"Great-Uncle, you mean..."
"An elder is coming over for tea tonight. You and Qiu Ya will join me in receiving them." Qiu Wu avoided a direct answer, his tone as casual as if he were discussing family matters. "This family is quite influential in Kyoto. You haven't been in Kyoto, so you haven't had the chance to meet them. Not only will Old Man Lin be coming tonight, but his grandson and granddaughter will also be there. These two are about your age, good people, with clean backgrounds and steady ways. You should get to know them..."
Qiu Yihe understood instantly; Qiu Wu wanted her to become a familiar face in Kyoto... She opened her mouth: "Great-Uncle, there's no rush for this. I'm a police officer—"
"It's precisely because you're a police officer that you need someone supporting you from above." Qiu Wu interrupted her, his tone still calm but carrying an indisputable firmness. "I don't care what kind of police officer you are. Do you think you can stand firm on passion alone? Some things aren't solved just by following rules and not making mistakes."
He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice even further:
"In the past, I remained impartial because I was watching and waiting. Now that I've chosen you, it's not because you're the most obedient, but because you're the most useful, the least likely to fail, and the least likely to drag the Qiu Family into the mud."
The phrase "most useful" fully revealed Qiu Wu's true thoughts.
Qiu Yihe's expression darkened.
The meaning of these words was that he didn't value sentiment, only utility;
He didn't look at the surface, only at the hidden cards;
The fact that he usually acted like a fence-sitter was simply because it wasn't time to place his bets yet.
When it truly came to making a choice, supporting someone, or protecting the family, he was more decisive and far-sighted than anyone.
Qiu Wu looked at her pale face, which was struggling to remain calm, and a trace of imperceptible satisfaction flickered in his eyes.
"No need to rush for your flight anymore." He leaned back again, returning to his slow, harmless appearance, as if that unfathomable aura from a moment ago had never existed. "Clean yourself up and receive them with Qiu Ya in a bit. Remember, speak less, watch more, and listen more. If you take this step correctly today, you won't have to risk your life for many things in the future."
Qiu Yihe frowned and spoke: "Grandpa, who exactly is coming that requires you to be so nervous?"
At this question, Qiu Yihe's heart sank for some reason.
Although she handled cases in Shanghai year-round, she had heard Qiu Zheng mention many names from the top circles since arriving in Kyoto, so she had heard of them to some extent.
Fearing she didn't understand the weight of the matter, Qiu Wu uncharacteristically explained a bit more:
"The Lin family is an old-money clan that has been rooted in the capital since the late Qing Dynasty. With centuries of foundation, they are deeply interconnected with an influence beyond your imagination. On the surface, my position is higher than the current head of their family, but in terms of heritage and influence in Kyoto... the Lin family is an existence that even the Jiang Family has to show respect to."
He paused, his tone lightening but becoming more profound:
"The Jiang Family and the Lin family have never been on the same path. One is a sharp-edged nouveau riche, the other is an established old power. They don't interfere with each other, nor do they provoke each other. I am close to the Jiang Family, but the Lin family... must absolutely not be neglected."
Just as she was about to speak again, a steady and rhythmic sound of footsteps came from outside the hall.
Lin Hong walked in first, wearing a Chinese-style long robe with a steady temperament. One could tell at a glance he was someone who had long held a high position and was steeped in the rules of a prestigious family.
Qiu Yihe's gaze shifted behind him.
She saw a man and a woman following closely behind him.
The man had a tall, upright figure with handsome features and a calm, restrained temperament. His decent attire wasn't flashy, yet it exuded good breeding and the confidence of a noble family everywhere.
The woman's behavior was gentle and elegant, clearly the image of a young lady from a prominent family.
As soon as the young man entered, his gaze first politely swept across the hall.
But the moment it landed on Qiu Yihe, his eyes visibly brightened.
His gaze paused slightly, carrying a hint of surprise and a touch of admiration, but it was quickly retracted into a polite, calm gentleness, showing no outward sign.
Lin Hong smiled and nodded toward Qiu Wu: "Brother Qiu, I apologize for the unannounced visit and the intrusion."
Qiu Wu stood up to greet him, his epaulets straight and his tone unusually solemn:
"It is the Qiu Family's honor that Old Man Lin is willing to grace us with his presence."
...The next day.
Jiang Cheng woke up at ten in the morning.
However, Jiang Churan was still sleeping in his arms.
The results of last night's obedience test were excellent.
Although he could tell Jiang Churan was very shy, her initiative had clearly increased a lot after returning last night.
Last night, Jiang Cheng didn't even need to exert much effort; she took the initiative to seal the deal herself.
After putting in so much effort, it was quite normal for her to sleep so soundly today.
Jiang Cheng didn't wake her up, but instead picked up his phone and opened wechat.
Checking wechat, he found that Fang Yuan had actually taken a late-night flight back to Chengdu last night.
So she was afraid that something uncontrollable would happen if she took the same flight as him...
After reading the message she sent him,
Jiang Cheng replied: "It's good that you arrived home safely."
After sending this, Jiang Cheng noticed that Jiang Churan had already woken up.
Clearly, this Girl in his arms had seen his conversation with Fang Yuan.
However, no abnormality appeared on her face.
But it might also be because the one chatting with him was Fang Yuan. If it had been Yu Xiaoxiao, Qiao Yinyin, or Zhou Ying, Jiang Cheng's 'good man' persona would probably have been exposed... Jiang Cheng pretended nothing had happened and smoothly and habitually reached his hand toward where he usually held her.
His index finger and thumb rubbed the red button.
"Still tired?"
Jiang Churan had long since grown accustomed to Jiang Cheng's movements.
Men, they feel uneasy all over if their hands aren't holding something.
Fortunately, this kind of thing wasn't exactly uncomfortable... After a muffled groan, she shook her head: "I seem to have forgotten when I went to sleep last night..."
After saying this, she no longer focused on the chat between Jiang Cheng and Fang Yuan.
Glancing at the time and seeing it was already past 10, she immediately sat up in a reflex.
Her hands also began fumbling for her phone.
"Oh no, why didn't my phone alarm go off?"
Seeing her panic-stricken state, Jiang Cheng sat up as well and reached out to hug her from behind.
He conveniently started a kneading and gripping mode.
"I turned it off this morning. You went to sleep so late, sleep a bit longer..."
"Ah, no, I have the Class Advisor's class today. Even though it's a general education class, if I don't go, it counts as truancy..."
"Just take a leave of absence, what's the big deal..."
Although she didn't dare blame Jiang Cheng, Jiang Churan's lips were still pouted high.
Her hand rested on the back of Jiang Cheng's, following his rhythm.
With a blushing face, she bit her lip: "Oh, I'm not a big shot like you. If I take leave casually, the instructor will get angry..."
Hearing this, Jiang Cheng pondered for a few seconds: "You're right... I'll help you resolve this matter the next time I come over..."
"Ah, how will you resolve it?"
Jiang Cheng lowered his head, his nose brushing against the crown of her head.
"Back then, Wang Congcong and those guys donated ten million to the school just in my name. Now that I've started my business and have this status, forget about skipping a few general education classes; even if you take a long-term leave, the school would have to show some respect. Just like those celebrities, with their influence, they don't have to go to school every day and can still graduate smoothly..."
"Ten million? That's so much money. Let's forget it then, I'll just go to class honestly..."
"What class? I haven't even 'attended class' yet. Are you planning to play truant with me?"
Hearing Jiang Cheng's words, Jiang Churan's heart skipped a beat, and her fingers on the back of his hand curled slightly.
Half-reproachfully and half-weakly, she hummed: "Are you... trying to corrupt me with privilege?"
"No," Jiang Cheng held her tighter, his lips close to her ear, his breath warm, "I will only corrupt you with my own passion..."
"No, I don't have time..." Just as she finished speaking, Xu Yan's scream came from the living room.
Her shy expression was replaced by surprise, and she asked again: "Ah, haven't those two gone to school yet?"
"Yeah, they've been messing around since morning. Honestly, your two best friends scream quite loudly. Ah..."
Hearing this, Jiang Churan turned her head and looked at Jiang Cheng with a curled lip: "Don't you just like those who scream loudly?"
Um... here it comes, here it comes again...
"That's right, so you'd better scream louder in a bit. Don't let your best friends outshine you..."
These words instantly made Jiang Churan feel a sense of danger.
She didn't know why she kept testing Jiang Cheng.
It was probably because Jiang Cheng's combat power was simply too terrifying.
Last night, she had already experienced the prowess of Jiang Cheng's long whip.
Now that she was about to be dominated again, how could she not overthink it?
The memories of last night were still shouting through her body with soreness.
No, I have to run!