Seeing the proud expressions on Xiao Bao and Bao Mei’s faces, Jiang Lin paused and said, “Xiao Bao, Bao Mei, what you’re doing is against the rules and could get Dad into trouble.”

Although at this time the distinction between public and private use of resources wasn’t as strict, many people in the compound used government vehicles for personal purposes, and even low-level staff sometimes took office supplies home for their children.

However, Cheng Rushan was very careful.

He never used public resources for private use, nor did he take home even a single piece of paper or a pen.

He often reminded his subordinates that as public servants, their behavior reflected on the government’s image.

To make things easier for his family, he asked Team Leader Cen and Fang Chengguang to help him buy a second-hand car.

Xiao Bao said, “Mom, it really isn’t Dad’s. We’re very careful and have never taken anything that belongs to Dad.”

The children were all very mindful.

When they played in Cheng Rushan’s office, they never took anything with them.

Since they earned their own money, they could buy whatever they wanted and had no need to covet others’ things.

However, seeing their parents’ serious expressions, Xiao Bao immediately returned the warning light.

Wen Sheng laughed, “It looks like something we use for performances in our theater.”

Bao Sheng immediately nodded and pursed her little lips, hoping her father wouldn’t pursue the matter further.

Cheng Rushan could tell at a glance that it wasn’t something from a government office but could only be provided by Fang Chengguang and his team.

He said, “Even if it’s not Mom and Dad’s, if it’s not something you earned yourself, using it inappropriately is still a violation of the rules.”

Baosheng and Xiao Bao quickly promised they wouldn’t make the same mistake again.

Bao Sheng hugged Cheng Rushan’s arm with a look of remorse and said softly, “Dad, I’ll return it to Uncle Xiaogguang and won’t take his things again.”

Cheng Rushan, seeing his daughter’s understanding demeanor, smiled and held her close. “Not only should you not ask others for things, but when you’re older and someone gives you something, you still shouldn’t take it.”

Xiao Bao said, “Mom said that if others give us something, we should give them something even bigger from Dad. We understand, and we definitely won’t take things.”

When they were in the military district, Jiang Lin taught Da Bao and Xiao Bao about the principles of giving and receiving.

Gifts from close family members or familiar people were fine, but they should never accept gifts from people they don’t know well.

Even if a classmate gives you a candy, you should reciprocate with something.

Never take things for free and don’t expect anything in return when giving gifts; that’s how to make friends.

Some people, in order to curry favor with Dad, would try to use children and the elderly to their advantage because Dad ignored them.

Grandpa and Grandma were very aware of these tactics and wouldn’t fall for them, but young children might be exploited if they weren’t careful.

So, Jiang Lin regularly reminded her two sons.

Da Bao and Xiao Bao had always behaved well and had never been taken advantage of.

Taking this opportunity, let’s also teach Baomei a lesson.

Although she’s smart, she’s still too young and doesn’t naturally understand social manners.

She needs gradual guidance from adults.

Baosheng nodded and said, “Dad, I remember. That time an auntie wanted to invite me for chocolate, but I didn’t agree.”

Jiang Lin kissed her and said, “Baomei is very good, understanding her mistakes. She won’t make this kind of error again.”

As they turned into the provincial university area, they saw many eye-catching big signs by the roadside, featuring hand-drawn promotional posters: “Ten Years of Hard Work, Beautiful Artist Jiang Ling’s Heartfelt Presentation.” There was also a large photo of Jiang Ling, looking like an advertisement star.

Jiang Lin didn’t pay much attention and told Da Bao to drive straight to the auditorium.

However, Da Bao suddenly stopped the car, jumped out, and ran to the promotional posters.

Jiang Lin asked, “Da Bao, what are you doing?”

Da Bao picked up a slightly tilted poster from the ground.

It was a promotional flyer for Jiang Ling’s speech, with no photo, just the time, place, and topic of the lecture.

The promotional text was written by Jiang Ling’s fans and was very enthusiastic.

Da Bao felt that he must attend this speech about the development of his city.

It’s related to his daily life and he wanted to know how the living environment would change in the next five, ten, or even thirty years.

It reminded him to cherish the present while looking forward to the future and to appreciate every bit of land, every blade of grass, and every tree.

He placed the poster back on the roadside and used some stones to hold it down so it wouldn’t be blown over by the wind.

Xiao Bao helped with this too.

They drove further in, and Jiang Ling’s portraits were everywhere by the roadside.

Her art exhibition was held in a side hall next to the auditorium where Jiang Lin’s speech was.

Su Xingyun, Zhang Shaopeng, and others were already there, and they greeted them as soon as they arrived.

Many junior students came to meet them, helping to greet Wen Sheng and Da Bao.

Jiang Min, Jiang Xinglei, and others also brought classmates or colleagues and urged everyone to enter and find seats.

Cheng Rushan came to listen to Jiang Lin’s speech.

After removing his uniform, he blended in with the crowd, chatting modestly with a few familiar teachers and students.

His outstanding appearance quickly drew a crowd of students around him.

Jiang Ling, busy hosting visitors to her art exhibition, knew exactly why people came, especially those with some status—they were there to network, and the art exhibition served as both a platform for fame and a cover for business deals.

Feeling a bit tired, she went outside for some fresh air and happened to see Cheng Rushan surrounded by a crowd.

He was so tall that he stood out even in a crowd.

In the original path of her life, Jiang Ling was entangled with Cheng Rushan and Lu Hang, both men wanting her.

But now, this handsome and exceptional man seems like a stranger to her.

It’s all Jiang Lin’s fault for taking everything that was hers!

Since the last time, Jiang Ling has been very obedient.

Not only did she develop feelings for Bian Haitao, but she also gained Meng Yiyi’s trust.

Meng Yiyi even shared a big secret with her: the future events she predicted have all come true.

Jiang Ling is convinced and treats Meng Yiyi as her life mentor.

Meng Yiyi also told her that her life path had changed.

If it weren’t for Bian Haitao and Meng Yiyi saving her, she would have died at Cheng Rushan’s hands.

Jiang Ling looks at Cheng Rushan, feeling mixed emotions.

She doesn’t know if it’s better to have been entangled with him until death or if it’s better to be a beautiful painter without him in her life.

She secretly hopes that if Cheng Rushan could see her, he would realize she is better than Jiang Lin…

“Hey, what are you daydreaming about in broad daylight?” Lu Hang suddenly appears in front of her.

Following her gaze, he sees Cheng Rushan in the crowd, dazzling like sunshine, and immediately mocks her.

Jiang Ling thinks Lu Hang is acting this way because of jealousy.

In the original path of her life, Lu Hang was infatuated with her and never ended up with Guo Yanqiu.

Now, he probably settled for Guo Yanqiu because he couldn’t get her.

She feels superior, believing she holds all the secrets and stands at the emotional high ground.

Even though Lu Hang and Guo Yanqiu seem close, she thinks it’s all an act!

“Lu Hang, jealousy will drive you mad,” she scoffs coldly and turns away to greet the students visiting her art exhibition.

This time, she’s holding her art exhibition at the provincial university, claiming she wants to give back to her alma mater.

So, besides some invited guests, most of the visitors are provincial university students and art school teachers.

Lu Hang says, “Jealous of you? You’re missing a few things.”

Seeing Jiang Ling daydreaming about Cheng Rushan, he wonders if she’s lost her mind.

The way she looks at Cheng Rushan could devour him!

He goes to find Guo Yanqiu, who is chatting with Wen Sheng and others, and quietly says, “I have a feeling Jiang Ling has ulterior motives towards Cheng Rushan.”

Guo Yanqiu laughs and says, “Don’t waste your energy on this. Cheng Rushan is young and successful; many people have ill intentions towards him. He can’t guard against everyone, so it’s better for him to stay vigilant.”

Her partner is more worried about Cheng Rushan being taken advantage of by another woman than Jiang Lin. Guo Yanqiu doesn’t know what to say.

“Things are as they are, but Cheng Rushan is so busy. There’s always a chance he might slip up…”

“Why don’t you try to transfer your work to the government office? Maybe get assigned under Director Cheng, so you’ll have full protection?”

Lu Hang responded, “Me? I’m just a driver. They might not even consider me.”

Guo Yanqiu laughed and patted his shoulder, “Don’t worry. If you thought of it, Director Cheng has already considered it. The speech is about to start; let’s go inside.”

Lu Hang quickly guided Wen Sheng, Da Bao, and the others into the venue.

They had originally thought that only a few hundred people would come, as Jiang Lin mentioned it was mainly for the architecture faculty and students.

To their surprise, there were a lot more people than expected!

The seats in the front of the auditorium were all taken, so the family members had to sit further back.

They realized their mistake; they should have arrived earlier.

Soon, Su Xingyun and classmates came to find them and offered seats in the back row behind the school leaders.

The podium was already set up, adorned with colorful flower baskets.

These were from the school and the agriculture faculty who came to listen to the speech.

When the time came, Jiang Lin appeared on stage as scheduled.

She bowed to the audience to express her thanks.

She wore a light green long dress that shimmered under the lights, highlighting her fair skin and black hair.

“Thank you, leaders, for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend this somewhat unpolished speech. Thank you, teachers and students, for your support.” She smiled and continued, “I thought only the architecture students would come to support me and avoid making my senior look bad. I didn’t expect so many people to show up. If I had known, I wouldn’t have needed to invite family and friends just to fill the seats.”

“Ha ha, senior, you’re so cheeky!” architecture students started joking.

“Let’s have our drama talent, Da Bao, Xiao Bao, and Baomei come on stage for a bit!”

“I heard even the senior’s husband is here!”

The opening remarks made the atmosphere lively and relaxed.

Jiang Lin smiled and signaled everyone to calm down. “I’ve studied at our provincial university for seven years, and finally have this opportunity to make an appearance. I can’t let the kids steal the show. Especially Baomei, who insisted on having playgrounds built for children under eight during my research. If she comes up, who knows what suggestions she might have for the kids?”

“Ha ha.”

“Senior, what does ‘saving face’ mean?”

Jiang Lin explained, “Oh, that’s a term from Xiao Bao. Whenever he sees someone struggling to keep a conversation going, he helps to liven things up, saying he’s saving their dignity. If no one had come today, my dignity would have been greatly diminished. So, thank you all for saving my face.”

……

“One day, Da Bao saw an old man fall off his bicycle on a flat road. He went to help and found it strange because it was a smooth, newly paved cement road. He noticed a 3 to 6 cm difference in height between the side road and the main road. Although the road seemed flat, it had hidden dangers that people could easily miss.”

……

“For us in architectural design and engineering, the primary goal is not to create buildings that will be remembered for eternity but to be user-friendly and service-oriented. Even the Forbidden City wasn’t built to last forever. Moreover, as society progresses and the construction industry evolves, what we build today might be dismantled tomorrow. If a design doesn’t meet human needs, it’s a waste of resources and a failure.”