’If I ended up with a maid from Jinmen, I might as well go celibate.’

After looking around for a bit, Zhang Kai returned.

Lin Jiang didn’t waste any time. He signed the papers and transferred the money in one smooth motion, then immediately sent the address to Chen Jingxian.

He wouldn’t have to worry about the rest.

Once everything was settled, the two of them got back in the car.

Lin Jiang took Xu Lin to the barbecue restaurant near the entrance of Century Triumph, planning to grab lunch.

"I brought Xuanxuan here once. I didn’t realize you’d eaten here before."

"This isn’t exactly close to your place."

"There’s a small outdoor playground on the riverbank across the way. He likes to come here to play, so I bring him over when I’m not busy."

Xu Lin looked at Lin Jiang. "We agreed this meal is on me," she said. "Don’t you try to fight me on it."

"Don’t worry, I won’t fight you for it." 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

The bonus he’d get from paying for the meal was negligible to Lin Jiang now, so there was no reason to argue about it.

The restaurant wasn’t too crowded.

But when Xu Lin walked in, quite a few men couldn’t help but turn their heads. The subtle grace in her every move sent their imaginations running wild.

They found an empty table and each ordered what they wanted, neither of them being coy or overly polite.

Since it wasn’t busy, the food arrived quickly.

Xu Lin was watching her weight, so she mostly ate vegetables, but she was also thoughtfully grilling meat for Lin Jiang.

"You’ve used up a lot of energy these past few days. Eat some of this to... replenish yourself."

She placed the grilled kidney slices on Lin Jiang’s plate with a teasing glint in her eye.

"My output hasn’t been that high. I don’t need to restock just yet."

"Oh, listen to you brag. But seriously, I think you should start looking for a proper girlfriend."

This was the best thing about a woman like Xu Lin.

She had a clear understanding of her role and didn’t say things she shouldn’t.

But this wasn’t the time to be completely honest.

"I’ll just use you as the standard for my search."

"My life is a mess. Using me as your standard won’t do you any good."

"What are you talking about? Why not?"

"It takes two to tango. He had his reasons, and I had mine. So you need to find someone better."

"By that logic, I’m not a good man either."

Lin Jiang said self-deprecatingly, trying to keep her from feeling down.

"Your situation is different from mine. You got divorced because your ex-wife was just looking for trouble. That’s not a normal situation. We can’t compare the two."

Xu Lin gave Lin Jiang a mischievous look.

"I think your ex-sister-in-law is a good catch. She’s a few years older than you, sure, but that’s still an acceptable age gap. Plus, she seems pretty wifely. And most importantly..."

Seeing Xu Lin’s suggestive smile, Lin Jiang had a feeling she was about to say something inappropriate.

"You’re not about to suggest something about a ’sister act,’ are you?"

"Get out of here. How could I say something like that? I just think she’s interested in you. If you put in a little effort, you could probably win her over."

"Interested in me?"

"What else could it be?" Xu Lin retorted.

"She’s your ex-sister-in-law. If she wasn’t interested, why would she keep showing up at your store and helping you out with everything?"

"Are you sure?"

"You have to trust a woman’s intuition. I’d say it’s a safe bet."

Lin Jiang thought about his interactions with Chen Jingxian, and it seemed like there might actually be something to it.

"I really think you should consider it."

"No rush. Let me play the field a while longer."

Xu Lin shot Lin Jiang a flirtatious eye-roll.

"I suppose since you have me to take care of your... needs, you’re not in any hurry, are you?"

"Hey now, we’re just bros."

"Looks like I’ll have to start dressing up more, or I won’t be worthy of our President Lin," Xu Lin said softly.

"Don’t say that. Being good in bed trumps everything."

"I don’t think I can see you for the next few days," Xu Lin said.

"This feeling is too hard to control. I’ll use the time to pack up my things, which will make things easier later. Oh, right!"

"What is it? You’re so jumpy all of a sudden, you startled me."

"I completely forgot to ask about the house! You said you bought a new place. Where is it? Or were you just saying that to make me feel better?"

"I really bought one. It’s right here in Century Triumph."

"Hm?"

Xu Lin stared at Lin Jiang, her beautiful eyes wide.

"You bought a place in Century Triumph? The apartments here aren’t cheap. They’re considered some of the most luxurious properties in all of Zhonghai."

"Price-wise, it definitely wasn’t cheap," Lin Jiang said with a nod.

"They’re moving in the furniture over the next few days. Since we’re here today anyway, I was planning on going over to check the progress."

"Can you take me to see it?"

"Of course. I could even set aside a room just for you, no problem."

"I couldn’t accept that. Just letting me take a look is more than enough."

"Alright. Let’s finish eating first, then I’ll take you over."

Whether intentionally or not, they both started eating faster.

After their meal, Lin Jiang took Xu Lin to C2401.

The scene at his new home was even more bustling than Lin Jiang had expected. He saw more than twenty workers busily moving about.

No wonder the progress was so fast. Many hands certainly made light work.

The workers were putting the finishing touches on the renovations, and a good deal of furniture had already been moved in. Everyone had their assigned task and was busily at work.

Seeing Lin Jiang’s new home, Xu Lin was so shocked her jaw dropped.

"It’s huge!"

This was the same comment Xu Lin had made the first time she and Lin Jiang "played cards" together.

"681 square meters. It’s definitely not small."

"Given the prices at Century Triumph, this place must have cost over a hundred million, right?"

"165 million."

"I’m starting to seriously wonder if you’re the long-lost son of some tycoon who was raised by another family, and now your real father has shown up to kick-start your life as a rich heir."