He wants to adopt a younger sister, but his aloof wife disagrees.

He knelt down with a thud, crawled to Jiang Che's side, and tried to hug his leg:

"President Jiang! Master Jiang! I was blind to your greatness! I had a foul mouth! I deserve to die!"

"Please! Let me go! If Sky Capital sues me, I'll go bankrupt! I have elderly parents and young children to support..."

Jiang Che took a step back, avoiding his hand.

He didn't look at Wang Dafu again, but simply said to Principal Zhang:

"This is a classroom, a place where children study. I don't want to see such a chaotic scene."

"Understood! Understood!"

Principal Zhang waved his hand: "Security! Take him out! Don't offend Chairman Jiang's eyes!"

Several security guards rushed up and dragged the wailing Wang Dafu away like a dead dog.

The classroom fell silent again.

But everyone's eyes changed.

Those parents who had previously echoed Wang Dafu were now shrinking back, terrified of being called out by Jiang Che. Even Teacher Yan, who had been standing on the podium looking bewildered, now wore a look of awe.

Jiang Che straightened his collar, sat back down in his corner seat, and picked up the book "Macroeconomics".

"Teacher Yan, please continue."

Jiang Che said gently, "Where were we? About improving math scores?"

"Huh? Oh! Yes, yes, yes!"

Ms. Yan seemed to snap out of a daze, quickly picking up her pointer, but this time, her voice was as gentle as if she were coaxing kindergarten children:

"Um... about Su Xiaoruan's math scores... actually, there's still a lot of room for improvement! She has tremendous potential! With just a little guidance, she could be a future Fields Medal candidate!"

All the parents in the class: "..."

Teacher, your change of expression is too fast!

……

After the parents' meeting.

Jiang Che walked out of the teaching building.

Su Xiaoruan, carrying her schoolbag, stood nervously kicking pebbles by the flowerbed. Seeing Jiang Che come out, she quickly went to greet him, her face etched with anxiety.

"Brother... how did it go? Did Lao Yan complain? Did he mention that I was sleeping in class?"

Jiang Che looked at her and suddenly smiled.

He reached out and pinched her chubby cheeks:

"He didn't say."

"She said you are the pride of the whole school, a future artist, and... a Fields Medal candidate."

"Huh?" Su Xiaoruan's eyes widened. "The Fields Medal? That's the Nobel Prize of mathematics, isn't it? Has Lao Yan gone mad?"

"Maybe they were influenced by your brother's personal charm."

Jiang Che took her hand and walked towards the school gate.

At this moment, snowflakes finally began to fall from the sky.

At the school gate, the unassuming black Volkswagen Phaeton still stood there. Next to it, the previously ostentatious gold Rolls-Royce had been towed away (due to illegal parking and loan defaults, it was repossessed by the bank).

"Brother, shall we go home?"

"Yes, let's go home."

Jiang Che opened the car door, let Su Xiaoruan get in, and helped her fasten her seatbelt:

"What do you want to eat tonight? To celebrate you becoming a 'future mathematician,' I'll cook you a nice meal."

"I don't want a mathematician! I want sweet and sour pork ribs!"

"Okay, sweet and sour pork ribs."

The car started and slowly drove into the swirling snow.

Su Xiaoruan had no idea what had just happened in the classroom, nor did she know that the once arrogant Wang Dafu had completely disappeared from the business world of Jianghai City because of Jiang Che's words.

All she knew was that as long as her brother was there.

Even if the sky were to fall, someone would hold it up for her.

As for Jiang Che...

The so-called slap in the face and the so-called power are nothing more than means to protect one's family.

His real sense of accomplishment did not come from making Wang Dafu bankrupt.

It came from Su Xiaoruan's carefree smile just now.

"elder brother."

"Um?"

"You look really cool today. Even though you're driving a Passat (Phaeton), in my eyes, you're cooler than driving a Gundam!"

Jiang Che smiled and gripped the steering wheel tightly.

"Silly girl."

"That's a Phaeton. A twelve-cylinder one."

"Oh...that's Passat's older cousin too!"

The carriage was filled with laughter and cheerful conversation.

Although the wind and snow were heavy outside, the car was warm and cozy.

...

...

In early February, the Lunar New Year is drawing ever closer.

Red lanterns have been hung throughout the streets and alleys of Jianghai City, and the air is filled with a restless energy as people bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new. For the business community, however, this is the busiest time of the year—various annual meetings, thank-you banquets, and business entertainment events are coming one after another.

It's 11 p.m. at Qingche Manor.

In the living room of the main building, the fireplace was burning brightly, occasionally crackling. Su Xiaoruan had long since taken her cat back to her room to sleep (or perhaps she was hiding under the covers reading a novel).

Jiang Che, dressed in a loose-fitting dark blue silk pajama set, sat on a single sofa in front of the French windows, with a half-read copy of "One Hundred Years of Solitude" on his lap and a slightly cooled cup of black tea beside him.

He glanced at the clock on the wall.

11:15.

Shen Qingge hasn't returned yet.

Tonight is the annual signing banquet for the Shen Group and several European partners. As the head of the Shen Group, she must attend such an event, and she will inevitably have to drink a few glasses. Although she has a driver and assistant with her, Jiang Che is still a little worried.

"Buzz—"

My phone, which was on the coffee table, suddenly vibrated.

Jiang Che answered immediately.

"Feed?"

It was noisy on the other end of the phone, seemingly from the hotel lobby or the windy entrance.

"Jiang Che..."

Shen Qingge's voice came through. Unlike her usual cool and capable tone, her voice was soft and sweet, like she was holding a melted toffee, with a hint of barely perceptible grievance and nasal tone:

"Why...why haven't you come to pick me up yet?"

"I...I've been waiting for you for so long..."

Jiang Che's heart melted instantly. He realized that this person had drunk too much. And it was the kind of state where one is slightly tipsy, one's rational defenses have collapsed, and one begins to unleash their true nature.

"Where are you? Are you still at the Peninsula Hotel?" Jiang Che stood up and picked up his car keys.

"Hmm... I'm at the main gate..." Shen Qingge grumbled. "The wind is so strong... so cold... and there's a stone lion that keeps glaring at me... I don't like it..."

"Okay, stay there and don't move. Have your assistant put a coat on you. I'll be right there."

"Then hurry up... or I'll... I'll go with the stone lion..."

"..."

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Che smiled helplessly, but his eyes were full of doting affection.

Follow the stone lion?

It seems that tonight, President Shen is not just slightly tipsy, but has practically become young again.

……

Twenty minutes later, at the entrance of Jianghai Peninsula Hotel.

A black Bentley Continental GT, with a deep roar, came to a steady stop at the main entrance of the lobby.

Jiang Che pushed open the car door and got out. He hadn't changed into formal attire, but had only put on a long black down jacket over his pajamas, and was wearing a pair of cotton slippers (of course, Hermes). His hair was unkempt, but this did not affect his striking good looks and aura at all.

"Mr. Jiang! You've finally arrived!"

Shen Qingge's assistant, Xiao Zhang, looked relieved, holding a coat in his hand, but he couldn't manage to put it on Shen Qingge.

The usually imposing and dignified President Shen was now squatting beside the huge stone lion at the hotel entrance, poking at the lion's paw with a finger while muttering something under his breath:

"Are you cold too? Your hands are so cold... Do you want me to buy you some gloves?"

The guests coming and going couldn't help but glance at her, but because of Shen Qingge's status, no one dared to step forward and they were all whispering among themselves.

"Is that Shen Qingge? Has she had too much to drink?"

"Oh my god, so cute, she's a completely different person from usual."

Jiang Che strode over and squatted down in front of the figure huddled on the ground.

"Qingge".

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Shen Qingge suddenly looked up.

Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were unfocused, like a lost fawn. The moment she saw Jiang Che, her eyes lit up instantly, like stars in the night sky being ignited.

"husband!"

She opened her arms and threw herself into Jiang Che's embrace, burying her face in the crook of his neck and rubbing against him. The smell of alcohol mixed with her unique, cool fragrance was not unpleasant; on the contrary, it had an indescribable allure.

"Why did you take so long to come... I'm practically frozen solid..." she complained coquettishly.

"Sorry, there was a bit of traffic."

Jiang Che gently coaxed her, reaching out to tuck her slightly messy long hair behind her ear. Then, he skillfully took the coat from his assistant and wrapped her up completely, leaving only her rosy cheeks showing.

"Go home?" Jiang Che asked.

"No!"

Shen Qingge shook her head vigorously: "I'm not going home! Going home means taking off my makeup, taking a shower, and going to sleep...it's so boring!"

"So what do you want to do?" Jiang Che asked patiently.

Shen Qingge tilted her head and thought for a moment, then her eyes suddenly lit up. She pointed to the old street in the distance, its neon lights flashing:

"I want to eat that!"

"Which one?"

"That... it's spicy and hot... with lots of meatballs and vegetables... cooked in a big pot..." Shen Qingge gestured, like a child describing a treasure.

"Malatang?" Jiang Che asked tentatively.

"Yes! It's mala tang!" Shen Qingge swallowed hard. "I want it extra spicy! And with instant noodles! And lots and lots of vinegar!"

Jiang Che was both amused and exasperated.

A powerful female CEO with assets worth hundreds of billions, after just having a French dinner costing 5,000 yuan per person, goes out to eat spicy hot pot from a roadside stall? If this gets out, will the Shen Group's stock price fluctuate tomorrow?

"Honey, that's a roadside stall, it's not very hygienic. How about I cook it for you when we get home?" Jiang Che tried to reason with him.

"don't want!"

Shen Qingge pouted, her eyes instantly reddening: "You're just disgusted with me... Do you think I'm embarrassing you because I'm drunk... I just want something hot... and you won't even let me..."

It looked like the golden tears were about to fall.

"Okay, okay! Eat! Eat right now!"

Jiang Che surrendered immediately. In front of Shen Qingge in this state, he had no principles whatsoever.

"I'll cook the moon in the sky for you, as long as you want to eat it."

……

The old town of Jianghai is full of life late at night.

Jiang Che drove his five-million-yuan Bentley through the narrow alleys and finally stopped in front of a "Zhang's Old-fashioned Spicy Hot Pot" stall that was still open for business.

The stall was small, just a makeshift stove converted from a tricycle, with a few folding tables and small plastic stools next to it. The dim light bulb swayed in the cold wind, and the red oil in the large pot bubbled and emitted an enticing aroma.

At this time, there were still a few tables of customers at the stall, mostly migrant workers who had just finished their night shifts or students from nearby universities.

When the luxury car stopped, everyone cast curious glances at it.

The car door opened.

Jiang Che got out of the car first, then went around to the passenger side and carefully helped Shen Qingge, who was wrapped up like a silkworm, out of the car.

"Wow—it smells so good!"

Shen Qingge smelled the aroma of cumin and chili oil and became as excited as a child. She didn't mind the simple environment and pulled Jiang Che towards the empty, greasy little square table.

"Boss! Two bowls, please! The spiciest!"

Shen Qingge shouted with great enthusiasm, then plopped down on the red plastic stool.

Her six-figure haute couture gown hung to the ground, covered in dust, but she didn't care.

Jiang Che took out a pack of wet wipes and resignedly wiped the table and chairs three times before sitting down opposite her.

"Boss, one bowl of mildly spicy, with lots of greens and less oil. And the other bowl... clear broth," Jiang Che shouted to the boss, directly altering Shen Qingge's order.

"Huh? I want it extra spicy!" Shen Qingge protested.

"You drank alcohol and ate something really spicy. Do you want to ruin your throat and stomach tomorrow?" Jiang Che looked at her seriously. "Listen to me, or we're going home right now."

"Hmph... domineering." Shen Qingge muttered under her breath, but still obediently shut up.

Soon, two steaming bowls of spicy hot pot were served.

Although it was advertised as mildly spicy, the sight of the layer of red oil floating on top still made Shen Qingge's mouth water. She picked up her chopsticks, grabbed a fish ball, and was about to put it in her mouth.

"Be careful, it's hot."

Jiang Che quickly stopped her, put the meatball in his own bowl, blew on it to make sure it wasn't too hot, and then held it to her lips.

Open your mouth.

"ah--"

Shen Qingge obediently opened her mouth, took a bite of the meatball, and chewed it with satisfaction, her cheeks bulging like a hamster eating.

"Is it tasty?"

"Delicious! Much better than foie gras!" Shen Qingge mumbled. "That foie gras was fishy and greasy, and these fish balls are much more bouncy!"

The surrounding diners were all stunned.

Although Shen Qingge had removed her makeup (actually just light makeup) and her hair was a bit messy, her stunning beauty and temperament were undeniable.

"Wow... is that woman... Shen Qingge?" A college student at the next table whispered.

"It seems so! Oh my god, Shen Qingge is eating spicy hot pot at a roadside stall? And being fed by someone?"

"That guy is so handsome! Is that Jiang Che? The legendary gigolo?"

"What kind of gigolo is he! Look at the way he looks at me, he's practically drowning me! He's spoiling me way too much!"

Someone secretly raised their phone to film a video.

Jiang Che noticed, but he didn't stop it. As long as it wasn't malicious paparazzi filming, these scenes full of everyday life could actually make Shen Qingge's image more three-dimensional and approachable.

"Woof woof!"

Just then, a dirty little stray dog ​​came over, attracted by the aroma, and squatted down at Shen Qingge's feet, looking at her expectantly.

Shen Qingge lowered her head and stared at the puppy for a few seconds.

Then, she did something that left Jiang Che both amused and exasperated.

She crouched down, stroked the puppy's head, and spoke to it earnestly:

Are you hungry too? Are you lost?

"Woof!" The puppy wagged its tail.

"Poor thing... just like me, I couldn't find my way home either..." Shen Qingge sniffed, surprisingly empathizing with the dog. "But it's okay, I have a husband to pick me up, do you?"

puppy:"……"

"You don't have a husband? Then you're worse off than me." Shen Qingge sighed, picked up a sausage from her bowl and put it on the ground. "Here, have this. Don't cry after you eat it."

Jiang Che rubbed his forehead.

Honey, is it really appropriate for you to brag to a dog about having a husband?

"Alright, alright, get up quickly, the ground is cold." Jiang Che pulled her up. "It ate your sausage, it's very happy. You should also eat this bowl of noodles obediently."

"Okay!" Shen Qingge sat down again and started directing Jiang Che, "I want to eat that seaweed! And that...that wide rice noodle!"

This late-night snack took a full hour to eat.

Jiang Che spent most of the time blowing on the food to cool it down, feeding it, and wiping its mouth. Shen Qingge was only responsible for opening her mouth and uttering some drunken ramblings.

Shen Qingge finally let out a satisfied burp after finishing her meal, leaning against Jiang Che contentedly, her eyes beginning to droop.

"Tired?"

"Mmm... I'm sleepy... I want a hug..."

Jiang Che paid the money (35 yuan via QR code), then bent down and, under everyone's gaze, picked Shen Qingge up horizontally.

"go home."

Shen Qingge wrapped her arms around his neck, buried her face in his chest, and let out a comfortable hum.

Behind me, the hot pot stall owner, while clearing away the bowls, sighed, "These days, I've seen people drive Bentleys to eat hot pot, but it's really rare to see a rich man who dotes on his wife like this."

……

It was already 1 a.m. when I got back to Qingche.

The manor was quiet.

Jiang Che carried the already asleep Shen Qingge upstairs and placed her on the large bed in the master bedroom.

This is not over yet.

Taking care of a drunk wife is quite a skill.

Jiang Che went to the bathroom to fill a basin with warm water and brought out makeup remover pads and makeup remover.

He sat on the edge of the bed and gently helped Shen Qingge remove her makeup.

First, her eye makeup was done, with the eyeshadow and eyeliner being wiped away little by little to reveal her originally clear eyes; then came her lip makeup, with her fingertips gently tracing her soft lips; and finally, her entire face was cleansed.

Throughout the entire process, Shen Qingge was very well-behaved, only occasionally frowning or muttering a few words.

After removing her makeup, Jiang Che helped her change into comfortable pajamas and used a hot towel to wipe her face, hands, and feet.

After doing all that, he went to the kitchen to cook a bowl of hangover soup.

"Qingge, get up and have some soup before you go back to sleep, or you'll have a headache tomorrow."

Jiang Che helped her up and let her lean against him.

Shen Qingge opened her eyes groggily, looking at the incredibly gentle man before her. Still under the influence of alcohol, her reason was still wandering.

She took two sips of soup, then suddenly pushed the bowl away and cupped Jiang Che's face in her hands.

"Jiang Che..."

"Um?"

"Are you serious?" she asked, bewildered.

"What do you mean, real or fake? Do you think I'm some kind of free gift with a phone top-up?" Jiang Che chuckled.

"No..." Shen Qingge shook her head, her eyes suddenly becoming moist. "I mean... someone as wonderful as you, do you really belong to me? What if I wake up tomorrow and it's all just a dream? And I'm back in that cold, impersonal office, eating alone, sleeping alone..."

Upon hearing these words, Jiang Che felt a sudden pang of pain in his heart.

He knew that although Shen Qingge appeared strong on the outside, she had always lacked a sense of security deep down. Years of navigating the business world had made her accustomed to encasing herself in a hard shell. Only when she was drunk would that vulnerable little girl emerge.

Jiang Che put down the bowl and hugged her tightly.

"It's not a dream."

He solemnly promised her:

"I am real. This moment is real. Every day from now on is real."

"I will not leave, nor will I disappear."

"I will always be by your side, cooking for you, removing your makeup, eating spicy hot pot with you, and watching the stars with you."

"Even when we're both old men and women, and all our teeth have fallen out, I will still belong to you."

Hearing these words, Shen Qingge finally couldn't hold back her tears.

"Jiang Che...I love you..."

"I love you too."

The two shared a passionate kiss under the dim light of the bedside lamp.

This kiss was not driven by eager desire, but rather by the tenderness of two hearts embracing each other.

……

The next morning.

Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains and onto the bed.

Shen Qingge woke up with a frown, feeling a bit heavy-headed, but without the severe pain of a hangover (thanks to the bowl of hangover soup).

She rubbed her temples, and her memories began to slowly return.

last night……

Stone lions at the hotel entrance...

Street stall... Mala Tang (spicy hot pot)...

And...bragging to your dog about having a husband?!

boom--!!!

Shen Qingge's face instantly turned bright red, and she wished she could bury herself in the blankets and suffocate.

Good heavens! What has she been doing?!

The dignified president of the Shen Group, a cold and aloof goddess, is actually talking to a dog on the street?! And letting Jiang Che feed her like a child?!

If this gets out, how will she ever be able to survive in the business world again?!

Just as she was filled with shame and indignation, the door opened.

Jiang Che walked in carrying a glass of honey water, looking refreshed and with a bright smile.

"Awake? Does your head hurt?"

Shen Qingge pulled the blanket over half her face, leaving only her eyes visible, and said in a muffled voice, "I want to lose my memory..."

"Amnesia? That won't do."

Jiang Che walked to the bedside, sat down, and handed her his phone:

"Your glorious deeds last night are now the number one trending topic on the entire internet."

"What?!" Shen Qingge sat up in alarm and snatched the phone.

The top trending topic on Weibo was:

#Shen Qingge drunkenly feeding at a roadside stall#

#The unexpected cuteness of a cold and aloof female CEO#

#This is the most beautiful form of love#

Click to watch the video.

In the footage, she is seen squatting on the ground petting a dog, and Jiang Che is seen gently blowing fish balls on her, all captured clearly.

But instead of the mockery she feared, the comments section was filled with screams of "Ahhh!"

"My God! President Shen is so adorable! Is this really the same ruthless and decisive female demon she is?"

"The part where he talks to the dog cracked me up! 'You don't have a husband? Then you're worse off than me,' that's just too Versailles!"

"Jiang Che is so doting! That look in his eyes is absolutely captivating!"

"I'll eat this dog food! This is the real, down-to-earth atmosphere of a top-tier wealthy family!"

"Shen's Group's stock price hit the daily limit this morning! It seems investors are quite receptive to this!"

Shen Qingge was stunned when she saw these comments.

"It seems everyone really likes the real you."

Jiang Che took the phone away and shoved the honey water into her hand:

"So, stop putting on airs, Mr. Shen."

"It's nice to be a little coquettish and affectionate sometimes."

Shen Qingge took a sip of the sweet honey water and looked at Jiang Che's gentle smiling face, and the embarrassment in her heart slowly dissipated.

"that……"

She spoke somewhat shyly:

"Next time... let's go to a different mala tang place? That one doesn't seem spicy enough."

Jiang Che was taken aback, then burst into laughter and pulled her into his arms:

"Okay! We'll go to whichever mala tang restaurant in the whole Jianghai area you want!"

Outside the window, the winter sun shines brightly.