Chapter 82. Please give this to my wife; the cruise ship belongs to her…

Chapter 82

Actually, this belated, bittersweet romance after marriage still has a few minor complaints.

Perhaps due to the nature of Jiang Mingxu's work, or perhaps due to the "ten-year age gap," this older man's way of celebrating was always unusually monotonous and consistent—inviting her out to dinner.

At first, Jin Ran was a little disappointed, thinking that the older man was not romantic at all. But the unromantic older man had his own magic and charm. His words, "Sorry, I don't have much dating experience," left Jin Ran speechless and unable to say anything.

I even felt a little smug.

However, afterwards, she still specially chose a gift for him, which was called "One Hundred Little Things You Must Do in a Relationship". Although Jiang Mingxu did not say anything after receiving it, Jin Ran would occasionally find some little surprises in her life. Upon careful recollection, it seemed to come from the little tips in that book.

Wow, no wonder he's a domineering CEO, his action-taking ability is amazing.

Later, whenever there was something to celebrate, Jin Ran would start to look forward to it.

First, I'm curious about which tip Jiang Mingxu will give this time; second, I'm curious about the expressions and reactions of this old-fashioned man when he does those things.

For example, once, Jiang Mingxu was preparing to make "couple's ceramic mugs" and specially hired a ceramic craftsman. However, Jin Ran accidentally fell down, and when he went to help her, they both fell onto the dirt.

Jiang Xuli secretly took many photos.

He didn't dare to face his father's anger, so he sent the photos to Jin Ran, who then turned them into many domineering CEO-style memes.

Because older men often mistake emojis for themselves, when he saw her using the "domineering CEO emoji," he unusually sent several question marks.

Thinking of this, Jin Ran couldn't help but smile.

Rather than celebrating, neither of them was surprised by the results of the teachers' compilation. Jin Ran deliberately asked with disappointment, "Is it just verbal congratulations?"

Jiang Mingxu chuckled softly on the other end of the line. He seemed to be walking, and his voice carried the speed of the wind: "The initial plan is to invite Teacher Jin out. I don't know if Teacher Jin is available."

"Well, I'm free from 11 a.m. to the afternoon."

"It's 10:30 now. I should be able to finish here around 11:30. The department I'm interning with will be a little later, around midnight."

Some time ago, Mingji and Wencheng connected on a summer social practice project. Wencheng students could apply for internship positions at Mingji, and Jiang Mingxu and Wang Pingping both went.

Jin Ran stood up for her stepson, saying, "You're such a heartless boss! You leave work at 11:30, but your employees have to leave at midnight."

"Yes, because I wanted to pick you up earlier."

Okay, Jin Ran thinks that it's good for minors to experience more hardship during their growth.

However, she glanced at the time and realized there was still plenty of time, so she thought for a moment and said, "How about I drive to pick you up?"

“I’ve recently been able to drive on my own. Yesterday I even helped Xiao Sun go to the city. It was no problem at all.”

Jiang Mingxu sensed the eagerness in her tone and, considering that the road from the villa to Mingji was relatively smooth, nodded in agreement: "Okay, then be careful."

Jin Ran was still driving that beat-up little car.

Now this car has basically become her personal vehicle. It is filled with many small dolls and cat toys, and a seashell bracelet hangs on the rearview mirror ornament—similar to the one she gave to Jiang Mingxu, making them a "couple's set".

Fasten her seatbelt, skillfully turn the steering wheel, put down her phone, and focused intently on driving to her destination.

The first person to receive the gift was Jiang Mingxu, who had given him special treatment. The man sat in the passenger seat and casually handed over an opened bottle of juice: "I saw you liked this when I came to the company last time."

Jin Ran was feeling a bit thirsty.

She didn't make a move; instead, she leaned over and drank from Jiang Mingxu's position.

Finally, she smiled sweetly and said, "So sweet."

"Really?" Jiang Mingxu put it to his lips and tasted it. "It tastes really good. I'll have Assistant Wang buy some and send them to Shuoguo Bay later."

The two didn't have to wait long before the high school students interning at Mingji came out after get off work.

I spotted Jiang Xuli walking at the very back.

The boy still appeared cool in front of his peers. He kept his hands in his pockets, his expression serious, and maintained a distance from the other students, but not completely. Occasionally, when someone discussed problems encountered in their "work" with him, he would respond.

Jin Ran opened the car door and waved: "Little Li Zi—"

Jiang Xuli was thinking about the upcoming teacher recruitment results and wanted to prepare a gift for her. In fact, he had prepared it a few days ago, but he was a little worried that she wouldn't like it.

Of course, he had his own ulterior motives.

Jiang Xuli's birthday is in three months, so he's investing in Jin Ran in advance so he can ask for a birthday present later.

It doesn't make sense that if his dad gets a gift, he'll lose face if he doesn't.

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Jiang Xuli thought she was hallucinating until she looked up and saw Jin Ran.

His leisurely steps quickened, and he soon caught up with her: "Why are you here?"

Having said that, he noticed the person sitting in the passenger seat and a thought struck him: "Have the teachers released their grade reports?"

Jin Ran laughed: "Yeah, your dad said we should celebrate."

Jiang Xuli was also very happy, even happier than when she herself had improved in her exams. Jin Ran would be a full-fledged teacher from now on: "It's worth celebrating. Where are we going?"

"I don't know yet, it was arranged by your dad."

At this moment, the other students slowly walked over.

Most of the applicants are students from poor families. Mingji offers a "subsidy" for social practice, but it's not much, only 2,000 yuan. Students from good families don't want it, but it can help students from poor families supplement their household expenses.

"Jiang Xuli, your family has come to pick you up!"

"Jiang Xuli, aren't we having dinner together today?"

Jiang Xuli waved her hand: "I'm not eating. I'm going out to eat with my family."

They didn't say anything, and not everyone knew Jin Ran; at that moment, they just thought she was a particularly beautiful older sister.

Jin Ran also saw Wang Pingping among them.

She was an introverted and shy girl, with another girl linking her arm with hers, and a light and bright smile on her face.

After saying goodbye to his companions, Jiang Xuli opened the car door and sat in the back seat. The car was small, and his long legs felt cramped. He pouted and said, "Why are you driving this car again? My classmates will laugh at me if they see me."

It's not a joke, it's just that I'm worried Jin Ran will be too embarrassed to ask, after all, her dad owns so many cars, any one of which is better than this beat-up little car.

He himself didn't care at all, but not everyone was as open-minded as him. The wealthy ladies in the circle, as well as other residents of the villa area, judged people by their cars.

Last time, Jiang Xuli happened to see a few people gossiping behind his back, complaining that cars were allowed into the community at will. He was furious at the time, and when no one was looking, he secretly took a picture of the person walking their dog without a leash and sent it to the property management.

Jin Ran raised an eyebrow: "Then you're leaving?"

Jiang Xuli sat firmly in his seat, looking completely unconcerned: "My dad has so many cars in his garage, if you ask for one, does he think he won't give it to you?"

While speaking, he glanced at the person in front of him.

Jiang Mingxu indeed spoke up: "A car is just a means of transportation; you can drive whichever one you want."

Jin Ran wasn't against driving a nice car, and nodded: "I'll wait until my driving skills are better before I drive it." Otherwise, if I break it, I'll not only feel bad, but I'll also have to spend money.

Hearing this, Jiang Xuli muttered under her breath, "So stingy, so generous. Why not just buy her a car suitable for a lady? If you just bought her a car, would she throw it away?"

Jin Ran: "..."

Jiang Mingxu: "..."

Young man, you're getting bolder and bolder.

Seeing that the father and son were about to confront each other, Jin Ran quickly explained, "It was my insistence on driving this car! I'm going to work at school, and driving a nice car makes it easy for someone to puncture my tires."

Jiang Xuli, who had just had her tire punctured last semester, reluctantly believed her explanation.

The location was chosen by Jiang Mingxu. Jin Ran hadn't specifically searched for it beforehand. She only realized it was near the airport when she drove there.

A helicopter was parked in the spacious open space. Jiang Mingxu led the two people onto the helicopter. With the roar of the huge engine, the helicopter gradually rose in altitude, eventually getting higher and higher.

By the time Jin Ran realized what was happening, they had inexplicably ended up in the sky.

The wind whipped her hair, her eardrums buzzed from the changing air pressure, and her palms were sweaty as she gripped the seatbelt. But when she looked out the window, the azure sky melted into a vibrant tapestry of colors, and the misty clouds seemed almost within reach.

Looking down on the town, the skyscrapers gradually shrink into a chessboard. The world is vast, and people in it are as insignificant as dust, becoming negligible. Even the smallest joy is worth treasuring.

As the plane passed through the white clouds, Jin Ran couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. She felt as if she had been thrown into a pure white world, and her heartbeat became light.

She looked at Jiang Mingxu with excitement, her eyes sparkling with joy at this unexpected romantic celebration.

The old man has really grown up!

Jiang Mingxu also looked over, his lips moving, but Jin Ran couldn't hear him clearly because of the loud wind in the helicopter.

But I can guess that they were probably asking her if she liked it.

She nodded, nodded emphatically.

I really like it, I really, really like it.

The only slight regret is that I thought today would be the usual routine of eating, shopping, and watching a movie, so I made sure to go out on an empty stomach, and now I'm a little hungry.

However, Jin Ran didn't want to be a spoilsport, so she planned to buy some food after landing.

With these thoughts in mind, I admired the unique scenery outside the window until the vast blue ocean suddenly came into view.

"We've arrived...at the sea?" Jin Ran was taken aback.

Jiang Mingxu heard this time, and he reached out and took her hand: "Yes, prepare to descend."

Not long after he finished speaking, the helicopter indeed began to descend.

As the altitude gradually decreased, a pure white cruise ship appeared in Jin Ran's field of vision. When the aircraft landed completely on the ground, the cruise ship's staff were already waiting with a register in hand: "Are you Mr. Jiang?"

Jiang Mingxu nodded.

The staff member respectfully handed over a form: "This is your cruise ship, please sign for it."

Jiang Mingxu did not take it, but said, "Please give it to my wife, the cruise ship is hers."

Jin Ran was stunned as soon as she got off the plane.

Hearing their conversation, all that came to mind was—"Who am I? Where am I? What am I supposed to do?"

Jiang Mingxu asked her to sign, and she did so, feeling dizzy the whole time. After she finished signing, the staff member's smile became even more genuine, saying that the cruise ship would depart in two minutes and that food had been prepared on the upper deck balcony, inviting them to enjoy it.

Jin Ran snapped out of her daze.

She looked up in disbelief, and at the end of her gaze, Jiang Mingxu smiled and asked, "What's wrong?"

Jin Ran asked cautiously, "This...is it really for me?"

It feels like a dream.

But Jiang Mingxu told her this wasn't a dream: "Shall we go up and take a look together?"

"Let's go, let's go!"

Jiang Xuli behind him couldn't wait any longer.

Jin Ran took a deep breath and stepped onto the stairs.

It was the same familiar "Jiang-style" celebration, but the venue changed from a restaurant to a cruise ship, significantly increasing the level of romance. With the sea breeze blowing and the beautiful sea view in sight, Jin Ran felt that she had been corrupted by money.

If she were to experience hardship now, she probably wouldn't last even a day.

Call her materialistic or gold-digging, but she just doesn't want to suffer anymore—no, you should say only a fool would deliberately seek out hardship, forcing herself to endure something that isn't there.

Jiang Mingxu is the future richest man. As his wife, she can stand on the shoulders of giants and enjoy the view. Why should she walk barefoot on a thorny path to prove her stupidity?

Even so, as they disembarked, Jin Ran secretly asked Jiang Mingxu, "The cruise ship is so big, how are we going to get it all back?"

Forgive her, it was her first time buying a cruise ship, and she really didn't know the specific procedures.

Jiang Mingxu chuckled softly and squeezed her fingertips reassuringly: "Don't worry, it's already managed by a professional cruise club. They will arrange daily maintenance, crew management, and route planning. If you want to go to sea, just notify them in advance to prepare."

Upon learning that there were dedicated personnel in charge, Jin Ran breathed a sigh of relief and wisely refrained from inquiring about the custody fees.

When Xu Zhen found out about this, she felt deeply envious for her still single girlfriend.

"Shh, do you hear that voice?"

"What?"

"The sound of my defenses crumbling."

Jin Ran: "..."

"I'll take you for a drive along the beach next holiday," she solemnly promised.

That's more like it; Xu Zhen has been fully recovered.

The two sat in a skewer shop eating skewers. Wencheng Middle School would start school in a week, but that was the students' privilege; the teachers didn't have such good treatment.

She was drafted to the school to prepare for the new students' arrival. Because Jin Ran's "parents' visit" was so effective, several parents, including Mrs. Lin's nephew, brought their children over. As a result, she was busier than the other teachers.

After finishing my work at noon, I quickly ate lunch at the food street outside the school.

Xu Zhen ate a few bites and started talking about the gossip she had heard: "During the summer vacation, Ms. Zhao, a senior high school teacher, raised a large donation. Combined with her numerous outstanding teacher awards, she's now a hot candidate for the position of dean of students."

She gently touched Jin Ran's wrist: "Your contributions are no less than hers, you just lost out in teaching performance. Otherwise, you should try to improve your strengths?"

Jin Ran sighed: "I also want to improve, but I can't just gain a few years of teaching experience out of thin air."

"You forgot? The school is focusing on competitions in the second half of the year. Since you don't have many courses anyway, why not lead a competition team?"

These words served as a reminder to Jin Ran, and she subsequently began to consider the feasibility of the idea.

She will be promoted to a full-fledged teacher in the new semester, and the academic affairs office will probably assign her another class. Two classes will make her a little busier, but she will also have more time.

Since we're just idling around anyway, why not coach some contestants?

Moreover, when she was teaching those children, she did find that some students had serious imbalances in their academic performance.

Under the normal college entrance examination, they can only get into an undergraduate program. It's better for them to take the competition route. If they can get good results, they can get into a better university.

The teacher, exhausted, returned home after a long day of work.

Jin Ran called out to Xu Zhen, who was heading to the bus stop, "I'll drive you there."

Xu Zhen: "??? You bought a car?"

Jin Ran was a little embarrassed: "Yes, Jiang Mingxu gave it to me. He said none of his cars are suitable for girls."

"Why is it unsuitable?"

"It's about the appearance, because I prefer brightly colored ones."

Xu Zhen: "..."

If you hadn't seen it with your own eyes, who would have thought that President Jiang, who dominates the business world, is actually a love-struck man who even personally chooses the color of his wife's car?

Meanwhile, Jiang Mingxu, who was obsessed with love, received an unexpected phone call.

"President Jiang, the offense my son committed last time was due to my poor discipline." President Jian's voice was respectful and cautious. "I have already reprimanded him severely. I hope you will be magnanimous and not hold it against him."

Jiang Mingxu remained unmoved by the apology, his expression cold: "President Jian, your son's behavior makes it hard not to doubt the Jian family's integrity."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone before the person spoke again, but their voice was much weaker: "President Jiang is right. I was wrong before. The Jian family's business cannot be handed over to an idiot."

It was clear to everyone that although Jiang Mingxu had not taken any action on the surface, this distant attitude alone had already made things difficult for the Jian family. Several important projects were repeatedly thwarted, and even their former close partners began to take a wait-and-see approach.

Mr. Jian had no choice but to swallow his pride and apologize.

Finally, as if making a decision, President Jian spoke up: "There's something President Jiang probably doesn't know..."

“My son may be stupid, but he never lies. He said that Miss Jin asked him to do those things.”