With no money for food and worrying about how to last until the next month, Chen Lishu would always casually invite her along. Seeing her own predicament and gratitude, Yang Lili must have felt quite smug at the time.
Years later, Yang Lili finally spoke in a similar tone, and her heart was inexplicably stirred.
Chen Lishu was naturally unaware of Yang Lili's inner thoughts. If she had known that her past kindness would be repaid with such ingratitude, she wouldn't have helped her even if it meant feeding a dog.
"I don't care how other companies operate. If it's fair competition, I won't complain even if I lose. But your methods have truly disappointed me. I considered you my best friend, but your actions make me feel deeply ashamed."
Chen Lishu's feelings were unimaginable when faced with the plotting and betrayal of a close friend.
However, they were all adults now, and hysterical questioning was meaningless.
"I will handle the company's matters myself. But from this moment on, there will be no further relationship between us. If there is any, it will only be a competitive one."
Chen Lishu had no mood for pleasantries or small talk. She dropped a sentence and left with Li Lang.
Yang Lili stood in place, watching Chen Lishu's departing back for a long moment before turning to leave as well.
After first sending Chen Baozhu back to the He family, Li Lang turned and headed to a private club.
"What brings you here today?" a man wearing gold-rimmed glasses asked, teasing him with a wicked grin. "Were you dumped by the new starlet you just hooked up with, and you've come here to drown your sorrows in alcohol?"
"Nonsense." Li Lang sat down on the sofa, picked up a glass from the coffee table, and took a large gulp.
The man with gold-rimmed glasses immediately became anxious. "Hey, that's my new cocktail blend. You just wasted it with that guzzling."
Li Lang put down the glass and chuckled, "No need to worry about such trivial details."
Knowing his nature, the man with gold-rimmed glasses didn't intend to argue with him. He leaned back in the sofa, crossed his legs, and asked, "Go on, what do you need me for today? Zi Yu isn't here, so you guys don't visit as often."
Hearing the question, Li Lang said, "Actually, there is something. Your uncle is the director of the television station, isn't he? The head or the deputy?"
The man with gold-rimmed glasses asked, "Just say what you need to say. What does it matter if he's the head or the deputy?"
Li Lang's lips curled slightly as he roughly recounted his visit to the television station that day.
"I thought it was a small matter that I could handle myself, so I didn't want to bother you, an elder. Who knew someone would look down on me."
The man raised an eyebrow. "Who is the person and who is the dog?"
"Zi Yu specifically called to give instructions. Besides, Zi Yu's sister is our sister, right? Anyway, I've already said what I needed to say. You handle this matter."
The man looked confused. "What am I supposed to handle about what you agreed to?"
Li Lang nudged him with his shoulder. "Don't play coy. Two days, no, tomorrow I'll be back. Whether you handle it depends on how much weight I carry in your heart."
...
Although the matter wasn't settled, Chen Lishu didn't show it. Instead, before returning to the He family, she specifically went to a vegetable shop.
Seeing her carrying a lot of groceries as she entered, Mother He asked curiously, "Why did you buy so much? Is there some good news? Did things get settled?"
"It won't be decided that quickly," Chen Lishu replied while changing her shoes. "I happened to pass by the vegetable shop and saw they had fresh celery. Dad has high blood pressure, and celery can lower blood pressure. I also bought some meat, so we'll have celery and pork dumplings for dinner tonight."
"That's why they say daughters are caring," Mother He smiled upon hearing her words. "Then I'll wash my hands and start making the dough. We'll have dumplings tonight."
Seeing his wife and Chen Lishu heading into the kitchen, Old Master He stopped practicing his calligraphy, took off his reading glasses, and put on his coat and shoes to head out.
Mother He poked her head out from the kitchen. "Old He, it's already this time, and dinner will be soon. Why are you still going out?"
Father He paused while putting on his shoes and replied, "Oh, I just remembered Old Li said he had something to discuss with me yesterday. I'll be back soon."
"Dad, it just snowed outside, and the roads are slippery. Be careful when you go out," Chen Lishu reminded him.
"Alright, alright," Father He replied. After stepping outside, he walked towards his old friend's house with his hands behind his back.
Their children were all abroad. They had returned some time ago and hadn't even played chess for several days. Hmph, they had sent two bottles of foreign wine afterwards to apologize.
He wouldn't learn from Old Li. However, he could share the fact that celery lowers blood pressure and mention how thoughtful his daughter was.
As the mother and daughter had just finished wrapping the dumplings and put them in the pot, Old Master He returned, looking refreshed.
After the three of them finished dinner, Chen Lishu made a phone call home.
Gu Xingdong answered the phone. After they chatted for a few sentences, a voice could be heard faintly through the receiver: "Mama?"
Gu Xingdong bent down and held his daughter in his arms, saying softly, "It's Mama. Does Xiao Bai want to talk to Mama?"
Xiao Bai nodded obediently. "Mama, want Mama."
Gu Xingdong held the receiver to his daughter's cheek. Upon hearing her mother's voice, the little one's eyes widened with excitement.
"Mama, Mama come back." The initially happy little one, after just a few words with her mother, suddenly pouted with a wronged expression.
Listening to her daughter's tender voice, Chen Lishu's heart ached. She gently coaxed, "Soon, Mama will finish things here and come back soon. When Mama comes back, she'll buy you lots and lots of delicious food and fun toys, okay? What do you want to eat, Xiao Bai?"
Her daughter was good in every way, except she was a bit of a glutton. She weighed almost the same as Xiao Chengzi when she was born, but now she was already three pounds heavier than her brother.
Her chubby little hands were full of dimples.
As a mother, she knew her daughter best. Sure enough, as soon as food was mentioned, Xiao Bai's attention was immediately diverted.
"Rou Rou, Xiao Bai wants Rou Rou."
Listening to her daughter's request, Chen Lishu couldn't help but laugh. "Okay, Mama will buy you meat."
"What about Xiao Chengzi and Rui Rui?"
Gu Xingdong glanced at Rui Rui, who was diligently stacking building blocks to build a house. It had finally taken shape when Xiao Chengzi, who had suddenly appeared, pushed it all down.
The mischievous boy even grinned and tilted his head to look at his brother's expression. Rui Rui cooperated by reaching out to grab him, and Xiao Chengzi immediately nodded and ran off, letting out a series of giggles.
"You have to work and take care of the children. You've worked hard," Chen Lishu whispered into the phone, glancing at the elderly couple talking not far away.
"You've been through it too," Gu Xingdong smiled. "Everything is fine at home, so you don't need to rush back."
He paused and then added, "Of course, don't linger after you finish your business, as the children miss you very much."
Knowing what he meant, Chen Lishu couldn't help but tease him with a smile, "Only the children?"
Gu Xingdong was silent for a moment. "Don't ask what you already know."