"Mom, no matter how talented Dad is, he can’t possibly be good at everything. You’re expecting too much from him."
Duan Xueying chid in.
"So, the father and daughter duo are ganging up on , an outsider?"
Pang Lijuan joked, accepting an apple slice from her daughter, "Not at all."
Pang Lijuan smiled wryly and took a bite of the apple, "What did he co to River City for?"
"There’s a problem with the dical institution he invested in."
Duan Xueying glanced at her father and asked curiously, "Dad, what went wrong? Brother Jiang Chen just said he’s here for a lawsuit."
"Why ask so much? It’s got nothing to do with you."
"You, when your daughter asks sothing, what’s wrong with that? Is it a comrcial secret again?"
"It’s soone else’s business, so they should talk about it. Not . Haven’t you t him already? If he hasn’t ntioned it, there’s no need to probe."
"Dad, I got it."
Pang Lijuan looked at her daughter with relief. She understood very well the difficulties her husband faced and how cautious he had to be, especially as he reached higher positions. Fortunately, their daughter was understanding, kind, and well-behaved.
Indeed.
The credit for raising such a daughter goes largely to her husband.
Even though he’s often "unapproachable" at ho, the best education is leading by example.
The phone rang.
Duan Xueying took out her phone and saw it was her boyfriend calling.
"Dad, Mom, Xiao Yu, I’ll go take this call."
Duan Zhongxin nodded.
Duan Xueying went back to her room and closed the door.
"Hello?"
"Xiaofeng... has been found."
Hong Xiaoyu’s voice was hoarse, as if he was suppressing a surge of emotions.
Duan Xueying frowned, sensing sothing was off with her boyfriend.
"How is he?"
Hong Xiaoyu was silent, then took a long breath, "My brother was right, he was retrieved from Thompson Lake."
Retrieved.
Even though they had anticipated this outco, seeing it beco reality still felt tragic.
"Are you okay? Do you need to co over and be with you?"
"No need."
Hong Xiaoyu imdiately refused, "We still have to help his parents handle so things. I just wanted to hear your voice."
"How are his parents doing?"
"They raised their child for twenty years, and just like that, he’s gone. After being in the water so long, I heard when they retrieved him..."
Hong Xiaoyu couldn’t continue.
"You all need to be strong, help comfort his parents, it’s the last thing you can do for him."
"Hmm."
Hong Xiaoyu replied firmly, then said, "Xueying, is human life really so fragile?"
"Humans are inherently fragile."
Duan Xueying said gently, "Natural disasters, man-made calamities, a traffic accident, can easily take a life. Isn’t there a saying that you never know which will co first, tomorrow or the accident? We can’t control what’s unclear, so we can only cherish the beauty of the present."
Although it felt like a forced smile, after listening, Hong Xiaoyu still managed a small smile.
"Xueying, I always feel like you’re much older than , yet we’re the sa age."
Duan Xueying also laughed, "Age is just a number, not a standard. Also, girls are naturally more mature than boys, no need to debate, this is scientifically proven."
"Do you think I’m childish?"
"Why doubt yourself? Being childish isn’t a flaw."
"You still think I’m childish."
"I didn’t say that."
Duan Xueying laughed, then said softly, "Even if you’re a bit childish now, you’ll grow up eventually, and I can be with you as you mature."
Hong Xiaoyu was lost in thought, then absentmindedly said, "Like Sister Fang Qing being with my brother?"
"What?"
Hong Xiaoyu snapped back, taking a deep breath to control his emotions.
"Xueying, it’s wonderful to have you around."
"I feel the sa. Being with you, I’ve seen many beautiful and rare qualities. It’s been eye-opening."
"You’re teasing again."
"Not at all~"
"I have to get back to work..."
"Alright, you can call anyti."
Hong Xiaoyu finally laughed sincerely, said "hmm," and ended the call.
In the bedroom, Duan Xueying put down her phone, exhaled softly. Her family environnt ensured she wouldn’t be an overly emotional girl, but at the sa ti, she wasn’t cold and unfeeling either.
After thinking for a while, she didn’t rush out. Instead, she picked up her phone again and called Jiang Chen.
"Brother Jiang Chen, am I disturbing you?"
If it were just being the daughter of the Duan Family, I could say it’s a disturbance, but as the tag of cousin’s girlfriend, even if it is a disturbance, it can only be considered no disturbance at all.
"No. What’s up?"
Jiang Chen, who was originally in a video conference, could only get up early from the computer.
"Xiao Yu’s roommate was found. Indeed, he committed suicide. Jumped into the river near Thompson Lake by the Geological University."
"That kid, he’s pretty sentintal and righteous, must be feeling bad now."
"Yeah, when he called just now, his mood wasn’t great, but he wouldn’t let go to him."
Who says children from rich families are all egocentric and selfish?
It’s a matter of family upbringing.
"He hasn’t encountered much turmoil growing up, and witnessing death so closely this ti should have a substantial impact on him. I’ll find ti to check on him."
"Thank you, Brother Jiang Chen."
Jiang Chen fell silent, suddenly having the feeling that the little kid who once ran around behind him wearing crotch-split pants has finally grown up.
"Am I an outsider now?"
He teased.
"I didn’t an that..."
Duan Xueying hurriedly said.
Jiang Chen moderated his tone.
"Thank you for caring so much about Xiao Yu."
"Brother Jiang Chen, you’re family, and so are we."
"If you all succeed in your relationship, I’ll definitely send a big gift."
Such words, usually, wouldn’t co from Jiang Chen’s character, his unusual expression indicates genuine recognition of this Duan Family daughter.
Given Duan Xueying’s family background, what kind of "big gift" would genuinely be considered big?
"Hope we can receive Brother Jiang Chen’s big gift."
A textbook-style response.
Courteous and decent.
Graceful and composed.
Jiang Chen now thinks that Qing Gege has a damn good point.
The two ca together because Shi Qianxi played matchmaker, and if it weren’t for him, Shi Qianxi wouldn’t even know who Xiao Yu’s brother was, how could she ddle in such matters?
So, indeed, he deserves so credit for Xiao Yu’s good fortune.
"Ding dong, ding dong, ding dong..."
The doorbell rang.
Jiang Chen opened the door and let soone in.
"Did you finish so soon?"
"You could leave the seat, but did you know how to end the eting?"
Jiang Chen glanced at the laptop on the desk at once.
"Forgot."
"The phone call, everyone could hear it, right?"
Fang Qing looked at him.
"I ended the eting early."
With Qing i around, it’s reassuring, Jiang Chen imitated a Cantonese accent, and said, "Thanks very much."
"Xiao Yu’s roommate found?"
Jiang Chen slightly frowned, looked at Qing i, "You ended the eting, and then eavesdropped, didn’t you?"
Fang Qing remained silent, not arguing.
Jiang Chen smiled helplessly and then said "Hmm", "Committed suicide, a roommate who was with him day and night suddenly turning into a cold corpse, that kid must be feeling pretty bad now. Seems like we need to invite that kid for a drink, he has a girlfriend now. It’s ti he learned how to be an adult."
Boss Jiang suddenly felt a bit lancholic, inexplicably emotional.
"Just now, when Duan Xueying called , asking to guide that kid, why did I suddenly feel... I’m getting old."
Unexpectedly.
Jiang Chen cried out in pain, jumping on one foot, unconsciously striking a golden rooster standing pose.
"What are you doing?!"
Fang Qing, who had unintentionally stepped on him, looked serene.
"Old? This agile and nimble, have you ever seen an old person grimace so easily?"
In many people’s eyes, the profound and distant Boss Jiang was dumbfounded.
Fang Qing suddenly raised that foot again, with what was actually a flat won’s leather shoe.
Jiang Chen reflexively hurriedly jumped back, even on one foot, was extrely swift and agile.
Then who could have predicted Fang Qing would slowly lower her foot, clearly just bluffing him.
"Still feel old now?"
Jiang Chen was torn between crying and laughing, suddenly impulsively wanting to curse.
"You... you’re wicked."
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