Relieved to see her agreement, Qin Ningyi let out a sigh of relief. He felt his grandmother was right; he always lacked confidence when he was with Huo Rou.
There was always something between him and Huo Rou, and now that something had multiplied.
Meeting Huo Rou's clear eyes, he pushed his scattered thoughts aside. "Xiao Yuda contacted you?"
"Yes, they've invested in a project in Yuchang City and need me to take a look."
Huo Rou omitted the questions Xiao Yuda had asked her during their call.
Details about whether the poison could be detoxified were unnecessary.
After dinner, Huo Rou didn't want to go back so soon, so she took the father and son for a walk around the area.
There were many research institutes and laboratories of various sizes in the vicinity, with the Biological Technology Research Institute naturally at the forefront, revered like a star surrounded by a moon.
Soldiers were stationed at the entrance of the institute year-round, making the grand gate appear even more solemn.
"Mom, what does this research institute do?" An An, having seen many such places along their walk, was very curious about the institute's uniqueness.
Huo Rou looked at the entrance of the institute, her eyes filled with a different kind of emotion.
Her memory went back to her childhood when she had asked the same question. What had her mother said then…
"Let's go inside and have a look with Mom. This will be our home from now on."
Huo Rou looked at the gate, unchanged from her childhood, and smiled. "This research institute is very powerful. Many biological experiments are conducted here, and many drugs have been developed."
"Our China was almost attacked by a biological virus. It was the people in this institute who saved the lives of all Chinese people. In a short period, they developed drugs that could inhibit virus transmission, and then they developed a complete antidote," Qin Ningyi added.
At that time, his grandfather would talk about the project leader of this institute every day. Because the work was confidential, Grandpa Qin's praise was limited to the name of the institute.
Only after he gained access to some information did he realize how great the threat China had faced.
Huo Rou's eyes sparkled as she listened to him.
Qin Ningyi smiled at her. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Nothing."
She was just very happy that someone knew what the institute had done and remembered their past achievements.
"Then can they develop an antidote?" An An suddenly asked.
Huo Rou looked at An An, always feeling as if he knew something.
An An, however, seemed to have a sudden idea and kept looking at the gate, not turning to look at her.
After a long while, not receiving Huo Rou's answer, he finally turned his head, his gaze falling on her freshly applied lipstick. "Mom, can this research institute do it?"
He asked again.
"Probably," Huo Rou answered vaguely.
She had asked Shen Wuyou to tell them that her poison had been detoxified. An An shouldn't know the real situation. The more she said, the more mistakes she would make, so Huo Rou didn't say much.
Qin Ningyi noticed Huo Rou's unusual behavior and looked at her and then at An An with some confusion.
The soldiers at the entrance, seeing them lingering for a long time, spoke up. "What are you doing here? If you have nothing to do, leave quickly."
The uncle who used to secretly slip her candy must have retired by now. She no longer had a reason to linger here, and this was no longer her home.
"Things have changed, and time has passed." These words probably described the current situation. She suddenly missed home.
Qin Ningyi saw her moist eyes, his heart aching, and led her to the entrance of the research institute.
This place seemed to be unusual for her, and his woman could enter it if she wished.
"I am Qin Ningyi from Qin Group, and we have a cooperation with the research institute. I'd like to see the deputy director." Qin Ningyi could feel the coldness of Huo Rou's fingers in his hand. He tried his best to warm her, but when he spoke to the soldiers, his tone was cold and businesslike.
The soldier checked his identity information and, in a meticulous manner, called the deputy director.
Huo Rou hadn't expected to walk into the research institute again after so many years, and it was Qin Ningyi who brought her.
Upon entering, the ginkgo trees on both sides rustled in the wind, their golden leaves falling gracefully, serene and beautiful.
Qin Ningyi, after finishing his call, turned to look at her. "Would you like to take a walk somewhere? I've spoken to the deputy director, and we can walk around as long as we don't go into the buildings."
From the moment the ginkgo leaves began to fall, An An had held his breath, mesmerized. It wasn't until Qin Ningyi came to take his hand that he seemed to snap back to reality, murmuring, "This place is exactly like the one in Mom's painting!"
"Mom, have you been here before?" An An excitedly came to Huo Rou's side, pulling her hand.
She had not only been here, but this was once her home.
"Let's go." She held Qin Ningyi's and An An's hands and walked towards the small path on the left.
"You've really been here?" Qin Ningyi raised an eyebrow, looking at her.
Shen Wuyou had a laboratory, and perhaps he had some connection with the research institute. That must be why Huo Rou had come here… He didn't get an answer from Huo Rou and speculated inwardly.
Huo Rou didn't know how to explain. This was her former home, and she wanted these two people who were most important to her to see it.
Qin Ningyi was led by her to the entrance of a family housing complex. Inside the courtyard, there was a large loquat tree, and next to it, a worn-out swing.
The swing was no longer usable, so the residents had placed flower pots on it.
An An had seen this scene in Huo Rou's paintings on her computer. He gently tugged on Huo Rou's hand. "Mom, do you like that swing?"
The painting he had seen depicted a swinging, empty swing.
Qin Ningyi couldn't help but recall the loquat tree he had planted at his old house. Perhaps the person he was looking for lived in a place like this?
But now…
He looked at the smile on Huo Rou's lips and asked in a low voice, "Do you like it?"
"Yes."
She had once said she wanted to go to a place with a loquat tree and a swing. The family housing complex, without her family living there, no longer qualified for entry.
Her wish had been granted, and after so many years, it was Qin Ningyi who had helped her achieve it.
He had truly, inadvertently, fulfilled so many of her wishes. Even if there were no good results in a month, she thought she could leave with contentment.
Qin Ningyi saw her genuine smile and, putting his arm around her, said, "I also planted a loquat tree in the courtyard of my old house, and the swing I built is quite sturdy. I'll push you next time you go there."
Huo Rou's expression froze. The loquat tree Qin Ningyi planted?
Could it be because of that casual wish she had made years ago?
"When did you plant it? You have this hobby too." She took his hand and continued walking, asking casually.
"It was something from when I was little."
As expected…
A warmth surged through Huo Rou. She suddenly made a decision, a thought that came out of the blue. "Ningyi, will you accompany me somewhere later?"