Chapter 108: Three Favors, No More Than Three Personal Commitments

Ke Zhongyu was standing right outside the door.

Jiang Lai turned back to glance at the teacher's wife and Professor Cheng at the table, then walked back and said, "It's Ke Zhongyu."

Everyone was startled for a moment.

"Teacher's wife, Uncle Deng, Professor Cheng, Professor Cheng's wife, Xiao Qian, you keep eating; I'll step out for a moment," Jiang Lai said, picking up the phone on the table, slipping it into her pocket, opening the door and stepping out, exchanging a glance with Ke Zhongyu, and then closing the door right in front of him.

Ke Zhongyu then realized that Jiang Lai had guests at home, so it was inconvenient for him to appear.

"Ke Zhongyu, why are you here?" It was very cold, and as Jiang Lai spoke a wisp of warm air drifted from her mouth as she added, "There are guests at home."

Ke Zhongyu hummed in acknowledgment; as for his reason for coming, it was a strange impulse.

He didn't know how he ended up here.

"Tomorrow is the bid‑opening day, just letting you know," Ke Zhongyu could only offer that excuse. After Jiang Lai resigned and the box was taken by her, aside from his sister Ke Zhongying, this incident became their only point of contact, and it was merely because Jiang Lai mentioned it to his face on the day she left.

Had I known, I wouldn't have returned that box; I could have just sent her a letter once.

But every time he looked into Jiang Lai's eyes, there were many things he couldn't refuse.

"I see you're quite concerned about this project; you even mentioned it deliberately on the day you resigned," Ke Zhongyu added another line for himself.

Jiang Lai nodded and said, "I wish Ke Zhongyu a smooth tomorrow."

Ke Zhongyu asked her, "If Shen Xun loses, what will you do?"

Jiang Lai thought his question was odd; after giving him a strange look, she shook her head and said, "Nothing would happen. Where there's competition there's winning and losing. If he wins the bid, it's his skill; if he doesn't, that's also normal."

"What if Shen Xun gets into trouble?" Ke Zhongyu stared into her eyes as if trying to detect some shift.

Jiang Lai's pupils indeed flickered.

She asked, "What are you going to do?"

"How?" Ke Zhongyu's voice deepened, "Are you worried I'll do something that harms your ex‑husband?"

"His affairs are none of my business," Jiang Lai said, then looked at Ke Zhongyu earnestly, "I just think tomorrow is also very important for Ke Zhongyu, so it's better to be proper."

Ke Zhongyu suddenly curled the corner of his mouth, "Oh? So you're actually concerned about me."

Jiang Lai: "?"

Speaking of how fast a man can change his face?

"Ke Zhongyu can think whatever he wants," Jiang Lai said as she stepped forward, "Ke Zhongyu, I'm not in a position to entertain you tonight; I'll see you back, it's too cold outside."

Indeed, he couldn't keep standing at the doorway talking, Ke Zhongyu said, "No need for you to escort me."

As he turned, the door behind him opened.

Jiang Lai and Ke Zhongyu both looked back at the same time.

The one who opened the door was Butler Deng.

Butler Deng smiled, "Miss Jiang Lai, the matriarch requests Young Master Ke to come in and sit."

Ke Zhongyu looked at Jiang Lai.

Jiang Lai was also a bit surprised, but she turned back, and Ke Zhongyu followed closely.

Just as they entered, his attention fell on Professor Cheng and Xiao Qian.

Next was the woman sitting beside Professor Cheng, a member of the Jiang family, who rarely appeared in the circle, but had once shown up in the annually updated A City Person Directory that her mother had shown her.

Jiang Li.

She is the eldest daughter of the Jiang family patriarch, and after marrying out she rarely appears.

Her mother had said that if you meet her, you should respectfully call her 'Aunt.'

Thus.

Ke Zhongyu addressed them one by one: "Professor Wang, Professor Cheng, Aunt Jiang."

Jiang Li was momentarily stunned, then smiled, "I didn't expect any of the younger generation to know me."

"My mother mentioned her," Ke Zhongyu replied politely, his gaze shifting to Xiao Qian, "How should I address this lady?"

If Chi Ce were here, he would be amazed by Ke Zhongyu's politeness and initiative in greeting others.

Ke Zhongyu is the heir of a top‑tier wealthy clan; wherever he goes, people stand up, and if they don't call him 'Ke Zhongyu,' they must at least address him as 'Young Master Ke.'

Only others scramble to introduce themselves in front of Ke Zhongyu; he never initiates asking others.

It's truly an honor.

Jiang Lai had attended banquets with Ke Zhongyu before, had seen everyone treat him with deference and his indifferent demeanor; at first glance his gentlemanly politeness also left her a little stunned.

The teacher's wife and the others are just elders.

He can also take Xiao Qian into consideration.

"Ke Zhongyu, greetings," Xiao Qian immediately stood, saying properly, "My name is Xiao Qian—'Xiao' with the grass radical, and 'Qian' is the character that has 'west' beneath a thing; I am the junior sister of my senior sister."

Ke Zhongyu nodded, "Jiang Lai's junior sister."

He scanned the people present; they were all Jiang Lai's teachers, teacher's wife, and junior sisters, each a formidable figure, and Professor Cheng and Xiao Qian had also appeared at this year's industry banquet.

"Young Master Ke, please sit."

"Thank you, Professor Wang."

Ke Zhongyu sat down, and Butler Deng set a pair of bowls and chopsticks for him.

Wang Ruohua continued, "There are no professors here today, only Jiang Lai's family members."

Ke Zhongyu instantly understood that, even with doubts and speculation in his mind, he could not voice them.

Both understood tacitly.

Professor Wang and Professor Cheng exchanged satisfied glances, thinking that dealing with clever people is hassle‑free.

"Senior sister, sit quickly, you only took a few bites just now," Xiao Qian tugged at Jiang Lai.

As Jiang Lai sat down, Ke Zhongyu's voice sounded beside her, "So I've disturbed your meal."

There was not a hint of apology in his tone.

Jiang Lai glanced at him, thinking you knowing is enough, and said calmly: "Boss Ke, eat a bit more."

At the table, Xiao Qian's gaze kept darting between the two; anyone could see she was curious about what exactly the relationship between Ke Zhongyu and Jiang Lai was.

Even if she hadn't resigned, it wouldn't be normal for a superior to go to a subordinate's home, right?

But Xiao Qian didn't dare speak up.

Jiang Li saw her thoughts, smiled, and she was the most suitable here to ask Ke Zhongyu.

Young Master Ke, Jiang Lai has resigned; do you still keep in touch?

The question left Ke Zhongyu speechless.

He hadn't expected to be left speechless either, and froze for a moment.

But Jiang Lai didn't.

Jiang Lai said: "I still owe Boss Ke three favors."

Everyone looked over, puzzled.

Jiang Lai continued: "Once saving my life, once protecting something important to me, and once preventing me from being taken away."

Xiao Qian was astonished, whispering: "Senior sister, three favors—do you have to repay with your body three times?"

Jiang Lai: "……"

Xiao Qian lowered her voice further: "Then what about repaying once, and the other two?"

Jiang Lai raised her hand and tapped her forehead.

Actually, even one favor would be enough to repay; it's all because Shen Xun suddenly did a spot check—never checking early or late, but precisely that day.

This left her now not knowing how to repay Ke Zhongyu's three favors.

Xiao Qian's just‑uttered offer to repay with her body was heard by the sharp‑eared Ke Zhongyu.

The man's lips curled slightly as he leisurely sized up Jiang Lai.

Jiang Lai immediately realized he had heard it.

Not only had he heard it, he showed no anger or opposition.

Jiang Lai withdrew her gaze, not continuing to meet his eyes.

Ke Zhongyu, seeming unwilling to let go, tilted his head slightly toward Jiang Lai and whispered: "Have you figured out how to repay?"