He Ziyu: "Who says I'm not doing it anymore? It's just a change of scenery. Mom, you don't know how sought after your son is. They say that upon hearing I was coming, the other party promised to meet any terms I named. Besides, if I leave, I won't be in anyone's way."
"Your father knows what's far and what's near. Qingqing is about to start primary school, and it's time for him to have a proper identity. As his uncle, you can't just stand by and watch him get mocked by his classmates at school, can you?"
He Ziyu sneered, "Who is his uncle? He Zinian's bastard actions back then hurt my sister Wenwen so deeply. He's an ungrateful wretch. I don't care if you want to acknowledge this kinship, but no one can dictate my thoughts. If you expect me to acknowledge that woman and her child, it will never happen in this lifetime."
Old Master He roared angrily, "You little brat, go wherever you want. It's best if you don't come back."
"That's what you said. I'm really leaving then." He Ziyu got up without hesitation, and left the house without looking back.
"He, he actually just left like that?!"
Hearing the slamming door, Old Master He looked at his wife, saying in disbelief.
"What else would he do, wait to be scolded by you? That stubborn temper your entire life, can't you say things nicely? You always glare at people, just because your eyes are big. Not a single one of you gives me any peace. Maybe I'll run away from home someday too." Mother He glared at him displeased, then left Old Master He alone in the living room and went back to her own room.
After leaving the house, He Ziyu changed direction and headed to the place he had agreed to meet his friends, a club with butler services.
"Dr. He finally graces us with his presence," a man dressed in plain casual wear said jokingly as he saw him enter.
Another man with long hair chimed in, "Tell us, which nerve did you touch this time to insist on going to that godforsaken place? The last time you lost your mind was in college. We tried to talk you out of it, but you insisted you were bored and wanted to be an angel in white."
"Unlike you guys, I don't have my pursuits confined to the mundane." He Ziyu nudged one of the men with his foot. The man moved aside, and He Ziyu took a seat.
"Jokes aside, how long are you planning to stay this time? You're not actually holding a grudge against the old man and not coming back, are you?" The man in casual wear became a bit more serious.
He Ziyu: "I'm going to confirm some things. Plus, I promised the university there to give a few lectures. We'll see. I've been busy with work for the past two years, so this is like a vacation for myself."
The long-haired man: "Do you need any help? My relative works in that province. I can have them make a call for you."
He Ziyu felt amused and exasperated. "What for? I'm going there for business, not to arrange people."
The other party: "It would be better if it was about arranging people. Look at us brothers, only you are still single."
...
After attending Nan Haitao's wedding, Chen Lishu and Li Xiulan took the two children back to the provincial capital.
Gu Xingdong received the news and drove to the train station in advance to pick them up.
"Baba baba." Little Chengzi nestled into Gu Xingdong's arms, blinked, and stared at his face for a while before suddenly opening his mouth and uttering a string of sounds.
Gu Xingdong was clearly taken aback and said uncertainly, "Is this kid calling me Daddy?"
Chen Lishu was also a bit surprised. Normally, no matter how Gu Xingdong tried to teach them to call him Daddy, Little Chengzi and Xiao Bai would remain silent, and if pushed, they would loudly call for Mommy. She didn't expect Little Chengzi to suddenly get it after just one trip back home.
Gu Xingdong felt incredibly pleased, a smile forming on his lips. "This kid must have missed me."
As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Little Chengzi extend his small hand and wave vigorously in the direction behind him, then grinned and called out, "Baba!"
Gu Xingdong turned his gaze and saw a young man in his early twenties standing not far behind. Gu Xingdong's face immediately darkened.
How dare this kid casually call someone else Dad?!
Being pointed at and called Dad by a small child, then stared at coldly by a stern man, the young man felt flustered. He swallowed hard and instinctively explained, "Th-this has nothing to do with me."
"Pfft."
Chen Lishu couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Sorry, the child is just calling out randomly." Explaining to the young man, Chen Lishu tugged at Gu Xingdong's sleeve, signaling him to let it go.
Gu Xingdong's lips twitched. As a form of playful punishment, he raised his hand and patted his son's little bottom, muttering, "Let's go home."
By the time they returned home, it was already noon. Zhao Qiuyue was very happy to see them back and hurried to the kitchen to prepare lunch.
After lunch, Gu Xingdong returned to the company. Chen Lishu stayed home, accompanying the two children for a nap, and in the afternoon, she went to pick up Ruirui from school.
Because she was concerned about the renovation of the branch store, Chen Lishu went directly to the branch store early the next morning.
The plaster ceiling had been completed, and the workers were laying the flooring.
Zhao Xingwang was supervising the construction and hurried over when he saw Chen Lishu arrive.
Chen Lishu: "How much longer until it's finished?"
Zhao Xingwang: "Besides laying the floor and wallpaper, there's still the installation of clothes racks and sofas. Although there aren't many items, when everything is accounted for, it will still take about ten days to half a month."
Chen Lishu nodded. After a few more words, Chen Lishu left and went to the store on the commercial street.
As soon as she entered the store, she saw a girl of about eighteen or nineteen smiling and greeting her, "Hello, welcome."
Before Chen Lishu could speak, Tian Lin came from behind and said to the girl, "This is our store's boss, Sister Chen."
The girl immediately looked embarrassed, "I'm sorry, I, I didn't know."
Chen Lishu waved her hand, "It's okay, what's your name?"
The girl quickly replied, "My name is Xin Ying."
Chen Lishu nodded and scanned the store. Not seeing Wang Aixiang and Wang Dazhu, she asked, "Where is everyone else?"
Tian Lin: "Aixiang sister's son, Xiaopeng, is sick, so she might be a bit late. Big Brother Dazhu went to deliver fabric to Aunt Yuan."
"You all get back to your work," Chen Lishu said, heading towards the counter.
As the weather was getting hotter, and with the branch store about to open, she decided to design two more dresses.
The previously popular blended fabrics were increasingly revealing their flaws and were gradually being disliked. Therefore, Chen Lishu decided to primarily use cotton and linen fabrics this time.
Although the colors were not as bright as blended fabrics and they wrinkled easily, their heat dissipation and sweat absorption were excellent. Additionally, they gave the wearer an elegant and intellectual aura.
After sketching the designs, Chen Lishu went to the state-owned cotton mill.
Since she wasn't professionally trained in design, her drawing skills were not great, so she had to explain the details to the mill's technicians in person.
Soon, both parties agreed to come back in two days to check the sample garments before officially entering production.
...
After arriving in the provincial capital, He Ziyu did not rush to the Gu family's residence. Instead, he first reported to the medical university.
As an expert invited this time, his primary purpose was to give lectures to the graduating students.
Once everything was arranged, he took the gifts he had prepared and headed to the Gu family's home.