Chapter 321: Chapter 321: Already Taken

When Jiang Moli asked about her future plans, Qian Ling grew animated. "Jingrui was just telling me the other day that I should sign up with him for the college entrance exams in July, but how could I possibly pass?"

’A good man—not only does he work hard, but he also encourages his partner to grow with him.’

Jiang Moli mentally awarded Wen Jingerui a point.

Out loud, she encouraged Qian Ling, "Who cares if you’ll pass or not? Just take the test and find out. What if you get super lucky and get in?"

Qian Ling hesitated. "The exam is only four months away, and I graduated ages ago. I’ve completely forgotten everything from the textbooks. Besides, we’re having our wedding in May, so there’s a lot to get ready."

Jiang Moli said, "How about this: you two get legally married first, then postpone the wedding ceremony until August. If one of you gets in, it’ll be a double celebration. If you both get in, it’ll be a triple celebration!"

Qian Ling was tempted by the idea.

Jiang Moli pressed on, "You’d be taking the art school exam, so the academic requirements aren’t as high. There are plenty of night schools with prep courses for adults. Sign up for one. Grind it out for four months. If you get in, great. If not, you can just think of it as practice for next year."

Jiang Moli’s encouragement bolstered Qian Ling’s confidence.

"I’ll talk it over with Jingrui when I get back."

Lu Tingting soon returned, carrying two bags of sugar-roasted chestnuts.

The chestnuts were fresh from the wok and piping hot. Each one was split open, revealing the golden meat inside.

Lu Tingting hadn’t eaten her fill at dinner and was now starving, so she peeled and ate one chestnut after another.

With her hands in her pockets, Jiang Moli asked, "Are they good? Peel one for me."

Lu Tingting shot her a look. "You don’t have hands of your own? If you want one, peel it yourself."

"But they taste sweeter when you peel them."

Just then, Qian Ling finished peeling a plump, golden chestnut and held it to Jiang Moli’s lips. "Here, Moli, have this one."

The chestnut was soft, sweet, and fragrant, with that perfect, slightly grainy texture.

Jiang Moli’s eyes curved into happy crescents. "Mmm, delicious."

Seeing how much she was enjoying it, Qian Ling’s eyes also crinkled into a smile. "Let me peel a couple more for you. When you’re picking chestnuts, you should choose the plump, round, dark-colored ones. They have the best texture."

As she spoke, Qian Ling peeled another and fed it to Jiang Moli.

Jiang Moli showered it with praise as she ate.

’That damn woman. Can’t even eat a chestnut without someone waiting on her. So ridiculously high-maintenance.’

Lu Tingting cursed inwardly, but still followed Qian Ling’s advice. She picked out a plump, round chestnut, peeled it, and took a bite. It really was perfectly soft and sweet.

「Back at the Military District Courtyard.」

Lu Tingting’s mouth ran a mile a minute as she scolded Jiang Moli. "You’re pregnant, you should know to be more careful! How dare you go out drinking? If anything happens to the baby, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life!"

Jiang Moli remained silent, just smiling.

Lu Tingting was baffled by her smile. "What are you smiling at?"

Jiang Moli ruffled her hair. "I’m smiling because you’re such a cutie~"

’A cutie? Is she complimenting me?’

’She is, right?’

Lu Tingting was bubbling with delight inside, but her gaze fell on Jiang Moli’s flat stomach. "About the baby... when do you plan on telling Grandma and Third Uncle?"

Jiang Moli put an arm around her shoulder. "Don’t you worry your pretty little head about the older generation. School’s about to start. How’s your studying coming along? Think you can pass the make-up exams?"

Lu Tingting huffed. "Don’t look down on me! Of course I’ll pass the make-up exams!"

...

After class, Lu Tingting and a few other students who had failed last semester were held back by the class monitor.

"The make-up exams for the academic subjects are scheduled for the 16th and 17th. That’s half a month away, so everyone, get cracking on your studying. Also, anyone who failed the practical assessment last semester, come to me and sign up for the make-up project."

After the class monitor finished speaking, the others left one by one. Only Lu Tingting and a male student remained standing.

Neither of them had passed last semester’s practical assessment.

Lu Tingting walked up to the class monitor. "Monitor, for the practical make-up, I choose corn planting..."

The monitor interrupted her. "Lu Tingting, I was just about to tell you. Chaoyang Primary School in Menghai sent over your volunteer teaching evaluation. With your volunteer teaching score added, your practical assessment from last semester is now a passing grade. You don’t need to take the make-up."

Lu Tingting was both surprised and delighted. "When did that happen? How come no one told me?"

"Your family called the department before the Spring Festival and told them you were doing volunteer work in Menghai."

Lu Tingting rushed home in a flurry.

Fan Wenfang was in the middle of cooking. When she saw her return, she chided, "You could’ve given me a heads-up that you were coming home. I didn’t make any food for you."

"Mom, did you call my school?"

Fan Wenfang gave her a strange look. "What phone call? Did you get into trouble again?"

Lu Tingting then ran over to the Lu family home. She pulled An Hui and Lu Deyao aside and asked them, but they both said they hadn’t called the school.

...

Jiang Moli had arranged to meet Lin Jianfeng to discuss the script, and they had dinner together.

To avoid any gossip, she made sure to invite Yang Lijiong along.

The script itself was based on Yang Lijiong, and since she was also the lead actress, having her join the discussion made perfect sense.

"...I’m more or less done with my work on the script. If any changes are needed down the line, you can just discuss them directly with Qiongqiong. I won’t have any objections."

Lin Jianfeng nodded. "Alright, I understand. I wish you a safe trip. Let’s keep in touch. If you come up with any more good stories, I’d be happy to work together again."

"Sounds good."

Jiang Moli had chosen the restaurant—Nantang Restaurant, the same place she’d gone with Qian Ling and Wen Jingerui.

It was a classic case of rivals crossing paths; as they were leaving, they ran right into Meng Wei.

Meng Wei looked noticeably more haggard than the last time they’d met.

She’d lost weight, her complexion was sallow, and her brow was clouded with worry. She seemed so troubled that she didn’t even notice Jiang Moli’s party of three walking right past her.

It was Jiang Moli, however, who greeted her first. "Sister Weiwei, what a coincidence. We meet again."

Meng Wei shot Jiang Moli a cold glare. Her expression soured even more when she saw Lin Jianfeng. Without a word, she stalked away on her high heels.

"Looks like our Ms. Meng isn’t feeling too chipper~"

Jiang Moli remarked casually, watching Meng Wei’s rapidly retreating back.

Lin Jianfeng was noncommittal.

Yang Lijiong didn’t know Meng Wei, so she had nothing to say at all.

The atmosphere grew a little awkward.

’Recalling Lu Cheng’s opinion of He Ming, and seeing Meng Wei looking so utterly dejected, it seemed things with He Ming had fallen through.’

’Don’t tell me this bitch wants to get back with her ex?’

With this in mind, Jiang Moli shot Lin Jianfeng a meaningful look.

Lin Jianfeng was puzzled by her stare. "What is it?"

"Director Lin, are you spoken for? Our arts troupe has plenty of wonderful, single young women. Want me to set you up?"

Lin Jianfeng smiled and politely declined. "Thank you for the kind offer, but I’m afraid I’m not available. To be honest, I’m already seeing someone, and it’s going quite well."

Jiang Moli beamed. "Congratulations!"

After watching Lin Jianfeng drive off, Jiang Moli sighed to Yang Lijiong with a hint of regret. "I think Director Lin is a pretty great guy. It’s a shame he’s already taken."

Yang Lijiong was blunt. "I’m not interested in Director Lin."

’Jiang Moli had indeed been toying with that idea. But considering Yang Lijiong and Lin Jianfeng would have to work together, it could get awkward if things didn’t pan out. That’s why she hadn’t said anything directly, only subtly creating opportunities for them to meet. Who would have thought that he was already off the market.’

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