Chapter 59: Jiang Lai

Lin Shutong didn't go far; as long as you're in the research institute there's a high chance of bumping into him. Professor Cheng asked Jiang Lai to take off her coat and put on his black administrative jacket— a bit oversized, a bit old‑fashioned, but there was no other way.

"And a hat, too; you have to be properly covered." Professor Cheng reached into his bag, pulled out a gray baseball cap, and snapped it onto Jiang Lai's head.

Curious, Jiang Lai asked, "Why a hat as well?"

"It's my daughter's," Professor Cheng stared at her. "Now that's better. From now on, whenever you go in or out of the institute you'll need two sets of clothes. Not afraid of ten thousand, but fear the one in ten thousand."

"Alright," Jiang Lai nodded.

To the elders she seemed both quiet and well‑behaved, which is why she was always bullied.

Professor Cheng sighed, muttering, "Leave it, it's fine. Leave it, it's fine."

Jiang Lai twitched her lips; the matter still stirred a ripple in her eyes.

After all, she had truly loved Shen Xun for four years.

"Get in my car; I'll take you out."

When the car reached the doorway, Professor Cheng and Jiang Lai both saw Lin Shutong through the rearview mirror.

Professor Cheng was startled again, cursing, "This is endless. I still have to bring it up in front of Ji Lao; only Ji Lao can keep her in line."

"Where are you headed?" he asked his co‑driver, Jiang Lai.

Jiang Lai was about to answer that she was going to Cui Zhai when her phone rang.

It was Dean Mom.

Professor Cheng gestured for her to answer first.

"Hello, Dean Mom," Jiang Lai instantly smiled, her voice lightening, just like any wanderer abroad when hearing a parent's call, "I'm fine; how are you all?"

"We and the children are all well. The children made you a few little things, wrote letters, drew pictures, and also sent some specialties, including your favorite peanut‑chili crisps. The courier shows it's already arrived at you and Mr. Shen's home; remember to pick it up."

"Okay, I'll go back right now." Jiang Lai had always given the address where she and Shen Xun lived; now she was getting a divorce, so she asked Dean Mom to send it to a different place, but she still didn't have her own home—Cui Zhai was unsuitable, and the Ke Clan was even less suitable.

"Dean Mom, for now please don't send me anything; I'm moving to a new place."

"You and Mr. Shen are moving?" Dean Mom on the phone sounded very happy,

Jiang Lai didn't know how to bring up the divorce, so she could only nod and say, "Um, we're moving; I'll give you the new address later."

"Alright, you and Mr. Shen will be back early this year, right? The children have started looking forward to it, counting the days every day, saying it's autumn now, winter is coming soon, and you'll return in winter."

Jiang Lai smiled sincerely, "I'll be back, but Shen Xun is busy; his work is heavier this year."

"That's right; Mr. Shen is already the CEO of a big company, truly can't spare time. No matter, just remember to come back."

"Mm." Jiang Lai nodded.

"Remember to eat the specialties; some won't last long. Mr. Shen, Mr. Shen's parents, Mr. Shen's sister—you all should get a share, as well as your teachers, your colleagues, your friends; we prepared a lot."

"Mm." Jiang Lai's voice carried a hint of choking, "I know, you always say the same thing."

"Annoying?" Dean Mom laughed over the phone, knowing she wasn't really annoyed.

Jiang Lai shook her head, "No, never."

Dean Mom laughed again, her voice also catching, "Alright, that's enough. Go back quickly and have dinner."

"Okay."

After hanging up, Professor Cheng asked her, "You haven't told Dean yet?"

"I don't know how to bring it up; every early year Shen Xun accompanies me back home, and besides donations, he brings gifts for everyone—people all love him." Whenever Jiang Lai recalled her past with Shen Xun, she couldn't figure out whether someone like him was innately hypocritical or could genuinely share a bit of his heart with anyone.

"Professor Cheng, could you take me back to Shen Xun's place? I need to pick up the things Dean Mom and my younger siblings sent me." Jiang Lai was also calculating the house‑buying matter in her mind.

"Professor Cheng, do you have any second‑hand houses to recommend? I want to buy one I can move into right away."

"Can you wait a bit longer?" Professor Cheng said. "According to the usual practice, besides bonuses and honors, your job and housing will be arranged. Keep the money you have; it's useful, isn't it? For yourself, and for Fuli Yuan."

Jiang Lai thought Professor Cheng was right.

But she also had other concerns.

"Staying all the time at the teacher's wife's house, I'm worried Shen Xun might disturb her; last time he went over at midnight and woke Uncle Deng, and both Uncle Deng and the teacher's wife are already old and feel a bit frail." Jiang Lai thought, "I should rent a place instead."

Professor Cheng nodded, "My wife has a house that's been vacant; you can move in there first. It's not far from the Ke Clan."

"By the way, the Ke Clan received a bidding invitation; you didn't get involved in the project, did you? If you did, the Ke Clan would be eliminated."

"No," Jiang Lai shook her head. "Ke Zhongyu wanted me to join; I declined."

"He does value you quite a bit," Professor Cheng said, glancing at her. "At the cocktail party, after your dance with him, many people started speculating about your identity."

Jiang Lai was startled, "Isn't it common for a secretary to be a female companion?"

"This Mr. Ke is different; he never has a companion, a secretary is just a secretary."

Jiang Lai frowned, "It's fine, I'll resign right away."

She calculated the dates: first get the divorce certificate, then resign.

Leaving the Ke Clan, she would head straight to the bidding conference.

Everything was proceeding methodically, yet her heart still felt like a huge hole had been torn open.

The car arrived at the residential complex entrance.

After getting out of the car, Jiang Lai said, "Professor Cheng, I won't invite you to my home now; once everything settles, I'll cook you a good meal."

"Really?" Professor Cheng's eyes lit up. Usually Jiang Lai cooks for her husband and brings a portion to the institute, always making him crave it. "I won't just eat yours; I'll help you in the kitchen."

Jiang Lai smiled slightly, standing by the roadside watching the car drive away.

She hadn't been back for several days.

Upon entering, it was cold and icy, as if the liveliness had vanished instantly.

The kitchen hadn't been lit for a long time; Shen Xun had been busy lately, and Lin Shutong had been clinging to him tightly, leaving no time.

At the doorway were several parcels, the sender address being Fuli Yuan.

She took a small knife from the entryway and opened them one by one; they were all food.

Dean Mom had mentioned there were also the children's handicrafts, letters, and drawings, but Jiang Lai searched everywhere and couldn't find them.

She first called Dean Mom: "What are these handicrafts and letters packed in?"

"A square cardboard box—what's wrong? Didn't you find it?"

"Maybe the courier dropped it; I'll call to check."

Jiang Lai called the courier again, and after confirming with them, everything had been delivered.

In the photos and video taken by the courier, there really was a square cardboard box.

Just vanished?

But only one went missing?

Jiang Lai stood among the many parcels, helplessly calling Shen Xun.

"Did you come back today to unpack the parcels? The parcel Dean Mom sent is missing one."

"Are you home?" Shen Xun's voice obviously carried a hint of joy.

Jiang Lai only felt annoyed, continuing to ask him: "Did you unpack the parcels?"

"I didn't go back today; Xiao Xi went over once."

Shen Xi?

Jiang Lai had a bad feeling.