Chapter 127 It must be missing you
Shen Jingni returned home the night before Lunar New Year's Eve.
Shen Qingyan arrived on the morning of the 30th.
While China celebrates the Spring Festival with statutory holidays, countries in Europe and America continue to work as usual.
As a major economic center in the United States, Los Angeles boasts a diversified industrial landscape, encompassing multiple sectors including technology, film and entertainment, and manufacturing.
Shen Qingyan runs a business related to electronics technology.
This is a very busy time of year.
There's a big project that we haven't been able to finalize.
As a genuine businessman, even after returning to China, he still kept his phone glued to his hand, either making calls or checking emails.
Xu Ningwan gave the household servants a day off, so Shen Zhuoyuan personally cooked the New Year's Eve dinner.
Although Shen Jingni is lazy, she is still very sensible and helps Ms. Xu with the work at times like this.
Do errands like making tea and handing out bowls.
She doesn't know anything else either.
Shen Zhuoyuan had just finished simmering the chicken soup when he came out of the kitchen and saw Shen Qingyan sitting on the sofa in the living room looking at her phone from afar.
He was a little angry.
"You just look at your phone as soon as you get back and don't even come over to help. Miaomiao is more diligent than you now."
Shen Qingyan held up her phone and waved it, saying in an impatient tone, "I'm replying to emails."
Shen Zhuoyuan glared at him, "You're the one who's always so busy!"
"Anyone who didn't know better would think you were worth hundreds of billions."
It could be described as quite sarcastic and unsettling.
Xu Ningwan scolded him in a low voice from the side: "How can you be so sarcastic to your own son? Go and prepare the fish and shrimp."
Shen Zhuoyuan dared not say anything more in anger, and turned around and went back into the kitchen in a huff.
Shen Jingni sat on the sofa eating oranges. When she heard Shen Qingyan being scolded, she felt a little smug.
However, Shen Qingyan was already used to it and didn't care if Old Shen scolded him from time to time.
He glanced at Shen Jingni, who was secretly pleased, and typed a message as he said, "Don't be too happy yet, Old Shen hasn't given his approval yet."
It refers to her relationship with Zhao Zonglan.
Shen Jingni popped a segment of orange into her mouth, unconcerned. "What era are we living in? Love is free. Whether Old Shen approves or not is irrelevant."
Besides, with Ms. Xu around, he has to agree.
Shen Qingyan scoffed lightly and didn't say anything more.
Today is Lunar New Year's Eve. After nightfall, every household is brightly lit and bustling with activity.
Zhao Zonglan went back to the old house.
Because the old lady had only recently passed away, the family didn't make a big fuss. Xie Yunfan simply arranged a few tables for the New Year's Eve dinner, inviting the younger generation to come back and have a get-together.
After the New Year's Eve dinner, Zhao Yueling and Zhao Siyuan gathered together to play mahjong, while Zhao Luoxi took Zhao Tian to set off fireworks in the garden.
Zhao Zonglan was indifferent and lacked interest.
He's always like this; he only comes back for a meal and doesn't stay long, and this year is no exception.
After the meal, we went straight back to Zijing Tanyuan.
The dog, Gun Gun, has been being walked by the caregiver these past few days, but it doesn't seem to have much energy.
Right now, it's curled up in a ball, lying on the living room carpet, its dark eyes occasionally darting around to secretly observe.
The vast Zijing Tanyuan Garden was unusually deserted today.
Zhao Zonglan opened a bottle of wine, sat on the sofa, glanced at it indifferently, and had a cold expression.
Gun Gun seemed frightened, its head drooping, only daring to whimper softly.
They're using this trick to play the victim again.
Zhao Zonglan scoffed.
He glanced at his watch; it was already ten o'clock.
She should have finished her New Year's Eve dinner by now.
Zhao Zonglan frowned slightly, his gaze falling on Gun Gun once again.
He narrowed his deep eyes slightly, then picked up his phone, walked closer, and took a picture of the panda.
After receiving her New Year's money, Shen Jingni sent out a wave of red envelopes to her employees in the work group, and then received a message from Zhao Zonglan.
It's a photograph.
Rolling on the ground, its eyes brimming with tears, it looked pitiful and helpless.
She's always been kind-hearted and compassionate, and couldn't bear to see the puppy so pitiful, so she quickly typed a reply: "Give it some treats and play with it."
Capitalists have always been driven by profit.
Zhao Zonglan, of course, couldn't play with it; he simply replied, "It probably misses you."
Shen Jingni: [What should we do then? How about we make a video call and let Gun Gun see me?]
Zhao Zonglan: [Dogs primarily rely on their sense of smell to identify and perceive humans; videos are probably not very effective.]
That makes some sense.
Shen Jingni: [But not tonight, I'll come tomorrow.]
Zhao Zonglan: [I brought it to see you]
——
An hour later, Zhao Zonglan's car stopped outside the Shen family villa.
He stayed in the car and didn't get out.
Chang An, in the driver's seat, reported to him: "Sir, all the data you asked me to check about Shen Qingyan's situation in Los Angeles has been sent to your email."
"Mr. Shen's company has recently been in talks with Pound about a collaboration, but progress has been very slow."
Pound is a well-known American technology company that specializes in the research and development and production of mobile phones, computers, and other products, which are distributed all over the world.
They have high standards when choosing partners, requiring extensive consideration, evaluation, and rigorous review. Of course, as long as they can cooperate, the profits are considerable, so they never lack partners.
Zhao Zonglan leaned back in his chair with a relaxed expression, his eyes half-closed, casually stroking the ring on his index finger.
After a moment, he parted his thin lips slightly, his voice indifferent and devoid of emotion: "Then help him secure this cooperation."
Shen Qingyan was the first to notice that something was wrong with Shen Jingni.
He saw that she had changed her clothes, as if she was about to go out.
"Where are you going so late at night?"
Shen Jingni pulled her white fleece coat tighter around her, her cheeks puffed out slightly. "I'm an adult now, can't I go out at night?"
"Never mind that."
Even if she didn't say it, Shen Qingyan knew.
They must be going to find Zhao Zonglan.
He put one hand in his pocket and spoke slowly, "Let me tell you, girls must never be love-struck. There's a line in the Book of Songs that goes something like, 'A man's infatuation can be explained, but a woman's infatuation cannot.' Do you know what that means?"
It was a long and rambling piece, even including excerpts from the Book of Songs.
Shen Jingni was too lazy to argue with him. "So what if I know? I'm not love-struck!"
Shen Qingyan raised an eyebrow. "Do you think I believe that..."
Before I could finish speaking, my phone rang and I was interrupted.
It was his secretary calling, her voice trembling with excitement: "Mr. Shen, the project manager at Pound is very optimistic about our company and says he'd like to speak with you in person."
“However, I told him that you were in Beijing and couldn’t get back to Los Angeles right away, and he said we could communicate online first.”
This was undoubtedly fantastic news for Shen Qingyan.
It was like a New Year's gift from God.
He couldn't care less about Shen Jingni at this point, and turned to walk towards his room. "Okay, make the arrangements right away, invite them, and we'll have an online meeting."
Shen Jingni finally didn't have to listen to his nagging anymore.
She quickly put on her scarf and ran downstairs.
Shen Zhuoyuan stood by the window, watching helplessly as his daughter left and got into Zhao Zonglan's car. He was so angry that he gritted his teeth.
Her lips trembled, and her eyes reddened again.
Xu Ningwan kicked him, her tone fierce, "It's the New Year, keep it to yourself."
Shen Zhuoyuan sniffed, not daring to curse or cry.
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