Ome Forest National Park.

The mechanical gate slowly opened to both sides.

Cao Jinse stepped out alone, traveling light, perhaps because she had taken an unprecedentedly long vacation. Her spirits were quite good, and her facial skin was dewy and radiant.

There was no red carpet, nor was there water sprinkled on the streets.

On the contrary.

The health path at the entrance was deserted and empty, with only the rustling sound of birds chirping and leaves swaying.

Restored to her natural composure, Cao Jinse slightly puckered her lips almost imperceptibly, then proceeded along the direction of the health path's entrance.

The ancient trees towered, their canopies shading the sunlight.

Cao Jinse looked up, spread her hand, and a leaf swirled down, landing in her palm.

Secretary Cao continued on.

Engaging in such forest baths is beneficial without harm, so Cao Jinse was not in a hurry. More intimate contact with nature is definitely more effective than taking so-called health supplements. Whenever possible, getting into environments like the forest, whether walking slowly, running, biking, or practicing Tai Chi, can boost metabolism and relax the mind and body.

Anyway, during this period, Secretary Cao felt as if she had moved into a sanatorium, and the fatigue and stress accumulated inside and out were largely alleviated. The most notable improvement was in sleep; she used to stay up past midnight, but now she follows the rhythm of the sunrise and sunset.

Unfortunately,

The Japanese wouldn't let her continue nurturing her temperament and recuperating her mind and body.

As she approached the path's entrance, the tree canopy vanished, and the view suddenly widened.

The Ome River resembled a mirror, reflecting the silhouettes of distant mountains,

at the entrance to the path.

Finally, there was some liveliness.

A black car was parked there, beside it, a man leaned against the car door, hands in pockets, gazing upward at a forty-five-degree angle, his profile facing this direction, very much like a model posing.

But other than him, there was no one else around.

Nor was there a camera.

Cao Jinse fiddled with the fallen leaf, walking over with no visible emotion.

"Hey there, waiting for someone?"

Secretary Cao initiated the conversation.

"Miss, need a ride?"

The man who was just short of holding a rose in his mouth turned his head slightly, maintaining his stance with hands still in pockets.

And with the luxury car as a backdrop.

One had to admit, though a bit flamboyant, he was indeed handsome!

"Is it convenient? The place I'm going could be a bit far,"

Obviously, the handsome young man with both looks and money chuckled, "Anywhere's on the way."

What about Pan Yang?

Should learn something indeed.

The man was about to stand upright when Cao Jinse said, "Hold on."

She then took out her phone, opened the camera, and focused the lens.

"Keep that pose, right, lift your chin a bit, let your eyes be vacant, one half of your face sunny, the other half should look melancholy."

Jiang Chen complied, at least trying to adjust as requested.

"How is it now?"

"Tilt a bit more this way, stop."

Secretary Cao made an ok gesture, then pressed the shutter on her phone with the other hand.

"Click."

Jiang Chen was captured as part of the entire scenery.

"Want a few more shots?"

Great.

Got hooked on it.

Secretary Cao examined the photos in her phone.

Not everyone can withstand the scrutiny of an unfiltered camera. Though someone's skin was thick, his physical features held up well, especially with an increasingly robust aura of success; even a casual shot exuded charm.

She had enjoyed a long vacation here, but why did this guy seem so full of energy?

He won, indeed.

But shouldn't he be rather fatigued and haggard?

"Let Youmao handle it, why come in person?"

Putting away her phone, Cao Jinse said.

"She drank too much last night and hasn't woken up."

Jiang Chen honestly replied.

"Drank?"

"She was so happy hearing you're coming back."

Good thing he remembered to explain, or else if Youmao found out, she wouldn't hesitate to hit the bullseye.

Nowadays Youmao has upgraded her weapons, significantly expanding her headshot range.

"She used to be afraid of even touching alcohol."

"It's got nothing to do with me."

Jiang Chen immediately clarified, "She drank with Duanmu Daoist."

Daoists drink too?

Alright then.

In Daoist Sect, the idea is to follow one's heart.

And that's no ordinary Taoist.

"For you."

Cao Jinse walked forward, intending to get in the car, but before that, she raised a hand to pass something to Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen caught it, realizing it was a withered leaf, the leaf had hardened like a lifeless corpse, full of cracks, crumbling like glass at a slight squeeze.

Jiang Chen chuckled wryly.

Of course, he remembered what he said last time during the boat ride.

Was it a hint of his broken promise?

Secretary Cao shouldn't be such a petty person.

Cao Jinse passed by, just about to open the car door.

"I have a gift for you too."

Cao Jinse paused, retracted her hand from the door handle, and turned to look at him.

Jiang Chen's face remained calm as he walked to the car trunk, opened it, and glanced inside.

At that moment, for some reason, Cao Jinse's heart skipped a beat.

Considering his "flamboyant" demeanor just now...

Was he really going to take out a bouquet of flowers?

That would be too cliché.

What to do, should she accept it?

In an instant, countless thoughts swirled in Secretary Cao's mind.

Please.

At this moment,

Shouldn't her focus be on Jiuding Group and the financial situation?

But it's understandable.

Having been idle for so long, the brain indeed takes time to return to normal operations.

Of course, Jiang Chen couldn't know how many thoughts spiraled in Secretary Cao's mind in such a short time.

He didn't immediately pull flowers from the trunk, instead, he looked up, beckoning Cao Jinse, "Come over."

Was it because the gift was too big or too precious, making it inconvenient to take out?

Cao Jinse was silent for a while, finally taking a step forward.

Walking to the rear of the car, she first glanced at Jiang Chen.

Who is Jiang Chen anyway, if he didn't want to, no one could easily read his thoughts from his face. He was determined to let her personally evaluate, signaling her to look at the trunk.

On such a grand and celebratory day, his gift was clearly well-prepared.

Whether Secretary Cao had thought about whether to accept the flowers remained unclear as her gaze moved to the open trunk.

Jiang Chen might have many faults, but one shouldn't doubt his emotional intelligence.

Such a cliché act of giving flowers, even young people have abandoned it. How could he possibly flaunt it in front of an independent woman like Secretary Cao?

His preparation, of course, wasn't a nine hundred and ninety-nine rose bouquet that one couldn't hold.

When Cao Jinse's eyes moved inside the trunk, clearly seeing the contents, she was momentarily stunned.

As if a spell of immobilization had been cast on her.

Inside the trunk, haphazardly arranged, were actual Spiritual Tablets!

The Spiritual Tablets were clearly engraved with names!

No wonder he didn't take them out directly.

He couldn't carry them with just two hands!

Indeed, when it comes to men gifting women, there are endless possibilities. However, a gift of Spiritual Tablets—without surprise, it would likely be one of a kind worldwide.

"You're a genius!"

After holding back for a while, Cao Jinse muttered this evaluation, then moved forward and opened the car door.

What did it mean?

Didn't like it?

In a moment of anxiety, Jiang Chen forgot about the automated tailgate, slammed the trunk shut with a "clang," and got in the car.

The Spiritual Tablets, which should be revered by many, were like trash, covered and shrouded in darkness once again.

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