"I know, I'm not nervous."
"Then can you let go of my hand?" Tianyi said with a smile.
Susu then realized that she had been holding Tianyi's hand without realizing it, and gripping it so tightly that her fingers were almost digging into his flesh.
She immediately let go and asked, "Did I hurt you?"
Tianyi shook the hand she had just released and happily embraced her, saying, "No, I'm very happy that you can hold me like this."
"You're still happy?" Susu asked with a guilty conscience, "Did the press conference bomb? What do we do next?"
Tianyi's embrace tightened, as if he wanted to embed her into his bones. He said deeply, "I don't know, but it doesn't matter. With what you said to all those reporters, I have no regrets in this life."
Leaning against him, Susu took a breath and asked, "I, I thought I said the wrong thing..."
"In my eyes, everything you say is like heavenly music. Nothing else matters." Tianyi looked out the car window with a smile, his heart firm in the belief that nothing was more important than protecting his family.
The next day, news about Aoxiang Group dominated many front pages. There were reports of a couple working together for charity, and also rumors of them faking harmony.
Each side had half the coverage, so it couldn't be said that yesterday's press conference was a complete failure.
This morning, the stock prices of Aoxiang and Shu's both saw a slight increase, which gave Tianyi and An Jing a moment of relief. However, An Jing was still bothered by the reporter who had appeared out of nowhere at yesterday's press conference to stir up trouble.
"The public relations department must be held responsible for this. We put in so much effort, and it didn't achieve the expected results," An Jing said while drinking coffee in Tianyi's office.
Tianyi, on the other hand, seemed to be in a good mood. "Don't you usually advocate against excessive pursuit of responsibility and punishments like strict salary deductions?"
"Their public relations manager had assured me that all the reporters attending were briefed and wouldn't cause trouble. And what happened? An Jing said with some anger, "Someone like that still managed to sneak in. Otherwise, our stock prices would have soared today. We donated two schools, and we could have recouped the cost..."
"I think we should let it go. Establishing the children's charity fund was never about making money. Let's not mix charity with these things," Tianyi said. "If someone intends to target us, it's not something the public relations department alone can prevent. I think yesterday's event was effective enough. This matter ends here. I won't pursue anyone's responsibility."
An Jing looked at him seriously. "Young Master, when did your mindset elevate to this level? It's quite remarkable. It's rare for you not to have called the public relations department in for a severe reprimand today."
"Stop teasing me. Do you think this is your break room?" Tianyi said coldly. "Do you have nothing else to do today?"
An Jing swirled his coffee cup, not spilling a drop, and said proudly, "Yes, of course, I have a lot to do."
"You're about to become a father, shouldn't you learn to be more steady?" Tianyi couldn't stand his showboating.
"What do you mean 'about to become a father'? Don't I already have a daughter? Xiaoxiao likes me this way. Only I can make her laugh at home."
Tianyi immediately thought of his own daughter, Tiantian, who only knew how to cry. Perhaps he was too serious when taking care of children and lacked the tricks. He beckoned An Jing over and asked, "Besides that move just now, what other skills do you have to make Xiaoxiao laugh? Show me everything."
An Jing put down his coffee cup and said reluctantly, "Who was it that told me to do work just now? And now you're treating me like a circus performer. Nothing, and even if I had something, I wouldn't tell you."
"Sit down, don't go. I'll treat you to lunch."
"That's more like it." An Jing guessed with a smile, "You can't handle little Tiantian at home anymore, and you're asking me for advice, aren't you?"
"Are you going to tell me or not? If not, you can order takeout yourself for lunch." Tianyi's face fell.
An Jing leaned closer, no longer joking. "I'll tell you, I'll tell you everything. I'll pass it all on to you."
...
Because the wound on her head was still quite visible, Susu stayed at home to rest for a few days, allowing her to spend more time with the children.
When she had free time, she tried to contact acquaintances she knew from Paris to inquire about Sophie's whereabouts. However, none of the people she could reach had seen Sophie.
She couldn't understand where Sophie had gone after returning to Paris. Could Sophie have gone into hiding, avoiding everyone?
Since Sophie had feelings for Tianyi, and Tianyi had never had anything with Sophie, he had clearly rejected her. Susu no longer dwelled on the matter.
She wondered if Sophie had left without a word because she felt too embarrassed to face her.
If that were the case, she hoped Sophie could let go. Whether Sophie was in Lancheng or had gone to Paris, the most important thing was not to give up on finding her own true love because of this.
Just as she was feeling regret and sadness about Sophie, she received a call from Gui Nan.
Gui Nan informed her of the progress in negotiations with the opposing lawyer.
Susu asked with concern, "Lawyer Gui, you've been discharged from the hospital. Is the injury on your arm getting better?"
"I've been discharged. I'll be fine after the stitches are removed in a couple of days." Gui Nan also asked her, "How is your head injury, President Gu?"
"It's almost healed. By the way, when it's convenient, my husband and I would like to treat you to a meal."
"There's no need to be so polite."
"It's just a meal. My husband also wants to meet you," Susu said firmly. "Don't refuse again."
"Alright, I'll gratefully accept."
After speaking with Gui Nan, Susu told Tianyi.
Tianyi had no objections and agreed to have dinner with Gui Nan. He also thought about preparing something to thank him.
When the time came for their dinner appointment, Tianyi finally saw Gui Nan, the man who had saved Susu's life.
He looked like a very spirited young man. Tianyi tried his best to set aside his usual stern demeanor and chatted with him for a few moments.
Gui Nan seemed a bit nervous upon seeing Tianyi, and his speech became hesitant.
Susu didn't know why he suddenly became tense and kept trying to ease the atmosphere.
Gui Nan seemed to gather his courage and looked at Tianyi, stammering, "Are you President Qin of Aoxiang?"
Tianyi nodded with a smile, thinking that his expression tonight shouldn't be too intimidating.
"I've seen you in many news reports and have always admired you. I never expected you to be Sister Gu's husband. You two are so well-matched." Gui Nan finally stopped stuttering.
Susu looked at Tianyi and smiled, "So Lawyer Gui is your little fanboy."
Tianyi smiled without responding to her and said to Gui Nan, "I heard you were in the military. How is your eyesight not good? Are those glasses a high prescription?"
Gui Nan took off his gold-rimmed glasses. "Oh, actually, these are non-prescription glasses. When I was in the military, I was self-studying law. Later, after passing the self-study exam and graduating from law school, I became a lawyer. I wore these glasses to make myself appear more professional and mature, fearing that clients might think I was too young."