Chapter 2 The Next Day

The next day.

Around nine in the morning, I was checking the order forms from Los Angeles in the study when the door was gently pushed open. I immediately looked over and the first thing I saw was a small head wearing a Santa hat, holding a milk bottle in her hand, her eyes looking at me as if waiting for my permission to come in.

Seeing my serious expression, she immediately froze at the door, then tentatively called out in a small voice, "Papa."

I kept my original expression and asked, "What is it?"

"Can I come in?"

I understood what she meant, so I immediately replied, "Papa is working."

"I want to play with you."

Then, without waiting for my answer, she walked in on her own. She was wearing the Christmas outfit I gave her yesterday. It not only looked festive on her, but also very cute. I didn't want to be disturbed, but I immediately changed my attitude, got up, walked over and picked her up. "Do you like this outfit?"

"Yes, Mommy put it on me."

She seemed a bit shy today, maybe because of the clothes. This was also the first time she had worn them. Last year she was too small, and I didn't prepare one.

So I said with a smile, "Of course."

"Can we play now?"

"Wait a little longer. Papa has to finish his work. You go out and wait for me."

"Then I'll go play with Mommy."

Watching her small figure slowly leave, I looked at the data on the computer and started checking it again. This office was shared by me and Pei Shi Yu. Across from me was her laptop, which she hadn't closed, and various file boxes arranged neatly.

From the beginning of her patient guidance, to now my familiarity with the business is no less than hers. In the past, I only had contact with Pei Shi Yu in life and in our relationship, but since coming to New York, I have seen another side of her, that is, her seriousness and responsibility towards work. The documents she processed rarely had mistakes. I was the opposite. With numbers like these in front of me, I couldn't concentrate at first, so Pei Shi Yu once said that I was half-hearted in doing things. Of course, now I can completely handle it, after all, I have been studying here for more than three years.

Around ten o'clock, I finally finished the work in my hands, leaned back in the chair, and closed my eyes. The image of Lin Hai suddenly flashed through my mind. I carefully calculated that he hadn't called me for a long time. I remember the last call was to tell me about my grandfather's death. Apart from calling him back a few days later, I hadn't contacted him since.

I checked the time. It shouldn't be too late there, so I picked up the phone on the table and immediately dialed his number. He usually answered quickly, but this time it rang for a long time before he answered. I spoke first, "Aren't you asleep yet?"

"No, still outside."

"Why aren't you home so late?" My tone sounded concerned.

"Been busy lately."

"Has the business turned around?"

"I plan to move the company back to my hometown."

"Why?" I asked in surprise.

"This area is going to be demolished. I'm considering how to implement the plan."

"That would reduce costs," I thought for a moment and said.

"It's the same. The main thing is that I plan to open up the rural market. Of course, the final decision still needs to be discussed by everyone."

"Then you can handle it yourself. I can't participate."

"How's it going on your end?"

"It's fine. I might come back for the New Year this year," I paused and replied.

"Come back for the New Year?" Lin Hai's voice suddenly rose.

"Yes, that's the plan."

"I thought with Shi Yu by your side, you weren't planning to come back."

"The child was too young the past two years, it wasn't convenient to come back."

"My granddaughter doesn't even recognize me. I wanted to call you several times, but I couldn't figure out the time difference, so I thought I'd wait for you to call."

"I'm also quite busy, and I have to work. You don't have to worry about me. Just take care of yourself. Come back with the child for the New Year."

"Why did you think of calling me today?"

"I have a day off today."

At this moment, I suddenly heard the sound of glasses clinking and shouting in the phone, so I immediately asked him, "Are you drinking outside?"

"I'm not drinking, just having some late-night snack. The sound is coming from the table next to me."

I didn't know if Lin Hai was lying, but it sounded very loud. If I remember correctly, he is sixty years old this year. He's not old for that age, just slowly getting older.

"You're getting older, eat less at night. It's not good to sleep after eating too much."

"Yeah, I rarely come out now. If it wasn't for this matter, I wouldn't even eat late-night snacks."

"Okay then, I'll call you when I'm free."

"Aren't you going to let the child say a few words to me?" Lin Hai requested.

"She's outside. Wait a moment."

"Okay..."

I immediately got up and walked towards the living room. I didn't see Pei Shi Yu, but I saw Xiao Lai anxiously shouting, "Mommy, where are you hiding?"

"Playing hide-and-seek?" I looked around the living room and asked.

"Yes, Mommy is gone."

I corrected her, "Not gone, you just can't find her."

"Papa, let's find her together."

I anxiously hugged her and said, "Grandpa is on the phone, what are you going to say?"

After hearing this, she wanted to break free from me, but seeing me holding her tight, she said absentmindedly, "Hello, Grandpa, I'm playing hide-and-seek."

Laughter came from Lin Hai's side, saying, "Hello, Lai Lai."

"I can't talk to you, I have to go find Mommy."

As soon as she finished speaking, she struggled to get down. I had no choice but to say to Lin Hai, "Pei Shi Yu is playing with her, she's not in the mood to talk to you now."

"Children are all the same, then that's it."

"Okay, then I'll hang up?"

"Wait a minute." Lin Hai hurriedly stopped me from hanging up the phone.

"Yes?"

"If you guys come back, tell me when you've bought your plane tickets, and I'll pick you up at Pudong Airport."

"I don't think it will be your turn. My father-in-law has already made an appointment," I replied with a smile.

"Okay then, if they're not available, then it'll be my turn. I'm hanging up."

After ending the call, I saw Xiao Lai still anxiously looking around, which immediately aroused my curiosity. Just as I was about to get up from the sofa, I saw Pei Shi Yu showing a foot to signal me. She was curled up, using two pillows to block herself.

I said very quietly, "She's starting to get anxious, she's going to cry if you don't come out."

Xiao Lai immediately ran to my side and looked around shrewdly, saying, "I heard Mommy talking."

Then she shouted loudly, "Mommy, come out."

Pei Shi Yu said, "Are you looking for me?"

Then she uncovered the pillow, revealing herself, and said, "You lost, you didn't find Mommy."

"You can't hide here." She looked at Pei Shi Yu a little bit slyly.

I immediately interrupted their childish talk, "Housewife, it's time to cook."

"Papa, let's play."

In fact, playing with the child also brings fun to myself. Hide-and-seek is also a game that my daughter and I often play, and Xiao Lai likes it very much.

While speaking, she had already pulled me up from the sofa...