Volume 1, Chapter 61: Qinqin, There Is a Child Here, Isn't There?

Perhaps still due to an initial miscalculation, she had failed to perceive the stark class disparities during her school days.

She had always assumed everyone was a student of roughly similar economic standing.

Therefore, encountering Xie Youan at this very moment and in this particular setting—someone she could not quite call a close friend, yet undeniably a familiar face from her former school—inevitable ripples of surprise stirred within Jiang Qin's heart.

"Money, we have plenty of. As long as you join us, even strength will be granted to you. How about it?" Upon hearing Lin Hao's terms, the leader of the Shadow organization was momentarily stunned. Then, he took a pouch from one of his subordinates and gave it a casual shake. The crisp and pleasant jingle made it clear just how heavy the gold coins inside were.

For a little over a month, Zhang Jiaming had holed up in his lair, intimately enjoying the company of his several wives—naturally, including his primary wife, Li Juan.

A pang of sorrow pierced Shen Xinyi's heart. Seeing him look like a fading, twilight-years elder, she could not help the tears welling up in her eyes.

Next, the director would arrange for her to take on work that better showcased her abilities, handing over the management of some of Extraordinary's artists' manuscripts to her. Management, not mere drafting—there was a vast difference between the two. This meant she would be stepping up to a higher level in the future.

"What is the matter, Prime Minister?" Su Jin directly ignored Xia Qingyu's gnashing expression, looking at him with an air of absolute innocence. In truth, Su Jin was already laughing hysterically inside. She simply loved watching Xia Qingyu sport that look of wanting to destroy her yet being utterly powerless to do so.

Langyi shared the same sentiment, and since Bluejay had no objections, the matter was settled for now. Shortly after, Bluejay left with the magazine, and before long, rumors surfaced that Bluejay intended to terminate his contract with Extraordinary. Just as Shen Xinyi and Langyi were discussing this in the office, someone rushed over from outside, and that was how Shen Xinyi learned that Bluejay had gone to make a scene with the director.

Unawares, the once-prosperous and tranquil territory of Xiqi seemed to regain its fervor, plunging into a mass production campaign that appeared calm on the surface yet surged with thunderous momentum underneath.

That red energy sphere struck the head of the Tier 3 Crimson-Eyed Wolf and detonated instantly. Without even a whimper, the wolf's head was blasted into a bloody, mangled mess, blood flowing freely, exposing half of a crystal embedded within the shattered skull.

Bluejay's meal concluded, and by the very next day, movie offers came pouring in. He became so busy that he hardly had time to eat, making phone calls even from the washroom. When Langyi told him to find time to rest, Bluejay would use his brief respites to call Shen Xinyi, until her hands grew sore from answering.

Meanwhile, while Yun Jingchu was leisurely passing time with Baili Wushang, Shi Yao, who had been ordered by Qu Ying to wash a tub of laundry, was finally allowed to return to her room to rest.

This year truly brought little luck. Her son had only recently been discharged from the hospital, and now her mother had been admitted as well.

Consequently, Xie Ziran deliberately kept her distance from Su Mu. Although they traveled the road together for two days, they exchanged barely a word.

"Master." A soft call from Qingsong outside the window pulled Nangong Ming back from his thoughts. Gazing at Feng Ruhuang, who was still fast asleep, Nangong Ming stepped out on tiptoe.

"From now on, you are not allowed to sweep up the fallen leaves in the courtyard." Her voice returned to its tranquil, waveless state, devoid of the slightest ripple of emotion.

All of the Hu family's assets were tied up in cargo, totaling tens of thousands of silver taels, which included shares from other partners. There were also numerous loans from other commercial houses. Now, with everything being liquidated at rock-bottom fire-sale prices, not only was every penny lost, but they also had no way to account for it to the others.

While Xie Qian and Liu Jian were arguing, Li Danyang merely sat there, frowning in deep thought, remaining entirely silent from start to finish.

Yu Dong's face turned livid with anger. He didn't even bother to change his damp undergarments; instead, he casually snatched a robe, draped it over his shoulders, and strode off to the outer courtyard to sober up.