Lin Zhaojiang's eyes narrowed slightly, his calmness unusual.

It's like... the calm before the storm.

"To be honest, I don't really like this industry." He lowered his voice, each word clear. "These days, most of the writers aren't so innocent. Making money is one thing, but what if some people have ulterior motives, using the guise of literature to do shady things? Wanwan will definitely suffer!"

"Do you have paranoia?" Xiao Liran asked helplessly.

"President Lin, you get jealous so easily. Are you going to control Wanwan's personal freedom in the future? That would be terrifying!"

"Besides, why can't women show their faces in public? We go out to work and socialize based on our real skills! Why should beautiful women be pointed at and criticized by you men when they go out to socialize? Is it a woman's fault for being beautiful, or is it that you men have dirty minds?"

Lin Zhaojiang suddenly widened his eyes.

Xiao Liran has this ability; she can use her set of "twisted logic and heresies" to leave him speechless!

The man appeared calm on the surface, but inside he was in turmoil. However, his years of experience in the business world had honed his ability to conceal his emotions.

"Heh," Lin Zhaojiang chuckled softly, giving a thumbs up, "President Xiao's ideas are indeed different from others; she's a heroine among women!"

"You flatter me!"

"You'll apply this theory to business as well, right?"

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing much," Lin Zhaojiang said with a smile. "It's just that as a major shareholder of SL Publishing Company, I think it's necessary for me to carefully consider the next investment plan."

Xiao Liran was taken aback. She had been so focused on celebrating the New Year that she had completely forgotten that he was a shareholder...

"Um, Mr. Lin, actually, I didn't..."

"When would be a convenient time for you, Mr. Xiao, to hold the investment meeting next quarter? I'll have my assistant handle the arrangements!"

Xiao Liran took a deep breath.

Those familiar with Lin Zhaojiang know that if he doesn't approve of a project, he won't be present in person; he'll simply send his lowest-ranking assistant to inform him.

Xiao Liran rolled her eyes inwardly, but in the end, she still had to bow down for a meager living.

She had Rachel call Song Wan over, and then, with a grin, pushed her in front of Lin Zhaojiang.

Song Wan was at a loss, "This..."

"Wanwan!" Xiao Liran grabbed her hand, laughing happily. "This Mr. Lin is an investor in our company. Why don't you have a good chat with him? Hehe... I won't introduce those handsome guys to you!"

Song Wan looked surprised, while Lin Zhaojiang couldn't hide his smug smile.

After Xiao Liran walked away, Song Wan finally pieced together the events and understood what had happened.

She found it somewhat amusing and looked at Lin Zhaojiang: "You don't have to be so petty, do you?"

Unexpectedly, he replied, "As for it. As for you, it's nothing."

"Zhaojiang, we..."

“I understand.” Lin Zhaojiang looked into her eyes. “I know you can’t completely forgive me right now, and I don’t expect that, after all, I made mistakes in the past. But Wanwan, I’m willing to wait.”

“I was a little jealous when I saw you socializing and laughing with others... But I support you having your own career and supporting you flying in your own world.”

"If you get tired of flying, remember to look back, I will always be behind you."

Song Wan was caught off guard by this sudden confession. Her heart was pounding, as if she had returned to the innocent and naive days when she first met him.

Lin Zhaojiang moved closer, his hot chest almost touching her flushed face.

He whispered in her ear in a deep, magnetic voice, "I will wait until you nod."

Song Wan stood there motionless, glanced at him, and then lowered her head to secretly smile.

Just then, Lin Zhaojiang's phone rang. It was his assistant calling; there was an urgent matter at the company that needed immediate attention.

He smiled and said, "I have to go back."

"Mm." Song Wan nodded gently.

"Take care of yourself. Call me after the tea party and I'll come pick you up."

"You go ahead with your work," she said softly. "My home isn't far; I can go back by myself."

"Alright." He didn't insist. "Contact me anytime if you need anything."

Song Wan watched his retreating figure, her heart filled with mixed emotions. He was the first person she had ever loved, and perhaps the only person she would ever love in her life.

But the more you love, the harder it is to forget those hurts.

She sighed softly, when a clear voice came from beside her: "We've gone so far, what else can we see?"

Song Wan was startled and turned her head sharply to see a handsome face.

He had the quintessential scholarly air, wearing a white shirt, with delicate features, like a male protagonist straight out of a campus novel. When he smiled, it was as if all the sunshine in the world shone on him.

Song Wan was a little stunned, but the boy's expression changed instantly.

"Hey, watch out!"

The boy reached out and pulled her. Before Song Wan could react, she was pulled over and stumbled, almost bumping into him.

However, the boy steadily supported her, and under his rolled-up white shirt, a section of his strong and powerful forearm was revealed.

With his other hand, he grabbed the clumsy waiter, preventing a chaotic scene of dishes breaking and crashing.

Song Wan composed herself and noticed the waiter's panicked expression. If this boy hadn't stopped her, the cake and tea in the waiter's hands would have spilled all over her.

Song Wan quickly thanked him, "Thank you."

"It's nothing." The boy smiled. "Are you...Song Wan?"

"You know me?"

"I am……"

However, before the boy could finish speaking, Song Wan's phone suddenly rang. She walked aside to answer it, and Song Xi's flustered voice came from the other end.

"Wanwan, could you come to the hospital? It's Mom... she's feeling very unwell, she keeps saying her chest hurts. I brought her to the hospital, but there are just too many people here. The doctor can only give her some basic treatment, and then we have to wait here for a bed..."

"What?" Song Wan was stunned. "Mom's heart isn't feeling well, and she can't even be hospitalized?"

“You can be admitted, but you have to wait in line, and there are no wards available right now!” Song Xi was extremely anxious and whispered to her, “There are many people like us waiting… Wanwan, I really can’t bear to see Mom like this. Although the doctor has given her an IV drip and she’s temporarily stable, I’m really afraid that something might happen to her…”

Song Wan felt heavy-hearted. She knew that her mother's illness was all because of Song Huai.

Both Song Huai and Lin Na were imprisoned and punished by law. Lin Na was sentenced, and Song Huai had to go to a drug rehabilitation center before going to jail; neither of them had an easy time.

Her mother, however, blamed everything on Song Wan. She believed that Lin Zhaojiang and Song Wan were in cahoots, and that Song Wan was behind Lin Zhaojiang's schemes against Song Huai.