Chen Lishu quickly said, "Auntie, it is my honor that you think highly of me. How could I possibly refuse?"
After interacting with them for the past two days, Chen Lishu had a very good impression of Old Master He and his wife. Although they held distinguished positions, they were without any airs. Especially in handling Rui Rui's situation, they not only refrained from using their influence to oppress, but also considered matters from the child's perspective at every turn. Who wouldn't respect such elders?
"So, you agree?" He's mother couldn't hide her joy. She stood up and said, "That's wonderful, I'll call Zifeng and the others right away. We'll have a formal family meeting tomorrow evening."
He's father: "We're just talking, why are you in such a hurry? The phone call won't grow legs and run away if you make it a little later."
He's mother: "I'm happy to."
Sitting opposite, Chen Lishu looked at Gu Xingdong. The couple exchanged a smile.
The three He brothers had mixed reactions when they learned that their parents intended to formally adopt Chen Lishu as their goddaughter.
He Ziyu and He Zifeng were naturally very supportive and happy for their parents. He Zinian, however, felt it was completely unnecessary.
"Mom, why don't you and Dad reconsider? They raised Rui Rui, I can provide them with some financial compensation. Just name a price, and a goddaughter relationship is really not necessary, is it?"
He strongly suspected that Chen Lishu and her husband were trying to climb the social ladder. Not only were they instigating Rui Rui behind the scenes, but they might have also fed the elder couple some nonsense.
"Besides, Mom, you and Dad need to be careful. Some people might have ulterior motives."
If it weren't for the busy affairs these past few days and some company issues, he would have sent that couple away long ago.
He's mother listened to her second son's nonsensical words on the phone and was furious.
"Your father and I are not senile, we don't need your reminders. I think as a father, you're not as caring towards the child as Lishu and her husband. In any case, I've made up my mind. If you want to come tomorrow, you can, but if not, don't bother."
With that, she hung up the phone directly.
The next day, He Zifeng, his wife An Jing, and their son He Mingqi arrived early. As soon as He Zifeng entered, he familiarly patted Gu Xingdong on the shoulder and laughed heartily, "From now on, I'm not just your former leader, but you'll have to call me大哥 (Big Brother), right?"
Gu Xingdong readily complied: "Big Brother."
Chen Lishu, standing beside him, also called out, "Big Brother, Big Sister-in-law."
He Zifeng responded, "Yes, from now on, if this brat makes you angry, just tell Big Brother. I'll stand up for you."
"Hello, Little Aunt," He Mingqi stood obediently beside An Jing, with two dimples subtly appearing at the corners of his mouth.
"I didn't prepare any gifts, but here's a red envelope for you," Chen Lishu said, placing a red envelope into He Mingqi's hand.
An Jing: "Little sister, you're too kind. She's already so old."
Chen Lishu smiled, "No matter how old she is, calling me Aunt makes her like Rui Rui, a child in my eyes."
"Mom, did you hear that? No matter how old I am, I'm still a child."
He Mingqi wrinkled his nose at his mother An Jing, then happily accepted the red envelope, "Thank you, Little Aunt."
"I originally thought I was the youngest in the family. Does that mean you have to call me Third Brother now, Dong Ge?" He Ziyu came over, imitating his elder brother's gesture by patting Gu Xingdong's shoulder, a hint of smugness in his expression.
Gu Xingdong clasped his wrist, his smile gentle, and said, "It's okay, we can call each other whatever we like."
He Ziyu's mouth twitched slightly, "Isn't that a bit…?"
Gu Xingdong tightened his grip, "No need to force it."
He Ziyu immediately winced in pain, his expression contorting, "Dong Ge."
Gu Xingdong responded with satisfaction, "Yes?"
Watching the children interact harmoniously, the elderly couple couldn't help but smile.
There had been too many unpleasant events in the family over the years, and it felt like it had been a long time since they'd been this lively.
"This was part of my dowry when I was young. It was originally intended to be kept for a daughter." He's mother took out a red velvet jewelry box. Upon opening it, a verdant jade bracelet was revealed inside.
Although Chen Lishu didn't know much about jade, she could tell that the bracelet was translucent and lustrous, clearly not an ordinary item.
"Auntie, this is too valuable."
He Ziyu: "Little Sister, can't you see? Mom is giving you the 'red envelope' for changing your address."
"Get lost, stop talking nonsense," He's mother glared at her son, pulled Chen Lishu's hand, and slipped the bracelet onto her wrist. The fair skin was complemented by the green bracelet, making for an indescribably beautiful sight.
"I knew this bracelet would suit you best," He's mother commented, appraising it with satisfaction.
Chen Lishu didn't act coy, "Thank you, Godmother."
"Yes, yes," He's mother replied happily twice.
Not long after, He Zinian returned from the company, and the family began preparing dinner.
"Godmother, let me help you." Seeing He's mother get up, Chen Lishu followed, and her sister-in-law An Jing also joined to help.
The women went to the kitchen, while the men sat and talked.
"I went to the hospital today. Qingqing was picked up, and the other party even hired a lawyer." He Ziyu said, glancing in He Zinian's direction. Although He Ziyu didn't take the other party seriously, he still felt the matter should be reported to He Zinian.
He Zinian remained silent, but his already somber face grew even more gloomy.
"The legal profession is rare in the mainland; most lawyers are concentrated in the south. Although the other party found someone who speaks Mandarin quite well, considering when you met Zhu Shasha, I suspect the other party is likely from Hong Kong. The distance might cause some trouble, but it's not impossible to track them down."
He Zinian's fingers, resting on his knees, tightened, then relaxed: "Forget it. From now on, you don't need to tell me any news about that woman."
What would be the point of tracking her down? It would only be self-humiliation. Moreover, if He Ziyu were to investigate, he would have to rely on the He family's connections, and he was even more unwilling to let them witness his embarrassment.
Old Master He looked at his son and daughter whispering together not far away and said to Gu Xingdong, "Since you've come all this way, why not stay for a while longer? Tomorrow, Ziyu can take you around."
Gu Xingdong sat up straighter. "You mentioning it reminds me, Lishu and I were just thinking the same thing. The child is in the midst of his final revision period, and we also have two younger ones at home. We're quite worried. When Rui Rui starts his summer vacation in about a month, perhaps he could come over then to keep you two company?"
He Ziyu: "My work in the provincial capital can't just be abandoned. If you're busy, I can bring Rui Rui back with me when it's holiday time."
Old Master He nodded, "Yes, yes, don't let it affect the child's studies."
He Zinian watched as everyone spoke, one after another. He was Rui Rui's biological father, yet he felt like an outsider.
"I think it might be better to transfer Rui Rui's school records. The teaching standards in Kyoto are much better than in the regions."
Upon hearing his words, Rui Rui immediately stopped talking to his sister He Mingqi and nervously turned his head to look in Gu Xingdong's direction.