“…Leader, that’s the situation.”

First, they would send her to Kangning Hospital to stabilize her condition, then transfer her to Castle Peak Hospital in Hong Kong.

For someone like Ji Ya who had been to America, going to Hong Kong wouldn’t be difficult, and Secretary Lai was very willing to help.

He had handled things well—only the security guard and a few police officers at the station knew about this matter. Secretary Lai had spoken to each of them individually, ensuring they wouldn’t spread gossip about Tang Hongnen’s family affairs.

Sensible people wouldn’t spread rumors, but some might not be so sensible—Secretary Lai would keep a close eye on the situation.

“Alright, I understand. You can return to your work now.”

After Tang Hongnen dismissed Secretary Lai, Liu Fen hesitantly asked:

“You’re going to wait for young Ji to come to you? He’s still a child, he’s your son, not your subordinate…”

Tang Hongnen smiled at her, “Ah Fen, you’re so pure and natural.”

What was that about? Could he focus on the serious matter instead of constantly praising her?

At times like this, women who urged men to actively mend relationships were either calculating women pretending to be generous or like his Ah Fen—purely natural, without ulterior motives, doing things with his best interests in mind.

His Ah Fen was the latter.

If Tang Hongnen couldn’t even judge people this much, he wouldn’t have become mayor.

So, how fortunate he was.

Liu Fen pushed away his hand, “I’m talking about something serious!”

Was it fun to keep playing with her hands?

Tang Hongnen became serious, “I wasn’t joking either. Alright, alright, I’ll stop teasing you. I plan to go see Jiangyuan later today.”

That’s more like it.

Liu Fen’s face brightened with a smile, “There’s no knot between father and son that can’t be untied. I think young Ji is quite sensible; you should talk to him properly.”

Ji Jiangyuan might not need Tang Hongnen’s support, but if Tang Hongnen really went along with that and completely ignored him, Liu Fen felt that wouldn’t be right. Children weren’t born from stone cracks—parents brought them into this world. With an unreliable mother and a father who neither asked nor cared, wouldn’t that be pitiful?

She couldn’t intervene with other people’s children.

But with Old Tang’s child, Liu Fen wanted to help somewhat, especially since Old Tang cared for Xiaolan like his own daughter.

Putting herself in others’ shoes, Liu Fen actively involved herself in this matter. If they missed this opportunity and the father-son estrangement grew worse, Old Tang would surely regret it!

Learning that Tang Hongnen would see Ji Jiangyuan tonight, Liu Fen thought carefully.

Should she let Old Tang go alone, or accompany him? If she went along, would young Ji be unhappy…

What would Aunt Yu do in this situation?

How would Xiaolan handle it?

Liu Fen felt she wasn’t very clever; smart people would handle it better than her, so she could only follow her simple way.

That was who she was—pretending to be clever would only be exposed.

She decided not to go with Tang Hongnen, but she could do something to support him.

“Young Ji has been busy handling this matter, without even time to sleep, so he probably hasn’t eaten properly either. I don’t know what he likes, but should I make some Chinese yam porridge for you to take?”

Bring porridge to meet Jiangyuan.

That idea could work.

If the conversation ran dry, they could start with the porridge—no need to worry about awkward silences.

Tang Hongnen nodded with a smile, “Sure, your porridge is always cooked perfectly, but let me peel the yams instead. Your hands will itch for half a day if you touch them!”

He had only discovered this after marriage.

Like taro, some people couldn’t touch Chinese yam’s sap—wherever it touched would itch, and even soap wouldn’t help!

Yet when he was sick back then, Secretary Peng had asked Ah Fen to cook for him, and how many bowls of yam porridge had she made?

Ah, he hadn’t noticed this at all.

Now that he knew, Tang Hongnen wouldn’t let Liu Fen touch raw yams again.

Even wearing gloves wasn’t enough—it was safest to let him wash and peel them!

…

Xia Xiaolan fortunately escaped witnessing this sickeningly sweet scene.

Her first task back in Beijing was to register at school and request leave for Ji Jiangyuan!

Zhou Cheng naturally accompanied her. These days were when students registered for the new semester. Tonight they didn’t need to stay in the dormitory, and Su Jing from Room 307 caught Xia Xiaolan:

“Dinner together tonight? Not everyone from the dorm is back yet, it’ll be livelier with you!”

Xia Xiaolan pointed at the person standing beside her, “Tomorrow maybe, I have plans tonight.”

“I see, you’re accompanying your Instructor Zhou! Choosing love over friendship, I’ll remember this!”

Su Jing wasn’t very afraid of Zhou Cheng—no matter how formidable Instructor Zhou was, didn’t he still have to listen to Xiaolan?

Xia Xiaolan couldn’t explain well. Before returning to school, she and Zhou Cheng had bought a necklace, and she wore the engagement ring on it.

Du Zhaohui had complained that Zhou Cheng’s engagement ring was small, but that was from a wealthy young master’s perspective. The less-than-2-carat diamond ring sparkled quite brilliantly on Xia Xiaolan’s hand—it wasn’t appropriate to wear at school.

Old Tang had said it well: school was for studying, no need for such flashiness.

“If everyone’s free tomorrow night, I’d like to treat you all to dinner. Xiaolan spends more time with you usually, and I want to thank you for taking care of her. Tonight really won’t work as we have other plans, please understand!”

Zhou Cheng said to Su Jing, who wanted to stick out her tongue. She pulled Xia Xiaolan aside:

“Your Instructor Zhou has changed so much!”

Huh?

What changes? Xia Xiaolan hadn’t noticed—her Chengzi was still as handsome as ever!

Su Jing tried to organize her thoughts, “I can’t quite explain it. During military training, I thought he was so serious—such a proper-looking officer, but did you see any female student dare to chat with him? They could only admire from afar! Now it’s different from the training days, he’s reached another level. I don’t mean he’s cold, but whenever I see him, I just don’t dare joke around!”

Xia Xiaolan suddenly understood.

When Zhou Cheng was an instructor, he wasn’t quite mature yet.

Of course, he had changed greatly now, after experiencing so much.

It was also related to Zhou Cheng’s promotion—he was very young for a battalion commander. If he weren’t steady enough, he might not be able to command subordinates older and more experienced than him.

Xia Xiaolan also lowered her voice, “Next time you see him, you’ll feel different again. My Chengzi is what they call a ‘hidden treasure’ kind of man!”

Su Jing didn’t understand the internet slang—what ‘hidden treasure’ man? She looked completely confused.

But she could sense Xia Xiaolan’s proud, showing-off attitude.

She pinched Xia Xiaolan and left.

How annoying these people with partners were, always using code words that single people couldn’t understand.

Zhou Cheng thought for a moment, “Like a treasure, always having the potential to discover more?”

“You heard that?”

Zhou Cheng laughed, “You spoke so loudly, weren’t you intentionally letting me hear?”

Ah, she’d been seen through.

Xia Xiaolan wasn’t just making excuses to Su Jing; she and Zhou Cheng had plans tonight. During the Spring Festival this year, Zhou Cheng couldn’t get leave, and Xia Xiaolan had to manage Du Zhaohui’s ‘Chengrong Plaza’ opening, so she didn’t visit the Zhou family for New Year’s.

Having accepted Zhou Cheng’s engagement ring, this would be her first visit as Zhou Cheng’s fiancée!