Zhou Shanhuai and Song Xiaowen, who were sitting in the living room, exchanged a glance the moment Chen Zhuo came down, and both saw the strangeness and a hint of worry in each other's eyes.
Chen Zhuo's expression was far too calm as he came down from upstairs. You have to understand that when Chen Ke disappeared, Chen Zhuo was almost diagnosed with mental instability by the doctor. Moreover, for the past twenty years, Chen Zhuo has never given up looking for Chen Ke. Now that Chen Ke has suddenly returned, how could he be so calm?
The couple sat on the sofa, cautiously observing Chen Zhuo, their minds racing as they tried to think of the right words. In the end, Chen Zhuo calmly greeted them and then took Secretary Ding into the study to discuss business.
"This, this, isn't Chen Zhuo's reaction a bit too bland?" Zhou Shanhuai whispered to Song Xiaowen after Chen Zhuo left.
Song Xiaowen nodded. "But he was in Beijing yesterday and he came back today. He must have rushed back because Chen Ke is back."
As the two were deep in thought and puzzled, Chen Ke and Zhou Shuya, who had changed their clothes, came downstairs.
Song Xiaowen immediately stood up with a smile, "Chen Ke, you're up already? Did you sleep well? It's all our fault for being too excited yesterday and chatting all night. If you're not fully awake, go back to sleep after you eat."
Chen Ke looked around but didn't see Chen Zhuo. He smiled and replied, "Mom, you're awake. I need to go to the company this afternoon." Although the company was now managed by Li Guaizi (who had changed his name to Li Jinchun) and Xu Manling, it was still nominally Chen Ke's. So he planned to make a change and transfer the company directly to the two of them, becoming a small shareholder himself.
The two of them have worked hard to build the business, and it can't be said that he only enjoys the fruits of their labor upon his return. Besides, he has more important things to do.
Song Xiaowen was about to suggest that Chen Ke take a few days to rest and adjust before getting back to work, but Zhou Shanhuai held her hand and shook his head. Then he said to Chen Ke, "Go ahead and do what you need to do. We'll all live together as a family from now on, so there will be plenty of time for us to get together."
Song Xiaowen suddenly realized, "Right, right, Chen Ke, you should move back here. It's not safe anywhere these days, and it'll be good for the whole family to stay together and take care of each other."
At this moment, Zhou Shuya, who was standing nearby, asked in confusion, "Moving back? Didn't our eldest brother used to live with us? Wasn't that room his? Our second brother always locked it and wouldn't even let me in—"
"Xiaoya, aren't you going to school today?"
Zhou Shuya turned around and saw Chen Zhuo coming out of the study after finishing his business. His expression was calm, but his voice was cold.
Zhou Shuya's face immediately fell. Although her second brother usually doted on her, he was very strict when it came to her studies and wouldn't allow her to get away with anything.
"I'll go after lunch..." Zhou Shuya replied honestly.
"Then, Minister, I'll take my leave now," Secretary Ding said to Chen Zhuo with a careful and respectful bow.
Chen Zhuo nodded slightly. "Mm."
Secretary Ding bowed to Song Xiaowen and Zhou Shanhuai on the sofa to greet them, and then politely said goodbye to Chen Ke before leaving the Zhou family.
Chen Ke secretly observed Secretary Ding. He was in his early twenties, with handsome features and an imposing presence. He could indeed be Zhou Shuya's future husband and Ding Jianguo's father.
At this time, Song Xiaowen and Zhou Shanhuai had already set out a meal with Zhou Shuya in the dining room. Since Aunt Liu passed away in an accident, the family had not hired any servants except for the nanny they hired when Song Xiaowen was in confinement after childbirth.
Since the birth of his daughter Zhou Shuya, Zhou Shanhuai has been taking care of the mother and daughter at home. Once Zhou Shuya was able to talk and run around, Zhou Shanhuai was able to do the housework quite well. So the couple simply decided to do it themselves, so as not to feel uncomfortable having outsiders at home.
Zhou Shanhuai got up around noon to prepare this meal. Just as he finished cooking, Chen Zhuo came back from outside, looking travel-worn. Before Zhou Shanhuai could even be shocked, he heard Chen Zhuo ask him where Chen Ke was. After learning that Chen Ke was in his room, Zhou Shanhuai went straight upstairs without stopping.
Although Zhou Shanhuai was nervous and worried about the two brothers' first meeting in twenty years, he couldn't bring himself to do what he used to do—peep through the door. So, he nervously ordered two more dishes.
Seeing that the food was already on the table, Chen Zhuo walked over. As he passed Chen Ke, he saw him looking thoughtfully at the departing figure of his secretary outside the window. A storm suddenly raged in his eyes, but was quickly suppressed. Only his voice, which sounded like it contained shards of ice, said, "You really have a keen eye for everyone."
Chen Ke, who had just looked away: ? ? ?
Looking at Chen Zhuo's tall and aloof back, Chen Ke suddenly realized that his impression of Chen Zhuo becoming more mature and composed in the room might have been his imagination.
This was the family's first reunion dinner in twenty years. At the dinner table, Song Xiaowen and Zhou Shanhuai talked about warm, everyday topics, and with Zhou Shuya keeping the atmosphere lively, the dinner table was filled with laughter.
Although Chen Zhuo's expression remained calm and unreadable, he would occasionally respond with a few words.
In short, they are like a truly loving family, warm and harmonious.
The atmosphere between the two brothers finally fell silent in the closed car when Chen Zhuo learned that he was going to the company and offered to drive him.
Chen Ke looked out the window at the receding street scene. Even though twenty years had passed, he knew this was not the way to the company.
But he didn't ask Chen Zhuo anything. Instead, he sat leisurely in the passenger seat, looking completely unconcerned.
Chen Zhuo, who had been driving with a cold expression the whole time, couldn't help but speak first, "Is this street familiar?"
Chen Ke didn't speak. He wasn't familiar with this street, but he knew it was the street where Aunt Liu had her accident.
Seeing that Chen Ke didn't speak, Chen Zhuo didn't mind. He continued in a deep, magnetic voice, "Do you know what happened to those Japanese ronin and Frenchmen?"
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