Chapter 478 - 288: Different Cores

Yuhu Heaven and Earth Villa District, Villa No. 7.

A black Bentley Mulsanne pulled up to the entrance.

After the car came to a stop, Han Guangqi stepped out.

His expression was grim, darker than the sky overhead.

When he got home, a middle-aged man with a square face was sitting on the sofa in plaid pajamas, watching the financial news.

This man was Han Shengqun, Han Guangqi’s father.

"Dad, I’m home," Han Guangqi said, slumping onto the adjacent sofa. He looked exhausted and dejected.

Han Shengqun nodded and turned off the TV with the remote.

"I saw the news about Berkeley. Their way of handling it was unexpected, but I have to admit, he’s got guts. The buzz from this online marketing campaign is unprecedented. It’s far more than what a few million could buy."

"I never would have guessed they’d be willing to spend over eight million to resolve a mere hygiene issue. There’s no precedent for this."

"It’s precisely because there’s no precedent that it’s causing such a huge stir," Han Shengqun said.

"The group’s shareholders have raised some serious concerns about this. I want to hear your thoughts."

"And if I can’t come up with a solution?"

"Then we might not be able to keep the store. That’s why I called you back. I want to have a serious talk with you about this."

"My solution is to imitate them," Han Guangqi said.

"They’re following Donglai Supermarket’s playbook. If they can do it, so can I."

"Do you have a specific plan?"

"I held a meeting with the management team today, and I also contacted Donglai Supermarket. I want to visit them to observe and learn. It’s the only way I can think of to beat him. Only by doing this can we win our customers back."

After a few seconds of silence, Han Shengqun said coolly,

"Do you have a budget?"

"I might need another 20 million," Han Guangqi said.

"If the board of directors won’t approve it, I’ll find a way myself."

"That amount of money isn’t a problem, but you have to deliver results," Han Shengqun said.

"Don’t underestimate Lin Jiang. He’s a man with a sharp mind and clear vision. Even a lion uses its full strength to catch a rabbit, let alone when facing an opponent like him. What you need to do is not just defeat him, but also prove your capabilities to the board. Do you understand what I’m saying?"

"I think the board is overreacting. This is nothing. I have other investments that will start showing returns soon."

"You’re talking about that movie, right?"

"Yeah."

"That’s a movie, after all. For the group, it’s just icing on the cake. You still need to focus on your primary responsibilities. That’s your main task for the near future."

"I know."

"Trying to confront Berkeley head-on will be extremely difficult. You could try other avenues, like safety, hygiene, fire codes... Dig up the soil they’re growing in. Only then might you be able to dismantle them from within."

"I understand."

「...」

RING RING RING—

A little after seven in the morning, Lin Jiang was jolted awake by a frantic ringing from his phone.

It was a call from Li Yueting.

[You led an NPC on a marvelous journey. Physique +1]

[You have earned the admiration of an NPC. Charm +1]

[Made an NPC beg for mercy within 5 minutes. Martial Force +1]

[You have gained the favor of NPC Chen Jingxian. Affinity +40]

[Affinity: 180]

[Reward: 4 million NPC Special Training Fund, deposited to your account.]

[Reward: 4 million NPC Special Investment Fund, deposited to your account.]

Ignoring the string of game notifications, Lin Jiang glanced at the side of the bed. Chen Jingxian was already gone.

"Bro, what are you doing?" Li Yueting asked after he answered the phone.

"I was sleeping. You woke me up."

"What time do you think it is? You’re still sleeping? The early bird gets the worm."

"Didn’t your teacher ever tell you the early worm gets eaten by the bird?"

"Alright, alright, that’s not the point," Li Yueting said.

"We have exams the day after tomorrow, so Teacher Shen gave us the day off to relax."

"Exams already?"

Lin Jiang already knew about the exam date from talking with Xu Yingjun.

But he’d been living his life with little sense of time.

Before he knew it, their exam time had arrived.

"You really have a poor sense of time. But that’s a minor detail. Are you free today? Junjun and I are planning to go out."

Lin Jiang thought for a moment. He didn’t really have anything going on today, so he could take them out to relax.

"Where do you want to go?"

"We’re thinking of a resort where we can soak in hot springs, camp, and have a barbecue."

"That sounds like a good plan."

"We’re going to get the camping supplies now. We can leave this afternoon. How does that sound?"

"Since when are you so respectful of my opinion? You’ve really grown up."

"Mainly because I need to shake you down for some cash. If you’re going to beg, you need to have the right attitude, don’t you think?"

"You really have grown up. Just wait."

After hanging up with Li Yueting, Lin Jiang transferred 50,000 yuan to her, which would be enough to last her a while.

Li Yueting: "Love you, my dear big bro! Heart."

Even though he hadn’t slept well, Lin Jiang decided not to go back to sleep. He stretched, got dressed, and left the room.

As usual, no matter how late she went to bed, Chen Jingxian would be up the next day to make him breakfast.

But to Lin Jiang’s surprise, a red exclamation mark appeared above her head.

[Quest Name: Entertainment Above All]

[Quest Description: Build the largest nightclub in Ning’an District.]

[Quest Reward: Gold-level Kidney Potion, 5 million cash.]

Seeing this reward, Lin Jiang’s eyes lit up.

With more and more women around him, his previous Silver-level Kidney was proving to be a bit inadequate when things got frequent. If he upgraded to a Gold-level one, the effect would be much better.

’The quest isn’t exactly hard, but it’s not simple either.’

’I can ask Lin Qiangwei about this sort of thing. As long as I have money, the difficulty should drop dramatically.’

In the kitchen, Chen Jingxian was focused on cooking.

Recalling Chen Jingxian’s performance yesterday, it was certainly commendable.

Aside from the initial pain, she had slowly adapted.

Besides that, Lin Jiang had also discovered something else: Chen Jingxian’s combat prowess wasn’t weak at all.

During their battle, she seemed to have held on until the very end before her stamina gave out and she said she couldn’t go on. In this respect, she was much stronger than Xu Lin.

’Could it be related to her figure?’

’It’s a bit of a mystery.’

He slowly walked into the kitchen and hugged Chen Jingxian from behind.

The moment he embraced her, he could feel her body go soft, but Lin Jiang’s focus was elsewhere.

Lifting the hem of her nightgown, he found there was nothing underneath.

"This way of dressing... I approve."

"I woke up a little late today. I was afraid you wouldn’t have time to eat, so I didn’t bother putting any on," Chen Jingxian said gently.

She didn’t try to stop Lin Jiang. She even arched her back slightly, letting him admire the view.

"It doesn’t matter if it’s a little early or late. Don’t be so stressed about it."

"How could I not? I have to make sure you eat well. It’s my duty."

"This is why I say you’re so virtuous. No one else can compare to you."

The women around him almost all had a virtuous side, especially Xu Lin and Fang Jie.

But their core natures were different.

Xu Lin’s core was her career, and Fang Jie’s was freedom. Virtue was just an additional attribute for them.

But Chen Jingxian’s core was virtue itself; her career was the additional attribute, and she reveled in it.

"Aah..."

Chen Jingxian let out a coquettish cry, full of feminine charm.

"Stop looking and go wash up."

Lin Jiang’s hand brushed lightly over her, making Chen Jingxian tingle. She bit her lip to control herself.

"I think it’s better to get some exercise in the morning, don’t you?"

"Maybe tonight... It’s still a little uncomfortable for me to walk right now."

"That’s normal. It’s always like that the first time. Rest up for the next few days. I’m going to go wash up."

"Mm..."

Chen Jingxian hummed softly in response.

"Um..."

Lin Jiang had just stepped out of the kitchen when he heard Chen Jingxian’s voice and stopped.

"What is it?"

"If..."

Chen Jingxian looked at Lin Jiang, then paused.

"If what?"

"If you want to... right now... I can endure it."

"Endure what? Just focus on making breakfast."

"Oh, okay."

Lin Jiang went to the bathroom, muttering to himself,

’Silly woman...’

After he washed up, breakfast was already on the table.

Having been thoroughly initiated, Chen Jingxian seemed to exude even more womanly charm. Her every move was filled with a sense of virtuousness.

After breakfast, the two of them left together. But before they went out, she helped straighten Lin Jiang’s clothes, just like a dutiful wife.

"Come on, take my arm," Lin Jiang said once they were outside.

A gentle, happy smile appeared in Chen Jingxian’s eyes as she linked her arm with Lin Jiang’s.

Lin Jiang’s hand also wrapped around her waist.

Walking through the residential complex, anyone who saw them would assume they were a married couple.

"Let’s go. I’ll take you to the office."

"Are you going to the office today?" Chen Jingxian asked in return.

Lin Jiang’s daily schedule was never fixed. If he wasn’t going to the office, he didn’t need to drive her.

His task for the day was to find Lin Qiangwei, so he indeed wasn’t going to the office.

"It’s fine. It won’t take long."

"Don’t worry about me. Go take care of your business. I’ll just grab a taxi."

Chen Jingxian didn’t have Lin Jiang drive her and left in a taxi she hailed herself.

After watching her leave, Lin Jiang called Lin Qiangwei.

"Hellooo~"

Lin Qiangwei was groaning, clearly not fully awake yet.

"What time is it? You’re not up yet?"

"I went to bed late last night~"

Lin Jiang could tell. She wasn’t just not awake, she was "running a fever."

"I have something to talk to you about. Come over to my place, and I’ll treat you to breakfast."

"I don’t want to move right now. Why don’t you come to my place? I’ll send you the address."

"That works."

After hanging up, he received Lin Qiangwei’s location and drove over.

He knocked on the door, and it was opened quickly.

Lin Qiangwei was standing in the doorway, wearing only her underwear—a very skimpy set at that. There was no "dark undergrowth," which very likely meant it had been neatly tended to.

This was the first time Lin Jiang had seen Lin Qiangwei without makeup. She was even more beautiful than he had imagined.

Knowing Lin Qiangwei’s personality, Lin Jiang was more inclined to believe she usually slept naked. The fact that she was dressed like this now made her intentions obvious.

"Running a fever this early in the morning."

Lin Jiang smacked Lin Qiangwei on her plump bottom.

She let out a little yelp, her expression one of pure enjoyment. In that respect, she was quite similar to Fang Jie.

"This is one of the rare times you’ve called me first. Of course, I have to make the most of this opportunity."

Lin Qiangwei threw her arms around Lin Jiang, leaving only a few centimeters between them.

"Besides, I wanted to ask you for a favor, so I definitely need to put on a good performance."

"What do you need my help with?"

"To borrow money."

"You’re certainly direct. No lead-up at all."

"I’m just a straightforward person. It’s the same with liking you. I’m offering myself up for free, no strings attached, and you still won’t sleep with me," Lin Qiangwei said resentfully.

"I’ve seen the other women around you. Be honest, am I worse than them? With a body like mine, wouldn’t it feel better to play with me?"