Chapter 45: Chapter 45: Science Defeats Metaphysics

"Honk, honk, honk..."

Li Zhiyi covered her mouth, letting out a goofy, honking laugh.

"I guess your ex-wife doesn’t have the best taste, divorcing you."

"You can’t really say that. I had my own issues too."

’Regardless of who was right or wrong, it would be too petty to pin all the blame on one person.’

"Nobody’s perfect; everyone has flaws. But I think as long as you stay away from porn, gambling, and drugs, are good to your parents, and don’t commit domestic violence, other problems aren’t really problems."

"I’m sworn enemies with gambling and drugs. I’ll absolutely never touch them in my life."

Li Zhiyi looked at Lin Jiang slyly, a smile in her eyes. "And what about the ’porn’ part? Maybe just a light touch to see what it’s like?"

"More like a light rub."

Li Zhiyi’s face turned beet red. She had meant to tease him but ended up being teased herself.

"How long were you married? Do you have kids?"

’If there were no kids, it wouldn’t be a big deal, but if there were, things could get complicated.’

"Something went wrong on the wedding day, so kids were completely out of the question."

"Something went wrong on your wedding day?"

Lin Jiang didn’t hide anything and told Li Zhiyi what had happened.

"That’s outrageous! They demanded more money at the last minute?"

"Pretty cliché, isn’t it?" Lin Jiang said, picking up an oyster and eating it.

"Definitely. If they wanted a certain amount of money, they could have negotiated beforehand. Nobody demands more money *at* the wedding. I bet she just didn’t want to get married and was deliberately looking for trouble."

"It doesn’t matter anymore. I’m freer now."

"True. Here’s to a life of freedom."

"Cheers."

Since they had to drive, they toasted with their soft drinks instead of alcohol.

They finished eating after about an hour.

Full and satisfied, Lin Jiang drove his car along the wide street.

The dim yellow light of the streetlamps scattered into the car, alternating between light and shadow. The night felt exceptionally relaxed.

"Wu Guangming hasn’t bothered you since then, has he?" Lin Jiang asked casually, starting a new topic.

"Actually, no. I’ve been wondering for a long time why he suddenly stopped pestering me."

"It doesn’t matter whether you understand it or not, as long as he’s not bothering you anymore."

"That’s true."

Li Zhiyi glanced at Lin Jiang quietly and said in a low voice:

"I’m wearing stockings today too. Do you... still want them?"

"Huh?!"

"Didn’t you ask me to take them off last time? If you like them, I can take this pair off for you too."

"That’s... probably not a good idea."

"It’s fine. I have to wear them for work, and I have plenty more at home," Li Zhiyi said with a smile.

"If you like other styles, I can buy a few different pairs."

Lin Jiang rubbed his chin. "Well, if you put it that way, I’m suddenly not sleepy for the drive anymore."

Li Zhiyi gave him a meaningful smile.

"I knew it. You men are all into this kind of thing."

"You know too much."

"Hmph hmph."

Soon, Lin Jiang had driven Li Zhiyi back to her home. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"Wait for me a second before I get out."

"You can say I’m not handsome, but you can’t question my integrity. You do your thing, I absolutely will not peek."

As he spoke, Lin Jiang turned his head away, his expression as firm as if he were taking a solemn oath.

"Then you can’t turn back. Only turn around when I tell you to."

"You enchantress, do not corrupt my Dao heart! I must study the new thought, strive to be a model youth! Our country is not yet prosperous, how can I indulge in romance? May the sons and daughters of Huaxia break free from the shackles of love and become self-reliant and strong..."

PFFT—

Seeing Lin Jiang’s dead-serious expression, Li Zhiyi couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

Then she lifted her skirt and prepared to take off her stockings.

"Why’d you stop reciting?"

"I don’t have to say it out loud. Reciting it silently is more effective."

"Alright, but no peeking. You have to recite it properly in your head so your Dao heart doesn’t fall into chaos."

"Don’t worry. I have already stepped into the Emperor Realm. With a wave of my hand, I can pass judgment on all of history and suppress any dark uprising. A mere succubus like you can’t possibly disturb my Dao heart."

"That’s good, then."

Lin Jiang faced the car window. Using the principle of reflection, the scene in the passenger seat came into view.

He had a perfect view of Li Zhiyi taking off her stockings.

’What’s bound to happen will happen,’ Lin Jiang sighed to himself. ’In the end, metaphysics is no match for science. Sigh...’

"Okay, I’m done."

Li Zhiyi folded the stockings she had taken off and placed them in the storage compartment of the passenger-side door.

"I put them in the usual spot. As for how you use them, that’s none of my business."

"I’ll definitely keep them safe for you. When you need them again, I’ll return them all, not a single one missing."

"You said it."

"Yep."

"I’m off, bye-bye."

After escorting Li Zhiyi to the entrance of her apartment building, she went in by herself.

Li Zhiyi: "Brother Jiang, thanks for bringing me home."

Lin Jiang: [4-second voice message]

Li Zhiyi: "Let me know when you’re done with them. Stockings are a necessity for my job, so I have lots of them. *smirk*"

’This woman is messing with my Dao heart again.’

Lin Jiang: [13-second voice message]

Li Zhiyi: "Hmph hmph, hide them well."

Lin Jiang: [1-second voice message]

After exchanging a few more messages, Lin Jiang drove home. It was almost ten o’clock.

BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ—

His phone vibrated. It was a message from Zhang Guofu.

Zhang Guofu: "Boss, is it a good time to talk?"

Lin Jiang: "It is. What’s up?"

Just as he replied, his phone rang. Zhang Guofu was calling him.

"Boss, still up so late?" Zhang Guofu said with a chuckle.

"Just got back from dinner. If you have something to say, just say it," Lin Jiang said, getting straight to the point.

He had a gut feeling that a call from Zhang Guofu at this hour couldn’t be good news.

"Well, it’s nothing major. It’s just that business at the shop is so good, I’m having a little trouble keeping up by myself."

"I’ll adjust your work assignments tomorrow. If that’s not enough, I’ll hire another person specifically for packing takeout orders."

"Oh, there’s no need for that. Hiring someone would just be an extra expense. What a waste," Zhang Guofu said with another chuckle.

"Oh? What do you have in mind?"

"Ever since I started, business at the shop has been getting better day by day. So, could I get a little raise? I’m not asking for much, just an extra 2,000 yuan would be fine."

Lin Jiang smacked his lips. ’This son of a bitch. Don’t tell me he’s taking all the credit for the business boom?’

’Doesn’t he have any self-awareness?’

"I understand what you mean, but business has only just started picking up. We don’t know what the future holds. Let me think about it and I’ll get back to you."

"Okay, okay, great. You think it over. I won’t disturb your rest then."

"Mhm."

Lin Jiang hung up the phone. ’It’s one thing to not see the bigger picture, but to not even be aware of your own capabilities?’

’If you were really that skilled, would you even need to be out looking for a job?’

Lin Jiang fiddled with his phone. He felt that Zhang Guofu was the disloyal type. Even if he kept him on, he’d probably just up and leave one day.

’I’ll have to keep an eye out for a suitable replacement, just in case.’