"Bai Ying, is it just you and your brother at home usually?" Lin Wanwan wasn't trying to pry into other people's lives; she just noticed that Bai Ying seemed a little embarrassed and wanted to strike up a casual conversation.
Seeing that Bai Ying didn't speak, Lin Wanwan looked up at her and found her standing there in a daze.
"What's wrong, Bai Ying?"
Bai Ying put down what she was holding and smiled at her, "My parents and eldest brother all died on the battlefield. Only my second brother and I are left in the family."
Lin Wanwan stepped forward and put her arm around her shoulder. "The deceased is gone, but the road ahead is wide. You should face it with more confidence and composure."
Bai Ying smiled and nodded, "You're younger than me, but you see things more clearly and you're more capable than me."
"Don't underestimate yourself. You have your strengths, and I have my weaknesses. Our strengths are different."
Xu Zhang smiled with satisfaction, "Alright, you two, who are quite different, take the dishes out."
The two exchanged a smile, and each took a plate of food out.
Bai Ying felt that she had changed since she met Lin Wanwan. She no longer walked with her head down, and she would argue back when others laughed at her, instead of blindly agreeing with them.
Bai Ying felt as if her world had suddenly become colorful, vibrant and diverse. Sometimes, when she walked along the road and saw small flowers blooming in the cracks of rocks, she would feel inexplicably happy.
Sometimes the glaring sunlight didn't seem so bad anymore, and Bai Qi naturally noticed the changes in her.
"I'm so happy today, let's have a drink to celebrate having a little apprentice."
Xu Zhang poked her forehead, "Stop calling me 'little apprentice,' I'm a year older than you."
Bai Qi smiled and said, "It's alright. She was originally my junior apprentice. Actually, I've seen all the changes in Bai Ying during this time. Thanks to you."
Bai Qi poured himself a glass of wine. "I'd like to toast Director Lin first."
Lin Wanwan immediately interrupted him, "Don't call me Director Lin, I feel like I've instantly turned 40 years old just from being called that."
Everyone smiled, and Bai Qi raised his glass and said, "Then let's toast to sister-in-law. I've seen all the changes in Bai Ying recently. I won't say anything too flattering, thank you."
Lin Wanwan smiled and said, "Thank you for having such a wonderful younger sister, and for sending her to be my apprentice. I feel much more relaxed now."
Xu Zhang said with a smile, "Let's eat. My daughter is a very good cook. You two siblings should try it too."
"Mom, don't praise me like that all the time, or I'll get arrogant."
Xu Zhang said irritably, "Mind your own business, eat your food." He then turned to put a piece of pork rib on Bai Ying's plate. "Eat more, don't be shy. It's rare for her to have friends over for dinner. It seems she really likes you. She even lets you stay home to read."
Gu Changfeng took a sip of wine and smiled, saying, "That's true. Apart from Li Mei, this is the first time I've had a friend stay for dinner at my home. Bai Ying, you should eat more. This girl is a great cook; it would be a shame not to try it."
Bai Ying nodded with a flushed face, "I understand, Chief Gu, Dean Xu."
“You two should call me Uncle Gu. Your father and I were old comrades-in-arms.”
Bai Ying obediently greeted them, "Thank you, Uncle Gu and Aunt Gu."
Lin Wanwan said with a smile, "I won't bring her home for dinner anymore. You all don't love me anymore, so don't be biased in the future."
Xu Zhang slapped her, "What nonsense are you talking about? You'll scare Bai Ying. We're the most biased towards you, what else do you want?"
Bai Ying didn't know how long it had been since she had felt so happy while eating.
Lin Wanwan nudged Bai Ying's arm. "Aren't you happy? My godfather and godmother both like you very much."
Bai Ying smiled and pursed her lips, "It's because you like me that they like me too."
"Narcissistic? Who likes you? It's clearly you who likes me."
"Yes, I like you very much."
Lin Wanwan shrank closer to Lu Feng, "That won't do, I'm getting married."
Bai Ying couldn't help but laugh, and almost dropped the bowl.
Lu Feng pinched her cheek. "What are you saying? Stop fooling around."
Seeing that it was almost time, Lin Wanwan stood up and said, "You guys continue drinking, I have to go to the broadcasting station."
"I'll go with you, I'll go and learn from you."
The two went out together, and Bai Qi finally spoke up, "Uncle Gu, thank you and Aunt Gu. Since my parents and brother passed away, Bai Ying has never been this happy. She is also less gloomy than before and has a renewed sense of purpose, all thanks to her younger brother and sister-in-law."
Xu Zhang smiled and said, "Then you two siblings should come to our house for meals more often. Before, when we invited you to come for meals, you always found ways to decline."
Gu Changfeng patted his shoulder and sighed, "We haven't told her either. Bai Ying is our friend's daughter. This is their fate. Come visit us more often."
Bai Qi's eyes were a little red; it was unclear whether it was from drinking or from thinking about his parents.
Lu Feng poured him a glass of wine. "Wanwan doesn't have many friends here. Encourage Bai Ying to come visit more often. She can also come to Beijing to see us later."
Bai Qi smiled and said, "I asked Bai Ying to take the college entrance exam before, but she kept saying that she couldn't do it and refused no matter what. If only she had met her younger brother and sister-in-law earlier."
"It's not too late now. We can ask Wanwan to persuade her later," Xu Zhang said with a smile, putting some food on his plate.
"Thank you very much, Auntie."
"I told you not to be so polite, come over to our place for dinner tomorrow night."
Lin Wanwan and Bai Ying arrived at the office and saw that the lights were on. They exchanged a glance.
Pushing open the door and entering, Li Changru looked up with a smile, but paused for a moment when she saw Bai Ying.
Lin Wanwan ignored the expression on her face, sat down and began to read the manuscript.
"Bai Ying, come here."
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