Chapter 180 - 178: Want a Little Pudding?

Chapter 180: Chapter 178: Want a Little Pudding?

Watching Li Weiya take out the official seal and stamp both copies of the contract, Lin Gaoyuan let out a huge sigh of relief.

The signing process was even simpler than he’d imagined. Li Weiya was very direct and didn’t make things difficult. In fact, some of the terms were so favorable that Lin Gaoyuan felt he’d gotten an incredible deal.

"Boss Lin, it’s a pleasure doing business with you." Li Weiya put away the seal and, with a smile, handed him one copy of the contract. "We’ll be counting on you for the next year, Boss Lin."

"Of course, of course."

Lin Gaoyuan’s face was all smiles. He turned and handed the contract to his wife to put away safely. "Don’t you worry, President Li. I won’t let the name *Cat and Mouse* down. I’ll give it everything I have to drive up sales."

"In that case, let me be the first to congratulate you on your future success, Boss Lin," Li Weiya said with a laugh.

"Hahaha, I hope your good words come true, President Li! Let’s all get rich together."

Lin Gaoyuan glanced at the time and added, "President Li, I’ve already booked a table. And I happen to have many questions I’d like to ask you about the *Cat and Mouse* merchandise. Why don’t we discuss it over the meal?"

"Alright." Li Weiya agreed with a smiling nod.

In Jiang Xia’s master plan, Lin Gaoyuan’s factory was a crucial piece. It might just be a small, unknown factory now, but as Qitian Animation Company grew, the Gaoyuan Toys brand would quickly make a name for itself.

No matter how you looked at it, building a good relationship with him now was a guaranteed win.

Finding a spare moment, Li Weiya sent a text to Jiang Xia. The message was just two words: It’s done.

◇

Jiang Xia was at home eating, occasionally glancing up at the time. ’If everything went smoothly,’ he mused, ’they should be signing the contract right about now.’

His phone, sitting on the table, suddenly vibrated. He opened it to read the message, and a smile crept onto his face.

’Father-in-law’s bankruptcy crisis should be resolved now,’ he thought. ’As the sole, officially designated retailer for *Cat and Mouse* merchandise, they’ll never have to worry about a shortage of orders again.’

"What’s with the happy smile? Did your girlfriend text you again?" Xia Shanshan glanced at him.

"...Yeah, something like that," Jiang Xia mumbled.

"What do you mean, ’something like that’?" Xia Shanshan’s eyes narrowed. "Don’t tell me you have another girlfriend?"

"No! Absolutely not! I wouldn’t dare!"

Jiang Xia shook his head vigorously. ’Aunt Li is a wonderful person, but I would never, ever dare to have those kinds of thoughts.’

"You’d better not," Xia Shanshan huffed. "Yanwan is a good girl. You cherish her. Don’t be like those scumbags with wandering eyes. If I find out you’re having any funny ideas, I’ll break both your legs."

Jiang Xia’s eye twitched. ’She’s so ruthless to her own son.’

Speechless, he shoveled a few more mouthfuls of rice into his mouth before saying, "Mom, I have to go to Yanwan’s this afternoon."

"Is there a day you *don’t* go?" Xia Shanshan retorted. "They’re your legs. It’s not like I can stop you."

Jiang Xia laughed awkwardly. "I’m just letting you know, out of habit."

"Hmph... Just be back early. Don’t come home super late like you did yesterday. Let me guess, you tried to spend the night at your girlfriend’s place and got kicked out by her dad, right?" Xia Shanshan rolled her eyes at him.

As his own mother, she knew him like the back of her hand; she could tell what he was thinking with a single glance. How could she not see through his immature little schemes?

His breath hitched. In an awkward tone, he said, "Mom, you were still awake at that time?"

"I was in bed, just not asleep yet."

Xia Shanshan’s tone changed, her expression growing serious. "I’m warning you, don’t do anything rash. Especially when it comes to *that*. Don’t get swept up in the heat of the moment and do things you should and shouldn’t do."

As a teacher, Xia Shanshan was particularly sensitive about this topic.

She had no issue with a young couple kissing and cuddling while they were dating. Desire needed an outlet, after all. Even a little touching here and there was understandable. But they couldn’t cross the line—especially *that* final one.

"...Mom, you’ve told me this at least twenty times," Jiang Xia said, exasperated. "Do you really think your son is that brainless?"

"Alright, alright. Finish eating and scram. I’ll clean up."

As if granted a pardon, Jiang Xia scarfed down the rest of his food in a few bites, dropped his chopsticks on the table, grabbed his bag from his room, and slipped out the door.

"I’m heading out, Mom!"

◇

After leaving home, Jiang Xia pulled out his phone to share the good news with his darling.

"It’s all taken care of," he said with a smile.

Lin Yanwan let out a long sigh of relief. Ever since her rebirth, she’d been worrying about her family’s affairs day in and day out. Now, the problem was finally solved in the most perfect way imaginable. They wouldn’t have to sell the family car or house, and they’d even be able to make a fortune in the future.

"Thank you."

"Thanking who?"

"Thank you, hubby~ MWAH~"

She deliberately drew out her words in a cute, wheedling tone, "Are you on your way over?"

"Yeah, I’ll be there soon."

"Then I’ll come downstairs and meet you!" Her voice was full of excitement.

A little over ten minutes later, a taxi pulled up to the gate of the Brocade Splendor Community. Jiang Xia got out and immediately spotted his girlfriend, dressed in a fresh, floral-print sundress. She was holding a parasol to block the sun, a sweet smile on her face.

"Want a pudding pop?" she asked, lifting a small bag that held two popsicles.

"Only if you take the first bite."

Lin Yanwan blushed. ’What a weird request.’ But considering how well he’d handled things today, she decided she might as well indulge him.

So, she unwrapped a pudding pop, brought it to her own tempting lips, and took a few licks. Then, she pulled it away and held it out to Jiang Xia’s mouth. Her eyes were practically overflowing with shyness as she quickly turned her head, not daring to meet his gaze.

"Here. Your pudding pop." As she spoke, a deep blush spread across her cheeks.

’Why is he so into sharing spit?’ she wondered.

Jiang Xia blinked. ’My girl is being so cooperative today. Does that mean... other requests might also be on the table?’

"Hehehe, it really does taste better after you’ve had some," he said with a sigh of satisfaction.

"Don’t describe it!" Lin Yanwan pinched him, embarrassed and annoyed. ’What a weirdo.’

The two walked into the community arm in arm, eating their popsicles. But then, Lin Yanwan pulled him toward the stairwell.

"Why don’t we..."

"The elevator’s broken today," she said.

"Is it?" Jiang Xia was skeptical. He could have sworn he’d just seen someone emerge from the elevator bay.

’Something’s off about her today,’ he thought. ’She’s been acting strange ever since we met at the gate. Being this accommodating... she must be up to something.’

Just as he was thinking this, they reached the stairwell landing, and Lin Yanwan suddenly slammed him against the wall.

Before he could react, she crushed her lips against his. A moment later, a sweet piece of the popsicle slid slowly from her mouth into his.

It was both icy and warm.

The sensation was absolutely heavenly!