Chapter 81 As a formal teacher
Chapter 81
Upon entering the study, Jin Ran saw what Jiang Mingxu had mentioned.
It wasn't because she had any sharp eyes, but because the thing was right in the middle of the table, wrapped in a transparent PVC bag, and she figured it wasn't anything important. Thinking this, she picked it up and opened it, but was stunned when she saw what was inside.
In addition to Chef Wang's signature dishes, dinner also included a dish of stir-fried water spinach with garlic.
It looks good, and it tastes good too. I never thought an older man could be such a good homemaker.
She shamefully felt a tiny bit of attraction.
Then, remembering the other person's salary and her own, that slight flutter of attraction turned into a sudden cardiac arrest. Okay, okay, Jin Ran, you've really gotten too big for your britches. What kind of salary do you have that you dare to let the domineering CEO stay home and raise the kids? If you had just eaten a couple more peanuts, you wouldn't be this drunk.
Dreams shattered, but praise is still essential. Use sweet words to numb the domineering CEO; maybe he'll even develop a love for cooking: "Glossy and translucent, oily but not greasy, with a unique wok hei (wok aroma), and crunchy to eat—which chef made this?"
Jiang Xuli, as expected of Jin Ran's student, instantly understood her meaning and feigned surprise, saying, "Didn't Uncle Wang make this?"
Jiang Mingxu commented: "The expression is a bit too fake."
Jiang Xuli: "..."
Jin Ran chuckled, "I thought you were just helping to wash the vegetables, I didn't expect you to do it yourself, and more importantly, Chef Wang actually agreed?"
Hearing this, Jiang Mingxu said helplessly, "He was watching me so closely that I didn't dare to add even half a grain of salt."
The image flashed through her mind, and Jin Ran wanted to laugh even more. She put a piece of water spinach on Jiang Mingxu's plate: "You have to taste the food you made, otherwise I'll eat it all later."
Jiang Mingxu gladly accepted and, in return, picked up a fried shrimp for her.
Jiang Xuli, a widowed and childless man, curled her lip.
The next second, a honey-glazed chicken leg suddenly appeared in the bowl.
His lips twitched, and it took him a long time to suppress the smile. He muttered under his breath, "It's not like I don't know how to pick it up, it's so disgusting." He ate faster than anyone else.
The meal was filled with laughter and joy.
In the end, all three of them were quite full.
It was still early, and with nothing else to do, I decided to stay in the living room and watch TV.
The remote control was naturally in Jin Ran's hands. She felt a sense of excitement, as if she had obtained the Imperial Seal of the State. Despite Jiang Xuli's complaints about wanting to watch a ball game, she locked the channel onto an old drama that was playing.
In today's interconnected world, young people are used to watching dramas online, while television viewership is mainly comprised of people over forty years old.
Therefore, this drama caters to the preferences of middle-aged and elderly viewers, focusing on everyday family dramas. The scenes between the wicked mother-in-law and the innocent female lead made Jin Ran drowsy, while Jiang Xuli, who had been playing on her phone, watched with great interest.
Having finally made it through an episode, Jin Ran breathed a sigh of relief and quickly ended this impromptu family get-together.
Back on the second floor, the water in the master bedroom bathroom was already running. Jin Ran, feeling a bit lazy after eating and drinking her fill, told Jiang Mingxu to take a shower first, while she lay on the bed flipping through the PVE file folder.
This time, no one mentioned moving to the side room.
Ten minutes later, Jiang Mingxu came out, and Jin Ran had already looked at everything.
Her feelings were hard to describe. She looked at the man in front of her with mixed emotions. No wonder he wasn't nervous; he already knew about the original owner's car accident.
Not only that, this man also thoroughly investigated who the original owner had met, what she had done, and the stark contrast between her before and after the car accident.
Logically speaking, she should have been scared.
But perhaps because she already knew more about the man's "bad deeds" from Wang Cuihua, and saw through the evil hidden beneath the surface of human nature, she was able to remain calm.
Jiang Mingxu casually dried his hair a few times and sat down next to her: "Finished watching?"
Water droplets from her hair fell onto the bed sheet, soon soaking it and leaving a small, dark shadow.
Jin Ran was so angry that she pushed the person away: "Wipe your hair clean before you come over!"
Unable to stand it any longer, she snatched the towel and wiped him clean: "So you knew all along, but deliberately didn't say anything, clearly just to see me make a fool of myself."
Even if he had those thoughts, he couldn't admit it now: "I wasn't trying to make fun of you, it's just that there are still many things about this that are hard to explain."
He sat stiffly on the small stool, his large frame held down by Jin Ran's forceful hand, looking like a pitiful large dog. He spoke, his tone as indifferent as ever: "Back then, the Jin family was planning a matchmaking event for Jin Jing. It was she who insisted on marrying me, so I had to find out why."
Given Jiang Mingxu's experience, he's seen it all. What he probably least trusts is the "good intentions" of strangers without any reason.
Behind her, Jin Ran paused for a moment while wiping her hair, hesitating whether to speak.
Although she already knew the truth, she had never admitted it herself, which was strange. However, she still harbored a little wariness, not because of their close relationship, but because the idea of "transmigrating into a book" was too "horrifying," and she was unsure if Jiang Mingxu would believe it.
Secondly, if they knew they were just characters in a book, and their fates were already predetermined, would they be happy?
Jin Ran was very conflicted.
In the end, she decided to leave the decision to the other party: "If, I mean if, there were a chance for you to know your future, would you want to know?"
If he was willing, she would tell him everything; if he was not, the secret would remain buried in her heart forever.
When Jin Ran asked the question, she didn't notice the thoughtful look in Jiang Mingxu's eyes.
After a moment, he replied, "If it were me, I wouldn't want to know."
"Why? Maybe it's a good thing."
Jiang Mingxu glanced at her: "Even if you tell me I'll become the richest man in the future, does that mean I can stop working now?"
Jin Ran: "..."
That makes so much sense, I can't even refute it.
Seeing her dazed look, Jiang Mingxu couldn't help but sigh. She gave him a choice, but how could he not see her nervousness and hesitation?
There was a time when he deliberately exposed her identity, coldly observing her clumsy attempts to cover it up. At the time, he found it amusing, but now he wouldn't let her bear even the slightest risk of harm.
He was like a prisoner with his limbs shackled, timid and hesitant in his small space, yet without the slightest hint of regret.
Jiang Mingxu suddenly raised his hand and pulled off the towel covering his head.
He stood up, his tall figure casting a shadow over the room, his expression one of knowing understanding: "Was it the previous Jin Ran who knew the future?"
Jin Ran's eyes widened suddenly. He knew?
Jiang Mingxu chuckled, his slender fingers running through the woman's hair, giving it an intimate ruffle. He hadn't been sure before, but her reaction at this moment said it all: "Just speculation. Perhaps in 'her' eyes, I am valuable enough in the future—worthy of her taking the initiative to arrange a marriage."
But unfortunately, there are certain things I can't accept.
For example, Yu Shan, and Wang Cuihua's divisive words—Ming Su had no doubt how much the original Jin Ran would have loathed and despised them.
As expected, nothing can be hidden from intelligent people. Jin Ran nodded: "Actually, I was just guessing."
She revealed the whole truth she had discovered at the Jin family, including his injury and the matter of Yushan: "At first I didn't understand what it meant, but now that I think about it, it's probably related to your family."
In the original owner's plan, Yushan was of paramount importance, which was specially marked with a red pen. Whether she wanted to lend a helping hand or had other intentions is now unknown.
However, one thing Jin Ran is certain of is that, apart from some dates, places, and people, the document contains the phrase "richest man" most often.
Jiang Mingxu will become the richest man in the future.
Jin Ran even felt a sudden realization: why did the original owner of this body resist marriage while simultaneously arranging it? Why did the original owner of this body become a "discarded wife of a wealthy family" in the book? It turned out that it was nothing more than a high-stakes gamble placed in advance.
Jiang Mingxu, however, was not very interested in the original owner's thoughts.
In his career, he is a confident, even arrogant, person. More than the uncertain future, he cares about something else: "Will it affect you?"
Jin Ran was still in shock when she heard this and froze: "What?"
Jiang Mingxu stared at her intently: "This isn't your body. What will you do if she reappears?"
Jin Ran had thought about this a long time ago, and decisively shook her head: "No."
The moment she transmigrated, she clearly felt that she was not possessing someone else's body, but rather filling the body of a "soulless" paper doll. That's why she accepted the reality of becoming another person and began to implement her plan and strive to live her life to the fullest.
There's one more thing.
If someone observes closely, they will find that the body now is exactly the same as Jin Ran's original appearance, but is completely different from the original's appearance and temperament. This strange fit is as if there is an invisible hand in the dark, manipulating everything.
Jiang Mingxu didn't know the reason, but seeing her determination, he nodded, his palms unconsciously clenching: "Then... will you go back?"
"No way, that's too far," Jin Ran replied after thinking for a moment.
She lived across two worlds, and in her previous life, she was hit by a car and landed on the curb, making it impossible for her to go back.
Unexpectedly, Jiang Mingxu interpreted it as a different kind of "distance": "Is the era you live in very far from the present?"
Jin Ran was slightly surprised: "Although the time periods on both sides are not equal, they should both belong to the 21st century, right?"
For example, many of the snacks and everyday tools were things she had eaten or used before.
Jiang Mingxu frowned.
He seemed not to understand, a rare look of confusion on his face. After a moment of silence, he suddenly blurted out, "So, that Wei Ya is not your descendant."
Jin Ran: "?"
"???"
What outrageous things are you spouting?
That night, Jiang Mingxu was almost kicked out of the bedroom. In the end, he was allowed to sleep in the bed only after he made an apology by promising to cook for Jin Ran at any time. However, they had to draw a line between them: he was on the third and Jin Ran on the eighth.
Knowing he was in the wrong for guessing the wrong age, President Jiang obediently accepted this unequal treaty.
Half an hour later, even breathing came from beside him. Jiang Mingxu had not yet made a move, but Jin Ran, who had just been so determined to ignore him, had already crossed the 38th parallel and moved closer on her own.
The chill of the autumn night seeped in through the cracks in the window. The woman in her sleep instinctively sought warmth, snuggling into his arms like a little animal afraid of the cold. Her hair brushed against his neck, carrying a faint pomegranate scent.
In the darkness, Jiang Mingxu curled his lips and reached out to pull the person into his arms.
Jin Ran, who was asleep, was completely unaware of this.
She had a dream in which she wore a pearl crown and sat on a throne like an emperor, while Jiang Mingxu, dressed in court attire, stood to her left, holding not a jade tablet, but a stack of gold-inlaid black cards.
"Madam of the richest man, this is today's breakfast."
She belatedly realized that if Jiang Mingxu became the richest man in the future, wouldn't she be the richest man's wife?
In reality, Jiang Mingxu was awakened by a soft laugh. He lowered his eyes and found that Jin Ran in his arms was giggling incessantly, seemingly lost in a dream. He shook his head helplessly and closed his eyes again.
/
Meanwhile, Jiang Xuli returned to her bedroom and only realized she had forgotten to take a picture and check in when the bag of potato chips was empty.
He quickly stopped, spent a long time finding the right angle in the moonlight by the window, and after a few snaps, selected nine photos and posted them to his WeChat Moments.
[First time trying this flavor, not bad]
Compared to Jiang Mingxu's circle of friends, Jiang Xuli's friends were much more active, posting dozens of messages late at night.
A short while later, Chen Xunliang sent a private message.
Socialite Liang Ge: [Who are you?]
Socialite Liang Ge: [No matter who you are, get off Brother Li!]
He has nothing but good looks: [Get lost]
Social Brother Liang: [It really is Brother Li, unbelievable, didn't you hate cucumber flavor the most?]
Socialite Liang Ge: [Could it be...?]
[Has its mouth mutated?]
He has nothing but good looks: [...]
Seeing Chen Xunliang's anxious state, Jiang Xuli finally took pity on him and told him the answer: "Someone bought it for me, I tried it, and it's not bad."
What others bought wasn't special; what was special was that Brother Li posted a message on his WeChat Moments: "[Uncle Jiang bought this? Wait a minute, Uncle Jiang only buys you study guides.]"
[It couldn't have been Teacher Jin who bought it, could it?]
I know nothing about him except that he's handsome: [Hmm]
She insisted on buying it for me.
Social Brother Liang: […Brother Li, if you're sleepy, you can go to sleep first. Experts say that daytime fantasies can easily lead to mental illness.]
Get out!
Jiang Xuli chuckled and locked the screen, but the corners of her mouth involuntarily turned up.
Perhaps he himself didn't realize that his dilemma lay in the fact that Jin Ran hadn't told him, rather than the fact that his father hadn't invited him.
So when he learned that Jin Ran had specially bought him snacks, his anger immediately deflated.
Even a withdrawn and stubborn teenager secretly yearns for attention.
Now, he has something to boast about.
/
In early August, with the recommendation of her instructor, Jin Ran passed the test on her first attempt and successfully obtained her driver's license.
The day she received her license, she excitedly went to the garage to choose a car.
Men love cars just like women love buying clothes. Even a low-key CEO like Jiang Mingxu has five luxury cars parked in his garage. In addition to his daily Porsche and Maybach, he also has three other different cars.
Jin Ran did her homework before coming, studying each car thoroughly, but when it came time to actually drive one, she felt a little apprehensive.
Finally, she chose the most inconspicuous car at the very back of the garage. Although it was maintained by servants like the other four cars, it was much simpler in both appearance and interior. The butler told her that this was President Jiang's first car.
"How much is this car worth?" Jin Ran asked cautiously.
The butler replied with a smile, "Around two hundred thousand."
Although 200,000 is not a small amount, compared to luxury cars that cost millions, Jin Ran felt that even if it got bumped or scratched, she could still afford it. Because it was parked too far in, she asked the housekeeper to help her back the car out.
After practicing for a few days, Jin Ran gradually got the hang of driving at the driving school and realized that driving wasn't as difficult as she had imagined. She even started to consider the possibility of driving herself to and from get off work after school started.
The fulfilling days flew by, and as the summer vacation was drawing to a close, the Education Bureau's official website made some moves.
Jin Ran passed both the physical examination and political review, and her name appeared on the list of those hired.
This seems like an unexpected yet not unexpected thing. In any case, Jin Ran's efforts in doing practice questions and giving lectures for half a year, through countless early mornings and late nights, have paid off.
She secured the permanent teaching position she had always dreamed of and became a teacher within the system.
She's ashore!
Needless to say, she was overjoyed. According to regulations, teachers who pass the teacher recruitment exam are assigned jobs by the Education Bureau, based on their household registration and academic performance, either to townships or designated schools. However, before that, Wen Cheng had already called to inquire about Jin Ran's job preferences.
Jin Ran understood that the schools had their own methods.
She had no intention of changing jobs, so after a brief discussion, both parties reached an agreement that she would continue to work there for the new semester.
Of course, this is in the capacity of a formal teacher.
The phone had just ended when the screen lit up again—it was Jiang Mingxu calling.
Upon just catching a glimpse of the name, Jin Ran's lips curled into a smile: "Hello?"
"I saw the list of names. Congratulations."
Jiang Mingxu's voice came through the receiver, deep and gentle, like a feather brushing against the ear, making Jin Ran's joy leap several times over.
A normal romantic relationship always makes people feel relaxed from the inside out.
She can maintain her individuality, while the other person has their own things to do. They may not always be together, but they can maintain the same pace.
Then, every now and then, there will be an intersection.
Jin Ran wouldn't be obsessed with love, but when they get along well, she doesn't reject this inexplicable joy either; just hearing his voice makes her feel good.
Like magic.
Those who are watching magic should simply enjoy it.
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