Chapter 128 You've Got the Guts! 2

Ling Ruoke's car drove out of the residential area and was about to turn onto the road home when she suddenly saw a young mother riding a bicycle with a child, about the same age as Fu'an, sitting behind her. The child was hugging his mother's waist, chattering away, and had a bright smile on his face.

Ling Ruoke recalled her days in Y City, when she would drive Zhuang Yuqi to and from school in the same way. Zhuang Yuqi loved that feeling and would always run to the car early to wait for her.

A thought suddenly struck her. She turned the steering wheel and drove onto the street. Soon, the car stopped outside a bicycle shop.

I carefully selected a bicycle of suitable height, perfect for placing a child's seat, and specifically chose a bright red one, which looks very energetic.

Ling Ruoke drove home, and even outside in the yard, she could hear the ducks quacking inside the house.

Ling Ruoke smiled; clearly, the mother and son were having a great time in the room. She knew that as long as she wasn't around, the little guy would play very well with Yuan Meng.

She quietly entered through the doorway and silently watched the mother and son. The mother was kneeling on the carpet, while the son lay on the floor waving his arms and kicking wildly, his chubby body twisting and turning as his mother's soft hands tickled him, and he kept giggling.

Ling Ruoke leaned against the door and watched quietly for a long time until Yuan Meng noticed her.

"You're back."

"Mommy!" The little guy jumped up from the carpet and rushed over like a little train engine.

Ling Ruoke had no choice but to bend down and catch him. She kissed him a few times and then put him down. "Okay, baby, play by yourself. Mommy wants to talk to Mommy."

"Okay." The little guy obediently went back and started playing with his toys.

Ling Ruoke turned her gaze away from him and looked at Yuan Meng. Perhaps because she had been playing so enthusiastically with the child, Yuan Meng's face was still flushed, and she was a little out of breath. "How are you feeling?"

Yuan Meng looked at the little guy and smiled happily. "He's doing great. He's very lively, but very well-behaved and not too noisy. Thank you, you've taken such good care of him."

The little guy can dress himself, brush his teeth, and wash his face; he knows to wash his hands before and after meals; he eats everything cleanly without needing to be fed; and he will obediently say thank you when someone gives him something...

"It's mainly because of good genes." Ling Ruoke thought of what she had prepared. "Tomorrow I'll teach you a good method; you'll be even more surprised."

"good."

Dinner was prepared by Yuan Meng, just so the little guy would say "Thank you, Mom." She bathed him, told him bedtime stories—she wanted to do everything for him.

Ling Ruoke understood her feelings and simply treated it as a break, letting her do as she pleased. Doing these things would improve Yuan Meng's mood. And when she was in a better mood, her health would improve as well.

Ling Ruoke and Xiao Fu'an had a good night's sleep.

Yuan Meng woke up several times during the night and couldn't help but run to the little one's room to check on him. She woke up the next day clearly sleep-deprived, but in good spirits.

After breakfast, Ling Ruoke pushed out the bicycle, which had been set up with a child seat. "Yuan Meng, ta-da, what do you think?"

Yuan Meng smiled immediately upon seeing it, touched by her thoughtfulness. "Thank you."

Children love new and exciting things, and this little guy is no exception. We used to take him to school on a big bike, but today we got a little bicycle, and he seemed very excited.

Ling Ruoke stood at the door, watching him grab Yuan Meng's clothes with both hands and move around looking around behind her.

The image of the mother and child warmed the peaceful morning.

Ling Ruoke looked at it and felt a little sad. One day, Yuan Meng would take him away.

Then she shook her head and smiled. No matter what, she would always be Fu'an's mother. And in the future, she would have her own children with the colonel.

Kindergartens recognize parents; otherwise, it would be too dangerous for just anyone to take a child away.

So Ling Ruoke went out later and arrived at the kindergarten before the mother and son, where she explained Yuan Meng's identity to the principal and teachers.

"Would you like to come to my company for a visit?" Ling Ruoke asked Yuan Meng.

Yuan Meng shook her head. "I want to go to the bookstore and buy some books." She originally studied accounting, and she's been studying even while in prison. She wants to become a certified public accountant. With that, she can support her child.

Ling Ruoke understood her thoughts and didn't press the matter. "Then I'll head back to the company first. Call me if you have any questions."

“Okay.” Yuan Meng watched her leave, took a deep breath, and walked towards the bookstore.

She has to be strong for her child's sake.

Yuan Meng looked up at the azure sky, as if she could see that dashing face reflected in the clouds. He was stern and unsmiling, but his gaze was full of affection.

Kaiyi, I will definitely raise our child to adulthood and teach him to be a strong and upright man like you!

Kaiyi, I miss you so much.

Slowly, Yuan Meng closed her eyes, tears sliding down her cheeks. Her hands clenched into fists, tightly. Her body trembled slightly.

When I opened my eyes again, they shone with a strong light.

...

Monday's routine meeting. Ling Ruoke will formally introduce Mei Yanting to everyone.

“Many people have complained that the invoices returned from the cities where the policy was implemented were mostly substandard and not properly affixed, or even if they were affixed, they were still substandard. So, Yanting will be in charge of this part from now on. I will first have the relevant personnel teach her how to distinguish between genuine and fake invoices, what kind of receipts can be used for reimbursement, how to affix them, and so on. In short, I hope that Yanting’s arrival will speed up the settlement process for everyone.”

Everyone was happy to hear that her job was to paste invoices. Pasting invoices is a time-consuming and tedious task, and having someone specifically responsible for it meant they wouldn't have to waste their time there.

As a primary school teacher, Mei Yanting had virtually no experience dealing with invoices. Therefore, this was a completely new field for her, and she needed to start from scratch.

Ling Ruoke didn't want her to keep pasting invoices; she hoped Mei Yanting could learn more in her spare time. If she was quick enough, she could learn something just by listening to discussions in meetings or conversations among colleagues.

At her previous company, there was an excellent project manager who had started as a receptionist. So, if you want to learn and do well, you can find many learning channels and opportunities.

After the meeting, Ling Ruoke had a seat and a computer arranged for Mei Yanting. Normally, a computer wasn't needed for pasting invoices, but Ling Ruoke wanted her to learn, so she provided one anyway.

Taking advantage of a break in the administrative schedule, Ling Ruoke called Mei Yanting into her office. "Yanting, have a seat."

"Sister Ximeng, I will definitely work hard!" It was just a routine meeting, but everyone who spoke seemed very capable, which made Mei Yanting very envious. It was a world she had never experienced but had longed for, and she wanted to fit in!

Ling Ruoke smiled and looked into her eyes.

"Yanting, I hope you understand that I don't want you to just be pasting invoices. I hope that while doing your job well in this position, you can also learn more. When you get tired of pasting invoices, you can move around to different areas and learn from others. Or during meetings, you can listen attentively and take notes to ask others if you don't understand something."

Furthermore, your educational background shouldn't be an obstacle, but rather a motivation to work harder. What you learn in university is mostly theoretical and not very practical. So a diploma is just a stepping stone, giving you an extra opportunity compared to those without. But once you get started, the difference between the two is minimal. Success or failure depends on whether you diligently learn and do your best in everything.

Once you've accumulated enough experience and knowledge, you can pursue the job you want regardless of your academic background. Of course, you can also return to university when circumstances allow; it's all possible. You too can become someone as eloquent and articulate as them. I hope you remember this and continue to strive for it.

Mei Yanting's blood boiled with excitement. She could almost see herself tomorrow, dressed in a business suit, speaking eloquently, surrounded by countless admiring eyes. "Sister Ximeng, I won't let you down!"

Ling Ruoke stood up, patted her on the shoulder, and encouraged her. "Keep it up. Once you've finished your work, you're free to observe what your colleagues are doing, or offer to help. Trust me, if you're willing to learn, you will!"

"Um!"

"Go check if your location is ready. If there are any problems, come in and find me."

Ling Ruoke watched her leave, stunned for a moment. She didn't know if this decision was right or wrong, she only hoped that Mei Yanting could really study hard and learn something useful.

Society is constantly progressing, and there are more and more highly educated people now. In a few years, undergraduates will probably be considered a low-education group. Just like how vocational school graduates were highly sought after in the 1980s, now nobody cares about a vocational school diploma anymore, except for some technical jobs.

Therefore, only with experience and knowledge, coupled with a spirit of continuous learning, can one avoid being swept away by the tide of the times.

...

Huo Qingfeng received a message from his comrade that someone was looking for him at the door. So, with a bit of doubt, he strode towards the door.

Even from a distance, Huo Qingfeng recognized the woman in the fiery red trench coat standing at the door. A slight breeze was blowing today, and her long hair, along with the hem of her coat, fluttered in the wind.

Six years is enough time for everything to change beyond recognition. The guzheng remains only in Huo Qingfeng's memory, sealed away together. Even her appearance has become blurry to him.

However, his marriage application was repeatedly postponed, and he couldn't help but remember this woman who had hindered his happiness with Ruoke.

Huo Qingfeng wanted to turn back; he had no feelings for Gu Zheng anymore and didn't want to see her. But his feet still led him toward the door.

Since he has a clear conscience, there's no need to avoid it anymore. The more he avoids the issue, the more she'll likely believe he still loves her.

Even back then, he himself wasn't sure if he had ever loved her. Perhaps in his youthful, impulsive years, he had loved her. But that love wasn't mature enough to withstand the test of time. And after Guzheng betrayed him, that love vanished completely.

"Wow." Gu Zheng watched the tall and imposing man stride towards her. She put on a seductive smile and walked slowly towards him with alluring steps.

Huo Qingfeng raised an eyebrow, his face expressionless. "Hmm."

Even that single syllable was given out of politeness. They wouldn't even bother with a simple "long time no see."

Gu Zheng paused for a moment, then quickly smiled again. "What? Six years have passed, and you're giving me the cold shoulder the first time we meet?"

Huo Qingfeng frowned, not answering her question, but simply asking, "Is there something you need?" The implication was that he would go back if there was nothing else.

Gu Zheng was furious inside, but her face remained impassive. "Although it's not summer yet, the sun is already high in the sky. Are you just going to let me stand here in the sun like this forever?"

"There's a tree over there." Huo Qingfeng pointed to the big tree on the right side of the door. He was a rough soldier, so don't expect to hear about gentlemanly manners from him.

Gu Zheng was utterly exasperated. "I came straight here after getting off the plane, and I haven't eaten anything yet. Would you mind treating me to a meal?"

"Wait a moment." Huo Qingfeng strode in and found a guard. He gave him a few hundred-yuan bills and told him to take the guzheng to the restaurant for dinner.

Therefore, a dozen minutes later, Gu Zheng, who was waiting expectantly outside the door, was greeted by a strange soldier.

"You must be Guzheng, right? I'm guard Xiao Li. The captain asked me to take you to dinner."

Gu Zheng's face darkened instantly. This was even more unbearable than being scolded to her face; she couldn't stand it. She made a phone call, and soon someone came out with a smile, leading her inside to arrest the person.

Guard Xiao Li scratched his head and went back to report to his captain.

Gu Zheng's temper was also stirred up. Huo Qingfeng had no choice but to carry out his superior's orders—to accompany Miss Gu on a tour of the military camp!

Huo Qingfeng was a soldier, and no matter how unwilling he was, he had to carry out orders. However, how he carried them out was his problem.

At first, Guzheng looked at him smugly, thinking, "I'll always find a way to make you unable to escape." But as the man strode along, mechanically describing the situation in the military camp, Guzheng, wearing high heels, completely lost her mind.

"Ouch—" A sharp pain shot through her ankle; Guzheng had twisted her ankle.

Huo Qingfeng had no choice but to stop and watch as she collapsed to the ground. She remained indifferent, her face expressionless. She didn't seem inclined to offer any help.

He pulled out his pager and immediately called for people from the military hospital to come and take the person away.

Gu Zheng's face was contorted with anger. "Huo Qingfeng, do you hate me that much? So much that you won't even help me up when I'm injured?"

"I don't dislike you." Huo Qingfeng looked at her calmly and answered indifferently. "I won't take action because, firstly, I'm not a doctor and I'm afraid I might accidentally worsen your injuries; secondly, I have a wife and need to avoid suspicion."

"You—Huo Qingfeng, you've got guts!" Gu Zheng stopped pretending. She was only being humble because she was the one who betrayed her back then. But she, the eldest daughter of the Gu family, was never one to be bullied.

Huo Qingfeng replied coolly, "I may have guts, but you'll never have the chance to see it."

Gu Zheng coughed up blood. Fortunately, the paramedics arrived quickly, otherwise she was really worried that she would die from vomiting blood! Staring at Huo Qingfeng, she wished she could burn a hole in him to see what kind of heart he had.

Huo Qingfeng's gaze wasn't on her at all; he followed at a leisurely pace, keeping a considerable distance between them. His overall demeanor was one of indifference and reluctance.

Gu Zheng's feelings were incredibly complex. This feeling of complete rejection was devastating and humiliating. Back when they were together, although Huo Qingfeng rarely had time for her, he always doted on her and pampered her whenever they met. Her infidelity back then wasn't so much because she was truly fickle, but rather because she wanted to get his attention. She felt ignored and wanted his undivided attention back. Unfortunately, she used the wrong methods.

In a fit of anger, she went abroad, which was in fact a protest against his indifference. During her years abroad, she spitefully sought out one man after another who doted on her, and some of them truly treated her like royalty, but it was never the same feeling.

So, six years later, she came back.

Her brother had told her that Huo Qingfeng had fallen for a divorced woman, who was also a commoner. Knowing they were planning to marry, and that Huo Qingfeng had even submitted his marriage application, she had her brother use all his influence to suppress it. What she wanted, she absolutely refused to give up even the slightest chance to anyone else.

Through the gap, she glanced at the nonchalant man behind her and frowned slightly...

Guzheng's foot isn't seriously injured; it's just a sprain, a little swollen. Rubbing it with medicated wine will help in a couple of days. But she needs to rest for the next two days and avoid strenuous activity, otherwise it will get worse.

While the doctor was applying medicinal wine to Gu Zheng, Huo Qingfeng sat casually by the door, his head at a 45-degree angle, looking up at the sky, a blade of grass dangling from his mouth. In short, he didn't see Gu Zheng at all.

Gu Zheng groaned as the doctor's strong hands massaged her, glaring resentfully at the arrogant man. Although Gu Zheng was a pampered young lady, she came from a military family and had a stubborn temper—she was simply spoiled. The colder Huo Qingfeng was to her, the more she wanted him to submit!

Guzheng was injured and stayed at the military hospital. Fortunately, there were no wounded or sick patients, so there was plenty of room.

"Why are you standing so far away? Am I a beast that will eat you?" Gu Zheng angrily yelled at the man standing at the door, who seemed lost in thought.

Huo Qingfeng walked in, moved a stool from beside the bed a few steps back, and sat down. He still didn't say a word; he truly had nothing left to say to her. He wasn't a talkative person to begin with; even when they were together, he was still quite quiet. In this whole world, the only person who could make him talk was probably Ruo Ke.

Huo Qingfeng himself wouldn't think about it. If he did, he would realize that he had given all his differences to the same person!

"Say something! You're not mute!" Gu Zheng wanted to use something to pry his mouth open.

Huo Qingfeng looked at her calmly and asked, "What are you saying? Go ahead and say it, I'm listening."

"You, you..." Gu Zheng was so angry that she couldn't speak.

Huo Qingfeng's posture and expression remained unchanged, making one wonder if his soul had left his body.

"Huo Qingfeng, you bastard!" came a daring shout.

There has still been no response.

"Huo Qingfeng, are you mute? You're driving me crazy!"

"..."

The colonel looked at her as if she were a clown. Wasn't she bored?