After Flirting with the God-Tier Beautiful Tycoon - Chapter 72.1

“What do you mean?” Shen Xiaojiang was suspicious.

The red light turned on, and the car stopped.

“Your mom means, is this contract legitimate? She hopes you aren’t being scammed. After all, the conditions they’re offering a student are incredibly generous,” Shen’s father summarized. He was a high school PE teacher, and her mother was an accountant for a small enterprise they were middle-class workers and had truly never seen a company offer such a high price for an intern.

Shen Xiaojiang understood. “It’s real. I’ve visited their company it should be fine.”

Her parents exchanged a glance. “Since you think it’s fine, then it’s okay. Don’t worry about the contract; there are no issues there.”

“It’s just…”

“Just what?”

Shen Lanxin patted the top of Shen Xiaojiang’s head as she leaned in, saying gently, “An internship salary of 9,000, which triples after becoming a permanent employee, half a month of paid leave, a 13th-month bonus at the end of the year, a monthly housing subsidy of 1,800, plus other performance bonuses… it’s really tempting. But, Nan Nan, think clearly for yourself such returns will definitely require more effort and energy from you. Overtime and high pressure will be inevitable. Whether to go or not, the final decision is in your hands. Whatever you decide, your father and I will support you unconditionally.”

“I…” Shen Xiaojiang hesitated. Growing up, her parents had always spoiled her and never pressured her. They would provide references and help her plan for the worst case scenario. Shen Xiaojiang loved her parents deeply and was very grateful to them.

“Mhm!” She nodded to Shen Lanxin. Her mother affectionately pinched her cheek.

“Oh, right, Mom, you said there was a surprise when I got back. What is it?” Shen Xiaojiang narrowed her eyes, the spot on her face where she’d been pinched turning slightly red.

“Oh, do you remember that ‘Artist’s Sanctuary’ you used to go to all the time when you were little?”

Shen Xiaojiang nodded.

Shen Lanxin continued, “It’s finally going to be demolished and redeveloped.”

“Demolished?” Shen Xiaojiang looked astonished.

“Yes, I heard the government is leading it, and a few businessmen have contracted it together, apparently.”

Shen Xiaojiang’s expression grew somber. “So, where is the surprise?”

Shen Lanxin smiled with narrowed eyes. “Little silly, our house is within the scope of the ‘Artist’s Sanctuary’ demolition and reconstruction project. So, we need to sign for the demolition.”

Shen Xiaojiang was blank. Her house was still some distance away from the Artist’s Sanctuary.

Understanding her daughter’s concern, Shen Lanxin explained patiently, “Although our neighborhood is a bit away from the sanctuary, we’re still considered neighbors, so naturally, we have to sign as well. And, supposedly, those who sign can get a 50,000 yuan noise nuisance subsidy. Doesn’t that count as a surprise?”

Although 50,000 yuan wasn’t a huge amount, it was like a pie falling from the sky anyone would be happy to receive it. But Shen Xiaojiang couldn’t tell if she was more happy or more reluctant to let go. That place held all her most beautiful memories since she could remember things.

She looked out the window again. The tall banyan trees were covered in aerial roots, winding and twisting in a tangled mess. To be honest, if such a large piece of land remained empty, it would be a waste. So, Shen Xiaojiang only hoped the new developers would treat this former sanctuary of her soul with kindness.

Back at home, her father went to the kitchen to prepare dinner, while her mother organized the things they had bought. Shen Xiaojiang changed into slippers and pushed her suitcase into her bedroom.

The moment the door opened, a gust of wind surged in through the open window, lifting the white gauze curtains in a soft arc. The bedsheets and duvet cover had been changed to new ones she hadn’t seen before. A fresh green plant had been added to the desk she couldn’t name it.

Once her things were settled, Shen Xiaojiang sat on the edge of the bed. Her fingertips brushed over the texture of the cotton fabric, and her fingers suddenly curled, clutching the sheet into wrinkles.

Even though she had been away for so long, there still seemed to be a faint woody, floral fragrance in the room it smelled good, yet it also didn’t. Was it actually a good smell? Shen Xiaojiang wasn’t sure anymore.

That scent was very special. It had the smell of dry wood, the sweet scent of flowers, the pungent smell of disinfectant, and even the spicy scent of pink pepper one whiff was enough to remember for a lifetime.

She remembered it, she certainly remembered it, but she wouldn’t be obsessed with it anymore.

After her shower, Shen Lanxin boiled a bowl of taro ball almond milk for her. Because she was on her period, no ice was added.

After drinking it, Shen Xiaojiang went to the second floor to look at the “Endless Summer” hydrangeas blooming in the garden. There were light blue ones and light pink ones. They looked exactly as they did when they first bloomed two months ago, as if they hadn’t withered as if they wouldn’t wither.

Can “Endless Summer” really make summer last forever?

Shen Xiaojiang suddenly caught sight of the wood plastic composite tables and chairs. It felt as if a mug with a strawberry pattern was still on the table, as if heartless laughter and chatter were still echoing around. That person had only stayed for a few days, yet she had left her shadow in every corner, impossible to banish.

Later, Shen Xiaojiang went back to her room to sleep, watching the white gauze curtains fluttering in the wind. She covered her face with both hands, silent tears wetting her tangled palm lines.

A noisy midsummer, ending without a cause.