After dinner, Zong Jia and Ben wanted to take Jiang Xiaoli out for a walk to relax.

She firmly refused, saying, "Exam week starts tomorrow. You're someone who's waiting to receive your diploma and take graduation photos, so don't bother me while I'm studying!"

Zong Jia chuckled, but seeing that she was in much better spirits and had started to care about studying and taking the exam again, he was finally relieved.

"Okay, come find me if you change your mind."

Jiang Xiaoli waved at him, "I know! Stop nagging!"

She has 15 exams starting tomorrow during exam week. Recently, due to her investigation of the Jiang family, she has fallen behind in both work and studies.

However, cramming before exams is an essential skill for every student.

After all, even last-minute preparation can be effective!

Moreover, the exams for business administration majors mostly focus on memorization and comprehension, which is her forte.

Li Guizhi hadn't seen her daughter study so diligently at home in a long time, so she specially made her a late-night snack.

As Jiang Xiaoli ate, she sighed, "Being a student is still the best way to get your mother's love!"

Li Guizhi looked at her with a gentle smile and said, "If you like it, I'll make it for you every day from now on."

She quickly waved her hand, "Then forget it. You're already busy enough at the shop, and you still have to come back to make me a late-night snack. It's not appropriate."

Li Guizhi sat opposite her and said, "I'd like to take Xiao Liu from the kitchen as my apprentice. What do you think?"

She thought back to the employees of "Guizhi Restaurant," "Xiao Liu? The chubby one?"

"Haha, it should be the one you're talking about, but neither of them are thin now!" Li Guizhi was amused by her simple and straightforward distinction.

She explained, "Besides some food preparation work, Xiao Liu is very interested in cooking. When I have free time, I give him some guidance. I think this kid is quite quick to learn."

Jiang Xiaoli wholeheartedly agreed with her decision. "I think you should assess Xiao Liu's character. If he's a good match, you can take him on as an apprentice. That way, if you want to slack off in the future, someone can replace you, right?"

Li Guizhi tapped her forehead with her index finger. "Do you think everyone is as lazy as you?"

She urged, "Mom, Aunt Xu will be coming to Kyoto with Xiaoyu in half a month or a month at most. What if you don't have time when she invites you out? Of course, you should prepare a backup plan!"

Li Guizhi was torn between being tempted and feeling a sense of responsibility towards "Guizhi Bistro," exclaiming, "Oh dear, why am I so conflicted!"

"Hahaha!" Jiang Xiaoli said with a hint of schadenfreude, "I told you from the beginning that you should just do whatever you wanted with this restaurant, but you wouldn't listen. Now aren't you in a bit of a bind?"

"Stop being so hindsight!" Li Guizhi was now determined. "The shop is closed tomorrow. I'll start observing Xiao Liu the day after. You're right, having an apprentice who can take over 'Guizhi's Little Restaurant' in the future wouldn't be bad."

"That's right! Just treat this as a hobby. By the way, isn't it time for your physical exam again?"

Li Guizhi chuckled, "Okay, housekeeper! You go to school for your exam tomorrow, I'll go for my physical exam by myself!"

"Hehe, I'll do whatever you say!"

Jiang Xiaoli went to the kitchen to wash the dishes and returned to the living room. Li Guizhi pulled her to sit down and chat.

"Xiaoli, there are some things we still need to consider. What are your plans regarding your father's family?"

She exhaled and gently blew her bangs back. "I haven't thought about it yet. Rationally, I know they did their best back then, but I still feel a little uneasy."

Li Guizhi patted her daughter's hand, "Yes, after all, your father is no longer here, and we can't understand how he felt."

Jiang Xiaoli is now in a very peaceful state of mind. "Mom, let's not think so much about it. Let nature take its course. Maybe the Jiang family doesn't want to acknowledge us yet."

After all, the Jiang family is such a large family, people might think that the mother and daughter are plotting to seize their family fortune.

Li Guizhi paused for a moment, then felt relieved. "Yes, if we can get along, we can treat each other like relatives. If we can't, there's no need to force it."

"You are truly the wisest mother!" Jiang Xiaoli showered him with compliments without restraint.

They were very laid-back, but Jiang Ruilin and his nephew were very anxious.

After meeting with Jiang Xiaoli, Jiang Ruilin returned to his room and, forgetting about the time difference, immediately called his family in Wudu.

Jiang Chengle was initially puzzled by his uncle's recklessness.

But when he heard Jiang Ruilin tell his grandparents on the other end of the phone that Jiang Xiaoli was the daughter of his deceased third uncle, he broke down.

"What! Uncle, are you telling the truth?!"

Jiang Ruilin frowned and glanced at him before he covered his mouth.

Jiang Ruilin continued talking to his parents on the other end of the phone, "Father, Mother, there shouldn't be any problems. Xiaoli showed me a picture of her father when he was young, and he looks almost exactly like me."

After hearing something, he nodded in agreement, "Okay, I will investigate this matter thoroughly."

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Chengle scratched his head anxiously, "Uncle, what exactly happened?"

Jiang Ruilin didn't explain much. He directly instructed, "A-Le, you must know a lot about your third uncle. This has always been a pain in your grandparents' hearts. I'm now entrusting this matter to you for investigation. Can you handle it well?"

Jiang Chengle's expression turned serious, and he assured him, "Uncle, I will definitely do it well!"

"Okay, I'll tell you..."

Jiang Ruilin made all the necessary arrangements for Jiang Chengle's investigation in Xijing.

"Ah Le, call me anytime if you have any questions!"

Jiang Chengle nodded, "I will."

Then he booked a flight to Kyoto that evening and left Kyoto.

On Monday, while Jiang Xiaoli was taking her final exams at school, Jiang Ruilin approached Zong Jiayu.

Zong Jiayu's words were very straightforward: "Mr. Jiang, you should understand that my position is the same as Xiaolizi's."

Jiang Ruilin smiled wryly, "Of course I understand, Xiao Zong, but Xiao Li seems to be very resistant to me right now. I want to learn more about her from you."

Zong Jiayu's attitude softened a bit. "Mr. Jiang, please ask. However, there are some things I shouldn't say."

"I see."

Jiang Ruilin thought for a moment and asked a lighthearted question, "Xiao Zong, can you tell me about Xiao Li's hobbies?"

Starting with this topic, Zong Jiayu felt somewhat surprised, and the scene of when he first met Jiang Xiaoli involuntarily floated into his mind.

His expression softened. "Little Pear loves life very much. She enjoys all kinds of delicious food and fun activities, but as for her hobbies..."

He chuckled softly, "Her only hobby is probably making money."

Jiang Ruilin was somewhat surprised, "Jiang Li Ji is doing so well, I thought Xiao Li wouldn't be short of money."