Chapter 95 During the Banquet
The gloom brought about by Li Zhong's death seemed to be quickly dispelled by a series of happy events.
In Chen Yun's opinion, Li Huguo's face no longer showed any signs of discomfort; he was radiant and even walked with a gust of wind.
The banquet was held in a very luxurious restaurant, and the guests, besides the neighbors from the alley, were mostly business associates of Li Huguo.
Many of these were former customers and peers of Anping Transportation.
"Mr. Gao!"
"Manager Gao, what a coincidence! I was thinking of going to Anping a few days ago to have a couple of drinks with you. Come, come, sit here!"
"Xiao Gao, I've heard about your company..."
Some pretended not to see it, others shamelessly tried to get close, and still others inquired whether Gao Ming's new route was profitable.
This industry is still in its early stages, and most transportation companies are still figuring things out as they go. For them, [Anping Transportation]'s expansion of new routes is the perfect stepping stone.
Unfortunately, all anyone heard was polite talk. Everyone is smart enough to know that after a few roundabout exchanges, they would wisely find an excuse to leave.
Just as things were finally quiet, Chen Yun gently patted my arm.
Xiao Mu sat down on the other side with his wife and children.
"Ming-ge, I thought you weren't coming today!"
"It's a tangled mess that can't be untangled." Gao Ming waved his hand, then flicked Xiao Jiayun's braid lightly with his index finger. "No matter how much we fight, we can't completely fall out unless... one of us dies."
Li Yi and Gao Tiejun are brothers who have been through thick and thin together. Although Li Shuaishuai always calls Chen Yi, Chen Yun actually recognized the child as her godson as soon as he was born.
Furthermore, it's really difficult for children who have grown up together to never see each other again.
"Didn't you used to call him Company Commander Gao? Why are you calling him Brother Ming now?" Chen Yun asked curiously, her gaze vaguely falling on Xiao Jiayun, who was sitting obediently.
A sweet and soft daughter should be just like Xiao Jiayun, with rosy cheeks and a pink tulle dress, so cute that it's simply enviable.
Chen Yun thought of Gao Nian'an, who had been clamoring to get a haircut this morning.
All that remained in my heart was a helpless sigh.
“It’s been so many years since you were demobilized, it’s not appropriate to call you company commander anymore,” Gao Ming explained gently.
"I prefer to call you Company Commander Gao in my heart."
As soon as Xiao Mu took off his woolen hat, Xiao Jiayun picked it up and put it on her own head, muttering some incomprehensible "spells" and excitedly making a few gestures.
Xie Liping quickly covered her daughter's mouth, then gave an embarrassed, wry smile to the group: "This child... always does embarrassing things!"
"Hu Deshan!" Gao Nianping suddenly shouted, and then grabbed two chopsticks and started gesturing with them.
Chen Yun: "..."
While considering whether to also shut his son's incessant chatter, Li Shuaishuai quickly came to Gao Nianping's rescue.
"Aunt Chen, Hu Deshan is the male lead in the TV series. He likes to wear a woolen hat, and he's really cool!"
"Yes, Hu Deshan is a great hero."
Xiao Jiayun broke free from her mother's hand, excitedly pulled down her stool, and rushed towards her "like-minded" friend.
"Let's all sit over there!" Chen Yun said, both amused and exasperated.
The adults all moved their stools to the left, making room for the three children to have a lively discussion.
"Has your son Nianping attended any tutoring classes?"
Chen Yun and Gao Ming's educational philosophy is to fully support but not interfere. As long as the general direction is not wrong, they will almost never interfere with the children's learning and interests.
Doing homework...except for that.
Xie Liping is the other extreme. She does everything herself, from clothing and hairstyle to academic performance, as if she wants to make up for all the maternal love she lacked in her childhood.
A large part of the troubles Xiao Mu confided in Gao Ming stemmed from the couple's differing philosophies on raising their child.
“Nianping’s grades are in the top ten of his class, and Gaoming and I are very satisfied.” Chen Yun smiled, her gaze sweeping over Li Huguo and Hu Yue’e, who were chatting animatedly in the hall, and sighed, “If he wants to attend tutoring, his father and I will definitely send him, or else…”
"No!" Gao Nianping's refusal was loud and firm, resolute and unwavering.
Chen Yun smiled and said, "Look... both of our children are very independent. Shuai Shuai has excellent grades and doesn't need any worries."
Li Shuaishuai consistently ranked first in the grade, while Gao Nianping was always in the middle range, regardless of midterms or finals; he was neither a top student nor a bad one.
Gao Ming joked with Chen Yun, saying that both children inherited his gene of not liking to study.
"If Xiao Jiayun's grades were as good as Shuai Shuai's, I definitely wouldn't interfere..."
Xie Liping's complaints came to an abrupt halt as Li Huguo and Hu Yue'e, who were going around toasting each table, had already reached their table.
"All the dishes are served, everyone please enjoy your food and drinks!"
Her hair, coated with mousse, was so shiny it seemed to reflect light, and a gold necklace as thick as a thumb was faintly visible beneath the collar of her white shirt.
The belt was stretched taut by his greasy belly, and the large brand logo in the center caught everyone's eye first.
Regardless of his attire or physique, Li Huguo already exudes the image of a shrewd and powerful boss.
Hu Yue'e linked arms with Li Huguo, her smile gentle and just right.
"Hey Lao Xiao, did you see that car parked in front of my door? I had a friend bring it back from Hong Kong, it cost me a fortune!"
Xiao Mu smiled.
When they arrived, it was already dark outside. They couldn't see the cars on the side of the road, let alone the person lying there.
Li Huguo gave a thumbs-up and then turned to Gao Ming: "Old Gao, tell me, what kind of big boss still rides a bicycle to work every day? Shouldn't your wife replace that car too?"
“The alleyways are narrow, making it convenient for bicycles,” Gao Ming said.
"Didn't [Beicheng Second Construction] approach you to discuss cooperation a few days ago?" Li Huguo's tone shifted, his gaze suddenly sharpening: "If the deal goes through, don't forget to let the brothers have a taste of the profits too."
"Your information network is pretty good." Gao Ming raised an eyebrow, his expression full of amusement: "We just fired a gatekeeper yesterday, did he end up working as a gatekeeper at your company again?"
The couple who guarded the company gate were caught stealing gasoline from the company and selling it. Gao Ming fired them, but soon after, he heard that they had gone to work for other companies.
Most of the information about the investigation was leaked by the two people who harbored resentment.
Anyway, it's impossible for [Beicheng No. 2 Construction] to only negotiate with Gaoming. Maybe all the larger transportation companies in this area have received cooperation proposals.
Ultimately, the decision of which company will be chosen rests with the client; the service providers (the contractors) have no say in the matter.
“They went to Zhao Jinguo’s forward transport.” Li Huguo chuckled twice, the corners of his mouth curving up appropriately: “From now on, forward transport and overtaking transport will have no relation to each other.”
"You broke up with him too?" Xiao Mu asked in surprise.
The reason for using "again" is, of course, because the brilliant strategist who had the first falling out with me was right beside me.
"Manager Zhao and I have always been business partners. It's normal for business relationships to have ups and downs," Li Huguo replied with a smile, his expression unchanged.
“So it was him… Thanks.” Gao Ming said.
Li Huguo's roundabout way of trying to warn Gao Ming was simply to remind him to be careful of Zhao Jinguo interfering in the matter.
The two people who used to be able to speak their hearts to each other have now become someone who can only exchange a few words with fake smiles and polite formalities.
Gao Ming found it uninteresting, and Li Huguo also felt it was like chewing wax.
After raising his glass to Gao Ming and Xiao Mu, Li Huguo continued to the next table.
Just as Chen Yun was about to continue the conversation about children with Xie Liping, someone gently patted her shoulder.
"It really was you, Dr. Chen!"
"Liu Qian!"
Chen Yun personally delivered Liu Qian and Liu Hai's second child. Occasionally, when they visited their parents, they would bump into Liu Bo'an, who was bringing his grandson over for a visit.
It can be said that the couple's ability to keep the child was entirely due to the confidence Chen Yun gave them.
Liu Qian pushed the child she was holding two steps forward: "Why didn't you greet Aunt Chen when you saw her?"
The little boy shyly buried his head in his mother's back and waved his chubby little hands twice as a greeting.
Chen Yun grabbed the chubby little hand and shook it: "Have you been to the hospital for a check-up recently?"
"I'm planning to go next week."
"Tell Uncle Liu to cook less meat soup for Xiaoyun, because being too fat can affect a child's development during puberty."
Liu Xiaoyun's heart surgery recovery is going very well, and her running has not been affected at all. However, she needs to pay more attention to her increasingly rounded figure each time she is seen.
Liu Qian smiled helplessly: "You have to talk to my dad yourself. He won't listen to anything Liu Hai and I say."
The old lady dotes on this hard-won grandson like the apple of her eye. She won't allow him to drink meat soup... and she won't even tolerate saying a few words to him.
Liu Bo'an took Chen Yun's words as an ironclad rule, believing that one sentence from Chen Yun was worth a hundred of theirs.
"I'll talk to Uncle Liu myself in a couple of days," Chen Yun agreed, then smiled and flicked Liu Xiaoyun's chubby cheek: "You guys go ahead and get busy! We'll talk another day."
Liu Qian was having a gathering with some friends upstairs. While they were chatting, people came to check on them several times at the door.
"Alright! See you later."
Liu Qian led her son toward the door, but after a few steps she slapped her thigh and ran back.
"Sister Chen, come here, I have something to tell you."
Liu Qian pulled Chen Yun to a corner before whispering in her ear, "Liu Hai said that their unit has opened up pre-application for a batch of medical research projects this year. The documents will not be issued to the hospitals until the second half of the year. There are many applicants... You need to prepare in advance."
"Liu Hai's workplace?" Chen Yun didn't react for a moment.
The two families were close, but Chen Yun never inquired about Liu Hai's workplace, and Liu Bo'an only mentioned him as a "cultural worker".
Chen Yun thought...it was from the Cultural Bureau!
"Sister, listen to me!" Liu Qian pursed her lips and continued softly, "Liu Hai works at the Science and Technology Commission. Applying for this project requires at least an associate professor title, and the research team needs 60% of its members to be intermediate-level researchers..."
The full name of the Science and Technology Commission is the State Science and Technology Commission.
As the leading authority responsible for approving medical research projects nationwide, every hospital has to deal with the Science and Technology Commission when applying for research projects.
Chen Yun was surprised that Liu Hai was working at the Science and Technology Commission.
Furthermore, the research team actually needs 60% intermediate researchers... Where is Chen Yun going to find so many?
Two years ago, Chen Yun obtained the endorsement of two senior experts through Hu Xiangming's introduction, and has already obtained the associate senior professional title.
I originally planned to accumulate a few years of experience and then get a senior professional title when I got older.
But Liu Qian's words had a hidden meaning; the word "base" was enough to show that the deputy position was just a basic requirement and was not enough among the many applicants.
Chen Yun pondered for a moment, then nodded: "I will prepare as soon as possible."
"I'll be going now. If you have any questions, I'll tell you when I come to your house another day."
"Please thank Liu Hai for me."
"Let's not talk about that anymore, given our relationship." Liu Qian smiled, patted Chen Yun's shoulder, and left with light steps.
Chen Yun stood there for a while, thinking about what to do next.
Just as I was about to return to my seat, someone blocked my way again.
Hu Yue'e stood on the road back with a big smile on her face.
"Aunt Chen!"
“You’re already married to Li Huguo, so you shouldn’t call me Auntie. Otherwise, how will Shuai Shuai address me?” Chen Yun looked at her, her gaze open and without any extra fluctuation: “Just call me Chen Yun.”
Hu Yue'e hesitated for a moment, then slowly said, "Sister Chen."
"You have something to say?"
Hu Yue'e's two marriages both left Hu Gangtie and Yang Juhua dissatisfied. At least the bride's parents attended the wedding banquet the first time, but it is said that the bride price was not even exchanged between them the second time.
Li Huguo hadn't completely broken up with Cui Niang when he got involved with Hu Yue'e, and the rumors had already spread to the ears of all the transportation company employees along the road.
Hu Gangtie couldn't bear the embarrassment, so on their wedding day, only Yang Juhua from the bride's side showed up.
"Sister Chen, I'd like to take my child to your hospital for a checkup."
Chen Yun nodded.
Since she had deliberately stopped her to say those few words, it couldn't be as simple as just a cold and fever. Chen Yun waited for her to continue.
“It’s my child with my ex-husband.” Seeing that Chen Yun didn’t show any aversion, he continued, “The child was originally awarded to his father, but Tang Junjie went to jail again…”
Chen Yun's brow twitched.
Hu Yue'e continued speaking.
Tang Junjie is suspected of intentional homicide. Although he has not yet been sentenced, the news circulating is that he will face either life imprisonment or the death penalty.
Upon hearing that his son was going to die, Tang's father immediately began to complain that he was unable to support his "sickly" grandson.
Regardless of whether Hu Yue'e agreed or not, the other party had already arranged for someone to put the child on the train to Beicheng.
At the same time, Tang's family also told Hu Yue'e that her son, Tang Hao, might be ill, and suggested that she take him to a major hospital for a checkup.
Hu Yue'e was also unsure what the problem was.
"I see patients in the pediatrics department on Tuesdays." Chen Yun thought for a moment and then reminded him, "You need to book an appointment a week in advance, otherwise you won't be able to get one."
"Thank you, Sister Chen," Hu Yue'e said happily.
Where will the child live after arriving in Beicheng?
If he were staying at the Li family's house, he would naturally be connected to Li Shuaishuai, so Chen Yun had to ask him a few questions.
“Huguo and I have already reached an agreement.” Hu Yue’e smiled again, her fingers unconsciously stroking the gold decoration on the hem of her dress. “Huguo said that the child will live with us, and he also said that Hao Hao will change his surname to Li.”
Chen Yun: "..."
She's not close to her biological son, so she plans to cultivate a relationship with her stepson?
Unable to fathom Li Huguo's thoughts, Chen Yun nodded slightly to Hu Yue'e before turning and leaving.
"Sister Chen, there's something else I'd like to ask you for help with."
Chen Yun's arm was grabbed, clearly indicating that this matter was more urgent than seeing Tang Hao for medical treatment.
Moreover, needless to say, Hu Yue'e and the other two should already know what the contents are.
"I remember Sister Chen can take pulses. Could you take my pulse and prescribe some traditional Chinese medicine to regulate my body?"
"To have a child?" Chen Yun asked directly.
Hu Yue'e nodded, placing her hand on her lower abdomen: "Huguo and I are still young. It would be even better if we could give Shuai Shuai a baby to give to his younger brother."
I want a child, or more precisely, I want a boy.
Unfortunately, the chances of this wish coming true are quite slim. Chen Yun coughed twice with a half-smile: "I suggest you go back and talk to Li Huguo first. If you want to get pregnant, it's best if both of you take medicine together."
"Do men also need to take medicine?"
"Just ask Li Huguo and you'll know!"
Chen Yun turned and left, pretending not to hear Hu Yue'e no matter what she wanted to say.
With a stepmother comes a stepfather... that's really true!
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