Letting a member of the Ling family nab the position of the border region's governor would allow the Ling family to overturn their decline over the past decade. This was a rare opportunity, and the Lin family wasn't in a situation where they could wait any longer. Old Man Lin was growing old, and once he passes away, if there weren't anyone from the family in a high position, the Lin family would become the next Gu family. No, they wouldn't even be equal to the Gu family then as the Gu family still had the governor, Gu Dezhi as well as a big shot in the army, Gu Dekang.
Uncle Xian said, "I hear Jiang Yi is going to take the helm at Jiang City?"
Lin Yueling smiled, "Yes!"
Even Jiang Xiu didn't know about this. His father was being promoted at a very high speed. Lin Yueling explained the reason for it, "That's also due to Mayor Gu's help. Before the second-tier retirement, Jiang Yi got promoted again and obtained the post of Jiang City's Deputy Mayor."
After getting promoted with kind of rocket-like speed, Jiang Yi had already boarded the last train for his age. In the future, it'd be hard for him to take another step forward when considering his age as no opportunities would present themselves. Gu Dezhi even disregarded the second-tier retirement status and put a lot of effort into getting Jiang Yi promoted.
If seen from another perspective, it was clear that Gu Dezhi had bet his Gu family's future on Jiang Xiu.
Uncle Xian sighed, "Mayor Gu really shows great concern for Jiang Yi!"
This kind of promotion speed was rarely seen, and it wasn't like Gu Dezhi was a huge tree which covered the heavens. His political life had gained an enormous risk due to these actions, and from this, it could be made out that Gu Dezhi and Jiang Yi don't have an ordinary relationship.
Everyone in Jiangnan's officialdom knew Mayor Gu showed a lot of concern for Jiang Yi, this fact was as clear as a monk's bald head. The Lin family had also realized this, and this dropped at their door.
Lin Yueling laughed, "Indeed!"
She glanced at Jiang Xiu. The reason Mayor Gu regarded Jiang Yi as important was due to Jiang Xiu. Her son was the genuinely crucial person. It all depended on him whether Mayor Gu will give face to the Lin family and help them.
Only, there was no point in revealing this matter.
Uncle Xian sat down and chatted with Lin Yueling for a while. He often mentioned exciting stories from the past and would inadvertently mention how concerned the old master, as well as the old lady, were about her. He even said that her room was the same as always, nothing had been moved from there, but when Jiang Xiu had visited the family in his previous life, it had been turned into a storeroom for broken furniture.
An hour passed by as they chatted, "Yueling, Little Xiu. Many people in the Lin family are against the old master's decision to let you return to the family. After all, our family has a deep hatred for the Jiang family and Jiang Yi is, in the end, a member of that family. Little Xiu also took the surname Jiang as well. If something awkward happens, please don't take it to heart. If someone causes trouble for you, come to find Uncle Xian. I'll teach them a lesson."
Lin Yueling nodded with a complicated expression on her face, "Thank you, Uncle Xian."
"I'll be leaving then. I look forward to your arrival."
Just as he was about to leave, a sound came from the entrance. Cheng Lingsu had returned back after class. Usually, she didn't come here except for weekends, but since Lin Yueling was at home, she took time to accompany her mother-in-law and acted quite cleverly and lovably in front of her, spending a great time together.
"Mother!"
Uncle Xian was astonished. Ling Yueling had a daughter?
"This is?"
Lin Yueling smiled, "This is my daughter-in-law. Little Xiu is already married. She's called Cheng Lingsu, a lovely obedient child."
"Susu, this is Uncle Xian. Call him Great Uncle Xian, okay?"
Cheng Lingsu called him 'Great Uncle Xian' cleverly.
A strange expression rose up on Uncle Xian's face. Back then, the Lin family had also set down an engagement for Jiang Xiu to counter the Jiang family's proclamation. Now that the Jiang family was no more, he believed this would fall in the Lin family's lap, that Jiang Xiu would marry the daughter-in-law they had chosen. He never thought Jiang Xiu had got married while he was still studying in university. This was just…
Though he didn't say anything, Lin Yueling had made out the change in his expression. However, this was one thing she would persist with and never back down, so she had to mention it.
After Uncle Xian left, Cheng Lingsu noticed Jiang Xiu sitting in the living room. Astonishment filled her eyes. "You're back?"
"Mhm!"
Jiang Xiu gave an indifferent reply.
"Stinky brat, Susu's been thinking of you every day, and you reply in such a way to her? Treat her properly else I'll teach you a lesson." As the mother-in-law who stood on the daughter-in-law's side, she berated Jiang Xiu.
This made Jiang Xiu gloomy.
Cheng Lingsu hadn't seen him for a long time, so she wanted to see if his attitude towards her had changed, but she saw blatant provocation inside his eyes and this infuriated her a little.
"I'm going upstairs to take a bath!"
Saying so, he ignored them and got up to go upstairs to his room. Lin Yueing asked, "Only Susu can bear such an enigma like you. Did you bring any gifts for Susu from Europe?"
He had bought gifts, but there was nothing for Cheng Lingsu.
After taking a bath, Jiang Xiu went to Wang Xintong's place. The jewelry pieces had been brought back and were currently in her home. He watched her dance in passing then returned home with the jewelry.
After dancing, Wang Xintong laid down on the ground in a completely exhausted state, letting the warm colored lighting reflect on the sparkling sweat on her lovely body. Her mind was occupied by the gaze with which Jiang Xiu had looked at her. She reached out towards the ceiling with a silly smile on her face, "Baddie!"
Jiang Xiu knocked on Lin Yueling's door. She was currently going through an old photo album while sitting on the bed. She saw Jiang Xiu come in and said, "I was going over my old student album. What is it?"
She hoped he had come to talk to her about the matter regarding Mayor Gu.
Jiang Xiu took out the crown pendant he had bought for 100 million euros. This piece wasn't suitable for younger people. Articles like these were usually worn by the elders, and this piece was a perfect match for Lin Yueling.
"For you!"
This was the first time Jiang Xiu had given her a present, comprising both his previous and current life. Lin Yueling was really happy by his gift, feeling endlessly gratified yet also equally rueful. "Son, you've grown up."
Well, well. A gift alone had caused her to say he'd grown up.
"So pretty. It looks a bit European…"
"It is a European piece, an ornament belonging to the Royal family of Eastern Europe. Only, nowadays, the clothes all are a little European, so this piece suits those clothes well. I'll buy you a Chinese ornament later on."
"There's no need for that. I was just babbling without thinking. I'm quite happy that you bought a gift for me. Is this thing quite expensive?"
"Nope, it's just 100 million euros!"
Fudge! Our old madame almost fell down from the bed.
"100 million euros?"
Jiang Xiu nodded, making a disapproving expression as if 100 million euros was nothing. "I said I'll make you the most respected woman in this world."
Lin Yueling recalled the first time she had heard these words, it was back then when she was still selling fruits under the blazing sun. Her eyes teared up, "I feel like I'm dreaming."
Jiang Xiu made a serious face, "Continue looking at the student photo album. I'll be leaving now. Don't stay up too late."
Lin Yueling placed the pendant in a safe place, thinking that such a thing must be stored safely. In case they had to return to the way they lived before due to a stroke of misfortune, this piece would show its usefulness then.
However, our Empress Dowager's next words almost made Deity Xiu lose his footing and slip, "Susu is really bringing prosperity to her husband. Ever since she has married into my family, my son's prospects are growing more and more."
No matter how indifferent our Deity Xiu was, he really wanted to shout out - In what damn way is this related to Cheng Lingsu?
This was simply being unreasonable and almost akin to using the knee to think instead of the brain. According to logic, Cheng Lingsu had no contribution towards the money he had obtained till now.
He pushed the door to his room open and discovered Cheng Lingsu lying on the bed after taking a warm, fragrant bath. She even had a book in her hand and was reading it diligently. She had left one half of the bed for him as she knew he wasn't able to sleep properly before. One day, she had even discovered him outside the quilt when she woke up. "Did you have fun in Europe?"
"I didn't go there to have fun."
"I've never gone to Europe. I planned to do so after graduating from high school but…" She didn't say the rest as her home had gone bankrupt after that, causing her to drop this plan.
Jiang Xiu also didn't want to suffer on the sofa, so he laid down on his side of the bed. The quilt was full of Cheng Lingsu's body fragrance which gave a relaxing feel. Cheng Lingsu stopped reading and turned off the lights. As for Jiang Xiu, maybe it was due to the carnal act he had committed with Nangong Kou'er or due to watching Wang Xintong dance, he wasn't able to sleep.
"Will you come to participate in my university's event tomorrow?" Cheng Lingsu asked quietly in the darkness.
"I'm not interested!"
Cheng Lingsu didn't mention it again. As the campus diva, it was quite a troubling thing that a flower protector wasn't willing to come.
In the darkness, her pupils glowed with a silver gleam which was exceptionally pure and holy.
It's a pity that as Jiang Xiu was ignoring Cheng Lingsu from his innermost core, he didn't notice this at all.