Chapter 41 041 "Thinking of you".
Sitting in the passenger seat, Meng Ran pulled out a makeup mirror to touch up her makeup.
Whether it was due to the speed limit in the villa area or because Chen Sulin deliberately drove slowly, the car drove very steadily.
Meng Ran applied her lipstick again without much effort, put it back in her bag, and looked at the man beside her.
Chen Sulin noticed her movement out of the corner of his eye and asked, "What's wrong?"
Meng Ran: "From now on, when I'm wearing makeup, could you please not kiss me so casually?"
Chen Sulin turned the steering wheel: "So, when you're not wearing makeup, you can kiss me however you want?"
Meng Ran: "..."
“Of course not!” she reiterated. “What I mean is, smudged lipstick is a real hassle, so you have to be extra careful.”
Chen Sulin: "Makeup is also troublesome, you don't have to wear it."
Meng Ran was at a loss for words, feeling that she simply couldn't reason with him.
“I rarely wear makeup, but today when I went to pick up Miaoying from kindergarten, I wanted to look more energetic in front of others.”
Her skin was pale, and her lips were very light; she always looked pale and bloodless when she wasn't wearing makeup.
Chen Sulin: "You are my wife. No matter the occasion or whether you wear makeup or not, no one will dare to say anything."
After a pause, Chen Sulin added, "But you can eat more; you're too thin right now. If you're tired of the food at home, tell the housekeeper to try something new."
Meng Ran: "...I understand."
She wasn't deliberately dieting, but her appetite was indeed not great.
Once this busy period is over, I should probably exercise a bit to stimulate my appetite.
At this point in the conversation, Meng Ran suddenly asked curiously, "What about you? What do you usually eat when you're working overtime at the company at noon or in the evening?"
Chen Sulin: "There are work meals, and I occasionally go to the cafeteria."
Meng Ran: "Are the work meals delicious? Are they all particularly bland?"
She suddenly realized that she actually knew nothing about Chen Sulin's daily life.
Chen Sulin: "If you're curious, you can try it with me next time."
Meng Ran: "Is it convenient?"
Chen Sulin said calmly, "What's inconvenient about it? If you want to eat here, you can come and eat here every day and no one will say anything."
Meng Ran looked at him without saying a word.
There was an intersection ahead. Chen Sulin turned on his turn signal and gave her a questioning look.
Meng Ran smiled and said, "It's nothing. I just suddenly realized that you're quite easy to talk to."
In their first few encounters after she lost her memory, Chen Sulin's image in her mind plummeted.
As they spent more time together, she gradually changed her opinion of him.
Looking back now, I realize that he was just a man of few words, but he never actually made things difficult for her.
Meng Ran: "It's a pity I didn't have time today, otherwise I really wanted to try it."
Chen Sulin: "After picking up Miaoying, we can try Hengyue's cafeteria first."
Meng Ran blinked: "You've taken Miao Ying to your cafeteria before?"
Chen Sulin: "She went once, but she didn't really like it."
Meng Ran: "Why?"
Chen Sulin: "Because I don't let her eat most of the things she wants to eat."
Meng Ran burst out laughing.
That's true. Chen Miaoying would definitely be attracted by the brightly colored food when she goes to the cafeteria, but for children, the more attractive the food is, the less healthy it is.
Chen Sulin: "The first time I took Miaoying to the cafeteria, she almost cried. It took a long time to comfort her. After that, I never took her there again."
Meng Ran: "Aren't you afraid she'll cry again today?"
Chen Sulin glanced at her: "Weren't you here this time?"
Meng Ran was speechless and rolled her eyes at him.
How could he say that?
She rolled her eyes at him, but Chen Sulin simply raised the corners of his lips slightly, as if he were in a good mood.
They chatted casually until the car arrived at the kindergarten gate.
It was just after school let out, and the teachers led the children from each class out in batches. It wasn't Chen Miaoying's turn yet, as she was in the middle class.
Meng Ran got off the car first and peered out from the crowd.
Before long, my hand was completely covered.
Meng Ran shuddered, turned around and saw Chen Sulin parked the car, and complained, "You scared me!"
Chen Sulin: "I'm sorry."
Meng Ran was led by him and glanced at the other parents who had come to pick up their children.
Half of them were grandparents, and most of those who looked to be around the same age came alone.
Looking around, I didn't see a single parent holding hands like them.
And perhaps someone recognized Chen Sulin, because when Meng Ran looked around, she accidentally made eye contact with a few parents.
She was certain that it wasn't just wishful thinking on her part; there really were several people watching her.
Meng Ran immediately felt awkward and struggled with her arm.
Chen Sulin looked down at her.
Meng Ran whispered, "No one else is holding hands like we are, and I feel like someone is watching us."
Chen Sulin remained unfazed: "Why should I care about others?"
Meng Ran was speechless.
How should I put it? He and she are different. He was born without having to care about other people's opinions.
She learned to read people's expressions from a young age, and as a newcomer in her department, she always had to be mindful of her performance.
But thinking about it, perhaps she should work on her ability to block out these distracting thoughts.
Even setting aside the various high-society events she might attend in the future, if she wants to make money, she has to be less thin-skinned.
As if sensing her unease, Chen Sulin gently squeezed her fingers.
Feeling somewhat relieved, Meng Ran did not try to break free again.
A few minutes later, Ms. Song, the teacher in charge of picking up and dropping off Chen Miaoying's class, appeared.
After picking up her daughter a few times, Meng Ran could recognize Chen Miaoying's teacher at a glance, and even recognized several of Chen Miaoying's classmates.
For example, the little girl walking in the front row who kept turning around and whispering to each other is one of Chen Miaoying's good friends.
The little boy walking alongside Chen Miaoying was Zhu Haoran, who had previously attended Chen Miaoying's birthday party.
Zhu Haoran was eager to say something to Chen Miaoying, but Chen Miaoying seemed distracted and kept looking around.
She knew her parents would pick her up in the afternoon when she left for school today, and she had been looking forward to it since she woke up from her nap.
After looking around, Chen Miaoying finally spotted her parents.
She waved vigorously at her mother and father.
Meng Ran smiled and waved to her daughter.
Chen Sulin went to the designated waiting area for children to sign in.
As soon as Teacher Song let go of Chen Miaoying's hand, Chen Miaoying bumped into her mother's arms.
"Mom!" Chen Miaoying exclaimed, "I missed you so, so much today!"
Meng Ran rubbed her cheek: "Mommy misses you so much too, baby."
Chen Miaoying's eyes sparkled: "Mom, can I ask you a question?"
Meng Ran said gently, "Okay, what's the problem?"
Chen Miaoying: "Mom, did you sleep in the same bed as Dad yesterday?"
Meng Ran was taken aback, and after realizing what she meant, she quickly made a "shh" gesture: "Baby, don't ask this question so loudly."
Chen Miaoying blinked in surprise: "Why?"
Meng Ran: "Because... this is a matter between Mom and Dad."
Chen Miaoying still didn't understand: "But the other children in kindergarten often talk to me about their parents, Zhu Haoran always talks to me about these things!"
Meng Ran quickly recalled what Chen Miaoying had said before, that "Zhu Haoran's parents were fighting while taking a shower," and instantly got goosebumps.
In a child's eyes, fighting and sleeping together are simple things, but they can't resist their gossipy parents!
Meng Ran asked nervously, "Honey, you haven't already told your best friend that Mommy and Daddy sleep together, have you?"
Chen Miaoying shook her head: "No."
She is a very meticulous child.
She wouldn't tell anyone until she was sure her parents were really sleeping in the same bed.
Meng Ran breathed a sigh of relief.
“That’s great,” she said. “Then, honey, can you keep this as a little family secret?”
Chen Miaoying seemed to understand but not quite: "Why? Isn't it normal for Mom and Dad to sleep together?"
Meng Ran: "Because... my mom is a bit shy."
Because she was afraid that once she started this trend, she would one day become the female protagonist of a "shower fight incident".
Chen Miaoying finally understood and nodded vigorously with a strong sense of responsibility: "Okay, I understand! I promise Mom I won't tell anyone!"
Meng Ran was overjoyed: "Thank you, darling."
On the other side, after signing in, Chen Sulin dealt with a few more parents who came to chat with him before finally coming over.
Chen Sulin: "What are you talking about?"
Meng Ran: "It's nothing, we were just chatting!"
Chen Sulin's eyebrows twitched slightly.
Chen Miaoying looked at her father mysteriously: "Dad, Mom is a bit shy and doesn't want me to tell anyone outside. Dad, if you want to know, I'll tell you secretly!"
Chen Sulin: "Okay."
Chen Miaoying ran to her father's arms with small steps: "Daddy, come closer, I want to tell you something!"
Chen Sulin did as she was told, bending down and letting his daughter get close to his ear.
Meng Ran watched blankly as the father and daughter whispered to each other.
Fine, let those two say whatever they want.
As long as Chen Miaoying doesn't say "her parents are fighting in bed" in kindergarten anymore, she'll be fine with everything else.
Before getting on the bus, Meng Ran asked Chen Miaoying if she wanted to have dinner at her father's company cafeteria.
Chen Miaoying's eyes lit up immediately: "Okay, Mom! I want to go!"
Meng Ran was amused by her: "So happy? Dad told me that you almost cried when you went to the cafeteria last time."
Chen Miaoying thought about it seriously for a few seconds: "Really? I don't remember. But I won't cry easily, it must be Daddy's fault!"
Meng Ran suppressed a laugh and agreed, "Yes, that makes sense."
Chen Sulin drove the car and parked it directly in the underground parking lot downstairs at Hengyue Building.
As soon as she entered the cafeteria through the private elevator, Meng Ran felt countless eyes staring at her.
This was followed by greetings of "Hello, Mr. Chen" in various tones.
Previously, when she came and went from Hengyue Building, it was either her and Chen Miaoying alone, or she would take Chen Sulin's private elevator from the president's office to the parking garage.
This is the first time that three people have been exposed to so many people in the company at the same time.
Meng Ran thought she could handle it, but she still felt a little uncomfortable when she actually faced so many curious eyes.
Chen Miaoying, on the other hand, had the demeanor of "President Ying," holding her mother's hand with her head held high and chest out, unaffected by the stares coming from all directions.
Fortunately, the company cafeteria wasn't too crowded that night, and as working people, most of us were only curious enough to take a few more glances at the boss and his wife from a distance, rather than swarming over like fans chasing celebrities.
Meng Ran tried to block out the stares of those around her and asked Chen Miaoying, "What do you want to eat?"
Chen Miaoying pointed to a picture printed on one of the windows and exclaimed, "I want to eat roast duck!"
Before Meng Ran could answer, she heard Chen Sulin say from the side, "Okay, but you can only eat three pieces of skinless duck meat at most. Dad will wrap them up for you."
Chen Miaoying's expression immediately wilted: "Why? I want to wrap them myself!"
Chen Sulin: "That's fine too. Then let your mother supervise you and make sure you don't eat the dipping sauce."
Chen Miaoying pouted: "Dad!"
Meng Ran understood why Chen Miaoying almost cried last time she came.
Seeing so many delicious foods in the cafeteria, but then realizing that this wasn't allowed and that wasn't allowed, even as an adult, she felt a little sad just imagining it.
Meng Ran quickly tried to divert Chen Miaoying's attention: "Honey, doesn't that steamed egg custard look delicious? Don't you love eggs?"
Chan Miu-ying was especially stubborn today: "I like to eat eggs, but I also like to eat roast duck!"
Meng Ran regretted bringing Chen Miaoying to the cafeteria against her will: "Then let's eat together, have a few bites of steamed egg custard, and a piece of roast duck."
Chen Miaoying's eyes darted around: "Mom, I want to eat steamed pumpkin too!"
Meng Ran glanced at Chen Sulin for his opinion, then replied, "Okay, that's fine."
After much persuasion, a dinner menu that satisfied Ms. Ying was finally put together.
Since the big boss rarely eats in the cafeteria, the observant employees are always willing to let him order first.
Normally, Chen Sulin wouldn't be so courteous to his employees. Trying to create a friendly image through such superficial efforts would only make his employees feel constrained and uncomfortable.
But today, he was accompanied by Chen Miaoying, a girl who was an absolute moral exemplar. Not only did she follow the rules herself, but she also supervised the people around her. She refused to let her father cut in line because of his status as the boss.
So Chen Sulin had no choice but to obediently start queuing from the end of the line.
Since we didn't have an assistant with us today, the three of us split up to buy dinner as quickly as possible.
Meng Ran went to the busiest roast duck window alone, while Chen Sulin, under Chen Miaoying's supervision, went to buy a few other items.
While they were getting their meals, Chen Miaoying was still queuing with her father on the other side.
Meng Ran first found an empty seat.
She had only been sitting for less than half a minute when someone called her name: "Meng Ran?"
Meng Ran looked up and found that the person opposite her looked somewhat familiar.
After a few seconds of observation, she recognized the person as a colleague from her first job after graduation, surnamed Jiang.
Jiang Shuran joined the company a year earlier than Meng Ran. Meng Ran often asked Jiang Shuran questions when she didn't understand something, and Jiang Shuran was very helpful and took good care of her.
"Meng Ran, is it really you?" Jiang Shuran was even more shocked than Meng Ran. "I thought I was seeing things!"
Jiang Shuran stared at Meng Ran: "You look... exactly the same as when you left the company."
Meng Ran smiled and said, "Sister Shuran, you haven't changed much either."
Jiang Shuran waved her hand: "Oh no, I'm not as well-maintained as you. I have a lot of wrinkles."
"So you've also jumped ship to Hengyue?" Jiang Shuran said. "After you left, I didn't hear from you at all. I haven't heard anyone mention you in all these years. I thought you had stopped working here a long time ago."
Theoretically speaking, Jiang Shuran was right; Meng Ran had indeed not worked for many years.
Meng Ran: "No, I... my husband works here, I just came to the cafeteria for a free meal today."
Jiang Shuran: "Oh, you're already married?"
Meng Ran smiled and said, "Mm."
As she spoke, she looked down and took out her phone, quickly sending a message to Chen Sulin: "[I ran into a former colleague and might have to chat for a bit. Don't rush over, you and Miaoying. I'll come find you when I'm done.]"
Jiang Shuran naturally sat down opposite Meng Ran: "That's great. I was quite worried about you when you left. That incident back then wasn't your fault at all. It was just that those old fogies in the company were jealous of your youth and beauty and insisted on pinning the blame on you."
“Especially that old man surnamed Zhang,” Jiang Shuran said in a low voice. “He was the one who first accused you of corrupting the department’s atmosphere. Then, just a few days after you left, he was reported for having an affair, which caused quite a scene. I think it was all retribution.”
Meng Ran raised her eyebrows.
Jiang Shuran was probably referring to her former boss, surnamed Zhang, a man old enough to be her father.
Although Meng Ran didn't like him back then, she only thought he was arrogant and had a bad temper. She never expected that he would have such a problem with his character.
Jiang Shuran: "Speaking of which, those colleagues who were the most eager to kick you when you were down when you left, it seems that none of them have done very well since then. It's like God has eyes."
"Let's not talk about that anymore. Let me gossip a little," Jiang Shuran said with a grin. "Which department does your husband work in? Maybe I know him."
Meng Ran opened her mouth, but couldn't think of what to say.
Jiang Shuran: "You don't remember? Hey, that's normal. The company is restructuring recently, and a lot of names are being changed. Sometimes I even mix up the old and new department names myself."
"So how did you and your husband meet? Colleagues? Introduced by friends? Blind date?"
Meng Ran: "I guess you could say we met through a friend. He helped me out a bit, and we gradually became familiar with each other."
Jiang Shuran: "Oh, then we're a bit alike. My husband and I got together in the same way. I actually liked my husband's friend at first, but then there was something that only my husband could help with, and in the end, by some twist of fate, I ended up with my husband."
"So you really can't predict fate," Jiang Shuran concluded with a smile. "People who fall in love at first sight don't end up together, while those who weren't that fond of each other at first inexplicably end up together—President Chen?"
Meng Ran turned her head following Jiang Shuran's gaze.
Jiang Shuran had already stood up: "President Chen, you brought your daughter to the cafeteria for lunch?"
Chen Sulin nodded slightly, while Chen Miaoying beside him couldn't hold back any longer: "Mom! I want to eat roast duck!"
Jiang Shuran watched in disbelief as the big boss's daughter ran to Meng Ran's side and called her "Mom."
What's going on?!
Meng Ran didn't expect the two of them to come. Didn't she send a message?
Chen Miaoying: "Mom, is this aunt your friend?"
Meng Ran: "...Yes."
Chen Miaoying: "Hello, Auntie!"
Jiang Shuran snapped out of her daze, glanced at Meng Ran and the little girl beside her, then at her own boss, and wondered what else she didn't understand.
She chuckled twice and quickly said, "Haha, hello little friend! What a coincidence, Mr. Chen! Well then, I won't disturb your family's meal any longer, I'll go sit over there!"
As she spoke, Jiang Shuran quickly walked away with her tray, only glancing back with lingering fear after walking several tables away.
She just... probably didn't say anything that might offend the big boss, right?
...
The old Zhao family residence in the northern suburbs.
Zhao Yanzhou was having dinner with his mother.
Mr. Zhao is over seventy years old. People around him have long advised him to put down his burdens, hand over the family business to his two sons, and enjoy the pleasures of family life with his grandchildren.
After all, the eldest son of the Zhao family had taken over the company's business many years ago and acted steadily. The second son had also curbed his playboy nature in recent years and made a name for himself in the business world.
But once you've held power in your hands, how can you just let it go?
Even though his health has declined significantly in the past two years and his energy is far less than before, Chairman Zhao still frequently goes to the company, and it is rare for him to have dinner with his wife at the old house.
Today, at the dining table, it was still just Zhao Yanzhou and his mother.
Zhao Yanzhou chatted with his mother for a few minutes, and then his phone screen lit up.
Upon seeing the sender's name, Zhao Yanzhou frowned but ignored it.
Wang Peiyun: "What's wrong? Whose message is this?"
Zhao Yanzhou: "Shang Yue."
Wang Peiyun raised an eyebrow: "Why don't you take a look? She's just a young girl, it shouldn't be hard for her to upset you, right?"
Zhao Yanzhou said helplessly, "Mom, I've told you several times, there's no way we can be together."
If it weren't for his parents and Uncle Shang's sake, he would have blocked Shang Yue long ago.
Wang Peiyun: "I didn't say you two have to be together, but we should still be polite. What if your Uncle Shang needs something and you want her to pass on a message?"
Zhao Yanzhou: "...Okay, let me see."
In fact, if there were anything truly important, the chairman would never have asked his pampered youngest daughter to relay it.
Ultimately, it was his mother who wouldn't give up, always hoping to get him to agree to marry Shang Yue.
I don't know what's wrong with my mother. She was quite open-minded a few years ago. Even when everyone else in the family was against it, she was still willing to support his relationship with Meng Ran and speak well of Meng Ran.
Perhaps it's because I'm getting older, but I've become increasingly stubborn in recent years.
Zhao Yanzhou knew that his father and elder brother usually didn't have time to spend with their mother, and he didn't want to disobey her on such a trivial matter.
When I opened the message, Shang Yue had sent me several live photos.
Without needing to zoom in on the photo, you can tell that the three people in the photo are Meng Ran, Chen Sulin, and their daughter.
Zhao Yanzhou's brow furrowed.
Shang Yue: [This was sent to me by my friend a few minutes ago.]
Shang Yue: [See? Meng Ran and Chen Sulin are very much in love. Chen Sulin specially took her to the company cafeteria so that everyone under him could see that Meng Ran is his wife.]
Shang Yue: [They're a family of three, chatting and laughing happily. Aren't you going to give up?]
Shang Yue: [Your feelings for Meng Ran are nothing but wishful thinking! There's no place for you in Meng Ran's heart; only her husband and daughter matter!]
His fist clenched, and his mother's voice came from beside him: "What's wrong, A-Zhou? What does the young lady from the merchant family want with you?"
Zhao Yanzhou forced a smile: "It's nothing, Mom. I'll get back to you later."
Struggling to control his facial expression, Zhao Yanzhou typed: [Shang Yue, get this straight, you're the last person who has the right to lecture me! If it weren't for you, Meng Ran would never have left me!]
Shang Yue: [Brother Yanzhou, do you still think that way now?]
Shang Yue: [You still blame everything on me, believing that you and Meng Ran could have been together forever without me?]
Shang Yue: [Even if I hadn't told on you back then, as long as your mother was around, you two would have broken up sooner or later!]
Zhao Yanzhou's brows furrowed even more: [What do you mean?]
Everyone knew that his grandfather was firmly against his relationship with Meng Ran, and his father and other elders in the family also agreed with his grandfather. Only his mother stood by his side.
But Shang Yue insisted on mentioning his mother.
Shang Yue: [You wouldn't believe me even if I told you. Why don't you just look it up yourself?]
Zhao Yanzhou: [Speak clearly, stop playing games!]
Shang Yue stopped replying.
"A-Zhou?" Wang Peiyun's voice came again, "What exactly happened?"
Zhao Yanzhou slowly raised his head, hesitated for a moment, and then smiled: "It's really nothing, Mom, it's just that Shang Yue is throwing a tantrum again."
Wang Peiyun said "Oh" and said softly, "That's just how Shang Yue is, a bit willful. But then again, which little girl who's been spoiled since she was a child isn't willful? Although Shang Yue has a bit of a temper, she's innocent and kind, and she genuinely likes you."
Zhao Yanzhou: "I know, Mom."
Wang Peiyun glanced at her son in surprise.
Usually, when she spoke up for Shang Yue, her son would remain silent, even if he didn't oppose her. But today, he actually went along with her.
"Do you really know?" Wang Peiyun asked. "Don't just say it to make your mother happy."
Zhao Yanzhou laughed: "How could that be? Okay, let's not talk about others. Mom, you should eat more fish. It's low in purines and good for your health."
...
After having dinner in the cafeteria, Chen Miaoying insisted on going to the children's playground next to her father's company.
Fridays are one of the rare evenings when Chen Miaoying doesn't have to go to class, so she's always reluctant to go home and wants to stay outside a little longer.
Meng Ran accompanied Chen Miaoying, and the three of them went to the children's playground together.
It's called a children's playground, but it's actually an open slide, plus some fitness equipment and a large sandpit.
As Chen Miaoying climbed the slide, she was like Sun Wukong returning to the Water Curtain Cave, leaping and bounding with incredible agility.
Meng Ran has also gotten used to Chen Miaoying's extraordinary athletic talent. She used to be a little worried, but now as long as Chen Miaoying doesn't do anything dangerous, she lets her daughter expend her energy.
It's a miracle that she, as the mother, didn't have to run back and forth on the slide with me.
I wonder if Chen Sulin ever had a headache because of Chen Miaoying's excessive energy when he was raising his daughter alone before?
Meng Ran turned her head to look at the man beside her.
The two sat together on the bench, not exchanging a word since their daughter went to play on the slide.
The streetlights illuminated the man's profile, revealing deep-set brow bones, a high nose bridge, and slightly pursed thin lips, exuding his usual aloofness.
Others may be used to Chen Sulin's expression, but in fact, men rarely show such an expression when facing their daughters.
Meng Ran once thought that Chen Sulin had reserved all the tenderness in his life for Chen Miaoying.
Thinking this, Meng Ran followed Chen Sulin's gaze and found that he was not looking at his daughter.
The man's gaze was fixed on the empty tree in front of him, and he looked... as if he was in a daze.
Meng Ran was somewhat surprised.
She thought he rarely let his mind wander like this; at least, she had never seen him do so before today.
Is something bothering you at work?
But he seemed to be in a good mood when he drove to pick up Chen Miaoying today. Could something have happened during dinner?
Meng Ran said softly, "Chen Sulin?"
Chen Sulin looked at her: "What?"
Meng Ran: "What are you thinking about?"
Chen Sulin: "..."
After a few seconds of silence, he said, "I'm thinking of you."
Meng Ran was stunned for a moment, then thankfully it was nighttime, so even if she blushed, he definitely wouldn't be able to tell.
"You know what?" Meng Ran said in a low voice, "You're not really suited to say things like that."
Even if he said it, it would be hard for people to believe that such sweet words came from his heart.
Meng Ran: "Besides, I'm right here beside you right now, so what's there to think about?"
Chen Sulin didn't answer, but simply took her hand.
Sensing the man's presence drawing closer, Meng Ran whispered a reminder, "Miaoying is still playing over there."
Although Chen Miaoying was having a great time running around on the slide, who could guarantee that the child wouldn't suddenly have the idea to run over to find her parents?
Chen Sulin: "I know."
He lifted her hand and lightly touched the base of her ring finger with his lips.
A tingling sensation shot from her fingers all the way to her heart. Meng Ran felt as if she had been struck by an electric current, and her heart skipped a beat.
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Author's note: Wishing everyone a happy new year!
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