spring bite mark

Chapter 70 Crash
In the morning, Jiang Manman opened her eyes and saw an exquisite gift box lying on the bedside table.

She opened it curiously, and inside were several of Xie Jian's kindergarten award certificates:

Best Vitality Award, Most Promising Award, Hygiene Little Model Student
Besides that, there were several sets of practice papers he got an A on, with addition and subtraction problems within twenty. The numbers were crooked, but at least they were legible.

Mixed in with the practice papers was a cherry blossom ink painting. The brushstrokes were a bit immature, but the color proportions were excellent, clearly not Xie Jian's level.

Jiang Manman paused for a moment. If she remembered correctly, this painting was the work of the little boy who appeared under the cherry blossom tree during her video call with Yan Changye in the port city on the cruise ship.

How did it end up in Xie Jian's gift box?

She admired the drawing for a while, then carefully put it back.

Behind him, Yan Changye leaned closer, his tone still carrying the languid quality of someone who had just woken up: "What are you looking at?"

"Thank you for the certificate and worksheets, and a painting."

Yan Changye glanced at it casually, his gaze lingering on the cherry blossom ink painting: "What value can a kindergarten certificate have? This painting is pleasing to the eye, but it's not Xie Jian's. Just look at his crooked handwriting; he's not cut out for art."

“You can’t say that. Xie Jian is still a child. Every certificate he has is a recognition from his teacher.” Jiang Manman closed the lid and put the gift box into the cabinet. “Last time I was in the old house’s collection room, I saw a lot of your certificates from when you were a child. There were six or seven from kindergarten, and even one for ‘Good Baby with Red Flower’. Before you criticize Xie Jian, you should put away those certificates of yours first.”

Yan Changye: "..."

He changed the subject: "Shall I take you to work after breakfast?"

"No need, I've already found three stores. I need to go and discuss the interior design with the designer, I won't go to the studio." Jiang Manman changed her clothes, picked up her bag and went out. "I won't have breakfast with you either, I'll bring some food with me on the way."

Yan Changye was a little unhappy: "Fine."

He was dressed in casual home clothes and went to the restaurant alone for breakfast.

A few minutes later, Shen Zongqian arrived at the villa.

"Boss, a document has been sent from the port city that requires your personal signature."

Yan Changye listlessly munched on a soup dumpling: "What document? Xie Yuheng isn't in Hong Kong, can't I get him to sign it?"

“It really won’t work.” Shen Zongqian took out the document and placed it in front of him. “It’s the compensation document for the fight between the two young masters yesterday. It will only be effective after their guardians sign it.”

"How much did the other party pay?" Yan Changye reached out and took the money, quickly glancing at it. "Six hundred thousand? Is that all the Xie family's legal team can do?"

"I heard there are still several million in compensation that haven't been settled yet," Shen Zongqian said in a low voice. "The other party doesn't want to make a fuss, lest other wealthy families laugh at them."

Yan Changye gave a faint "hmm" and held out his hand: "Pen."

Shen Zongqian respectfully handed over a pen.

Yan Changye took it and signed it in a few quick strokes.

Shen Zongqian glanced at it; the ink wasn't completely dry, so he stood there and waited.

Just then, the sound of high heels came from outside the door, and Jiang Manman walked in.

Shen Zongqian felt a chill run down his spine: "Madam."

He reached out to grab the documents on the table.

Jiang Manman had already stepped forward before him, about to speak to Yan Changye, when she glanced at the documents and froze: "Why are the documents signed by Xie Yunxi at home?"

Shen Zongqian forced a smile and replied, "I just brought it with me."

Before Jiang Manman could take a second look, Yan Changye casually picked up the document and threw it into Shen Zongqian's arms, saying, "Keep the document safe."

Then, he turned to Jiang Manman, raising an eyebrow slightly: "What, have you had a change of heart and come back to have breakfast with me?"

"I forgot my phone." Jiang Manman glanced at him softly. "It's on the bedside table in the bedroom upstairs. I don't want to climb the stairs. Can you go get it for me?"

Yan Changye glanced at her high heels, stood up, and said, "Then eat something else." He slowly went upstairs.

Jiang Manman looked at Shen Zongqian, who was still standing there, and asked, "Have you had breakfast, Assistant Shen? Would you like to have some with us?"

“No need, Madam,” Shen Zongqian replied. “I will wait for the BOSS to finish his meal before we go to the company together.”

"Then sit down for a while." Jiang Manman took a sip of milk, her gaze flickering slightly at the documents in his hand. "Is Xie Yunxi involved in a financial dispute with Yanjing Group recently?"

Shen Zongqian was momentarily stunned: "No."

"That document with Xie Yunxi's signature just now seems to be a compensation clause?"

Shen Zongqian thought for a moment: "It's a private matter for President Xie. I'm bringing it here for the BOSS to take a look."

Jiang Manman said "Oh," and added, "Xie Yunxi and Yan Changye have a good relationship."

Shen Zongqian remained silent.

Yan Changye had already taken his phone downstairs. He casually stuffed it into her bag and affectionately pinched her earlobe: "Madam, aren't you in a hurry to leave? You have five missed calls on your phone. You seem to be in a rush."

Jiang Manman immediately remembered her important business, finished her milk, and hurriedly left.

Yan Changye ate a few bites, glanced at Shen Zongqian, and said, "Let's go to the company."

Shen Zongqian lagged half a step behind him, hesitating: "BOSS, how long do you plan to keep this from Madam?"

Yan Changye casually hummed in agreement: "It depends on how much favor Xie Jian gains in front of her."

"Madam seems to have grown quite fond of young Master Xie Jian."

Yan Changye was silent for a moment: "It's not enough."

In the evening, Chen Jinzhou organized another gathering at the Chang'an Club, making more than a dozen phone calls to invite everyone to a long night banquet.

Yan Changye hadn't gone out for entertainment for quite some time. After thinking for a while, he called Jiang Manman:
"How about we go to the Chang'an Club tonight?"

“I can’t go.” Jiang Manman was still in the shop on the commercial street checking details with the designer and didn’t have time to talk to him. “Go by yourself.”

Yan Changye clicked his tongue softly: "Recently, Madam seems to have stopped paying much attention to me."

"Don't be silly, I'll spend time with you once I'm done with this busy period." Jiang Manman hung up the phone.

Jiang Manman finished her work at 8 p.m.

When she returned to Residence No. 1, the dining table was already set with steaming hot dishes.

"Madam, these are the vegetables that were air-freighted in last night." The housekeeper set out the bowls and chopsticks for her, and couldn't help but add a few more words, "Your friend is so thoughtful, picking only the tenderest parts, and there's quite a lot, enough for you to eat for three days."

Jiang Manman glanced at the bright green pea shoots, tender cold green beans, delicate baby bok choy hearts, and even a plate of spicy cold houttuynia cordata on the table.

She was stunned for a moment.

“Houttuynia cordata has a slightly fishy smell, and it’s rarely eaten in the capital. The chef doesn’t have experience with this, so we specifically asked a chef from Sichuan and Chongqing for the recipe. We don’t know if it will suit your taste.” The butler’s tone was slightly cautious. “If you don’t like it, we won’t serve this dish tomorrow.”

Jiang Manman picked up a piece of houttuynia cordata with her chopsticks, tasted it, and said, "I can make this dish often in the future. I really like it."

The butler exclaimed, "I didn't know you liked this, Madam. I'll add it to the menu later."

“I really enjoyed it when I was in college,” Jiang Manman smiled. “Later, I got busy with work and didn’t pay much attention to food anymore. But the chef’s cooking was really good and it awakened my taste buds.”

After saying that, he lowered his eyes and ate his food slowly without saying anything more.

(End of this chapter)