Chapter 111

The bird's nest was purchased by L&S Group for their high-end clients. Brooks had someone bring her two boxes, but she could only take one and planned to get another two for Aria later.

After distributing the bird's nest, Lily handed over two paintings and a few small antiques.

"See if you like any of these. If you do, keep them; if not, follow the usual practice."

...The usual practice.

Which meant processing them, converting them into money, and donating it.

Over the years, most of the things Lily got from the Jian family went to charity. Some of the rent from Changhuai Street was also donated.

Endangered species protection, environmental protection, education and healthcare, pet medical stations, hope primary schools… Aria's cousin had a charity foundation, and Lily was too lazy to handle it herself, so she gave everything to her cousin.

Her cousin lived in Yang City, so she had to go back every time. Since it didn't matter where these things went, Aria suggested:

"Big corporations have their own philanthropy departments, specializing in public welfare and charity projects. Jingxiu must have one too. Now that you're Edmond's wife, why bother going far? From now on, just talk to your husband about this."

"Talk to Edmond?"

Lily hadn't thought about this before.

"Yes."

The more Aria thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. "If you talk to Edmond, he'll know you're doing charity. He'll definitely think you're beautiful and kind-hearted."

Lily listened and agreed, "Alright."

After discussing this, Aria finally asked about the value of the items on the table.

"How could your father bear to part with so many valuable things?"

Lily took a bottle of mineral water from her office fridge and drank half of it.

"These were gifts to him, not bought with his own money. Why wouldn't he part with them?"

She hadn't planned on taking anything today.

She went to push for shares and casually talked about movie posters. The conversation drifted, and old Jian, with a stern look, accused her of being ungrateful despite his love for her.

When he asked her to list his 'crimes,' she obliged. Before she could finish, he stuffed a bead into her hand, claiming it was a priceless treasure.

She thought Franklin would like it. Without saying a word, old Jian gave her more things, all voluntarily. She didn't force him.

Hearing her talk about 'crimes,' Aria sighed. Discussing those things was also a kind of hurt for Lily.

---

Edmond had a social event in the evening, so Lily didn't go home for dinner. Aria still had some work and didn't hurry back either.

Lily invited her to a feast, but Aria was too lazy to go out. So Lily ordered takeout on her phone, a grilled fish dish.

While eating, Aria mentioned the photo.

"I showed the photo to my sister-in-law. She was very satisfied. She said we could use your account to post a behind-the-scenes photo on Weibo. I'll post it tomorrow. Be prepared for some backlash."

Lily was excited, "Can I argue back? I've been itching for a good online spat for years."

Aria: "..."

She had planned to give her the account once her followers reached a million, but now she needed to reconsider.

She feared waking up one day to headlines like: "Shocking! Famous photographer Lily argues with haters for three days straight, driving them to tears and hospitalization!"

Aria didn't know yet that Lily's words were practically enchanted.

"By the way," Aria mentioned, "the driver we interviewed today didn't work out. Do you have anyone suitable on your side?"

Lily finished the fish in her bowl and, after thinking for a moment, couldn't think of anyone suitable. Then she remembered the family group chat Franklin created.

"Send me a screenshot of your job post from your friend circle, and I'll ask in the family group."

She took out her phone and opened the group chat named "Loving Family."

The group had 496 members, had hit its limit once, and Franklin had to remind everyone not to add more people, which finally quieted it down.

After the last red packet incident, no one had spoken in the group, and the screen was filled with join requests.

Aria sent the screenshot, and Lily posted it in the group. Before she could pick up her chopsticks, her phone rang.

Lily picked up her phone and saw someone had replied in the group.

Night Owl Handsome: "Auntie, me, me, me! 23 years old, lively and cheerful with grand ambitions, handsome with top-notch looks, politically qualified with high morals, strong and healthy, eats well, works hard, resilient and durable, well-read with millions of fans."

Lily read it and told Aria, "Didn't find a driver, but found an assistant. You can cancel the assistant recruitment."

Aria: "Huh?"

Lily replied to Night Owl Handsome in the group: "Love your shamelessness. Add me and chat privately."

---

Edmond saw the group message when he was at the Pingxi Club next to his studio.

He had a dinner meeting tonight.

After the owner of "Win" decided to cash out and sell, Yao Chengren, a potential buyer, hired Jingxiu.

In the management meeting, the presence of Jingxiu's investment banking team silenced the room.

With Jingxiu backing the deal, the owner could retire peacefully, "Win's" executives could rest assured, and the shareholders were more satisfied.

There was no need for hints or tricks; "Win's" attitude clearly leaned towards Yao Chengren, just waiting for the formalities to be completed.

Yao Chengren hosted tonight's gathering not to celebrate prematurely but to thank Edmond for his help and to introduce him to some friends.

Edmond attended partly out of respect for Yao Chengren and partly to meet someone he was interested in.

After drinking rounds of toasts, Edmond took a break with some water and checked his phone, curious about Lily's dinner. He saw the group chat message.

He skimmed through the earlier messages and paused at Lily's.

"Love your shamelessness. Add me and chat privately."

Love? Chat privately? Edmond couldn't stand it. He messaged Lily immediately.

Edmond: "That 'Night Owl Handsome' won't do. Too young and shameless. Driving would be dangerous. I don't trust him as your driver. Don't add him. I'll ask Octavian to find one for you."

Before he could message Octavian, Lily replied.

Lily: "Too young and shameless, dangerous driving—exactly why he won't be my driver, but my assistant."

Edmond: "..."

---

After a few rounds of drinks, the conversation in the private room became lively, with topics ranging far and wide.

In the midst of the chatter, Edmond switched seats to sit beside a middle-aged man in his fifties.

"Mr. Wu."

He raised his glass in a toast. The man, Mr. Wu, was surprised and flattered by the gesture.

He was the least prestigious person in the room.

Born into a poor family, he barely made it through college with a scholarship and his parents' meager income.

After graduation, he joined a major company like L&S, with good salary and benefits. After nearly ten years, he saved some money and left to start his own business.

Entrepreneurship wasn't easy. He gritted his teeth and persevered. Everyone in this private room was wealthier and more distinguished, but he was the only one who made it on his own.

The past two years had been tough for the market, and he longed to collaborate with Edmond and latch onto Jingxiu, but had no chance.

So, he targeted Yao Chengren.

In the past two years, he had various collaborations with Yao Chengren, involving significant interests. Yao Chengren was easily swayed by genuine emotion.

Yao Chengren might be foolish, but he was lucky.

Yao An Group made its fortune in coal, with Yao's father being a wealthy coal tycoon.

Yao Chengren was the least accomplished son, known for indulgence in pleasures. Even his degree was bought, with no knowledge to back it. His only virtue was loyalty, making friends widely.

A typical spoiled son of a rich family.

But a fool's fortune is real. The internal strife in Yao's family left everyone else battered, and the least competent Yao Chengren reaped the benefits, inheriting enough wealth for generations.

His good fortune was sheer luck.

Even without abilities, his father found capable people to assist him, including the ace, Edmond.

Rumor had it that when Edmond joined Jingxiu, Yao's father helped him, though the specifics were unknown. But Edmond owed him a favor and had been helping Yao Chengren ever since.