Xiao Zhao, who was following behind Lao Cheng, immediately popped her head out. Her young and fair face was gentle and lovely. "Brother Heping, be considerate. We'll split it in half later."
Gu Heping chuckled and said to Lao Cheng, "Your daughter is getting smarter and smarter."
Old Cheng replied, "Your teaching is excellent, thank you for your consideration."
Xiao Zhao was eight or nine years younger than Lao Cheng and had been with him for three or four years. A daughter of a scholarly family, she was fortunate to have enlightened parents. They knew what kind of person Lao Cheng was and had repeatedly urged Xiao Zhao to bring him home for dinner. Xiao Zhao herself was unwilling, making excuses and saying it would depend on his behavior.
What a mess! Forget laughing in exasperation, Old Cheng could literally cry from anger. But all these years later, Xiao Zhao remains as simple and pure as ever, always following him around. Zhou Qishen once described Xiao Zhao in four words: "wise in appearance but foolish in reality." It's Old Cheng's good fortune.
"By the way, isn't your secretary here?" Old Cheng asked.
"He stayed there to handle things."
“That’s strange,” Old Cheng said. “When I parked my car, I saw Xu Jin’s black Audi parked at the entrance as well.”
Zhou Qishen squinted, his thin single eyelids lifting slightly, and instantly understood what had happened. His heart pounded, unsure whether it was disappointment or anger, but a tightness in his chest. He said, "Xiao west stopped it."
After learning the whole story, no one said a word.
Zhou Qishen sat half-upright, his head tilted back against the cold wall, a hint of dejection noticeable in his eyes.
Old Cheng sighed softly and asked, "What are your plans?"
This was a tactful way of putting it, leaving room for the other person to maneuver. Xiao Zhao chuckled beside her and translated directly: "Brother Zhou, are you still planning to pursue Sister Xiyin?"
Old Cheng clicked his tongue and gently pinched her waist, saying, "You're so immature."
Xiao Zhao stuck out his tongue and hid behind Lao Cheng.
Zhou Qishen sat up, crossed his legs, and rested his hands on the handrail. His white trousers, stained with blood, remained crisp and straight, and the veins on the back of his hands, where needles were inserted, were clearly visible. No matter when or where, his tough and resolute demeanor was always so vivid.
After a moment of silence, he said, "I'm sorry to her."
Xiao Zhao pouted, feeling a pang of sadness in her heart. Old Cheng had brought him something, which he'd left in the car, so he and Xiao Zhao went to retrieve it together. As they walked out hand in hand, Gu Heping asked with a smile, "Is it sour?"
Zhou Qishen's lips curved slightly as he turned his head away and closed his eyes.
"Oh, right," Gu Heping said, "wasn't your ex-father-in-law a teacher at C University?"
Zhou Qishen quickly opened his eyes again.
“C University is evaluating faculty members for promotions. My cousin is handling these matters. He said your former father-in-law is in some trouble.”
——
Zhao Xiyin stayed at home with Zhao Wenchun for two days, and her gallstone symptoms subsided quickly. Zhao Wenchun kept urging her to go and help out at Li Ran's studio.
"She doesn't even have a regular work schedule, it's really no problem."
"Xiao Li pays your salary, so he's your boss. You have to follow the rules and work hard."
Zhao Xiyin chuckled, “It should be recorded. Li Ran loves to hear people call her boss.”
Zhao Wenchun couldn't handle his daughter; she was always joking around and never did anything proper, and from a young age she was like a wild, unruly kite.
"Dad, how's your professional title evaluation going? I haven't heard you mention it lately," Zhao Xiyin asked as soon as she remembered.
"Ah, it's going through procedures, it won't be that quick." Zhao Wenchun said briefly, then checked the time. "I have something to do this afternoon, I'll be going out for a bit."
Zhao Xiyin was worried. "You've only been well for a short time. What are you going out for? I'll take care of it for you."
Despite much persuasion, Zhao Wenchun refused, insisting that the person in question must be present. She also wouldn't let Zhao Xiyin see her off when she left, as Zhao Xiyin wouldn't allow it. Eventually, she slipped away while Zhao Xiyin was in the restroom.
When Zhao Xiyin came out, she couldn't find anyone. She thought to herself, "Teacher Zhao is really stubborn in a unique way." Just then, Li Ran called. This night owl probably had just woken up too, and asked her to have dinner together.
As dusk falls, the high-rise buildings are bathed in orange hues, the summer heat dissipates, and the dust settles, creating the most peaceful moment at the cusp of dawn and dusk.
After finishing their steak, the two girls strolled around the mall. The elevators were too slow to reach, so they decided to take the escalator instead. The entire floor was lined with restaurants, offering both Western and Chinese cuisine. Zhao Xiyin looked down at her phone replying to a message, while Li Ran chattered away, arm in arm with her.
Zhao Xiyin responded with a smile, her eyes fixed on her phone screen.
Li Ran's pace suddenly slowed down, and Zhao Xiyin, being pulled along, couldn't move either.
"What's wrong?"
Li Ran tugged at her sleeve and pointed to the left, "Xiao west, that's Uncle Zhao."
In a seafood restaurant, the private rooms by the window were separated by a whole glass wall, allowing a clear view inside. There were seven or eight people at the table, with leftover food and scraps. The meal was nearing its end. Zhao Wenchun was standing, sitting near the door, holding a wine glass and smiling apologetically.
Wearing a striped shirt and linen trousers, Zhao Wenchun's refined and unassuming demeanor stood out from the others. Decades of frugality had ingrained in him; he didn't care for fashionable clothes, as long as they were clean and tidy. Zhao Xiyin had bought him many clothes, but he hadn't worn any of them.
Zhao Xiyin remembered the person she was toasting; he was a vice director at their school.
Zhao Wenchun was clearly not comfortable in this situation; his expression was unnatural, and his movements were stiff. He had drunk a lot, and his eyes had lost their usual sparkle. The director, whether out of sympathy or on purpose, put on airs and acted arrogantly in front of so many people, puffing on a cigarette and acting like he was in charge. The people at the table laughed at Zhao Wenchun, who wiped his forehead with the back of his hand and just stood there, stubbornly holding on.
Separated by only a wall, there's not even a question of class or power; it's just petty people putting on airs and bullying honest people.
Zhao Xiyin stood there, her gaze fixed straight and bright on Zhao Wenchun.
Perhaps it was the connection between blood relatives, or perhaps it was the burning gaze that made Zhao Wenchun subconsciously raise his head. He was shocked, flustered, and even felt a slight urge to escape.
Zhao Xiyin stood there like a piece of wood until the dinner party ended.
When Zhao Wenchun came out, he staggered and slightly clutched his abdomen. No one came up to show concern. He was just an insignificant presence, someone to be summoned at will for amusement.
Zhao Xiyin suddenly took a step, and Li Ran couldn't stop her. She thought to herself, "It's all over."
But she simply walked up to Zhao Wenchun and calmly said, "Go home."