Mrs. Gu has returned home from the hospital.
With Qingda on break for two days, Gu Ranran has been spending time at home, chatting with her mother.
In the Gu family's living room, Mrs. Gu watches videos about Qin He playing on her daughter's phone.
The account features videos on health preservation, makeup, and live stream replays.
Mrs. Gu frowns slightly as she watches, but her satisfaction grows.
Gu Ranran chimes in, "Mom, honestly, since brother still has feelings for Qin He, why don't you stop opposing them being together?"
Mrs. Gu coughs lightly, her expression somewhat haughty, "When did I ever oppose them being together? It's just that Qin He probably wouldn't accept your brother right now."
Despite her proud demeanor, she harbors some regret.
Qin He holds many secrets.
When she first learned Qin He was the eldest daughter of the Qin family, she suspected Qin He had ulterior motives towards the Gu family, which only fueled her dislike.
Looking back now, during Qin He's time with the Gu family—
Perhaps her feelings for Qi Chen were genuine.
Mrs. Gu recalls the scene she witnessed in the hospital a few days prior; Qin He is an internationally renowned doctor.
Although the medical profession doesn't earn much, its social standing far surpasses that of business.
Qin He seems to have no ulterior motives regarding the Gu family, especially since the Qin family is on par with the Gu family in terms of status.
Mrs. Gu feels a twinge of regret, but maintains her composure.
"If Qin He comes again, I will treat her better."
Gu Ranran smiles, "She definitely will. She visits Grandma every week. Mom, it's wonderful that you've come to see it this way."
Seeing her daughter's happiness, Mrs. Gu chuckles lightly, "You like her so much now?"
"Oh, honestly, our family really didn't treat Qin He very well before."
Gu Ranran shifts uncomfortably. She hadn't treated Qin He well in the past, mainly because Qin He herself appeared so listless.
Now, she's come to appreciate her, and so has her brother.
Gu Ranran's eyes gleam. Qin He hasn't visited her grand-aunt this week, but she's thinking of finding an opportunity to bring Qin He and her brother together.
"Mom, in a few days it will be my 20th birthday."
"Mm," Mrs. Gu smiles, "I know. I'll host a small banquet for you. However, you've always disliked holding banquets at the old house, finding it too restrictive. This year, like previous years, you can hold your birthday banquet at the seaside villa. I'll have the housekeeper prepare it for you. Invite any of your girlfriends or classmates you wish."
Gu Ranran shakes her head, a sly smile on her face, "This year, my birthday party will be at the old house, alright? Let's make it a grand event. Invite everyone in Qingcheng who has good relations with the Gu family."
Mrs. Gu raises an eyebrow slightly. Her daughter's willingness to host a larger event is naturally something she approves of.
Just recently, the eldest daughter of the Vincent family held her 18th birthday and invited all the prominent families in Qingcheng. The Vincent family can't compare to the Gu family. If her daughter wants to make it big, she'll certainly ensure it's celebrated with great fanfare.
However—
"What are you plotting?"
Gu Ranran smirks, "I want to invite Qin He, and her best friend Xu Wanwan. Ming Xue, the eldest daughter of the Ming family, is also in Qingcheng and is a good friend of mine. Think about it, at my party, brother will definitely come—"
Gu Ranran doesn't finish her sentence, but Mrs. Gu already understands.
The Western District United Department.
Liu Xin'an has recently completed the internal design drawings for the mortise and tenon pavilion. The next step is precision machining.
With mortise and tenon joinery, even the slightest deviation can have a significant impact, potentially preventing assembly.
Liu Xin'an needs to supervise the entire process to feel at ease.
Gu Qishen enters the Western District United Department with a somber expression.
He now visits the United Department every afternoon.
Liu Xin'an pushes open his office door, "Qi Chen, come take a look at this design."
Gu Qishen replies and walks in. After examining the design, they discuss the precision machining techniques and subsequent anti-corrosion and pest-proofing measures.
Gu Qishen's suggestions are all crucial, and Liu Xin'an nods in agreement or explains the waterproofing workflow to him.
After their discussion, Liu Xin'an glances at the corridor outside the office.
"It's been a few days since I've seen Xiao He."
Gu Qishen's lips purse slightly, "Mm."
"So you've been coming here for nothing?"
Liu Xin'an teases with a smile.
Gu Qishen says calmly, "It's fine. I should see her in a few days."
"How so?"
He hands Liu Xin'an an invitation he prepared earlier, "In a while, it's my sister's birthday banquet. Old Liu, please bring your wife to attend. You've been in Qingcheng for a while, think of it as a lively occasion together."
Liu Xin'an smiles as he accepts, "That's good. My wife's health has improved significantly recently. I'll bring her."
Gu Ranran's birthday banquet invitation is also sent to the Qin family. Qin Yun is at the company, and only Qin He is at home.
She glances at the embossed invitation in her hand.
Gu Ranran's birthday banquet, does she need to attend?
As Qin He ponders, her phone rings. It's Ming Xue calling.
The voice on the other end sounds excited, "Sister, Ranran invited me to her birthday too, but I don't have any evening gowns. I want to borrow some from you!"
Qin He readily agrees, "Of course. Then come over after school today."
Since Ming Xue has decided to go, Qin He has also made up her mind to attend the banquet.
After all, she promised her uncle she would look after Ming Xue. Ming Xue is flamboyant, straightforward, and prone to trouble, so she needs to keep an eye on her at such events.
Gu Ranran sent out quite a few invitations for her birthday banquet. In the evening, Ming Xue arrives.
While helping Ming Xue pick out a dress, Qin He takes a call from Xu Wanwan.
"Is the Gu family planning something? Aren't they usually low-key? Why did they invite me to Gu Ranran's birthday banquet?"
Xu Wanwan sounds suspicious, "We don't have much business with the Gu family, yet they invited me. They must have invited everyone in Qingcheng. They've never made such a big fuss in previous years."
Qin He sits on the sofa, watching Ming Xue try on evening gowns, and casually replies, "If you're going, then go. Whatever the Gu family is planning has nothing to do with us."
Xu Wanwan's voice becomes a little lower, "Alright, since you're going, I'll go too. But have you found a male escort?"
Qin He is taken aback, "Male escort?"
"Didn't you read the invitation carefully? It says to bring a companion! Wouldn't it be embarrassing to go alone?"
Qin He chuckles, "But what if I don't have a companion? If I go alone, they won't turn me away, will they?"