They surrounded me right after the breakup.

The middle-aged man walked to the booth with his wine glass in hand.

Wearing a dark gray suit, holding a glass of whiskey in his hand.

He stood behind the bar for a long time.

I haven't taken my eyes off the scene since the Jianghan point-and-shoot.

Those with sharp eyes recognized the person who had just arrived.

"President Jiang, I apologize for disturbing you!"

"My surname is Zhao, and I own the bar."

"While your female anchor was dancing in the middle of the dance floor, our sales broke the highest record since we opened."

"I've been working in nightclubs for so many years, and this is the first time I've ever seen a customer bring his own people and create a lively atmosphere."

Jiang Han took the business card and glanced at it.

Neon Harbor Entertainment Management Co., Ltd., Zhao Qiming.

"Mr. Zhao, you've come here to discuss cooperation?"

"General Jiang was very agreeable!"

"I'd like to ask if they are signed artists?"

"If so, could we have a long-term partnership and do joint live streams at the bar on a few regular nights?"

"We provide the venue and drinks."

"The two sides are mutually diverting traffic."

Jiang Han leaned back on the sofa.

The cheers that echoed throughout the stadium still reverberated behind us.

He didn't hesitate for long.

Place Zhao Qiming's business card on the coffee table, pressing down one corner with the bottom of the cup.

"Mr. Zhao, there's no need for cooperation."

Zhao Qiming's hand, holding the whiskey, froze in mid-air.

He clearly hadn't expected this reply.

Jiang Hanming seemed interested just now.

"President Jiang, the profit-sharing ratio can be discussed further."

"If you are not satisfied with the revenue sharing ratio, we can adjust it! If you are not satisfied with 30/70, 20/80 is also acceptable."

"It's not about the money."

Jiang Han placed the champagne glass on the table.

The bottom of the cup made a crisp sound as it hit the marble tabletop.

"Mr. Zhao just said he'd like me and my fellow livestreamers to come to the bar a few nights a week for collaborative livestreaming events?"

"They did dance on the dance floor just now, and they definitely brought the atmosphere to its peak."

"But tonight is a team-building activity; it's for their own enjoyment, not a commercial performance."

Jiang Han turned his head and glanced at Wang Xiaoli.

The other person was huddled in the back of the sofa, their face still flushed from drinking.

"I signed them not so they could dance for customers in nightclubs."

"They are professional live streamers with their own independent live streaming channels and monetization paths."

"Mr. Zhao thinks they dance well, but their true value lies outside the dance floor!"

"Coming to the bar to dance every week is like demoting them."

Zhao Qiming remained silent.

"President Jiang, to be honest, they are really lucky to have a boss who is willing to protect the value of their artists."

Jiang Han shook his head.

"They give their best selves to the company, so I have to protect their best position."

Wang Xiaoli peeked out from the back row and paused for a moment when she heard those words.

Then he slowly shrank back and didn't say anything more.

Jiang Han stood up and buttoned up his shirt cuffs.

The streamers behind them still had sweat on them from dancing.

But at this moment, their eyes shone brighter than the lights of the entire nightclub.

Jiang Han withdrew his gaze, his tone indifferent.

"I'm gone."

As the event ended, Shen Qingning stood up, her high heels wobbling slightly.

He was clearly drunk.

During the rounds when Wang Xiaoli and her team took turns toasting Shen Qingning, Shen Qingning didn't dodge a single drink.

Later, when Liu Meng went to the restroom, she shielded her from a barrage of questions from several girls.

Jiang Han reached out and supported Shen Qingning's arm.

Liu Meng supported Shen Qingning's shoulder from the other side.

The two men worked together to shove her into the back seat of the Maybach.

"Going back to the villa is too far. There's a hotel nearby; we can just drive there."

Liu Meng was navigating ahead, while Lao Zheng was holding the steering wheel.

Shen Qingning, sitting in the back row, leaned on Jiang Han's shoulder.

Her eyes were closed, her breath carrying the lingering scent of red wine, and a few stray hairs clung to the corners of her mouth.

Liu Meng handed her a bottle of mineral water from the front, unscrewed the cap, and placed it in her hand.

"Drink some water to dilute it."

"Thank you, Sister Meng."

After finishing her water, Shen Qingning buried her face in Jiang Han's shoulder.

The hotel room was on the top floor, with the sheer curtains of the floor-to-ceiling windows half-drawn.

The bedside lamp was on, its warm yellow light bathing the entire bed.

Shen Qingning was placed on the edge of the bed.

She tilted her head back, her eyes reddening, and a smile on her lips that only she knew the meaning of.

Liu Meng stood at the door, hesitating whether to come in.

"Since you're already here, come in."

Upon hearing Jiang Han's voice, Liu Meng gently closed the door.

Then, she saw Shen Qingning slide off the edge of the bed.

Knees on the carpet, back straight, hands folded on thighs.

Shen Qingning looked up at Jiang Han standing in front of her, her Adam's apple bobbing slightly.

This posture is so perfect, it's like it's been rehearsed countless times.

The angle of kneeling, the curve of the back, the precise placement of the fingers...

"Owner."

Liu Meng stood frozen at the doorway.

His lips moved, but he didn't utter a single word.

Never before had she felt so at a loss as to where to look.

Shen Qingning knelt on the carpet.

She wasn't calling for Jiang Han, but rather...

The two words came out of her mouth without any hesitation or shame.

It looks like a…

Shen Qingning tucked the stray hairs that had fallen across her forehead behind her ears.

She reached out and untied the bun at the back of her head, letting her long hair fall over her shoulders.

Liu Meng took half a step forward.

"Qingning, get up first, you've had too much to drink!"

"Sister Meng, I'm not drunk."

"I know what I'm talking about."

"Because I am from Jianghan, from beginning to end, inside and out."

Liu Meng stood still, her fingers gripping the edge of her coat tightly.

She thought she had been quite unrestrained in her behavior in the office.

But compared to the scene before us, it's incomparable.

Shen Qingning has actually fallen to this extent!

It has transcended the intimacy of lovers and the tacit understanding of husband and wife.

It's clearly some kind of deeper relationship.

Jiang Han taught her and guided her.

Shen Qingning willingly surrendered herself and accepted all the instructions.

Jiang Han's approach to Shen Qingning was completely different from his approach to himself.

He gave each person exactly what they needed most.

Qing Ning needs to be controlled, and she needs to be recognized.

……

Meanwhile, in the living room of the Büchü Manor.

Lin Yaoyao sat cross-legged on the chaise lounge.

She was holding a cushion with a cartoon cat head printed on it.

She had already pinched it into the shape of a gourd.

"The group was just created this morning, and it violated the rules this afternoon!"

"What's the first rule of the group? Family is the foundation!"

"If you have any needs, please take care of them at home! It hasn't been that long."

Lin Yaoyao angrily threw her phone onto the sofa.

Alright, you guys!

This time, even individual recruitment has been upgraded to group recruitment!

Mengjie used to be such a well-behaved person, but now she's learned to book hotel rooms with Qingning.

It must have been Shen Qingning's idea; Sister Meng would never have thought of such a thing!

The more Lin Yaoyao thought about it, the more vivid the image became.

Slightly tipsy, Shen Qingning leaned against Jiang Han.

She definitely used that irresistible attitude and voice she had.

Sister Meng stood to the side, probably not even knowing where to put her hands.

Lin Yaoyao let out a long sigh while looking at the ceiling.

Women! They're all so difficult to deal with!

How did my mom get along with the other stepmothers back then?!

No! I need to go and learn from their experience!