Chapter 6, Engagement Banquet

Having met both sets of parents, the remaining matters unfolded naturally. A few days later, Ranran placed the invitation to the engagement banquet in front of Mu Qing.

Ms. Han took this opportunity to reminisce about her early years during the Down to the Countryside Movement, and couldn't help but express her sentiments: "Among us old classmates, your mother was the weakest in health. Fortunately, she returned to the city early; otherwise, she surely wouldn't have been able to endure. Even so, she still ended up with a host of ailments."

Giving her such an item, and explicitly stating that it is meant to be passed down through the family, is tantamount to openly declaring that Shao Mingze is the future heir of the Shao family. Such actions, while demonstrating the old master Shao's strong support for Shao Mingze, also simultaneously concentrate the jealousy of the Shao family members solely on him

Xia Hongyuan was undoubtedly very pleased with her son-in-law Shao Mingze, and she did not want to lose face in front of the Shao family, which is why she was indeed very generous. However, what made her the happiest was that Xia Hongyuan ultimately did not bring up the matter of Lin Xiangan in front of her. Regardless of his thoughts, whether it was due to the desire to form a marriage alliance with the Shao family or to consider her daughter's reputation, he did not mention this matter at all

Shao Mingyuan, with a huff, withdrew his gaze and indignantly said: "Dad, I have asked Xinran in detail, and she was simply used by someone! That incident was clearly a trap set by Shao Mingze for me to fall into. Just look at how arrogant and pleased he is now!"

Ranran listened, feeling both amused and exasperated. She reached out and gave her a slap on the head, laughingly scolding, "Enough of that, stop cursing me. I haven't even gotten engaged yet, and you're already cursing me with a second marriage. If what you say comes true, I might just bite you!"

Ranran hesitated for a moment and could only nod her head

He could roughly guess the old man's mindset, probably thinking that while he still had the ability to control the situation, he would intensify the internal family conflicts to the extreme and resolve everything in one go. If he couldn't even stabilize the internal affairs of the Shao family, then he naturally would not be qualified to sit at the highest position of the Shao Group

Mu Qing had never met Shao Mingze and did not know how he had matured; she was not concerned about that. She could not help but ask Ranran once again: "Have you really thought this through? Are you not yielding to the coercion of your family’s Ms. Han? I must tell you, marriage is a significant matter in life. This marriage is not for the sake of others; it is better to remain single than to end up with a second marriage in the end!"

Shao Mingze then nodded slightly, politely bidding farewell to Ms. Han, and led the somewhat dazed Ranran out.

The situation had become a complete mess, and Xia Hongyuan felt embarrassed. With a dark expression, he pulled Peng Jing out the door, shoved her into the car, and drove away without even bothering to say a word.

Ms. Han came out to open the door for them, smiled and nodded at Shao Mingze, then turned to Ranran and said: "I still have some dishes simmering in the kitchen, you can go sit in the living room first, your father is there." After saying this, she hurriedly turned around and went back to the kitchen to get busy

Time is running out, so let's make do with buying ready-made products

Xia Hongyuan had not returned home for a long time. She went from initially being tolerant and accommodating to later trying to appeal to his emotions. However, after crying and making scenes at the company several times without any effect, she became deeply fearful. Therefore, when she heard someone say they had seen Xia Hongyuan's car in the old city, she came over without a second thought.

Shao Mingze slowly swallowed the food in his mouth, then raised his eyes to look at Xia Hongyuan, replying with a slight smile: "The matters over there have always been managed by my uncle; I rarely get involved. Recently, I just returned to the company, and many of the tasks are new to me, so I am still not very familiar with them"

Ruan Ruan's smile is one that has been practiced in front of a mirror, with the curvature of her lips and the number of teeth displayed both being just right. Thus, the man appears ruggedly handsome, while the woman is gentle and beautiful, making them a perfect couple, attracting countless envious glances as they walk together.

Ranran thought, even if all of this is an illusion, please let it continue like this, with a warm home, with a father and a mother, with a husband, and in the future, there will also be children. Unfortunately, the current illusion was soon shattered by someone.

Indeed, as soon as she reminded Xia Hongyuan to be wary of Shao Yunping, Xia Hongyuan smiled and said: "Ranran, remember this, in this world, if one does not act for oneself, one will face dire consequences. Even between relatives, one must be cautious of each other, let alone in such a marital relationship. But does that mean we should refrain from taking action just because we need to be wary? Regardless of what intentions Shao Yunping may harbor, it is sufficient if he can be of use to us. Moreover, he is not the one currently in charge of the Shao family; no matter how much turmoil he can stir up, the final decision will still rest with his elder. Therefore, we must maintain our vigilance, but we also need to take action!"

He simplified the matter, and Ranran did not take it to heart, thinking that with just a few days to spare, what kind of training could there be? Moreover, it was Chen Luo, such a good-tempered person, who would be training her, so it would at most just be a formality.

The road conditions in the old town are not very good. Shao Mingze drives slowly, leisurely making his way through the dimly lit streets. It is still early, and there are many people sitting by the roadside to cool off, gathered in groups of three or five, both young and old, laughing and chatting warmly. Ranran silently gazes out of the car window and suddenly says without any preamble: "If I have children in the future, I will never get a divorce, even if it is a marriage that exists only in name. I want to give my children a complete family." Her expression is resolute, and there is a hint of determination in her voice, as if she is speaking to him, yet also to herself.

Ranran felt a bit embarrassed by her words: "It's not flattery, it's purely heartfelt admiration. Actually, there's nothing else, have you finished the work at hand? If you're done, come accompany me to go shopping for clothes. I haven't chosen my engagement dress yet!"

Chen Luo's lips are always habitually curled up slightly, carrying a hint of faint smile, making her appear to be a very approachable person. However, upon truly interacting with her, one realizes that she is nothing short of a smiling tiger; her words are gentler than anyone else's, yet her actions are more ruthless than anyone else's. A stack of documents is piled in front of her, and after finishing one stack, there is still another. Moreover, it is explicitly stated that merely reading through them once is not sufficient; although it is not required to remember the original text word for word, one must at least understand and grasp the content well enough to articulate it clearly when asked. A stack of documents is piled in front of her, and after finishing one stack, there is still another. Moreover, it is explicitly stated that merely reading through them once is not sufficient; although it is not required to remember the original text word for word, one must at least understand and grasp the content well enough to articulate it clearly when asked.

Ranran let out a sigh of relief and then asked where would be a good place to meet. This left Xia Hongyuan at a loss for words, as he pondered for a long time without being able to come up with a response. Ranran quickly suggested, "How about we arrange to meet outside for a meal? It would be convenient for both parties."

She ignored her and leaned over to look at the envelope on her desk, asking: "Are you writing back to those two little friends of yours again?"

However, it is impossible for everyone to be satisfied with any matter; when some people are satisfied, there will inevitably be others who are not. Shao Yunping has been immersed in the business world for many years and has long mastered the skill of maintaining a composed demeanor, revealing no flaws whatsoever. In contrast, Shao Mingyuan lacks this level of skill, and his smile appears noticeably unnatural.

Shao Mingze smiled, raising his glass in a distant toast to an acquaintance, while softly replying, "Is this considered a test?"

This scene fell into the eyes of Shao Mingyuan not far away, and he felt the anger in his heart burning even more fiercely, with the resentment on his face becoming increasingly difficult to conceal. Seeing him like this, Shao Yunping could not help but approach and scold him in a low voice: "Useless thing! You can't hide even a single thought in your heart!"

"I never thought about wanting them to remember me," Mu Qing suddenly stopped his actions, looked up at Ran Ran, and said, "I only hope that when they have the ability to help others in the future, they can also extend a helping hand to others"

Ms. Han cast a discreet glance at the living room and whispered to Ranran: "Set the date as soon as possible and organize a proper event."

Ranran observed her actions with such seriousness and sighed: "I truly hope these two girls have a conscience, and that they won't forget you once they have gained their wings."

Shao Mingyuan felt a sense of injustice in his heart, yet he did not dare to argue with his father and could only lower his head in grievance. Seeing him like this, Shao Yunping's anger subsided somewhat, and he reached out to gently pat his shoulder, instructing, "Go and socialize with friends, do not let others see a joke."

Chen Luo couldn't help but laugh and joked, "Why are you not speaking? Are you lost in your book, or are you mesmerized by a handsome guy?"

Yes, do not be too selfish, nor be too selfless

Given the situation, if Shao Mingyuan were to bravely take responsibility and admit to a lapse in judgment, it would be acceptable, as the share of this order is not particularly significant for the Shao family. However, the mistake lies in the fact that he signed this order to please his mistress, which made him feel guilty from the start. Consequently, he thought of secretly covering up the matter, and thus used that batch of substandard materials disguised as qualified products in production. In the end, not only did the issue fail to be concealed, but it also erupted in a manner that was even more difficult to resolve.

Shao Mingze pressed his lips together and replied simply: "Okay"

Old Master Shao has just recovered from a serious illness, and his spirit is not quite up to par. Halfway through the evening banquet, signs of fatigue have already appeared on his face. Seeing this, Shao Yunping approached him and earnestly advised in a low voice: "Father, you have just begun to feel better; you cannot endure too much strain. Why not take a rest for a while? I will help Mingze take care of things here."

Xia Hongyuan saw that she had not yet completed her task and could not help but laugh, saying: "The company has a dedicated bidding team, and besides, Chen Luo is following this project. He can handle any issues that arise. Your presence is equivalent to that of an imperial envoy; who would dare to give you orders? Silly girl, why are you worrying? Moreover, if you don't understand something, you can always learn. I will ask Chen Luo to provide you with a short-term training session."

Standing there in a daze, she did not know how to comfort her mother in the yard. It felt as if something was blocking her chest, filling it to the brim, and a sensation was rising up, choking her throat, rendering her unable to utter a single word. These inexplicable feelings were causing her immense discomfort, yet she had no way to vent them, wishing she could cry out loud.

Shao Mingze fell silent for a moment and comforted Ranran, saying: "At present, there is nothing conclusive, and moreover, Uncle Xia is not an ordinary person. He is already well aware of what choices would be most advantageous, so you need not worry"

Ms. Han resides in the old town, and her house is the former residence of the Han family. After undergoing some changes and several transfers of ownership, it was finally repurchased by Ms. Han. The spacious house is ample enough for her to live alone.

Chen Luo smiled gently and slowly shook his head: "No."

In fact, Xia Hongyuan had long had the intention to cooperate with the Shao family, but due to the interests of Shao Mingze and Shao Yunping, Shao Yunping would likely not be pleased to see the two families collaborate, so he did not intend to discuss this matter with Shao Yunping. Upon hearing this, he merely smiled and did not pay it any mind. However, Shao Yunping smiled and said to him, "Brother Xia, I actually think this suggestion is quite good"

However, once a man begins to openly stay out all night and becomes too lazy to even deceive his wife, the problem becomes serious. She herself is the "mistress" who has taken her position, relying on her youthful beauty back then, and her greatest fear is that a younger and more beautiful woman will come along to replace her.

Mu Qing lightly furrowed his brows and said, "Even when buying finished products, Shao Mingze must accompany me"

Ranran could not help but turn her head to look at him. His brows and eyes remained striking as ever, and the lines of his face were as rugged as always. Yet, for some reason, she saw a hint of tenderness and compassion in his face. Was it just her illusion

Shao Mingyuan nodded slightly, adjusted his emotions, and walked into the crowd with a new drink. Only then did Shao Yunping feel relieved and redirect his thoughts to Old Master Shao and Xia Hongyuan.

Xia Hongyuan was sitting in the living room, flipping through the newspaper. Upon seeing Ranran leading Shao Mingze in, he merely offered a faint greeting, completely devoid of the previous politeness he had shown when meeting Shao Mingze. This subtly revealed a sense of dignity befitting a future father-in-law. Ranran found this amusing and couldn't help but secretly observe Shao Mingze's reaction. She noticed that he spoke respectfully and behaved with appropriate decorum, presenting himself as a cautious son-in-law meeting his father-in-law for the first time.

Shao Mingze responded calmly, saying: "I am aware of this matter; he has informed the old master and also sought my opinion. Given the current situation, cooperation is indeed a win-win solution, and I have no reason to deny it"

Xia Hongyuan looked at her, his thoughts somewhat complicated. His daughter was smart enough and acted cautiously, but she lacked decisiveness. If she were a son, perhaps there wouldn't be such a problem. He couldn't help but let out a quiet sigh, thought for a moment, and then said: "Ranran, don't go down there, stay by your father's side. The bidding for the Nanjiao project is about to start, and the company will establish a dedicated bidding team. You should join them."

Chen Luo was sitting not far away. Hearing the commotion, he raised his eyes to look over. He then heard her mumbling to herself. After thinking for a moment, he got up and walked over, leaning down beside her and gently asking, "What’s wrong? Is there something you don’t understand?"

Compared to Ranran, Shao Mingze is more rational and cautious in his actions. Shao Yunping is raising the banner of Shao's interests in this matter, creating an image of a 'public figure' that will not be influenced by personal gains at all. Therefore, he also doubts the motives behind Shao Yunping's actions, but without solid evidence, he cannot say anything.

However, the timing for this meeting is indeed difficult to arrange. Previously, she was afraid that Xia Hongyuan would bring up the matter of Lin Xiangan, and had been avoiding him, to the extent that she didn't even dare to go to the company, wishing that Xia Hongyuan could forget about her as his daughter once again. Now, there is no other choice but to brace herself and seek out Xia Hongyuan.

Shao Yunping, seeing his son so impatient, scolded him with frustration, "He sets a trap and you just jump in? Don't blame others for being cunning; if you must blame someone, blame your own foolishness! If you have the ability, then set a trap for him too!"

"It is an engagement, not a marriage," Ranran corrected her

Mu Qing nodded slightly, carefully folding the letter paper and placing it into the envelope, sealing the flap securely. Since she began working, she has been sponsoring two girls from mountainous areas to continue their education, and even during the most difficult and strained times, she has never ceased her support. The children send letters every semester to update her on their academic situations, and Mu Qing always responds earnestly after reading them, writing a lengthy reply with every stroke, sometimes addressing questions from their letters, but more often just casually sharing small anecdotes from her life. The children send letters every semester to update her on their academic situations, and Mu Qing always responds earnestly after reading them, writing a lengthy reply with every stroke, sometimes addressing questions from their letters, but more often just casually sharing small anecdotes from her life.

Because of this, Ranran's mood has been quite good, and she maintained this joy until the engagement banquet

Shao Mingze looked at her strangely and asked, "What’s wrong?"

Xia Hongyuan and Shao Yunping had long been acquainted, and being of the same generation, their conversation was quite casual. After exchanging a few pleasantries, someone nearby mentioned several development projects in the southern suburbs, prompting a playful remark: "Who doesn't know that the Shao family and the Xia family are the two strongest contenders among them? It's surprising that your families have become in-laws. This time, it doesn't matter who ends up with the projects; they will ultimately converge into one pot. I think, rather than competing, you might as well collaborate directly!"

Shao Mingze misunderstood, and a look of realization appeared on his face. He asked with understanding, "Do we need to visit separately? That's fine, just arrange a time that works for you"

Ranran hesitated for a moment and nodded: "I will introduce you to each other another day. Overall, he is quite a decent person, relatively mature, and has a sense of responsibility."

Do not be overly selfish children, nor overly selfless parents. Everyone has an independent self; do not live for others, nor should you depend your life and happiness on others.

Ruan Ruan nodded slightly, understanding that her worries were futile. Xia Hongyuan had long been inclined to collaborate with the Shao family, and now that such a great opportunity was finally at hand, he would certainly not give it up due to her minor concerns. Moreover, her worries were entirely unfounded; bringing them up in front of Xia Hongyuan would likely only lead to him mocking her.

Upon arriving there, Ranran conveyed Shao Mingze's intention to get engaged, and Xia Hongyuan immediately expressed his approval: "You are all not young anymore; it is indeed time to expedite this matter."

Xia Hongyuan's attitude was resolute as he said, "If you can't do it, you can learn! I will have Chen Luo guide you; you can ask him anything you don't understand. This is a rare opportunity, and you must seize it. If you do well, it will become your qualification in the future." He paused for a moment and then spoke earnestly, "Ranran, your father is in need of people, and you are my only daughter. I don't have time to wait for you to start from the bottom; it would be better to work a little harder."

Ranran suddenly came to her senses, smiled at him, and led him into the living room

The engagement banquet was somewhat low-key, inviting only relatives and friends from two families. Xia Hongyuan was initially a bit dissatisfied, but when Old Lady Shao publicly presented a set of family heirloom ruby jewelry to Ranran during the dinner, his lingering dissatisfaction instantly vanished.

Xia Hongyuan only regarded him as making polite conversation, so he did not take it to heart and merely responded with a couple of laughs. Little did he know that just a few days after the engagement banquet, Shao Yunping formally requested to meet with him to discuss the collaboration between their two families to acquire several plots of land in the southern suburbs.

Since the two families have already formed a union, it indeed seems that cooperation is a natural outcome. However, Ranran felt a subtle unease in her heart. After a moment of hesitation, she could not help but ask: "Is your uncle really that kind-hearted?"

The conversation naturally shifted to another topic. Xia Hongyuan blinked his eyes and ultimately did not bring up the matter of the several plots of land in Nanjiao again. By the time the meal was finished, it was already dark. Xia Hongyuan took Shao Mingze to the living room to continue chatting, while Ranran followed Ms. Han into the kitchen to tidy up.

The sound of conversation between Xia Hongyuan and Shao Mingze could be heard in the living room. Although the content was not very clear, the distinct voices of the two could be easily distinguished, one high and the other low, occasionally interspersed with Xia Hongyuan's hearty laughter. Shao Mingze should also be laughing, but his laughter is mostly very subtle, merely a slight upward curve of the lips to suffice.

The two of them raised their glasses in a toast in the center of the venue. Shao Mingze had restrained his usual toughness and dominance, and a faint smile graced his face. In contrast, Ranran's smile seemed rehearsed in front of a mirror, with the curvature of her lips and the number of teeth displayed perfectly balanced. Thus, the man appeared ruggedly handsome, while the woman exuded a gentle and delicate beauty, making them a striking couple, attracting countless envious glances as they walked together.

Mu Qing exaggeratedly shivered and hugged his shoulders: "It's better to refrain from flattery. As soon as you sweeten your words, it surely means trouble. Speak up, what do you need me to do"

The value of the jewelry is not important; what matters is that it represents the Shao family's attitude. Xia Hongyuan is not short of money; what he lacks is this attitude

Xia Hongyuan nodded slightly and said with a pointed remark, "We should pay some attention to it. I see great potential in that project over there and am keen to give it a try. I will find an opportunity to mention it to your father. If our two families can join forces, there will be no rivals in Xiping City."

No matter how much she disguises her appearance as composed and mature, inside she remains a silly girl who has not grown up, and if one is not careful, her true self will be revealed. Just like the night I saw her many years ago, no amount of fierceness and boldness can conceal her vulnerability, weakness, and helplessness; she can easily turn around and cry in the arms of her companions

Mu Qing was stunned, flipping the invitation over and over, examining it several times before asking Ran Ran in astonishment: "Are you really going to marry him? So soon?"

It is not that there are places that are difficult to understand, but rather that there are too many places that are incomprehensible! Ranran looked up at him; his eyes were bright, and his smile was warm, while her eyes were confused, displaying a face full of苦相.

Xia Hongyuan casually asked Shao Mingze, "The plans for those projects in the southern suburbs have been released; I wonder if you have been paying attention to them"

Rǎn rǎn nodded slightly: "I understand, what you mean is that you give your love selflessly, seeking no reward, only hoping that this love can continue to be passed on, right?"

Peng Jing is well aware that Xia Hongyuan has not been without women over the years, yet she maintains the demeanor of a legitimate wife, looking down upon those transient women. Men, after all, are always greedy; few do not indulge in fleeting affairs. Regardless of how they play around, as long as they remember to keep their affairs hidden and think of their wives and children, it is not considered a problem

Ms. Han is relatively easy to approach; a phone call before visiting is sufficient to go directly. But what about Xia Hongyuan? Ever since he learned that Xia Chen is not his biological son, although he has not openly confronted Peng Jing, he has rarely returned home. Meeting at the company is naturally inappropriate, but meeting at one of Xia Hongyuan's mistresses' places is even more unsuitable

"You are truly dedicated." Ranran forced a smile and lowered her head again to look at the materials in her hands

Old Master Shao indeed felt tired, and upon hearing this, he slowly nodded his head. He turned to explain a few words to Xia Hongyuan and said "I apologize," then left Shao Yunping to take care of things in his stead and exited early to rest

Shao Mingze slowly released his arm and whispered in her ear: "Go comfort your aunt for a moment"

Ranran was still blocked by Shao Mingze in the living room. Through the doorway, she could only see the back of Mrs. Han, who appeared very thin, yet her spine seemed to be reinforced with steel, standing even straighter.

Upon exiting the hospital, Shao Mingze asked Ranran when it would be appropriate for him to visit Xia Hongyuan and Ms. Han. This question left Ranran somewhat perplexed

Ranran was momentarily taken aback. Being asked to join the bidding team, as a novice, what could she possibly contribute? She looked at Xia Hongyuan in astonishment and asked, "You want me to join the bidding team? But I know nothing about this!"

Isn't the formal dress custom-made? Mu Qing was somewhat surprised

A familiar, rich, and savory aroma of meat wafted out from the kitchen, lingering at the tip of her nose, causing Ranran to momentarily feel a bit dazed. It was as if she had returned to over a decade ago, when she had just come home from school, and could immediately tell what was for dinner as soon as she stepped through the door. Most of the time, Mrs. Han would peek her head out from the kitchen to ask about her day at school, and then hurriedly urge her to wash her hands in preparation for the meal

Ranran waved her hand dismissively: "He just returned a few days ago to take over his elder cousin's position, and there are countless pairs of eyes watching him. He really cannot spare the time. I will go around first, and once I find a suitable candidate, I will just call him over to try out."

Ranran answered him somewhat awkwardly: "You know, my parents divorced a long time ago..." However, she did not know how to continue. How should she say it? Should she mention that although her father has remarried, he is currently not living with his new wife, but rather is entangled with several mistresses?

Seeing her gaze fixed on him in a daze, Shao Mingze's heart inevitably softened. He smiled faintly, extended his right hand to gently touch the top of her head, and sighed softly, "Silly girl"

The couple from the third house initially had the intention to enjoy the spectacle, but upon seeing Old Lady Shao gift that set of jewelry to Ranran, the smile on Aunt Shao Mingze's face began to falter.

But now is not the time for debate, he sighed softly and said: "Do not be too selfish, nor too selfless"

Upon receiving this news, Ranran immediately contacted Shao Mingze

As the saying goes, changing fields is like crossing a mountain. The knowledge and skills that Ranran had previously acquired were completely unrelated to real estate development. This was her first job change, and she had leaped over the Himalayas in one step. No matter how outstanding or diligent she was, she still found it challenging to adapt. In just over ten days of training, even with Chen Luo's guidance, she could only forcibly memorize some theoretical knowledge, lacking any practical work experience.

Xia Hongyuan was already very satisfied with this son-in-law. After putting on airs for a while, he could no longer maintain it and shifted the conversation with Shao Mingze from the current economic situation to the newly introduced municipal planning in the city. When Mrs. Han called them for dinner, the two were still engaged in a lively discussion

Ranran did not expect him to take this action, and for a moment she was somewhat stunned. After a brief pause, she softly said, "If there are no other issues, let us get engaged as soon as possible."

The affirmation of self-existence? Ranran was momentarily taken aback, and after a brief silence, she suddenly said: "Mu Qing, I truly believe that you are a person with an exceptionally strong mind."

Little did one know that this training was even more arduous than the preparatory classes for the college entrance examination in previous years

It was Ms. Han who first regained her composure. When she turned and walked back into the room, her expression was already normal, as if nothing had happened just moments ago. She calmly said, "It is getting late, and you all have work tomorrow, so you should head back and rest early."

Peng Jing originally intended to give the "mistress" a hard time, but unexpectedly encountered an "old rival" instead

Ranran bit her lip, feeling a myriad of difficulties

Shao Mingze smiled modestly and nodded in agreement

Mu Qing, however, shook his head with a smile: "This is truly not something noble; it can only be regarded as an affirmation of one's own existence, or perhaps a quest for the purification of one's spirit. Only by frequently engaging in such activities can one feel that their existence holds a slight significance for society."

Shao Mingze had not seen her in such a childlike manner for a long time, and while he was surprised, his feelings became somewhat complicated. He could emotionally understand why she would suddenly say such things, but rationally he wanted to tell her that a complete family does not necessarily equate to happiness, and a painful marriage could never provide happiness for a child. Rather than being entangled in pain, it would be better for them to let go of each other and seek their own paths.

His words were heartfelt, and Ranran couldn't help but feel moved, nodding in agreement: "Alright, Dad, I will do my best. However, I must be upfront. I have never been involved in this kind of work before, and now you suddenly ask me to do this, which is clearly pushing me into a situation I am unprepared for. If I do not perform well, you cannot blame me."

At the dining table, Ms. Han spoke very little, yet her eyes and brows revealed a rare softness and gentleness that was seldom seen in her daily demeanor. She seemed less concerned about the usual small details and simply smiled as she listened to Xia Hongyuan discuss the significant importance of the development of the Nanjiao Wetlands for the economic development of Xiping City

Ms. Han, who had been silent beside them, was unwilling to let Xia Hongyuan discuss the matter further, so she turned to inquire about Shao's mother, asking if she had been experiencing any leg pain recently. She mentioned that she knew an experienced traditional Chinese medicine doctor who was very skilled in treating back and leg pain. Shao Mingze did not refuse Ms. Han's kind offer and earnestly noted down the contact information of that doctor, saying that he would definitely take his mother to see him later.

She has always been like this; regardless of what is said, it is basically all declarative sentences, with very few questions, as if she never inquires about others' opinions. Ranran had long been accustomed to this and, upon hearing this, did not say a word, merely nodding gently. Although Ms. Han was not satisfied with her attitude, she reluctantly tolerated it. For a moment, both were at a loss for words, each busy with their own tasks.

For this reason, Ranran specifically scheduled the time for the weekend when everyone could spare some time. When she arrived with Shao Mingze, she saw that Xia Hongyuan's car was already parked outside the courtyard gate

It seems that the engagement is happening a bit too quickly! We have known each other for less than three months, and I still haven't figured out your temperament. How can we settle on marriage so soon? Mu Qing stared at Ran Ran with a serious expression and asked, "Have you really made up your mind? Have you thought it through?"

With so many things that I have never encountered before, how could I possibly understand and grasp them all at once! Ranran silently lamented, feeling overwhelmed, and couldn't help but bang her head against the stack of folders piled half a foot high in front of her, muttering incoherently to herself: "I want to be a wealthy second-generation who enjoys food, drink, and fun; I do not want to be a struggling career woman..."

Ranran lowered her head, concentrating on washing the fruits in the basin. A gentle stream of water flowed silently from the faucet, tenderly gliding over the back of her hand, as if it could touch the heart, slowly soaking the entire heart and calming all restlessness and unease.

Regardless of whether this matter was a deliberate trap set by Shao Mingze, the ultimate beneficiary is him. Based solely on this point, Shao Mingyuan has ample reason to hate him to the core

Only then did Ranran come to her senses, and she simply nodded along with his words, replying earnestly: "Even if he is handsome, he loses his charm in the face of suffering. I haven't forced myself to learn like this in a long time; it feels like I've woken up and returned to the time before the college entrance examination. Teacher Chen, let's discuss this secretly. After all, my involvement in this matter is just to gain some prestige. Could you possibly raise your esteemed hand a little higher and let me off the hook? Is that alright?"

Old Master Shao suffered a heart attack in a fit of anger and was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment overnight. As a result, Shao Mingyuan was relieved of his position as Deputy General Manager of the Shao Corporation, while Shao Mingze took the opportunity to return to the Shao headquarters and took control of half of the business.

Ranran sensed the undercurrents of this private situation and half-jokingly whispered to Shao Mingze, "Hey! What is the old man planning to do? Is he supporting you or deliberately creating enemies for you?"

Fang Xinran is the mistress of Shao Mingyuan, a recent university graduate. She initially secured a very relaxed job through Shao Mingyuan's connections, but unexpectedly switched to an import and export company shortly after. In pursuit of performance, she relentlessly pressured Shao Mingyuan to secure a procurement order worth over 100 million yuan for Shao's company. However, the problem arose with this order. After the materials were received, serious quality issues were discovered. By the time Shao's company sought to hold the other party accountable, the so-called import and export company had vanished without a trace, leaving only Fang Xinran, who was completely unaware of the situation.

"Clever! That's exactly what it means!" Mu Qing said with a smile

Ranran did not agree with Xia Hongyuan's words, but could not find a reason to refute them, so she fell silent

Mu Qing quickly turned his head and spat twice, then lightly patted his lips a couple of times, muttering incessantly: "Childish words are unrestrained, the strong wind blows them away"

Shao Mingze looked at Ranran, his gaze filled with inquiry. Before Ranran could speak, Ms. Han spoke first: "I am a bit tired today and would like to be alone for a while. Xiao Shao, please take Ranran back as well."

Ranran thought for a moment and felt that under the current circumstances, this method was quite good, as it could at least create the illusion of a good relationship between Xia Hongyuan and Ms. Han. She agreed to Xia Hongyuan's request and turned to discuss it with Ms. Han. After listening, Ms. Han was silent for a moment before agreeing to the suggestion, only asking Ranran to inform her in advance once the time was set, so she could prepare accordingly. Since they had come to the house, it was only proper to invite Shao Mingze to stay for a meal.

Old grievances and new grudges surged to the forefront of their minds. Without a second thought, Peng Jing began to create a scene in the courtyard, pointing at Ms. Han and cursing her for being shameless, saying that with so many men on the street, she chose to seduce someone else's husband. Although Ms. Han was strong-willed, she had been raised with good manners and would never stoop to argue with such a shrew. Instead, she turned pale with anger, trembling all over. Ranran was in the kitchen cutting fruit, and in her fury, she gripped the knife and was about to rush out, but Shao Mingze forcibly held her tightly from behind. No matter how hard she struggled, she could not break free from his powerful grip. Although Ms. Han was strong-willed, she had been raised with good manners and would never stoop to argue with such a shrew. Instead, she turned pale with anger, trembling all over. Ranran was in the kitchen cutting fruit, and in her fury, she gripped the knife and was about to rush out, but Shao Mingze forcibly held her tightly from behind. No matter how hard she struggled, she could not break free from his powerful grip.

Although Ranran is tired, her spirits are high

Little did Xia Hongyuan know that he was unwilling. Although he had met Shao Mingze a few times before, this occasion was different from the past, as it marked the first time Shao Mingze was visiting as a prospective son-in-law to meet his future father-in-law. Only by visiting in person could one truly gauge the formality of the meeting. He thought for a moment and asked Ranran: "Where does your mother live now? Discuss with her and see if we can invite Shao Mingze to her place, and I will go too, so that we can all meet at home together."

Ranran raised her eyebrows with a hint of pride and half-jokingly praised, "Hey! This is truly noble."

Shao Mingze noticed that Ranran seemed a bit distracted, so he reached out and gently touched her, calling softly, "Ranran?"

He also wanted to tell her that happiness has always been in your own hands, and you do not have the right to demand that others be responsible for your happiness, even if they are your parents. You were once their responsibility, but you are not their life; they can choose to sacrifice for you, and likewise, they have the right to seek their own happiness

The parties involved were indifferent, and since it was already a settled matter, Mu Qing had no choice but to remain silent and obediently accompany Ran Ran out. The two of them strolled from 10 AM to 10 PM, spending a full twelve hours shopping. By the end, Mu Qing was so exhausted that her complexion changed, and she sat on a bench by the roadside lamenting: "Xia Ranran, please spare me. Even capitalists are not as ruthless as you; just look at all the things you've bought. Do you treat me like a beast of burden? How much money did your father give you? Look at how you’re burning through it; do you even remember your own surname?"