Jiang Mocheng infiltrated the Shen residence, largely out of impulsiveness.

He had heard and seen the deceit and trickery in the business world and thought Shen Jin was different.

He had respected Shen Jin as a worthy opponent, but was taken aback by Shen Jin’s unexpected move, which inevitably caused him great agitation.

After everything that had happened over time, he now felt much calmer when thinking about it.

“Wait a bit longer,” Jiang Mocheng said thoughtfully, “I still have some unfinished business.”

Lin Fei, puzzled, asked, “What business?”

Jiang Mocheng glanced at him uncomfortably. The two had grown up together and were close friends who shared almost everything. However, now he found it difficult to bring up Bai Ying to Lin Fei, his hand involuntarily tightening on his knee.

If someone had told him a month ago that he would sneak into the Shen residence, not accomplish anything substantial, and instead start a romance with one of Shen Jin’s employees, he would have told that person to get lost. For the first time in his life, he experienced what embarrassment felt like.

He looked down, still composed, and replied, “I’ll tell you about it later.”

Once he brought her out of the Shen residence, he would certainly introduce her to his family and friends, but not just yet.

Lin Fei looked at him, perplexed, but knowing his character, he didn’t press further.

“I know you have your plans, but remember what I told you earlier. Don’t forget how Shen Jin made his fortune. He’s a tough character.”

Why is Shen Jin so cautious? Ultimately, his rise to wealth wasn’t entirely clean. What kind of figure is he in this city? Just a poor boy who grew up wild in the alleys a decade ago.

For every high-rise built, an old building must fall. How many people’s businesses did he take over, and how many eyes did he blind? Which of the people who do big business are truly kind?

“I know,” Jiang Mocheng said gravely.

He didn’t want to discuss it further and looked at his watch. “Take me to the nearest department store; I’m in a hurry.”

The driver started the engine and drove smoothly towards the department store. When Jiang Mocheng got out of the car, he coughed lightly, “I have another matter to attend to; you can go back without waiting for me.”

Lin Fei watched him leave with a suspicious look, feeling more and more that something was off. From the moment he got into the car until now, every move and word from Jiang Mocheng seemed strange.

Lin Fei’s first instinct was to follow him and see what he was up to. Unfortunately, his leg was still not healed which made it difficult to even get out of the car, let alone follow someone.

“Old Zhang, go down,” Lin Fei told the driver, “and see what he’s doing here.”

The driver looked at him through the rearview mirror with surprise and chuckled dryly, “Me? Mr. Lin, you must be joking.”

A driver following his boss? It’s not like he wanted to quit his job.

Jiang Mocheng went straight to the women’s clothing section after arriving at the department store. Knowing her size, he easily bought two beautiful and warm coats.

Hw still wanted to buy more for her but carrying too much would attract attention, so he refrained.

As he was about to take the escalator to leave, he spotted a mobile phone store and, on a whim, stepped inside. The mobile phones released in the past two years had replaced the bulky old models and were quite compact and easy to carry in a pocket.

A clerk approached him enthusiastically.

“What type of phone would you like? Look, this is the flip model from two years ago, our bestseller. And this is the latest model released this year, the thinnest phone on the market, very light in hand.”

“Take a look.”

The clerk continued, “Besides calls and texts, it also has built-in games.”

Jiang Mocheng wasn’t particularly interested in such products, but today he weighed each phone in his hand with patience and seriousness as if signing an important contract. He finally bought the latest model, frowning slightly. Everything else was fine, but the appearance wasn’t very appealing, and he wondered if she would like it.

–

When Bai Ying left at noon, she had specifically instructed Xiao Lan to ask the butler to arrange two experienced bodyguards for her, thus cutting off any chance of meeting Jiang Mocheng.

In fact, as a newcomer like him, the butler wouldn’t be too comfortable letting him accompany her outside.

She wrapped herself up tightly, wearing a hat and scarf. If she weren’t worried about arousing suspicion, she would have liked to wear sunglasses to completely hide her face.

Fortunately, during the daytime working hours, the staff at the Shen residence had clear responsibilities. She didn’t see Jiang Mocheng’s shadow from the time she left the building to when she got into the car.

This outing was arranged with a real estate agent, and they met at a coffee shop.

To ensure privacy for their conversation, Bai Ying had specifically booked a private room, and even the bodyguards didn’t follow her in.

The agent sitting across from her was a short-haired woman a few years older than her, which was a request Bai Ying had made when contacting the agency. She wanted a woman to provide her with full service.

The main reason was to avoid arousing Shen Jin’s suspicions. If she met frequently with men, he would certainly know. It was different with someone of the same sex. She had quite a few friends, and before Shen Jin went abroad, she would meet up with classmates and friends every now and then.

Bai Ying was even more satisfied with her decision when she saw how thoroughly the agent Miss Liu had prepared the materials. 

She flipped through them page by page, not sparing any praise, “You are really attentive!”

Liu Wei felt a bit embarrassed and took a sip of her coffee, “Of course, of course, Miss Bai, if there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask me.”

Buying a house is, of course, a matter for professionals. Bai Ying didn’t study this field in university, but although she didn’t understand it, she was bold.

She quickly made a decision, “Miss Liu, here’s the thing, I’m planning to buy a few houses, one for my husband and me, one for my in-laws, and one for my parents. Please keep an eye out for me.”

“Three, three sets?”

Liu Wei didn’t know whether she was excited or scared, but she almost spit out the coffee that was still in her throat and coughed in a loss of composure.

“Right.”

Bai Ying handed her a tissue, “So, I’ll trouble you with this matter.”

Liu Wei was just a real estate agent and didn’t know much insider information. Out of conscience, she hesitated to remind, “Miss Bai, this area is quite remote. I’ve taken customers to see houses there before, and there’s a lot of wasteland… If the elderly are also going to live there, I still suggest you buy in a mature neighborhood where it’s convenient to shop, see doctors, and go to school. There are many such houses.”

Bai Ying was willing to take this gamble. After all, her life had always been a “gamble.”

She shook her head with a smile, her tone firm, “Thank you, but I still want to buy here.”

Liu Wei wanted to say more but stopped herself when she saw Bai Ying’s determined attitude. She nodded solemnly, “Okay, rest assured, I will seriously help you handle this matter.”

Bai Ying smiled and raised her coffee cup, gently clinking it against Liu Wei’s, producing a crisp sound, “Then I’ll leave it to you.”

–

When Bai Ying returned to the Shen residence, it was already close to evening, just in time to encounter two unfamiliar people leaving.

She was a bit puzzled, “Who were they?”

The butler was about to put away the design drawings but spread them out again upon hearing her, “They were two chief designers specially hired by the sir before, both returned from overseas. The sir is preparing to renovate the residence.”

Bai Ying knew about this, and even Shen Jin had asked for her opinion.

At that time, she naturally declined. She wasn’t truly his girlfriend yet, so how could she interfere with the house’s design?

She didn’t even want to give a reason for refusing that sounded too harsh, and playfully said she didn’t love to manage such things, claiming it would give her a headache. He just rolled up the preliminary design and tapped her forehead lightly, laughing at her laziness.

“I know you don’t like to worry about these trivial matters.”

The butler said cheerfully, “Just in time, would you like to take a look?”

Bai Ying hadn’t wanted to interfere before, and now she was even less inclined. She was about to decline again when her gaze inadvertently fell on the design drawing. It wasn’t just simple lines; it was rich in color, like a painting, and instantly caught her eye.

The butler, mistaking her interest, quickly explained in detail, “The sir said he wants to add a greenhouse, and in the future, it will be filled with flowers you like.”

“The study will also be rebuilt near the main building. Before, you had to go through the corridor pavilion and circle around the artificial lake. There are mosquitoes in the summer, and it’s cold by the lake in winter.”

The more Bai Ying listened, the more alarmed she became, interrupting the butler, “Has Shen Jin seen this design?”

The butler looked at her strangely, “The sir had already seen it before going abroad and made some suggestions for modifications.”

He had already seen it before going abroad…

Bai Ying’s eyes lowered, and she went upstairs to her room, heavy-hearted.

Although she had anticipated this, she was still shocked when faced with the reality. Shen Jin was more complex than she had imagined, perhaps even he didn’t realize that he was the kind of person who said he would let her go but held on to her even tighter…

It was truly bothersome.

Jiang Mo Cheng was the first to notice her distraction. For him, this was also a novel experience, but even after just a day apart, he felt the night was too late.

She hadn’t even stepped onto the stairs before he embraced her and easily brought her into the study, then he bent down and kissed her deeply.

Bai Ying wasn’t short, but she only reached his broad shoulders, and every kiss was a struggle for her, barely able to stand steady. He wrapped his arms around her waist, bowed his head, and kissed her more heavily and forcefully—gentleness did not suit him, as if he was desperately seeking oxygen from her mouth.She was enveloped tightly by his breath.

In the past, she would respond with enthusiasm and shyness, but today she was out of sorts. Jiang Mo Cheng slowly let her go, but his palm still supported her head.

He looked down and asked in a low voice, “What’s wrong, are you unhappy?”