The CEO's Substitute Wife Is A Genius-Chapter 435: Watching, Watching Like Madness

Time flew by, and the Lantern Festival came and went.

Hu Xianyun had met with Dr. M and obtained the potion, completing this mission perfectly.

Despite having been granted a rather lengthy leave from Hong Kong Research Institute, his heart was set on serving his country, and he couldn’t wait to bring his recent findings to the institute.

"You’re leaving so soon?"

In the laboratory, Jiang Man wore a white lab coat, goggles, and gloves, busily mixing a potion.

Hu Xianyun, also in a white lab coat, assisted her.

"This is a nutritional liquid for use in life-saving situations," Jiang Man spoke calmly, meticulously preparing the mixture.

"The South Pole is a dangerous place after all, and this nutritional water can provide warmth. I hope you’ll never need it, but if the time comes, I hope it saves your life."

"Alright." Hu Xianyun gazed intently at Jiang Man, entranced by her focused demeanor.

There’s a saying that goes, in the first half of life, one should not encounter someone too dazzling, for afterward, all others seem like mere compromises.

He thought he might never marry in his lifetime, dedicating himself only to his country.

"It’s not a farewell forever. When my little nephew is born, I will send a blessing from the South Pole."

"Really?" Jiang Man was surprised, pausing in her work.

Hu Xianyun smiled, a smile he reserved only for Jiang Man: "You’re pregnant. Others haven’t noticed, but I have."

His gaze was fixed on her, filled with her and her alone.

Thus, her every move was crystal clear to him.

How should he put it? His feelings for Jiang Man were complex, admiring yes, but mostly reverential.

It was a sentiment that transcended that of man and woman.

Perhaps it was because both had devoted themselves to their country, that purity of heart felt like a meeting of souls.

"You’re quite observant." Jiang Man hinted a smile and continued with her mixing: "You’re not watching the car race anymore? You could leave after it’s over."

"I’m not watching. I’m fueled by a fiery desire to serve my country," chuckled Hu Xianyun. frёewebηovel.cѳm

Only then did Jiang Man realize that although he was usually reticent, he wasn’t a very mature person—his words were somewhat cringeworthy.

"Alright."

No more was said between them.

An hour later, the potion was ready.

Jiang Man handed the vial to Hu Xianyun: "Safe travels!"

"No need to see me off." Hu Xianyun waved off the offer and walked away resolutely.

As he was about to leave the laboratory, Lu Yingxue caught up to him.

The young girl, out of breath, was also dressed in a white lab coat, goggles in place.

"I have something for you, too!"

"What is it?" Hu Xianyun’s response was mild.

The girl blinked, her face filled with expectation, and offered up her own concocted potion: "Red bubbles. It’s very cold in the South Pole, and the bubbles will turn to ice spheres the instant they’re blown."

Hu Xianyun did not understand the girl’s sentimentality.

Red ice spheres, what were they good for?

As if reading his thoughts, Lu Yingxue explained with a smile: "It’s sort of like planting flowers. Amidst the endless white snow, these ice spheres will be like little red flowers you’ve planted, bringing a touch of vivid color to your world."

"Alright, thanks." Hu Xianyun accepted the potion.

At that moment, he had no idea that years later, when facing a dire situation, he would give the nutritional liquid Jiang Man had given him to a teammate.

The teammate survived, struggling back to base to call for rescue.

And there he was, lying in an endless expanse of ice and snow, holding a red ice sphere in his hand.

When the aurora appeared, it seemed as though the ice sphere glowed.

As it turned out, this spot of red truly did offer a glimpse of hope.

...

Hu Xianyun left Beicheng, but Hu Hao stayed, still hoping to see if there might be a new development with Jiang Man.

Winter gave way to spring, and soon after the New Year’s festivities, the new school term began.

The small group of friends, not having seen each other for over a month, greeted each other with great warmth when they met up again.

Mao Lili stared at the ring on Wen Rui’s middle finger, a very sparkly pink diamond, both novel and pretty.

Then they saw that Jiang Man, too, wore a ring on her ring finger, the size of a pigeon’s egg, very eye-catching.

"What’s going on here? It was just winter break; how did Ruirui get proposed to?"

"Man-jie, you promised to introduce your brother-in-law to us; when exactly will that happen?"

"Soon," Jiang Man replied with those same words.

But it was Wen Rui who turned red-cheeked, biting her lip: "I can’t say, my agency won’t let me date."

She dared to wear the ring, but not to admit it.

When she married Lu Zhan, she would have to do so secretly.

She couldn’t bear to think what would happen if Lu Zhan’s fans found out about their marriage—would they tear her apart?

At that thought, she couldn’t help but shiver.

"Ah, I’m so jealous! When will we ever be able to get rid of our single status?"

Jiang Man looked at their lovesick expressions and couldn’t help chuckling: "What’s meant to come will come eventually."

"Forget it; some people just aren’t that lucky. Besides, good men are hard to find. If you end up with a chauvinist or an abuser, life would simply be hell."

"True." Zhang Ziqi nodded, feeling there was little worth discussing on the topic, so she switched to a new one: "Man-jie, you must be on good terms with the Lu family, right? They’re organizing a car racing event; could you help us get tickets? I want to go see."

As soon as Mao Lili heard about the car race, she too got excited: "Yeah, yeah, everyone’s been talking about it since school started, saying the racing god Song Tian’en will be there! Wow, do you guys know his nickname?"

Jiang Man raised an eyebrow while Wen Rui looked puzzled.

"His nickname is ’Song Changgong’!"

"What does that mean?" Wen Rui was baffled at first, not catching on immediately.

"It’s Prince of Lanling, Gao Changgong, you know? He was so handsome he always wore a mask. Song Tian’en also always wears a mask, so that’s why everyone gave him that nickname."

"Pff." After hearing that, Jiang Man couldn’t help but chuckle.

Song Xiao that guy, always so vain—if he knew he was being talked about like that, he’d probably be delighted and stare at his own beauty in a little mirror every day.

"I’ll get you guys the tickets," Jiang Man said with cool nonchalance, hands shoved into her pockets: "Front row VIP."

Mao Lili and Zhang Ziqi froze for a moment, but when they realized what she’d said, they began jumping around with joy.

"Man-jie is so awesome!"

Jiang Man pursed her lips and didn’t say much else.

What was so awesome about that?

The big event was organized by her husband, and the racing god was her sworn brother.

Getting tickets was just a matter of opening her mouth.

"Eh? Isn’t that Wen... Wen Jingya?"

"No way, what has she turned into?"

"It really is her! The goddess of yesterday, how could she become... I remember she was expelled from school, wasn’t she?"

The crowd was buzzing with chatter.

When Mao Lili looked up, she was startled by Wen Jingya walking straight towards them.

"School... I have to go to school..."

Wen Jingya chuckled hehe, opening her mouth to reveal a row of uneven teeth.

Upon closer inspection, one of her front teeth was broken.

Her whole demeanor seemed off.

She looked...

"She looks like she’s gone mad, doesn’t she?" Mao Lili couldn’t help but say.