Chapter 58 Until the end of the workday...

Even after get off work, Jiang Huaichuan couldn't suppress the smile on his face. As soon as it was time to leave, Jiang Huaichuan walked to Shen Li's side, pulled out his chair in full view of everyone, picked him up, and left.

Jiang Huaichuan was in a great mood, and in his haste, Shen Li could only press the power off button.

Uncle Wu received a notification in the afternoon that his boss had taken his job today, so he went home early.

Jiang Huaichuan sat in the driver's seat, leaned to one side, pulled the seatbelt on the passenger side, and, to Shen Li's astonishment, took a sip.

The soft touch on his lips was fleeting, carrying an inexplicable sense of restraint and control.

Shen Li was stunned for a few seconds, glanced at the man's eyes filled with joy, and finally couldn't help but chuckle. Then, in Jiang Huaichuan's suddenly widened pupils, she grabbed his collar, gently pulled him to her side, and tilted her head back to kiss him.

Their lips met, the kiss ended, and Shen Li sat in her chair, breathing heavily, with Jiang Huaichuan's helpless voice in her ear.

The car started.

Jiang Huaichuan sighed: "You really are something, always provoking me."

Shen Li smiled slyly and remained silent.

On my way to pick up Dongli from the pet store and bring her home, messages kept popping up in the group chat.

After the show ended, the "Swap Lives" guest group did not disband; instead, they changed the group name and kept it as a private group.

Shen Li clicked on a link sent by Yin Xi. The link was named—

#Passing Through My World

The internet has been buzzing for a while now, and people are searching for clues. Suddenly, a post from before the Lunar New Year has resurfaced.

The family of three who were fired by Jiang Huaichuan on the spot at the movie theater before the New Year because they were too arrogant and domineering.

Shen Li never expected that this incident would be posted online, along with a picture of their backs.

So, are the two people in this photo President Jiang and Shen Li?

[That's right! That figure is definitely Shen Li from behind. The one next to him is a 100% match to the figure in the first episode!]

[They're wearing the same clothes... After what happened this afternoon, it's hard not to suspect that President Jiang deliberately wore them for the first episode.]

Shen Li suddenly remembered something, and he looked back at the seat. He saw the down jacket in the photo lying quietly on the seat.

Shen Li: ...

Shen Li: "Did you pick it on purpose?"

This garment had long been stored in the closet of the dressing room, covered with a dust cover; it would never have appeared here unless you specifically looked for it.

Jiang Huaichuan noticed Shen Li's gaze, looked away, and coughed guiltily, "I was just thinking of giving you a hint."

Shen Li understood, and he suddenly wanted to tease Jiang Huaichuan, so he asked mischievously, "Then how did it end up being an explicit statement?"

Jiang Huaichuan tapped his knuckles on the steering wheel, a faint blush rising to his ears.

"Because I can't wait."

I was afraid the hint would be too subtle and go unnoticed.

——

In early April, Shen Li went to University A to take the postgraduate entrance examination interview, and in mid-April, she received the admission information.

As May arrived and the weather gradually became hot and dry, Shen Li received a message from Zhou Lan for the first time ever.

[Zhou Lan: Mr. Shen, Xiao Nian and I have arrived in City A. Would it be convenient for us to have dinner together?]

Tang Nian is already more than eight months pregnant, with her due date in mid-June. Logically speaking, Zhou Lan shouldn't have let her wander around during this time, yet she still traveled such a long distance to City A.

Shen Li suppressed her unease.

[Chen Li: It's convenient. When will you arrive? I'll arrange for a driver to pick you up.]

Zhou Lan replied to messages very quickly.

[Overview: Landed at the airport two hours later. Thank you, Mr. Shen (clasped hands in thanks)]

Shen Li frowned, his heart tightening, realizing that something serious had indeed happened.

When Shen Li entered the office, Jiang Huaichuan was on the phone.

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Huaichuan met Shen Li's gaze and gave her a reassuring look: "Don't worry, I've arranged for Uncle Wu to pick her up."

"What exactly is going on?"

Shen Li knew that the Zhou family was not at peace recently. Although the Jiang Group had acquired HCL, its internal corruption and deep-rooted problems could not be solved in a short time.

The first to bear the brunt are the group of old fogies behind the Zhou family who are ruthless in their pursuit of fame and fortune.

HCL was established single-handedly by Zhou's father. It can be said that Zhou's father played an indispensable role in enabling the Zhou family to enter this prestigious business circle.

Zhou's father was the eldest son, with three younger brothers. He valued family and righteousness above all else. As HCL grew stronger, he appointed his three younger brothers to important positions. This decision gradually fueled their ambitions.

After Zhou's father passed away, his three younger brothers became restless and frequently tried to trip him up. Later, in order to get Jiang's company to acquire the company, Zhou Lan took drastic measures and kicked the three of them out of the company.

Even after HCL was acquired by the Jiang family, Zhou Lan remained wary and cautious of his three uncles. Although there were occasional crises, they were not enough to make Zhou Lan leave City C with Tang Nian, who was eight months pregnant.

Jiang Huaichuan's eyes were deep and unfathomable: "Zhou Lan can't hold on any longer."

"How could this be?" Shen Li exclaimed in astonishment. "Although his three uncles have made some moves, they shouldn't have made Zhou Lan so preoccupied with his own affairs."

Jiang Huaichuan: "Three days ago, the private plane he was on almost crashed into the sea, and he was forced to stay in Country K for a day."

Shen Li frowned: "Is this a complete annihilation? No, this is too obvious... Where is Tang Nian? Is she on the plane?"

Jiang Huaichuan shook his head and said in a deep voice, "Because Zhou Lan was forced to stay abroad, Tang Nian's routine check-up the next day was accompanied by her friend, and there was a problem with the medication at the hospital."

If Tang Nian's friend hadn't given birth a few months earlier and hadn't been unusually sensitive to smells, immediately noticing something amiss the moment the doctor opened the medicine and finding an excuse to take Tang Nian away, not only would the baby in her womb be lost, but Tang Nian herself probably wouldn't have survived either.

Shen Li immediately realized: "They want to attack from two directions. If they are lucky, Zhou Lan will die in a plane crash. If Zhou Lan survives, then he will be met with the news of his wife and children's deaths."

In his haste to return, Zhou Lan wouldn't wait for his private jet to be repaired; he'd buy a ticket for the earliest flight. Regardless of whether he landed safely in City C, he wouldn't have time to consider his own safety. His wife's sudden death had left him in a daze; it was only natural that he might encounter an accident.

Jiang Huaichuan: "Not only that, Zhou Lan's people found out that his car, which was parked in the airport basement, had also been tampered with; the brake lines were broken."

“After Zhou Lan comes back, he will definitely be in a hurry to drive to the police station. On the way from the airport to the police station…” Shen Li said, then thought of a possibility and his heart skipped a beat. He looked at Jiang Huaichuan.

Jiang Huaichuan nodded: "It will pass by a kindergarten and a primary school. Zhou Lan got the news, bought a ticket for the next available flight, drove to the police station, and arrived just in time for school to let out."

Failed brakes, a car speeding recklessly, a husband who has lost both his wife and children, a dazed state of mind, the joyful voices of children, and even thoughts of revenge against society.

Shen Li braced herself on the table with one hand, gritting her teeth as she said, "What a ruthless scheme."

——

Zhou Lan and Tang Nian were taken directly to the company.

As Zhou Lan entered the office, his heart finally settled down. He greeted Shen Li and Jiang with a smile, "President Jiang, President Shen, it's been a long time."

Jiang Huaichuan: "Long time no see."

The long journey had left Tang Nian looking somewhat pale. Zhou Lan sat beside her, gently massaging her aching lower back.

Shen Li poured a glass of warm water for Tang Nian.

Tang Nian took it, her cool fingertips touching the glass, the warmth slowly spreading from her fingertips to her heart: "Thank you, Mr. Shen..."

Shen Li: "You're welcome."

While Tang Nian was in the restroom, Zhou Lan straightened his expression.

Zhou Lan reached into the collar of his sweater, fumbled around for a bit, and pulled out a few checks: "Could you please take care of Xiao Nian during this time? This is a small token of my appreciation."

Jiang Huaichuan didn't answer, but instead asked, "What about you?"

Zhou Lan shook his head: "I have to go back. They're after me. I can't hide here like a coward, but I'm worried about Xiao Nian staying with me."

Jiang Huaichuan was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly said, "You've prepared a way out for her?"

Zhou Lan choked for a moment, then looked towards the door, his usually arrogant gaze softening with tenderness and reluctance: "Yes, I deposited some money in her name, and the divorce agreement is signed... I tricked her into signing it; she trusts me too much. She won't even look at what I ask her to sign. She can go back to the Tang family then. The Tang family treats her well, and with the money I deposited for her, she and the child won't have a hard life."

As he spoke, Zhou Lan's eyes reddened, and he suppressed his emotions, afraid that Tang Nian might suddenly return.

Shen Li felt distressed listening to this. He stood up, wanting to go outside to calm down. As soon as he opened the door, he paused and met a pair of red eyes.

Tang Nian's eyes were blurry with tears. She covered her mouth with her hand and shook her head at Chen Li.

Shen Li casually closed the door and helped Tang Nian to the conference room next door.

After calming down, Tang Nian breathed a sigh of relief and said, "I know. I've been with him for so many years, I know him."

Whether it's signing a divorce agreement or preparing money for her, she knows everything.

Jiang Huaichuan's office door was very soundproof. Based on the volume of their conversation, Tang Nian outside the door could not possibly have heard anything. The only explanation is that Tang Nian knew Zhou Lan too well. She knew that Zhou Lan would never say anything if she was there, so she deliberately said she was going to the restroom.

Shen Li was speechless. He didn't know how to comfort Tang Nian, because he would have done the same thing if he were in her shoes.

If having both is difficult, then do everything you can to protect one side.

——

Zhou Lan and Tang Nian moved into the other house in Jiang Huaichuan's Royal Blue Bay.

It's right below the floor where they live now.

Jiang Huaichuan: "It's been renovated for several years, but no one has ever lived there."

Zhou Lan could tell from the decor that it was well-done; even the sharp table corners were covered with soft padding. This must be the room Jiang Huaichuan planned to stay in for a long time: "Okay, thanks!"

Shen Li looked around curiously, unable to hide the interest in her eyes.

When was it bought?

Jiang Huaichuan placed Shen Li's slippers beside his feet: "Five years ago, I changed my shoes."

As Shen Li took off her shoes, she asked, "Did you buy this set together?"

"Hmm." Jiang Huaichuan looked at Shen Li, "So that when we installed this set, we also installed the lower set."

After five years, even if Shen Li doesn't like him, he can increase the chances of running into her through their neighborly relationship, and with a little effort, they might be able to rekindle their romance.

Most importantly, if anything happens to Shen Li, I can get there immediately.

Upon hearing this, Shen Li's lips curled up slightly: "Hmph~"

That night, Shen Li was lying in bed when Jiang Huaichuan, who had just finished showering, pulled her into his arms.

Caught off guard, Shen Li's eyes widened: "What are you doing?"

"Hmph hmph hmph~"

Jiang Huaichuan mimicked Shen Li's afternoon humming and turned off the light.

"Ouch! Don't bite! Your neck will be exposed."