Cao Jing's life was simple to the point of being dull, apart from books and tea, it was just helping Chen Ergou with three meals a day, raising some small fish, tending to flowers and plants, having no ambition, no goals, with an attitude of having no desires or demands.

  After becoming Fang Jie's confidant and Chen Yuanshu's "sworn brother", Chen Ergou also had some understanding of the upper-class circle in Nanjing, knowing that many rich women's lives were spent playing mahjong, shopping, and doing yoga. Those with a sense of style collected jade stones and antiques. Chen Ergou certainly didn't want his wife to become this kind of woman, but he also felt that being like Cao Qiangying, who stayed at home all day and ignored worldly affairs like a hermit, wasn't the way to go either. He suggested letting her take a leisurely vacation at the purple gold mountain villa given by Fang Jie, but Cao Qiangying refused, saying she wanted to accompany him on a tour of nearby scenic spots in Nanjing. She didn't agree, and it seemed like she had made up her mind to only stay at home and raise their children. Chen Ergou didn't dare say anything, as Cao Qiangying was both the emperor of the spiritual world and not a dwarf in real life. He didn't want to point fingers at her life, so he let Cao Qiangying do as she pleased, with an attitude that seemed carefree and indulgent to outsiders.

  Chen Ergou's life was originally very regular, so after merging with Cao Jingjian's dull life, there was no friction or conflict. He still woke up at 5:30 every morning, ran for 45 minutes to an hour along the Ming City Wall, or drove to Zhongshan Golf Course to play golf with Old Man Wei. After eating breakfast, he would take a stack of daily materials prepared by Cao Jingjian and head out to accompany Fang Jie to Qinghe Industry. Although his position as Deputy Director of Human Resources was a virtual one, Chen Ergou had always been good at learning from others. Due to his mysterious background and the fact that he treated people with more sincerity than the old senior executives of Qinghe Industry, the group's internal staff had a good impression of this "prince-like" figure. Some mid-level cadres were also happy to offer him guidance, thinking they were investing in someone who would lead Qinghe Industry to glory. Chen Ergou's smile may not have been 100% genuine, but he was still a product of the lowest rungs of society who had climbed up step by step. He naturally treated cleaning staff and security guards with more kindness than some superiors who put on fake smiles. So when Fang Jie occasionally heard that this Deputy Director of Human Resources was smoking and chatting with the security guards, she couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time.

  In the afternoons, Chen Ergou usually hangs out in the circles left behind by Wei Duan Gong. In China, doing business is all about building relationships and connections. The temporary masters of those circles, regardless of whether they are sincere or not, have at least seen Chen Ergou's clear attitude. The wind direction has pointed to the explosive Dog Fighting Arena and the stubborn Yan Sha Entertainment City. As long as Chen Ergou takes down these two places, the rest of the personnel and circles will definitely follow suit. At that time, he can be said to have solidified his position as Wei Gong Gong's successor. No matter how he socializes, Chen Ergou always guarantees that he returns home for dinner on time, not a minute late, at 5:30 sharp. During dinner, Cao Jingjian checks the results of Chen Ergou's daily activities. Under Cao Jingjian's supervision, Chen Ergou starts to develop the habit of writing a diary every day. The style and content are unlimited, it can be book excerpts, thoughts, or even poems. She has made it clear that she wants to transform Chen Ergou's rustic aura into cultural depth.

  Chen Ergou returned to his small nest from the Yan Sha Entertainment City, and Cao Jing gave him a bowl of lotus seed porridge. She leaned against the wall and looked at Chen Ergou, who was savoring the porridge, and said: "Although our mother is a true Northeasterner, I dare say that your grandfather or even further back in your ancestry must be from either Hunan or Hubei."

  "Why?" Chen Ergou wondered.

  "They are all good places, and their characters are also distinct. Among the 10 great generals of China's founding, 6 came from Hunan. As for Hubei, have you heard of this saying: 'Nine-headed birds in heaven, Hubei men on earth'? It's a bit complicated to explain specifically, but roughly it means that poor mountains and evil waters produce talented people, with praise outweighing blame. When people are poor, they think about changing their circumstances, and it's easier for them to achieve results. People are all forced by circumstances." Cao Jing said with a smile.

  "So that's why you didn't let me live in the villa on the other side of Zijin Mountain? And you suggested I buy an Audi A4, is it because you're afraid I'll lose my motivation?" Chen Ergou laughed.

  "Half of it, as for the other half, you figure it out yourself." Cao Jingjian watched Chen Ergou finish his lotus seed porridge, put away his bowl and chopsticks, and said: "A full and overflowing life is easy to stagnate in, this kind of fullness is not just about eating, my policy is to keep you eight-tenths full. A man should have some fighting spirit, otherwise he's just a walking corpse. And there's another benefit, it saves you from having a beer belly before you're 40 and becoming a weird old uncle."

  "I doubt it, my physique is the result of being blown by the wind and sun, and being tossed around like a smoke bomb. It's not that easy to get this way." Chen Erdog made a flexing gesture with his arm, although muscles were nowhere to be seen. To be honest, Chen Erdog's figure was well-proportioned, not as robust as Chen Fugui's, but definitely not something that could be achieved by the average man or woman in a gym.

  Chen Ergou leaned against the chair, feeling fulfilled and joyful. He had been forced by life to be practical, find a wife, make friends, and plan every step carefully, never willing to take a wrong turn. He considered marrying Cao Qianqian as his greatest achievement in this life, because she was destined to be a woman who could help him grow constantly. Chen Ergou didn't care about her family's power or wealth; what he needed was something non-materialistic - a partner who could make him strong enough to withstand any harm. Chen Ergou loved raising dogs, but apart from White Bear and Black Leopard, he had never raised other animals, because in the mountains, if you wanted to hunt large game like wild boars, it was normal for one or two hunting dogs to die. Chen Ergou didn't like goodbyes, and the death of White Bear had already torn his heart apart, so he refused to raise those inferior guard dogs that were far weaker than White Bear and Black Leopard. It was the same with people - he would rather befriend fugitives than waste time on people who aimlessly wandered in society like headless flies. The two men who took care of dogs for Old Man Wei in the Shan Shui Hua Men villa were examples; they were content with their small wealth and spent it all on women's bodies. Chen Ergou didn't despise or mock these people, but he was unwilling to enter their world, just as they couldn't get close to him either. This might be what they meant by "different paths, different destinations". Therefore, even if Wang Hu had nothing but a bag of urea on his back, he could still walk shoulder-to-shoulder with Chen Ergou, while those who were wealthy and well-off couldn't sail the same boat as Chen Ergou.

  "On the side of Yansha Entertainment City, you have too few chips in your hand. Shi Qingfeng can use decentralization to exchange for the support of Song Dynasty **** and other old men. However, Cheng Yuanfang, the big boss of Kuiyuan, will not fall for this trick. I've investigated Yansha's background, and it seems that Wei Gonggong has had no chance to intervene in the past two years. During this time, a rumor spread about a drama similar to 'Infernal Affairs', where Wei Duan Gong was slapped by Cheng Yuanfang."

  Cao Jing said while washing dishes: "I'm not familiar with the operation and profit mechanism of entertainment venues, but since you want to take over someone else's venue, there must be a fierce battle to fight. Cheng Yuanfang is not Xia He, it's impossible for you to solve it with unclean methods. If it were that easy, China would be in chaos. Especially in coastal provinces, no matter how black-hearted, there must be a limit. I suggest you think more about Qian Zixiang and Chen Yuanshu, go through administrative channels, maybe there will be a four-two effect. If all else fails, give the hot potato of Pudong International Investment to Cheng Yuanfang, her husband is the emperor of Hong Kong's Xiangjiang Venture Capital, anyway, you can't digest this piece of meat in a short time."

  "It's such a pity." Chen Ergou sighed.

  "One can't put wolf skin on a child."

  Cao Jing took off her gloves and put the bowls and chopsticks in the cabinet, turning around with a profound meaning: "Er Gou, you can't always hope to get something for nothing."

  Chen Erdou neither confirmed nor denied it, and changed the subject with a wry smile: "I just don't have any spare money on hand, otherwise I'd invest in the venture capital board according to that investment plan you asked me to come up with, which would yield at least 260%+ returns. Now I finally understand why China has produced so many reckless capitalists over the past decade - it's really too tempting. If only I were born seven or eight years earlier, I would have met you sooner and made a fortune."

  "If you had met me earlier, who knows, you might still be in school pining for someone." Cao Jing teased.

  Just as he was about to get up and flirt with his wife who had just finished washing the bowls and chopsticks, she gave him a stern look. Chen Ergou, feeling guilty, could only hold back and smile wryly, thinking that no matter what, he would still be able to get his way tonight.

  Later, Chen Erdou was going to 1912 to connect with several old hands of Wei Duan Gong. It's nothing more than drinking and chatting about big mountains. Originally, after getting drunk and full, they should go to a private club to play with high mountains and flowing water or flying together. This is another version of "carrying guns" together. Unfortunately, Chen Erdou didn't dare to return to Cao Jingjian's side with a charming appearance. Moreover, with the beautiful wife Cao Jingjian, ordinary women can't seduce Chen Erdou.

  Cao Jingrui and Chen Ergou drove away from the residential area in that unremarkable Audi, which was nothing special in Nanjing. Only then did he return to the living room from the balcony, quiet, brewing a pot of tea, muttering: "I don't want you to be a philosopher, a man of letters, or a politician. Your grandfather spent over twenty years raising you with great effort and resentment. I must use the majesty of Nanjing to nourish your yin energy."