CHAPTER 24: CHAPTER 24: BAI YUEGUANG’S STAND-IN (24)

The old man drank a bit too much at noon, and coupled with meeting his future son-in-law, it’s only natural that he enjoyed bragging more than usual.

However, this time Shen Liao truly impressed Jiang Lai. Normally, Boss Shen could discuss multi-billion deals in a short five or six-minute video conference, yet today, he patiently listened to a middle-aged man from a county town, who sells fruit, brag for an entire hour.

He occasionally nodded, evidently listening attentively.

Shen Liao’s humble and inquisitive demeanor, combined with the Cadillac parked downstairs, completely won over Mr. Jiang.

When he woke up, it was already evening, and Mr. Jiang’s first question upon getting up was.

"Where’s my future son-in-law?"

Mrs. Jiang was folding clothes in the room and responded in a not-so-good tone.

"He took your daughter out in the Cadillac!"

The word "Cadillac" was heavily emphasized by Mrs. Jiang, carrying a hint of annoyance.

"What’s wrong now?"

Noticing his wife’s displeasure, Mr. Jiang was puzzled.

"Did you know you were talking about the Cadillac even in your sleep? Aren’t you embarrassed? The kid comes to our house for the first time, and you behave like you’ve never seen a car before, bringing it up constantly. How does this make Shen Liao think of our family? How does it make him perceive Lai?"

"Oh, wasn’t I just a little drunk?"

"You’re always drinking too much! You drink two taels of cat urine and can’t even find your way home! Next time, if you drink, just get out and don’t come home to sleep!"

Mrs. Jiang threw down the clothes and stormed out, leaving Mr. Jiang to sigh in remorse.

It’s not like he has driven one before, what’s wrong with mentioning it a few times? Besides, the son-in-law’s is eventually the daughter’s, they’re all family...

——

In the car, Jiang Lai finally found some peace and let out a long sigh.

"My dad’s like that. He talks a lot when he’s drunk, don’t mind him."

Shen Liao looked at the road ahead, his tone flat.

"Uncle has quite a perspective."

A man with little worldly experience having ideas in business—it was clear to Jiang Lai that Shen Liao was being courteous.

Fortunately, she didn’t mind.

No matter what, he is her birth father, a few flaws don’t matter. At least, when it comes to loving his daughter, he is unmatched.

At this moment, Jiang Lai realized she hadn’t dolled up all day, opened the mirror on the passenger side, and the next second, a photo suddenly fell from the compartment, landing directly in Jiang Lai’s hand.

She picked it up, seeing a girl’s selfie, looking delicate and pretty, with a gentle and poised smile.

Jiang Lai froze momentarily.

Beside her, Shen Liao also noticed, glancing at her holding the two-inch photo quietly.

He frowned, vaguely sensing something amiss.

"Who is she?"

Jiang Lai straightforwardly held up the photo and asked.

Shen Liao glanced at the person in the photo and immediately explained.

"It’s the secretary’s car."

Jiang Lai paused for a while, then quietly stuffed the photo back, closed the rearview mirror, and said nothing further.

For some reason, Shen Liao felt inexplicably uneasy.

He pulled over, looking at Jiang Lai.

"It really is the secretary’s car."

"I know."

Shen Liao couldn’t possibly drive this kind of car, Jiang Lai had seen his garage, the cheapest one was still a Maybach.

"If my dad knew the Cadillac was borrowed, he’d be heartbroken."

Thinking of that little photo in the compartment, Jiang Lai sighed.

"She must be a secret crush, Secretary Dong really has deep feelings."

"Mm."

Shen Liao didn’t delve into his subordinates’ private lives, just knew he was getting married soon, having asked for leave recently for his wedding.

"Hey, does every man have a Bai Yueguang in his heart? I’m really curious if someone like you, a big boss, also has a woman hidden deep in your heart?"

When Jiang Lai asked this, her expression was serious.

It was as if she knew something, yet her eyes remained calm.

Unable to help, Shen Liao tightened his grip on the steering wheel, hesitating whether to confess to Jiang Lai when unexpectedly, she remarked on her own.

"Oh, why am I asking this, it doesn’t matter as long as the one you love now is me."

Jiang Lai finally smiled, causing a slight stir in Shen Liao’s heart, he immediately wanted to unbuckle his seatbelt, only to be pushed back by Jiang Lai.

"You can’t get enough of kissing, can you?"

Just as they had stepped out the door, he had kissed her quickly at the entrance, nearly spotted by a neighbor.

This is something even Shen Liao couldn’t quite grasp.

But he couldn’t deny that every second he looked at Jiang Lai, he felt an urge to kiss her.

A frightening desire, he was constantly suppressing it.

The reason he came to her this time was also to confirm what he felt inside.

Thus, when he saw Jiang Lai again after several days, Shen Liao confirmed that his longing for Jiang Lai would continue, deciding not to suppress himself anymore.

Staring into Jiang Lai’s eyes, Shen Liao’s voice was somewhat dark.

"Is there a hotel nearby?"

Jiang Lai’s eyes were guarded.

"What are you up to in broad daylight?"

"Let’s not go home tonight, shall we?"

"Shen Liao, do you know you look just like a perverted uncle abducting children right now?"

Shen Liao pursed his lips, his gaze alluring yet somber.

"It’s been ten days."

"Huh?"

"I haven’t touched you for ten days."

"Shut up, keep talking and it’ll be harmonized."

Shen Liao was purpose-driven, and very patient.

"Then come with me tonight."

"No, I have a high school reunion tomorrow, already agreed to attend."

Shen Liao fell silent, frowning as he stared at Jiang Lai without speaking.

Looking at him closely, Jiang Lai couldn’t help but move in and plant a light kiss, not expecting when she was about to pull away, Shen Liao pressed her head down.

The move was assertive, Shen Liao was strong, Jiang Lai couldn’t gain the upper hand and simply let him have his way.

That night they were supposed to sleep at home, but Shen Liao took Jiang Lai to the doorstep, accompanied Mr. Jiang for a couple more drinks, and then went back to the hotel to sleep.

After freshening up, he started a video conference on his computer.

Shen An also called him.

"Grandma’s eightieth birthday is coming up, aren’t you coming back to prepare?"

"Mm, I know."

"You haven’t been back to the old house in almost a month, grandma’s been mentioning you the past few days."

"Mm, I’ll come back the day after tomorrow."

"Oh by the way, brother, I’ll tell you a big surprise, do you want to hear it?!"

Shen Liao didn’t hesitate, coldly replied.

"Not interested."

"You’ll regret not listening! Never mind, I’ll tell you then, they initially didn’t want me to, wanting to keep it a surprise for you, but I can’t hold back. The good news is, Ms. Chenchen is coming back! She’s arriving at the airport tomorrow afternoon!"

On the other end of the phone, Shen An’s voice was so excited it was almost shrill.

After speaking, he waited eagerly for Shen Liao’s reaction, but despite the wait, all he got was.

"Mm."