<h4>Chapter 423: 273 Digging a Hole to Assist, Jiang Family Brothers Join the Battle Together</h4>


    Shen Zhixian had searched online all night. In Beijing, where every inch ofnd is worth its weight in gold, finding a temporary apartment involved considerations of location, price, and security, not to mention whether the surroundings were secluded.


    By 3 a.m., she had narrowed it down to two ces. After work, she went to see the apartments but was dissatisfied with both. To make matters worse, she was caught in the rush hour traffic which dyed her from picking up her child.


    When she hurriedly arrived at the kindergarten, the gate was already locked. Just as she was about to call the teacher, her phone vibrated.


    The caller ID disyed: "Jiang Jinsang."


    "Hello, Fifth Master?"


    "Sister-inw speaks to me with such formality," Jiang Jinsang’s voice always carried a hint ofughter, seemingly approachable, but actually difficult to get along with.


    "Did you pick up Taotao?"


    "We’re in the restaurant across from the kindergarten."


    Shen Zhixian turned her head to scan the street and saw Jiang Jinsang sitting by the window, clearly visible. She hurried inside where there were children’s entertainment facilities, and Jiangjiang and Taotao were ying in a ball pit, energetically waving at her as she entered.


    "Thank you." Shen Zhixian sat opposite Jinsang, noticing the unfinished ice cream and fries on the table.


    "Don’t mention it, I ordered a cup of ck tea for you."


    Shen Zhixian, who had rushed over, was still breathing slightly heavily. She thanked him and took a sip of the hot tea, feeling herself slowly calming down.


    "About work..."


    Before he could finish, Shen Zhixian’s phone rang again. "Sorry—" she answered. It was from a real estate agent, "Miss Shen, today’s house in Eastern Garden is a bit old, but thendlord says he can lower the price. I have a few other properties, if you have time, I can show you around."


    "I’ll think about it."


    "There’s one house, very affordable, good lighting, very quiet, and most importantly, excellent security and very secluded..." the agent insisted.


    "Where is it located?"


    "It’s near North Sichuan, a bit far."


    "North Sichuan?" Shen Zhixian frowned. That was indeed far, "I have another matter to attend to, let’s talk moreter." It would be impolite to leave Jiang Jinsang hanging.


    "No worries, my phone is on 24/7, contact me anytime you need," the agent said eagerly, almost overwhelming her.


    After ending the call, Jiang Jinsang asked quietly, "Didn’t you just move out? Looking for a new ce?"


    "I’m looking for somewhere quieter and more secluded; it’s a bit noisy there," Shen Zhixian didn’t reveal the main reason.


    "Why don’t you ask my brother for help?"


    "I can manage on my own." The Jiang Company was not very stable recently, and Jiang Yanting was busy. Shen Zhixian, ustomed to independence, didn’t want to bother him.


    "Just seeking quietness? Any other requirements? I’m often home due to illness, I might not have as many contacts in Beijing as my brother, but finding you a house shouldn’t be a problem."


    "This..."


    "But I can’t promise I’ll be of help."


    Shen Zhixian didn’t like to trouble others, but with someone tracking her, it was like a ticking time bomb; she couldn’t put her daughter at risk, "Then I appreciate your help."


    "You’re too polite," Jiang Jinsang said with a smile, taking a sip of his tea, a glint shing in his eyes.


    ...


    To her surprise, Jiang Jinsang acted quickly and sent her an address and some photos that very night.


    The Qihu Mountain Vi in Hexi, with its location and security, was impable.


    "Fifth Master, it’s just Taotao and me, this vi..."


    "The house belongs to a brother of mine who used to live abroad, and it’s been lying idle. Don’t worry about the price. If you like it, I can arrange for someone to show you around tomorrow."


    "The house is too big."


    "I saw you were in a rush to find a ce, Beijing has passed the return-to-work wave, and good ces are rented out fast. It’s not easy to find something satisfactory. You can move in for now, and take your time finding something better. Plus, the house is fully equipped; you and Taotao only need to bring a couple of clothes."


    ...


    Shen Zhixian, indeed very anxious, agreed.


    Jiang Jinsang ended the call and raised his eyebrows at the person across, "Brother, all set."


    "Hm," Jiang Yanting’s expression was unchanged, his tone cold, showing no delight.


    "Why don’t you go talk to her directly instead of having me do it? Afraid she won’t ept?" Jiang Jinsang chuckled, "Brother, what really happened between you and sister-inw back then?"


    He had been curious for a long time.


    Jiang Yanting lifted his eyelid slightly to nce at him, "It’s time for your medication."


    **


    The next day, Shen Zhixian went to see the house. The vi wasrge, and it was evident from the decor that it had been a while, yet there wasn’t a single sign of it being lived in. Everything still looked brand-new, making it even harder for her to settle infortably.


    Jiang Jinsang directly said, "This ce has been decorated a long time ago, once my brotheres back, he might renovate everything. Even if things are new, they might be outdated, and we’ll probably throw most of it away. Feel free to use the kitchen and don’t worry."


    "All going to be thrown away?"


    Shen Zhixian was astonished. Indeed, such is the world of the wealthy.


    However, she really couldn’t find a better ce to stay for the time being, so she paid three months’ rent and settled in.


    Everything inside was ready and avable, which made it easy to move in. Taotao was quite happy with this new house, a small western-style building with a garden in front.


    "Don’t tell Grandpa or Uncle about our move," Shen Zhixian warned her.


    "Okay." Taotao was also smart. Since they moved out from the Xie Family, some of the servants there had been talking behind their backs, using them of ingratitude. She was aware of it but hadn’t asked for details. "Can I invite Brother, Uncle Five, and Uncle Xiaosi over to y?"


    "Of course."


    "Then I’ll call them right now."


    While Shen Zhixian was busy making the bed, Taotao took her phone and started calling.


    At that moment at the Jiang Family, everyone was getting ready to sit down for a meal. First, Jiangjiang’s phone rang. He coughed once and pretended to be a big brother, "Hello—visit you at your new ce? Where is it... That far? I don’t really feel like going..."


    "Are you really noting?" Taotao frowned.


    "But since you went out of your way to invite me, I guess I’ll make the effort toe."


    The Jiang Family: "..."


    Could you be any more tsundere?


    After hanging up, Jiangjiang looked eagerly at Jiang Yanting, "Dad, Taotao invited me to her new ce to y?"


    "Zhixian moved?" The grandmother smiled.


    "She had reporters staking out her previous ce, it wasn’t safe," Jiang Yanting exined.


    "Oh, I see..."


    Then, Jiang Jinsang and Jiang Chengsi also received an invitation. From lunchtime to dinner and even till bed, Jiang Yanting hadn’t received a call from his daughter.


    Before sleeping, Jiangjiang knocked on the door and, with two sets of clothes in his arms, dumped them all on the bed: "Dad, which outfit should I wear tomorrow?"


    "Is ck too dark? This yellow one seems a bit loud..." Jiangjiang was very excited.


    "Whatever." Jiang Yanting was expressionless.


    "Dad, did Taotao invite you?"


    "..."


    "Is their ce close to Uncle Huo’s? I’m even thinking of visiting Uncle Huo." Jiangjiang babbled, "Should I bring a gift when I go? What would be good to bring?"


    "What pants and shoes should I wear with this yellow shirt? What hairstyle would go well with it?"


    Jiang Yanting frowned, "You need to go to sleep!"


    "It’s the weekend tomorrow, I’m not sleepy!"


    "Then I’ll tell you a story."


    "..."


    Hugging the clothes, Jiangjiang shuffled back to his room in his slippers.


    **


    The next day was the weekend, and another invitation for the Jiang Family to visit was extended. Shen Zhixian went out with Taotao to shop for groceries and some daily necessities.


    "Do you like this towel?" Shen Zhixian always asked her daughter’s preferences.


    "I like it."


    "Pick whatever color you like."


    Before Shen Zhixian finished speaking, Taotao was already grabbing towels while speaking, "One for mom, one for me, one for brother... one for uncle."


    "Uncle?"


    "Weren’t our household items always in sets of four? Aren’t we buying for uncle this time?" Taotao looked at her innocently. "Aren’t you and uncle dating?"


    "I..." Shen Zhixian was at a loss for words.


    "Well, this color doesn’t seem right for uncle, let’s take this one instead." Taotao, like a little adult, "Mom, why haven’t I seen uncle recently?"


    "What? Do you miss him? Then why didn’t you invite him? Call him?" Taotao and Jiang Yanting had never been very close; she preferred Jiang Jinsang and Jiang Chengsi instead. Her sudden question caught Shen Zhixian off guard.


    Taotao pursed her lips, her eyes wandering, "I just wanted to ask, did you two have a fight? If you want to find me a new stepfather, you should tell me in advance so I can prepare."


    Shen Zhixian suddenly thought of Jiangjiang; the siblings were alike in their stubbornness when it came to matters of the heart.