During a rest stop on the way to Baocheng, Jiang Xiaoli called home to tell them about her trip.

Li Guizhi was very worried about her safety. "Why are you so reckless? What if you two girls encounter bad people outside?"

She patiently explained, "Mom, don't worry. Baocheng is only about 100 kilometers away from Kyoto. When we come here to discuss business with the garment factory, someone will take care of us."

After some reassurance, Li Guizhi finally stopped nagging and told her to drive carefully and call her again when she arrived in Baocheng.

What Jiang Xiaoli found strange was that when she called Zong Jiayu to say she was going to Baocheng on business, he simply said "okay" after clarifying the reason and destination.

However, she didn't pay much attention to it, assuming that Zong Jiayu was busy with something.

They arrived at Baocheng Yunfeng Garment Factory at around 3 p.m., where Factory Director Wang warmly welcomed them.

After both parties finalized the construction schedule and other details and signed the contract, Factory Director Wang said he would treat the two of them to some of Baocheng's local delicacies, which Jiang Xiaoli gladly accepted.

As they were about to leave Yunfeng Garment Factory, Jiang Xiaoli saw a familiar Mercedes-Benz W14 parked outside the factory gate.

Now she finally understood why Zong Jiayu had only asked her about her destination and hadn't said anything more.

It turned out he was worried and came over in person.

Jiang Xiaoli rolled down the car window and gestured for him to follow behind her car.

When they arrived at the restaurant, Director Wang didn't say much when he saw there was an extra person.

After the meal, Jiang Xiaoli finally understood why Yunfeng Garment Factory had surplus production capacity to take on their orders.

It turned out they were just lucky; a clothing company that did export trade had suddenly canceled its order.

Factory Director Wang had turned down many other orders because of this foreign trade order, and now that he suddenly had no orders, he was very anxious and frustrated when her call came in.

Hearing this, Jiang Xiaoli and Yan Chengcheng exchanged a glance. She smiled bitterly and said, "Director Wang, it seems we're in the same boat! I've encountered similar problems, but I was stood up by the garment factory."

Factory Manager Wang immediately understood what was going on. "I told you that it's currently the peak season for seasonal changes, and normally few companies would be in such a rush to finish production at this time. Ah, we're all struggling! Don't worry, Mr. Jiang, I'll definitely make sure this batch of goods turns out well!"

Jiang Xiaoli nodded gratefully, "Director Wang, don't worry. As long as this batch of goods is completed within the agreed timeframe with guaranteed quality and quantity, we can continue to cooperate in the long term. After all, Baocheng is not far from Beijing."

Factory Director Wang immediately grinned from ear to ear, "No problem, no problem, leave it to me!"

After the meal, everyone was happy, and Director Wang took the three of them to a nice hotel in Baocheng before leaving.

In the hotel lobby, Zong Jiayu took the three people's ID cards to the front desk to check in. Yan Chengcheng pulled Jiang Xiaoli aside and whispered, "Xiaoli, is Zong Jiayu in a bad mood? He looks so gloomy, it's scary!"

Jiang Xiaoli pursed her lips, then patted her on the shoulder, "What are you so scared of? Don't worry! Get some rest early and we'll go to the factory tomorrow to check out the sample garments being made. If everything's okay, we'll go straight back to Kyoto after we see the sample garments."

Yan Chengcheng nodded. "Okay."

Zong Jia and his family booked three rooms in total. Jiang Xiaoli gave Yan Chengcheng a key and said, "Chengcheng, get some rest. I'll wake you up tomorrow morning."

After watching Yan Chengcheng enter the room, Jiang Xiaoli and Zong Jiayu went into the same room.

Zong Jia closed the door, then slowly took off his coat, folded it, and put it aside.

Jiang Xiaoli felt uneasy seeing his unusual behavior and explained, "It all happened so suddenly today..."

Zong Jia's next action interrupted what she was about to say.

She was lifted up and turned over, lying face down on his lap.

"Slap," "slap," "slap" three times.

Jiang Xiaoli was completely stunned by the slap. After a few seconds, she cried out accusingly, "Zong Jiayu! You actually spanked me!"

She struggled to get up, filled with shame and indignation, but he pressed her down on his back, preventing her from moving.

Zong Jia reached out his other hand and pinched her cheek. "Little Pear, explain yourself. What could be more important than your personal safety?"

Jiang Xiaoli was furious. "How is it not safe! We had a truck driver with us when we came here, and we were greeted by people from the garment factory when we arrived. Don't make such a fuss!"

Zong Jia was amused by her words and slapped her twice more. "You two girls, with your small arms and legs, what do you think you can do if you encounter someone with bad intentions?"

She had never been spanked like that in either of her lives, and she couldn't be bothered to discuss any safety issues with him.

She felt wronged and burst into tears, "Zong Jiayu, you bastard, you abused me! I'm going to go back and tell my mom!"

Hearing the little girl's voice begin to choke up, Zong Jia felt sorry for her and pulled her up to sit on his lap.

He sighed, "Little Pear, if something like this happens again, tell me in advance, and I'll be there for you, okay?"

Jiang Xiaoli twisted into a pretzel in his arms, "Did I tell you to come and hit me?"

Zong Jia used a little skill to hold her firmly in his arms, "Be good!"

Still resentful after being beaten, the person continued to argue, "Is this the first day you've known I'm disobedient? Are you getting impatient? If you..."

Zong Jia simply shut her up from her incessant chatter.

It took almost a minute before Jiang Xiaoli was released.

She leaned against Zong Jiayu's chest, panting heavily, "You think you can just kill me by not beating me? Zong Jiayu, you have such a dirty heart!"

Without saying a word, Zong Jia made a move to use the same trick again, but she quickly covered her mouth, her eyes wide open as if they were saying "Don't even think about it."

Zong Jia chuckled and patiently explained to the little girl, who had stopped struggling, "Little Pear, the public security situation is definitely not as good as you imagine. It's better to be safe than sorry. If something happens to you, your godmother and I won't be able to accept it, do you understand?"

Jiang Xiaoli had actually come to her senses by now. It was 1996, and the social order was indeed not as good as it was before her rebirth. After calming down and thinking about it, she understood Zong Jiayu's worries.

Her tone softened a bit, and she pouted, muttering, "But you can't spank me like that! Don't I have any dignity?"

Seeing that she had taken his words to heart, Zong Jiayu sincerely apologized, "I was too impatient. Does it hurt?"

Jiang Xiaoli grinned and said, "Don't you know how strong you are?! My butt is definitely red!"

Zong Jiayu laid her on the bed so she could be more comfortable.

His action made Jiang Xiaoli nervous. "Are you even being reasonable?! I'll really get angry if you hit me again!"