A few people quickly bought their groceries and returned home. After putting the groceries into the refrigerator and tidying up the house, they went to bed.
The next morning, a lively commotion suddenly erupted from the courtyard.
Chen Lishu groggily opened her eyes and asked with a confused expression, "What's going on? Is something happening outside?"
Gu Xingdong got up, pulled Chen Lishu into his embrace, and listened to the noise outside. After a moment of thought, he said, "That shouldn't be the case. I left quite a few bodyguards at the courtyard. If anything happened, Su Nian and the others would have notified us immediately."
If there weren't two troublesome people at home, Chen Lishu might not have been so worried. The crucial thing was that there were still two unwelcome strangers with ill intentions in the house!
So she propped herself up, pushed Gu Xingdong, and said, "Get my clothes. I need to go take a look."
----
Meanwhile, outside the house, the scene had become so chaotic because Mother He and the others had returned.
Seeing that the people welcoming them were unfamiliar faces, Mother He's brows furrowed. She then asked cautiously, "Who are you? Why are you in my house?"
Li Xiuli sized up the elegant lady in front of her. She was exactly like the photo in the newspaper! This person was the mother of the CEO of He's Group. Da Feng Novel Network.
With this thought, a fawning smile appeared on Li Xiuli's face. She then stepped forward to Mother He, greeting her enthusiastically, "You must be Mrs. He? You look so young. We are Chen Lishu's sister and grandaunt. We didn't expect you to return so early today. Was the journey very long? Are you tired? I've already prepared food!"
Upon hearing that Li Xiuli was Chen Lishu's grandaunt, Mother He's expression softened considerably. "That's really kind of you. You must have gotten up early before dawn to busy yourselves! By the way, where is Lishu? Is she still sleeping at this hour?"
When Li Xiuli heard Mother He mention Chen Lishu, after a moment of hesitation, she put on a helpless expression and said, "She is. This child was saying last night that you would be coming today, but it's already nine o'clock, and she's still not awake! Da Feng Novel.
She's not paying enough attention to such important guests. This child is a bit immature. Why don't you find a place to sit? I'll go wake these people up now."
Mother He found a sofa with a cold expression and sat down. Seeing this, Li Xiuli thought her attempt at sowing discord had worked. She nudged Li Na beside her and said, "Hurry up and try to please Old Mrs. He! Find a way to take this bitch's place."
Mother He, on the other hand, was not paying attention to Li Xiuli's situation. She coldly said to Old Master He, "I'm returning to my own home, yet I feel like an outsider. This is truly terrible!"
"What, are you angry?" Old Master He skillfully picked up his usual newspaper from the coffee table on his right, crossed his legs, glanced at recent domestic events, and chuckled.
Mother He sighed helplessly and said, "Not exactly. I'm just worried that after being away from the capital for so long, our precious daughter might have become estranged from us."
Old Master He didn't share this concern. He smiled and comforted her, "Your worries are completely unfounded!"
As he finished speaking, a figure appeared before them. The person then shyly sat down and said obediently, "Auntie and Uncle, you must be tired after such a long journey. Let me pour you a cup of hot tea to warm you up."
Seeing someone appear, Mother He quickly put away her somewhat petty demeanor. She then looked at Li Na with a kind smile and asked, "Thank you, child. What's your name?"
Li Na replied obediently, "My name is Li Na. You can also call me Nana."
Mother He scrutinized Li Na and then asked, "Nana, why have I never heard Lishu mention having a grandaunt and a sister? Did you live in the capital before? Where in the capital did you live?"
"Yes, for the past few decades, we lived in a dilapidated alley in the eastern district of the city. I won't mention the specific location, as Mrs. He probably wouldn't know that slum!" After saying this, Li Na shyly scratched her head with her hand and added, "However, I might not be living in the capital anymore."
Hearing this, Mother He instinctively asked, "Why?"
The smile on Li Na's lips gradually faded, and her expression turned somewhat bitter. "Because we don't have suitable jobs right now, and the family has no income. We might have to leave the prosperous capital and find a small village to live in."
Mother He was a little surprised to hear this news. She then asked curiously, "That's not right. The Gu family's businesses are very large now. It should be very easy to arrange a job for you. It shouldn't be to the point where you have no job, no income, and are forced to leave the capital."
Li Na lowered her head with a feigned wronged expression and muttered softly, "Perhaps it's because my abilities are not sufficient for Lishu's company matters. I understand."
Old Master He, seeing the young girl in such a desperate situation, put down his newspaper and was about to suggest she come to the He family for some odd jobs when Mother He suddenly reached behind him and pinched him hard.
This sudden action caught Old Master He completely off guard, and his face contorted in pain. Just as he was about to question Mother He about what she was doing, Mother He suddenly stood up, looking excitedly behind Li Na.
"Lishu!"
"Mommy!"
Two voices sounded at the same time. Mother He and Rui Rui, who had been quiet all along, rushed excitedly towards Chen Lishu.
Chen Lishu smiled, bent down, scooped up Rui Rui, and then playfully asked Mother He, "Godmother, why didn't you tell me the time of your arrival when you called last night?
If you had told me the time, perhaps Gu Xingdong and I would have driven to pick you up this morning, and we could have met earlier."
Mother He held Chen Lishu's hand tightly, her eyes overflowing with affection. "What's there to pick up? Don't you two rest well in the morning? Why bother going to the airport to pick us up and tire yourselves out!
I also wanted to see you as soon as possible, so I specifically changed my afternoon train ticket to this morning. Consider it a surprise for you both. Aren't you happy to see us?"
"Happy!" Chen Lishu happily hugged Rui Rui and leaned her shoulder against Mother He's.