Zheng Shiqiang pretended to mention it casually:
“Oh, Director Zheng, what a coincidence—my daughter is also named Zheng Yangyang.”
Male Zheng Yang’s forced smile, mixed with bewilderment and panic, was so amusing that Zheng Yang almost laughed.
So this is what it feels like to observe yourself from an outsider’s perspective.
She even considered adding, “I used to be called Zheng Yang,” to see how her former self would react.
Bai Jie also grew anxious, clinging to Male Zheng Yang’s arm and trembling.
She whispered, “Honey,” as if seeking a sense of security.
Male Zheng Yang seemed to have figured out what was coming and gradually calmed down.
He pulled his wife’s arm away and reached out to her:
“Hand over the gift card.”
“What for?”
“Just do as I say!”
Bai Jie reluctantly took it out and gave it to Male Zheng Yang.
He held the card with both hands and offered it to Zheng Shiqiang:
“President Zheng, if you have something to say, please say it directly.”
Zheng Shiqiang pushed the card back and smiled:
“Director Zheng, what do you mean by this?”
Male Zheng Yang’s gaze shifted to Zheng Yang: “You must still remember me, right?”
Zheng Yang nodded.
“That kick that day… how were you afterward?”
Zheng Yang brushed the hair from her forehead and smiled faintly:
“I’m fine. It’s all in the past.”
“Although I still don’t know why you came to my house that day and said those things, looking back now, I must have misunderstood you. Kicking you was even more wrong of me. I’ll take responsibility for my actions. I only ask that you… don’t make things hard for my family.”
Zheng Yang and Zheng Shiqiang exchanged glances and both laughed.
Zheng Yang said, “I don’t blame you. If I were you, I would have done the same.”
“This…” Male Zheng Yang clearly hadn’t expected such magnanimity.
He looked to Zheng Shiqiang for confirmation.
Zheng Shiqiang said nonchalantly, “I listen to my daughter.”
“President Zheng, I know I’ve made a serious mistake. I don’t want to make excuses. Just… give it to me straight!”
Zheng Shiqiang laughed: “Why not explain, Director Zheng?”
“Because your daughter must have told you clearly about that day. If I explain now, it’ll only sound like I’m making excuses.”
“But what if my daughter exaggerated or was biased? Wouldn’t you feel wronged if you didn’t explain?”
“Other things might have room for explanation, but using violence on a child—a girl, no less—is inexcusable.”
Bai Jie couldn’t stand it anymore and argued:
“President Zheng, that day your daughter nearly ruined our family and tried to choke my husband. That’s why he…”
“Shut up!” Male Zheng Yang commanded.
Pfft—
Zheng Yang suddenly laughed.
So similar, so very similar—exactly the same.
Zheng Shiqiang was also infected by her laughter.
He, too, found it amusing how much Male Zheng Yang’s manner resembled his daughter Yangyang’s.
He stepped forward and patted Male Zheng Yang on the shoulder:
“Alright, Director Zheng, don’t be nervous. We’ve seen your sense of responsibility and courage. I’m sure you’ll do a great job on our cooperative project. As for what happened before, let bygones be bygones. We’ve crossed swords and become friends!”
After speaking, he glanced at Zheng Yang as if seeking her opinion.
Zheng Yang quickly nodded in agreement.
Male Zheng Yang’s eyes welled up with tears.
He said emotionally, “President Zheng, I… I’ve never met a leader like you!”
“Oh, we share the same surname—we’re family. Don’t be so formal!”
“Then…” Male Zheng Yang held out the gift card again with both hands, “I absolutely cannot accept this card!”
Zheng Shiqiang looked at Zheng Yang again.
Zheng Yang smiled:
“It’s not for you. It’s for Siyuan.”
“You… you know my son?”
No kidding—he’s my son, of course I know him.
But Zheng Yang only nodded.
Male Zheng Yang forced a smile and tried to hand the card to Zheng Yang.
They went back and forth a couple of times until Zheng Shiqiang said, “If Director Zheng considers me a friend, then accept it! Or does this old Zheng not deserve to be Director Zheng’s friend?” That shut Male Zheng Yang up.
“Well, in that case, President Zheng, would you do me the honor of having dinner together tonight?”
“Ah, we’re busy today, sorry.”
“If not today, then another time. But please give me this chance! Otherwise, I’ll be utterly embarrassed!”
Seeing Male Zheng Yang’s enthusiasm—so like his daughter’s—Zheng Shiqiang couldn’t help but want to laugh.
“Yangyang, what do you think?”
“Dad, drinking is an adult thing. Why ask me? Just make sure you don’t drink too much.”
Zheng Yang turned to Male Zheng Yang.
“Director Zheng… you should also drink less.”
Male Zheng Yang bowed and scraped: “Yes, yes, thank you for your concern, Young Lady!”
That flattered and flustered expression made Zheng Yang blush—so this is what my bootlicking form looks like.
How embarrassing.
She wanted to laugh.
But he also had a sense of responsibility.
Hmm… Bai Jie and Siyuan are in good hands with you.
I’m relieved.
Zheng Shiqiang proactively exchanged phone numbers and WeChat with Male Zheng Yang.
Then, amid the couple’s smiling nods and bows, he waved goodbye.
Zheng Yang tugged at Zheng Shiqiang’s arm and asked with a smile: “Dad, how was it?”
“Haha, he really is too similar to you. I kept wanting to laugh.”
“Of course he’s similar—he is me.”
“The current you is no longer him. You’re my silly daughter.”
Zheng Yang smiled happily, then seemed to remember something.
“Dad, knowing my personality—no, his personality—he’s definitely going to invite you to dinner again. When that happens, make sure to tell him to drink less. Otherwise, out of apology and gratitude, he’ll drink himself half to death!”
Zheng Shiqiang said, “I’m afraid the more I try to stop him, the guiltier he’ll feel, and the more he’ll drink himself half to death. There’s no stopping him.”
Zheng Yang thought about it and agreed.
“Dad, how do you know me better than I know myself…”
“Heh, I’ve eaten at least ten more years of plain rice than you.”
“Ten years?”
Zheng Yang knew he was referring to her being thirty-eight.
She pouted.
“Dad, you’re teasing me again!”
“Ahahaha!” Zheng Shiqiang laughed heartily.
“Oh, by the way, Yangyang, what do you think—should Dad help them out a bit? After all, you had it pretty tough before. Consider it a reward for all those years of hard work.”
Zheng Yang felt a warmth in her heart.
“Dad, no need. From what I heard you two talking, haven’t you already put him in charge of your cooperation project? And you gave him five thousand. That’s… a month’s salary for me… I mean him!”
“Pfft, that’s nothing. I’m talking about other things.”
Other things?
“Really, Dad? Thank you!”
Zheng Shiqiang patted Zheng Yang’s head.
“You’ve finally stopped rejecting other people’s kindness.”
Zheng Yang enjoyed the head pat and muttered stubbornly, “Dad isn’t other people…”
But what did Dad mean by other things?
Oh well, why bother thinking about it? That’s adult stuff.