With connections to Jiang Yanshu above and the support of Xu Qian below, Jiang Xile quickly gained a foothold in the steel rolling mill.
Time flies, and it's already the third month of the lunar calendar. The seventeenth of the third month is the original owner's birthday, which is also Jiang Xile's current birthday.
Even though Liu Ziming was at the research institute, he still kept an eye on Jiang Xile's situation in his spare time. With his cousin Xu Qian around, it was naturally easier for him to find out about Jiang Xile's recent situation.
Since their last confession was rejected, one of them went back to the lab and the other went to the steel mill, and they haven't seen each other since.
If Xu Qian hadn't occasionally mentioned her cousin Liu Ziming during casual conversations, Jiang Xile would probably have been forgotten long ago.
The experimental project has made great progress and has entered the final stage in the past few days. Liu Ziming's heart is starting to stir again.
Jiang Yanshu considered Jiang Xile's eighteenth birthday to be very important, as he wanted to give his daughter the best.
However, the situation is quite sensitive right now, and it hasn't been long since the last banquet. If we hold another one, it could easily bring trouble upon ourselves.
But if she didn't hold the celebration, Jiang Yanshu would feel bad, since it wasn't just Jiang Xile's birthday, but also her coming-of-age ceremony at eighteen.
After much deliberation, Jiang Yanshu finally devised a compromise: the birthday banquet would still be held, but the scope of invited guests would be narrowed.
Those invited to Jiang Xile's coming-of-age ceremony this time are all people who have a life-or-death bond with Jiang Yanshu.
The banquet was not a large affair, so it naturally didn't attract much attention. Moreover, the venue for this banquet was not the military compound, but the courtyard house where they currently live.
Liu Ziming rushed home and finally returned the night before his coming-of-age ceremony, carrying a birthday gift he had specially prepared for Jiang Xile.
On the day of the birthday banquet, he followed Liu Hongyi to the courtyard house. From afar, he saw the little girl standing in the courtyard. She was as eye-catching as ever.
Wherever she appeared, he could always spot her at a glance.
Jiang Xile, who was chatting and laughing with Sheng Wanru and the others, suddenly felt an unusually intense gaze fall on her.
Looking up, she was surprised to find that it was Liu Ziming, who had disappeared for more than three months. She hadn't thought anything of it when she couldn't see him, and even when Xu Qian mentioned him occasionally, it didn't affect her emotions.
But today, when this person appeared in front of her, Jiang Xile felt somewhat awkward for some reason.
Even if it was awkward, guests are guests, and Jiang Xile couldn't turn people away, especially since Liu Ziming had come with Uncle Liu and Aunt Liu.
With an elegant and graceful smile on her face, Jiang Xile bid farewell to Sheng Wanru and the others and went to greet them.
"Uncle Liu, Aunt Liu, Brother Liu!"
"Jiang girl, long time no see! Where's your dad? I haven't seen him!"
"Uncle Xu just came over, and the two of them went to the study. Uncle Liu, please go in and sit for a while. They should be out soon."
"Brother-in-law is here too, then I have to go and see him. Zimo, you stay here and keep Jiang company while she entertains the guests. Your mother and I will go in first!"
"Okay, I understand, Dad. Don't worry, I'll take good care of Xile!"
Liu Hongyi nodded, then pulled his wife inside, leaving Jiang Xile and Liu Ziming staring at each other in disbelief.
"hehe..."
Looking at the slightly sulky little girl, Liu Ziming couldn't help but laugh out loud. This girl was just too cute.
"why are you laughing!"
Jiang Xile frowned, sensing that this person had ill intentions.
"On such a beautiful day, why should I smile? Little girl, why do you look so unhappy and don't want to see me? I even prepared a gift for you!"
Jiang Xile rolled her eyes; she really didn't like Liu Ziming's frivolous and dissolute tone.
"I'm already very happy that Uncle Liu and Brother Liu could come. As for gifts, there's no need!"
As expected, Liu Ziming was rejected, but he was still inevitably disappointed.
"What, you don't want to associate with me at all? You don't even want your birthday present!"
"Brother Liu, you've misunderstood. I didn't mean anything by it."
Liu Ziming sighed, knowing that he had no choice but to back down now, otherwise he might not even have the chance to get close to the little girl.
"Don't worry, little girl, I've already put the previous matter behind me. Since you don't like it, I definitely won't cause you any trouble!"
Uncle Jiang and my dad are old comrades-in-arms, they've been through thick and thin together. We, the younger generation, can't just cut ties with them forever.
I'm three years older than you, so naturally I'll treat you like a younger sister. You have to give your older brother a chance to prove himself, right? You can't just dismiss me outright!
Jiang Xile wasn't really eighteen, so she could easily see through Liu Ziming's intentions. This guy seemed stubborn, so how could he give up so easily? This was just a temporary measure.
But she had no choice but to believe in this expedient measure; what else could she do? Sever all ties and cut off her father's connections? Wouldn't that be foolish?
Anyway, the decision-making power is in my hands. Even if Liu Ziming is still up to no good, as long as I don't agree, he can't do anything to her.
"Brother Liu is joking. I don't remember what happened before. I know Uncle Liu treats me well."
In my heart, Brother Liu is no different from my own brother. It's just that we've all been busy with work and haven't seen each other for a long time, which is why we've become a little estranged.
Looking at the little girl pretending to be stupid, Liu Ziming sighed helplessly. What else could he do?
Since this is the person he chose, he can't bear to let go if he lets go, but he's afraid they'll run away if he holds on too tightly.
"Yes, yes, Brother Liu misspoke. Consider this gift my apology. Please accept it, Sister Xile!"
Seeing Liu Ziming's earnestness, Jiang Xile couldn't very well refuse outright. After all, it was her birthday, and she could return the gift later when the opportunity arose.
"Then I thank you very much for the gift, Brother Liu, and thank you for coming to my birthday party!"
"It's nothing, Sister Xile, you're too kind!"
Seeing that more guests were coming in, Liu Ziming stopped bothering Jiang Xile.
"My sister still needs to entertain guests here, so I'll go in first. If there's anything you need my help with, you can come find me anytime!"
"I understand, Brother Liu, please go in first. Sister Qian and Anqi are inside!"
Liu Ziming nodded, glanced longingly at Jiang Xile's retreating figure, and then quickly walked into the house.
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