Chapter 124 - 123: Chen Yao: Don’t Fall into My Hands in the Future

Chapter 124: Chapter 123: Chen Yao: Don’t Fall into My Hands in the Future

"Teacher Xia, thank you for everything today. I hope we weren’t too much trouble."

At 7 PM, Ji Wanqiu pulled up her car outside Hongyun Garden. She had made a special trip to pick up her two daughters.

"It was no trouble at all."

Xia Shanshan chuckled. "Whether it’s Yanwan or Xiao Man, they’re both wonderful kids. I couldn’t be happier to have them over. In fact, it’s this stinky brat of mine who’s probably been troubling you. If he does anything wrong, please don’t hesitate to scold him."

"No, not at all, please don’t say that." Ji Wanqiu quickly waved her hands in dismissal. "Xiao Xia is an excellent kid. He often helps me look after Xiao Man; he’s been a huge help."

She was now looking at Jiang Xia with the discerning eye of a mother-in-law assessing a future son-in-law. He checked all the boxes; to say she was satisfied would be an understatement.

’As for family background, as long as my daughter is happy, nothing else matters. Besides, you can tell at a glance that this boy is the type to dote on his wife. I can rest easy if my daughter marries him.’

Jiang Xia and Lin Yanwan stood behind their respective mothers, silently watching them sing each other’s praises. ’They were... actually getting along quite well.’

’And from the looks of it, did they both share a tacit approval of their relationship?’

"Well, Teacher Xia, we’ll be heading back now. We’ll come and visit again next time."

Ji Wanqiu turned to Jiang Xia and smiled. "As for you, I don’t need to say much. Come over and visit anytime."

Jiang Xia nodded "shyly." "Aunt Ji, take care."

"Goodbye, Aunt Xia."

"Goodbye, Yanwan. Goodbye, Xiao Man."

Watching his mother-in-law drive slowly away, Xia Shanshan kicked him lightly in annoyance. "She’s already gone, and you’re still staring."

Jiang Xia grinned. "Mom, from your perspective, has my mother-in-law accepted me as her son-in-law?"

"Accepted you, my ass." Xia Shanshan mercilessly burst his bubble. "Let’s see if she still has this attitude when you’re 22."

Jiang Xia couldn’t help but pout. Twenty-two was just four years away. He was sure his feelings for Lin Yanwan would be the same even a hundred years from now.

’If God was willing to give them another chance at rebirth after their time was up, he wouldn’t mind a world-shaking, three-lifetime romance with her.’

"I’m going for a walk. You can go wherever you want." After saying her piece, Xia Shanshan left him and walked straight out of the residential complex.

Back home, Jiang Xia chose surfing the internet over grinding out storyboards. With the premiere of *Cat and Mouse* just around the corner, he had no mind for work at all.

Everything depended on the first day’s ratings. Once the dust settled, it would be clear whether Qitian Animation would live or die.

He logged into QQ, first sending a kissing emoji to his girlfriend, then started surfing the web. Whenever he saw a post about *Cat and Mouse*, he’d stop to chime in with a well-placed comment.

After messing around for a bit, he scrolled his mouse and clicked on Shen Ying’s profile picture. Ever since she had been upfront with Wang Ming at the last company team-building event, it seemed Jiang Xia hadn’t actively initiated a chat with her.

On one hand, they both needed a cooling-off period. On the other, he wasn’t sure what he could even ask.

[Qingfeng Fuyue]: Shen Ying, you there?

A dozen or so seconds later, the familiar QQ cough notification sounded.

[Shen Ying]: Here, here! What’s up, Boss?

[Qingfeng Fuyue]: *Cat and Mouse* officially premieres tomorrow at 7 PM. On your end... is there anything you need to report?

[Shen Ying]: Boss, didn’t you give us all time off? [Dazed.jpg]

[Qingfeng Fuyue]: Oh, right, right. Sorry, I forgot.

[Shen Ying]: But don’t worry, Boss. Even during the break, I’ve been keeping up the operations, working hard to build up hype for our animation, and I’ve stayed in constant contact with the TV station.

[Qingfeng Fuyue]: Beautifully done! The future Director of Operations position is yours for the taking.

[Qingfeng Fuyue]: By the way, I never asked where you applied for college. The application system should be closed by now, right?

[Shen Ying]: Yu Du Business University. You’re all going to the Imperial Capital, and I’m the only one left in Yu Du! [Crying.jpg]

[Qingfeng Fuyue]: Hey, calm down. With your relationship with Yanwan, distance is not an issue. Besides, the Business University is great too. Study your major well; the future development of the company will depend on you.

[Shen Ying]: Mmm-hmm!

Ending the chat with Shen Ying, Jiang Xia glanced at his girlfriend’s QQ. ’She still hasn’t sent a kiss back?’

’Hmph, has she fallen out of love with me already!’

He idly scrolled through his old friends list. In his class group, Chen Yao’s name suddenly caught his eye. He then looked at her nickname, "The Sensible Pig." ’How should I put it... it suits her personality quite well.’

[Qingfeng Fuyue]: My old deskmate, you there?

[Chen Yao]: Well, well, has the sun risen from the west? Boss Jiang hasn’t chatted with me in a hundred years. What’s gotten into you today? Let me guess, is it because your girlfriend isn’t around?

[Qingfeng Fuyue]: ? I was just going to ask how you did on your exams and where you applied. Just checking in on my deskmate, that’s normal, right?

[Chen Yao]: Five points higher than you.

Jiang Xia was a little stunned. ’I don’t think I ever told her my exact score, did I? How does she seem to know everything?’

Besides his parents, his girlfriend, and his mother-in-law, only Wang Ming knew his exam score. But Wang Ming was still reeling from his recent heartbreak; he wouldn’t be in the mood to go around broadcasting Jiang Xia’s results.

[Qingfeng Fuyue]: You got a 653?

[Chen Yao]: Not only that, I also know Wang Ming got a 610. Our class had a total of four people who scored above 600. I’m first, you’re second, Wang Ming is fourth. I bet you want to ask how I know. It’s simple: Teacher Wang told us.

Teacher Wang was their head teacher. Although he was a bit strict usually, he was quite nice outside of class. He probably saw the high scores after the exam results were released and jumped for joy on the spot.

[Qingfeng Fuyue]: Ohhh, that explains it. I thought you had stolen my info to look up my score.

[Chen Yao]: Have some shame.

[Qingfeng Fuyue]: What about your application? Where did you apply?

[Chen Yao]: Peking University.

[Qingfeng Fuyue]: Oh, right across the street! See, we’re "deskmates" again.

Chen Yao was slightly surprised. She began typing, character by character, with her two index fingers. Her speed wasn’t fast, but her output was precise.

[Chen Yao]: You’re at Tsinghua next door? I thought you would at least go to the Central Academy of Fine Arts or the National Art Museum. But I guess Qingmei is good too. I’m guessing your girlfriend is also at Tsinghua?

[Qingfeng Fuyue]: What are you even majoring in? Psychology?

[Chen Yao]: Law. Let me tell you, Boss Jiang, don’t you ever commit a crime and end up in my hands. I’ve never tolerated any nonsense, and don’t even think about bribing me. One day, I’ll be the one to put you away.

[Qingfeng Fuyue]: ...

Jiang Xia was speechless. ’Is this woman crazy? My company isn’t even on the right track yet, and she’s already thinking about helping my opponents sue me? Is there any sentiment left for her old deskmate?’

[Chen Yao]: By the way, I saw the trailer for *Cat and Mouse*. It’s very interesting. Congratulations.

...

(Good night, everyone.)