Pretending to Cultivate in Kindergarten-Chapter 355: Silly Lily

Later, Pan Lin brought the procurement team over to inspect the products and confirmed that the quality was solid.

So, they signed a contract for Zhengshi Company to manufacture parts exclusively.

As for the workers, although they hadn't been paid for six months and the former factory director had run off, making everyone wary of the place, Lin Zhengran’s involvement changed things. Once Zhengshi Company stepped in and the workers got their wages, everyone assumed that the current factory director—Uncle Jiang—had strong backing thanks to Zhengshi Company.

So no one left. Not a single resignation. In fact, everyone seemed even more motivated.

It’s safe to say that Lin Zhengran’s arrival completely saved the Jiang family.

Outside the office building, the workers smiled as they got their wages and went back to work. Aunt Jiang, watching the crisis finally pass, was overwhelmed with emotion at how unpredictable life could be.

She got a call from her husband. When she heard that the contract with Zhengshi Company had been signed, she was so happy she was speechless.

That meant the factory now had future orders.

After the call, Jiang Xueli asked, “Mom, once the factory finishes this batch of goods, how much can we pay Zhengran back?”

Aunt Jiang did the math: “Ranran paid over 13 million this time for the wages and raw materials. After this shipment is done, taking out costs, we’ll make about three million. If we set aside enough to cover the next batch, we can repay almost two million to Ranran.”

Almost two million… not even two million, and the debt is over thirteen million… Jiang Xueli thought, How long will it take to pay him back…

She reminded her mother, “Got it. Anyway, once the factory starts turning a profit, we have to repay Zhengran first. We can’t keep owing him!”

Aunt Jiang nodded. “Of course! Ranran is our family’s savior. We absolutely can’t drag our feet on this. But I’m really curious—how old is Ranran again? How did he become the boss of Zhengshi Company?”

“Well, it’s a long story. I don’t know all the details, just the basics. He invested with Jiang-jiejie and built it up over the years.”

“Right, Zhengshi really is a new company that came up in the last few years. But this Jiang-jiejie you’re talking about…”

“She’s the current Deputy General Manager of Zhengshi Company,” Jiang Xueli explained.

“Oh… Has this Vice President Jiang gotten married? Or maybe she has a boyfriend?”

As soon as Jiang Xueli heard her mom say that, she knew what she meant—she was worried Zhengran might fall for someone else. But that clearly wasn’t going to happen. At most, he might be a bit of a flirt. She chuckled:

“Mom, don’t worry about things like that. Zhengran has his own way of doing things—no one can predict or control him.”

Aunt Jiang agreed:

“Ranran really is the most brilliant kid from our little town. I used to think he’d just do well in school and have a bright future, but this… this is way beyond anything I imagined.

It’s just… Lily, don’t blame me for speaking up—back then, I thought our families were about the same. But now… can we even measure up to him anymore?”

Seeing her mom so concerned, Jiang Xueli let out a quiet sigh.

Just then, Lin Zhengran came downstairs with Uncle Jiang.

The mother and daughter quickly walked up to them.

Chatting and smiling, Lin Zhengran said to Uncle Jiang, “Uncle, I’ll leave the rest to you. I’m heading out—I figured I’d stop by home while I’m in town.”

Uncle Jiang quickly nodded. “Alright, no problem. Don’t worry about things here!”

Aunt Jiang chimed in, “Ranran, you’re heading home? Then… then come to our place for dinner another day, okay?”

Lin Zhengran smiled. “Sure, I’ll definitely make a special visit to you and Uncle sometime.”

Aunt Jiang was relieved. “Give us a call in advance when you come—we’ll be sure to prepare something nice.”

While they chatted, Lin Zhengran turned to Jiang Xueli. “Lily, you stay here and keep Uncle and Aunt company. I’ll head home for a bit. I’ll come pick you up tonight?”

Jiang Xueli stared blankly at him, a look of guilt in her eyes.

Aunt Jiang nudged her. “Lily doesn’t need to keep us company. Go home with Ranran—visit Uncle Lin and Aunt Lin, bring a little something for them.”

Jiang Xueli turned and looked at her mom.

Both her parents were giving her obvious looks.

Uncle Jiang added, “We’re fine. Lily, just go home with Ranran and get some rest.”

Seeing something was off, Lin Zhengran asked, “What’s wrong, Lily? Why are you zoning out?”

Jiang Xueli snapped back to attention, flashing a crooked smile. “Nothing. Alright then, Mom, Dad, I’ll go with Zhengran. Call me if anything comes up.” She looked at Lin Zhengran. “I’m coming with you, okay?”

Seeing that Uncle and Aunt Jiang seemed much more at ease, Lin Zhengran didn’t object. “Alright, come with me—good time to visit home.”

So, with farewells from her parents, Lin Zhengran drove Jiang Xueli back to the Lin house.

At the factory gate, Uncle and Aunt Jiang kept waving until the car disappeared out of sight.

Aunt Jiang frowned. “Lily’s reaction just now—she must feel like we owe Ranran… If it weren’t for him, we might not have gotten through this.”

Uncle Jiang sighed. “Over 13 million… Ranran’s really something else. We might never be able to repay this debt. If Lily and Ranran could end up together, that’d be a blessing for our family.”

Aunt Jiang nodded.

“Come on, let’s get back and finish this batch.”

In the backseat of the cab, riding through the small town, Lin Zhengran glanced at Jiang Xueli, who still looked a bit guilty. Smiling, he reached out and gently patted her head.

“What are you thinking about? Isn’t the problem already solved?”

Jiang Xueli’s eyes lit up and she stared at him intently.

Soon, the taxi arrived at the Lin family home. It was just past 1 PM. No one was home yet—Lin Yingjun and his wife were still at work.

Zhengran slipped into his slippers, washed his face, and sat on the sofa with some fruit.

He picked up an apple and handed it to Lily, but she only came over slowly after washing up.

She was less lively than usual, standing straight with her hands behind her back, head bowed.

“Zhengran… thank you so much for helping us this time. That 13 million—we’ll definitely pay it back. We won’t just take that kind of money from you for nothing.”

Lin Zhengran chuckled. “What are you saying? Why so serious?”

Jiang Xueli clenched her little fists and frowned as she looked up.

“That… that’s over 13 million! That’s enough to buy several houses here! I know exactly how much I made from singing those years—it’s not even close, maybe two or three million tops. Add that to the two million from this order and I still can’t repay you. I don’t even know how long it’ll take to pay it all back.”

She looked panicked, eyes glistening with tears.

“I don’t even know if I’m saying this right… but I really don’t feel good about using so much of your money. I’m already not as capable as you, and I try not to drag you down. If my family ends up costing you that much, I really feel like I’m a burden… like I don’t deserve you.”

Zhengran gave her a curious look, smiling faintly.

“You don’t deserve me?”

Jiang Xueli huffed, “Why are you laughing! Am I wrong?”

“Here, take this apple—I picked a big one just for you.”

“Oh.” She took the apple from him.

“And? You’re just gonna hold it? Take a bite.”

“I’m trying to talk to you about something serious,” she pouted. fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓

“Take a bite first.”

Helplessly, she took a bite. “Okay, okay. It’s actually pretty good.”

“See? So, you’re telling me you don’t deserve me just to hint that I should dump you? Find someone new?”

“Of course not! Why would I say that?!” Jiang Xueli’s face turned red. “I’m just saying I’ll definitely pay you back. And… and… ugh!”

She squatted down and hugged her knees, shouting, “I don’t even know what I’m trying to say anymore. I just… I just feel like we dragged you down this time. I feel bad, okay?”

Lin Zhengran reached out and ruffled her hair, copying her tone in a warm voice:

“Silly girl, piggy, what’s the big deal about me helping out my girlfriend? If you really want to make it up to me, then win first place in this year’s competition. After that, this money won’t even matter to you anymore, alright? Silly Lily?”

Jiang Xueli looked up at him, wide-eyed, on the verge of tears.

“Silly Zhengran… why are you always so good to me? Big dummy…”

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