Today, the Zhan Group also officially opened for business.
After strolling around for a bit, Tian Tian went to the company.
The first day of work was just for reporting in, receiving a red envelope, and saying hello. She would officially start working tomorrow, and the day passed leisurely.
On the second day, Tian Tian went to the company, reviewed a few documents, confirmed several client intention letters, and offered some suggestions. Before receiving a reply, she wasn't busy for the day, so she went to Wu Shuang's place again.
At ten in the morning, Chen Dongyang and Douya were both there.
One was sleeping on a piece of cardboard spread on the floor, while the other was squatting on the ground, finishing up some work.
Upon seeing her enter, Douya hurried over, nudged Chen Dongyang, and then greeted her.
"Miss Jiang, you're here? The water and electricity were all finished yesterday. Please take a look."
Chen Dongyang was much the same as when she first met him, still wearing the same clothes, his hair covered in dust.
He seemed very tired, sitting up on the cardboard for a couple of seconds to recover, still looking exhausted.
By the time Tian Tian finished her inspection and returned, the cardboard had already been collected by him.
He stood in the bright light, stretching his body, his limbs remarkably long.
Tian Tian was very satisfied with yesterday's work: "Alright, let's move on to the next step. Should we start laying the flooring now?"
Douya said yes: "Once the flooring is laid, we can start tiling. Shall we decide on the tiles now, or...?"
Tian Tian might be busy in a couple of days, and she happened to be free today.
"Let's decide today."
She took out the design proposal that Wu Shuang had liked, walked over to the two men, and unfolded it for them to see.
She explained the general concept for the house and the color and specifications of the tiles. Chen Dongyang was spared the trouble of designing it himself and had no objections, telling Douya.
"You stay and clean up the site. I'll go look at the tiles."
After saying that, he picked up the black jacket he had thrown on the ground, shook it off, put it on, and strode out of the room.
Tian Tian followed him into the elevator.
Chen Dongyang was very conscious of being a married man, neither approaching her nor speaking to her proactively.
After a few seconds of silence, Tian Tian spoke first.
"Where are we buying the tiles?"
"Baili West Road. There are many tile wholesale manufacturers there."
"You still came by electric scooter?"
"Yes. Once they're selected, they'll deliver them to your door, though there will be an extra delivery fee... You can also choose to transport them yourself."
The implication was that he wouldn't profit from her, so he wouldn't manage the specifics.
Tian Tian certainly wouldn't choose to transport them herself; they were too heavy, and she didn't have the time.
She just wanted to say: "In this cold weather, it must be troublesome to ride an electric scooter back and forth. Since I'm driving anyway, why don't you come with me?"
As she spoke, the elevator reached the first floor.
They walked out, and Chen Dongyang, with his back to her, said, "No need. I have to go somewhere else later. It wouldn't be convenient."
With that, Tian Tian thought of the sick child from that day and guessed he might be going to the hospital.
Seeing him covered in dust, having to go to the hospital after a busy day, she suddenly felt he had it tough.
So young, with such great life pressures. Being a man wasn't easy.
"It's alright. I'll be leaving after looking at the tiles anyway. It's on the way."
Chen Dongyang, perhaps thinking of something, turned to look at her before calmly averting his gaze again.
"Then I'll trouble you."
The two of them got into the Bentley and headed towards Baili West Road under his direction.
They smoothly selected the tiles, negotiated the price, gave them the address, and then left.
Tian Tian asked him where he was going.
"I'll just take a taxi. You go ahead."
Tian Tian felt he was being overly polite.
Although he was quite handsome, not every woman would be attracted to him, so why draw such a clear line?
"It's just a short drive. We'll be cooperating in the future, and I'm not that stingy. You don't need to be so formal. Let's go."
Chen Dongyang knew she could afford such a nice car and was likely not short on money, so refusing would make him seem petty.
"Third People's Hospital. Just drop me off at the hospital entrance."
Tian Tian drove, while he sat in the passenger seat making a phone call. A woman's voice came from the receiver.
It seemed the procedures were already completed. Chen Dongyang asked her to wait at the entrance.
About half an hour later, they reached their destination.
From a distance, amidst the bustling crowd, Tian Tian spotted the woman holding a child.
She was very young and thin, with delicate features, but her face was etched with exhaustion.
It seemed their child was very ill, otherwise, they wouldn't both look so worn out.
The car stopped steadily. Chen Dongyang got out, and Tian Tian followed.
The sky was overcast today, and the cold wind felt like a knife. The child was sleeping and wasn't even wrapped in any clothes.
With so many people waiting for taxis, who knew when they would get one.
She said to the woman, "Get in, I'll give you a ride."
The woman clearly hadn't expected Chen Dongyang to arrive in such a nice car and looked at Tian Tian with confusion.
Chen Dongyang had to introduce her: "She's my client. She's giving me a ride. No need to trouble you, Miss Jiang. You go on with your business."
Tian Tian was kind-hearted and couldn't bear to see people suffer.
"It's alright. Wu Shuang lives on Changjiang South Road. If I'm not mistaken, you're going there too. It's on the way, so please get in."
Both of them were a bit surprised, thinking, "How did she know we live there?" but they didn't ask.
Looking at the child, Chen Dongyang still opened the rear door.
The woman, holding the child, got into the car, and Chen Dongyang returned to the front passenger seat.
Tian Tian felt it was necessary to explain: "The other day when you took her to the hospital, I happened to be at Wu Shuang's place and saw you by the roadside."
So that was it. Chen Dongyang nodded.
Tian Tian asked, "Is the child sick? Is it serious?"
The woman in the back looked at her and replied softly, "It's alright. She's better now. Thank you."
"You're welcome. Whose child doesn't get sick sometimes? How old is she?"
"Two and a half."
"Children at this age are indeed prone to illness. It's not easy to be a mother."
The woman smiled and said yes, then hesitated and asked, "Do you have children too?"
Tian Tian smiled and said no, "My brother does. I hear about it from them."
The car stopped and started, and when they reached Changjiang South Road, it pulled over. Chen Dongyang got out to take the child, thanking her again.
Tian Tian explained her reason.
"You're welcome. I'm also doing this to leave a good impression on you, so you'll be more attentive in your work in the future."
"That's all. You two go back. Goodbye."
Chen Dongyang, holding the child, walked ahead with his tall frame, while the woman walked beside him with small steps, talking as they went.
Watching their retreating figures, Tian Tian thought: Although their life is a bit hard, at least the two of them are well-matched and have good feelings for each other. Compared to couples who live well but scheme against each other, this is still a good life.
She returned to the company, messaged Wu Shuang about her work progress for the day, and then got busy.
In the afternoon, several clients responded simultaneously. Tian Tian divided two cases, and once she started drawing, she lost track of time.
It wasn't until Jiang Nan Fang called that she realized it was already past nine in the evening.