right? Secretary Shen recalled uncertainly as he carried the food and quickly exited Simenkou. The black Mercedes had been deliberately parked on the outskirts of Simenkou. A full ten-minute walk from Linji. The moment he brought the food up, Lu Qingyuan caught the aroma of the rice. The anger from being abandoned outside by Secretary Shen earlier gradually dissipated a few degrees. "How did you know I was hungry after negotiating all morning?" He opened it up. "Oh, there's even iced mung bean water? That's just what I was craving." The moment Lu Qingyuan moved, Secretary Shen slapped his hand away. Clearly, Secretary Shen was much more casual around Lu Qingyuan. "This isn't for you." Lu Qingyuan: "?" Lu Qingyuan was genuinely starting to get annoyed, okay? "Secretary Shen, get your facts straight? I'm the one who went hungry to negotiate for you." "Not your boss Yu Jianghai!" Secretary Shen started the car smoothly and turned back. "This was made by Youth Lin." At those words, Lu Qingyuan instantly pulled his hand back. "Then I'd better not eat it. If I eat it, I'm afraid I'll have indigestion." No—paralysis. Secretary Shen let out a snort, floored the gas pedal, and sped at maximum velocity. The trip from Simenkou to Jianghai Dicai normally took half an hour. He made it in fifteen minutes. As soon as he parked, he grabbed the food and rushed out. He didn't give a damn about Lu Qingyuan's life or death. He drove too recklessly—Lu Qingyuan was vomiting miserably beside him. "Secretary Shen, you really are, you really are a bootlicker!" However much of a bootlicker he was to Yu Jianghai, that was how excessively he treated Lu Qingyuan! From the moment he got out of the car, Secretary Shen jogged all the way to the top-floor office of Jianghai Dicai, sprinting the entire distance. Even with his veteran's physique, he couldn't help gasping for breath by the time he arrived. When he got there, Yu Jianghai had just finished his meeting with the people from the Planning Bureau and was walking out. He rose and said in a calm voice, "The Phase II project plan for Jianghai Dicai has been finalized at Simenkou. You'll receive the detailed planning drawings within a week." The planning drawings for Jianghai Dicai Phase II had actually been revised again and again. This was the third version. "Then I'll await President Yu's good news." The success of Jianghai Dicai Phase I had elevated the entire staff of the Land Planning Bureau. Even those who hadn't been promoted had reaped considerable benefits. For them, Yu Jianghai of Jianghai Dicai was their patron saint of wealth. Yu Jianghai nodded, watching the other party leave. Turning around, he caught sight of Secretary Shen looking out of breath. Surprised, he asked, "Did the morning negotiations not go well?" Secretary Shen shook his head. "No, no, they went very smoothly." He glanced around, then slipped furtively into the office. "Boss, I've brought you something good." Yu Jianghai raised an eyebrow. After a morning of meetings, he naturally unbuttoned the middle black suit button. As the button came undone, it revealed his white shirt, and beneath the shirt, his lean, taut waist. With each step, one could faintly make out the firm abdominal muscles beneath the thin fabric. Yu Jianghai had barely stepped into the office when Secretary Shen thoughtfully closed the door behind him. Yu Jianghai remained expressionless. After closing the door, Secretary Shen set down the takeout he'd brought, placing each container one by one on Yu Jianghai's desk. Yu Jianghai stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the lunchboxes with a slight frown. Those who knew him well knew he never ate at his desk—it was a rule. Secretary Shen had been with him for years; he should have known this rule. Secretary Shen arranged the dishes and opened each one. Looking up to see his boss's expression, he quickly explained, "Boss, this is takeout from Linji." He added deliberately, "Made by Youth Lin himself." Actually, Secretary Shen hadn't even finished speaking—the moment that egg fried rice was opened, Yu Jianghai knew from the aroma who had made it. He had eaten it countless times before. Yu Jianghai silently stared at the golden egg fried rice before him, not making a sound for a long time. This made Secretary Shen somewhat uneasy. Had he misread his boss's intentions this time? Had his flattery backfired? Just as Secretary Shen began to doubt himself, Yu Jianghai picked up the spoon and took a mouthful of the egg fried rice. The familiar flavor bloomed on his tongue. He chewed slowly, trying to savor every grain of rice thoroughly. One spoonful, two spoonfuls, three spoonfuls. From start to finish, every grain of rice in the aluminum lunchbox was scraped clean. Throughout this time, Secretary Shen waited quietly by the side. Until the very end. Just when he thought his boss wouldn't speak, Yu Jianghai set down the spoon and looked up, his expression calm. "Secretary Shen." Secretary Shen stood at attention before Yu Jianghai's desk, listening intently. "Your salary doubles this month." Sure enough, just as he'd expected, he heard the most delightful, most wonderful sound in the world. What could be more gratifying than a doubled salary? Secretary Shen said, "Thank you, boss." He thought to himself, there will be a next time! "When are you going to double my salary too?" Lu Qingyuan came up carrying a large briefcase, exhausted like a dead dog. The moment he arrived, he spotted the empty lunchbox on Yu Jianghai's desk. He let out a light sigh. "Here I am, working myself to the bone, and I can't even get a sip of water, let alone a proper meal." Secretary Shen thought to himself—he had packed food for Lu Qingyuan too. He just didn't dare to eat it. Yu Jianghai said, "There's food in the cafeteria." Lu Qingyuan replied, "How is that the same?" Yu Jianghai ignored him. Lu Qingyuan, having gotten no reaction, placed the contracts on the desk. "These are the demolition agreements from the remaining three households at Simenkou." "All three chose the sixth floor." Jianghai Dicai's residential buildings topped out at six floors. Yu Jianghai picked up the contracts and reviewed them. "No issues. Then we'll redraw the blueprints." "The planning bureau sent someone over this morning, and I told them we'd have the new blueprints within a week." Lu Qingyuan said, "You might as well just work me to death." He collapsed onto the office sofa, lying there like a salted fish. "I'm done. The route changes you want, the Simenkou Youeryuan you want to abandon—I don't care about any of it." He sounded like he was sulking. "Working myself to the bone, and I don't even get a bite to eat." Yu Jianghai gave Secretary Shen a look, and Secretary Shen understood instantly. Within half an hour, the signature dishes from Dazhonghua Jiulou in Jiangcheng were brought over. Only then did Lu Qingyuan relent. He picked up his chopsticks, and while helping himself to food, casually dropped a piece of news. "I was talking with someone during negotiations today, and I found out that Youth Lin seems to be planning to renovate Linji." At these words, both Yu Jianghai and Secretary Shen turned to look at him. Lu Qingyuan picked up a piece of braised Wuchang fish, squinting in satisfaction. "But it's not going very smoothly." "You all know that here in Jiangcheng, even the real estate market is completely untapped." Jianghai Dicai was the first of its kind—a scorpion's tail, the very first. Let alone the renovation market, which was even more of a blank slate. Yu Jianghai listened without speaking. He curled his fingers and tapped the desk. Secretary Shen immediately straightened up, alert. As a secretary, understanding the meaning behind every little gesture of the boss—that was the fundamental quality of a gold-medal secretary. After a long moment. Yu Jianghai loosened his collar. He wore a white shirt, the collar wrapped around his Adam's apple—neat and restrained. But as he moved, two buttons at his collar came undone, revealing his prominent Adam's apple, which looked inexplicably sexy and alluring. Yet the man himself was completely unaware. Secretary Shen watched this scene, feeling emotional inside. Youth Lin, you really ate well back then. After a long while, Yu Jianghai looked up at Secretary Shen, who understood instantly. He lowered his head, "Boss, I'll take care of it right away." "Take care of what?" Lu Qingyuan, who was busy eating and drinking, completely failed to keep up with the rhythm between the boss and his secretary. Yu Jianghai calmly changed the subject, "How did your blind date go?" At this, Lu Qingyuan instantly opened the floodgates like a resentful wife, "Don't even mention it. Do you know how unreasonable my blind date was?" Without waiting for Yu Jianghai to answer, Lu Qingyuan spilled everything in a rush, "When my mom introduced me to her, she told the matchmaker that I work at Jianghai Dicai." "My blind date demanded that if I want to marry her, I have to buy her younger brother a house first." Lu Qingyuan sneered, "See, I'm such a shrewd person. Do I look like a sucker to you?" Yu Jianghai was silent. Lu Qingyuan stopped eating altogether and stood up abruptly, "What do you mean by that?" Yu Jianghai said nothing. After a long while, just as Lu Qingyuan thought he wouldn't speak— He finally spoke, "If—" "If what?" Lu Qingyuan pressed. Yu Jianghai swiveled his chair, looking out the window with a deep, distant expression tinged with a rare hint of regret, murmuring, "If only she had made that request of me." It took Lu Qingyuan a moment to understand what he meant. After his shock, he had only one thought. "Yu Jianghai, you're beyond saving." "You're completely beyond saving." Kindergarten let out at 4:30 in the afternoon. Qiaoqiao was just passing her days at the kindergarten. The teacher's lessons were either storytelling or teaching simple numbers and basic addition and subtraction. For example, one, two, three, four, five, and what one plus one equals. With a soul of twenty-five but a body of four, Qiaoqiao was trapped in this classroom, feeling somewhat desperate. So while the teacher was giving the lesson, she quickly taught herself, without any instruction, to find something to do. She wasn't a genius, but she had seen countless interior design styles in her past life. She had also seen the decoration styles of all kinds of restaurants. Gilded and magnificent. Retro and nostalgic. While doodling on paper, Qiaoqiao suddenly had an idea. Gilded and magnificent obviously wouldn't suit Linji—first, because Linji's space wasn't that big. Second, gilded and magnificent was simply too expensive. Her mom didn't have that much money for renovations. And the retro nostalgic style was the trend of this era—green wall paint, black baseboards, dim horn-shaped lamps. Her mom didn't like that style either. Little Linji was already in that style and had been for three years without being phased out. But what about a fresh, chic style? Qiaoqiao had been to many restaurants in her past life, and their decor was that fresh, chic style. It wasn't too expensive, and it looked very comfortable. Acting on the thought, Qiaoqiao picked up her pencil and started sketching on her workbook. Soon, an initial outline appeared. White walls, cyan wall art, partitioned tables and chairs, booth seating, and even private rooms. In just one class period, Qiaoqiao had drawn an outline, but after looking at it, she felt something was missing. So she added a cashier counter at the front, and on the counter, she drew a stack of menus. The little blackboard menu that Linji currently used—Qiaoqiao felt it was way too old-fashioned. It would be much more convenient to let customers order directly from a menu. After Qiaoqiao finished drawing, she stretched her arms. When she looked up, the teacher was already standing in front of her. Teacher Li picked up Qiaoqiao's drawing and frowned slightly, "Lin Qiaoqiao, you need to pay attention in class." Qiaoqiao felt embarrassed. She stuck out her tongue, "Sorry, teacher." Teacher Li confiscated her drawing. Qiaoqiao wanted to say something but held back, ultimately not daring to ask for it back. If she dared to ask, Teacher Li would dare to tell her mom. Her mom wanted her to focus on her studies. She wouldn't dare let her mom find out she was daydreaming in class—she'd be dead meat! Qiaoqiao endured and endured, finally making it to the end of class. When she wanted to redraw that renovation design, she found that inspiration had come in a flash—she simply couldn't draw it again. But she couldn't get that design back either. Or rather, she didn't dare ask for it back. As she came out of the classroom, she happened to run into Secretary Shen, who had come to discuss business with Director Chen. The two seemed to have finished their conversation, and Director Chen was seeing Secretary Shen out. Qiaoqiao tilted her head and looked at him, "Uncle Shen?" With a hint of uncertainty. On the night she was kidnapped, it was Uncle Shen and Uncle Yu who had helped her. Secretary Shen was talking with Director Chen when he heard the call of "Uncle Shen." He knew it—here it comes. His mission target for today had arrived. He nodded to Director Chen, who looked somewhat surprised, "You know Qiaoqiao?" Qiaoqiao ran over in a few quick steps. "I know them, Grandma Director! The day I was kidnapped by human traffickers, Uncle Shen and Uncle Yu were the ones who saved me." Hearing this, Secretary Shen instinctively glanced around. He thought to himself, he wouldn't dare stand in front of his boss. And "Uncle Shen" and "Uncle Yu," no less. If the boss ever heard that, he'd probably want him dead. Secretary Shen played it modest. "A trivial matter, hardly worth mentioning." Qiaoqiao glanced at Secretary Shen, feeling like she smelled a kindred spirit. Back in the day, she used to show off just like that. After Director Chen left, Secretary Shen walked over to Qiaoqiao. He was a perceptive man—when talking to Qiaoqiao, knowing she was short, he deliberately crouched down to speak with her. "Student Lin Qiaoqiao, how have you been lately?" Secretary Shen had a naturally smiling face, unlike Yu Jianghai's perpetual cold severity. He came across as very approachable. Qiaoqiao already considered Secretary Shen half her own people. After all, he was the one who had rescued her from the jaws of danger. She nodded, then shook her head. "What's wrong?" Secretary Shen pulled a bottle of Beibingyang soda from his briefcase. It must have been iced—frost had formed a white mist on the glass bottle, and the orange soda sloshed inside, seeming to give off a sweet aroma. Qiaoqiao shamelessly swallowed her saliva. A bottle of Beibingyang soda cost seventy cents. The well-behaved, sensible Qiaoqiao would never ask her mother to buy such a thing. But not buying didn't mean she didn't crave it. At twenty-five, Lin Qiaoqiao would still crave something so much that she'd drive three kilometers late at night just for an ice cream. At four, Qiaoqiao would only crave it even more. She said nothing. Secretary Shen gave the cap a light tap, and the Beibingyang soda popped open, filling even the dry summer air with a faint, cool, sweet orange scent. Qiaoqiao's eyes followed the Beibingyang soda, but she still had her principles. She said softly, "I can't accept a reward without deserving it." "Uncle Shen, I can't drink your soda." Secretary Shen was a bit surprised. "Oh? You know the saying 'no reward without merit' at your age?" Such a little kid, already using idioms. Qiaoqiao pressed her lips together and gave a shy smile—anyone who knew her well would recognize she was putting on an act. Secretary Shen pushed the Beibingyang soda toward her. "Drink it. I came to talk business with your Grandma Director, and since I knew you study here, I brought one along for you." "If you don't take it, you'd be wasting my kindness." "All that effort carrying it all the way here." Only then did Qiaoqiao take the Beibingyang soda. The sweet soda hit her lips—cold and refreshing. So nice. Qiaoqiao squinted her eyes in contentment. Secretary Shen didn't care about getting dirty—he sat down on the stone steps right beside Qiaoqiao. "What's bothering you?" He had a quality that made people let down their guard easily. Qiaoqiao hesitated for a moment. "The picture I drew while daydreaming in class got taken away by the teacher." She didn't dare tell her mother about this, only daring to tell the uncle she'd met once—no, twice. Or rather, her lifesaver. Because of that life-saving bond from that night, Qiaoqiao had a natural, instinctive trust in Secretary Shen. So she honestly told him everything. Secretary Shen was curious. "You were drawing in class?" "Yeah." Qiaoqiao furrowed her little brows. "I was daydreaming during math class." "Uncle Shen." She looked up at him. "Can you help me get my picture back?" "And this secret can only be between the two of us." "You can't tell my mom." Secretary Shen thought to himself, what had he done to deserve this? Sharing a secret with the boss's daughter, and not being allowed to tell the boss or the boss's wife. Secretary Shen tilted his head and smiled as he declined. "Qiaoqiao, I'm afraid I don't have that kind of ability." Qiaoqiao let out an "oh" of disappointment. Secretary Shen reached out and ruffled her hair. "But I know someone who can definitely get your picture back." "Who?" "My boss." Qiaoqiao didn't know Secretary Shen's boss. She tilted her head and thought for a moment, then it suddenly clicked. "You mean Uncle Yu?" That day when she was kidnapped and fleeing in panic, she'd grabbed onto someone's leg. And even called him "Daddy." Thinking about it now was still pretty embarrassing. Secretary Shen nodded. "Yes." "My boss carries a lot of weight. If he comes to your kindergarten and asks your teacher for your picture, she'll definitely give it back." "But if I go, it's not guaranteed." Qiaoqiao looked at him with a hint of doubt. Secretary Shen said, "Trust me." His tone was firm, his smile as warm as a spring breeze. "Once my boss comes, even if Director Chen had taken your picture, he could still get it back for you." Qiaoqiao's eyes lit up instantly. "He's that capable?" "And he can keep it a secret too?" "Naturally." Secretary Shen nodded with a smile. Qiaoqiao didn't stand on ceremony. "Then what are we waiting for?" Her tone was utterly adorable. It caught Secretary Shen off guard for a moment. He stood up, extended a hand toward Qiaoqiao, and gave a slight bow. "Student Qiaoqiao, wait for me a moment." He moved quickly, directly borrowing the kindergarten's phone and making a call to the Jianghai Dicai office on the spot. Twenty minutes later. Yu Jianghai appeared at the kindergarten gate in a flash. At this moment, the kindergarten hadn't dismissed yet. He stood at the gate, gazing at the entrance, but the image in his mind was of her coming to pick up her child after school every time. So that was it. Secretary Shen's eyes were sharp. He spotted his boss at once, rose from the steps, and quickly walked over. "Boss." Yu Jianghai nodded. "Qiaoqiao is looking for me?" There was a trace of nervousness in his tone that even he hadn't noticed. It was strange—the word "nervous" actually popping up in connection with Yu Jianghai. Secretary Shen briefly explained the situation. Yu Jianghai keenly seized on the key point. "The teacher took her painting? What painting is so important that she'd rather come to me than let her mother know?" A string of questions, and they genuinely stumped Secretary Shen. He shook his head. "We don't know yet, but once they're out of class—boss, if you help her get the painting back from the teacher, you'll find out." Yu Jianghai gave a soft "mm." He stood at the gate in his suit, quietly waiting for Qiaoqiao to finish class. It was a strange experience. In all of Yu Jianghai's past life, he had never imagined he would one day be at a kindergarten, waiting for a child to get out of class. Yu Jianghai's appearance inevitably stirred Director Chen. After all, last time, even when Jianghai Dicai was acquiring Simenkou Youeryuan, he hadn't shown up. But this time, he had. Even Director Chen, a person who had weathered many storms, felt a moment of unease. She almost hurried out of the kindergarten. From a distance, she saw Secretary Shen standing beside a young man. The man was tall, wearing a well-tailored suit that wrapped around his long, lean limbs. Without even seeing his face, just his silhouette alone told you he was an extraordinarily handsome, distinguished man. In the sweltering summer, in an era when everyone wore shorts, he was dressed in a proper suit. As if he were born extraordinary. Director Chen paused, slowed her pace, and walked over with measured steps. "President Yu?" She called out tentatively. Yu Jianghai turned around, his face fully revealed. The moment she saw his features, even Director Chen had to marvel. How could there be such a handsome man in this world? Yu Jianghai nodded in greeting. "Director Chen." Director Chen paused. Unlike Secretary Shen, who was warm and beaming, Yu Jianghai was cold—cold and sharp radiating from head to toe, even from the marrow of his bones. He just stood there without saying a word, and his presence alone was enough to make people shrink back in awe. Director Chen had been a kindergarten director her whole life and had seen plenty of people. But never anyone like Yu Jianghai. Suppressing her shock, she still asked, "President Yu, what brings you to our Simenkou Youeryuan?" Could it be that Jianghai Dicai had changed their mind? Were they planning to demolish Simenkou Youeryuan again? She could handle Secretary Shen, but when it came to the negotiating table, she couldn't manage Yu Jianghai. Some people were simply difficult by nature. And Yu Jianghai was clearly the cream of that crop. Yu Jianghai said, "I'm here for something personal. It has nothing to do with business." Director Chen breathed a slight sigh of relief, but it quickly caught in her throat again. Wait. What personal matter could Yu Jianghai possibly have at Simenkou Youeryuan? Couldn't they just fix whatever it was? Before Director Chen could ask, the dismissal bell rang—ding-a-ling-a-ling—especially pleasant to the ear. Yu Jianghai fixed his gaze on the classroom door. In no time, Qiaoqiao came running out, "Uncle Shen, did you call Uncle Yu to come help?" Her voice carried out before she even arrived. Secretary Shen's scalp tingled. "He's here, he's here." He quickly stepped in to smooth things over—how on earth did he deserve to share the same title as his boss? Qiaoqiao tilted her head and looked over, spotting Yu Jianghai standing beside Secretary Shen. Her eyes lit up instantly. "Handsome uncle, you came!" Yu Jianghai saw Qiaoqiao too. The little girl's face still had some baby fat, chubby and soft, with two little pigtails sticking straight up. When she smiled, her big eyes curved into crescents, so radiant that even the sun seemed to dim a little. Yu Jianghai's cold, hard heart softened a few degrees in that instant. He crouched down to meet her at eye level. "I heard from Uncle Shen that you need my help?" Qiaoqiao nodded and beckoned to Yu Jianghai. He leaned in closer, and Qiaoqiao whispered something in his ear. Yu Jianghai nodded, his voice unusually gentle. "No problem." He stood up. "Take me there." Qiaoqiao let out a cheerful "ay!"—now that she had backing and support, even her walk was swaggering and triumphant. Yu Jianghai followed behind her, and that always-cold, sharp gaze of his softened in that very moment. Once they left. Director Chen stood in place, still a bit bewildered. "Secretary Shen, what are they going to do?" Secretary Shen shook his head. "I promised the child I wouldn't say." Since he couldn't say, Director Chen went to see for herself. Ten minutes later, Director Chen emerged looking dazed, still carrying a hint of disbelief. "President Yu traveled all this way just for the drawing that was confiscated from Qiaoqiao by the teacher?"