The crowd came to the dining table laughing and chatting, a picture of warmth and harmony.
Liu Lingyu chided playfully, "You child, you're usually so fond of playing games. Today, I asked you to help me and Aunt Cheng practice our game accounts, why do you look so glum?"
Ye Yuzhe said helplessly, "Mom, there's a difference between doing something willingly and being forced!"
Cheng Yi was discussing with Qi Heng, "Little Zhi just showed me photos of the pet she's raising. I really like that cat! Should we get a 'scumbag' too?"
Qi Heng looked surprised, "Don't we already have Qi Xuan?"
Qi Xuan, who was unexpectedly implicated,…
"He's grown up and we've kicked him out of the house. We can get a second one," Cheng Yi began to ponder, "But should we get a cat or a dog? I personally prefer dogs~"
"Then let's get a dog. We can take it for walks together when we have time, and even bring it to the company," Liu Lingyu chimed in.
Cheng Yi started discussing with Liu Lingyu whether they should get a large dog or a small one.
Ye Yongxian began pulling Qi Heng over, toasting and boasting about how much he could drink.
Ye Zhi's brows furrowed as she listened. She was about to speak up and advise him against it when she heard Qi Xuan say, "It's rare to be so happy. Let Uncle Ye drink to his heart's content."
"I'm worried he'll get drunk again and cause a scene..." Ye Zhi frowned.
"It's not impossible to be brothers with my dad," Qi Xuan chuckled.
"That's true." Ye Zhi smiled faintly and nodded.
...
Everyone enjoyed the meal immensely. Ye Yongxian, perhaps remembering the previous time he got drunk and called Qi Xuan his brother, didn't drink much this time.
After dinner, the Ye family got up to leave. The two families lived close by, so Qi Xuan escorted them back to the Ye residence.
On the way, Ye Zhi held Qi Xuan's hand, walking behind them.
Listening to Ye Yongxian and the others talk about everyday matters, her heart felt more peaceful and warm than ever before.
The people she cared about were now by her side, safe and healthy.
They arrived at the Ye residence. Qi Xuan stopped, "I'll just see you here. I'm heading back now."
Ye Yongxian and the other two politely invited him in for a visit, but he declined.
Ye Zhi asked them to go on ahead, saying she wanted to have a few private words with Qi Xuan.
The three of them were considerate and soon, only Ye Zhi and Qi Xuan remained outside the door.
"Taoxun gets a holiday the day after tomorrow. Let's go buy fireworks together then," Ye Zhi said with a smile.
Qi Xuan was a little surprised. Was this the only thing Ye Zhi wanted to say to him privately?
"Okay." Qi Xuan nodded.
"Also..." Ye Zhi smiled radiantly, and the next moment, she leaned into Qi Xuan's embrace, wrapping her arms around his waist, "I'm so happy to have met you, Qi Xuan."
Qi Xuan's heart warmed. He gently gathered her hair with his long fingers and cupped her fair, smooth cheeks. Their eyes met, and her eyes were so clear and pure.
"Ah Zhi, I'm also very happy to have met you," he said softly, then slowly leaned in.
Ye Zhi quickly pushed against his chest with her arms, and she shyly whispered, "Control yourself. My parents might be secretly watching!"
Qi Xuan gave a helpless chuckle, and the next moment, he gently kissed her forehead, "Goodnight, go back inside."
"Goodnight~" Ye Zhi retreated behind the door, smiling as she waved to him, "See you tomorrow."
*
The next day, Ye Zhi was organizing documents in her office when her phone suddenly rang.
It was Zhan Ruoqing. Since she was relatively free at the moment, she answered the call directly.
"Ye Zhi, I heard your Taoxun is getting a holiday tomorrow?" Zhan Ruoqing asked.
"To be precise, we're getting a holiday this afternoon," Ye Zhi smiled faintly. "I figured many employees wouldn't be in the mood to work this afternoon, so I changed my mind and let them leave early."
Zhan Ruoqing: "...You're too much. With you doing this, our company employees are starting to envy your benefits..."
"It's different. Your Zhiwei has special circumstances and has to organize activities with the Spring Festival Gala," Ye Zhi chuckled. "Last year, Taoxun also had a special team on duty until the first day of the Lunar New Year before officially going on holiday!"
Zhan Ruoqing sighed, "Anyway, Taoxun's benefits are so good that even I want to work for you!"
"General Manager Zhan is too kind. Zhiwei's benefits are not bad either." Knowing it was just a casual remark, Ye Zhi smiled faintly and didn't take it to heart.
"It's different. The entire internet is envying Taoxun right now. You've trended again," Zhan Ruoqing said enviously.
"Oh really?" Ye Zhi sounded a bit surprised. "Then I'll take a look later."
"By the way, I heard your mom and your future mother-in-law opened a housekeeping company?" Zhan Ruoqing asked with a giggle. "How's business?"
Ye Zhi's lips twitched. She hadn't really thought about the "future mother-in-law" part.
"They're quite lucky. With the Lunar New Year approaching, many families are doing big cleans. Their company has taken on quite a few orders, so it's a good start," Ye Zhi replied.
"Oh my, oh my," Zhan Ruoqing teased, "You didn't object to the term 'future mother-in-law.' Does this mean you and Qi Xuan are close to getting married?"
"It's still a long way off," Ye Zhi said with a smile. "Not anytime soon. Although Taoxun is considered the number one online shopping platform in the country, solidifying our foundation is very important. Otherwise, no matter how big a company, or even a century-old family, can fall at any moment. At least, I'll only consider marriage with Qi Xuan once I've secured my 'empire'."
Zhan Ruoqing tutted a couple of times, "Although I always feel like you're hinting at someone... I truly admire you. You truly are a woman whose mind is only focused on her career! Even when you're in love, you haven't lost your head and still prioritize your career!"
"Thank you for the flattery, General Manager Zhan." Ye Zhi found it a bit amusing.
"I'm speaking from the heart. By the way, my apartment also needs cleaning," Zhan Ruoqing continued. "Can you arrange for Auntie to schedule it for me?"
"Sure, I'll tell my mom to give you a 10% discount." Ye Zhi said.
After a few more casual remarks, Zhan Ruoqing hung up.
Ye Zhi opened her phone. It turned out that as the Lunar New Year approached, many people were posting about their companies' benefits online.
Taoxun employees had naturally joined the discussion. Compared to last year, their New Year's bonus fund had increased to 1500 yuan, and they also received 500 yuan in Taoxun coupons with no minimum purchase, allowing employees to buy whatever they wanted.
This made others extremely envious. Later, the topic shifted to holidays. Many people complained that while the Spring Festival holiday seemed long, it was actually only three days, with the rest being compensatory days off. The thought of working seven consecutive days after the holiday made them feel crazy.
Taoxun employees again joined this discussion, each asking in the most innocent and unaware tone, "What are compensatory days off? Our Taoxun doesn't have them, we have weekends off as usual!"
This annoying tone led to Taoxun employees being heavily criticized.