Chapter 354: Whispers of Concern

In the distance, after her daughter got out of the car, Jiang’s Aunt pulled Lily aside.

She wiped her red-rimmed eyes with the back of her hand.

“Mom, what’s going on? Tell me!” the anxious Lily kept asking, even helping wipe away Mom’s tears. “You’re driving me crazy with worry!”

Jiang’s Aunt shook her head. “I’m fine, but I need to ask you something important. You have to tell me the truth—no lies, okay?” Her tone turned serious.

Lily nodded vigorously. “Okay, I’ll tell you anything you want to know!”

Jiang’s Aunt swallowed hard and asked shakily, “Did you ask that Lin executive to help with our family’s trouble? How else would he know about it?”

“Lin executive?” Lily didn’t bother questioning why Mom called Lin Zheng Ran that; she quickly explained, “He was right there when I got the call and heard everything, so he came with me.”

“Right there? Were you two together today?!”

“Yeah, we were. Is that a problem?”

“What were you doing together?!”

“I was practicing singing, and he was listening nearby, giving me tips now and then.”

“In your room?”

“Yeah, in my bedroom.”

Jiang’s Aunt’s eyes trembled at the thought—that her daughter had really been spending time alone with that Lin executive.

“Why bring this up now? Of course I like Zheng Ran—he’s my boyfriend.” Lily grew even more confused.

Jiang’s Aunt’s voice shook. “So, what’s going on between you and that Lin executive? Have you just had dinner together, or… has it gone further?”

“Huh?” Lily’s face flushed red. She glanced around, relieved no one was paying attention. “Mom! What are you saying? There are people everywhere!”

But Jiang’s Aunt was dead serious, gripping her daughter’s arm tightly. “Tell me the truth! How far has it gone? Don’t lie to me! Say it!”

Lily hung her head, clenching her fists in embarrassment. “We’ve… we’ve slept together. But what does that have to do with today?”

Jiang’s Aunt felt like she’d been struck by lightning.

Her daughter had already been intimate with that big boss.

Just as her legs started to give way, her husband rushed over. “Honey, honey! It’s all a misunderstanding!”

Jiang’s Aunt turned to him, covering her mouth in despair. “Misunderstanding what? There’s no mistake—she’s already slept with that Lin executive!”

Jiang’s Uncle blushed at the news but quickly explained, “Nonsense! We got it all wrong. That Lin executive is Zheng Ran! Our daughter didn’t do anything wrong!”

Jiang’s Aunt was still crying. “What do you mean? Wait… what did you just say?” She looked up.

Feeling awkward, Jiang’s Uncle repeated, “I said, Lin executive is Lin Zheng Ran—Zheng Ran himself, not someone else!”

“Zheng Ran? You’re saying Lin executive is Zheng Ran? That’s impossible!” Jiang’s Aunt was stunned.

“I didn’t think so at first either, but”—Jiang’s Uncle pointed to Pan Lin talking with Lin Zheng Ran in the distance—”didn’t you see that Pan executive personally welcoming him? Turns out Zheng Ran is the boss of Zheng Shi Company!”

He glanced at his daughter and added, “And you two have slept together? When did that happen?”

Lily’s face turned bright red. “Mom, Dad, why are we even talking about this? We’re here to fix the factory mess! And why were you both crying? Mom, why the questions?”

Jiang’s Uncle and Jiang’s Aunt exchanged looks, the atmosphere suddenly awkward.

Half a minute later.

After hearing the full story, Lily looked at them with utter disdain, completely unfazed.

The couple felt deeply guilty.

Lily said numbly:

“Mom, Dad, what kind of wild ideas are you two cooking up? Why would I get involved in something shady? And this talk of me eating with some Lin executive—do you really think I’d go for anyone else? I’m loyal, you know. Have you ever seen me talk to other guys besides Zheng Ran?”

Jiang’s Uncle chuckled awkwardly. “Well, I just assumed big company bosses are always middle-aged men in their forties or fifties. Who’d guess it was Zheng Ran? Plus, that Pan executive mentioned you’re close to the Lin executive and spend time together, so I jumped to conclusions.”

“Dad, couldn’t you have just asked Pan Jie directly? She was right there.”

“Sorry, Lily…”

Lily sighed:

“The entertainment world can be messy, and yeah, lots of girls at our music company want to get close to Zheng Ran that way. But ever since I decided to pursue music, he’s been protecting me, keeping me safe from all that. I never have to worry about it.”

She added:

“And even if we hit a dead end someday, I’d go to Zheng Ran for help, not some imaginary executive. I only have eyes for him—got it?”

The couple nodded.

“We get it. We know you like Zheng Ran— we just overthought everything.”

What a family of wild imaginers.

Jiang’s Aunt suddenly spotted the flaw. “Wait, Lily, you just said lots of girls at your company want to get close to Zheng Ran like that?”

Lily blushed and huffed in annoyance. “Yeah, and there are a ton of them! Every time Zheng Ran shows up, they get all excited and try to chat him up. But with me around, they don’t get anywhere near him.”

The family finished their talk and headed back to Lin Zheng Ran.

Lin Zheng Ran had gotten the full details from Pan Lin and saw the three approaching. “Lily, Uncle, Aunt, have you sorted things out? Everything okay?”

Jiang’s Uncle laughed it off. “Zheng Ran… uh, Lin executive, we must look foolish. We’re fine—just shaken from all this trouble, that’s why…”

Jiang’s Aunt couldn’t believe Zheng Ran was such a big company boss; she struggled to speak casually. “Zheng… I mean, Lin executive.”

Lin Zheng Ran grimaced. “Uncle, Aunt, please don’t call me that. Just stick with Zheng Ran—it feels too formal otherwise, and I won’t know how to respond.”

The couple exchanged glances and nodded with a smile.

Lin Zheng Ran said, “Alright, let’s find a spot to sit and chat. Tell me all about the factory situation.”