He Long's first reaction was that Liu Chen, that girl, had bad intentions and was clearly waiting for him here. She had lured his Si Yu to C City, so how could he and her mother not follow?
Wasn't this just a veiled attempt to get him to inspect her newly built factory?
Thinking of this, He Long's expression darkened. Just as he was about to speak, his wife, Zhen Yu, tugged at his sleeve.
"Sit down first and listen to what Liu Chen has to say."
Liu Chen saw He Long's darkening face and knew he had misunderstood her. Hearing her master's wife providing an opening, she smiled and explained:
"Teacher He, I want to take Si Yu sister to C City for a trip. Recently, Si Yu sister has been able to answer some questions from her classmates at school."
Upon hearing Liu Chen's words, He Long calmed down immediately. That's right, he knew how much progress Si Yu had made in the past half month. It was precisely because he knew his own Si Yu's progress that he had always indulged her going out with Liu Chen.
But...
Yesterday, Zhen Yu had mentioned that Si Yu was improving greatly and that they should take her for a check-up during the holidays.
He Long subconsciously looked at Zhen Yu, only to see her turn away and nod at Liu Chen:
"Si Yu has never traveled far alone. I hope you all have a good time on this trip."
Liu Chen nodded. Although it was to complete a task, she genuinely felt that Si Yu sister was quite nice. She didn't talk much but was a good listener. Of course, mainly she wanted to get some free advice on landscaping from Si Yu senior.
After all, Liu Chen had also reviewed Si Yu sister's past real-life landscaping projects. They were pleasing to the eye, not the kind that screamed expensive, but rather ones that made people feel calm and relaxed in the space.
Liu Chen had checked the details of the landscaping team she had drawn from the system earlier. It didn't mention whether there was a landscaping designer. If not, then Si Yu's landscaping style was exactly what Liu Chen wanted.
With the real decision-maker of the family agreeing, He Long could only reluctantly and with worry pack luggage with his daughter for the next few days.
After the last exam, Liu Chen drove her large G-wagon to pick up He Si Yu downstairs. The two then headed straight to the airport for their flight to C City.
As soon as their plane took off, He Long and his wife Zhen Yu bought tickets for the next flight. With the Lunar New Year approaching, the flights between Beijing and C City had been increased.
***
Liu Chen took He Si Yu to C City and first brought her back to their home in "Phoenix City." After a rest, she took her sightseeing around the city.
When Liu Chen watched He Si Yu marveling at stinky tofu, which was sold at tourist spots across the country, she was truly confirmed that she hadn't traveled much!
When Liu Chen drove back home with He Si Yu late at night, around ten o'clock, she received a call from Ren Yu.
"Tomorrow you will participate in an interview program with your father."
Ren Yu didn't even ask, but stated it as a fact.
"Mm, I have to defuse this hidden bomb that is my father, otherwise when the factory starts construction and he finds out, who knows what he'll do."
When Liu Chen said this, she wasn't thinking about what Hu Xingfa would do to her, but was worried he would use his identity as her father to recklessly incur debts and make promises outside.
Ren Yu pondered for a moment and then said, "I'll go with you tomorrow."
"There's no need for that. Although it's an interview, there will be staff present, and Hu Xingfa probably can't do anything to me."
"I originally wanted to accompany you, but after hearing you say that, I suddenly feel like I should bring a few more people."
Hearing this, Liu Chen couldn't help but smile. In fact, she had said that deliberately just now, to express her true hostility towards Hu Xingfa, wanting to see Ren Yu's reaction.
And Ren Yu's reaction made Liu Chen very satisfied. She considered things entirely from her perspective and wasn't like some 'saint' who would tell her to be understanding at the mention of father-daughter conflict.
"However, the interview is scheduled for tomorrow noon. Can you make it back in time?"
"Let me do some magic for you."
"Huh?"
Why suddenly start talking about magic?
"Come to the door now and open it after counting to three."
Liu Chen heard Ren Yu's words through the phone and immediately rolled out of bed. She startled He Si Yu, who had just finished showering and was coming out of the bathroom in her pajamas. He Si Yu looked at Liu Chen with wide, deer-like eyes, still wet.
"Si Yu sister, cough cough, I'm going to check the door. A friend might be coming. Do you want to play on the computer in the study?"
He Si Yu looked at Liu Chen's blushing face, hesitated for a moment, and nodded.
After settling He Si Yu, Liu Chen quickly walked to her front door. However, upon reaching the security door, Liu Chen stood there, hesitant to open it.
Just then, the security door was knocked.
"Drip, drip."
The person outside seemed to be urging her. Liu Chen, however, felt a pang of hesitation:
"Liu Chen? What are you hesitating about? You're thirty years old, counting both lives. Are you afraid to accept someone's goodwill? What are you afraid of?"
"What am I afraid of? I'm not afraid of anything!"
Liu Chen whispered the last sentence, then grabbed the handle of the security door and slowly pushed it down. The door opened inwards.
Revealing a man standing in the hallway outside.
Ren Yu was wearing a black baseball cap. The eyes beneath the brim lit up when they saw Liu Chen.
Looking further down, Ren Yu's black down jacket was wet at the shoulders. Upon closer inspection, one could even find partially melted snowflakes.
Seeing this, Liu Chen finally reacted and quickly made way for him to enter.
"Come in first. Is it snowing outside?"
Ren Yu saw the concern flash in Liu Chen's eyes and the corners of his mouth curled up. Good, deliberately getting out of the car at the community entrance and walking in had paid off.
After Ren Yu entered, Liu Chen casually walked to the cabinet by the dining table, took out a coffee mug, poured a tube of instant coffee into it, added hot water, stirred it with a long spoon, and then added some cold water so that the coffee could be drunk immediately.
Ren Yu, seeing this, said nothing. Even when he took the coffee, he squinted as he drank it, as if it were some top-tier freshly ground coffee made by a master craftsman.
After finishing, he didn't forget to comment:
"Delicious."
Liu Chen sat on a single armchair beside him and couldn't help but smile, watching Ren Yu's expression.
Ren Yu, who had been observing Liu Chen's reaction, placed the coffee mug on the coffee table, looked up at Liu Chen, and said,
"Liu Chen, I've convinced the old man about that money."
Liu Chen raised an eyebrow upon hearing this:
"So soon? How did you convince him?"
Ren Yu placed his right fist by his mouth:
"Ahem, I said it was my sincerity in pursuing you."