"At 26, you're not young anymore. It's better to marry early, have children early, and recover early. Besides, Liu Bo isn't young either. He'll be 30 after the New Year."
"But what if I get pregnant after marriage? I'd have to take maternity leave, which would really hinder my work."
Xiao Li'er was also looking for reasons. This was indeed too absurd. Who could have imagined that one day, she and her superior would be pressured into marriage by their top boss?
"Don't worry about work. Just take the maternity leave when you need to. Heyuan Group has always been quite humane. Rest assured, pregnancy won't have any negative impact on female employees at Heyuan Group. Even if you have three children, Liu Bo can afford to raise them. He has shares in the company."
Xu Xiuhe, fearing that Xiao Li'er might look down on Liu Bo for being just an assistant, couldn't help speaking up for him.
"But..."
"No more buts. You two have been together for quite a while, and you've known each other for almost two years, right? You know each other well and understand each other. Liu Bo's family background is simple, just him alone. He's worth choosing."
Xiao Li'er was in a dilemma. She did like Liu Bo, and she knew that Liu Bo had feelings for her too. They could be considered mutually fond of each other, but getting married now seemed too sudden and too early.
"This afternoon, go back with Liu Bo and discuss it together. It's best if you can set the wedding date before the New Year. There's still nearly a month until then, so there's enough time. Any problems? If so, speak up, and I'll find a way to solve them for you."
Xiao Li'er now understood what Liu Bo meant. Whether this was good or bad depended on her attitude.
When Xiao Li'er came out, Liu Bo wasn't in the office. Yang Mo, Qin Zhenzhen, and the others all looked over at her.
"Li'er, what's going on? What did the CEO want? Is it serious?" Yang Mo asked worriedly.
"The CEO wants me to go back this afternoon and discuss marriage plans with Liu Bo. He wants us to have the wedding before the New Year."
Xiao Li'er didn't know if this was good or bad for her, but deep down, she felt a little happy.
"Wow, that's our CEO for you! Turns out he's the biggest fan of the 'Liu-Li' couple. He's practically forcing you to get married. He might as well bring the civil affairs bureau here!"
"The CEO is so awesome. Having such a boss is our blessing. Even if he cut my salary in half, I'd still be willing to work for him."
Yang Mo suddenly remembered when the CEO had called her and Qin Zhenzhen into his office to help them sign up for a matchmaking event.
"I suddenly feel like Little Xu's CEO aura is gone. Now he's just a matchmaker, much more approachable. It's hard to imagine he used to be a cold and domineering CEO."
"Maybe his wife is so great that his sense of happiness has increased, and he wants everyone around him to have a partner too."
Yang Mo looked up at Liu Bo's office and said, "Li'er, your fiancé might have gone to the restroom. You should pack up your things. Don't forget to send us invitations when you get married."
Xiao Li'er slumped in her chair. Fiancé? Had the title changed so quickly?
After dealing with his employees' major life events, Xu Xiuhe got busy with his own work.
At 11:40 AM, the number of people in the company decreased. Most went to the cafeteria for lunch, while others headed to the nearby commercial street.
When Shen Yin arrived, Heyuan Group's building was much quieter than before.
Shen Yin entered the elevator, holding a lunch box in one hand and holding Yunzheng's hand with the other.
"Mommy, press," the little one reached out, wanting to press the elevator button for their floor.
But being too short, he couldn't reach it even on tiptoes.
"Yunzheng, do you want mommy to help?"
"Thank you, mommy."
After going upstairs, the mother and son went straight into Xu Xiuhe's office.
Xu Xiuhe didn't seem to expect Shen Yin to bring Yunzheng.
"You didn't know we were coming this time," Shen Yin said.
"My mistake. Next time you come, call me, and I'll come down to meet you."
"Daddy!" Xu Yunzheng trotted over to Xu Xiuhe excitedly.
"Yunzheng." Xu Xiuhe stood up and took a couple of steps towards Yunzheng. When Yunzheng threw himself at him, he scooped him up and lifted him above his head.
Shen Yin walked to the sofa and placed the dishes from the lunch box on the nearby table.
"Let's eat," Shen Yin called out.
"Need to wash hands," Yunzheng looked down at his little hands in Xu Xiuhe's arms.
Shen Yin had always taught him to wash his hands before meals and after using the bathroom. Children have weak immune systems, so she was very particular about Yunzheng's living and eating habits.
Gradually, the little one had developed healthy habits, always asking to wash his hands before meals.
"Mommy, wash hands."
"Okay!"
In Xu Xiuhe's office, there was a rest area with a bathroom. Led by Xu Xiuhe, the family of three went into the bathroom and washed their hands.
Coming out, Yunzheng saw the bed in the rest area and turned to look at Xu Xiuhe.
"Daddy, bed."
"Yes, that's where daddy takes naps sometimes."
"Yunzheng wants to sleep."
"So Yunzheng doesn't want to eat? You want to sleep now?"
Hearing this, Xu Yunzheng immediately shook his head. "Eat. Sleep after eating."
They had just sat down on the sofa when the phone on the desk rang.
"Phone, someone's calling."
Yunzheng hurried to the desk. The desk was a bit high, so the little one stood on tiptoes again, managed to reach the phone, and then rushed back to the sofa with it.
"Daddy, answer."
"You answer it."
This was Xu Xiuhe's private number, known only to a few family members and friends.
Yunzheng pressed the green answer button, but no one spoke.
"Hello, who are you?" Yunzheng asked in his childish voice.
After waiting for two seconds, there was still no response from the other end.
"Daddy, he's not talking," Xu Yunzheng handed the phone to Xu Xiuhe.
Xu Xiuhe took the phone and looked at the caller ID. It was an unfamiliar number.
"Hello."
"Hello, was that my grandson speaking just now?" The man's voice was weak, his tone tentative.
"No, I don't know you."
Xu Xiuhe hadn't expected that this person, whose fate was uncertain in the media's eyes, would call him.
After saying this, Xu Xiuhe hung up immediately.
"Was that Xu Guimin?" Shen Yin asked from the side.
"Yes, it was him."
Shen Yin and Xu Xiuhe both fell silent. Only Zheng Zheng asked, "Daddy, who was that? Why didn't they want to talk to Zheng Zheng?"
"It was someone who dialed the wrong number," Xu Xiuhe replied.
"Do they have the same surname as us? Are they also surnamed Xu?"
Hearing this, Xu Xiuhe suddenly realized that Xu Yunzheng could now understand conversations and felt a bit embarrassed about trying to deceive him.
"Yes, they're also surnamed Xu," he admitted.
"Let's eat now. The food will get cold if we wait any longer," Shen Yin said as she handed a spoon to Zheng Zheng.
Just then, Xu Xiuhe's phone rang again.
