Chapter 237 - 174: Jiang Yixia Thanks Lu Fan for His Contribution

Chapter 237: Chapter 174: Jiang Yixia Thanks Lu Fan for His Contribution

Jiang Yixia hesitated for a full two and a half minutes.

During that time, Lu Fan found himself sizing up her long legs.

He had to admit, Jiang Yixia’s legs were still as fair and slender as they had been eighteen years ago.

Today, she was wearing a cream-white chiffon dress.

The hem fell just above her ankles, revealing a pair of calves with clean, delicate lines.

Even with just that small glimpse of skin, he could tell it was as fair as fine, warm jade.

There wasn’t an ounce of excess fat on them; they extended from beneath the hem, perfectly straight and well-proportioned.

Her ankles were slender and exquisite, giving her legs a long, graceful appearance.

He had to hand it to her—Jiang Yixia was excellent at maintaining her figure.

However, she was always busy with work and probably didn’t have much time for the gym. Perhaps she was just blessed with a naturally good figure.

When Jiang Yixia snapped back to reality, she found that he was still staring at her legs. She flushed and stomped her foot, saying angrily, "I’ll gouge your eyes out if you keep staring."

Lu Fan chuckled. "Alright, alright, I’ll stop looking."

Jiang Yixia’s thoughts were now a complete mess. She urged him to leave, "You should go. I have to get back to work."

"Okay. Remember to eat the oden. It won’t taste as good cold." With that, Lu Fan left.

Only after he was gone did Jiang Yixia look at the bowl of oden on the table.

She picked it up and took a bite, muttering under her breath, ’You learn fast enough now, making oden this delicious. Back when I tried to teach you how to cook, you never learned a thing. I bet you were doing it on purpose.’

Finally, she tried a fish ball, a faint smile gracing her lips.

Back at the oden shop, Chen He immediately approached Lu Fan. "Boss, that woman just now was completely out of line. Should I get some guys to teach her a lesson?"

"Forget it. She was probably just screwed over by her ex-husband, which is why she’s so extreme. If it weren’t for her, Yixia might not have spoken up for me just now." Lu Fan waved his hand dismissively. "Have someone look into her background. Tear down her couplets, let the air out of her electric scooter’s tires—just mess with her a little."

"Got it. I’ll see to it," Chen He nodded.

Lu Fan didn’t give the matter a second thought. After all, such a minor character wasn’t worth his time.

But that didn’t mean just anyone could walk all over him.

Anyone who wanted to run their mouth had to be prepared for retaliation.

He was no saint.

Saints don’t get rich.

Seeing that it was about time, he said to Chen He, "Alright, let’s head back to Jinling for now. We’ll come back tomorrow."

"Yes, Boss."

On the way back, Lu Fan recalled what Jiang Yixia had said earlier and asked Chen He curiously, "By the way, how’s my brother-in-law, Jiang Ming, doing? Did he break up with that technician?"

"The technician caused a scene at his school yesterday," Chen He explained.

"Caused a scene at his school?" Lu Fan was puzzled. "What happened?"

"From what I know, your brother-in-law Jiang Ming tried to break up with her that night, but Ma Xiaofei refused. They met up, and Jiang Ming exposed her on the spot, asking her what ’90, 92, and 98-octane, fill ’er up’ meant."

Listening to Chen He’s account, Lu Fan found it rather interesting. ’I didn’t expect my brother-in-law to have some backbone, confronting a technician like that to her face.’

"Yeah, Ma Xiaofei didn’t expect it either. After Jiang Ming left, she decided to go all out and demanded a breakup fee. But Jiang Ming refused to pay, pointing out that he had paid for all their dates."

Chen He continued, "When Ma Xiaofei saw that Jiang Ming wouldn’t pay up, she went to his school yesterday and made a scene, demanding to see the school leadership. She didn’t get to see anyone in the end, but some of the teachers found out about it. I’m afraid your brother-in-law is probably feeling pretty down right now."

"It’s fine. Let him be down for a bit. When the time is right, I’ll step in and help him," Lu Fan said calmly. "After all, my brother-in-law helped out a lot while Silu and Sifan were growing up, and his attitude has improved now. If he asks for my help, I’ll give it to him."

Chen He sighed with admiration. "Boss, there aren’t many people like you who repay malice with kindness."

"Don’t praise me like that. I’m just hoping that through him, Yixia might forgive me sooner. I don’t do things for no reason," Lu Fan said with a smile.

「Meanwhile.」

Just as Lu Fan had predicted, Jiang Ming was moping in his dorm room.

Quite a few teachers already knew about his ex-girlfriend causing a scene at school.

Although they didn’t know Ma Xiaofei was a technician, they all assumed he had toyed with her affections and then callously dumped her—a Lu Fan 2.0.

But he was the one who had been played and deceived.

Jiang Ming was suffering in silence.

He lay in his dorm, regretting ever going on a blind date, regretting ever getting into a relationship.

He sent a message to the family group chat: [If anyone sets me up on a blind date again, I’ll fight them! What kind of garbage people are you introducing me to?!]

Jiang Yixia, who had just finished work, happened to see the message.

She immediately called Jiang Ming.

Jiang Ming, who had been strong all day, finally broke down after receiving his sister’s call, sobbing, "Sis, why is my life so miserable? All I wanted was a simple relationship, but fate just won’t let me have it. Why are we siblings so unlucky?"

Jiang Yixia had intended to comfort her brother, but he just had to drag her into it.

She said with a hint of resignation, "That’s life. Nothing is ever smooth sailing. After this experience, you’ll know better next time."

"There’s a next time?" Jiang Ming said adamantly. "I’m never going on a blind date again. I’m never dating again."

Hearing this, Jiang Yixia quickly tried to console him. "Don’t be so hasty. You just met the wrong person this time. I’ll find a nice girl for you."

"Don’t bother, Sis. I really don’t want to go on blind dates or get into a relationship anymore. If it wasn’t for giving Mom and Dad an explanation, I’d be ready to shave my head and become a monk." This time, Jiang Ming was completely crushed.

For a moment, Jiang Yixia didn’t know what to say.

Jiang Ming continued to vent over the phone, "When I went to work today, the other teachers were making sarcastic comments. It makes me want to quit."

"It can’t be that serious. They’re probably just teasing you, thinking you’re a playboy. But those of us who know the truth know how wronged you are," Jiang Yixia comforted.

"What’s the use if you guys know? They don’t! They think I played with a young girl’s feelings, but in reality, that woman cost me several thousand yuan in meal money," Jiang Ming said, growing angrier as he spoke.

Jiang Yixia was also a bit surprised. So they had spent several thousand yuan just on meals over a few dates?

’What in the world were they eating?!’

Jiang Ming then said, "Sis, if I really can’t take it anymore in a while, I might quit. Please don’t tell Mom and Dad. I want to relax for a bit. I’ll go home and explain it to them myself when the time comes."

Hearing this, Jiang Yixia could only sigh. "Alright, do as you wish. But you should probably tell Lu Fan that you broke up with Ma Xiaofei. He did help you, so you should let him know the result."

"I don’t want to talk to him. It still feels weird that he went to test my girlfriend that night," Jiang Ming said helplessly. "Even though I was the one who asked for his help, I just can’t get over it mentally."

"Fine, I’ll tell him," Jiang Yixia replied.

Although Jiang Ming didn’t want to face Lu Fan, he still put in a good word for him. "But honestly, Sis, he’s really reliable when it comes to getting things done. If you ignore the fact that he’s a womanizer, he’s actually a pretty good guy."

Jiang Yixia hadn’t expected her own brother to start speaking up for Lu Fan. Not knowing what to say, she ended the call after a few brief words.

After hanging up, she looked at the empty bowl in front of her and sent Lu Fan a message: [My brother broke up with that girl. Just letting you know.]

A moment later, Lu Fan replied: [Okay, got it. I heard she caused a scene at his school. Will it affect your brother’s job?]

Jiang Yixia: [Don’t worry about him. He has to solve these things himself.]

Lu Fan: [If he can’t stand it at his school job anymore, let me know. I have a gym in Yangcheng that needs a manager. He could use a change of work and scenery.]

Jiang Yixia: [I’ll tell him. Thanks!]

She knew how to compartmentalize. Although Jiang Yixia hadn’t truly forgiven Lu Fan yet, he was genuinely helping her brother, Jiang Ming. So, she didn’t hold back on her words of thanks and gratitude.

「On the other side.」

Jiang Silu was in her design class.

The lesson was focused on hand-drawing.

Thanks to Professor He Fengchun’s earlier guidance on hand-drawn design concepts, Jiang Silu’s assignment was excellent.

During class, the professor even singled out her work to praise it.

"Let’s all take a look at Silu’s work. This hand-drawn design is exceptionally clever."

"She has perfectly integrated concepts of humanity and ecology."

The professor was particularly impressed with the community landscape Jiang Silu had designed.

Her use of orchid elements was so skillful that the professor praised it for several minutes.

After class, several classmates even came over to ask for advice.

"Silu, you’re amazing! How did you come up with this method?"

"Yeah, how did you think of it? You’re so talented."

This made Jiang Silu a little embarrassed.

Lu Yao, standing beside her, quickly explained, "You guys didn’t know? Silu specifically went to visit Professor He Fengchun—the very same He Fengchun who edited our textbook! The professor taught Silu all these design elements."

Hearing this, the other students were stunned.

"Oh my god, Silu, you know Professor He Fengchun?"

"How did you meet her? Can you take me with you next time you visit?"

"No wonder Silu’s design skills have improved so quickly. You’re incredible."

"I’m so jealous. I’ve always admired Professor He Fengchun."

Thanks to Lu Yao’s "big mouth," the news that Jiang Silu knew a famous professor spread like wildfire.

A while ago, she might have been too embarrassed to admit that Lu Fan had made the introduction.

But now, Jiang Silu wasn’t awkward about it anymore.

She blushed and replied, "Actually, my dad has a working relationship with Professor He Fengchun, so that’s how I got the chance to meet her."

"I see! Your dad is so capable."

"Yeah, we could never get a chance to meet her."

"I’m so envious. Your dad really cares about your studies."

Jiang Silu smiled shyly.

She had to admit, she quite enjoyed this kind of satisfying, power-fantasy plotline.

After class, she sent Lu Fan a message: [My homework for my major class got praised today!~]

Lu Fan, who had just gotten off the plane, immediately replied with praise: [That’s amazing! My daughter is the best!]

Jiang Silu felt a little shy reading her dad’s message.

But she was still very happy to receive Lu Fan’s validation.

So, she sent a couple of stickers.

Girls will be girls, with their endless supply of sticker packs.

The stickers basically conveyed her shy acceptance of her father’s praise.

She even wondered, ’If my brother received praise from Dad, would he be this happy too?’