Green Tea? She's Clearly a Hidden Gem!

After sending the Department Head off, Jiang Linyuan returned the same way.

The two of them chatted idly along the road, briefly discussing plans for the new term.

This trip to Yanjing did not bring his relationship with the Department Head any closer; if anything, it regressed.

Before, she had tacitly accepted his pursuit, but now she had started to resist.

So they really were turning into just good friends.

So when I was kicked out of the house by Xiao Su that day and went to crash at a friend's place, that should be normal, right?

Jiang Linyuan thought as he returned to the room.

"You came back quickly."

Su Muzhi was still lying on the sofa and glanced at Jiang Linyuan unexpectedly.

"I only walked the Department Head out, how long could that take?"

Jiang Linyuan lifted her foot and placed it on his leg, then sat down.

What a domineering woman, she monopolized such a long sofa all to herself! I should sit too!

"Who knows, did you not share any kisses or anything?"

Su Muzhi swung her feet wildly, her soft pink toes nearly smacking her own face.

"I would have liked to, but the Department Head didn't give me the chance."

Jiang Linyuan caught her ankles with both hands to stop her from wriggling.

Xiao Su's skin was really nice, her little feet smooth and moist.

"You really dare say that!"

Su Muzhi suddenly did a sit-up, her head bumping Jiang Linyuan.

So it's a ceremonial couple bump? I can do that too!

Jiang Linyuan pressed his forehead against hers, the two of them looking like water buffaloes locking horns.

"Hehe."

Su Muzhi smiled and leaned in, planting a quick kiss as if testing something.

After a moment she pulled back, eyes sparkling with amusement, and said:

"Hmm, you haven't kissed much."

After breaking through that barrier with Xiao Su, she seemed bolder.

Why does she always try to eat people's tongues?

"If I spend the night out, are you going to inspect me when I come back?"

Jiang Linyuan asked.

"If you want me to find out that way, you're dead meat."

Su Muzhi poked his forehead with her index finger.

Xiao Su's fingernails were clean, without polish, pink and healthy.

Not as delicate as the Department Head's, but full in a way that reminded him of a pomegranate—strikingly beautiful; maybe it would taste sweet.

Slurp, slurp—now I want pomegranate.

Jiang Linyuan forced his gaze to move upward toward Xiao Su's chest.

Heart like a still mirror.

"Xiao Su, I've already told you my greediest desires, how could I still be hiding anything from you?"

Jiang Linyuan said.

"I like that attitude."

Su Muzhi nodded, withdrew her hand, and lay back down.

"When do you plan to leave for Southern Fujian?"

she asked again.

"After your health recovers a bit. It's too far otherwise, you couldn't handle it."

"That's not that dramatic."

Su Muzhi proved it by waving her feet again.

Jiang Linyuan didn't argue; Xiao Su loved to show off. They'd wait until she was mostly recovered.

They stayed in Yanjing a few more days. Jiang Linyuan went to the courtyard house from time to time to see the Department Head and Shen Guoguo.

Unfortunately, the Department Head never agreed to it, so Jiang Linyuan only took Guoguo and herself out to have fun.

After a few days they prepared to set off for Southern Fujian.

Before leaving, Jiang Linyuan thought to go say goodbye to the Department Head one more time, but she had returned to Jinling a few days earlier.

What a pity.

Then he'd say goodbye to Guoguo instead.

He went to the courtyard house and knocked. Jiang Linyuan sent Shen Guoguo a message, planning to take her out for a grand day of fun.

But the person who opened the door surprised him.

An expressionless face—Shen Pingyan.

"Come in."

He said as he turned and walked inside without closing the door.

Where did Future Father-in-Law pop up from? In all these days, this was the first time Jiang Linyuan had seen him.

Jiang Linyuan followed him in, wondering how much Future Father-in-Law knew about him and the Department Head.

Inside, Shen Guoguo sat on a stool, her eyes red, and Jiang Linyuan couldn't tell why.

When she saw Jiang Linyuan she wanted to stand, but when she noticed Shen Pingyan she sat back down.

Shen Pingyan explained in a matter-of-fact tone:

"She had a fight with her mother last night."

Did Celestial Maiden Auntie bully Guoguo again?

"Go back to your room, I'll talk to him about something."

Shen Pingyan looked at Shen Guoguo and said.

Shen Guoguo pursed her lips and stood up, running toward the inside of the house.

"Guoguo, you don't have to go. I'm here for you. Uncle and I won't talk for long. I'll take you out later."

Jiang Linyuan grabbed Shen Guoguo's hand and smiled.

"I'll just stay in my room."

Guoguo said softly, but her feet didn't move.

"It's fine, it's fine."

Jiang Linyuan said nonchalantly.

What could Future Father-in-Law say to him? Whatever it was, it didn't matter.

"Alright then."

Shen Pingyan thought for a moment and said:

"I got involved with your AI project and incorporated it into the state's trusted innovation initiative. They'll promote it in a while. Keep an eye on that."

Oh, that.

Someone had indeed mentioned that recently.

But it didn't really matter; Jiang Linyuan wasn't relying on it for income, only to slightly bulk up his own little venture.

What could truly change his venture was Mother's Eye Gift. He still had a technical report in his head that could cure heart disease.

"Besides that, one more thing. How are you and Wanyu doing lately?"

"Good."

Jiang Linyuan said.

Shen Pingyan watched him for a long moment, then nodded:

"You are still young. Many things don't need to be rushed. Slow down and handle matters calmly. You can make mistakes, but don't act on impulse."

"Mistakes can be corrected, but impulsive actions might not even leave room to regret."

Future Father-in-Law! The grandmaster of riddles, huh!

Heart Slave, activate!

If Jiang Linyuan hadn't said he was coming to Yanjing, Wanyu probably would have returned to Jinling early with Xueyun.

But now, since he hadn't left, Wanyu left first. Coupled with Zhao Qiulu's strange meddling, young people always like to stir things up.

Take it slow. Jiang Linyuan is too restless now; after graduation he should settle down a bit.

What do you mean I'm restless! Future Father-in-Law, I'm full of youthful vigor!

Me dating the Department Head isn't the same as me dating you.

Jiang Linyuan understood clearly that Future Father-in-Law's opinions were irrelevant to the Department Head; it was Future Mother-in-Law's views that mattered most!

"Okay, I have nothing more to say."

Shen Pingyan glanced at Shen Guoguo, then looked at Jiang Linyuan and asked:

"Are you coming with me? Or with him?"

Shen Guoguo glanced at Jiang Linyuan and whispered:

"I promised Brother Jiang we'd go out to play."

Shen Pingyan nodded:

"Alright, be careful."

With that he turned and left.

Shen Guoguo only exhaled when he had gone out of sight.

"Dad is scary."

Scary? Future Father-in-Law just looked a bit cold; everything else seemed okay.

"Guoguo, why did Uncle come here today?"

Jiang Linyuan asked.

"I had a fight with Mom yesterday and hid here overnight. Dad came to pick me up today."

If all you did was stay at Wanyu sister's place for a few days, why get so mad? I did nothing wrong.

If you're mad at Xueyun Auntie, go yell at Xueyun Auntie. If you're mad at Dad, go at Dad. Why always take it out on me?

So annoying. The more you bully me, the more I'll find Wanyu sister!

Wow, Celestial Maiden Auntie, why don't you just divorce Future Father-in-Law.

What is the point of this marriage?

Your husband has someone else on his mind, your daughter dislikes you—what's the point?

"Guoguo is so sensible, and Auntie still argues with you?"

Jiang Linyuan stroked Shen Guoguo's head.

"In her eyes I'm not sensible at all. I'm more like an enemy who always fights her loyally."

Shen Guoguo pouted.

If she were even half like Wanyu sister, that would be great. As for Dad, when I argued with Mom yesterday he calmly ate dinner without a change of expression!

He didn't comfort me afterwards either. I ran away for the night and he only looked for me the next day! So annoying!

Wow, Future Father-in-Law, you're remarkable too.

Jiang Linyuan looked at Shen Guoguo, not knowing what to say, and simply held her hand, saying: 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"Let's go. Today Guoguo will continue to show me around Yanjing."

Shen Guoguo nodded:

"I'll tell you, Yanjing is actually very big, there are so many fun places. A few days can't cover them all..."

She chattered on, holding Jiang Linyuan's hand tightly.

Wanyu sister has also left, and Brother Jiang won't be here for long either; then everything will return to the old days...

I don't want unhappy thoughts—Brother Jiang is right here beside me now.

Jiang Linyuan watched Shen Guoguo animatedly, feeling awkward about telling her he had actually come to say goodbye.