After breakfast, Zhao Liang brought Jiang Chen to a car dealership in the county.
The dealership was filled with all sorts of luxury vehicles, all imported models ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of yuan.Zhao Liang walked through the showroom with a sense of pride that said, "I know this place well," giving off the unmistakable aura of "being rich is really great."
Jiang Chen thought to himself, Whether rich or poor, you live only once. Damn it, I'm going to be a rich man.
Zhao Liang pulled Jiang Chen over to a dark green Dodge SUV.Top-tier configuration, powerful engine, a rugged, dominant appearance—pure street presence.Let's face it, people look at you differently when you step out of a car like this.
"Jiang Chen, this is the one. You need this kind of presence," Zhao Liang said, patting him on the shoulder.
Zhao Liang was serious, so Jiang Chen didn't pretend to be modest either. "Not bad."
They headed to the office to handle the paperwork.By the time they were done, the car officially belonged to Jiang Chen.
"Hold on, I've got one more thing."
Jiang Chen walked over to the boutique counter nearby and picked out a delicate platinum necklace, the pendant a smooth, translucent jade bead.
But just as he was about to pay, Zhao Liang's expression suddenly turned… complicated.
"Jiang Chen," he said quietly, "you already have a girlfriend?"
"Heh, I never said I didn't," Jiang Chen smiled and nodded. "We're actually planning to get married."
Zhao Liang froze for a moment, then smiled bitterly and joked, "Ah, she beat my daughter to it."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"I was thinking… if you didn't have anyone, I'd ask you to be my son-in-law."
Zhao Yafeng?
Sure, she was stunning—model-like figure, bright and youthful, a student at a 985 university, and from a wealthy family. Marrying her would mean wealth and smart kids in the future...
But… marriage is about feelings, not "conditions."
The warmth Wen-xian gave him… was irreplaceable.
Jiang Chen didn't know what to say. He just smiled in silence.
He got into the car, started the engine, shifted gears—the Dodge SUV rolled smoothly out of the parking lot.
"You've driven before? You're pretty good at this," Zhao Liang praised from the passenger seat.
"I worked part-time at a driving school, so I practiced a lot," Jiang Chen replied.
After a while, Zhao Liang suddenly asked in a low voice, "That medicinal wine you mentioned… does it work?"
"Heh, those who've tried it know."
"Give me five bottles next time."
"You need that much? Gonna help me sell it?"
Zhao Liang gave him a sly grin. "My body's been lacking lately. Lots of nighttime 'socializing,' you know…"
Jiang Chen gave him a sideways glance and teased, "It's strong stuff. Don't break Auntie Li."
Zhao Liang laughed heartily. "The home base flag still flies, but the real battles happen outside. Don't worry, I hardly even touch my wife anymore."
As they parted ways at an intersection, Zhao Liang transferred another 50,000 yuan to Jiang Chen. "Use this for now. I'll send more when you need it."
Jiang Chen drove back to Taohua Village.As he passed through, many villagers poked their heads out, shocked—how had this poor clinic doctor suddenly struck it rich?
He parked in front of the village clinic.But the lock was missing.
Was Wen-xian back?
He gently pushed open the door—and froze.
Wen-xian stood in front of a large basin, wearing only a bathrobe. Her damp hair draped over her shoulders, her cheeks still flushed from a hot bath.
"You're back!" she turned and almost jumped in surprise. The bath towel slipped to the floor, revealing her glistening body.
Jiang Chen stood dumbstruck.
She blushed, crossed her hands over her belly, and scolded shyly, "What are you looking at? So indecent…"
Jiang Chen chuckled and walked over, gently wrapping the towel back around her, then pulled out the necklace and carefully fastened it around her neck.
"This was just for me?" Wen-xian was nearly in tears.
"Of course." Jiang Chen pulled out his phone and showed her his account. "See? 40,000 before, 50,000 today."
"All… all of this?" Wen-xian stammered.
"Not just that. Come with me—"
Jiang Chen led her outside.
"Ah! A Dodge? An SUV? Is this your car?!"
"If it's not mine, whose is it?" Jiang Chen grinned, then told her the whole story.
"You're rich now! I'm so happy!" Wen-xian said excitedly.
"I'm happy too… I've got money now—I want to marry you."
"Ah…" Wen-xian gasped.
She knew he liked her, but had thought just being his lover would be enough.She never expected he'd want to marry her.
Clutching her chest, her voice trembled, "Really?"
"Really. In a few days, I'll tell my parents."
At the mention of "parents," Wen-xian hesitated. "Your parents won't agree. We're not a match. I'm divorced… with a child. People will say I'm an old woman robbing the cradle."
"No. The truest feelings are born in hardship. We've been through that together."
Wen-xian couldn't stop her tears.
In the following days, Jiang Chen partnered with Wu Feng and Zheng Qiang to sell medicinal wine. Business was good.
They sold over ten bottles, each priced at 9,880 yuan.
That day, Jiang Chen returned to Jiangjia Village.
"Mom, Dad, I'm back!" he called as he entered.
His parents and sister Jiang Juan were sitting at the dinner table, waiting for him.
"Why are you so cheerful today?" his mother smiled, taking his bag.
"I've got something to tell you." Jiang Chen took out his phone as he ate. "I want to get married…"
The whole family leaned in to look.
"She's really pretty!" Mom beamed.
Jiang Juan playfully pinched his cheek. "Bro, how'd you land Liu Yifei?"
Wen-xian did look like Liu Yifei—only taller and more voluptuous.
But Father frowned.
"Dad…" Jiang Chen said cautiously.
"She looks older than you?" Father asked.
"Yes. She's twenty-eight."
"She's been married?"
"Yes. Her husband passed. She has a five-year-old daughter."
"What?!" Father roared, nearly shouting. "Are you crazy? Can't you find a proper girl? Why would you marry a divorced woman with a kid?!"