Shao ChengZe thought the tsunami rolling in was nothing compared to this. He remembered that chaotic and indulgent night after drinking too much. He thought it was just a dream... But it wasn't.
Shao ChengZe couldn't see the growing crowd or hear the increasing noise. To him, everything around was still. He could only see her as she said, "Shao ChengZe, hi, I'm Cheng LiQi."
She was called Cheng LiQi. He didn't even know her name or which two characters it was. How could a little girl call a stranger out of nowhere and ask him to tell stories to coax her to sleep?
He even asked her who her dad was...
Shao ChengZe's legs felt like they were filled with lead. He took a step towards her, then another. He knelt down on one knee and looked into her eyes.
Cheng LiQi was also looking at him. His lashes were even longer than in the photos she had seen. His nose was straight and proud. His lips were thin. He was so handsome, just a bit cold, no wonder his stories were cold too. He must be a cold person.
"Are you my dad?" Cheng LiQi looked up at him and asked.
Shao ChengZe's Adam's apple bobbed up and down a few times before he squeezed out a "Yes" from his throat, with some barely detectable tremors.
He didn't need to listen to Little A's investigation results. She was his daughter, and he was her dad. He was certain.
Cheng LiQi's eyes curved into happy crescents. "I think so too."
She wanted to keep smiling, because uncle said she looked the prettiest when smiling. But as she smiled, she also felt like crying a little. She didn't want to find him, but she did find him in the end.
The corners of Cheng LiQi's mouth drooped uncontrollably. She tried to lift them up, but they drooped again. She opened up her little arms and asked Shao ChengZe, "Don't you want to hug me?"
Even if mom was away from her for a day, as soon as she saw her, she would take her into her arms, hugging and kissing her again and again. They had been apart for so many days, even counting to a hundred on her ten fingers couldn't cover it. Didn't he want to hug her?
Seeing the mist welling up in her eyes, Shao ChengZe felt like his heart was being pulled. A dull pain slowly crept up and submerged his five viscera and six bowels. He leaned forward, gently and carefully, like she was a priceless treasure, and lightly pulled her into his embrace. His hands hovered lightly over her thin, small back, wanting to hold her tight but dared not.
Cheng LiQi buried her face in his shoulder, rubbed against him slowly, and softly called "Dad".
Shao ChengZe's eyes instantly turned red.
"Yes, I'm dad," he said to her.
Shen Chuqi, who had just returned from the restroom, saw this scene and cried out "Wow", bursting into tears. He didn't know why he was crying either. He just really wanted to cry. Shen Xiwen also wanted to cry, but seeing her son bawling made her want to laugh too. Thinking of the scene when the godmother arrived tomorrow, her head started hurting. She hoped the godmother didn't mean well but cause trouble.
Wu Lin wanted to cry even more. She felt like she wouldn't make it out alive today. Weren't they here to eat good food? How did it become finding dad and finding the Shao Corporation?
Yuan Zhongzhou was petrified. He mechanically moved his stiff neck and looked at Kong Yichan. Who could tell him when Old Shao had such a cute daughter? How could he have a daughter this cute?
Kong Yichan sniffed her sore nose. As a mother, she couldn't stand watching this. If it wasn't work hours, she really wanted to go home and hug her chubby baby.
But now was not the time to think about her daughter. Kong Yichan quickly collected herself and started fulfilling her duties as the director's chief secretary. She first gestured for the watching employees to return to their posts, then sent messages to the various work groups that what happened today was not to be spread externally, and any photos taken were also not to be disseminated externally. Until she received clear instructions from President Shao, she had to minimize the impact of this incident as much as possible. Shao probably didn't have the state of mind to give any instructions now.
When Cheng Jinglan returned from outside and saw Wu Lin's several missed calls on her phone, she had a bad feeling. She called back right away, "What's wrong, Wu Lin?"
"Sister Cheng LiQi and I are at Shao Corporation now. Cheng LiQi said Shao ChengZe is her dad. They've met." Wu Lin succinctly explained the situation.
Cheng Jinglan grabbed her car keys from the desk. "I'll be right there."
She should have talked to Cheng LiQi earlier. She didn't expect Cheng LiQi to find Shao Corporation at all.
Shao Corporation's employees had gone crazy. Not only were the junior employees unable to concentrate on work, even the senior executives had lost the mood to work. Mainly because this was too shocking. Although the executive office had ordered them not to spread it externally, they didn't say they couldn't discuss internally!
Young Master Shao and second miss Cheng... had a daughter???!!!!
According to Shao Corporation's veteran employees, the Shao and Cheng families hadn't interacted for at least forty to fifty years. With nearly half a century of grudges between them, now a little girl who had both Cheng and Shao blood had appeared. My god, were they about to witness a historic reconciliation between the two families?
Groups of people were gossiping softly in various corners of the company. Suddenly, an employee near the window let out a shout, "Cheng Jinglan is here! Cheng Jinglan is here! Cheng Jinglan has come to our company!!!"
Everyone rushed to the windows, craning their necks to look outside. The woman stepping out of the car, white suit, wavy black hair down to her waist, distant mountain brows, almond eyes, swan-like long neck - as if noticing their stares, she looked over, aloof yet exquisite.
They couldn't help sighing inwardly, she really matched their President Shao, whether in looks or temperament. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they were a match made in heaven.
Just as that employee let out a shout, he shouted again, "Cheng Jinchuan is here! Cheng Jinchuan is here! Cheng Jinchuan has come to our company!!!"
Another black car arrived downstairs in a beautiful drift. Cheng Jinchuan got out and strode in, or rather stomped in anxiously, still in the process of buttoning up his suit jacket.
In one day, first the little miss Cheng walked into Shao Corporation, then the second miss Cheng walked in, followed by young master Cheng.
It looked like the former "never crossing paths" relationship between the Cheng and Shao families was gone for good.
Cheng Jinglan and Cheng Jinchuan arrived one after the other. Kong Yichan, who was waiting downstairs, welcomed them to the president's private elevator straight to the top floor.
Cheng Jinchuan tore off his tie and said to Cheng Jinglan, "Don't be scared, Cheng LiQi's surname is Cheng, she has no relation to the Shao family. If that Shao ChengZe dares to try anything funny, there's no need to hire anyone, I'll break his legs myself. I've wanted to beat him up for days anyway, this is a good chance to settle old and new grudges together."
Kong Yichan kept her eyes on her nose and nose on her heart, pretending not to hear Cheng Jinchuan's words. If possible, she just wanted to merge into one with the elevator.
Cheng Jinglan's eyes were a little unfocused. The current situation probably wasn't them doing whatever they wanted, but depended on Cheng LiQi. Since Cheng LiQi managed to find her way here, it meant she wanted this dad. She couldn't deprive her daughter of the desire to have a father.
Cheng Jinchuan had wanted to kick the door open, but remembering there was a child inside, he stopped his leg and pushed with his hands instead. But he used too much force, and the door was lighter than he expected, causing him to nearly fall inside.
Cheng Jinchuan pretended nothing had happened and straightened up, tidying his clothes. He cursed inwardly, damn, this entrance totally ruined the Cheng family's image.
Inside the office, Cheng LiQi sat on the sofa, feet dangling. The coffee table in front of her was full of food, from fruits to snacks to desserts. Whenever Cheng LiQi pointed at something, Shao ChengZe would take it over to feed her.
Seeing uncle come in, she happily waved at uncle. "Uncle, I found dad!"
Cheng Jinchuan, who had just straightened up, nearly crumpled again. Right, he had forgotten. Their little princess loved nothing more than boosting the Shao family's morale and crushing her uncle's prestige. He came here to beat someone up, not bear witness to her finding her dad.
Cheng Jinglan followed behind Cheng Jinchuan into the office. Seeing her mother come in, Cheng LiQi hopped off the sofa and ran to her mother's side, pulling her mother's hand and pointing to Shao ChengZe, "Mom, I found dad!"
Cheng Jinglan forced a smile and stroked her little head, saying softly, "Our LiQi is amazing."
Cheng Jinchuan strode up to Shao ChengZe and said in a low voice through gritted teeth, still smiling, "Let's find a place to talk."
"I won't talk to you." Shao ChengZe didn't look at him, eyes falling on the clasped large and small hands by the door. He replied absentmindedly.
Cheng Jinchuan flared up. "Why won't you talk to me?"
"You don't have the qualifications."
Cheng Jinchuan directly ripped off his tie and flung it over his shoulder. Was he looking to get beat up now or what? "I'm her uncle, why don't I have the qualifications?"
Shao ChengZe gave him a cold glance. "I'm her father. I'll only discuss her matters with her mother."
Cheng Jinchuan was about to lose control of his temper. He had only been a dad for a few minutes and was already so composed and justified that Cheng Jinchuan took another step forward, blocking his line of sight to the door. "Her mother won't talk to you."
Shao ChengZe looked at him, their gazes clashing. He asked, "Are you sure you can represent her?"
...Cheng Jinchuan really wanted to smash his chest. Why wasn't he sure? He was very sure. He didn't understand how someone as unlovable as him gave birth to such a lovable Cheng LiQi. He should make sure if he really was the child's father first.
"Uncle, dad, what are you whispering about?" Cheng LiQi saw uncle and dad getting closer and closer, their heads were about to knock against each other. She was very curious what they were talking about.
The somewhat dazed Cheng Jinglan shuddered heavily at the sound of Cheng LiQi calling "dad". Once again confirming that this wasn't a dream.
Shao ChengZe's face, full of anger, was masked by a layer of fake smiles. He spoke to Cheng LiQi very kindly, "Didn't say anything, we were just discussing what to eat for dinner tonight."
Speaking of dinner, Cheng LiQi raised her wrist to look at her watch. It was almost six o'clock. If they didn't go back soon, grandma would start to worry. She pulled her mother's hand, "Mom, let's go back. Granny Qu should have almost finished cooking. She said she would make my favorite spinach beef rolls tonight."
Shao ChengZe was happy. He turned around and walked over to take Cheng LiQi's hand, "Okay, let's hurry home to eat the big meal Granny Qu made."
He had to get back home quickly. He couldn't stand being in this Zhao Corporation building for another second or he would be angered to death.
But Cheng LiQi avoided Shao ChengZe's hand and looked towards Chong Chengze on the sofa. She reached out her hand to him, "Dad, let's go. Granny Qu's cooking is so tasty."
Shao ChengZe looked at his hand left hanging in midair. The blood that had been blocked in his seven orifices by his beloved niece, whom he had cherished since she was little, suddenly gushed out.
The coldness in Chong Chengze's eyes faded away. He strode over and held her plump little hand. His voice was gentler than it had ever been, "You have to ask your mother first, if she will let your dad eat the meal Granny Qu made."
Cheng Jinlan shot a cold glance at him in her eyes, cursing him for being despicable.
Chong Chengze didn't feel guilty at all. His eyes never left her, moving from her eyebrows, to her eyes, and then to her lips.
Cheng LiQi shook her mother's hand, "Mom, can Dad eat the meal Granny Qu made?"
Looking into her daughter's innocent eyes, Cheng Jinlan couldn't say no. There really seemed to be something like blood ties and familial love. She had only seen him for a short time, yet they could interact so intimately and naturally, as if he had always lived with them.
She steeled her heart and said to Cheng LiQi, "He has to work overtime and is very busy. He can't leave yet."
Cheng LiQi turned her head and asked Chong Chengze, "Dad, do you have overtime?"
Chong Chengze said, "Dad doesn't have overtime. I can leave now."
Cheng LiQi happily looked at her mother, "Mom, Dad doesn't have overtime. He can leave."
Whenever Cheng LiQi called "Dad", a nerve in Cheng Jinlan's mind tightened. She bent down to pick her up and patiently explained, "But you didn't tell Granny Qu in advance that we would have a guest over for dinner tonight. Granny Qu is not prepared. How about next time? We can invite him over to eat at home next time."
Cheng LiQi replied, "But Dad is not a guest. Dad is Dad. He is family."
Cheng Jinlan's shoulders stiffened and her face instantly turned ghastly pale.
Seeing her bloodless face, Chong Chengze's eyes flickered. He said to Cheng LiQi, "Little LiQi, let's not go eat at Granny Qu's tonight. Dad will take you to a restaurant to eat, okay?"
Cheng LiQi blinked, "Is Mom coming too?"
Before Cheng Jinlan could speak, Chong Chengze had already answered for her, "Of course your mom is coming too."
Cheng LiQi clapped her hands, "Great! This is the first time I'm eating with Mom and Dad together."
Cheng LiQi's words blocked all the words Cheng Jinlan had prepared to say. She couldn't refuse her daughter this "first time" that she wanted.
Chong Chengze held his hand out to Cheng LiQi, "Does my darling want Dad to carry you? It will be tiring for Mom."
"Okay." Cheng LiQi climbed onto her dad's arm from her mom's embrace.
"Let's go," Chong Chengze said to the somewhat dazed people.
Cheng LiQi took her mother's hand, "Mom, let's go."
Cheng Jinlan could only follow along.
Cheng Jinchuan was left alone in the office. No one cared how he would eat or how he would leave. So why did he even come today? Was he going to die in this Zhao Corporation building?
It was currently after work hours, but none of the Zhao Corporation employees had left. Some were pretending to linger at their workstations, some were wandering around on the first floor lobby, some were sitting in their cars looking around. Everyone was waiting for the boss to come out and see how the story would continue. But after waiting for a long time, there was no movement.
A message popped up in the "Cheng-Zhao Century Long Friendship" WeChat group formed on the spot: [Stop waiting. The boss already left with his daughter from the underground parking lot.]
Everyone wailed. Why couldn't the boss satisfy their gossip-loving worker mentality?
The next second, another photo popped up in the group, stopping everyone's wails. The photo came from an anonymous little assistant in the Board of Directors office.
In the photo, Boss Zhao was holding a little girl while walking in front. The little girl was holding the hand of Miss Cheng Er behind her. She was smiling sweetly, seeming to be saying something. Boss Zhao's usual cold brows and eyes were so gentle they seemed to be dripping water.
Yuan Zhongzhou jumped in and said: [Wow, I never noticed before that our eternally icy Boss Zhao actually has the potential to be a daughter slave.]
With Yuan Zhongzhou taking the lead, everyone below +1'ed.
Now that Boss had a daughter, would he change his ways and stop being cold-faced and scolding people all day? Was their happy work life about to arrive?
Shao Chengze parked the car in a quiet alley. It was a private kitchen. The owner came out himself to greet them. Seeing the scene before him, he was somewhat stunned.
Shao Chengze briefly introduced the person behind him, "Cheng Jinlan." Then he said to Cheng Jinlan, "This is the owner, Mr. Wei." Mr. Wei quickly greeted, "Hello Miss Cheng."
Cheng Jinlan expressionlessly nodded slightly in response.
Mr. Wei lightly coughed. His eyes seemed to ask: How did you bring Miss Cheng Er here? And you're holding a little girl too. What's going on?
Shao Chengze ignored Mr. Wei's meaningful glances and introduced Cheng LiQi: "My daughter, Cheng LiQi."
...
Mr. Wei had lived most of his life and was used to all kinds of spectacles. But in the end, he still couldn't control his facial expression. His mouth automatically opened in a daze.
Cheng LiQi found the private chef owner's dazed look very funny. She laughed and waved at him, "Uncle, hello."
Mr. Wei snapped back and gave Cheng LiQi an even bigger smile, "Hello, little missy."
The two little people in Mr. Wei's heart were already chatting behind a 10-foot high wall. Judging by this little missy's looks, she was undoubtedly the child of these two people. Her eyes looked exactly like her dad's, and you could see traces of her mom in her features. But...these two adults were both so cold. How did they give birth to such a sweet little missy? This was truly a puzzling question.
At the dinner table, Cheng LiQi sat in the middle with Shao Chengze on her left and Cheng Jinlan on her right.
The atmosphere was quiet, but also not quiet.
It wasn't quiet because of Cheng LiQi. She asked Shao Chengze one question after another. As Shao Chengze fed her peeled shrimp into her mouth, he answered her questions and used a napkin to wipe the oil from the corners of her mouth. When she swallowed the food in her mouth, he brought over the glass of water beside him and asked if she wanted to drink some water.
Although this was the first time the two of them ate together, their interactions were exceptionally natural and smooth.
It was quiet because of Cheng Jinlan. She sat aside, poking at the food in her bowl, and hadn't uttered a word. In all this time, she had only swallowed one leaf of bok choy.
Cheng LiQi looked at her mom, then her dad, "Dad, help pick a piece of fish for Mom. Mom likes fish. That fish is too far for Mom to reach."
The chopsticks in both Cheng Jinlan and Shao Chengze's hands paused at the same time.
Cheng Jinlan lifted her head and said to Cheng LiQi, "It's okay. Eat your food like a good girl. Mom can reach it herself."
Right after she finished speaking, the public chopsticks had already placed the tenderest piece of fish in her bowl.
Cheng Jinlan softly uttered a polite "Thank you", and said no more.
The fish in her bowl was left untouched even when it turned cold.
Cheng LiQi looked at the pitiful piece of fish, then at her mom. Finally she scooted next to her dad and whispered, "Dad, did you make Mom angry? Is that why Mom doesn't want you anymore?"
Cheng Jinlan and Shao Chengze's chopsticks paused again at the same time.
