Upon seeing Xiao Xue, Shi Jing had a premonition that her adoptive parents were going to cause trouble.

As expected, her adoptive father called the next day.

Shi Jing frowned as she looked at the incessantly ringing number on her phone. This was really going to cause her trouble; couldn't it just be quiet?!

When the phone rang for the second time, Shi Jing finally answered it. She heard her father's gentle voice on the other end of the line: "Xiao Jing, how have you been lately?"

"Dad, did Xiao Xue say something to you?" Shi Jing had never been patient with them, and at this moment she didn't want to get into any father-daughter sentimentality; she just wanted to get straight to the point.

"Hey, kid, don't listen to what outsiders say." On the other end of the phone, Shi Hai coughed lightly and continued, "You've been gone for so long, you didn't even come back for the New Year. Why don't you come back and stay for a while during the summer vacation? Your younger brother is almost six years old and you haven't seen each other much. I'm afraid the two of you wouldn't recognize each other if you met."

Shi Jing frowned. It seemed that Shi Hai was determined to have a casual chat with her.

"Dad, it's only been a year or two. You haven't forgotten what you said back then, have you?"

“There’s no such thing as a father and daughter holding a grudge overnight. Your grandma misses you too. Come back and visit her during the summer vacation. She’s getting old, and her health hasn’t been very good these past two years. How many more years can you, as her grandchildren, take care of her?”

Wow, what a good emotional appeal! If she were still the original owner of this body, she might actually soften her heart.

She had spent some time with Shi Hai's family and was quite familiar with their nature. If Shi Hai still had some fatherly affection for the original owner in the early days, that affection had almost completely faded after the birth of their youngest son, not to mention the years after they lost contact.

The old lady of the Shi family was a character who favored sons over daughters to the core. For her to miss him is a joke.

"I will definitely go back when the time is right."

As for when the right time will be, let's set the funeral as the next option for now.

"Dad, I'm very busy with my studies and don't have time to chat with you. Goodbye."

After saying that, he hung up the phone.

To be honest, Shi Jing wasn't surprised that Shi Hai would call her. However, she was somewhat surprised by his unusually friendly attitude today.

Wasn't Shi Hai always aloof and superior when it came to his daughter?

She had a feeling that something was definitely going on, so she sent a message to the detectives she usually worked with, asking them to help her investigate her adoptive father.

After sending the message, she quickly put Shi Hai out of her mind. She had a lot on her plate lately, and her studies were demanding, so it would be good to use that time to read a few more pages of a book.

Another week passed. On this day, Shi Jing had just finished class and was about to return to her dormitory when she received a call from Zhao Xunkan.

The two had a fairly good relationship, so Shi Jing didn't delay and answered the phone directly.

"Hello, Second Young Master, what brings you here to call me today?" Her tone was very relaxed and at ease.

"Shi Jing, are you free? I need your help with something." Zhao Xunkan's voice sounded slightly anxious.

Shi Jing paused, then asked, "You have time? What's up?"

"I heard you own an investment company and they want you to invest in a piece of land. Are you at school right now? I'll come find you."

On the phone, Zhao Xunkan sounded very anxious, and the other party even used the word "please".

Shi Jing didn't hesitate and immediately agreed: "Okay, I'll wait for you at the school gate."

After hanging up the phone, she went straight to the school gate with her books in her arms.

Zhao Xunkan must have been very anxious. He was probably already near the school. Shi Jing waited for less than five minutes after arriving at the school gate before Zhao Xunkan's car arrived.

A bright blue sports car glided smoothly past her like a rainbow and stopped in front of her. The passenger window rolled down, and Zhao Xunkan said to her through the passenger side, "Shi Jing, get in the car."

Shi Jing opened the car door and got in, and the car quickly continued driving.

Where are we going?

"Lanjing Teahouse isn't far from here. Qingyue is waiting over there," Zhao Xunkan replied quickly.

It seems they've encountered some trouble, which is why they're in such a hurry.

Shi Jing didn't ask any more questions, because the car soon arrived in front of Lan Jing Teahouse. After the car stopped, Zhao Xunkan got out, and Shi Jing also got out of the passenger seat.

The two entered the teahouse and quickly walked to a private room. Pushing open the door, they found Jiang Qingyue and Qin Yi, the man they had met at the hot pot restaurant.

Shi Jing had a so-so impression of Qin Yi, but a pretty good one of Jiang Qingyue.

"What happened?" Having arrived at their destination, Shi Jing asked again.

Zhao Xunkan pulled out a chair for Shi Jing, then pulled one out for himself and sat down. He took a folder from the table, opened it, and placed it directly in front of Shi Jing.

"Shi Jing, this is a piece of land in D province next to the capital. It's in a good location, nestled against the mountains and by the water. Are you interested?"

Shi Jing glanced at it briefly; it was a land planning document. She didn't know what the actual site was like, but the plan looked quite good.

However, she didn't rush to answer Zhao Xunkan, but instead asked, "The land issue isn't urgent. Why don't you tell me first what happened? Why are you in such a hurry?"

It's no wonder Shi Jing was curious. Putting aside Qin Yi, as far as she knew, Zhao Xunkan and Jiang Qingyue were both from wealthy families with powerful backgrounds. What could have happened to make them so anxious?

Zhao Xun and Kan Jiang Qingyue both looked quite unpleasant, while Qin Yi, standing to the side, wished he could minimize his presence so that no one else could see him.

But how could that be? It's obvious that this kid is the one who caused the trouble.

For some reason, Shi Jing thought of the drinking, gambling, and whoring that those people had mentioned when they met him before.

Food and drink are clearly not something a few rich kids can't afford, and prostitution shouldn't be an issue either, unless it's illegal. That leaves only gambling!

Thinking of this, Shi Jing turned his gaze to Zhao Xunkan and asked directly, "He gambles?"

Zhao Xunkan nodded heavily: "If it were just that, I wouldn't be in such a hurry. He's also borrowing money at exorbitant interest rates."

Speaking of this, Zhao Xunkan couldn't help but be angry at Qin Yi's lack of self-control. They had advised him so many times, but he just ignored them and ended up getting deeper and deeper into trouble.

"Loan sharks?!" Shi Jing was also shocked. Shi Jing herself had never been involved in this, but she had seen many cases where people who gambled and borrowed money from loan sharks ended up with their families ruined and their lives destroyed.

"I can't ask my family for help with this, so I have to ask you."

“Yes, Miss Shi,” Jiang Qingyue said. “Don’t worry, Xun Kan and I have both checked out this land. The location is excellent, and the environment is also very good.”

Shi Jing nodded.

She's always been cautious with her investments, and even if there are risks, she always assesses whether they're within her risk tolerance. Even with Zhao Xunkan and Jiang Qingyue acting as guarantors, she still makes sure she understands all the potential risks.