Madam Lin had Jian Hang’s number, but she didn’t contact her. She was really embarrassed to come to Jian Hang today. She hesitated for a long time before deciding to come to her.

Xiao Fan hung up the phone and said, “Ms. Jian is not busy. I’ll take you there.”

Madam Lin smiled faintly and said, “Thank you for your help, Secretary Fan.”

“You’re welcome.” Xiao Fan put down her phone and took Madam Lin to Jian Hang’s office.

Xiao Fan couldn’t guess Madam Lin’s age. She was beautiful, had a well-maintained figure, and was noble and elegant down to her bones.

Jian Hang hung up the phone and said to Qin Moling, “Lin Xiao’s mother is here to see me.”

Qin Moling nodded, picked up the book he was reading before, stood up, and said, “You guys chat first.” 

He left Jian Hang’s office.

When Madam Lin saw Jian Hang, she was as easy-going and friendly as before.

She liked Jian Hang very much and had hoped that Jian Hang would become her daughter-in-law, but unfortunately, her son Lin Xiao was not up to the mark.

Jian Hang made coffee, “How is Lin Xiao?”

Madam Lin sighed, “It’s hard to describe him in a few words.”

Jian Hang smiled and said, “Give him another two years, and he’ll be more mature.”

“I don’t expect him to mature.” This was how Madam Lin truly felt.

Jian Hang brought the brewed coffee over and sat down across Madam Lin.

The weather was so hot these days, no one would want to go out unless it was something important. “Did Lin Xiao make you angry again?”

Madam Lin sighed again, “Ever since Yinlin got a new boss, I’ve seen Lin Xiao become listless. He doesn’t talk when he gets home, and all he does is play games. A few days ago, he even started smoking again.”

Madam Lin took a sip of her coffee. “Other people don’t know, but Jian Hang, you should know. When you were at Yinlin, he went to the company early every day. For the past two years, he was full of energy. On weekend nights, he would bury his head, writing a personal summary at home, deleting and rewriting, sometimes he could spend hours on just a hundred words. His father and I saw it all and felt that he was a normal person now.

“He’s incompetent, and we as parents know that. His father and I blame ourselves for not raising him well. To be honest, I still don’t know how to raise a child. I feel like a complete failure as a mother.”

Madam Lin kept looking at the coffee in her cup while she spoke. “I don’t ask him to become a great talent or a great person. I just ask him to become an adult.”

Madam Lin looked up at Jian Hang. “You’re the one he fears the most. He’s afraid of you in his heart. His father and I have discussed this and we plan to have him apply for a position in the Fourth Division without any connections. With his qualifications and his eloquence, he should be able to apply for a PR position… He should still be able to get it with his own merits.”

Madam Lin felt embarrassed herself and lowered her head to take another sip of coffee. “I don’t need you to take extra care of him, but I do ask you to keep an eye on him, even if it meant you’re keeping him under control.”

Jian Hang has already gotten used to managing Lin Xiao. She barely needed to say a word. A single glance from her would make Lin Xiao not utter another word. Managing him was effortless. 

However… “Lin Xiao likes working in investment banking. He might not be willing to work in the traditional fast-moving consumer goods industry, especially in a PR position.”

“That’s easy. We’ll just suspend his card and he’ll definitely go to where he should go.”

Jian Hang had no right to judge, and she didn’t like to preach.

“Of course, if he really doesn’t want to, then there’s nothing we can do as parents. I can’t just tie him up and bring him here in a bag. I’ll go back and talk to him about it.” Madam Lin finished her coffee. “I won’t disturb your lunch break. I’m really sorry to bother you again and again.”

Jian Hang stood up to see them off. “Madam Lin, please don’t say that. At Yinlin, Lin Xiao brought resources and projects with him. He doesn’t owe anyone anything. With him around, the atmosphere in our team was always incredibly good.  Being able to bring in resources is part of someone’s strength, and being able to liven up the atmosphere is also a form of ability.”

Madam Lin has always liked Jian Hang’s transparency and generosity, and what she said made her feel better.

She and Jian Hang walked out side by side. “I asked you to call me ‘Aunt’, but you are still so polite and insist on calling me Madam Lin.”

Jian Hang laughed, “I can’t call you that, you’re still so young. Calling you ‘sister’ is more appropriate.”

Madam Lin said agreeably, “Then call me Older Sister, and let Lin Xiao call you Aunt. And let his Uncle-in-Law take care of him in the future.”

Jian Hang: “…”

Of all the people she knew, the only one she never knew how to respond to was Madam Lin—she always made people not know whether to laugh or cry.

… … translated by Maela @ whitemoonlighttranslations.com

After seeing Madam Lin off, Jian Hang returned to her office.

When she reached the office door, she paused and looked at the person on the sofa, “You… didn’t leave?”

Qin Moling replied, “No, I was in the reception room next door.”

Hearing their voices at the door and knowing that Madam Lin had said goodbye, he came over again.

“Madam Lin wants to stuff Lin Xiao in the Fourth Division again?”

“Let Lin Xiao apply for the job himself. Liao Yongmei is in charge of the personnel of the Fourth Division. She has the final say on whether he is suitable or not.” She didn’t ask about people who were not in important positions.

Jian Hang objectively evaluated Lin Xiao, “When he went to Yinlin, his education and ability were not enough, and his parents needed to use their connections to get him in. But if he’s applying to Lemeng’s Marketing Department, his education and ability are sufficient.”

Qin Moling was not interested in Lin Xiao’s affairs. “Do you still want to play games?” he asked.

Jian Hang looked at her watch. There wasn’t much time, but it was just barely enough for one round.

But then Qin Moling closed his book and changed his mind, “Don’t game anymore. Get some sleep.”

He took a pillow and placed it next to his legs, “Sleep on the sofa.”

Jian Hang rested her head on his legs, and Qin Moling put the pillow under her neck so that her neck was not hanging in the air; it  was a very comfortable position for sleeping.

She touched his knee with one hand, and his hand naturally rested on her shoulder.

Qin Moling leaned against the sofa and closed his eyes, accompanying her for a nap.

After dozing for a few minutes, he suddenly opened his eyes and said, “I’ll take off your watch.”

Jian Hang: “Hmm?”

She didn’t understand what he meant at first.

Qin Moling explained, “Wearing a watch to sleep makes your hands tired.”

Jian Hang was used to wearing it and didn’t mind it, but she still gave him her hand.

Qin Moling took it off gently and said, “Go to sleep.”

Jian Hang closed her eyes, emptied her mind, and fell asleep quickly.

Qin Moling didn’t sleep. He put one hand on her shoulder and held her watch with the other. He flattened the watch on the armrest of the sofa and used his mobile phone to record the watch. He recorded it very slowly, magnifying every detail, then sent the recording to Secretary Gao.

In order not to disturb Jian Hang’s sleep, he turned his phone to silent mode.

Qin Moling sent a message to Secretary Gao: [Find a watch with a similar dial and strap. Also, have a professional check the exact length of her bracelet.]

Secretary Gao asked: [Should I look for individual ladies’ watches or couple’s watches?]

Qin Moling: [Couple’s watches.]

Marriage First, Love Later translated by Maela @ whitemoonlighttranslations.com

---

If you’re enjoying my translations, do consider buying me ko-fi and get access to advance chapters as reward. Thank you for your support! ☺️
Chapter 55.2 — Unknown
Chapter 55.3 — Unknown