Section 4

Bai Xiyan followed Yuan Peipei's gaze and looked over. Two middle-aged men and a slightly younger one were surrounding a girl. The girl was wearing a basic black dress, her cheeks flushed, and she was trying to manage the situation while glancing around, as if searching for someone.

That gentleman is seated on the lounge sofa, his slender and slightly lean figure enveloped in a black suit, his long legs elegantly crossed. Could he not be her long-legged uncle?

It seems that your newspaper conducts dental work every year

Well, the editor-in-chief is from Taiwan

Sometimes Liu Jinzhi feels that Miao Tong is not the daughter of that woman. Apart from being filial, Miao Tong rarely shows any attachment to her mother. Children of her age should be more inclined to resent the unfairness of fate or to blame their mothers for being a burden. Although these doubts remain unconfirmed, Liu Jinzhi begins to harbor a deep-seated dislike for this silent child.

She could not believe that the stingy old editor-in-chief would come to her and generously pay her a tip

As the year-end approaches, the company is busy preparing for the annual banquet, and each department is required to send a representative to specifically handle this matter. Zhuo Yue assigned this task to Miao Tong, who is the only one among her subordinates—either inexperienced or overly seasoned—capable of managing the task with diligence and reliability.

Then Bai Xiyan stood up and did not blame anyone, saying, "I will leave first. If there is anything, just call Liu Jinzhi directly." After saying this, she straightened her clothes and walked towards the banquet hall. Once she disappeared from sight, Miao Tong collapsed onto the sofa, holding her head, feeling her heart tighten and ache. It hurt too much. She had disappointed Mr. Bai, and she suddenly realized that besides being afraid of getting too close to Bai Xiyan, there was something she feared even more, which was making him feel disappointed.

Then I conveyed this to Mr. Bai in this manner

The first thing Liu Jinzhi did after arriving at work was to handle the sponsorship procedures for Miao Tong. She went to the middle school to explain her intentions to the homeroom teacher, and the twelve-year-old Miao Tong stood before her. Perhaps due to being too thin and small, he looked more like an elementary school student. His clothes were very old but clean, and his short hair was uneven, as if it had been chewed by a wild beast. His eyes carried a hint of sophistication and indifference, which made one feel extremely uncomfortable

Miao Tong walked over and bowed, "Hello"

Ultimately, children who are not sweet-tongued and endearing are not favored by many adults

Later, the number of children raised by Bai Xiyan increased significantly, driven by the desire for a good reputation and the hope of a resurgence. Those children were sweeter-tongued than Miao Tong, adept at pleasing adults and charming in their own right, yet Liu Jinzhong's true attention was solely on Miao Tong

Miao Tong's momentum immediately deflated, "I am sorry, it was an accident, there will be no next time"

On that day, upon returning to the source, Bai Xiyan asked him, "Is your eye inflamed?"

After the seedling was planted, Miao Tong let the matter go, treating Mr. Bai's words as if she had not heard them

That is a lie. Miao Tong pressed her lips together; at this moment, her mind was in a haze, and she had lost her usual calm composure

This has nearly caused her to suffer to the point of suffocation

Bai Xiyan returned to the banquet to bid farewell to her friends, and then took the elevator to the underground parking lot with Yuan Peipei

Bai Xiyan did not drink alcohol. After meeting a few old friends and dancing a dance with Yuan Peipei, he went to a rather inconspicuous corner to rest. Yuan Peipei spoke to him about matters in the company, her eyes fixed in the distance, and suddenly laughed, "The group of bastards under Chang Jie only knows how to bully the inexperienced. When I first started in this industry, I was also pressured to drink a lot at the table. They had a whole set of persuasive drinking phrases. Young girls are so easy to fool, they take everything at face value, how pitiful."

In the past, Miaotong used to call him Uncle Liu, but later she referred to him as Secretary Liu. On that day, he distinctly felt that he could no longer view Miaotong through the eyes of a child. How could a thirteen-year-old child smile so calmly at others in her mother's mourning hall? She was frighteningly precocious, and the boundaries of age would become increasingly blurred with growth. Would her heart also become worldly and cold?

Regarding this answer, Bai Xiyan did not say anything further on the phone

According to the sponsorship contract, Liu Jinzhi is required to visit every month. In the first year, Miao Tong's mother was bedridden, and each time he visited the Miao family, he saw Miao Tong doing household chores. The Miao family was quite impoverished, yet the home was kept clean. In the small courtyard, there was a grapevine and several hibiscus plants. Even in the scorching summer, Miao Tong's mother, who was paralyzed in bed, did not develop bedsores. Fresh grapes were placed at the head of the bed, and her fingers were stained a bright red, always wearing a grateful and contented smile.

In many instances of clarity, actions that one would never undertake are ignited and spread uncontrollably due to the fermentation of alcohol within the body, consuming reason entirely and leading one to act solely on instinct, pursuing the innermost desires without restraint

At the car door stood a humanoid figure gripping the door tightly with both hands, seemingly unable to think independently, with only its hands instinctively clutching tightly. At that moment, it felt as if there was a tremendous roar of an airplane taking off in Miao Tong's ears, and then she heard someone calling Mr. Bai. Even though her mind was muddled, she began to regain her senses reflexively.

This face is truly beautiful, even the expression of disappointment is so vivid

At that time, Liu Jinzhi was a fresh graduate, having just stepped out of school. Coming from a prestigious university, he had no work experience, and his pride made it difficult for him to accept a position that was beneath his expectations. Originally, Bai Xiyan had no intention of hiring this arrogant graduate, but as Liu Jinzhi was leaving the interview, Bai Xiyan noticed him adjusting the glass vase on the display cabinet at the entrance, moving it slightly inward and rearranging the lilies. Bai Xiyan called out to him, asking if he could come to work the next day.

The hotel is five-star, and even the restroom is equipped with attendants. Miao Tong, clutching the toilet, nearly vomited her stomach out. The attendant, having seen it all before, kindly handed her mouthwash and a towel after she finished throwing up. All of this is supposed to be tipped for, but when Miao Tong reached for the money in her handbag, the attendant smiled and said, "I cannot take your money anymore; the gentleman outside has already given it."

He was merely acting on a whim, and later did not wish to go back on his word. Whether on a business trip or not, Bai Xiyan had no doubts whatsoever. It was not until the year-end banquet of Changsheng Advertising Group that Bai Xiyan was invited to attend, and Secretary Liu arranged for the company's French translator, Yuan Peipei, to be his companion. The banquet gathered elites from various fields who had business connections with Changsheng, most of whom were there to expand their networks, and such connections were often forged over drinks at the table

It seems that the guest of the wine party has had too much to drink and has taken the wrong car. Yuan Peipei glanced at the security phone on the wall, took out her mobile phone, and said, "It's simple, notify the security."

Bai Xiyan assumed the demeanor of an elder, gesturing for her to come over with a smile, "How is it? Do you feel better now?"

He saw her turn her gaze awkwardly to the side, her lips tightened. This simple and easily understandable body language caused the smile on Bai Xiyan's face to falter. If he could not even grasp the basics of reading others' expressions, how could his native land have experienced such a resurgence today? Perhaps at first, he felt a sense of responsibility as an elder towards her, but upon realizing she was lying, he instantly lost all patience

The elevator ascended slowly, Liu Jinzhi was going to the 26th floor, while Miao Tong was heading to the top floor

Liu Jinzhi felt that Miao Tong was very much like him, though he could not specify in what way. He remembered that when Mr. Bai was supporting Miao Tong, he had just taken over the position of Mr. Bai's secretary. Yuan Sheng Real Estate was established by Mr. Bai's grandfather, Bai Yuan Sheng, and a writer was commissioned to write a biography of his entrepreneurial history and company philosophy, which was distributed to the staff of Yuan Sheng. Bai Yuan Sheng was a born businessman, but his son did not understand management. After ten years in charge, the company fell to a point where no bank was willing to lend to Yuan Sheng. Yuan Sheng Real Estate was established by Mr. Bai's grandfather, Bai Yuan Sheng, and a writer was commissioned to write a biography of his entrepreneurial history and company philosophy, which was distributed to the staff of Yuan Sheng. Bai Yuan Sheng was a born businessman, but his son did not understand management. After ten years in charge, the company fell to a point where no bank was willing to lend to Yuan Sheng. When Yuan Sheng was on the brink of collapse, the twenty-year-old Bai Xiyan returned to take over this severely damaged enterprise.

Mr. Bai actually remembers that matter, Miao Tong turned around and smiled, "What a coincidence, I had an interview assignment out of town that day"

After Miao Tong's thirteenth birthday, complications from diabetes took her life, and the Bai family paid for her burial. According to the customs of Miao Tong's family, when parents pass away, their children must keep vigil for three days without rest. Liu Jin Zhi came to visit, and Miao Tong remained kneeling on the ground with her head bowed. The offerings in front of the tombstone rolled down, and she wiped them repeatedly on her clothes. She bowed to him and smiled, saying, "Uncle Liu, I am sorry for the trouble caused to you and Mr. Bai"

Liu Jinzhi seemed to see a fox with a human face standing in front of him, which he could not comprehend, and he snorted through his nose. A few days ago, Mr. Bai told him to invite Miao Tong over for dinner on the eve of the Little New Year, as the house was quite empty. Bai Xiyan's two older sisters were in Shanghai, and in the north, the Little New Year is celebrated on the 23rd day of the twelfth month, while in the south, it is on the 24th. His ancestral home is in Fujian, so the Bai family's Little New Year has always been celebrated one day later.

Thank you, https://www.hetushu.com.

Driver Xiao Mo, drenched in sweat, stood at the car door and shouted, "Mr. Bai, you can come back now. This girl is drunk and clinging to the car door. No matter how I try to persuade her, I can't get her to let go. This... this can't be left aside, right? What if something happens?"

Aren't you going on a business trip

What does the good girl really want to do? Is she infatuated with Bai Xiyan, or is she attracted to Bai Xiyan's immense wealth?

Mr. Bai has invited you to come back on New Year's Eve to have dinner together

Miao Tong was waiting for him to speak, anything would do, but he remained silent, and a hint of disappointment gradually appeared on his face

Business trip, then forget it, work is still the most important

The most terrifying thing in life is not the shattering of beautiful dreams, but the realization of nightmares

After a pause, Liu Jinzhi stared at that calm face and changed the subject, "Why are you looking for Mr. Bai?"

The year-end banquet was held on the evening of the 16th at the Lijin Hotel. Miao Tong arrived a day early with her colleagues to set up the venue. Upon reaching the top floor, she realized that some colorful ribbons and spray paint had fallen onto the car. While others were unwilling to run errands, only Miao Tong, who never complained, went to retrieve them. At the elevator entrance in the parking lot, as the door opened, Liu Jinzhi saw the petite Miao Tong entering the elevator with a large bag full of flashy items. Almost instinctively, Liu Jinzhi lent a hand, and Miao Tong, somewhat surprised, said "thank you" and stepped aside. At the elevator entrance in the parking lot, as the door opened, Liu Jinzhi saw the petite Miao Tong entering the elevator with a large bag full of flashy items. Almost instinctively, Liu Jinzhi lent a hand, and Miao Tong, somewhat surprised, said "thank you" and stepped aside.

"No need for that." Bai Xiyan had already discerned who it was. He was being stared at by those bewildered and direct eyes, feeling somewhat perplexed as to whether the child was drunk or sober. Thus, he took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from her forehead, "Miao Tong, what are you doing here? Did you get the wrong car?"

It is correct that Liu Jinzhi believes there is no need to maintain contact with the children after the sponsorship ends. The road ahead is still long, and regardless of how difficult it may be, they must walk it on their own.