"Uncle Xu, is everything ready?" Ning Fei asked with a smile.
Xu Mingzhi chuckled, "Young Master Ning, everything is in place. We're just waiting for Nianqing to return."
Ning Fei was in high spirits. "Uncle Xu, from now on, we're family. Please don't be so formal and call me Young Master Ning. Just call me Xiao Fei."
"Hahaha, then I won't stand on ceremony." Xu Mingzhi was very pleased with Ning Fei.
Of course.
Compared to Chen Jinshao, he was still a bit lacking.
However, Xu Mingzhi also understood that his daughter no longer had any chance with Chen Jinshao. As a father, he couldn't just watch his daughter pine for one person. So, he had decided to try and set them up.
After all, compared to Chen Jinshao, Ning Fei liked Xu Nianqing more.
This was a father's consideration.
There was another reason: Ning Fei had been helping Xu Mingzhi with investments these past few days, and the results were promising, giving Xu Mingzhi a sense of hope.
Considering all these factors, Xu Mingzhi made this decision, even if Xu Nianqing might resent him for it.
"Xiao Fei, you should hide for now. Nianqing should be back soon," Xu Mingzhi said.
Ning Fei nodded and went into the study to wait.
At exactly seven o'clock in the evening, Xu Nianqing returned home. She had a reason she had to come home tonight – it was her father, Xu Mingzhi's, birthday. Compared to the grand celebrations of previous years, this year was much more low-key.
She arrived home to a warm glow of light.
Xu Mingzhi stepped forward to take her bag. "Why are you back so late? You must be exhausted. Go wash your hands first, then come sit down and eat."
Xu Nianqing nodded.
After washing her hands, father and daughter sat facing each other. Xu Mingzhi poured his daughter a drink and said with a smile, "I'm so happy you're back for dinner. It's been a while since we've sat down to eat together, hasn't it?"
"I heard you've been working yourself to the bone lately. Dad feels very sorry for you. You shouldn't push yourself so hard in the future."
"Dad, I'm not just doing this for myself, but for the good of our community. What's a little bit of hardship compared to the pioneers from forty or fifty years ago? Today is your birthday, so let's not talk about work," Xu Nianqing said.
Xu Mingzhi nodded and didn't press the matter further.
They began to chat about personal matters. Xu Nianqing was still very concerned about her father. As they talked, Xu Nianqing proactively said, "Dad, I think you're still young. If you meet a suitable aunt, you can try to develop a relationship. I promise I won't object."
Xu Mingzhi felt a pang of emotion.
For years, he hadn't remarried precisely because he didn't want his daughter to look down on him.
But he was a man, how could he not have such thoughts?
"Okay, okay, my children have grown up and understand their father's difficulties. I'm very pleased that you think this way. But what about your own personal life?" Xu Mingzhi changed the subject, catching Xu Nianqing off guard.
Xu Nianqing took a sip of her drink. "Dad, why are you suddenly bringing this up? I'm still young and don't want to consider these things for now. My career comes first."
Xu Mingzhi looked his daughter in the eye. "No, you've completely given up on your personal life and want to hang yourself on that one tree named Chen Jinshao. Am I right?"
"Dad, what are you talking about? He's already with Yu Mengzhi..." Xu Nianqing lowered her head, clearly not wanting her father to see the panic in her eyes.
However—
No one knows a father's daughter better than he does.
Xu Mingzhi immediately saw what she was thinking.
He sighed, "You know they're together already. Then shouldn't you move on from your past relationship?"
Faced with Xu Mingzhi's questioning, Xu Nianqing remained silent.
Xu Mingzhi sighed again.
"My dear daughter, why are you so foolish? Are you going to wait for Chen Jinshao your entire life?"
Xu Nianqing still didn't answer.
Most of the time, silence is an admission, just like Xu Nianqing at this moment.
Xu Mingzhi also fell silent.
His daughter loved Chen Jinshao too much. Would what he had done tonight drive her to despair?
At this moment.
Silence was the common language between them.
"It's my fault. If I hadn't interfered back then, you might be married with children by now. But you can't live in the past forever, understand?" As Xu Mingzhi said this, his resolve grew stronger.
Xu Nianqing's eyes reddened slightly, but she didn't blame Xu Mingzhi for his past actions.
She couldn't.
Xu Mingzhi sighed again, shaking his head. "Forget it. I think I should respect your thoughts and decisions. The road ahead is yours to walk."
"Let's not talk about this anymore. Let's talk about something happy, so we don't spoil the mood."
Xu Nianqing hummed in agreement.
At the same moment.
Li Qiutao, who was discussing business with a magnate, received a call from his subordinate. Li Qiutao quickly said to the magnate, "Excuse me, I have something to attend to. Please wait a moment."
"Please, General Manager Li." The man replied.
Li Qiutao nodded and stepped out of the private room to answer his subordinate's call. "What is it?"
"Master Li, Ning Fei went to Xu Mingzhi's house!" the subordinate reported urgently.
"And he's been there since this morning and hasn't come out yet."
Li Qiutao rubbed his temples. "Xiao Wu, haven't I told you that you don't need to report such trivial matters to me? Even if they get together, it has nothing to do with me."
Xiao Wu quickly explained, "Master Li, I didn't make myself clear just now. Today is Xu Mingzhi's birthday. He called his daughter back for dinner, meaning there are three people in the house right now. And this Ning Fei is one of the suitors of Xu Mingzhi's daughter."
"Besides that, Xu Mingzhi's daughter was also Young Master Chen's first love, and their relationship is still somewhat complicated."
Li Qiutao suddenly fell silent.
"Master Li, are you listening to me?" Xiao Wu asked again.
"Alright, I understand. Now, I need you to do something for me. Anonymously send Ning Fei's situation to Chen Jinshao. You don't need to do anything else." Li Qiutao gave the order.
"Yes, I understand."
He hung up the phone.
Li Qiutao narrowed his eyes. "You little brat, I finally caught you. I can't deal with you now, but my nephew can."
At that time.
Yu Mengzhi had just prepared a large table of dishes. Before she could even pick up her chopsticks, Chen Jinshao received an anonymous text message from Xiao Wu. His brows immediately furrowed.
"What's wrong? Did something else happen?" Yu Mengzhi could tell something was amiss with Chen Jinshao at a glance.
Chen Jinshao was dazed for a few seconds until Yu Mengzhi waved her hand in front of him. He finally reacted, his voice somewhat somber. "Something has indeed happened. Why don't you eat first? I need to take care of this."
"Then go quickly. Don't let important matters slide," Yu Mengzhi said.
Chen Jinshao nodded, got up, and walked out the door.
Less than two minutes later, he returned, leaving Yu Mengzhi bewildered.
"I think I should tell you about this, to avoid any misunderstandings later."
"This matter involves Xu Nianqing."