On the way home, Mr. Xu wouldn’t stop lecturing Xu Junjie. "You get a couple of minor positions at school and immediately put yourself on a pedestal, getting completely carried away. If you’re like this after you enter the workforce, the second you get any kind of official post, you can just wait for someone to report you."

Xu Junjie was embarrassed by his father’s criticism.

Mrs. Xu couldn’t help but sigh. "Jun Jie, you really were in the wrong this time. Let’s not even talk about the chances of a freshman’s startup succeeding. As the head of the Dual Innovation Department, you have a responsibility to fulfill your duties. Your father and I both work in the court system. If everyone acted like you, wouldn’t society fall into chaos?"

Xu Junjie could only say, "Dad, I know I was wrong."

"To make sure you learn your lesson, your allowance for next month is cut in half," Mr. Xu said coldly.

Xu Junjie’s eyes widened. "Dad, if you cut my allowance in half, what am I supposed to do? I won’t survive for half a month!"

Mrs. Xu also felt the punishment might be too severe, so she tried to persuade him. "Dear, the boy already knows he was wrong. Let’s just let it go."

But Mr. Xu disagreed. "No. This time, our family has been completely disgraced. Your mother and I are court employees. Because of this mess you’ve made, if someone with ill intentions posts this online, your mother and I will both be criticized. I have to make you remember this lesson."

Furious, Xu Junjie whipped his head around to face the window and said viciously, "Fine, deduct it. I don’t care if you give me nothing at all."

"Fine. You said it. Then I’m not giving you any allowance next month. You can figure it out yourself." Mr. Xu refused to back down.

"I want to get out!" As he spoke, Xu Junjie started fumbling with the car door handle.

"Are you crazy? I’m driving."

"I want to get out!!"

Mr. Xu had no choice but to pull the car over to the side of the road. Xu Junjie opened the door and stormed off.

Seeing this, Mrs. Xu quickly shouted, "Jun Jie, where are you going?"

"It’s none of your business," Xu Junjie snapped.

After Xu Junjie left, Mrs. Xu complained to Mr. Xu, "Honestly, you. The whole thing was over, but you had to be a Monday-morning quarterback."

"Didn’t you notice that student’s parent looked like he has some serious connections?" Mr. Xu retorted.

Mrs. Xu replied, "He seemed very distinguished, and the clothes he was wearing were probably designer—they looked high-quality. But that has nothing to do with this. He couldn’t possibly make trouble for our family just because of this, could he?"

"That’s exactly what I’m worried about," Mr. Xu explained. "Judging by that man’s presence, I was afraid that if this blew up, our workplaces would definitely find out. That’s why I had to warn Jun Jie so severely, to prevent him from causing more trouble in the future."

"It can’t be that serious, can it?" Mrs. Xu frowned, feeling her husband was making a mountain out of a molehill.

In fact, things were just as Mr. Xu had predicted.

After Jiang Sifan left, Lu Fan returned to his car.

Although the incident itself wasn’t a big deal.

But since that Xu Junjie had targeted his son time and again, Lu Fan wasn’t about to let it slide.

So he contacted Jiali and had her report the incident to the city leadership.

While it wasn’t enough to get Mr. and Mrs. Xu fired.

It was certainly enough to have their direct supervisors reprimand them in a meeting.

After Lu Fan took care of that, he set off for Yangcheng.

With Lu Fan not at the shop today, Jiang Yixia enjoyed a full day of peace and quiet.

Just then, Li Li came over.

Jiang Yixia was a little surprised. "Sister Li, is your shop closed today?"

"Of course it’s open. It’s just that no one’s coming in during this mealtime lull, so I had my husband watch the shop while I came over to chat." The reason Li Li had come over was that she was on a mission. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Lu Fan had given her more dry-cleaning orders, and if Sister Li didn’t put in a bit more effort to play matchmaker, she’d feel she wasn’t earning the money he was paying her.

Hearing this, Jiang Yixia was envious. "That’s so nice. At least you have your husband to watch the shop for you. I have to be here guarding it every day."

"What’s there to be envious about? If you just said the word, do you think President Lu wouldn’t send someone to watch the shop for you?" Sister Li teased.

Jiang Yixia retorted, "Sister Li, don’t talk about him anymore. There’s nothing between us."

"If you ask me, you’re just too stubborn. It’s been eighteen years since President Lu hurt you back then. Now he sincerely wants to build a life with you. From what I’ve observed these past few days, he’s definitely full of sincerity."

Sister Li urged her, "I’m telling you, you should just forgive him already. I can’t stand watching you work yourself to the bone all alone, day in and day out."

"I think my life is pretty good right now," Jiang Yixia replied. "I don’t need another man to help me."

"Are you really going to live the rest of your life alone?" Sister Li reasoned. "Your two kids are freshmen in college now. They usually only come back for winter and summer break, so you’re by yourself most of the time. Even if they graduate three years later and stay in Yangcheng for work, can you guarantee they’ll be able to come see you all the time?"

After hearing this, Jiang Yixia was suddenly at a loss for words.

Sister Li had a point.

But she didn’t know how to refute it.

Sister Li continued, "I still say you need to find someone who loves you. Think about it, besides me, who else comes to visit you? You can’t just have me being the only one who cares about you."

Jiang Yixia remained stubborn. "I don’t need anyone else’s concern. I’m fine on my own."

"Alright, alright, I won’t talk about this anymore," Sister Li said. "By the way, are you hungry? Why don’t we go to President Lu’s oden shop and get a bite to eat?"

Jiang Yixia felt awkward about it and replied, "No, I don’t really want to go."

"Oh, come on, we’re just going to eat something. We’ll just be customers, that’s all. Don’t overthink it. Besides, that oden President Lu gave us last time was just too delicious. I really want to have some more. Let’s go, let’s go."