After the school beauty rejected me, I became her mom's number one fan!

Ning Xiuyang couldn't help but laugh when he saw Qiao Feiyu's reply.

This Qiao Jingtang is truly an old bureaucrat, with a cunning and scheming mind.

He replied, "Then what do you suggest we do?"

Qiao Feiyu remained silent for about a minute, seemingly anxiously considering a solution.

A minute later, the message arrived.

Bring a gift, but nothing expensive. Bring something he'll definitely like, but he'll never expect it from you.

This answer is clever, but also vague.

What could be something that someone of Qiao Jingtang's caliber would definitely like, yet would never even imagine?

Ning Xiuyang leaned back on the sofa, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest.

Money, power, antiques and calligraphy... Qiao Jingtang either has all the things he needs or he disdains them.

What is he lacking?

Or rather, what does he truly value?

Ning Xiuyang's eyes suddenly lit up, as if he had thought of something.

Even though someone of Grand Secretary Qiao's high position and great power has retired, his needs will not change.

It is about heritage, tradition, and spiritual aspects.

Ning Xiuyang's gaze swept around the study, finally landing on an inconspicuous corner on the top shelf of the bookshelf.

There was a camphor wood box there.

He got up, walked over, took the box down, and opened it.

Inside lay a set of thread-bound books, their pages yellowed and exuding a historical fragrance.

A rare edition of the Zizhi Tongjian (Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government) from the early Republican era.

This was a reward he received from opening a treasure chest one of the time. Since he wasn't interested in these ancient books, he had just left them gathering dust in his study.

But now, it seems to have found the most suitable owner.

In terms of monetary value, this set of books may not be as valuable as a piece of calligraphy or painting by a famous artist, but in the eyes of connoisseurs, especially in the eyes of an old man like Qiao Jingtang who has studied history and political intrigue all his life, its weight is heavier than gold.

This is a unique copy, a cultural treasure that has been lost forever.

Ning Xiuyang took out his phone, took a picture of the set of books, and sent it to Qiao Feiyu.

This time, Qiao Feiyu took a full half minute to reply.

There is only one word.

"Absolutely brilliant."

……

The next morning, Ning Xiuyang wore a low-key dark gray handmade suit, without a tie, and unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt, making him appear both composed and casually youthful.

He first drove to Zhonghai University to pick up Qiao Jinlin.

The girl had clearly dressed up carefully today, wearing a beige dress with a light blue knitted cardigan over it. Her long hair was draped over her shoulders, and she wore light makeup, looking pure and radiant, like a lily bud about to bloom.

"Senior, you look so handsome today." Qiao Jinlin's cheeks flushed slightly when he saw Ning Xiuyang, and his eyes were filled with undisguised admiration.

The two chatted and laughed all the way to the private jet airport.

When Qiao Jinlin saw the sleek, futuristic Gulfstream G650ER, he gasped in surprise.

When she saw Qiao Feiyu gracefully descending the gangway, she was even more stunned.

Today, Qiao Feiyu changed out of her usual business suit and wore a dark blue cashmere coat, gold-rimmed glasses, and her hair was neatly pinned up at the back of her head.

The aloof, official air she usually exuded was replaced by a dignified and noble maternal radiance.

She looked like an elegant lady visiting her parents' home with her daughter and son-in-law.

When she saw Ning Xiuyang, she nodded naturally with a perfectly timed smile on her face.

"Xiao Ning, you're here."

His tone was so natural that Qiao Jinlin, who was standing next to him, did not notice anything unusual at all.

Ning Xiuyang readily complied, smiling as he replied, "Good morning, Aunt Qiao."

An unseen battle between two adversaries has begun.

Qiao Jinlin was still reeling from the shock of his own plane and his mother's transformation, completely unaware that in the brief moment when Ning Xiuyang and Qiao Feiyu's eyes met in the air, a spark of understanding flashed between them.

"Wow! Senior, is that your private jet? That's so cool!"

Upon entering the cabin, Qiao Jinlin acted like a curious child, looking around and touching everything, his refined face filled with excitement.

The cabin interior is understated yet luxurious, featuring leather sofas, a solid wood bar, and even a small home theater. The spacious interior feels more like a mobile sky club than an airplane.

Ning Xiuyang smiled, naturally put his arm around her waist, and began to introduce her to the mother and daughter.

"This aircraft is called a Gulfstream G650ER, which is one of the longest-range business jets currently available. It can fly directly from Great Britain to New York."

As he spoke, he led them to the cockpit door.

"Let me introduce you. This is my personal pilot, Huang Yunxiu."

Inside the cockpit, a smartly dressed woman in a flight uniform turned around and gave the three of them a professional smile.

"Good morning, Boss, Mayor Qiao, Miss Qiao."

Huang Yunxiu's voice was clear and crisp, but Ning Xiuyang could detect a hint of tension that was barely perceptible.

Immediately afterwards, two identical twin sisters, dressed in custom-made flight attendant uniforms, came over carrying drinks.

"Boss, Mayor Qiao, Miss Qiao, please have some tea."

"They are the Ke Weiqiao and Ke Weimiao sisters, who are in charge of the service for this flight," Ning Xiuyang introduced.

"Hello." Qiao Feiyu maintained perfect mayoral demeanor and nodded dignifiedly.

But in her heart, a raging storm was brewing.

The pilot is female, and the flight attendant is also female. Moreover, they are twins with top-notch looks and figures!

Considering Ning Xiuyang's style of doing things, the identities of these three women are practically obvious!

Qiao Feiyu glanced at Ning Xiuyang out of the corner of her eye, her inner alarm bells ringing.

Isn't this man afraid that his kidneys will suffer?

Even the staff on the plane are his women?

This is no longer just about being a womanizer; it's about building a deeply entrenched harem empire of his own!

Qiao Jinlin, who was standing to the side, clearly also noticed that something was wrong.

Her gaze lingered on Huang Yunxiu and the twin sisters, her eyes filled with scrutiny and doubt.

Although these three women behaved professionally, the way they looked at Ning Xiuyang was nothing like how ordinary subordinates look at their boss.

That look in his eyes carried admiration, adoration, and even a hint of... possessiveness.

This is a look that only women can understand.

Qiao Jinlin was not an innocent naive girl after all. Born into a family like the Qiao family, she had seen far more storms than her peers since childhood.

She leaned close to Qiao Feiyu and whispered something in a voice only the mother and daughter could hear.

"Mom, could these three be...his women too?"

Qiao Feiyu's heart skipped a beat, feeling as if someone had caught him red-handed.

She glanced subconsciously at the composed Ning Xiuyang, but her face instantly adopted the stern demeanor of a mother.

She reached out and lightly patted Qiao Jinlin on the head.

"What are you thinking about?"

The voice wasn't loud, but it carried a hint of reproach.