Hearing Jiang Xing's instructions, Jiang Zhao sensed there must be more to it and asked suspiciously, "Did Jiang Youli say something to you?"
Jiang Xing didn’t elaborate much, only replying, "Go investigate first. If no one has ever tried to harm Jiang Youli, then forget it. But if someone has, you’ll understand naturally."
Jiang Zhao pouted. "Fine."
Big brother always loves keeping secrets!
At that moment, the ringtone of Jiang Xing’s phone on the desk sounded. He glanced at the caller ID.
"It’s Little He."
With that, he picked up the call. A soft, sweet voice came through from the other end.
"Big brother, remember how I mentioned I know a writer from the same platform as the famous author [Lili Yuanshang]? I’m talking to him now, and he’s agreed to try and arrange a meeting with [Lili Yuanshang] for me."
This was the only good news he’d heard in days.
Jiang Xing eagerly pressed, "Did your writer friend say when they can arrange the meeting?"
"Not yet..."
Jiang Xing urged, "Tell your friend that if he succeeds in setting up the meeting with [Lili Yuanshang], I’ll give him a reward of 500,000 yuan."
"Big brother, my friend isn’t doing this for money, but I’ll pass on your message. I won’t disturb your work any longer."
"Alright."
After hanging up, Jiang Xing let out a long sigh of relief.
Jiang Zhao, seeing his usually stern and serious brother now visibly relaxed, remarked, "Little He said she was meeting that writer who knows [Lili Yuanshang] today. You seem happy, so I’m guessing she has good news?"
Jiang Xing gave a slight nod. "Not exactly good news yet, but there’s hope. If I can meet [Lili Yuanshang] in advance, my chances of securing the copyright at the official meeting will be much higher."
Hearing this, a trace of relief appeared on Jiang Zhao’s face. "No matter what, Little He has been working hard to share our burdens so she can stay in the Jiang family. Whether Jiang Youli is more talented or how she threatens us, we can’t let Little He down."
Jiang Xing’s gaze was unwavering. "Don’t worry. Like you, I’ve always treated Little He as my own sister. That will never change."
...
After hanging up, Jiang Yonghe looked at the refined and handsome man before her, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear with a faint smile. "My brother said he’ll give you 500,000 yuan if you successfully arrange a meeting with [Lili Yuanshang]. This is very important to me, Zhou Yi. You can make it happen, right?"
Zhou Yi showed little reaction to the hefty reward, simply smiling. "You know I’m not helping you for money."
Jiang Yonghe stirred her coffee, understanding his implication but avoiding a direct response. Instead, she smiled. "Thank you, Zhou Yi. Will three days be enough?"
Zhou Yi might be good-looking, but he was just a popular online novelist—nowhere near the level of Qi Huan, the prodigal son of a wealthy family.
She had already given up on Qi Huan. How could she possibly settle for Zhou Yi?
Zhou Yi didn’t press her for an answer, merely nodding gracefully. "No problem. If things go smoothly, I might even have an answer for you tonight."
Jiang Yonghe blinked at him playfully. "Thank you, Zhou Yi. I’ll be waiting for your good news."
She lifted her cup and took a delicate sip of coffee.
If she could help Jiang Xing secure the copyright for [Lili Yuanshang]’s final novel and boost Xingguang Entertainment’s success, earning Jiang Xing recognition from the Jiang family patriarch, wouldn’t he dote on her endlessly?
So what if she lost to Jiang Youli in a talent show? Compared to the value she brought to the family’s business, it was nothing!
...
"Stay and have lunch with me?" After letting Qi Yue and Qi Yu leave Shuixie Huating, Qi Huan asked Jiang Youli.
Jiang Youli nodded. "Of course, but when you say here..."
She glanced around the room. "It’s just the three of us. Are you cooking, or am I? Or maybe Cheng Jing?"
Cheng Jing quickly waved his hands. "I only know how to fight and work. I can’t cook."
"Don’t worry, I won’t make you lift a finger." Qi Huan then called and arranged for the family’s five-star chef to come prepare the meal.
Jiang Youli couldn’t help but marvel. "Xiao Huanhuan, you really know how to live!"
Indeed, the Qi family’s private chef was exceptional. Jiang Youli devoured the meal with gusto.
After eating her fill, she leaned back on the sofa, rubbing her stomach contentedly. "If I ate like this every day, I’d gain twenty pounds for sure."
Qi Huan eyed her slender arms and legs. "It’s fine. You’ve got plenty of room to grow."
Jiang Youli sat up straight and looked at him. "How do you resist eating more?"
Qi Huan answered honestly, "My legs already make it hard to exercise. If I don’t control my diet and maintain my figure, what if you dislike me after we get married?"
Jiang Youli’s eyes sparkled with mischief. "Oh? So you’re saying your body is top-tier right now?"
Qi Huan didn’t feign modesty. "I think it should barely meet your standards."
Jiang Youli raised a brow. "I don’t believe it. Seeing is believing."
Cheng Jing, still in the room: "Should I leave?"
Qi Huan nodded with a gentle smile. "You may go."
Cheng Jing: "..."
How could the young master say something so cold in such a warm tone?
No wonder men became shameless once they fell in love!
Even someone as composed as the young master was no exception!
With that, Cheng Jing silently exited the room to wait outside.
Jiang Youli suddenly realized—she’d been so focused on rolling up Qi Huan’s pant legs these past few days that she’d never thought to lift his shirt!
What a missed opportunity!
Rubbing her hands together, Jiang Youli stood up from the sofa. "Then I won’t hold back, Xiao Huanhuan~"
Even she had to admit her voice sounded a little... pervy right now!
Oh well!
With a handsome man in front of her, who cared about dignity?
Qi Huan cooperatively spread his arms. "Go ahead."
Jiang Youli stepped closer, bending down as her nimble fingers began undoing the buttons of his white dress shirt one by one.
The scene looked like it was heading straight into R-rated territory.
But honestly, Jiang Youli’s intentions were pure—she just wanted to admire Qi Huan’s physique.
As each button came undone, Qi Huan’s well-defined chest and abs were gradually revealed.
Jiang Youli’s bright, star-like eyes curved with mischief. "Not bad, really not bad! I’m in for a treat in the future!"
Qi Huan couldn’t help but laugh. "Glad I didn’t disappoint you, Xiao Li’er."
Once she’d had her fill, Jiang Youli rebuttoned his shirt. Originally, the top two buttons had been undone, but she fastened them all the way up this time.
"Better keep it sealed tight. No sharing with other women."
After the playful teasing, Jiang Youli plopped back onto the sofa, looking thoroughly satisfied—until her phone rang.
She glanced at the caller ID—it was Zhou Yi, the son of Uncle Zhou, their next-door neighbor in Jianshan Village.
Instead of inheriting Uncle Zhou’s massive family fortune in the capital, he’d run off to write web novels! Just as impulsive as Uncle Zhou himself, who had once abruptly decided to settle down in Jianshan Village.
Come to think of it, it was Zhou Yi who had first introduced her to novel writing. But since he mostly stayed in the capital, their interactions had been few and far between. She couldn’t help but wonder why he was calling her out of the blue today.
Jiang Youli answered the phone, and a clear, warm voice greeted her: “Youli, it’s me, Zhou Yi. There’s something I’d like to ask of you.”
