Chapter 54

"Chunpeng, why did you urgently call me here? Aren't you afraid that our affairs will be discovered?" Luo Meifen hurriedly entered the room, peeked outside, and then closed the door.

"Was anyone following you on the way?" Jia Chunpeng asked.

"No. But recently, I've been constantly on edge. When will this kind of life end? Chunpeng, let's not continue like this. Let's quit now and go to the coastal area to start over. We've saved some capital over these years. With our abilities, we won't do badly even if we develop in the coastal area. At most, we'll spend more energy. With your intelligence, you'll eventually make it." Luo Meifen was starting to lose heart.

"If you had said this when we graduated, I would have agreed. But now, there's no turning back. We've come this far, how can I bear to give up? As long as our plan succeeds this time, the entire Tingyuan Group will fall into my hands. You won't have to hide anymore; you can live openly as a wealthy lady. I've always said I would give you the most affluent life. I can make it happen." Jia Chunpeng was already somewhat obsessed. His eyes made Luo Meifen a bit afraid.

"But I'm worried. I dream that our affairs are exposed, and the police burst into our home, arresting us. I don't want to live in fear like this." Luo Meifen threw herself into Jia Chunpeng's arms, her left cheek tightly pressed against his chest, tears streaming down her face.

"Darling, don't worry, everything will be fine. Just wait and see. In a few days, everything will be over." Saying this, Jia Chunpeng cupped Luo Meifen's face with both hands and said sternly, "Meifen, we're at this point now, don't be weak. It will ruin both of us. Do you understand? We have no way back. Gao Tingyuan, who started from nothing to reach this level, is not an easy opponent. If he finds out we're plotting against him, he will crush us. Gao Tingyuan is far more complicated than he appears."

"What should we do then?" Luo Meifen asked.

"Recently, the Gao family has been acting strangely. Gao Zhanting's attitude has completely changed. I suspect the Gao family has caught on to our plans. We have to act sooner. Don't worry, I have a detailed plan. There won't be any problems. The Gao family thinks they can control me like a pawn. They underestimate me. Hmph." Jia Chunpeng sneered.

Luo Meifen had no more ideas; she could only let Jia Chunpeng take charge.

"It's settled. Wait for my good news." Jia Chunpeng said.

That night, the two stayed together, rekindling their intimacy. The next day, they each left, trying to avoid being seen together outside the company.

Jiang Lingling woke up early in the morning, too excited to sleep well. She kept waking up to check if it was already light outside. By a little past five, she got up, washed her face, and sat in the living room to pass the time.

Zhou Wanqing heard the noise in the living room and came out of her room.

"Lingling, why are you up so early today?" Zhou Wanqing frowned, still half-asleep, her eyes barely open.

"Mom, go back to sleep. I can't sleep anymore." Jiang Lingling said.

"You silly girl, you're still thinking about Dr. Qin coming to our house, aren't you? Even if he comes, it will be after breakfast, usually around ten o'clock. The hospital work is so tiring. Go back to sleep, and I'll wake you up later." Zhou Wanqing felt a bit sorry for her daughter.

"It's fine. The hospital isn't very busy these days. I've been resting well. I just can't sleep anymore, so I might as well get up and read a book. Am I disturbing you and Dad? I'll go back to my room if I am." Jiang Lingling said.

After talking with Jiang Lingling for a while, Zhou Wanqing felt less sleepy and sat down next to her daughter. "Tell me about Dr. Qin?"

"Mom, am I being weak? Actually, Dr. Qin hasn't shown any interest in me. It's all one-sided. When I'm with Dr. Qin, I feel especially happy. I just like looking at him. Seeing him eat the breakfast I bought for him gives me a sense of achievement. Seeing him smile makes me feel particularly happy. But Dr. Qin hasn't shown any signs, neither saying he likes me nor that he doesn't. What do you think he means? Does he like me or not?" Jiang Lingling asked.

"Sweetheart, that's the feeling of falling in love. Dr. Qin not showing any signs means he has some good feelings for you, but there might be reasons. Does Dr. Qin have a girlfriend?" Zhou Wanqing asked.

Jiang Lingling shook her head. "I haven't heard that Dr. Qin has a girlfriend. But he mentioned that he had a girlfriend before. They broke up for some reason, and he hasn't gotten over it yet."

"You've been quite thorough in your inquiries about Dr. Qin." Zhou Wanqing laughed.

"Zhan Ting told me all this." Jiang Lingling's face was slightly shy.

"It seems our daughter has grown up." Zhou Wanqing laughed.

Qin Chuan arrived at Yuhu Garden, and saw Jiang Lingling waving at him.

"Dr. Qin." Jiang Lingling walked over, seeing the things Qin Chuan was carrying, she frowned. "Why did you bring things?"

Qin Chuan laughed. "They're just small things, not anything valuable. Don't worry, I'm not trying to bribe your father."

"If you tried to bribe my father, he would kick you out." Jiang Lingling laughed. Although she said she didn't want Qin Chuan to bring gifts, she was secretly delighted to see him carrying things. The gifts Qin Chuan brought had special significance.

Qin Chuan naturally understood the potential meaning of these gifts. He was very practical. His parents were old, and he couldn't enjoy a romantic relationship like other young people. He hoped to get married early so his parents could enjoy family life. Jiang Lingling was beautiful and gentle, and regardless of her family background, she was a good match.

Seeing Qin Chuan's arrival, Zhou Wanqing was very welcoming. She quickly took the things from his hands. "You young man, you didn't have to bring anything."

"They're just small things, a token of respect." Qin Chuan said.

"Yudong, Dr. Qin is here. Put down what you're doing and come talk to him." Zhou Wanqing said.

A moment later, Jiang Yudong came out of his study. "Young Qin, you're here. You're a fine young man. Your performance during the patient rescue was outstanding, setting a good example for our Tanshan City medical workers."

"Mayor Jiang, I'm an emergency doctor. I can say that any emergency doctor in our department would have done the same." Qin Chuan said.

"Call me Uncle. Today, I'm just Lingling's father. You're our guest. Ha ha." Jiang Yudong was very friendly.

"Uncle Jiang." Qin Chuan said.

"Ah, that's right." Jiang Yudong laughed. Then, Jiang Yudong and his wife asked Qin Chuan about his family, as if they were sizing up a potential son-in-law.

Jiang Lingling, blushing, was afraid Qin Chuan would be embarrassed and quickly said, "Are you hosting a guest or interrogating a criminal? Why do you keep asking questions? If you keep this up, you'll scare Dr. Qin away."

"Oh, that's our mistake. Young Qin, you talk to Lingling. I have some materials to review. I'll go back to my work." Jiang Yudong found an excuse to escape.

Zhou Wanqing also laughed. "I'll go to the kitchen to prepare lunch. Since you're here, you might as well stay for lunch. It's more reassuring and cozy. Just don't criticize my cooking, okay?"

"Actually, I've already tasted your cooking. It's really good." Qin Chuan laughed. Jiang Lingling had brought him food from home multiple times, so he was already familiar with Zhou Wanqing's cooking. Zhou Wanqing was a famous law professor at Tanshan University and a well-known lawyer in Tanshan City. She was capable in both professional and domestic settings. Her cooking was also excellent.

"Oh, I'm glad you like it. I was worried it wouldn't suit your taste." Zhou Wanqing laughed.

"Aunt, shall I help you in the kitchen?" Qin Chuan felt uncomfortable just sitting there.

But Jiang Lingling held him back. "Just sit here. My mother's only hobby is cooking. Don't underestimate her. Her cooking skills are on par with professional chefs. The kitchen is her domain. You'd just get in her way if you went in."

Jiang Yudong and Zhou Wanqing had a good impression of Qin Chuan, finding him more likable the more they saw him. Although his family background wasn't great, he was very outgoing and had a good character. Now that he had brought gifts, it seemed he had some feelings for Jiang Lingling. Love needs to be cultivated over time. While at first sight can be precious, it's rare in life. True love requires both people to nurture and carefully manage it to last.

Jiang Lingling and Qin Chuan went to see a movie together. As soon as Qin Chuan left, Zhou Wanqing asked Jiang Yudong, "What do you think of Young Qin?"

"He's good. Very down-to-earth. I feel reassured leaving our daughter with a young man like him." Jiang Yudong said.

Zhou Wanqing nodded. "But I still think there are some obstacles between Lingling and Young Qin."

"I see that too. We can't rush these things. Let's see how it goes." Jiang Yudong said.