"Shi Xinxin, is that your name? Remember, I'm Song Wenhua. If you pester my nephew again, you'll regret it!" Song Wenhua sneered and sped away.
Shi Xinxin glared at Song Wenhua's retreating back, thinking how detestable he was!
Song Wenhua was Shi Xinxin's father's paternal cousin. Shi Xinxin's paternal grandparents were business magnates, and their family business was quite formidable.
However, ever since Song Wenhua joined the company, he had been bullying employees and even threatening the boss's wife. In short, he had committed no end of misdeeds.
Fearing that Song Wenhua might harm them, Shi Xinxin's parents moved out of the Shi family home, bought a new house, and lived independently.
When Shi Xinxin returned home, she saw her father making a phone call on the balcony.
"Shi Jinsong, Xinxin's back."
Shi Jinsong hung up the phone and beckoned Shi Xinxin, "Xinxin, come here."
"What is it?" Shi Xinxin walked over, looking at Shi Jinsong with confusion.
Shi Jinsong sighed, "Grandpa is forcing us to go back to work at the Shi Group again."
"No way!" Shi Xinxin refused outright, "Grandpa is deliberately making things difficult for you! Don't compromise, absolutely don't go back!"
Shi Jinsong shook his head, "Xinxin, it's not like that."
He paused and continued, "Grandpa is determined to have us return to work. You know, all the positions at the Shi Group are filled except for the vacant position of Director of Finance."
"But that position isn't suitable for Father," Shi Xinxin said unhappily.
"Father is getting old, and his health is deteriorating. Grandpa said that after Father passes away, he and his brother will take over as President."
"What? Father is going to pass away?" Shi Xinxin was shocked.
She hadn't even met her father yet.
Her father was the only son in the Shi family. Usually, she and her mother were pampered in all aspects at home.
She had once imagined that one day, her father would bring his two children back to their home country.
But such a beautiful dream ultimately turned into a bubble.
Shi Jinsong nodded, "Xinxin, you know Father is a medical fanatic, and his health is getting worse and worse. That's why Father wants to retire early."
Shi Xinxin bit her lip, her eyes moist, "Father, Xinxin can't bear to part with you."
"Silly child, I'm going to die sooner or later," Shi Jinsong raised his hand and ruffled his daughter's soft hair. "Father hopes you can be happy. Father hopes you can marry a husband who loves you and be a happy little woman for a lifetime."
Shi Xinxin's nose prickled, and she hugged Shi Jinsong's waist tightly, "Father..."
"Xinxin, be good, be obedient," Shi Jinsong patted his daughter's shoulder, speaking earnestly, "The only thing we can do now is to find a new job as soon as possible and help Father relieve his worries."
Shi Xinxin nodded, "Mm."
Shi Jinsong sighed, "Xinxin, don't blame Grandpa for being heartless. He's old and misses his grandchildren."
"Father, I understand."
"You are a sensible child."
Shi Jinsong affectionately stroked his daughter's head. "Since you've agreed, do as I've taught you, understand?"
"Understood."
Shi Jinsong patted his daughter's back, "Alright, hurry up and take a bath. Your English teacher is waiting for you downstairs."
"Okay." Shi Xinxin turned and went upstairs.
In the evening, Lu Mingyu returned home from school.
He changed his shoes and went straight upstairs.
"Mingyu," Li Xiaoli called out to him, handing him a glass of water, "Have some water."
"Thank you, Auntie," Lu Mingyu took the cup and sat on the sofa.
"Auntie knows you've been busy with exams lately. You've worked hard," Li Xiaoli observed Lu Mingyu, her eyes filled with affection.
"It's not hard," Lu Mingyu said indifferently, but he avoided making direct eye contact with Li Xiaoli.
Li Xiaoli sighed and said earnestly, "Mingyu, although your uncle and I both support your choice, you and Xinxin have had good feelings for each other since you were little. Can you really bear to leave her?"
"..."
Lu Mingyu didn't answer.
Li Xiaoli frowned slightly, "If you're willing to let go, I think Xinxin would be happy."
"Auntie, I want to be alone," Lu Mingyu stood up, preparing to return to his room.
"Mingyu, Auntie doesn't ask for anything else, as long as you take good care of Xinxin, Auntie will be very happy," Li Xiaoli said softly. "Auntie will go upstairs now. You sleep early."
Lu Mingyu nodded, "Okay."
He hadn't mentioned the engagement to Li Xiaoli because he felt she would never agree to him marrying Shi Xinxin.
As soon as Lu Mingyu lay on his bed, he received a text message.
He opened it and saw it was from Song Wenhua.
—Mingyu, today is Friday. Tomorrow, I'm hosting a banquet at Emperor's Grand Hotel and inviting relatives and friends from both our families. You absolutely must attend!
Lu Mingyu held his phone, silent for a long time.
Friday...
There were still half a month until Saturday.
Lu Mingyu remembered that Shi Xinxin's birthday was approaching.
He suddenly wanted to give her a gift to congratulate her, as a belated birthday present.
Lu Mingyu couldn't sleep that night.
In the adjacent room, Shi Xinxin lay on her bed, eyes wide open, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.
She suddenly sat up, went to the vanity mirror, and stared at herself in the mirror.
She took out her phone, scrolled through her photos, and looked at the person in the picture.
"Mom, if you were still alive, how wonderful it would be," she murmured, tears streaming down her face.
**
Early in the morning, Shi Xinxin was awakened by her alarm clock and rushed to get up, brush her teeth, and wash her face.
She dressed neatly and hurried downstairs, seeing her father eating breakfast in the dining room.
"Xinxin, good morning," Shi Jinsong greeted her warmly and pushed the breakfast towards his daughter. "Your favorite steamed egg custard."
Shi Xinxin smiled sweetly and sat down to eat breakfast.
Shi Jinsong looked at his daughter, hesitated, and said, "Xinxin..."
"Father, what's wrong?" Shi Xinxin blinked her dark eyes, looking at her father with confusion.
"It's nothing," Shi Jinsong forced a stiff smile. "After breakfast, go to class."
"Mm-hmm," Shi Xinxin nodded vigorously. "I'm full, Father. You eat slowly."
After saying that, Shi Xinxin got up and ran up the stairs.
Shi Jinsong stared blankly at his daughter's retreating back as she disappeared around the corner of the stairs. He lowered his head and sighed helplessly.
**
When Shi Xinxin entered the classroom, she found her classmates chatting in small groups.
"Did you hear? Shi Jinsong is going to be the president in another province," a male classmate whispered. "They say he donated all his company shares when he resigned."
"Is that true?"
"Of course, it's true! Yesterday, I saw him at the bank handling the handover procedures."
"Sigh, Shi Jinsong is such a good person."
"Who says he isn't? Not only did he sell his company to help in a time of need, but he also donated his own shares."
Shi Xinxin was stunned. Father had actually sold his shares.
Such a major move, and she didn't know anything about it!
Shi Xinxin's chest tightened, and she felt extremely distressed.
She immediately took out her phone and dialed her father's number.