I have ten trillion licking dog gold

"Isn't everyone saying that the birth rate is at an all-time low?"

Xintiandi commercial district.

Around 6 PM.

The open-air playground was filled with children jumping around, as well as parents, grandparents, and other family members pushing strollers.

Carousels, electric cars, children's pirate ships... a dazzling array of children's audio-visual amusement equipment enriches the bustling and prosperous commercial district.

The peace and prosperity of the nation are embodied at this time.

"If you go to a preschool, all you'll see are children."

In response to someone's remark, Qinggege succinctly summed it up, then asked, "Where is the location?"

Someone who had been there before didn't rush to give directions. "It's still early. I just called Tie Jun. He shouldn't have left yet. Let's wander around first."

Jiang Chen stopped at a ring toss stall with some small dolls on display. "Want to play?"

Is it a good thing or a bad thing to retain a childlike heart?

Fang Qing didn't give an answer, just rolled her eyes and walked away.

Jiang Chen shrugged, gave his boss an apologetic look, and followed.

Actually, the boss didn't care at all; adults weren't the target customers anyway.

"Two people dine together, one person gets a free drink? Want to buy a drink?"

Seeing the sign in front of a coffee shop, Jiang Chen muttered again. Business is indeed tough these days; the days of queuing up just to buy a Starbucks are long gone.

"One person gets a free drink, but two cups would cost 30. That's 15 per cup. Coffee is basically 9.9 per cup now."

"..."

If everyone in the world were like Princess Qing, doing business would probably be even more difficult.

Jiang Chen remarked with a touch of admiration, "You really know how to do the math."

"Daddy, Daddy—"

Jiang Chen suddenly felt something tugging at his trouser leg. Looking down, he saw a baby, probably a little over a year old, with pigtails sticking up, wearing a little floral dress, chubby and looking up at him in a childish voice.
He has just learned to speak, and his pronunciation is a little unclear, but you can still tell that he is definitely saying "Dad".

Jiang Chen was slightly taken aback, then didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

"My daughter is so grown up now."

As expected, gloating voices came from beside me.

Princess Qing was watching the play when the little baby stumbled a few steps, grabbed her trouser leg, and cried, "Mommy, Mommy..."

"Ha ha!"

Jiang Chen burst into laughter instantly.

In contrast, Fang Qing's rosy cheeks flushed red like the sunset, and she blushed deeply. This dignified lawyer, who could remain calm and eloquent in court, seemed at a loss for what to do at this moment.

It was Boss Jiang who came to her rescue, squatting down and gently taking the baby's hand.

"dad……"

The baby girl called out to him again. Looking into those eyes, which were purer than any gemstone in the world and untouched by any impurity, Jiang Chen's heart trembled involuntarily. He suddenly felt that having a child seemed quite nice.

"Look carefully, am I your father?"

"dad……"

The little girl probably only knows these two words.

Jiang Chen chuckled, squatted down, looked up, and glanced around. He quickly noticed a young woman running towards him.

"I'm sorry I'm sorry."

Jiang Chen stood up. "Is this your child?"

"Yes, I was showing her some clothes when she suddenly ran off. Oh dear! Didn't Mom tell her not to run around like that?"

The baby couldn't understand what the adults were saying at all; he just stared around with his big, bright black eyes.

The young woman was indeed dressed as a mother, carrying a baby bag containing diapers, water bottles, and other supplies. To avoid arousing suspicion from Jiang Chen and his companion, she even took out her phone to show them a picture of her daughter.

How old is she?

After confirming the other party's identity, Fang Qing returned the baby to them.

The woman carried a baby bag in one hand and held her daughter's hand in the other. "She's one year and three months old and just learned to talk."

"Can he only say 'daddy' and 'mommy'?"

Jiang Chen asked.

The simply dressed woman paused, then seemed to understand, and nodded with an embarrassed smile.

"Yes, she calls everyone she sees 'Dad' and 'Mom'."

The baby looked up again, "Mommy!"

This time, at least we called the right person.

The three adults all laughed at the same time.

"Say goodbye to your uncle and aunt."

Jiang Chen waved goodbye to the mother and daughter.

“This baby is so beautiful. If her mother hadn’t shown me the photos, I wouldn’t have dared to give her the child.”

Fang Qing immediately understood his unspoken meaning: "Some children inherit the strengths of their parents."

Jiang Chen nodded, watching the adults and children passing by.

"So having children is a matter of fate. If it were me, I would give high subsidies to families who contribute to the country's birth rate to reduce their burden."

"Then why didn't you take the civil service exam back then?"

"Because I know my own limitations."

Jiang Chen said frankly, "An unknown nobody with no background or connections, even if he grits his teeth to pieces, may only end up as an insignificant scrap."

"Who knows? Maybe you're the chosen one."

"..."

Jiang Chen chuckled, then said clearly, "One cannot romanticize a path that has never been walked."

It was just a joke that had become a habit, but for some reason, Fang Qing suddenly fell silent.

"Jingle Bell--"

The phone rang.

Fang Qing took out her phone.

"Fang Qing, what are you two doing? Xiaoyu and I have been sitting here for ages, and you two still haven't arrived? Did you go on a secret rendezvous?"

Only Tong Dan could be so outspoken.

"immediately."

"Hurry up, hurry up."

All right.

I can't stroll around anymore.

Jiang Chen led Fang Qing towards the elevator entrance next to the amusement park.

Last time I came, they wouldn't let me press the buttons on the third floor; I could only use the emergency exit. Today, however, everything went smoothly.

The elevator doors opened, and the remaining passengers continued up to the fourth-floor cinema. Only Jiang Chen and Fang Qing came out. Fu Zili had really made ample preparations; a festive red carpet had been laid on the floor, which wasn't there the last time they came, and the scent had also been completely changed to a very fresh fragrance.

"welcome!"

The business is temporarily closed tonight, but the staff did not take a break. Two rows of greeters lined up at the entrance, a mix of handsome men and beautiful women, which greatly satisfied the emotional needs of the visitors. Fu Zili kept his promise and put on a great show for Tie Jun's last bachelor party.

"Why are you here so early? I thought you two were going to be the grand finale."

Fu Zili and the others were in the front hall, dressed in a sharp suit and shiny leather shoes, looking completely different from the day he was released from the detention center.

According to Chinese custom, the order of appearance is very important; the higher the status, the later the appearance. But we're all childhood friends, so we don't care about such things.

"It's all because Tong Dan was urging us so hard, otherwise we would have wandered around down there a bit more."

Fu Zili laughed, then lowered his voice, "When Tong Dan came just now, I didn't even recognize her. She's become so beautiful."

"Are you excited?"

Fu Zili waved his hand, "Come on, I'll take you in."

The largest private room, the VIP room, would definitely cost a considerable sum for one night under normal circumstances.

Fu Zili didn't go in; he still had to greet Tie Jun and the others. Upon entering the opulent private room, Jiang Chen and Fang Qing found Tong Dan and Hong Xiaoyu already drinking and playing a drinking game.

"When you're out in the world of martial arts, you're bound to get cut sometimes. One cut and you're dead, three cuts and you're dead, drink!"

Hong Xiaoyu obediently raised his glass.

"The main character hasn't even arrived yet, and you're already getting started? You sure know how to enjoy yourself."

"Come on, let's do it together!"

Tong Dan greeted everyone with great enthusiasm, saying she had put on beautiful makeup tonight, no wonder she received praise from Fu Zili.

Jiang Chen waved his hand, ignoring his cousin's pleading look, "Take a break first, you guys play."

"See? Your brother just stood by and watched someone die."

Tong Dan's unbridled provocation completely disregarded hierarchy; however, in this situation, on this night, there was no need to consider one's professional status.

We only have one relationship: friends, partners, old acquaintances.

Underfoot is a soft, sound-absorbing carpet that isolates you from the noise. The most eye-catching feature is the giant, suspended crystal chandelier, which, like thousands of stars, spins and creates a flowing galaxy on the smooth gray marble floor.

The walls are inlaid with precious solid wood and cool-light art paintings, the central cowhide circular sofa has a warm texture, the cushions are all made of silk embroidery, and the giant black and gold sandalwood coffee table exudes understated luxury.

The top-of-the-line acoustic equipment has not yet been put to use, but the floor lamps in the corners are already pulsating and breathing along with the dynamic lighting effects of the crystal chandelier.

Shacheng is a city that is very suitable for retirement.

Small but complete.

There were no hostesses accompanying the customers today. Under normal circumstances, one can imagine the top-notch enjoyment that the business owners who came to patronize the establishments would experience in such an environment.

"I never imagined that the environment inside would be like this from the outside."

Tong Dan temporarily let Hong Xiaoyu go.

"Surprised, aren't you?"

Jiang Chen picked up a cherry from the fruit bowl on the black sandalwood coffee table and put it in his mouth.

“I ate two pounds.” Tong Dan crossed her long legs. “Fu Zili is doing really well in Shacheng. Who says being a gangster has no future?”

Jiang Chen shook his head and sighed, seemingly finding the cherries quite delicious. He picked up another cherry and stared at the giant screen, which was over 100 inches in size.

"One general's success is built on the bones of ten thousand."

Tong Dan turned her head and said to Hong Xiaoyu, "Look at your brother, he speaks with such eloquence."

"Sister Tong Dan has known my brother for so long, and only now do you realize how charming he is?"

Tong Danle patted him on the shoulder, "We really are family."

"Sister Tong Dan, aren't we family too?"

Tong Dan was slightly taken aback, then beamed, "Well done, you're getting better and better at talking. You've certainly fooled quite a few young girls, haven't you?"

"How can it be."

Hong Xiaoyu immediately declared, "I never lie to girls."

"So you lie to boys?"

Tong Dan acted strangely.

Hong Xiaoyu was embarrassed, still no match for Tong Dan, and was quickly defeated after two rounds. "Sister Tong Dan, I went to university in Jiangcheng, not Chengdu."

Tong Dan giggled.

This kid is much more interesting than before.

"As expected, men do change."

the other side.

Tie Jun was driving there, with his wife Wen Rong and bridesmaid Ji Ailin in tow.

Ji Ailin sat in the back row, looking at herself in the dressing mirror repeatedly.

"It's a party today, not a beauty pageant, why are you so nervous?"

Upon hearing Tie Jun's words, Ji Ailin immediately put down her dressing mirror, feeling embarrassed.

Wen Rong secretly gave him a look, signaling her husband, who didn't quite understand girls' feelings, not to say anything more.

A love of beauty is a woman's nature.

Even knowing how outstanding the other bridesmaids are, it's only natural not to want to fall too far behind them.

"Linlin, you look beautiful enough tonight."

Tie Jun also realized what was happening and nodded in remedy, "Yeah, like a big star."

Even knowing that the young couple in front of her were just trying to coax her, Ji Ailin couldn't help but beam with joy.

"Don't try to fool me, I'm just a supporting character."

"nonsense."

Tie Jun immediately said, "You girls have fallen into a misconception that looks are the most important thing, but that's not true at all. Youth fades quickly, and beauty withers easily. You think you're beautiful because of yourself, but no, you're only beautiful at twenty."

"Tie Jun, you've been hiding your true strength for far too long."

Tie Jun chuckled dismissively, "You haven't had much contact with my childhood friends, otherwise you would have realized that compared to them, I am nothing, not worth mentioning at all."

"Is your childhood friend treating us to dinner today?"

She had met Jiang Chen when she was trying on wedding dresses.

Although we're just nodding acquaintances, I can sense that, well, her speaking skills must be quite good.

After all, most people wouldn't really say something like arranging a Koenigsegg as a wedding car. Even though it was just a boast from childhood, there's an old saying in Shacheng: "You can tell what a person will be like at three years old."

In short, a person's character can be seen to some extent from their childhood.

And Fu Zili.

When I tried on my wedding dress, I hadn't been released from the detention center yet.

"Yes. He's two years older than us, and he used to take care of us like an older brother. For example, if we were bullied at school, he would always stand up for us."

Tie Jun gave a brief explanation, without detailing Fu Zili's illustrious career of entering the palace multiple times.

"I've heard of Emperor Hotel, it's a very prestigious place with extremely high prices. How come all your childhood friends are so well-off?"

"hehe."

Tie Jun smiled and said, "I can only say that I'm just lucky."

Ji Ailin nodded.

Tie Jun was silent for a moment, then couldn't help but remind him, "It's okay to know them, but don't get too close to these guys."

"What?"

"Because...you can't control it."

Ji Ailin chuckled, not angry at all. She knew that the other person meant well and was offering a kind reminder.

"You underestimate me, don't you? I, Ji Ailin, am not a lovesick fool."

"Yes. Linlin doesn't think much of any of the doctors at the hospital."

Wen Rong echoed.

Tie Jun chuckled.

Although being a doctor is a good profession—high-paying and stable, and considered an elite profession by the public—it's also mundane, boring, and can't compare to his childhood friends.

"So tell me, what is your ideal type?"

Tie Jun chatted idly while driving.

Without hesitation, Ji Ailin replied, "My ideal man is a peerless hero. One day he will come to marry me riding on a colorful cloud."

Not only Tie Jun, but even Wen Rong smiled.

"Hmm, very good, keep it that way, don't change it."

Tie Jun encouraged them.

"Hmph, who knows, maybe when I get married in the future, it will really be Koenigsegg."

Although it was the first time I had heard of it, I remembered it vividly.

As she spoke, Ji Ailin herself burst out laughing.

On the fast-moving road, a 200,000 yuan new energy vehicle drove in a well-behaved manner, with laughter and cheerful conversation inside, seemingly ushering in a beautiful prelude to the approaching night.

(End of this chapter)