Zhou Gangyi looked confused.
Why was he being scolded? Wasn't it reasonable for an elder not to give a gift to their disciple? He’d do his own laundry today.
After Long Aotian turned and left, he thought about it and agreed. His master should give him a gift, so he automatically filtered out his plan to buy mooncakes.
He hoped his master would splurge tomorrow and give him a surprise.
...
In the afternoon, National Xiao Wang first sent Liu Jingru to the hotel to get her luggage, then returned to the villa.
"Lin'er, do you live in the suburbs?" Liu Jingru asked, looking out the window as the car drove further and further out of town.
"Yes, we're almost there," Xia Lin replied.
"It must be a luxurious villa," Liu Jingru deduced, considering Xia Lin's status as the car drove towards the suburbs. It was definitely a large villa.
As the car drove up the mountain, Liu Jingru became even more certain.
"Wow... Lin'er, your villa is so big."
Even before getting out of the car, Liu Jingru exclaimed in surprise as it stopped at the villa on the mountaintop.
"Hehe... it's my brother's," Xia Lin said with a smile.
"Isn't that the same? Your brother is amazing," Liu Jingru sighed.
"It's so great to have a brother like this."
Jiang Xin and Qin Dou returned early and were standing outside bragging. Seeing National Xiao Wang's car arrive, they walked over and said, "That was quick. We just got here."
"A small matter. Have you seen who's driving?" National Xiao Wang said with a proud smile.
There was no traffic at this hour, and the road was clear. National Xiao Wang drove a bit faster, so they arrived sooner than expected.
"Jingru, come in quickly." Xia Lin pulled Liu Jingru towards the villa.
Jiang Xin, being sensible, opened the trunk and carried Liu Jingru's suitcase into the villa.
The villa was large and luxurious, and it felt very comfortable. This was Liu Jingru's first impression upon entering.
Two people were sitting in the living room chatting. Liu Jingru thought they looked familiar at first glance.
As she got closer, she realized it was Old Wang and Lei Ming.
"Aren't these two magnates from the China Rich List? Why are they here?"
Before Liu Jingru could be surprised, Old Wang walked over first and greeted her warmly, "Lin'er, you're back."
"Uncle Wang, Uncle Lei, this is my good friend Liu Jingru. We're university classmates," Xia Lin said, introducing them proactively.
Anyone Xia Lin brought home must have a close relationship. Old Wang and Lei Ming greeted Liu Jingru.
Liu Jingru was completely bewildered, unable to comprehend the situation.
Although she had met National Xiao Wang and Qin Dou today, the gap between them and these two magnates was immense.
She was so shocked that she could hardly accept it.
"You... hello." Liu Jingru nodded blankly.
"Where's Penguin Ma? Where did he go? I told him to wash vegetables, but he's gone again?"
While she was in a daze, someone ran out of the kitchen. He was wearing a cooking apron and holding a spatula in his right hand, looking just like a chef in the back kitchen, only missing a white chef's hat.
"This is?"
"The big boss?"
"Jack Ma?"
Liu Jingru's eyes widened. The boss was cooking here?
No wonder she hadn't heard any news from the boss at the company for a long time. He had changed careers.
"Holy crap... and he's Lin'er's chef?"
This time, Liu Jingru's mind completely short-circuited, and she couldn't react.
From the initial shock to the current disbelief, Liu Jingru felt as if she were in a dream, an unrealistic dream.
Even in a dream, she wouldn't dare to imagine this.
This was not a dream; it was something happening right before her eyes.
"Lin'er... is that... is that my boss?" Liu Jingru stammered, pulling on Xia Lin to confirm.
"You work at Alibaba Group, so it's correct," Xia Lin said with a smile.
"So it's true..."
"Damn it..."
"Where is this? What am I doing?"
"Lin'er, you're back." Jack Ma, who had just stormed out angrily, walked towards Xia Lin with a smiling face, looking amiable and extremely friendly.
"Uncle Ma, this is my good friend Liu Jingru, and she's even an employee of your company." Xia Lin introduced them as Jack Ma approached.
"Oh? That's great. Which department are you in?" Jack Ma asked with a smile.
"My good friend is actually in my company?
What a great surprise."
"Mr. Ma, I'm a subordinate of Manager Hu from the Marketing Department."
Regarding Jack Ma, Liu Jingru remained respectful. No matter what, Jack Ma was her boss, and this respect came from the heart.
Moreover, everyone in the Alibaba Group regarded Jack Ma as a god, which was why Jack Ma had absolute authority in the Alibaba Group.
"In ancient times, whoever won the hearts of the people won the world; today, whoever wins the hearts of the people gains respect."
"Good, good."
Jack Ma nodded. In fact, he didn't even know who this Manager Hu was.
"I just went to the restroom, why are you rushing me like I'm dying?"
At this moment, Penguin Ma came out of the restroom, muttering with an unhappy expression.
He had just gone to the restroom, and Jack Ma was rushing him like a ghost. He wasn't his father, why should he follow him around all day?
"Penguin Ma!!"
A familiar person, Alibaba Group's number one competitor, Liu Jingru looked at Penguin Ma as he came out cursing and scanned Jack Ma with a curious gaze.
"The two magnates are already in the same room?"
"No wonder Alibaba Group and Tencent Group announced strengthening cooperation not long ago. Is this the reason?"
Liu Jingru had seen unbelievable things today. These magnates were all gathered here, seemingly casually treating this place like their home. Were they all serving Lin'er's brother?
Liu Jingru dared not think further. What kind of person was Lin'er's brother?
It was simply beyond her comprehension.
Liu Jingru had repeatedly tried to imagine Xia Lin's brother's status, elevating it higher and higher. Only now did she realize that her imagination was just a drop in the ocean.
She had no more words to say. Liu Jingru only wanted to say two words: "Awesome!"
"Go, go wash the vegetables," Jack Ma said and went into the kitchen first.
"Lin'er, you're back. I'll go wash the vegetables first." Penguin Ma greeted Xia Lin and followed Jack Ma into the kitchen.
"Okay," Xia Lin nodded and then pulled Liu Jingru to sit in the living room.
"Lin'er, which room are you arranging for your friend?" Jiang Xin asked, pushing Liu Jingru's suitcase.
"You can put it here first. I'll take it to the room later. She'll sleep with me," Xia Lin said.
"Okay," Jiang Xin replied and placed the suitcase in a corner.
Liu Jingru looked around but didn't see Xia Lin's brother, this super magnate. When would he make his appearance?