Praise You

Shen Meiyue's engagement party will be held at the Hilton in three days.

The groom started from scratch and has a large family. His parents are small middle-level cadres in a state-owned enterprise in Ancheng, one of the top 100 counties in the country. His family is considered well-off.

The groom has been an excellent student since childhood. After graduating from Ancheng University, he continued his studies for many years. After returning to China with a doctorate, he originally wanted to start his own business. Later, the epidemic and the economic downturn hit, so he had to return to his master's program and stay to teach at the university.

Because Meiyue's mother's hometown is the same as the groom's hometown, the young couple fell in love with each other under the matchmaker's introduction and started dating.

Meiyue is getting married, which is a happy event in her second uncle's family and has nothing to do with Chen Dian'an. However, her second uncle used him as a gateway, hoping that the future son-in-law could have a place in the Shen family.

He didn't give in and just said it would be better to let grandpa make the decision.

Shen Wentian couldn't help getting angry after hearing this, and complained to his grandmother: "He is pushing the problem back to me again! Irresponsible!"

Grandma advised him, "You are always right no matter what. When others intervene, you get angry, and when they ignore you, you get angry again. You are really hard to please."

Shen Wentian said, "Does he really want me to control him? He's just throwing a tantrum! Because I don't want him to marry the girl Hua Feng likes, he's playing tricks on me? Who has the final say in the Shen family? Who allows him to marry whoever he wants? Who allows him to divorce whoever he wants?! These unfilial descendants are almost bringing shame to our Shen family!"

"You're so old, why are you still bothering with this?" Zhang Yunrong was too tired to argue. "We were talking about Meiyue now, why are you talking about Ji'an again?"

"Let Meiyue's husband go!" Shen Wentian said arrogantly with his hands wide open: "If you don't care about your own child, are you going to let the good things flow into other people's fields?"

After saying this, seeing that his wife didn't answer, Shen Wentian felt embarrassed and bored. "Yunrong, what do you think?"

Zhang Yunrong shook her head. "Meiyue is a very fickle child. She might like one person today and another tomorrow! They aren't even engaged yet, so whether they can get married is uncertain. I think it's too early to rush someone in like this. It's easier to invite a deity than to send it away. Let's wait and see."

"That makes sense, that makes sense. You're really thoughtful." Shen Wentian hurried down using the steps given by his old wife.

It was hot outside, and two staff members were pruning the overgrown flowers and plants in the garden with scissors. He stood up and walked to the glass window, staring at the white asphalt outside in a trance. The cold air blew slowly over his head. Shen Wentian suddenly turned around and said, "Yunrong, tell me, does Shen Di'an know who his biological father is?"

His wife pushed her reading glasses, squinted her eyes and continued to flip through the pages of Dream of the Red Chamber. Her voice was as calm as ever, "How should I know?"

Shen Wentian knew his wife didn't want to talk about this, so why would he want to? He just couldn't help himself and slammed his hands on the railing in front of him, saying firmly, "He definitely knows! This kid is so smart, he's waiting for us to make a move!"

Zhang Yunrong flipped a page. She couldn't tell how many times she'd read it, but she just picked it up and read on. It was hard to say whether she understood it or not. Perhaps life was just a case of the gourd monk making a wrong judgment.

"He's patient, so we're not in a hurry. Those who commit evil deeds are often anxious!"

*

Chen Dian'an asked Ji Quan to meet with Zhou You, the head of the psychological counseling classroom.

Because his schedule was very full, he could only invite Zhou You to Shen's. Although they had met each other occasionally before, Zhou You knew that they had no intersection except Ye Yuanyin, and of course they would not have any intersection in the future.

Sure enough, what he asked was exactly what he expected.

"Teacher Zhou, what's going on with Xiaoye now?"

"Starting next month, we will switch from weekly treatments to once every two weeks."

"In other words, the situation has improved?" Chen Dian flipped through the report he brought and said hesitantly, "It just started.

When she started taking the test, she scored very high on all the scales.”

What he meant was that he felt the situation was not optimistic.

"Xiaoye is a very reserved person, yet she's incredibly strong at heart. People like her typically set very high standards for themselves. When things get tough, she doesn't like to complain to friends or family, so for a long time, she's been burdened with immense anxiety, guilt, and stress. Fortunately, she has the expertise, and as soon as her body first showed signs of illness, she took proactive measures to treat herself. I don't think there's any need for blind pessimism."

Chen Yanan felt relieved, put the report back on the table, raised his eyes and asked again: "What can I do for her?"

"Spend more time with her and listen. If possible, support her decisions and encourage and praise her often."

He nodded, thinking how simple it was. Suddenly remembering something, he asked, "What kind of person is her father?"

Zhou You was stunned, not knowing why he asked such a question.

"I know her mother." Sediment's expression softened as he remembered his old friend. Aunt Long offered him a motherly warmth, a luxury no one had ever given him. "But I've never met her father. If you know him, you might want to chat a little more. I'd like to get to know her family better; perhaps it'll help with my future treatment."

"Teacher Ye is a very responsible person who sets very high standards for himself and his students. He is a man of ideals and passion. He is strict, strong-willed, and kind."

Was it because he was a role model? Chen Yan thought, her father's character was surprisingly emotional. A strict father and a loving mother—a typical family of three. Perhaps because she was the only girl in the family, her father devoted all his attention to her.

"How did he die?"

"He was in a car accident and passed away very suddenly."

Chen Yan'an's heart sank, and he asked again, "When did it happen?"

"It was the spring of Ayin's senior year of high school. Her family wanted to keep it a secret so she could focus on the college entrance exam, but her mother insisted she return to Jiutao Village to see her father one last time."

Yandi felt sad and felt sorry for her.

Indeed, everyone has their own origins. She has come to where she is today with scars all over her body. It has been so difficult and so hard, yet so heartwarming.

*

It was already past 9 o'clock when he got back in the evening. Qiu Zhiwen booked a club to meet him.

Chen Yanan said: "No, I have someone to accompany me."

"I know, isn't it Xiaoye? Bring her along so I can meet her."

"Who the hell do you think you are?"

"Fuck, you'd have to ask this guy how much prestige he has to have before I'd see you." Qiu Zhiwen took a deep drag on his cigarette, blowing out the smoke as he said, "Don't try to fool me. Come on, I have good news for you."

"What good news?"

"You'll know when you come."

Ye Yuanyin was strolling in the yard. Zhou You had urged her to spend more time in nature, emphasizing that purifying the soul among the plants and trees was the best way to heal. She casually picked a handful of mint from the yard, sniffed it, and then folded her hands behind her back.

Chen Yan saw that she was wearing a royal blue round-neck sleeveless dress. Her thin and well-proportioned white arms were limply draped over the dress. Her hair was gathered into a loose braid, which fell down onto her shoulders as she bent over.

The meaningless scene stirred up waves of shock in his heart.

Chen Yan strided towards her with long legs. He didn't know what he was thinking about, but there was a hint of impropriety in his voice. "Dressed like this, aren't you afraid of mosquito bites?"

She tilted her head back, pointed at her neck and said, "I've already bitten one."

Shen Yan looked down and saw that there was indeed a bump on the right side of her neck near the base of her neck. It looked a gorgeous red on her fair skin.

He reached out to scratch her, but Ye Yuanyin quickly dodged, "What are you doing? It doesn't itch anymore."

There was a hint of smile in Chen Yan's dark eyes. He withdrew his hand and said, "Shall I take you out to play?"

"Where are you going?"

"Just come. I won't sell you out."

Ye Yuanyin had something to say to him, but she didn't want to go out again so late and waste her energy. Zhou You asked her to rest early. So he asked carefully, "Is there a lot of people?"

"No one, just a monkey."

She couldn't help laughing.

Seeing Qiu Zhiwen, she couldn't help but smile when she thought of Chen Di'an's description. Of course, he was still handsome, otherwise why would Zhang Siling marry him? But he had a rough personality and didn't pay much attention to maintenance. His face was covered with spots and moles, and his every move was indeed a bit frivolous.

"Hey, sister, we finally meet. Why are you so polite and even bringing me a gift?"

Ye Yuanyin had no choice but to hand over the mint in his hand.

Qiu Zhiwen held onto one leaf and held on to it, while he was about to cover the back of her hand with his other hand. "Huh? What is this? It smells pretty good. What's the point?"

Sediment quickly slapped his hand away, then held her loosely, a gesture of possession. He squinted his eyes and said, "Just chew it. I guarantee you'll be rejuvenated."

"Go to hell." Qiu Zhiwen's expression was exaggerated. He turned around and spoke to Ye Yuanyin shamelessly, "Sister, tell me, why did you bring such a gift for your brother?"

"Put aside these disgusting tricks of yours," Chen Yan said disdainfully, "You're already old, and you're still embarrassing yourself here."

"Hey, why are you so anxious?" Qiu Zhiwen casually emptied the wine and poured in mineral water. He patiently put the mint in a bottle and even stroked the leaves. He stood there admiring it for a long time and said, "Xiaoye is not only beautiful, but the gift she gave is also unique."

Ye Yuan felt very embarrassed because the "gift" he brought was unintentional and lacked sincerity.

Chen Yan ended this meaningless topic and asked, "Why did you call us here?"

"Nothing."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Siling pushed the door open and came in.

Chen Yan turned around and said, "I see, you laid out a big bait."

Qiu Zhiwen's thoughts were exposed, and he tried to hide them, saying, "It was a misunderstanding, a coincidence. I didn't mean it that way."

Zhang Siling had been hanging out with them for so long she was already accustomed to their alcohol and cigarettes. She lit a cigarette, drank her own beer, half-closed her eyes, blew out a smoke ring, and asked her ex-husband, "How did you become so mean? You've resorted to all these despicable tricks?"

"I'm a bitch in public, but some people just love to be a bitch in bed."

Zhang Siling angrily picked up the wine glass and splashed it on his face, "Shut up."

Seeing Ye Yuanyin yawning non-stop, Chen Yan'an looked at his watch and saw it was almost eleven o'clock, so he said goodbye to Qiu Zhiwen: "We——"

"No! You can't leave!"

"I've booked two rooms next to each other. You two go up first."

Chen Yan glanced at her inquiringly, but seeing she didn't express her opinion, he said, "Let's go back." He made up an excuse, "She's particular about her bed."

"You two can't leave tonight anyway." Qiu Zhiwen held up his wine glass, looking like he was ready to fight. "I really don't have any other intentions. I'm sincerely inviting you to come and play. Don't misunderstand me. I have plans to go out to sea tomorrow, so I don't have time to run to North City to pick you up. Stop the fucking nonsense and get up here!"

He was about to refuse again, but Qiu Zhiwen cursed, "Do you f*cking want to switch with me? Fine, come on, give Xiao Ye to me tonight!"

Chen Di'an's expression suddenly changed. Qiu Zhiwen was frightened by his expression and quickly slapped himself lightly on the face. "Ouch, you deserve it! Please, both of you."

While still performing the slapping act, he walked the two of them to the elevator entrance inside the suite.

The elevator door opened and a waiter was waiting inside.

Sediment An glanced sideways at the person next to him and asked her, "Are you going?"

Ye Yuanyin seemed to be immersed in mist, looking at his handsome face which was stained with alcohol, as if in a dream. She was conscious, but her brows and eyelashes were heavy and sticky and she couldn't open them. Her heartbeat suddenly tightened and she couldn't make any decision.

Yan Cheng'an smiled and pushed her shoulders into the elevator. "I won't bully you. Let's go."