Although the sky was overcast when we left the Duke of Huguo's mansion, there was still some time before it got dark.

Zhu Xinning returned to the Prime Minister's residence. Going there now would likely mean dinner wasn't ready yet, and chatting with Zhu Tong wouldn't be very interesting. It would be better to wait until it got dark, then go eat, and after a satisfying meal, take Zhu Xinning home... hehehe...

Of the four women in Jingzhou, it seemed that only Zhang Xiaoyu hadn't had a proper chat yet, but Jing Zhe felt a little apprehensive when he thought of Murong Xi next door.

In the end, he decided to let it go and have a proper talk with Zhang Xiaoyu when Murong Xi wasn't around...

Before it gets dark, let's go check out our base camp!

Arriving outside the newspaper office, Jing Zhe felt that he was not doing a very good job as the editor-in-chief. Not long after the newspaper was opened, he became a hands-off manager and was gone for more than a month.

Even if he returned to Jingzhou, if he had nowhere else to go, he wouldn't have even thought of visiting the newspaper office...

Feeling guilty, Jing Zhe joined the newspaper office.

The first thing that catches the eye is the empty space in front of the newspaper office, which once belonged to Wu Pin, the top security officer. It's a pity that the Wu family has been completely eradicated by him, which is quite regrettable.

Snow was falling heavily outside, but inside the newspaper office, it was bustling with activity, especially the printing department located at the entrance. Stacks of paper were constantly being delivered, and the printing staff were skillfully printing them onto the molds…

"President Jing...!"

At this moment, Xiong San, the head of the living department, was the first to see Jing Zhe. At first, he only felt that his eyes were blurry. After rubbing some medicine on them and getting closer to see clearly, he shouted out loud.

The newspaper office fell silent instantly. The printing department staff also stopped what they were doing. The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

"President Jing!"

Then, cheers and shouts erupted like a tidal wave, sweeping through every corner of the newspaper office.

Upon hearing the shouts, Chen Jiannan, who was in his office on the second floor, rushed out.

"President Jing, you're finally back!"

When Chen Jiannan arrived in front of Jing Zhe, he was already sobbing uncontrollably.

"What's wrong? I'm perfectly fine, why are you crying?"

"No... I just missed you, President Jing!"

"..."

Upon hearing this, Jing Zhe couldn't help but shudder and took a few steps back. Then, thinking of the "rumors" he had just heard on the street, he looked at Chen Jiannan with some wariness.

Could this guy have already gone gay after only a month?

Sensing Jing Zhe's questioning gaze, Chen Jiannan realized he had lost his composure, wiped his face, and said with an embarrassed smile, "President Jing, you've kept me so busy while you were gone! I've been waiting and waiting, and now that you're back, I can finally relax!"

Hearing his explanation, Jing Zhe felt somewhat relieved.

"I just came from Wenxiangju and heard a lot about our newspaper. It's great! Although I haven't been in Jingzhou recently, our newspaper is doing better and better. I'm very pleased!"

"It's all thanks to President Jing's leadership. We're just following his example. Any achievements we make are all thanks to President Jing!"

"It's all thanks to President Jing!"

"..."

It must be said that Chen Jiannan has honed his skills over this period of time, at least in the art of flattery, which has reached a level of perfection.

Jing Zhe smiled and said, "You don't need to flatter me. I know how hard everyone has worked these past few days! We'll finish one last issue of the newspaper before the New Year, and then we'll start our New Year's holiday. Everyone will have seven or eight days off, and we'll still pay you your monthly salary. I've also prepared a generous year-end bonus for you!"

After Jing Zhe finished speaking, everyone cheered even more.

As the newspaper became more and more famous, these members, who were once looked down upon in their families, were much better off than before, both in terms of money and reputation.

It's a pity that the newspaper is getting busier and busier, and they don't even have the chance to return home in glory. Having such a long annual leave is really great.

Jing Zhe glanced at Chen Jiannan and asked curiously, "Editor-in-Chief Chen, I think I overheard some discussions about you on the street just now..."

"..."

Chen Jiannan instantly knew what it was, but before he could stop him, Jing Zhe blurted out, "Chen Jiannan doesn't have a little chick?"

"President Jing, don't listen to those people's nonsense!"

Chen Jiannan blushed and felt embarrassed, too embarrassed to say that these people were actually talking about Zhu Xinning.

"President Jing, I, Old Xiong, can testify that Editor-in-Chief Chen has it!"

"..."

After Xiong San finished speaking, everyone's eyes turned to him, looking back and forth between Xiong San and Chen Jiannan, as if they had discovered a new continent, marveling at their discovery.

"President Jing, it's not what you think..."

Chen Jiannan was helpless.

"Yes, President Jing, it's not what you think! Editor-in-Chief Chen's work may be small, but it's not like we don't have any!"

"..."

Xiong San is carefree and sometimes acts as silly as a fool, yet he also "earnestly" defends Chen Jiannan.

Seeing Chen Jiannan's utterly dejected expression, Jing Zhe nodded.

"Yes, I understand."

He then said a few more words, saying that he would have dinner and drinks with everyone in a couple of days, and then walked out of the newspaper office.

...

Whether he went to the Eastern Palace, the Grand Tutor's Mansion, or the Duke of Protectorate's Mansion, Jing Zhe didn't bring much with him. After all, the only local specialties he brought from Liangzhou, besides the jewelry for his women, were dried yak.

However, since the dried yak meat had already been sent to the palace, there was nothing left to take, and Jing Zhe was too lazy to buy them any more gifts.

However, going to the Prime Minister's residence was different. It was Zhu Xinning's second home. He brought gifts, firstly to show that he knew how to be polite, and secondly to give the Zhu family face and make Zhu Xinning feel proud.

So Jing Zhe selected a few gifts and went to the Prime Minister's residence.

As soon as I entered, I saw the chubby Zhu Tangwen, who was building a snowman in the yard with Hanhan.

"Big...brother..."

With his mother's guidance, Zhu Tangwen's fear of Jing Zhe grew even stronger than before. This change only elicited a smile from Jing Zhe.

Instead, he looked at the simpleton and asked, "What are you doing here?"

Hanhan scratched his head: "I went home, but no one was home. Later, Zhu Sheren came and said that the young chieftain was coming here for dinner that night, so he called me over!"

Because of Jing Zhe's departure, Zhu Xinning rarely goes home. As the year draws to a close, Wu Ma goes back to her hometown, leaving the house empty.

Jing Zhe glanced at Zhu Tangwen, who was engrossed in playing with the silly boy, and asked with a sly smile, "Tangwen, would you like to play with the silly boy?"

Zhu Tangwen quickly nodded.

The two had already established a very deep friendship, and Hanhan was much more capable than his peers.

"How about letting Hanhan stay here and play with you?"

"OK!"

Jing Zhe smiled smugly and said to Hanhan, "In that case, you can stay at the Prime Minister's residence after dinner tonight!"

"oh…"

Hanhan was a little reluctant, but he still nodded in agreement.

————