The next morning, Guo Xuyang drove to the capital alone.
"Yangzi, over here!" As soon as Guo Xuyang exited the station, he saw Lü Liang waving at him.
"Brother Liang, how long have you been here?"
"Just arrived not long ago. Let's go, we're heading to General Manager Jiang's place," Lü Liang said, ushering Guo Xuyang into the car.
"Did General Manager Jiang say you prepared a few cases of red wine for him?"
"Yes. It's from when I went to Africa last time. I'd completely forgotten about it. Since we're planning to visit Xiao Xi's family tonight, I wasn't sure what to bring, and then I remembered the red wine."
"Did Old Li agree to let you visit his home?"
"Didn't I ask General Manager Jiang to act as a matchmaker? If I had gone directly myself, I probably would have been chased out."
"What you're doing is a bit improper. You just had a baby shower not too long ago, and now you're going to Old Li's house to propose. What do you think they'll say?"
"General Manager Jiang told me about this yesterday. I can't admit the baby is mine. Otherwise, her father would probably come after me with a knife."
"Hahaha, you're telling the truth. I think Old Li is capable of doing that."
As they chatted, the two arrived at Jiang Qixin's office.
"Yangzi, where's the wine you promised me?"
"Isn't it right there?" Guo Xuyang pointed to one side of Jiang Qixin's desk.
"Yangzi, is what you said about this really true, that it has such effects?"
"General Manager, why don't you try it and find out?"
"Then I'll have to drink it sparingly. Shall we try it at noon?"
"You'd better find a beautiful girl to drink with when you get back. Don't blame us if you can't find a place to vent your frustrations after drinking."
"Hahaha, that won't happen. Have you thought about how you'll handle things tonight?"
"I'll just tell them the truth. Except for not admitting the child is mine, I'll answer anything they ask."
"That's for the best. After all, if he wants to understand you, he won't miss the slightest detail. But absolutely do not let slip that Xiao Xi is pregnant."
"I know that. It's best if Xiao Xi tells her family herself."
"That's good that you know. Shall we grab a quick lunch downstairs?"
"I can eat anything, as long as I'm full. Those compressed biscuits I ate a few days ago really messed me up. I really don't want to eat that stuff anymore."
"Next time you go up, we'll bring some liquid food for you. But liquid food has a shorter shelf life."
"We're only up there for ten days or half a month before coming back, so a short shelf life isn't a problem. It's that compressed biscuit that's so awful."
"Those are standard provisions, with a longer shelf life. By the way, what about that sheepdog you mentioned last time?"
"What sheepdog?" Lü Liang asked, confused.
"It's an extraterrestrial species," Guo Xuyang said, releasing Kasa.
A sheepdog suddenly appeared in the office, wagged its tail at Guo Xuyang, and barked twice.
"It doesn't seem special," Lü Liang said, stroking the sheepdog's head.
"Hmm. You're saying that because you haven't seen its magic."
"What's magical about it?"
"Do you remember the eagle you saw in Africa?"
"Yes. Was that the white eagle that carried away the python?"
"Yes."
"You're saying it transformed into that eagle?"
"To save me and help me escape, it was seriously injured last time. So now it can only appear in the form of a sheepdog."
"Oh, my goodness. I never imagined, it's so incredible, that it could get you out of that place."
"That's why it's magical."
"It truly is magical. I wonder what its original form is?"
"I can't say for sure."
"What do you call it?"
"Kasa. Its name is Kasa," Guo Xuyang said, petting the sheepdog's head.
Kasa nudged Guo Xuyang's pant leg with its head, showing great affection.
"I wish I had a sheepdog like this," Jiang Qixin said.
"You've seen everything. Don't get your hopes up about this sheepdog."
"I was just saying. Alright, it's getting late, shall we go down for lunch?"
"Let's go. I'm hungry too." Guo Xuyang followed Jiang Qixin downstairs.
Li Minxi's mother, Xu Yifan, called Li Minxi when she learned that Guo Xuyang was going to their house that evening.
"Xiao Xi, are you coming over tonight?"
"Mom, I'm still in the provincial capital. It's Yangzi and General Manager Jiang who are going to our place."
"Why didn't you come back with them?"
"I took on a job here and really couldn't get away. Mom, please don't make it difficult for Yangzi. I'm telling you, he's truly excellent. I've decided on him for life."
"What are you talking about, girl? You've decided on him? If your father doesn't agree, he won't be able to marry you away."
"Mom..."
"Calling me Mom won't help. You ran off right after New Year's. Are you living at his place now?"
"No. I'm staying in the villa west of his place. Uncle Cheng gave it to him."
"Uncle Cheng? Which Uncle Cheng?"
"Cheng Xiuping. Cheng Grandpa's son."
"Oh, him? He came to our house before New Year's, but he didn't mention this."
"Why would he tell you about those things? It was just normal visits before the New Year."
"Yes. We only talked about business matters."
"I can't talk with you anymore, it's time for dinner. My friend is calling me."
"Okay, be careful out there."
"I know, Mom. Goodbye."
"Did Auntie call again?" Guo Yiyang asked.
"Yes, she asked if I was coming home for dinner tonight."
"This situation of yours isn't going to work. You need to settle this sooner. In another month or so, you might not be able to hide it."
"I can't hide it now. I don't know why it's growing so fast."
"You know about Elena's situation. When we first arrived, how far along was she? Now she's already given birth."
"Could it be that Yangzi's situation is different from others?"
"I don't know. You should prepare early. It wouldn't be good if your parents kept delaying it."
"I want to, but I can't control my stubborn old father."
"Then there's nothing we can do. We can only hope Yangzi gets your parents' approval today."
"Let's hope so. If my father doesn't approve, I'll ask Yangzi to take me to Africa, and I'll give birth there before returning."
"That's one way to do it. You can say you're on a business trip, and your parents won't be able to control you."
"This is a last resort. It's best if I can get my father's approval."
Guo Xuyang was unaware of Li Minxi's thoughts. He visited Treasure Pavilion again in the afternoon. Wu Bing and his wife were busy at the store. After they got married, Liu Hui also quit her job and came to help at Treasure Pavilion. Wu Youzhi paid her well, with a base salary of 10,000 yuan per month plus sales commissions. In good months, she could earn three to four million yuan, which was equivalent to her salary for ten years of previous work.