novelraw Chapter 192 : What the Hell Is Called a “Surprise”
Chapter 192 : What the Hell Is Called a “Surprise”
Chapter 192: What the Hell Is Called a “Surprise”
Friday afternoon. Inside the company. The place, which should have been restless by now, was as calm as still water.
Anyone who had ever worked or studied knew that on the last afternoon before a holiday, whether students or office workers, everyone would be restless.
No one could focus on work or study; the entire atmosphere would be charged with excitement. This much was universal across the country.
But today, the office was dead silent. Not only was there no energy for work, there wasn’t even a hint of excitement.
The reason was simple — the company had announced an adjusted work schedule for the National Day holiday.
In other words, they had to work for seven consecutive days this week before getting the long break. Normally, everyone would be eagerly anticipating the weekend, but the thought of still having to work through Saturday and Sunday killed all enthusiasm.
Still, because a long vacation was coming, no one complained too much — after all, this system was the same nationwide.
No one knew which genius had invented the term “schedule adjustment,” but to be cursed by all working people was truly well deserved.
For long holidays like National Day or New Year’s, fine — work extra, rest longer.
But for short holidays like the Dragon Boat Festival or Qingming, when you still had to make up for the three days off, it felt torturous.
Everyone already had a normal routine; making up days before and after a short break was more tiring than not resting at all.
Many even suggested: if we can’t rest properly, then just don’t. Forcing these “adjusted holidays” neither improved efficiency nor helped morale.
Liu Rushuang’s company, while not requiring rescheduling for short breaks, still followed the national policy for long ones — those lasting a week or more.
After all, the company cared about profit. Without the schedule adjustment, next month’s performance numbers would look terrible.
Of course, there were a few who volunteered for overtime.
Triple pay was nice, but who would willingly give up their vacation? Especially those with partners — some were even planning to get married during the break.
At this moment, Liu Rushuang, who was rarely distracted at work, found herself absentminded. The stack of documents on her desk had been sitting there for quite some time, yet she hadn’t read a word.
Her thoughts were all tangled in what had happened last night and this morning.
As a usually rational and composed career woman, she was well aware that her emotions were off, but she had no solution for it.
Her gaze shifted to a small wooden stand on her desk, where a Gong Fan hung. She picked it up, fanned herself lightly, and as she did, the corners of her lips lifted slightly — clearly remembering something.
Just then, her secretary, Xiao Tian, came in and said, “President Liu, all the department managers are in the meeting room. Should we start now?”
Liu Rushuang blinked back to reality. “Huh? What? Say that again!”
“President Liu, all the department managers are already in the meeting room,” Xiao Tian repeated.
Liu Rushuang nodded, then paused, pulling out her phone to send a message to Su He.
Liu Rushuang: [I’ll buy groceries tonight. After work, let’s go have dinner at my brother’s place!]
Su He: [No way. I’m exhausted from work. I need rest!]
Liu Rushuang: [Come on~ His cooking’s amazing! Let’s go freeload together!]
Su He: [Not going. I can cook for myself.]
Liu Rushuang: [But his cooking is way better!]
Su He: [Did you just say what you’re really thinking?]
Liu Rushuang: [Ahem, I meant his food tastes better. He’s still growing after all — eats a lot, greedy kid.]
Su He: [Nope. Go by yourself. Aren’t you his “temporary girlfriend”? You even stayed over last night. Going again today isn’t a big deal. Young people have big appetites — go feed him more. Thanks!]
On the other end, Cousin Su He looked at her screen, smiling mischievously.
A woman shameless enough to stay over last night was suddenly shy today? Something must have happened!
Clearly, Liu Rushuang wanted to go — she just couldn’t bring herself to admit it.
As the person watching from the sidelines, Su He wasn’t about to sabotage her cousin’s budding romance. They were blood relatives, after all — help each other out!
If she tagged along, what then? When the night ended, would Liu Rushuang stay or leave?
Better to let her go alone. Who knows — maybe they’d grow even closer by morning.
And besides, Su He’s Maserati was already waving at her.
Liu Rushuang: [Feed him? No way. My legs can’t take it.]
Su He: [???]
(Liu Rushuang retracted a message)
Su He: [You might as well not have deleted it. You two are really into... interesting things, huh?]
[Tell me — what did you do to my cousin?]
Liu Rushuang: [Ahem, I’m going to the meeting. Talk later.]
After sending that, Liu Rushuang quickly put down her phone and hurried out of the office, ignoring all of Su He’s follow-ups.
Watching the unread messages pile up, Su He twitched her lips, shivered slightly, and muttered, “Ugh—pervert!”
Meanwhile, Lin Mo and Miss Yuan Meng arrived at the horse ranch. Yuan Meng’s Sister-in-law carried her sleeping daughter back to the ranch hotel to rest.
In the gazebo outside, Old Jiang and Yuan Meng’s Grandmother sat together, tea and fruit laid out before them.
“Dad, Mom, guess who’s here?”
Mrs. Jiang entered with two children in tow.
“Grandma, Grandpa, hello!” Lin Mo greeted them with a smile.
Old Jiang looked much better than last time, cheerful and lively. “Good, good! Young man looks full of spirit!”
The elderly lady, on the other hand, greeted him warmly, taking his hand. “Ah, Xiao Lin’s here! Come sit, come sit. Just now, your grandpa was talking about you — said your massage skills were great. Perfect timing! Your teacher’s coming later too. You both can help take a look!”
Lin Mo smiled politely. “Of course, it’s my honor to be of help.”
He didn’t immediately agree, though — not without his teacher present.
“Stop dawdling, come over!” The Little Old Lady turned to glare at Miss Yuan Meng, who was half hiding behind Lin Mo.
Old Jiang interjected with a chuckle. “Enough, it’s just taking the kid out for a walk. You’re making a fuss. It’s not like Yuanyuan’s a kidnapper — she wouldn’t lose the child!”
No matter what others said, Miss Yuan Meng was Old Jiang’s favorite. And really, what was the harm in taking the child out for some air?
The grandmother glared at her husband. “You always take her side! Good thing Xiao Yan’s not here, or she’d definitely be upset.”
Family affairs were never simple. With many children and grandchildren, favoritism was natural — though sometimes, it did stir unnecessary feelings.
Sure enough, Miss Yuan Meng peeked from behind Lin Mo and went to Old Jiang’s side, smiling sweetly.
“Grandpa’s the best! I’ll bring Lin Mo to visit you often. He’ll give you a good massage — you’ll feel great!”
“Hahaha, our Yuanyuan is so considerate. Just seeing you makes me happy.”
Old Jiang’s laughter filled the air.
Lin Mo:
…Wait, doesn’t anyone care about how I feel?
I’m the one doing the actual work here!
And what’s with that smile, sir? Did I agree to this? Am I part of your family play now?
Thinking that, Lin Mo silently gasped. Miss Yuan Meng’s cunning was terrifying — what a manipulative woman!
She was selling his labor and taking all the credit!
In front of her elders, she suddenly became all gentle and proper — if Old Jiang ever saw her true self, his worldview might collapse.
Even Mrs. Jiang sighed softly, covering her forehead. How did she give birth to this?
“By the way, Mom, where are my brothers?” Mrs. Jiang asked.
The old lady pointed. “Your eldest and Guocheng are over there riding horses. Your father and I can’t join, so we’re just sitting here.”
“I see. Then Yuanyuan, take Xiao Lin to change clothes and join them. I’ll ask the staff to prepare dinner and wait for Professor Li,” Mrs. Jiang said.
“Got it, Mom. We’ll go play first!” Miss Yuan Meng said cheerfully and dragged Lin Mo away.
Watching her skip off, Lin Mo could only sigh — one second she was pitiful, the next she was back to her true self.
As the two rode off, Yuan Meng’s Grandmother smiled. “Xiao Lin’s a fine boy — so handsome too! He and Yuanyuan look quite a match. Have you asked about him yet?”
Mrs. Jiang smiled faintly. “No need, Mom. They’re not dating. I already asked. But the boy’s good — nice background, decent looks, still in school.”
She had thought about investigating Lin Mo, but once she learned they weren’t actually together, she dropped it.
Elsewhere, Lin Mo and Miss Yuan Meng changed into riding clothes and chose their horses.
Though he hadn’t ridden in a while, Lin Mo showed no unfamiliarity; they rode side by side at an easy pace.
“Hey, don’t be mad. I didn’t have a choice, okay? Luckily you were there, or Mom would’ve skinned me alive today,” Yuan Meng said sheepishly.
Lin Mo shot her a glare. “So now you’re scared? You didn’t hesitate when you threw me under the bus!
All thanks to Wang Chu and Sichuan Girl — those two troublemakers! If they hadn’t been blinded by lust and fallen for your trap, I wouldn’t have been dragged into it. And then they just ran off!”
Just thinking about it made Lin Mo furious. Maybe he should really beat some sense into them.
“Come on, we’re friends! Bros help each other out, right? Don’t worry, I won’t treat you badly. If you ever need anything — money or whatever — just tell me! I’ll take care of it,” Yuan Meng said, thumping her nearly-flat chest with heroic flair.
She might have little in the front, but she was big on attitude.
“Actually,” Lin Mo said suddenly, “I do need your help.”
Rather than ask Liu Rushuang, he thought it’d be better to let Miss Yuan Meng handle his Longquan Ink Paste and Tongyan Hui Ink, maybe even sell them.
The market had plenty of “Longquan ink” and “Tongyan ink,” with prices ranging from a few dozen to tens of thousands. Most were fake, but he knew his items were genuine — top-quality, valuable pieces.
He needed someone wealthy and knowledgeable to get the best deal.
“Huh? You’re not borrowing money, are you? I’m broke lately. How about I sell my brother’s McLaren first?” Yuan Meng said instantly.
Lin Mo:
…And where did all that heroic talk go? Just lip service, huh?
If Yuan Hua knew she was planning to sell his beloved car, he’d probably cry.
“I have two items I’d like you to find someone to appraise and maybe sell,” Lin Mo explained patiently.
Her eyes sparkled immediately. “You got something again? Is it secret medicine? Or Angong Niuhuang Pills? Got any that can boost… development? I’ll pay anything!”
Clearly, Miss Yuan Meng longed for a figure like Liu Rushuang’s — taller, curvier, sexier.
After all, cuteness was no match for sexiness!
“No, just two pieces of clay,” Lin Mo said calmly.
“Your dad! What kind of insult is that!” Yuan Meng blurted.
Lin Mo:
…Great. Not only does she trap people, she mishears too. He patiently explained again.
“Longquan Ink Paste and Tongyan Hui Ink,” he said.
“Those are… expensive? Never heard of them. I only know the Longquan Sword and Li Xingyun,” Yuan Meng said, puzzled.
Her family might be rich, but she wasn’t familiar with antique or scholarly items — this was out of her range.
“Should be valuable. But to you, maybe not. I just need someone knowledgeable to appraise them. No point keeping them if they can be sold,” Lin Mo said.
“Appraisal’s easy! The person who checked your Angong Niuhuang Pills last time was found by my mom. I’ll ask her later,” Yuan Meng said proudly.
She might not have business contacts herself, but her family certainly did.
Just then, a man in his thirties rode up on a black horse and stopped in front of them.
“Yuanyuan’s back, I see! You know, if you like kids so much, just find a boyfriend and have your own.
By the way, this is…?” he asked with a smile.
Yuan Meng looked embarrassed. “Ah, bro, Qianqian’s asleep — my sister-in-law took her back. I was just out playing.
Oh right, this is my cousin from my uncle’s side, Jiang Feng. And this is my friend, Lin Mo.”
The two men exchanged a polite nod.
“Hello, Mr. Jiang. I’m Lin Mo,” Lin Mo greeted.
Internally, though, he was speechless — what kind of family was this?
A talented brother (Yuan Hua), a fierce cousin (Zhao Yu), now a suave Jiang Feng who looked straight out of a wuxia novel.
Add Liu Rushuang, and this was an all-star lineup.
Meanwhile, he was just… the extra.
“Hello! No need for formalities. Since you’re Yuanyuan’s friend, just call me Brother Jiang,” Jiang Feng said kindly, exuding a disciplined, military aura.
“Sure thing, Brother Jiang!” Lin Mo replied smoothly — when in doubt, go with the flow.
“So, what were you two talking about? You were all startled, Yuanyuan,” Jiang Feng asked curiously.
“Oh, he said he’s got something called Longquan Ink Paste and… uh…” Yuan Meng paused.
“Tongyan Hui Ink,” Lin Mo supplied.
“Right! That. He wants me to find someone to appraise and maybe sell it,” she said.
Jiang Feng blinked in surprise, then looked intrigued. “Really? Genuine items?”
“Should be. I’ll have to get them checked, but I’m confident,” Lin Mo replied.
“Why? You need those, bro?” Yuan Meng asked.
Jiang Feng chuckled and shook his head. “Not me — your dad. My uncle might.”
“My dad? What would he do with that stuff?” Yuan Meng asked, puzzled.
Jiang Feng: “To give as a gift, of course.”
Lin Mo: (⊙⊙)
What’s called a surprise?
What the hell is called a surprise?
What the f**k is called — a goddamn surprise?!