After finishing their meal, Jiang Ci and Lu Yudong headed to the hospital.

Lu Yudong didn't even need to ask Jiang Ci; he drove straight to Jiangzhou First People's Hospital.

Jiang Ci knew of Lu Yudong's impressive connections and that he was aware of her mother's entire situation.

When they reached the parking lot, Jiang Ci was about to get out of the car.

"You'd better not visit my mom," Jiang Ci said.

She wasn't quite sure why she felt afraid.

"What's in the ward? Why can't I see?" Lu Yudong lit a cigarette.

He squinted his eyes, speaking nonchalantly, like someone who had seen the vicissitudes of life, teasing a young girl just stepping into the world.

It was precisely this demeanor that strangely attracted Jiang Ci.

She wasn't sure if her face turned red from the eagerness to argue or from being shyly attracted to him, but her cheeks were flushed.

"The hospital is a serious place, full of gossip. It would tarnish your status."

Lu Yudong glanced at his watch, "I'll pick you up at four."

"Okay," Jiang Ci sighed with relief.

It seemed he didn't plan to visit her mom today; he was just dropping her off because of Grandpa's orders.

Jiang Ci went to the Neurology Department.

The corridor was crowded, and Jiang Ci saw lights and cameras, unsure of what was being filmed.

Just as she was about to pass through the crowd, Jiang Ci suddenly saw a woman with a seductive figure, wearing a dark green cheongsam, holding a cigarette, exuding an indescribable allure and charm.

Jiang Ci was momentarily stunned—Yin Xuemo.

So she was filming here.

Jiang Ci didn't have a good impression of Yin Xuemo, always feeling she was deeply scheming, and if not careful, one might fall into her trap.

She hurried into her mother's ward.

Unexpectedly, the ward was bustling today. Not only were Jiang Yi and Chu Shuo there, but there was also a gentle-looking middle-aged woman who seemed to be a caregiver.

"Miss Jiang is here?" The caregiver greeted Jiang Ci politely, "I'm your mother's caregiver, my name is Zhou Qi."

"Did Dr. Fu find you?" Jiang Ci felt warm inside.

Although she only glanced, she could tell Zhou Qi was skilled and professional, as she was just cleaning her mother's bedsores.

"Wasn't it you?" Zhou Qi seemed puzzled.

"No, it wasn't me."

"Jiang Ci, wasn't it you who asked Dr. Fu to find someone for mom?" Jiang Yi also looked at Jiang Ci with suspicion.

"It was President Fu who asked me to find Zhou Qi. She's the most expensive caregiver in our hospital, thirty thousand a month," Dr. Fu said as he entered.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

"President Fu?" Both Jiang Yi and Jiang Ci were surprised.

Chu Shuo, on the other hand, looked dejected.

After all, he wasn't the one who found the caregiver.

"Really, you all didn't know?" Dr. Fu said.

Jiang Ci felt a warmth in her heart.

After Dr. Fu and Zhou Qi discussed a few care tips, they left.

"That Lu Yudong, he's really deep. Who knows what he's up to. Jiang Ci, has he made any excessive demands on you recently?" Jiang Yi said.

He was saying this for Chu Shuo to hear, implying that the relationship between Lu Yudong and Jiang Ci was purely transactional, encouraging Chu Shuo to pursue her boldly.

"Don't talk nonsense," Jiang Ci ignored Jiang Yi's attempts to sow discord.

Chu Shuo gently tugged Jiang Ci's hand, "Come out, I want to talk to you."

Jiang Ci followed him outside.

"Long time no see, Mr. Chu," Jiang Ci said gracefully outside her mother's ward.

"The classes are over, no need to call me Mr. Chu," Chu Shuo replied with equal grace.

Chu Shuo had met Jiang Ci several times but never had the right opportunity to ask her some questions, especially after what happened at the training class last time.

He heard from Jiang Yi that Jiang Ci visited her mother every Saturday, so he asked Jiang Yi to come with him; otherwise, Jiang Yi wouldn't bother visiting their mom.

"Once a teacher, always a teacher. Mr. Chu, what's the matter?" Jiang Ci asked.

"If you need money, you can tell me. I know when you needed money, we didn't know each other, but it's not too late now. Once you pass the accountant exam, your value will increase. Why choose a contractual marriage with Lu Yudong?" Chu Shuo said through gritted teeth.

When Jiang Ci first heard the term "contractual marriage," she frowned slightly.

She thought maybe Jiang Yi had guessed it from Lu Yudong's attitude. Jiang Yi failed to extort money and now wanted to match her with Chu Shuo.

He might have even said that the marriage between Jiang Ci and Lu Yudong was "in name only."

Jiang Ci didn't want to get caught in a love triangle during her marriage.

"Mr. Chu, actually, my marriage with Lu Yudong is not what you think; it's both in name and in reality," Jiang Ci smiled slightly at Chu Shuo.

Chu Shuo frowned tightly, involuntarily holding Jiang Ci's hand, "Jiang Ci..."

"Mr. Chu, I'm married."

With that, Jiang Ci turned back to her mother's room.

If she didn't clarify, the rumor of a "marriage in name only" might reach Grandpa's ears someday.

After all, the world is small, and "Chu Shuo" is a living example.

After finalizing the deal, Jiang Ci was very happy and excited. It was her first time handling a transaction over a hundred thousand yuan, and she felt a bit anxious. Worried about encountering scammers or criminals, she asked Han Lan to accompany her.

Han Lan, no longer needing to keep a low profile, was quite pleased and readily agreed to Jiang Ci's request.

"For something like this, it's best to have a guy with us. If Mr. Lu goes with you, who would dare to cheat him? They wouldn't dare even with ten times the courage," Han Lan said while munching on snacks.

"It's not that easy. We're having a bit of a spat. Besides, this matter involves my ex-boyfriend. Would I be out of my mind to ask him to come along?" Jiang Ci replied.

"Why are you making such a fuss? You can see how just a casual nod from him changes everything for us. People can't wait to flatter him, and here you are, picking a fight," Han Lan said, a bit exasperated.

"Don't mention it. I've been flattering him all along." To this day, Jiang Ci still didn't understand why Lu Yudong suddenly asked her to move out.

How could she cater to his whims without knowing the reason?

"Why not try to appease him? Mr. Lu is into that," Han Lan suggested.

"How do you know? Have you tried it before?" Jiang Ci asked, her tone slightly jealous.

"No, no, I haven't even met Mr. Lu," Han Lan said, trying to act coy. "But seriously, my sister is bringing me some food this afternoon."

"Your sister? Isn't she about to give birth? How can you let her bring you food with that big belly?"

"She's not coming herself; she's sending her brother-in-law. I heard he's quite a catch," Han Lan said dreamily.

"You haven't met him?"

Han Lan rolled her eyes at Jiang Ci. "No, he didn't attend my sister's wedding; he was out of town."

"I'll check him out for you this afternoon."

At six in the evening, the dormitory doorbell rang, and Jiang Ci went to answer it. As soon as she opened the door, she widened her eyes in surprise and said, "Deng Yue?"

"Jiang Ci?"

"Who are you looking for? Me?"

Deng Yue raised the food container in his hand. "I'm delivering food for my sister-in-law to her sister. I didn't expect you two to be roommates. What a small world."

When Han Lan came out and saw that Deng Yue was quite handsome, her eyes sparkled.

"How about I treat you two lovely ladies to dinner tonight?" Deng Yue offered.

"What about the food my sister sent?" Jiang Ci asked with a slight frown.

But Han Lan was already tempted. After all, who wouldn't want to dine with a handsome guy?

"We can put it in the fridge and eat it later. It won't spoil. Let's go, I'll treat you to hot pot," Deng Yue said enthusiastically.

Recently, Jiang Ci and Han Lan had been under a lot of pressure, so they were eager for some relaxation and quickly agreed. Besides, Jiang Ci loved spicy food—the spicier, the better.

During dinner, Deng Yue asked Jiang Ci, "Since we added each other on WeChat, we haven't chatted. I didn't know you worked at New East Group. That's promising."

"I'm just a low-level employee; there's no future in that. Han Lan has more potential; she's the New East Star, a future executive," Jiang Ci said, not forgetting to praise Han Lan.

Jiang Ci could tell that Han Lan had a good impression of Deng Yue. Han Lan and Deng Yue also exchanged WeChat contacts.

"Oh, by the way, Jiang Ci is going to the suburbs on Sunday to inspect a computer factory. We've never been there and are afraid of encountering scammers, so we want a guy to come with us. Why don't you join us?" Han Lan invited Deng Yue. "My sister told me her brother-in-law runs a gaming company, so you're perfect for evaluating computers."

"Visiting a computer factory? No problem. I'll drive you two ladies there. Planning to buy computers? Why not just go to the electronics market instead of the source?"

"Two hundred units. We're donating them to children in the mountains. It's the same school we visited together," Jiang Ci explained easily, as she and Deng Yue had visited the charity school together before.

"Two hundred units, impressive. You must have some money."

"Not really. I sold my dad's house in the countryside," Jiang Ci deflected, fearing Deng Yue would ask about the money's origin, putting her in an awkward position.

She hadn't even mentioned her contractual marriage with Lu Yudong to Han Lan, nor did Han Lan know the source of the money.

Her father's old house was in the countryside, and Jiang Ci had never been there. Besides, you can't sell a homestead.

Fortunately, Deng Yue didn't press further.

What could Jiang Ci say? That she sold herself for it?

Hi everyone, if you like this novel and want to read more in advance, please support me on PawRead.

Discord:https://discord.com/invite/ua2A852bws