Chapter 28: Not Wanting to Break the Law

That evening, mother and daughter returned home. Jiang Mei told Jiang You, “From now on, if Ruan Guixia gives you any expensive gifts, even if you don’t want them, you must thank her and return them in person. A note just isn’t enough.”

Jiang You knew she was in the wrong, so she murmured softly, “I understand, but I feel embarrassed, and also, I don’t think Sister Xia would want to accept them in person.”

Jiang Mei retorted, “So you think she will accept a note instead?” She continued, “Since she gave it, she surely gave it with good intentions. With the Fu family’s status, they don’t care about small amounts of money; they care about the sentiment. Of course, your Sister Xia understands your situation, and that’s why she gave you an excuse. When you have the chance, you can repay her.”

“I’m just afraid I won’t be able to repay her.” Jiang You sat on the couch, feeling uneasy.

Jiang Mei immediately became displeased and pulled her into an embrace. “How can you not repay her? My daughter is a genius designer, and maybe your designs will be worth a fortune one day. You can just give Sister Xia a discount, there’s no rush to feel guilty.”

Hearing this, Jiang You’s anxiety eased. “Mom, you’re so nice!”

“You, Baby You, are the best!”

Jiang Mei kissed her on the cheek. Her daughter was truly the best.

In the United States.

After Fu Jintan finished discussing the collaboration, he was about to return to his residence. On the way, the driver was driving, and Jiang Yao was reporting work on the side.

“I’ve checked into Xinda. Vice President Chen owes a gambling debt and couldn’t pay it back. He colluded with the finance department to embezzle public funds, so he conspired with Germany to raise drug prices to cover the losses.”

Fu Jintan pinched the bridge of his nose and said in a low voice, “Investigate everyone involved, and handle it accordingly.”

“Yes.” Jiang Yao responded and then handed Fu Jintan a file. “Here is Xu Chaoyang’s information, from the past year.”

Fu Jintan took it and flipped through a few pages, most of it related to work.

Jiang Yao said, “Nothing particularly special. But last year, Xu Chaoyang was in a relationship with the daughter of Deputy Director Zhang from Xiehe Hospital.”

That day, Jiang Mei went to the hospital for overtime, and Jiang You made dinner and brought it over. When she arrived, Jiang Mei was still performing surgery, so Jiang You waited in the office.

Xu Chaoyang opened the door. “Jiang You, you’re here.”

Jiang You smiled. “I brought dinner for my mom.”

Xu Chaoyang spoke gently, “By the way, the Xinda issue has been resolved. I just got the news.”

“Really?”

Xu Chaoyang nodded. “Yes, it was an internal issue at Xinda. It has been resolved, and the price has returned to normal. There is no impact on the Fu family.”

“That’s great!” Jiang You was thrilled.

Xu Chaoyang smiled. “Thank you!”

Jiang You waved her hand. “It’s nothing, I just brought a message.”

Xu Chaoyang was on a day shift and chatted with Jiang You for a bit before leaving. He went to the hospital’s rooftop and dialed an overseas number.

“Hello, husband,” a woman’s voice came through the phone.

Xu Chaoyang’s voice was excited. “Keqing, the Xinda issue has been resolved.”

“I just heard my dad say that! You’re amazing, husband!”

Xu Chaoyang said, “It’s good that Uncle is happy.”

Zhang Keqing replied, “Of course, he’s happy! The hospital will save a lot of money! You need to work harder and make a good impression in front of my dad so that we can be together.”

Zhang Keqing’s father was the deputy director, and there were other officials in her family. They looked down on Xu Chaoyang’s working-class parents, so they used the difference in family background to oppose their relationship.

The two could do nothing but pretend to break up temporarily.

Now, they only hoped Xu Chaoyang could make a name for himself as soon as possible so that Deputy Director Zhang would soften his stance.

This incident was an opportunity for Xu Chaoyang to connect with the Fu family, and Zhang’s father had even praised him, saying Xu Chaoyang was capable.

Xu Chaoyang’s eyes could not hide the ambition: “Don’t worry, I won’t disappoint you.”

Zhang Keqing teased, then in a coquettish voice asked, “By the way, what is your relationship with Jiang You? You just mentioned her once, and now she’s talking to people from the Fu family. She’s so concerned about your matters!”

She had known from the start that Jiang You was a charming girl, smart, and had entered the advanced class early.

Jiang Mei was popular at the hospital, and everyone praised her for having such a good daughter.

Xu Chaoyang treated Jiang You like a sister, but Zhang Keqing always felt Jiang You had feelings for him. Every time they talked about this, Xu Chaoyang would be evasive.

This time, her suspicions were only confirmed!

This man was exceptional, handsome, and it wasn’t surprising that others were interested in him. When they were together, she had encountered many admirers.

Xu Chaoyang knew his girlfriend was jealous, so he comforted her lightly, “Don’t worry. She likes me, but I don’t like her.”

Zhang Keqing reprimanded, “You’d better be careful. Remember to keep your distance. Even if we need to get close to the Fu family, you mustn’t use your looks to get close to them!”

Xu Chaoyang laughed. “Don’t worry, she’s just a little girl. I can handle it.”

“You can handle me, so what’s a little girl?”

Xu Chaoyang’s eyes darkened at the words, knowing she was teasing him.

“Do you miss me?”

Zhang Keqing replied, “Next month, my dad is going to Beijing and Hong Kong for a few days. I’ll sneak back to see you.”

“Sending something across a thousand miles?” Xu Chaoyang teased.

“Shameless—”

Xu Chaoyang hung up the phone, and Zhang Keqing sent him a picture on WeChat. It was a revealing photo of her, lying on the bed with a seductive gaze.

Xu Chaoyang felt heat rising in his body: [You better wait for me!]

Zhang Keqing: [Even if you’re going to handle it yourself, don’t think about anyone else.]

Xu Chaoyang knew what she was referring to.

More than a month ago, they had a video call, and during an intimate moment, he accidentally said Jiang You’s name.

He admitted that, at that moment, the face in his mind was Jiang You’s.

Men were like that. No matter how upright they seemed, there were always things hidden in their hearts, and anyone could be an object of fantasy.

Not that it was illegal.

Fortunately, Zhang Keqing had studied abroad for several years and was open-minded. She wouldn’t make a big deal of it.

Xu Chaoyang had thought about Jiang You. She was a beautiful girl—who wouldn’t want to look at her more? Moreover, Jiang You often praised him for being excellent, so it was inevitable that he would have other thoughts.

But Zhang Keqing’s family background was good, and she was attractive, so he didn’t want to lose this opportunity.

In this world, the strong devour the weak. Regardless of gender, who would want to struggle when given a chance to avoid it?