Chapter 208 - 206: Sailing to the Future

Chapter 208: Chapter 206: Sailing to the Future

"When you’re away from home, without your parents around, you have to be careful, understand?"

"If anything’s bothering you, remember to call home. Don’t worry about it being a hassle."

"And you, when you get to the Imperial Capital, you better take good care of Yanwan, you hear me?"

"Yanwan, if this kid bullies you, just call me. I’ll deal with him."

"I know."

Lin Yanwan smiled and agreed, then shot a glance at Jiang Xia. ’Hear that? Don’t even think about taking advantage of me. I’ve got my mother-in-law backing me up anytime. You still value that life of yours, don’t you?’

When it was time to leave for a long journey, it was always the parents who worried the most about their children.

"Alright, Mom, Dad, you should all head back. Don’t see us off any further. Wang Ming is meeting up with me in a bit; we already made plans," Jiang Xia said, lifting his suitcase from the taxi’s trunk.

"Are you sure you don’t want me to take you to the airport?" Lin Gaoyuan asked with a frown. He wasn’t working today, so he had plenty of time.

When other kids went off to college, their parents would see them all the way to their dorms, even making their beds and inspecting the campus before they’d finally leave. These two, however, had decisively refused.

"Dad, you’re usually so busy. You should take a good rest today. Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of Yanwan. We’ll call you to let you know we’re safe before we take off and after we land," Jiang Xia said, squeezing Lin Yanwan’s hand to reassure his father- and mother-in-law.

Hearing this, Lin Gaoyuan didn’t press the issue. When it came to his daughter’s relationship, he believed Jiang Xia was 200% sincere.

"Alright, then. Be safe on your journey. If you feel like you’re in any danger, find the police."

"Take good care of yourselves out there."

"Call home often."

"Sis, Brother-in-law, Xiao Man will miss you!"

"Be a good girl, Xiao Man. Listen to Mom at home, and listen to Teacher Xia at school, okay?" Lin Yanwan crouched down to hug her little sister.

"Mhm!"

"When your brother-in-law comes back, I’ll take you on a Ferris wheel," Jiang Xia said, gently patting his little sister-in-law’s head.

The parents wanted to say more, but they saw the two wave goodbye and walk out of the residential community’s gate, dragging their suitcases behind them. In the distance, a white Toyota was waiting.

After spotting the two of them, a woman in a red dress and sunglasses got out of the car, opened the trunk, and helped them load their luggage.

Lin Gaoyuan furrowed his brow. The woman looked a little familiar, but because of the distance and the sunglasses, he couldn’t be sure.

"Old Jiang, do you know that person?" he asked.

"I know of her, but we’re not well acquainted. Jiang Xia knows her very well, though," Jiang Wende nodded.

Just then, Xia Shanshan chimed in, "She’s the mother of one of Xiao Xia’s classmates. Her name is Li Weiya, and she’s sort of Xiao Xia’s art teacher. She has a son named Wang Ming, and the two boys are great friends. They both study art, and Wang Ming got into the Central Academy of Fine Arts this year, which isn’t far from Tsinghua, so they planned to go register together."

Lin Gaoyuan and Ji Wanqiu exchanged a look. So, there was that connection between them.

"What’s wrong?" Xia Shanshan asked, puzzled.

"You know how I’m working on those toys related to Cat and Mouse? The one who came to sign the contract with me was this Li Weiya," said Lin Gaoyuan.

Thinking back on how Jiang Xia had previously given him a pile of merchandise design drafts, all of which had become best-sellers, it was hard not to connect the two.

"Did Xiao Xia ever mention anything about this to you?"

Xia Shanshan thought for a moment before slowly shaking her head. "No, he’s always so secretive, cooped up in his room all day drawing who-knows-what. But Xiao Xia did mention to me before that he was doing some kind of part-time outsourcing work for her, earning a bit of pocket money each month."

Lin Gaoyuan nodded lightly. If that was the case, then a lot of things made sense. Jiang Xia had probably participated in some of the outsourced production for Cat and Mouse, which was why he could whip up merchandise designs so effortlessly.

After all, Li Weiya was his art teacher; it was perfectly reasonable for her to give her student a few projects to practice on.

Many university professors did the same.

◇

Only after Jiang Xia and Lin Yanwan got in the car did they realize Shen Ying was there too.

’Well, I’ll be damned. She actually came to see the three of them off.’

"Ah Xia, when I came to pick you up just now, your esteemed father-in-law didn’t recognize me, did he? It looked like your parents were there too," said Li Weiya.

"It’s fine even if he did. At most, he’d just assume I’m working for you," Jiang Xia said with a smile.

People’s conventional thinking would never lead them to suspect that a recent high school graduate could pull off something so monumental.

Even if they did, all the credit would go to the teacher. How could a student possibly be more capable than their teacher?

Li Weiya felt a hint of resignation. It seemed she had silently become his shield.

Watching the scenes flash by the window, Jiang Xia smiled. "Besides, I never expected to keep this a secret for long. It was bound to come out sooner or later. But by then, we’ll already be in the Imperial Capital. Even if they get suspicious, I can just admit it openly. I’m just working for Aunt Li, after all."

"So, that’s another major reason you wanted me to quit my job and help you?"

"Not entirely. Aunt Li, I really do need you. The company will face a lot of challenges as it grows. You have a wealth of experience and knowledge, which is much better than a greenhorn like me who doesn’t know anything," Jiang Xia said earnestly.

Li Weiya’s lips twitched. ’If you’re a greenhorn, then what does that make my son?’

’Besides, what kind of ’know-nothing’ greenhorn could shake things up like you do?’

"Yingying, what are you doing here?" Lin Yanwan asked curiously.

"I... I..."

"This one," Li Weiya said with a laugh, "called me this morning to ask if I was taking you to the airport, and then insisted on coming along to see you off."

Shen Ying blushed slightly.

"Thanks."

"Yanwan, you have to call me often after you get to the Imperial Capital."

"Of course I will. We’re best friends, aren’t we?"

Lin Yanwan linked her arm with Shen Ying’s. "What about you? When do you go register?"

"September 13th, so I still have a while." A note of envy crept into Shen Ying’s voice as she spoke. "You guys have it so good. You’re not far from each other, so you can work and study together. I’m the only one going to the Business University; I don’t know anyone else."

"It’s the same at any university, really. You’ll end up back with us eventually. Or are you saying you want to quit?" Jiang Xia said with a smile.

"In your dreams! Not a chance! I’m clinging to Yanwan’s coattails for life! I’m never, ever quitting!" Shen Ying countered, grabbing Lin Yanwan’s arm and hugging it tight.

"Hahahaha, that’s more like it. Keep up the good work, finish your studies, and come back full of new skills. Director Shen, the future development of Qitian Animation is counting on you."

Listening to the young people’s banter, Li Weiya smiled faintly, stepped on the accelerator, and sped off.