After leaving the airport, Lu Liang made a trip back to the investment company.

It was lunchtime, which was supposed to be quiet, but before he even stepped inside, he heard a terribly arrogant voice, as if claiming dominion over earth and sky.

"Order as much as you want, don’t hold back, today’s expenses are all on me."

Within the crowd, Chen Jinchun was beaming, although less than 1.6 meters tall, she had the aura of someone 1.85 meters tall.

Beside her, sounds of flattery were continuous: "Sister Xiao Chen, majestic and powerful."

Curious, Lu Liang moved forward, and upon seeing the scene, he couldn’t help but laugh: "Mixue Ice Cream & Tea? Even if you want to splurge, it’s going to be quite a challenge."

"Who? Who dares to look down on my Snow King?"

Chen Jinchun craned her neck, looking around like a fighting rooster.

Despite being the company’s esteemed employee number 003, her salary was just around the company’s average, except for the mid-year and end-of-year bonuses, which were relatively higher.

Hardly had she decided to go all out and treat the whole company when someone dared to disdain it, which was simply disrespectful.

At this moment,

The noisy crowd suddenly quietened down.

To accommodate Sister Xiao Chen’s short stature, they even made way for her to see who had arrived.

"Lu... Mr. Lu, good afternoon, have you eaten?"

Seeing Lu Liang, the fighting rooster with the craned neck suddenly became a helpless and timid quail with its neck retracted.

"Not yet, I heard you were treating, so I kept my stomach empty just for that."

Lu Liang smiled, having already heard from the chatter around what joyous occasion had caused this notoriously stingy person to splurge.

At the start of July, the company distributed semi-annual bonuses to employees who worked the full year last year.

As a veteran of the company, Xiao Chen’s bonus was on par with Tang Caide, Sun Yutao, and Zhang Jing.

She received over 300,000 yuan in one go.

After saving for over three years, eating at the company every day, living at the company, and even her BMW 3 Series was won in a lottery, she finally had enough money to buy a house, hence the celebration.

"Mr. Lu, but we’ve already eaten, we’re just discussing ordering some after-meal tea." Xiao Chen looked defeated, lacking her earlier exuberance.

"I haven’t eaten yet," Lu Liang said with a smile.

"How about I order a takeout for you?"

Xiao Chen gritted her teeth, steeling herself with a look of determination.

After all, treating Lu Liang couldn’t be too stingy; the meal’s expense might equal treating the entire company of ninety-plus people to Snow King.

"Thank you, then. Bring it to my office later."

Lu Liang chuckled lightly, waved at Tang Caide, and they went together to his office.

"End of this month, Tianxing Quantitative is setting up in Xiangjiang. You’ll be over there for a few months."

A company typically has three cores: management, revenue, and finance.

Li Junwei is in charge of management, Liang Wenhu makes the money, but they’re short of someone to handle finance.

Without a better candidate, Lu Liang planned to have Tang Caide take on a dual role, helping to establish the foundational structure early on, stabilize the situation, and eventually find someone to replace her.

Tang Caide nodded, contemplating briefly, then said, "For the everyday affairs of the investment company, maybe let Li Yizhou give it a try?"

Though Li Yizhou switched from Tencent last year, he’s very capable and usually manages while Lu Liang and she are away.

"Then let’s have him oversee a few film projects and see how he does," Lu Liang said.

Film projects best test a man’s character, as they are investors and sometimes producers.

These days, many young women want to make it in the entertainment industry, and even more directors want to please investors.

Since the cost of props can vary, smoothing over with producers can lead to pocketing much more.

As the two spoke, the office door was knocked on. Responding, Chen Jinchun entered with an exquisite meal box.

"Mr. Lu, your takeout is here, where should I put it?"

Xiao Chen’s face was calm, with a hint of pride in her eyes, no longer showing the earlier pained expression.

She wasn’t really stingy, just had a goal to buy a house, which made her frugal.

Yet, Boss Lu took care of her for over three years, so it was only right to treat him well now that she finally bought a house in Modu.

So, she steeled herself to spend 2800 yuan on a Wagyu beef takeout that Lu Liang used to frequently enjoy.

Unlike trendy packaging, the exquisite wooden meal box showcased its luxurious quality.

It’s not necessarily delicious, but at least very expensive.

"Just put it over there on the coffee table."

Lu Liang’s mouth curved into a smile, eyes showing a hint of mirth, as he suddenly called out to Xiao Chen before she left.

He rummaged in his business card holder and found two cards: "Once you’ve bought the house, you’ll need renovation and furniture. Contact them and mention my name; they should give you a discount."

Tang Caide’s eyes flashed with surprise, and Xiao Chen’s eyes lit up. She quickly asked, "Mr. Lu, how much of a discount?"

"I don’t know, ask them yourself."

Lu Liang laughed off, dismissing her with a wave: "There’s nothing more for you here."

"Alrighty." Xiao Chen responded and obediently left.

Tang Caide chuckled, "Mr. Lu, you really spoil her."

Any card in Lu Liang’s collection must come from more than just small-time bosses, and mentioning his name could lead to deep discounts, even freebies or favors.

Considering the apartment Chen Jinchun bought, which Tang had seen—without shared areas—it’s just over eighty square meters and wouldn’t cost much even if remodeled into a palace.

"Aren’t you also spoiled?"

The two exchanged mutual smiles, wisely avoiding the topic further, for discussing too deeply may lead to misunderstandings.

After all, one like a father, another like a mother.

In the evening, Lu Liang came to the Skyline Garden community.

Unlike Su Wanyu, who required special instruction, Wang Chuting was very proactive.

With two months left in her term, she had already hired a live-in nanny to manage daily affairs.

During dinner, Wang Chuting suddenly mentioned, "Mr. Meng gave me a nanny van last week, with a driver included."

Now over seven months pregnant, she visited the maternal and child hospital for prenatal checkups every two weeks, eventually increasing to weekly visits.

She once, either by chance or design, ran into Meng Changkun at the hospital, seeing her drive there alone.

No matter what, he insisted that the driver take her home. Since then, the driver and car had been stationed in the garage below her building.

Every time she went out, the driver would inquire about her destination, always claiming it was on his way.

But with Meng Changkun being so earnest, and her being unsure of Lu Liang’s stance on him, she had repeatedly declined.

Lu Liang, at a loss, smiled and said, "Next time, just accept it. Old Meng really has good intentions."

Old Meng, despite appearing as a hefty, gruff man, was like water—nourishing all things quietly.

He also heard from Tian Xi about Dior’s brand endorsement—neither recommended by the agency nor Wu Tianzheng, nor Lu Liang’s handiwork—it seemed to fall from the sky.

No surprises if it was Old Meng’s doing.

Old Meng desperately wanted back into Lu Liang’s core circle; doing so much silently had thoroughly softened Lu Liang’s steel-like heart.

After dinner, he dialed Meng Changkun’s number, laughing, "Haven’t relaxed in a while, up for it?"

"Sure, the usual place?"

"Yeah, see you then."

As Lu Liang hung up, Wang Chuting softly inquired, "What’s the usual place? Can I come?"

"Not married yet, and already thinking about controlling me?" Lu Liang raised an eyebrow, pinching Wang Chuting’s slightly chubby cheek.

"Can’t I?"

Wang Chuting pouted, clearly amused by Lu Liang’s teasing.

For him to say that, there was at least some subconscious thought of marrying her.

Even if only a subconscious thought, it hinted at the possibility of marriage.

Before leaving, Lu Liang abruptly said, "She Mountain Clubhouse, just a soak, a spa, and a massage."

"Aren’t you coming back tonight? It’s a good sign that you’re explaining things to me."

"I won’t be back tonight. I can be restless when I sleep, don’t want to squish my son."

Lu Liang turned to leave, but then he paused, turned around unexpectedly, and smiled.