"..." At this moment, Xiao Zhou didn't know how to describe his feelings. He had just arrived and found his biological father. Was it too soon?
"Come, let's sit over there." Gao Lijie looked at Xiao Zhou with increasing fondness, wishing he could hug his good son.
He truly hadn't expected that his first love would not only remain unmarried but also give him such a grown son. He was deeply moved and overjoyed.
The group arrived at a park pavilion. Gao Lijie held onto Xiao Zhou, while Zhang Liunian stood aside with Gao Lijie's secretary, witnessing Gao Lijie's recognition of his son.
Although Xiao Zhou was initially reluctant to acknowledge Gao Lijie as his biological father, his mother had confirmed Gao Lijie's name on the phone, making it impossible for him to ignore the man.
"Son, come home with Dad. Let Dad compensate for the years of neglect."
Gao Lijie wished he could offer his son the best things in the world.
This was the son of his beloved, the son of the woman he loved most. How could he not dote on him?
"No need. I have a place to live and a job." Xiao Zhou still felt a sense of resistance towards this father who had suddenly appeared.
After all, this was the first time they had met, and he was already past the age where he needed a father. If he wasn't unmarried himself, he would already be a father.
Gao Lijie could see that his son was still having trouble accepting him, and he felt a pang of disappointment. However, he quickly regained his spirits, intending to slowly win over his son's heart. He also wanted to visit Zhu'er.
"A job? Where do you work?"
Gao Lijie casually asked and saw his son point to the distinguished Zhang Liunian beside him. "I'm his assistant."
"Assistant?" Gao Lijie murmured, looking at Zhang Liunian. "Are you self-employed, or..."
"I am the new owner of the provincial department store. I came here this time to discuss the matter of your department store being sealed by your department."
Zhang Liunian stated directly that he was there for the department store.
Gao Lijie's brows furrowed. The new owner of the department store? He had heard some things about him, that the owner of the department store had not settled the bills, and his subordinates had resorted to sealing the premises to force payment.
Now that the principal had appeared before him, he couldn't help but wonder if his son had deliberately been made an assistant.
But then he thought again, no one knew about him and Zhu'er except themselves. It was unlikely that the other party would use this to their advantage and come to him.
"Are you aware that your department store still owes us money? As long as you settle the payment for the goods, the department store will naturally be unsealed." Gao Lijie stared at Zhang Liunian, his mind racing through various possibilities.
Zhang Liunian replied with a smile, "This really can't be blamed on me. When the department store was auctioned, the department store and your side had already settled for the goods. However, the person in charge at the time, Tang Guo, used her position and methods to say that she would pay a month later, and your side's Feng Shoucai agreed. When I arrived, this debt fell upon me.
It's really hard to explain. Tang Guo clearly had enough money to settle the payment at the time, but she insisted on delaying it for a month. When I arrived, it inexplicably became my debt."
"What they told me is completely different. They said it was because the department store couldn't come up with ten million yuan at the moment, so they asked us to wait until they sold the goods to get paid. Later, when you took over, you pocketed the money and didn't give a cent, intending to defy us," Gao Lijie said immediately, relaying the information passed down to him by his subordinates.
"Nonsense. I have no reason to lie about this matter, and this matter was originally negotiated and settled by Tang Guo and your side. The result is that it's been pushed onto me, and it's instantly become my burden. I really don't acknowledge this debt." Zhang Liunian, having found the person in charge, immediately poured out his grievances.
This kind of thing was supposed to be handled by them, and now it was being dumped on him. He was really angry.
Gao Lijie saw Zhang Liunian becoming more and more indignant and thought that he might not be lying. If it was true that someone named Feng Shoucai colluded with Tang Guo, causing them to miss out on ten million yuan, then the other party would surely be imprisoned.
"I will have someone investigate this matter when I get back. If, as you say, Tang Guo deliberately refused to pay when she had the ability to do so, and Feng Shoucai helped her to deliberately shift the blame onto you, I will not let him off lightly, and your department store will be able to operate smoothly."
Zhang Liunian, seeing the sincerity in Gao Lijie's words, didn't mind showing some goodwill. "If my department store can open smoothly, I will develop more in the provincial capital, boost the local economy, and create more employment opportunities for everyone."
"Remember what you said." Gao Lijie was pondering how to stimulate the provincial economy when Zhang Liunian gave such a promise, it was like a pillow arriving just as he was about to fall asleep.
"I remember."
After their conversation, Zhang Liunian and Xiao Zhou got back into the car. Xiao Zhou kept looking at Zhang Liunian, wanting to speak but hesitating.
Zhang Liunian noticed his gaze and turned to him, saying, "If you have anything you want to ask, just ask."
Seeing that Zhang Liunian was not repulsed, Xiao Zhou gritted his teeth and asked, "Do you know about my relationship with him?"
That's why he hired him as an assistant?
How could Zhang Liunian not know his thoughts? But as long as he didn't admit it, who would have thought that he knew this by chance from living another life?
"You don't look anything like your father, and I've only been in the provincial capital for less than half a month. You can go and inquire about this. How do you think I guessed that you were father and son?"
"..."
This question stumped Xiao Zhou. He also couldn't understand this point.
He had only been following this new boss for a few days, but he also knew that Zhang Liunian had indeed come to the provincial capital because he had acquired the provincial department store.
He had never met his biological father, so how did he know about their relationship?
"I was overthinking it." Xiao Zhou looked at Zhang Liunian with apology.
Zhang Liunian waved his hand dismissively, "Actually, I was also surprised. I didn't expect you to have this kind of relationship.
Also, you might not know, Gao Lijie has a wife and son, so I never thought he had other sons, and that person turned out to be you."
As soon as this was said, Xiao Zhou was shocked.
"He's married? And has other children?" Why didn't he hear about it just now? Xiao Zhou was a little angry, a little sad, but then he felt relieved.
Not everyone would be like his mother, not marrying if they didn't love someone.
"That's right. Not only has he been married for a long time, but his children are also married. Everyone in the provincial capital knows this. As for more details, we don't know." Zhang Liunian was kindly reminding him that Gao Lijie could be recognized, but he shouldn't go home with him.
Because their family already had children, he would be bullied if he went back. Even with Gao Lijie present, it would be useless. If they wanted to deal with him, wouldn't they find an opportunity?
Xiao Zhou's living environment had always been very simple, and he hadn't thought of this. However, hearing that his father had children, he felt less inclined to live with Gao Lijie.