Hu Qingyang quickly opened the main gate wide and chuckled, “...Xian’er, hurry and come in! Even if everything in this world changes, the fact that you are my daughter will never change. Your dad is always your unwavering support!” Hu Xian’er walked into the room and said, “Dad, I’m a bit tired.

I’d like to rest early.” Then she went into her room and closed the door. Sister Ling nudged Hu Qingyang beside her and asked, “Old Hu, did you notice anything unusual about Xian’er?” Hu Qingyang paused to think, “It seems like Xian’er was crying just now, and her mood is a bit off. It looks like the young couple had a fight.

As far as I can recall, this is the very first time.” Sister Ling said, “What should we do? Perhaps I should call Liu Hui and ask him what happened.” Hu Qingyang considered for a moment, then said, “You call Liu Hui first. Just tell him Xian’er has come home to stay.

Don’t elaborate on anything else. We aren’t the main parties involved and don’t know the inside story. If we carelessly meddle, it might only worsen their relationship.” " ““，“、，“、““，“、，““““，“““““““““” Since Hu Xian’er left home, Liu Hui had been utterly dejected.

Looking at what was once a warm and bustling home now feeling empty and desolate, he deeply realized his dependence on Hu Xian’er. Not just in his past life, but even now, Hu Xian’er occupied an immensely important place in Liu Hui’s heart. Although Hu Xian’er hadn’t achieved any monumental feats, she had been his greatest help.

It was precisely her presence that allowed him to pour his entire focus into his work. Not long after Hu Xian’er left, Liu Hui felt as if she had been gone for a long time. He began to miss her uncontrollably.

Fortunately, a call soon came from Hu Qingyang, saying that Hu Xian’er was safely back at her parents’ house and he shouldn't worry, which finally allowed him to settle his mind, for the moment. Although Liu Hui desperately wanted to bring Hu Xian’er back immediately, he hadn't figured out how to handle the matter concerning Anqi. Therefore, even if he went to find Hu Xian’er now, she wouldn't return with him.

The following few days, Liu Hui endured alone in the house without Hu Xian’er, and his life began to spiral into disarray. Not only did he come home to no hot meals, but he also had no one to wash his clothes. He used to change clothes daily; now, days passed without a change.

Since Liu Hui didn't want outsiders to know about the trouble brewing at home, he hadn't hired anyone to help clean up. One afternoon, after finishing the work on his desk in his office, Liu Hui was idly staring out at the massive "Star City" when a knock suddenly sounded at his door, and a figure walked in. Liu Hui turned around and saw that the person entering was none other than Anqi.

Anqi looked at Liu Hui’s appearance and asked with surprise, “Liu Hui, what’s wrong with you? You haven’t even shaved, and your hair is a mess. Also, look at the shirt you’re wearing—the collar and cuffs are stained dark.

Why don’t you change into something else?” Upon seeing Anqi, Liu Hui managed a forced smile, “Oh, it’s Anqi!” Anqi frowned, “Liu Hui, didn’t you hear what I just said? Also, what’s been going on with you lately? You haven’t come to see me even once.” Liu Hui gave a bitter smile, “What else could be happening?

Just look at my appearance; don’t you know what has transpired?” Anqi blinked, then asked, “Liu Hui, did you tell Hu Xian’er about us? What was her reaction?” Liu Hui replied, “What reaction could there be? She would never agree to us being together.

She has already gone back to her parents’ house.” Hearing Liu Hui’s words, Anqi’s eyes suddenly lit up. She said, “Liu Hui, since Hu Xian’er has gone home, and you have no one to look after you, why don’t I move in with you? It would be convenient for me to take care of you.

What do you say?” Liu Hui stiffened, suddenly rising to his feet. He said loudly, “No! Absolutely not.

You cannot move in there. That house belongs solely to Xian’er; no one can take what is hers.” Anqi countered, “But isn’t she staying at her parents’ house?” Liu Hui suddenly erupted in a furious roar, “When I say no, it means no! Even if she’s visiting her parents, it’s not allowed.

If anyone dares to enter that house without permission, I will fight them to the death!” With that, Liu Hui ignored Anqi and stormed out of the office, leaving the company headquarters. Anqi stared in shock at Liu Hui’s retreating back. She had never seen Liu Hui lose his temper like that.

Even when facing the gravest crises before, Liu Hui always maintained a cheerful demeanor. Liu Hui’s sudden outburst just now actually instilled a faint sense of dread in her. A thought suddenly surfaced in her mind: if she couldn't handle this situation perfectly, Liu Hui might leave her forever.

Liu Hui’s voice had been incredibly loud; even his new secretary in the adjacent office heard it. Startled, she couldn't help but stick out her tongue. And so, Liu Hui continued his solitary life.

He walked down to Hu Xian’er’s apartment building several times, but he couldn't figure out how to face her. So, after pacing around the large tree downstairs a few times, he would return, crestfallen. As for Anqi, ever since she noticed Liu Hui’s mood shift that day, she wisely refrained from pestering him, lest she provoke his aversion, which would be counterproductive.

She also needed time to carefully consider the path she truly needed to take moving forward. Soon, 2015 was drawing to a close. During this period, partly due to the temporary loss of Little Hei’s protection, and compounded by the crisis in Liu Hui’s personal life, Starry Sky Group experienced no significant new developments; everything proceeded according to the existing plans.

During his solitary existence, Liu Hui still hadn't devised a viable solution to his emotional predicament, forcing him to continue living in a home devoid of its mistress. Although Hu Xian’er did not return to her own home, she still visited Liu Hui’s parents’ house every few days, helping the elderly couple with chores and spending time chatting with them. Over this period, the elders also noticed the emotional rift between Liu Hui and Hu Xian’er.

However, once they understood the full context of the matter, they too found themselves without any good solutions. Consequently, Hu Qingyang spent his days pacing in circles at home, cursing Liu Hui. As he cursed, the shadow of the Hong Kong Triad kingpin he once was began to reappear.

If he hadn't been aware of the numerous protectors surrounding Liu Hui, he might have already summoned his old associates and stormed over to beat up his son-in-law and deliver a few satisfying kicks to vent the anger boiling inside him. Liu Hui’s parents, after learning the details, felt even less qualified to speak. Especially once they learned that the Anqi in question might be the supposedly deceased Shu Yan, they were utterly at a loss for words to persuade Liu Hui.

Although they were genuinely curious why Shu Yan, who they believed to be dead, was alive and showing a different appearance, they couldn't intervene. By year-end, with various matters piling up, Liu Hui threw all his energy into work, hoping that massive workload would numb him, preventing him from dwelling on Hu Xian’er. In this regard, Liu Hui sometimes felt like an ostrich, burying his head in the sand whenever he encountered emotional difficulty, heedless of his exposed backside.

Several months had passed since Hu Xian’er returned to her father’s house. Initially, her emotions were volatile, but as time slowly ticked by, when she managed to calm down and reflect on the entire sequence of events, she realized she couldn't entirely blame Liu Hui, nor could she blame Anqi; of course, she couldn't blame herself either. If one had to be blamed, it should be fate itself.

If not for fate's random arrangements, how could Liu Hui have ended up entangled in this complex love triangle? If it weren't for destiny’s deliberate mockery, how could Liu Hui have developed genuine feelings for Anqi (Shu Yan), instead of simply playing around and letting go? Despite these thoughts, Hu Xian’er still couldn't forgive Liu Hui.

Setting aside their millennia-long entwined romance, even the honeyed words spoken in this lifetime about loving only each other were impossible for her to overlook. However, a piece of highly classified information obtained from Liu Hui’s new secretary a while back had brought her a moment of joy. This was because the young secretary had recounted, verbatim, a dispute between Liu Hui and Anqi that she had accidentally overheard.

Hearing Liu Hui declare that his home was exclusively Xian’er’s and that no one could encroach upon it sent a wave of happiness through Hu Xian’er’s heart. Hu Xian’er had started her career as Liu Hui’s secretary, and given her special status as the "boss's wife," obtaining personal updates on Liu Hui’s life from his current secretary was quite easy. The new secretary also informed her that since that argument, Liu Hui had deliberately distanced himself from Anqi.

Furthermore, ever since she had moved back to her parents', Liu Hui had not spent time alone with Anqi again. Judging by these developments, Liu Hui’s affection for Hu Xian’er remained profound; he hadn't sought to advance things with Anqi during Hu Xian’er’s absence. From the current situation, it appeared he had suddenly turned into a workaholic, burying himself in his job daily.

Knowing this fact still left Hu Xian’er deeply pained. The weather was splendid that day. Hu Qingyang sat on the sofa, watching Hu Xian’er meticulously cleaning and tidying the house, occasionally glancing out toward the large tree downstairs.

His heart ached for his daughter. He said, “Xian’er, stop looking. He probably won’t come today.

I heard he’s been very busy lately.” Hu Xian’er quickly turned around and said, “I was just looking at why the tree hasn’t shed its leaves even though winter is here; I wasn’t looking for him.” Hu Qingyang chuckled, “Alright, alright! If you weren't looking for him, then fine! The weather is lovely today.

I thought about going to the newly opened Starry Sky Mall to buy a few things. Why don’t you come with me?” Hu Xian’er stopped her cleaning and replied, “Dad, I think I’ll pass. You can go by yourself.

I still have work to finish in the house!” Hu Qingyang’s eyes darted around, and he suddenly clutched his lower back, groaning faintly, “Oh dear, it seems I really am getting old and useless. My back suddenly aches so badly. I wonder if I can make it back safely after just one trip to the Starry Sky Mall?” Hu Xian’er sighed in resignation, stopping her chores.

“Okay, okay! Stop pretending. I’ll go with you.

How can a grown man act like such a child?” So, Hu Xian’er changed her clothes, altered her appearance slightly, and left with Hu Qingyang. They arrived at the newly opened Starry Sky Mall. This mall, having just launched, offered everything imaginable—it was the highest-end and most comprehensively stocked general department store in "Star City." Hu Qingyang wandered into several shops, deliberately selecting items that were overpriced but lacked practical value, intending to purchase them.

Thus, the frugal Hu Xian’er earnestly persuaded him against buying these things, instead introducing him to some reasonably priced, high-utility goods. Watching Hu Xian’er explain products to him, the look on her face gradually brightened, making Hu Qingyang feel that bringing her out today was the absolutely right decision. The two wandered around the mall aimlessly.

By noon, they had only purchased one small item. Just then, a voice from nearby exclaimed in surprise, “Xian’er, is that you?” Hu Xian’er turned her head and saw Li Bei standing nearby, with Li Zhi looking at her in pleasant surprise. “It’s Zhi Zhi!

It’s been a long time.” Hu Xian’er said with a smile. Li Zhi also laughed, “Xian’er, why are you wearing makeup? I almost didn’t recognize you.

But seriously, it has been ages since we last met! Are you shopping with the Old Master?” Hu Xian’er gestured with the shopping bag in her hand, “Yes! What brings you here?” Li Zhi shyly pulled someone from behind him and introduced them to Hu Xian’er, “Xian’er, let me introduce you to someone.

This is my boyfriend; his name is Yang Hua. We came shopping together today.” Hu Xian’er exclaimed in pleasant surprise, “President Li, is this your boyfriend? He’s so handsome!

Oh, right, you said his name is Yang Hua? I’ve heard Liu Hui mention that name a few times; he said Yang Hua is a research genius—several great inventions at the company are his!” Yang Hua muttered shyly, “Boss’s wife, did the boss really say that?” Before Hu Xian’er could answer, Li Zhi pulled Yang Hua behind her, scolding, “Yang Hua, what are you getting so worked up about? She just said it casually; do you think you’re a big deal or something?” Yang Hua began to laugh awkwardly, while Hu Xian’er smiled at the young couple before her.

When she used to work next to Liu Hui, due to her unique position, many senior executives at Starry Sky Group tried to curry favor with her, so they maintained excellent relationships. Even after she became their boss's wife and resigned to become a full-time homemaker to avoid suspicion, they still kept in frequent contact. It could be said that Hu Xian’er’s true, steadfast supporters within Starry Sky Group were the long-time employees who had been there since the company's inception.

Hu Qingyang watched Hu Xian’er chatting animatedly with her former colleagues, a gleam in her eyes that he hadn't seen in ages. A thought struck him. He grabbed Yang Hua’s arm and said, “Young man, this old fellow needs to use the restroom, but I can’t find the way.

Would you mind accompanying me?” Yang Hua replied, “Of course, sir. It is my honor to serve you, Elder.” So, after greeting Hu Xian’er and Li Zhi, the two left them and headed straight for the washrooms. Hu Xian’er and Li Zhi remained standing, chatting casually.

However, they waited and waited, but the two men did not return. Finally, Hu Xian’er said, “Zhi Zhi, why don’t we find somewhere to sit down and get something to drink? Who knows how long those two will be occupied!” Li Zhi laughed, “Sounds great!

I was just thinking the same thing. After wandering around all morning, I’m exhausted and quite thirsty.” The two chose a quiet coffee shop nearby, ordered a cup of coffee each, and slowly sipped while waiting for Hu Qingyang and Yang Hua to return. It was high noon, and the mall was teeming with people.

When Hu Xian’er spotted a figure entering through the main doors, she gasped, making a small "Eh?" sound. Li Zhi paused, turned her head, and also saw the person who had just entered the mall. The man hadn't shaved, his hair was disheveled, and his clothes were untidy.

A large pair of sunglasses covered half his face. If "Star City" didn't lack a sign stating, "Disheveled attire, entry politely declined," this man might have already been ushered out by mall security. What astonished Hu Xian’er and Li Zhi was not the man's slovenly appearance, but his identity.

While others might not know who he was, as the two women closest to him, they immediately recognized him: it was Liu Hui. From the moment Hu Xian’er saw Liu Hui walk in, she stared at him intently. After entering the mall, Liu Hui only glanced around before locating a fast-food restaurant.

The server inside seemed hesitant to let Liu Hui enter due to his shabby state, but eventually allowed him in, placing him at the most secluded table, as only there would Liu Hui be least likely to spoil the appetites of the other diners.