Having an investor was a good thing, but the specifics of the plan still needed to be discussed in detail. Of course, even though this was all for next year, they could start planning ahead.

Du Liya wasn’t going to concern herself with the details. She would only be responsible for providing the funds, collecting year-end dividends, and getting to eat whatever she wanted at the restaurant!

Su Yun grinned. "Alright, Boss Du!"

Du Liya chuckled, her gaze sweeping the room before landing on Qin Jiao. She let out a drunken hiccup and said, "Xiao Jiao, how old are you now?"

Du Liya was a little drunk, and she only felt comfortable enough to ask such a question because she had gotten familiar with the Qin family.

Qin Jiao smiled and said, "I’ll be nineteen after the New Year."

"My, nineteen, how time flies. Oh, by the way, are you seeing anyone?" 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Qin Jiao froze. The rest of the Qin family was also a bit baffled, not expecting Du Liya’s line of questioning to take such a sudden turn. Beside her, Mr. Du coughed loudly twice, but Du Liya just looked over curiously. "Dad, did you have something too salty? Should I pour you some water?"

Mr. Du was speechless.

’Great, my daughter is well and truly drunk.’

Shen Yi was the only one whose expression didn’t change, but his fingers curled slightly, his fingertips brushing against the sweat in his palm.

Qin Jiao gave a faint smile. "Auntie, I’m not seeing anyone right now. Besides, I’m not really thinking about that. For me, studying hard and getting into university is the most important thing."

"Yes, you’re right! Focusing on your studies and improving every day is what’s most important right now!"

The topic was dropped, but Du Liya’s sudden question inevitably made people read into it.

Qin Jiao’s gaze slid imperceptibly over to Shen Yi before she looked away again, grabbing a handful of sunflower seeds from the platter and starting to crack them open.

’Her past life came to mind.’

’In her past life, even after she had married Shen Yi, Du Liya had never truly approved of her. She thought Qin Jiao came from a poor background, was unsophisticated, and things of that nature.’

’So, was history repeating itself this life? Du Liya was being tactful, probably for the sake of the good relationship between their families, but this was her subtle way of warning Qin Jiao not to get any ideas about her son, Shen Yi.’

’Qin Jiao desperately wanted to tell Du Liya that she was seriously overthinking things. In this lifetime, no matter who she married, it wouldn’t be Shen Yi.’

’Right now, they were classmates and neighbors, and that was as close as they were ever going to get.’

Meanwhile, Shen Yi apologized to everyone and helped his mom back to their apartment next door to rest. Leaning on her son, Du Liya said softly, "From what I can see, that girl has no interest in dating for now, so you should reel in your feelings a bit. I’ve heard your grades aren’t as good as hers. Don’t let her get into a good university while you fail to."

Shen Yi froze.

Du Liya chuckled. It wasn’t often she got to see such a dumbfounded look on her precocious son’s face. "What?" she said. "You think I couldn’t tell? You were so obvious—rushing back in such a hurry and even buying her all those things. Did you really think I wouldn’t figure out your little crush?"

After all, her son had already told her that he had a crush on someone.

Besides, Du Liya had neglected her son in his younger years and was now determined to properly fulfill her duties as a mother. As soon as she started paying more attention to him, she immediately discovered his little secret.

It wasn’t that hard to figure out. Her son didn’t have many friends to begin with, and even fewer who were girls.

’Who else could it be but that Qin Jiao girl!’

Shen Yi was shocked that his mother had seen through him, but he admitted it openly. "Mom, what do you think of her?"

Du Liya sighed. "Son, I’m not trying to put you down, but when you compare yourself to her, the only thing you have going for you is that our family has more money. In every other respect, you really aren’t good enough for her."