Chapter 243: Farewells and Reunions

How magical! Why is this happening? I really feel a change! As soon as I look at the materials, things I never thought of before come to me instantly!

After Lin Zheng Ran finished speaking, he saw her shocked expression and smiled, asking, “Don’t you feel like many things aren’t as effortful as before? It could save you a lot of energy.”

Jiang Jingshi stared at him in disbelief: “Yes, but what’s the principle behind this? Is it some kind of psychological suggestion?”

Lin Zheng Ran just smiled without answering.

“Who knows?”

This left Jiang Jingshi laughing helplessly. From the day she first met him, Jiang Jingshi couldn’t see through Lin Zheng Ran, and it seemed that hadn’t changed.

He always carried an air of mystery that made people curious and drawn to him, their hearts forever captivated.

Because of this interruption,

they ended up finishing lunch quite late.

By mid-afternoon, the sunlight wasn’t as intense, carrying a slight yellowish hue.

As Lin Zheng Ran and Jiang Jingshi said goodbye to Yuan Yuan and left the Cat Cafe, they chatted:

“Jingshi, I’ll be heading out tomorrow. I’ll probably be back in about ten days. Before I return to Ziteng City, I’ll call you to visit Uncle and Aunt.”

Jiang Jingshi lingered by his side, reluctant to let him go, but she nodded anyway.

“Okay. Be careful on your trip. Don’t rush on the way there or back—safety first. If you need anything, call me, and I’ll handle it right away.”

“Alright, though I don’t think it’ll be that dramatic.”

Outside the Cat Cafe, Pan Lin, who had been waiting, got out of the car and stood by for the next stop.

From Jiang Jingshi’s expression, she could tell that their date today was coming to an end.

Lin Zheng Ran pulled out his phone and checked the time—it was 3:40 PM.

Time to find those three guys.

“You’re not going back to the company today, right? Head home and rest early. You’ve just recovered from a serious illness, so don’t overdo it.”

Jiang Jingshi’s gentle gaze trembled slightly, her fingers clenched a bit as she whispered, “I won’t go to the company tonight. I’ve spent so much time with you today that I won’t have the heart to work when I get back.”

Her eyes were full of reluctance, as if she didn’t want to leave at all.

She wanted to stay with Lin Zheng Ran a little longer.

That emotion was so strong it faintly showed a touch of bittersweet sadness in her gentle gaze.

From a distance, Pan Lin noticed what was in Jiang Jingshi’s eyes, so she glanced at the Cat Cafe manager who was standing in the doorway and subtly waved her hand, signaling to go back inside and get on with things.

The manager caught Pan Lin’s hint, nodded respectfully, and returned to the Cat Cafe, closing the door to attend to her duties.

Pan Lin quietly got back into the car, not disturbing the two.

Now, only Lin Zheng Ran and Jiang Jingshi remained at the Cat Cafe entrance.

Jiang Jingshi moved closer to Lin Zheng Ran, hugged him, and pressed her face against his chest, listening to her beloved man’s heartbeat.

“I’ll wait for you to come find me in ten days. I’ll be waiting for your call.”

Lin Zheng Ran held Jiang Jingshi tightly: “Yeah, take good care of yourself during this time. I hope you’re fully recovered in ten days.”

Jiang Jingshi’s breath trembled as she slowly closed her eyes.

Tears glistened at the corners of her eyes.

“I’m already fine.”

Inside the Rolls Royce, Pan Lin sat in the passenger seat and peered through the window at the embracing couple.

She widened her eyes in surprise, mouth agape.

She thought, Has Boss Jiang finally gotten together with Lin completely? This seems to be the first time they’ve hugged so openly on the street.

Finally, Boss Jiang has the person she wanted most.

The driver stared blankly too, even though he drove Boss Jiang around every day; he’d never seen her so tender before.

In Lin Zheng Ran’s arms, Jiang Jingshi had become just an ordinary woman savoring her beloved’s embrace.

This moment felt more natural than the occasional gentleness she showed others.

They hugged for a few minutes.

Lin Zheng Ran whispered, “I should go?”

Jiang Jingshi felt time was too short and looked up at him: “Let me drive you.”

“No need. It’d be a hassle to go back and forth—that’s twenty minutes. Just head home straight. I’ll take a taxi.”

Jiang Jingshi frowned slightly, reached out her delicate hand to stroke Lin Zheng Ran’s cheek: “See you in ten days then.”

“Yeah.”

Lin Zheng Ran leaned in, and Jiang Jingshi immediately parted her red lips, eyes closed, as they shared a quick kiss.

Pan Lin and the driver didn’t even dare look; they turned away to face the road.

Lin Zheng Ran flagged down a taxi and glanced back at Jiang Jingshi standing there and Pan Lin getting out of the car.

“Jingshi, I’m off!”

Jiang Jingshi waved slowly: “Safe travels.”

The taxi sped away down the road into the distance.

Pan Lin and Jiang Jingshi watched the taxi disappear, the former noticing the mix of happiness and sadness on Jiang Jingshi’s face.

“Boss Jiang? Is Lin going to be away from the company for a while again?”

Jiang Jingshi stared straight ahead: “He’s always so busy. Every time I spend time with him, he has to leave soon.”

Ten days is too long.

Pan Lin smiled: “But he’ll come back. After all, you and Lin are together now.”

Hearing this, Jiang Jingshi brightened up and smiled at Pan Lin: “Don’t spread the word about me and him being together—it might cause him trouble. And keep it from the driver too.”

“You can count on me.”

“Let’s head home. I’ll rest well today and get back to work at the company tomorrow.”

Pan Lin opened the car door for Jiang Jingshi, who glanced one last time toward the end of the road before getting in.

Pan Lin closed the door and went to the passenger seat.

“Drive us back to the villa.”

The driver stepped on the gas, and the Rolls Royce drove off into the distance, vanishing into the city.

——

In a hotel room, Lily with her twin tails tied up had a blindfold over her eyes, facing the wall.

Han Wenwen and Heqing each covered their mouths and hid in corners of the room.

Lily called out: “Are you two hiding okay? I’m starting to look now!”

Han Wenwen and Heqing nodded.

Lily teased: “Say something! How can I start if you don’t?”

Heqing said sweetly: “All set.”

Han Wenwen was exasperated with Xiao Qingqing and quickly signaled her to switch spots, but Lily heard the noise and started feeling around.

The three girls were having a blast playing.

Until Han Wenwen casually glanced through the peephole and spotted someone approaching the door.

She grinned and opened the door right away.

Lily, still blindfolded, heard the door open and stopped, reminding: “No going out! That’s against the rules. How can we keep playing if you do?”

Lin Zheng Ran entered the room and saw Lily with the blindfold, puzzled: “What are you all up to?”

At the sound of his voice, Lily quickly removed the blindfold, and Heqing hurried over with a smile.

Everyone was thrilled.

Heqing beamed: “Lin Zheng Ran! You’re here!”

Lily exclaimed in surprise: “Zheng Ran?! Weren’t you coming in the evening? Why so early?”

Han Wenwen laughed nearby.

Over this time, the three had missed him a lot.

They all gathered around him.

Lin Zheng Ran smiled: “It’s already four o’clock, so it’s practically evening. But you three really never grow up—playing hide-and-seek at eighteen?”

Lily felt embarrassed and hid the blindfold behind her back, stammering: “What’s wrong with playing hide-and-seek? Who says only kids can do it?”

Heqing giggled: “Girls are like that. Lin Zheng Ran, have a seat. It’s been days since we saw you! Is your company stuff all sorted?”

“Yeah, it’s done. I came to discuss our trip tomorrow.”