Chapter 21 You mean to say I'm old?

Chapter 21

Soon, Jin Ran also felt the gaze falling on her.

She softened her footsteps apologetically and mouthed, "Sorry, I'll be quieter."

Jiang Mingxu did not speak.

Turning to the attendees, he said, "Rewrite the plan and hand it over to Assistant Wang this afternoon."

The project manager giving the report: "..."

After finishing speaking, he ended the online meeting, stood up, and walked to Jin Ran's side: "Why didn't you ask the housekeeper for help?"

He reached out to take the book from Jin Ran's hand, but Jin Ran, remembering his injury, quickly avoided him, saying, "No need, no need, your arm isn't healed yet."

"There is another hand."

Jiang Mingxu's attitude was firm, so Jin Ran had no choice but to settle for second best and give him half of the book. She then watched him closely to make sure he could lift more than a dozen reference books with his left hand without affecting his right arm before she was relieved.

To be honest, a man who is observant and proactive is a real plus!

It's no wonder Jin Ran felt this way.

Most software nowadays uses algorithm-based push notifications; once you open a piece of content, similar content will be repeatedly pushed to you.

Recently, Jin Ran accidentally stumbled upon a post about family ethics, got into a heated argument with the blogger who was obsessed with romance and ended up being blocked. As a result, in just a few days, she saw countless couples arguing and divorcing over trivial matters.

Even though she managed to cut her losses in time, the poison of mental pollution still made her afraid of marriage and childbirth for a time.

The posts are incredibly varied, with household chores making up 80% of them. For example, one person might be busy while the other remains indifferent. Even if the division of labor is agreed upon beforehand, conflicts can still arise in different scenarios due to various issues.

Some bloggers even began to doubt themselves, saying that although they still loved each other, they were in great pain and did not understand the answer until they divorced.

Jin Ran has the mindset of a science student and is used to getting to the bottom of things.

She should have put down her phone and done some practice questions, but after seeing the blogger's pain, she insisted on collecting twenty cases and finally analyzed that the real conflict was not housework, but the other party's sense of entitlement that "housework is your responsibility."

Don't you love me? Why are you ignoring how busy I am?

So, doubts arise, leading to anger, arguments, accusations, and internal strife, a cycle that repeats itself endlessly.

Once she understood the underlying reasons, Jin Ran was no longer afraid—if she didn't want to get angry over unseen household chores, she could just find a clean and attentive man.

To outsiders, Jin Ran's excessive calmness might be surprising.

Only she knew that back in her previous life, when her parents were blaming each other for the factory's bankruptcy, she had seen through the essence of marriage. More important than fleeting and ephemeral love was the character and sense of responsibility of the other person if they wanted to stay together.

There's a saying that goes something like this: when you marry, you shouldn't marry someone who treats you well; you should marry someone who is good to you in their own right.

So even though she felt a momentary admiration for Jiang Mingxu, she didn't fall into a romantic mindset and want to date him.

He is good, and she is just as good, and she firmly believes that she will reach even greater heights in the near future.

Jiang Mingxu's gaze fell on the book in his hands.

He had previously heard from the housekeeper that Jin Ran had become very fond of reading, but he assumed it was just another tactic of hers. Only today did he realize that she genuinely "loves reading." Considering her application for a substitute teacher position, he suddenly understood: "Is she preparing to take the teacher certification exam?"

"Well, teaching as a substitute teacher isn't a long-term solution, so I plan to teach while preparing for the teacher recruitment exam. If I pass, my salary will be at least three times higher than it is now!" Jin Ran's enthusiasm increased when she mentioned salary.

“That’s good,” Jiang Mingxu thought for a moment and agreed, “It’s stable.”

Upon hearing this, Jin Ran couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"What, am I wrong?"

"It's not that it's wrong, it just feels strange coming from a CEO with a net worth of hundreds of billions like you," Jin Ran explained with a smile. "Besides the older generation, many young people feel that a government job offers a predictable and unchallenging life."

Jiang Mingxu seemed to understand something: "So, you mean I'm old?"

Jin Ran: "..."

She nearly choked on her saliva and quickly shook her head in denial: "No, no, I meant you, well, you seem like the kind of person who likes challenges, that life is a never-ending series of challenges, so I thought you would find being a teacher boring."

Talking about someone's age in front of a powerful figure is like stroking a lion's whiskers—is she tired of living?

Moreover, Jiang Mingxu is thirty-five years old this year. Unlike those middle-aged men who start to get pot-bellied, there are almost no signs of aging on him.

With well-proportioned features, an upright posture, broad shoulders and a narrow waist, coupled with subtly defined muscles, he far surpasses young people who neglect exercise, and could hardly be associated with the word "old." "...Anyway, I'm praising you."

The expressions on a woman's face are so rich and varied, like a vibrant landscape painting, framing the most beautiful scenery.

At this moment, seeing him racking his brains to explain, a barely perceptible smile flashed across Jiang Mingxu's eyes: "Actually, what you said isn't wrong, but rather than saying I like challenges, it's more accurate to say that the situation at the time left me with no choice but to take on the challenge."

When talking about the past, Jiang Mingxu's tone was unusually calm. The passage of time, like a dull knife, only added depth and maturity to his eyes.

Jin Ran was stunned for a moment before she vaguely remembered that the man in front of her was not born into a wealthy family like Jiang Xuli; his life had been full of hardships.

Although not described in detail in the book, one can imagine the difficulties he faced in transforming himself from a penniless arcade worker to a promising tech graduate from a prestigious university.

“And strictly speaking, I am indeed a little older than you.” Jiang Mingxu put the book on the desk and turned to look at her.

Jin Ran: "..."

If she could do it all over again, she would never say that!

So for the next period of time, Jin Ran decided to keep her mouth shut, but unexpectedly she accidentally increased her speed.

After making three more trips, the two finally moved all the documents to the study.

It was tiring, but the sense of accomplishment I felt was immense as I looked at the learning area that had been transformed under my guidance.

Jin Ran nodded in satisfaction. In fact, she had to admit that she was a bit of a perfectionist and had to be fully prepared before each study session. For example, a pen, a clean space, a full cup of water that was within easy reach, and a small plate of snacks for each person.

Two hours before lunch, Jin Ran's stomach was already rumbling with hunger from working, and her low blood sugar made her crave something sweet.

She glanced at Jiang Mingxu, who had returned to his workstation, hesitated for a couple of seconds, and decided that he didn't seem like someone who liked sweets. So she didn't disturb him and went to the kitchen by herself.

At this moment, Chef Wang and his team had arrived at their posts and were processing the fresh ingredients they had just bought.

Seeing Jin Ran come in, he smiled before even speaking: "Madam is here. I bought some fresh beef ribs for lunch today. I'll make you tomato rib soup."

Jin Ran immediately agreed and then expressed her request for a little bit of cookies.

Chef Wang readily agreed, as he often makes Western-style desserts these days and has all the tools and ingredients readily available: "Would you like to add some blueberries? We had some fresh blueberries in our shopping today."

"Sure, make a lot more, I'll give it to Xiao Li later."

Last night she ate half of his bread. Although the boy didn't say anything at the time, his resentful little eyes still made her laugh.

But it's understandable; when she was in school, she had such a good appetite that she could eat a whole cow.

While waiting, Jin Ran looked around and asked, "Where's Zhang Ma? Didn't she come today?"

The others in the kitchen said, "Zhang Ma has quit her job."

Jin Ran was slightly surprised: "Why did you suddenly resign?" She had seen her this morning.

"I heard that her daughter-in-law gave birth to a grandson, so they asked her to go and take care of him."

Jin Ran nodded. Chinese parents not only need to take care of their children, but also their grandchildren, and they feel very happy about it.

At that moment, she couldn't help but feel fortunate that she was a stepmother, and that she probably wouldn't need to help take care of the children in the future.

When the cookies came out of the oven, she carried a large box upstairs. As she expected, Jiang Mingxu did not show any interest in the cookies, so she confidently divided them into two equal parts, keeping the larger box and taking the other box to the third floor.

Naturally, she didn't notice that Jiang Mingxu looked up at her as she stood up.

/

Jiang Xuli is playing a game.

Deafening gunfire erupted from the stereo, and suddenly there was a knock on the door.

He opened it impatiently and was met with Jin Ran's smiling face: "I baked some cookies, but I can't finish them all by myself. Want some?"

Jiang Xuli wanted to mention his father, but the strong aroma of milk wafted into his nose, making him unconsciously swallow.

Before he could even process what was happening, Jin Ran had already shoved the box into his hand, glancing around the room: "Playing games?"

Jiang Xuli, as if possessed, told a lie: "...I'm done playing, and I'm going to do my homework."

Jin Ran said "Oh": "Actually, playing games is fine. I always advocate a balance between work and rest when I teach my students."

She also took the opportunity to advertise herself: "My first class next Monday is math class. Remember to come to class. I will show you how to learn through play with your students."

Her stepson frequently skipped classes, not only by skipping himself but also by leading other students to skip, to the point that many subject teachers dared not speak out against him.

When it was time to report on Friday, other teachers had already given her a heads-up, so Jin Ran chose to notify them in advance to prevent this from happening.

The cookies were both an apology and a bribe, a perfectly legitimate and aboveboard scheme.

Jiang Xuli: "..."

After the woman left, he returned to his room with the cookies that had been stuffed into his hands. Looking at the computer screen again, he suddenly felt that the game that had been so captivating just moments before had become utterly meaningless.

So he turned off the game console, ready to do some homework, only to realize he hadn't brought his backpack.

After thinking about it, I decided to take out the self-criticism letter that I had already written and put into words.

The golden-brown, crispy cookies sit nearby, emitting a rich aroma, and I occasionally pick one up without thinking.

It smells so good.

/

Time flies, and Monday arrived quickly.

These past few days, the Jiang family has been eating three meals a day on time. At mealtimes, three familiar figures can always be seen at the table, and even the housekeeper has gradually gotten used to it.

I was even a little moved.

Having worked at the villa for so many years, the husband is often busy with work and doesn't come back to the villa often. The young master is there, but the sight of him eating alone always reveals a sense of sadness.

Now, the housekeeper is all smiles. Since the lady of the house came, the house feels more and more like home.

On the other side, when Jiang Xuli finished packing and went downstairs, his father and Jin Ran were already sitting at the dining table eating. He was shocked when he first saw this scene, but now he was used to it.

He sat down in his seat without a care.

A place far from his father, and not exactly close to Jin Ran either.

Without saying a word, he sat down and began wolfing down his food. During this time, I could hear the two people opposite him chatting about civil servants and teachers, which was completely uninteresting.

He pursed his lips, unaware that he was actually complaining in his mind, while still eavesdropping on every word. He even looked up once, and accidentally met Jin Ran's eyes.

Although his heart skipped a beat and he immediately looked away, it was too late.

Because soon he heard Jin Ran say to him, "Was the cookie delicious yesterday?"

"biscuit?"

Jiang Mingxu looked puzzled, and inexplicably remembered the box of cookies she had taken from the study yesterday.

At the time, seeing how much she treasured it, he assumed it was her own personal keepsake, never expecting it to be for Xu Li.

"Yes, it was made by Chef Wang. I gave one portion to Xiao Li."

Jiang Mingxu, who didn't receive any cookies and wasn't even qualified to be asked, was speechless.

Under two piercing gazes, Jiang Xuli could only purse her lips and squeeze out two words: "It's alright."

It was more than just okay; he had only intended to try it out, since the box of cookies must have cost at least thirty or forty yuan. But he ended up finishing it all while writing his self-criticism.

It made him doubt that he was a good-for-nothing.

Jin Ran was quite pleased to hear this. He was probably indebted to her because of her generosity, and she figured he wouldn't skip her class again. But just in case, she took out another portion: "Perfect timing. I had Chef Wang make another flavor, sea salt lemon. It's not as sweet as the blueberry flavor, so it can be a nice snack after math class."

When Jiang Xuli fled the villa as if running away, his backpack was twice as heavy as usual.

At the dinner table, Jiang Mingxu, who was going back to the company today, waited quietly after finishing his meal.

Looking at Jin Ran, whose eyes crinkled into crescents after he handed her the cookies, a dark and unreadable expression flashed in his eyes.

Jin Ran was reviewing her lesson plan in her mind when she suddenly heard Jiang Mingxu ask, "What does sea salt lemon taste like?"

She paused, surprised that Jiang Mingxu would be curious about such a question. Then she thought, even Newton could have wild fantasies about apples; perhaps this was a common trait among big shots. She pushed the remaining box over: "Hmm, it's a bit sour and a bit salty, I can't quite describe it, you can try it."

Jiang Mingxu demurely pinched one.

"How is it?" Jin Ran asked expectantly.

Jiang Mingxu calmly swallowed the nauseating sweetness: "Hmm, better than I expected."

Jin Ran immediately smiled. Although she hadn't made the cookies, she and the chef had ordered them! She waved generously, "Since you like them, this box is yours!"

"No need." Jiang Mingxu took out three pieces from the box and pushed the rest back. "These are enough for me."