A few days later, Ou Yunchen received a notification letter from Harbor University.
— Notification Letter Contents —
"Student Ou Yunchen,
In light of your cumulative absences from two elective courses this academic year, and pursuant to Article [Article Number] of the Harbor University Entrepreneurship Research Center Student Code of Conduct: 'Any student accumulating two absences from elective courses within the same academic year shall have their eligibility to select and attend elective courses revoked for the subsequent six months, commencing from the date of the second absence.'
We regret to inform you that effective from the date of your second absence, your eligibility to select and attend elective courses has been revoked for a period of six months.
We hope you will take this as a lesson, cherish learning opportunities, and adhere to classroom discipline.
Harbor University Entrepreneurship Research Center"
— End of Notification Letter Contents —
Ou Yunchen let out a relieved breath. He had thought he was going to be expelled! Fortunately, he was only deemed absent from two elective courses. If it had been a core course, one of Yun Qingyang's classes, then all his efforts to get into Harbor University would have been in vain!
***
Ring, ring, ring.
His phone’s special alarm rang. Ou Yunchen looked at the schedule; it was the day Fan Zhijie was approved to visit his daughter in prison each month. Ou Yunchen remembered he had urged Fan Zhijie to visit his daughter no matter how busy he was, not to just focus on earning money… Time flew by. It had been over a month since the fire, but that promise would be broken. Fan Zhijie could no longer visit his daughter in prison…
Ruby knocked and entered.
Ruby: "Mr. Ou, Lawyer Ma is on the phone."
Ou Yunchen glanced at the flashing phone on his desk. He had been lost in thought about Fan Zhijie and hadn't even heard the reminder tone. Ou Yunchen picked up the call, and Ruby exited the office.
— Ou Yunchen on the phone —
Lawyer Ma: "Mr. Ou, we've encountered an issue with a project involving Huaming Capital. The funds were supposed to be wired yesterday, but for two days now, the money we sent has been returned."
Ou Yunchen: "Have the account details been verified?"
Lawyer Ma: "We haven't received any notification from Huaming Capital about a change in account names. We've been able to wire funds smoothly every month before. We don't know why it's being rejected since yesterday."
Ou Yunchen: "Have you contacted the bank?"
Lawyer Ma: "I'm at the bank now. I've checked, and there are no issues with either bank. The staff said Huaming Capital likely has a separate setting for ATL."
Ou Yunchen: "Understood. I'll contact Tong Li. I'll get back to you with any news."
— Ou Yunchen ends call —
What new trick was Huaming Capital up to? This was the only thought in Ou Yunchen's mind as he hung up the phone.
Just as Ou Yunchen was about to call Tong Li, the calendar reminder on his phone rang again…
As Ou Yunchen rose to leave the office, Ruby followed.
Ruby: "Mr. Ou, are you going out?"
Ou Yunchen: "Yes. What are the arrangements for next?"
Ruby: "Xi'ou has a daily reporting meeting for the agents."
Ou Yunchen: "Have Liu Jinhua lead it. I'm going out."
Ruby: "Understood. Shall I arrange a driver for you?"
Ou Yunchen: "No need."
Ou Yunchen walked quickly. Ruby, in her high heels, had to quicken her pace to press the elevator button for him before he reached the elevator doors.
Ou Yunchen: "No need to wait for me. Leave at the usual time."
Ruby: "Understood, Mr. Ou. See you tomorrow."
***
So, the visiting hours at the prison were fixed. On any given day, many people would be lined up to visit. Ou Yunchen stated he was visiting Fan Zhijie's daughter, registered, and received a greeting card.
Ou Yunchen: "What is this?!"
A hand-drawn card with "Happy Father's Day!" written on it in English. It turned out to be the Father's Day card Fan Zhijie's daughter had made for him.
Police Officer: "Window 3."
Ou Yunchen looked at the glass window. It was still empty inside, while other seats were already occupied. After hesitating, Ou Yunchen sat there. But he didn't know Fan Zhijie's daughter's name, what she looked like, or how to tell this girl, who was looking forward to her father's visit, that her father was dead…
After a while, a girl was brought out from a small door behind. The female officer unlocked her handcuffs and stepped outside. The girl's face, initially full of expectation, turned to disappointment as she looked at the stranger outside the window, her expression filled with surprise.
When the girl sat opposite him, Ou Yunchen picked up the phone. The girl followed suit, but both remained silent. Finally, the girl spoke first.
Fan Jiajia: "Hello, excuse me, are you..."
Ou Yunchen held up the card and shook it.
Ou Yunchen: "I'm your father's colleague, Fan Zhijie's colleague..."
Fan Jiajia: "Uncle, hello. My father didn't come?"
Ou Yunchen: "Yes, he... he's on a business trip. He specifically asked me to visit you."
Fan Jiajia: "Oh..."
The girl's disappointed voice was like a hammer, striking Ou Yunchen's heart.
Ou Yunchen: "I will personally deliver the card you made for him to him."
Fan Jiajia: "Thank you. Is my father... doing well?"
Ou Yunchen: "He's... doing very well."
Fan Jiajia: "..."
Ou Yunchen: "Oh, right. He also asked me to tell you not to worry about him. He's in good health, and he told you to eat well inside, listen to the police, and try to get your sentence reduced so you can come out sooner."
Fan Jiajia: "Really?"
Ou Yunchen: "Really..."
Fan Jiajia rubbed her eyes. She was crying.
Fan Jiajia: "Uncle, I haven't seen my dad in a long time... Does he not want me anymore?"
Ou Yunchen: "No, your father misses you very much. We often hear him talk about you, saying you're very smart and beautiful..."
Fan Jiajia: "But ever since I came in, my dad hasn't visited me..."
Ou Yunchen: "Fan Zhijie is very busy. He said he wants to earn a lot of money, so you won't have to worry about money when you get out..."
Fan Jiajia: "Uncle, can you call my dad? Let me hear his voice, please?"
Ou Yunchen had intended to refuse, but looking at Fan Jiajia's tearful face, he couldn't bring himself to reject the girl.
Ou Yunchen: "Alright."
Ou Yunchen took out his phone. He scrolled to Fan Zhijie's number, looked at the girl, and finally pressed the call button. Ou Yunchen held the phone to his ear. Even though it already indicated an invalid number, he pretended to chat for a few moments.
— Ou Yunchen on the phone —
Ou Yunchen: "Hello? Ah, Fan Zhijie? Yes, it's me. Where are you?"
A few seconds of pause.
Ou Yunchen: "Oh, you're about to take off..."
Ou Yunchen: "I'm here. I see her. She's doing well."
Fan Jiajia touched the glass, anxiously waiting, wanting to say a few words.
Ou Yunchen: "Your daughter wants to talk to you..."
Ou Yunchen: "What? The flight attendant told you to turn off your phone. Okay, okay, okay, okay, fine, got it. Alright, goodbye."
— Ou Yunchen ends call —
Finally, Ou Yunchen hung up the phone without letting the girl hear Fan Zhijie's voice.
Ou Yunchen: "I'm sorry, your dad is on a plane and can't make calls."
Fan Jiajia stared blankly, tears still streaming down her face.
Ou Yunchen: "Your dad said he misses you dearly and will see you again when you get out..."
Fan Jiajia nodded while crying. Ou Yunchen couldn't bear it any longer and made an excuse about needing to get back to work, abruptly ending the call and leaving without looking back. But he forgot that the greeting card was still by the phone…