Susu let out a soft sound. She hadn't noticed it before, but Tianyi’s gaze was indeed sharp.
Looking again, Gui Nan did give off a different impression with and without his glasses.
"Then you're truly amazing, to become a licensed lawyer through self-study and exams," Tianyi praised.
Gui Nan said humbly, "I was too mischievous in school and didn't study properly. By the time I realized the importance of learning, it was a bit late. I could only compensate with diligence. Being able to earn a living and support myself and my family is enough for me."
"Few young people nowadays are as straightforward as you," Tianyi said, pulling out a card and offering it to him. "It's fortunate you saved Susu this time. These are a few shares in the Ao Xiang Group, a small token of our gratitude."
Even Susu was surprised by Tianyi's generosity. However, Gui Nan did not accept the share certificate. "Mr. Qin, I've already told Ms. Gu, saving her was purely instinctual. I never expected any reward. Please take it back."
Susu quickly chimed in, "Lawyer Gui, please accept it. If you hadn't appeared then, I can't even imagine what the consequences would have been. This is just a small gesture from us."
Gui Nan firmly refused. "Ms. Gu, Mr. Qin, if I accept this card, what would that make me? I really can't accept it. Treating us to a nice meal would be enough."
Tianyi didn't force the share certificate on him and put it away. "Alright, order whatever you like. Consider it that we still owe you this favor. If you ever need help, don't hesitate to ask."
"Mm, having Mr. Qin's word is enough for me," Gui Nan said, happily picking up the menu and ordering several signature dishes.
After the meal, on the way home, Susu leaned her arm on Tianyi's and rested her head on his shoulder. She seemed lost in thought, not speaking.
Tianyi sensed her low spirits and reached up to touch her forehead. "What's wrong? Are you not feeling well?"
Susu shook her head. "No, I just feel that there are still many good people in this world. Sophie back then was as simple as Lawyer Gui, helping others without seeking reward. It was I who wronged her."
Tianyi hummed in agreement. "Gui Nan seems like a decent person. We should look out for him in the future."
Hearing Susu mention Sophie, he felt conflicted about whether to tell her that Sophie was actually being held by him.
"I was thinking of hiring him as the legal advisor for my studio once the contract matters are resolved. What do you think?"
"That's a good idea. Your studio is gaining a lot of fame now, and it certainly needs a professional with legal expertise."
Susu looked up at him. "You were quite generous today, offering shares as thanks. Does An Jing know about this?"
"No need to inform him. These are my personal shares. Giving a few to Gui Nan won't affect the overall situation of the group," Tianyi said lightly.
Susu remarked, "It seems Lawyer Gui truly isn't seeking any reward."
"Since he didn't accept it, we still owe him. At his age, to have such a noble spirit is truly commendable. If he's aiming for something more, we'll have to wait and see," Tianyi said, accustomed to looking beyond the surface when assessing people. He always started with a pragmatic mindset, as truly selfless saints were exceedingly rare.
Susu couldn't help but ask, "If that's the case, are you suggesting his refusal of thanks might have ulterior motives?"
"It's hard to say. In any case, don't think too highly or too poorly of human nature. We should remain cautious with new acquaintances," Tianyi said, tapping her nose playfully. "Enough about that. There isn't much going on lately. Let's take the children out for some fun."
Susu's spirits lifted. "Where are we going?"
Tianyi smiled. "We can't go too far, but I can spare a day or two."
Susu thought for a moment. "Little Star wants to go to the second phase of the amusement park your group opened. He's been mentioning it to me for a long time. Every time he comes back from school, he asks when we can take him to play there."
"Then let's go to the amusement park. We can bring the younger two as well to relax and let them watch their older brother play," Tianyi agreed.
"Okay, let's set it for this weekend. Little Star will be so happy when he returns on Friday," Susu said, snuggling closer to him. Her mood had improved considerably, and she had temporarily forgotten her worries about Sophie.
...
Xie Zhendong had recently been blessed with a grandson. The child was indeed adorable and beautiful, inheriting the best genes of the Xie family.
However, with his wife and his mother doting on the child constantly, he found himself with little involvement. Thus, he hadn't stopped attending to matters outside the family.
Upon learning that Qin Tianyi was holding a press conference, he was the one who had sent the reporter holding evidence of their divorce.
But that reporter’s confrontational stance against Qin Tianyi and his wife at the conference hadn't achieved the desired effect. Instead, it allowed Qin Tianyi to make a slight comeback, and Ao Xiang's stock prices began to rise again.
He planned to let Qin Tianyi and Xiao Anjing enjoy themselves for a while. In the meantime, he needed to win over and persuade someone.
Today, he had cleared out a hot spring resort invested in by the Xie Corporation. He was the only male guest in the entire bathing area, waiting for the guest his subordinates had invited.
Before long, someone brought Zhao Jianhua to the edge of the pool and respectfully said, "Mr. Xie, he's here."
Xie Zhendong lazily turned his head to glance at Zhao Jianhua by the pool. "Mr. Zhao, where have you been prospering? You helped Qin Tianyi and those two scoundrels trap my son, and then you just washed your hands of it all."
Zhao Jianhua's legs went weak upon hearing this.
He had been playing cards with some business friends when Xie Zhendong's men forcibly invited him, leaving him no room for refusal.
He crouched down, almost kneeling by the pool, sweat beading on his forehead. "Mr. Xie, you've misunderstood. How could I possibly help Qin Tianyi and Xiao Anjing? They're my competitors; you have no idea how many projects they've snatched from me!"
Xie Zhendong felt he had soaked long enough and got out of the pool. Someone immediately draped a large towel around him.
He adjusted the towel and said coldly, "So, you were the one who instigated my son to buy that land?"
Zhao Jianhua quickly replied, "Mr. Xie, it's a misunderstanding, a complete misunderstanding. Your son and I had originally planned to set them up together. But your son wanted to profit from the land deal and acquired it without telling me. By the time I found out and wanted to stop him, it was too late."
Before inviting him over, Xie Zhendong had already investigated everything.
His good-for-nothing son had intended to resell the land obtained from Qin Tianyi to Zhao Jianhua, making a profit of a hundred million.
But his unpromising son had no idea that making money wasn't as easy as he thought.
Xie Zhendong didn't dwell on these details. His tone softened slightly as he asked, "This hot spring resort is a place for health and wellness. Since you're here, why don't you go in and soak for a while? All expenses today are on me."
"No, no, that's not necessary," Zhao Jianhua hastily declined. "Mr. Xie, please just tell me what you need. If I can be of service, I will do my utmost."
Zhao Jianhua knew all too well that he was in a precarious position, caught between a rock and a hard place. He had already been suppressed by Qin Tianyi repeatedly. If he were to offend Xie Zhendong as well, he would likely have no way to survive in Lancheng.