Chapter 144: Before the Yanjing Trip

After leaving the house, Jiang Linyuan sent a message to the Department Head, then drove over to her home.

On the way, he bought a few gift boxes and some fruit.

Even though the Department Head's family probably didn't lack anything, the thought mattered more than the gift itself—he had to make sure his sincerity came through.

When he arrived, he knocked on the door.

"You're returning the car this soon? Won't you need it during winter break for the New Year?"

Shen Wanyu pushed the door open, not even seeing Jiang Linyuan yet before asking.

"My family keeps asking questions about the car, it's annoying. I'd rather just buy my own."

Jiang Linyuan lifted the gift boxes in his hand:

"Department Head, aren't you going to let me in? I came to wish you an early New Year."

Shen Wanyu said that, but she turned and walked inside without closing the door.

"That's fine. I'll be coming to the Department Head's place often from now on, so I'll use them myself."

Jiang Linyuan grinned as he followed her inside. Not seeing the Future Mother-in-Law, he asked:

"Where's Auntie?"

"She's taking a nap."

Shen Wanyu picked up the teapot, brewed a cup of tea, and handed it to Jiang Linyuan.

Jiang Linyuan set the gifts down in a random spot and took the tea:

"Department Head, were you also taking a nap?"

"Pretty much. When you messaged saying you were returning the car, I didn't go back to sleep."

Shen Wanyu poured herself another cup of tea and took a sip.

"Department Head, are you blaming me?"

"If I wanted to blame you, I wouldn't use that as an excuse."

Shen Wanyu glanced at Jiang Linyuan:

"I just said it offhand. Why are you so sensitive?"

"Because you mean a lot to me, Department Head."

Jiang Linyuan said.

"I don't know if that's true or not."

Shen Wanyu sighed.

*If you don't know, just use Mind Reading and find out.*

"But still, thank you."

Shen Wanyu suddenly said:

"You're probably the first person in years to come to our house and bring New Year gifts."

*No way?*

*Forget about the Future Father-in-Law's side, but not even the Future Mother-in-Law's relatives come?*

*Our mom's a no-go, and our dad's a failure too.*

*That's pretty bad.*

"On my mom's side, besides my grandparents, there aren't really any other relatives."

Shen Wanyu nodded:

"So, you're the first."

"Does that score me points with the Department Head?"

"Maybe about half a point."

"Is the full score one point?"

"Just now, I deducted another point."

"Department Head, you need to cherish me! My mom wants me to go on blind dates during winter break!"

Jiang Linyuan said indignantly.

Shen Wanyu was stunned for a moment, then set down her teacup:

"You're going on blind dates?"

She looked Jiang Linyuan up and down and said:

"That's the funniest joke I've heard all year."

"What's so funny about that! Men should marry, women should wed! It's perfectly normal!"

*This Department Head is actually treating my marriage like a joke! A self-cucking woman is the most incompetent!*

"I just think it's funny in your case. What reason do you have to go on blind dates?"

"Su Muzhi, Yu Songsong, Lin Yilin..."

Shen Wanyu thought for a moment, then furrowed her brow:

"And that volunteer... forget it. Anyway, you have plenty of choices. No need for blind dates."

"Department Head, you forgot someone. First on the list is Shen Wanyu!"

"...I'll pretend you meant that sincerely."

Shen Wanyu turned her face away.

*What's wrong with the Department Head today? Why is she so bad at reading people?*

*Does Mind Reading have its period too?*

"Don't look at me with that ridiculous expression."

Shen Wanyu sighed:

"I just don't want to bother guessing what others are thinking. I'm restraining myself for now. Once I'm back in Yanjing, I don't want to spend the New Year constantly sensing everyone's malice."

*I see. So Mind Reading is an active skill, not passive?*

*I've learned a bit more about the Department Head!*

*Doesn't that mean today I can let my acting skills shine!*

*Win over the Department Head in one day!*

"Ugh, but with you, even with my eyes closed, I can tell which of your words are true and which are fake."

Shen Wanyu helplessly pressed her forehead.

"Department Head, I like you. Be my girlfriend."

Jiang Linyuan said with deep emotion.

"I hope after the New Year, you'll come up with something more original to say."

Shen Wanyu extended her hand:

"Give me the car keys."

Jiang Linyuan handed over the keys:

"Department Head, are you stringing me along?"

"You're only realizing that now?"

Shen Wanyu broke into a smile:

"With a capable right-hand man like you, if I didn't string you along, how would I keep you in service later?"

*Keep me in service?*

*The Department Head really is a bad woman! She wants to get with me before we've even started dating!*

"Department Head, if you string me along like this, I'll go find other girls."

"Is that so? Haven't you been doing that all along?"

Shen Wanyu said nonchalantly.

"I mean, I won't chase after the Department Head anymore."

Jiang Linyuan said.

Shen Wanyu paused, looked Jiang Linyuan up and down, and the air fell silent for a second or two before she spoke:

"You've never truly pursued me in the first place, have you?"

*Huh? What does the Department Head mean by that? Is there a spark?!*

*Mind Reading period! I love you!*

"So what does the Department Head need?"

"To pursue someone, you at least have to like them first, don't you?"

"I really like you, Department Head."

Shen Wanyu pointed outside the door:

"You've delivered the car. You can go now."

*Heartless woman, kicking a guest out already!*

*I only had one cup of tea!*

Jiang Linyuan stood up, walked toward the door, then suddenly stopped at the threshold:

"The Department Head was very honest today. I liked it."

With that, he turned and left.

Shen Wanyu stared blankly at his retreating figure.

*Really... is the air conditioner set too high? My face feels a little warm.*

"Aren't you going to keep him here?"

A woman leaned out from the second floor and slowly walked down.

"Mom, we're just friends."

Shen Wanyu said.

"Love is born from friendship!"

Shen's mother, Zhao Xueyun, sat down excitedly beside Shen Wanyu:

"That's how it was between your father and me. We were friends for so long, then somehow ended up together."

"Mom, you were just naive and easy to fool. That man was more clever."

"Hmph, don't talk about your mother like that!"

Zhao Xueyun held Shen Wanyu's hand and pouted:

"If Mom weren't a little silly, I wouldn't have Little Fish staying with me!"

"Do we really have to go back to Yanjing? Every year it's the same. Mom, doesn't it bother you?"

Shen Wanyu said.

"As long as your father treats me well, that's enough. Besides, they're only dissatisfied with me, not with my Little Fish!"

Zhao Xueyun said excitedly:

"They all see you as part of the Shen family. Of course, we have to go back!"

Shen Wanyu sighed.

*If only, sometimes, I could be as willful as Su Muzhi.*

*What if... I asked him to come to Yanjing with me? Would he?*