Chapter 156: Childhood Flavors

Savoring the delicious yet piping hot noodles in tiny slurps.

Mom finally hurried out of the residential area, flustered: “Jingshi! I’m so late! Were you waiting anxiously? I got caught up in business talks and completely forgot about the afternoon.”

Jiang Jingshi’s mom spotted her daughter eating instant noodles.

Slightly surprised: “Did you buy that yourself?”

Jiang Jingshi chewed her noodles and swallowed, remembering Lin Zheng Ran’s earlier advice: “Yeah, Mom, are you done with work? I was hungry, so I used the money from the car drawer to buy it.”

Jiang Jingshi’s mom stroked her daughter’s head and praised: “Jingshi, you’re so clever. That makes me hungry too. I’ll grab a pack and we can sit in the car and eat together.”

“Okay.”

With that, she went to the supermarket, bought a pack of instant noodles, got some hot water, and the mother-daughter pair settled into the car to eat.

As they ate, Jiang Jingshi’s mom added: “I just closed a big deal. Your dad will be thrilled tonight. Things might get even better for our family soon—we could be wealthier than ever!”

Little Jiang Jingshi smiled gently.

But while eating, she glanced out the window toward where Lin Zheng Ran had disappeared, blinking her budding peach-blossom eyes.

That blink spanned over a decade. Though the childhood event lingered in her mind, Jiang Jingshi never dwelled on it—who that boy was or what he became as an adult.

She only remembered it as a fun little episode that made her love instant noodles.

Until a few months ago, fate led her to learn that a boy in her sister’s class was far more talented than her sister.

Then, by chance, she bumped into Lin Zheng Ran at the supermarket over a pack of instant noodles.

After chatting with him in the car.

That night, Jiang Jingshi dreamed of Lin Zheng Ran and unexpectedly recalled the boy from her childhood.

Their faces vaguely merged in the dream.

Startling her awake the next morning.

Right after waking, she had her secretary Pan Lin investigate where Lin Zheng Ran went to kindergarten and where he lived.

To check if it was really true.

To her surprise, it turned out that the gruff boy from back then was indeed her sister’s desk mate, Lin Zheng Ran!

So when she met Lin Zheng Ran again at the taekwondo competition, and then at the music event, and learned that her arranged marriage was also with him.

Jiang Jingshi was at home, watching over her sister and grandfather.

That’s why she held his personal file and remarked: “He was mine from the start. It was just a twist of fate that made him my sister’s arranged match. Now it’s time to set things right.”

“Boss Jiang? Boss Jiang! Your noodles are ready!”

At the entrance of Jiang Group, lost in thought, Jiang Jingshi snapped back to attention at Pan Lin’s reminder, her eyes sharpening: “What is it?”

Pan Lin glanced at the noodles beside her, now overly softened: “Your noodles have been steeping for seven or eight minutes. Any longer and they’ll be uneatable.”

Jiang Jingshi looked at the noodles and quickly picked them up, lifting the lid.

She stirred them with a fork—still okay.

Seeing Jiang Jingshi zoning out, Pan Lin exchanged a look with the driver, an old hand who quietly stepped out to give them privacy.

Once he was gone, Pan Lin said to Jiang Jingshi: “Boss Jiang, why not head home and rest? You seem a bit tired today.”

Jiang Jingshi took a bite of noodles—the taste hadn’t changed much over the years.

“I rested a bit at Zheng Ran’s office earlier, so I’m much better now. I’ll eat this and then head back to Zheng Shi Music to see how Zheng Ran runs his meetings.”

Pan Lin smiled helplessly, knowing Jiang Jingshi just wanted another glimpse of Lin Zheng Ran:

“Alright, but you’ve been pushing yourself harder lately than ever. I’m worried about your health. Didn’t Lin Zheng Ran say you should rest more?”

Bringing up Lin Zheng Ran worked. Jiang Jingshi replied: “I’m fine, but you’re right. I won’t stay at the office tonight—I’ll go home and rest.”

“Okay.”

Jiang Jingshi ate a few more bites and said: “Pan Lin.”

“Yes, Boss Jiang?”

“What do you think…” She stared at the noodles and asked out of the blue: “Is it a big deal if a girl is three years older than a guy?”

Pan Lin laughed: “Not at all. There’s that old saying—women three years older bring good fortune. It’s totally normal for a guy to date someone older. In fact, I’m a year older than my husband, and he always jokes he’d prefer three years.”

“People actually say that?”

“Really, Boss Jiang, I’m not kidding. And you’re still so young anyway.”

Jiang Jingshi ate a few more bites: “Do you believe in fate?”

Pan Lin chuckled: “Honestly, I haven’t experienced it myself, but I do believe it exists. And from what I see, you and Lin Zheng Ran definitely have that connection.”

Jiang Jingshi looked up at her.

The stare made Pan Lin sweat a little.

Pan Lin added: “It’s true. After all those years, what a coincidence. Even if Lin Zheng Ran hasn’t remembered yet, fate’s there and it won’t break.”

Jiang Jingshi didn’t respond but smiled gently: “It’s normal he forgot. I only remembered recently myself. By the way, you’ve been working overtime with me lately, right?”

“Uh, yeah.”

Jiang Jingshi: “With the holidays coming, I’ll add an extra month’s salary to your year-end bonus—as a special perk.” She set down the noodle cup: “Let’s head back to Zheng Shi Music.”

Pan Lin beamed: “Thank you, Boss Jiang.”

She noticed Jiang Jingshi gazing out the window and spotted her earrings.

Pan Lin vaguely realized why Jiang Jingshi wanted to return—it was those earrings, freshly changed that morning.

And she’d been wearing that style lately.

If Pan Lin guessed right, they were probably picked by Lin Zheng Ran.

The driver got back in, and the car headed back to Zheng Shi Music.

Right then, in the lobby of Zheng Shi Music.

That afternoon, Lin Zheng Ran first shared some practical knowledge with everyone.

At first, people were skeptical of this young Lin Zheng Ran, since he was so new to the music scene and had no real reputation.

But as he spoke, opinions shifted quickly from doubt to admiration within minutes.

Much of what he said was familiar, as music knowledge doesn’t vary wildly.

Yet somehow, the way Lin Zheng Ran explained things.

Made it click for everyone, helping them grasp concepts and fix their singing issues easily.

Faces went from blank to shocked, with everyone thinking bosses like him must have real talent.

After the main talk, Lin Zheng Ran gave quick one-on-one advice, pointing out each person’s flaws.

Buoyed by his earlier presentation, everyone lined up eagerly for guidance.

As expected, his tips were all useful, no filler.

The results were immediate—a song they’d struggled with suddenly flowed after his simple pointers.

He helped them master the techniques right away.

The singers couldn’t help but respect this young boss for his skills.

Even Wang Jie, standing nearby, often applauded in surprise—she’d known Lin Zheng Ran was capable early on.

After all, Lily was his creation.

Though he’d never formally taught before, so his full ability was unknown. Now, with these quick lessons,

Wang Jie confirmed he was a rare genius.

No wonder he was with Jiang Jingshi of Jiang Group—ordinary people couldn’t pull that off.

Soon, the Rolls Royce pulled up outside, and Jiang Jingshi and Pan Lin stepped into the lobby.