Chapter 290: Unexpected Detour to the Estate

Before heading to the Jiang family villa, they took a deliberate detour to Jiang Jingshi’s private beauty salon, which boasts one-on-one professional stylists.

Following Jiang Jingshi’s earlier arrangements, they gave Lin Zheng Ran’s hair a simple trim.

“Don’t make any major changes—just style it to match his usual look,” Jiang Jingshi reminded the shop’s top stylist, whom she always requested for herself.

The stylist was highly professional; she could tell this person had a special connection to Boss Jiang, which is why she handled it personally: “Don’t worry, Boss Jiang, I’ll make sure both you and this gentleman are thrilled with the results.”

Throughout the styling session, Jiang Jingshi and Pan Lin watched from the sidelines.

You had to hand it to the professional designers—they knew their stuff. After washing, blow-drying, and fussing for a while, the hair looked mostly the same with just some stray ends trimmed, but overall, it appeared much more refined.

Once it was done, Jiang Jingshi smiled, her cheeks flushing with color.

Pan Lin teased, “Lin looks handsome no matter what hairstyle he rocks.”

Back in the Rolls-Royce, Jiang Jingshi examined Lin Zheng Ran’s new haircut.

She smiled softly: “You look incredibly handsome, Zheng Ran.”

She gently touched his hair, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

The driver and secretary Pan Lin up front stared straight ahead, avoiding any glance at what was happening in the back.

Just from Jiang Jingshi’s tone, they could tell the two were getting quite cozy.

This affectionate side of Jiang Jingshi was a rare sight even for those who worked with her daily—something most people never witnessed.

After a while, the car pulled into a villa district.

But just before reaching their destination, Lin Zheng Ran spotted something unusual through the window in the distance.

It was a young woman with long white hair cascading over her shoulders, wearing a pure white dress as she walked along the far end of the intersection; her hair partially hid her profile.

Lin Zheng Ran could only catch a vague glimpse of her face—the girl’s eyes held a faint coldness and striking beauty.

In an instant, she vanished around the corner.

“Hmm?”

Jiang Jingshi was paying close attention to Lin Zheng Ran’s every move: “What is it, Zheng Ran? Why the hmm?”

Lin Zheng Ran laughed it off: “Nothing, just spotted an interesting passerby. I haven’t been to this area before—it’s all villas around here, right?”

“An interesting passerby? Well, this is a full villa district, though not every spot is occupied. The environment’s nice and peaceful.”

Lin Zheng Ran thought to himself that the environment was probably the main draw for a villa district. He glanced back at the intersection, wondering if that white-haired girl was a rare sight in the country—maybe she was of mixed heritage?

Finally, the car stopped at the entrance of the sisters’ villa.

The driver got out and opened the door, and Jiang Jingshi and Lin Zheng Ran stepped out one after the other.

Jiang Jingshi checked the time:

“At this hour, my sister should still be out. She’s probably at the Jiang Group handling work. Once we’re inside, make yourself at home, Zheng Ran—I’ll head to my bedroom to change out of this suit, then show you around.”

“So, Jiang Qian has officially taken over at the Jiang Group?”

“Yes, Father thinks highly of her. I’ve been handing over my responsibilities there bit by bit. In another six months or so, I won’t have much left to manage—Qian Qian’s work skills are top-notch.”

After saying that, Jiang Jingshi turned to Pan Lin: “You can head home early today and get some rest.”

Pan Lin bowed slightly: “Alright, Boss Jiang and Lin, see you tomorrow.”

This was Lin Zheng Ran’s first time at the villa where the Jiang sisters lived—it was a two-story house.

It had a huge yard with stone paths, a garage, and a garden; the spacious area made the two maids cleaning and the driver polishing a car stand out.

Lin Zheng Ran nodded toward the driver wiping the car: “Is that Jiang Qian’s car?”

Jiang Jingshi glanced over, surprised: “It is—does that mean my sister’s back? She’s home early today.”

No sooner had she spoken than the villa’s first-floor door swung open, and Jiang Qian stepped out looking striking—her black hair flowing over her shoulders, dressed in a dark long-sleeved top, a black pleated skirt, and small black shoes.

Today, she looked just like the ultimate female antagonist from those novels.

She exuded a cool nobility, exquisite beauty, a sharp presence, and an air of intensity.

Fang Meng, standing behind her, had her usual black side ponytail, her expression a mix of subtle aloofness and blankness.

Of course, that blankness was for others—for Lin Zheng Ran and Jiang Jingshi, she was different.

Fang Meng would smile around them, her expressions more lively.

As assistant, she bowed slightly and spoke first: “Welcome back, Eldest Miss. And Lin Zheng Ran, it’s been a while—you look sharp today.”

Lin Zheng Ran looked at the close friends.

Though it had been over ten days since they last met, they seemed unchanged since graduation, aside from their outfits: “Fang Meng, Jiang Qian, it’s been a while.”

Jiang Qian blushed slightly as she replied coolly: “It’s been a while, Lin Zheng Ran.”

He looks even more handsome today—his whole outfit suits him perfectly.

Then, the second miss turned her gaze back to her sister, her shyness quickly shifting to wariness; Jiang Jingshi blinked, curious:

“Qian Qian, why are you home so early? You usually stay at the company until evening.”

“That’s on normal days. Today, I finished my work early because I knew Lin Zheng Ran was coming over as a guest.”

“Really?” Jiang Jingshi admitted straightforwardly: “So Dad told you? I didn’t even call to let you know—I was trying to keep it a surprise.”

Jiang Qian gritted her teeth, knowing her sister had designs on Lin Zheng Ran: “If I didn’t get back soon, who knows what weird things you’d try with my classmate.”

“Hmm?” As Lin Zheng Ran’s girlfriend, Jiang Jingshi felt completely confident: “What do you mean by that, Qian Qian? What weird things could I possibly do to him?”

With that, Jiang Qian suddenly moved to her sister’s side, wedging herself between them: “You’d better not do anything at all, sister.”

She glanced back at Lin Zheng Ran: “I’ll show you around the house. Let your sister go rest in her room—don’t stick with her. Fang Meng and I will give you the tour.”

Jiang Qian grabbed Lin Zheng Ran’s arm and led him inside, determined to keep him away from her sister.

Jiang Jingshi watched this unfold and called out anxiously: “Hey! Qian Qian, you can talk without touching him!”

The four of them entered the villa, which was even more luxurious inside than the yard—with sofas, a TV, and walls lined with valuable paintings and art pieces.

Lin Zheng Ran couldn’t help but comment as soon as he walked in: “This is where you live? It’s impressive.”

Jiang Qian nodded: “This is the living room. The first floor has four rooms—I’ll show you all of them.”

Just then, someone came down the stairs—an elderly but sturdy figure.

“You must be Lin Zheng Ran. I’m the grandfather of Qian Qian and Jingshi.”