Chapter 169: Chapter 147: Lu Fan’s Grand Gift to Silu, a Shock of a Lifetime

Lu Fan was a little puzzled. "Elder Meng, what can I help you with?"

Elder Meng chuckled. "Do you still remember that garden estate of yours in the Suzhou suburbs?"

"I remember," Lu Fan replied. "You designed it for me many years ago. You even said it contained all the elements of Jiangnan and was far more beautiful than the Lion Forest or any of those other places."

But Elder Meng cut in, "I never said it was more beautiful than the Lion Forest and the others. Don’t you go putting words in my mouth."

"Haha, well, maybe that’s just my impression. I think it’s more beautiful than tourist spots like the Lion Forest, anyway," Lu Fan said. "What’s wrong with the estate?"

Elder Meng explained, "Your daughter sent me a message today. She said her teacher wants to take them on a field trip to the Suzhou Gardens. In addition to the four classic gardens, they also want to visit your Spring Glow Garden. But as you know, your Spring Glow Garden is private and not open to the public."

Lu Fan understood immediately. "So their teacher had Silu come to you, figuring that since you designed it, you might be able to contact the owner."

"What they didn’t expect was that the owner of that estate is you," Elder Meng chuckled. "So, I’m asking on behalf of my student: can you open up your Spring Glow Garden for a day to let them visit?"

"Of course, it’s no problem. Since you’re asking, Elder Meng, I’d open it for a month if you wanted," Lu Fan replied with a smile. "Besides, I don’t usually live there anyway. I just had you design it for fun back in the day."

Elder Meng started grumbling, "You have the nerve to say that. When you got rich all of a sudden, you were just throwing money around. First, you had me design that manor in Jinling, and then you wanted me to build an estate to rival the four great gardens of Suzhou—and a unique one, at that. You nearly worked me to death."

"Haha, everything happens for a reason. If you hadn’t designed this garden back then, Elder Meng, Silu never would have found you, and this wouldn’t have brought us back in touch. You’re the crucial bridge in helping me repair my relationship with my daughter," Lu Fan said admiringly.

Elder Meng sighed in resignation. "Seeing as you’ve put a lot of effort into restoring Jiangnan Gardens over the years... alright, fine. I’ll be the middleman. I’ll tell Silu the owner has agreed and have her teacher contact me to sort out the details."

"Great. Thank you for the trouble, Elder Meng," Lu Fan said with a smile.

After hanging up the phone, Lu Fan said to Jiali, "Jiali, please arrange to have Spring Glow Garden cleaned. It needs to be spotless. I’ll head over on the day of their field trip as well."

"Yes, Boss." After receiving her orders, Jiali left to delegate the task.

Chen He, who was standing nearby, asked curiously, "Boss, are you also going to Spring Glow Garden on the day of the young miss’s field trip?"

"Mhm." Lu Fan nodded and chuckled. "I’ll take the opportunity to learn a thing or two. After all, I spent a fortune on that garden, but I don’t know the first thing about it. I’ll let my daughter fill me in."

"That will be a great chance to get closer to the young miss."

"I’m not too worried about my daughter. Even though she hasn’t officially called me ’Dad’ yet, I can tell her impression of me is improving. My son, on the other hand, is a bit too proud." ’This is a good chance to use Jiang Sifan’s startup venture to teach him a little humility.’

’Don’t want him thinking he’s some kind of chosen one when it comes to business.’

"Oh, right. While you’re at it, help me look into someone. See if you can find out what they do." With that, Lu Fan handed Ma Xiaofei’s personal information to Chen He.

Chen He patted his chest. "Don’t worry, Boss. Finding people is my specialty."

With the tasks delegated, Lu Fan found himself with nothing to do. He opened his computer and started researching facts about gardens.

’I have to make a good impression on my daughter when the time comes.’

...

Meanwhile, Jiang Sifan had just finished reading the notes Wen Wan had taken.

As he finished, he had a sudden realization.

’So Lu Fan had shared so much useful information during that seminar.’

’But because he was so biased, he hadn’t really absorbed any of it.’

A pang of regret hit Jiang Sifan.

’Even though Lu Fan had hurt their mother, and him and his sister...’

’...he had held that seminar to help me gain some valuable insights.’

But Jiang Sifan hadn’t taken it seriously. Instead, he’d listened to the entire lecture with an air of disdain.

’It was a good thing Wen Wan took notes.’

’And she even added so many of her own insights.’

’Otherwise, he’d be going into this with far too little business experience.’

He set the notebook down and looked over at Wen Wan.

Perhaps from the exhaustion of crunching numbers, Wen Wan had fallen asleep.

The sun was gradually setting, and a hazy dusk began to fall.

In the twilight’s fading glow, he could see her resting on the table, her breathing as light as a feather, long and even.

A few stray strands of hair fell across her forehead. Her lips, pressed into a gentle curve, held a natural, rosy hue like freshly ripened cherries, making one want to lean in closer just to see if they carried a hint of sweetness.

Jiang Sifan couldn’t help but let his gaze drift downward. Her posture stretched her loose-knit sweater into a soft curve, cinching naturally at her lower back to outline a slender figure without a hint of excess fat.

The hem of her skirt draped over the edge of the chair, accentuating the smooth, rounded curve of her hips—full, yet subtle. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

He couldn’t help but marvel. ’Wen Wan looks so slim, but her figure underneath her clothes is surprisingly full.’

’Maybe this is what you call a true beauty—stunning looks and a great body.’

’Wen Wan didn’t usually wear a wide variety of clothes. It was only when she went out with him that she would occasionally wear a skirt.’