Chapter 2850 - 1768: Ideals

Chapter 2850: Chapter 1768: Ideals

The girlfriend’s comfort made Hong Xiaoyu laugh angrily, a good partner is like this, the best seasoning in life.

"How was my performance?"

Duan Xueying gave a thumbs up, "Wonderful."

Hong Xiaoyu chuckled, not without pride.

"What are you two up to?"

Fang Qing had already crossed the street and looked back.

"Coming!"

Hong Xiaoyu grabbed his girlfriend’s hand.

This habit is really bad.

Always love to talk about love on the main road, it’s only a matter of time before an accident happens.

"Sister Fang Qing."

Second floor.

Li Shuru had already stood up and greeted warmly, her smile radiant.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

Fang Qing was calm and composed. No, we shouldn’t describe it like that, they and Li Shuru weren’t unfamiliar, though it had been a long time since they last met, that part was true.

"No, we also just needed to wait for a table, so Sister Fang Qing arrived at just the right time, we sat down not long ago."

"Yeah. I just went down to get some liquor and just happened to run into Sister Fang Qing." Hong Xiaoyu added, placing the white liquor he’d brought down, and continued to Li Shuru: "Sister-in-law, this is home-brewed grain liquor, Xue Ying said it’s good, you should try some later."

This calling of "sister-in-law" was quite natural, as if Fang Qing wasn’t even there.

The offspring can be educated indeed.

It hasn’t let down Fang Qing’s good intentions.

Sure enough, Li Shuru definitely also noticed the "smoothness" in Hong Xiaoyu’s speech, you don’t even need to think, a few people met downstairs, surely there was some small talk exchanged.

"So, Sister Fang Qing, want a drink too?"

"I’ll pass, I drove here, you guys go ahead."

Fang Qing declined politely, but this reason wasn’t top-notch, lacking sufficient persuasiveness, not matching her status.

As someone who works in law, what she does or doesn’t do should leave people thoroughly convinced without a word to say, not drinking because of driving isn’t much of a reason, something a designated driver could easily solve.

Duan Xueying really knew how to conceal her weaknesses, keeping a smile, staying quiet, today’s dinner didn’t seem to have much of an impact on her, in reality, it was also an excellent opportunity for observation and learning.

"Sister Fang Qing drove all the way here alone from Sha City, at least three hours, that’s quite a lot, if she doesn’t want to drink, then so be it, have a good rest tonight."

Hong Xiaoyu said.

The girlfriend was right, even with the sister-in-law present, it didn’t prevent him from being a good little brother.

"Alright. Then you can have drinks with Xue Ying."

Li Shuru nodded, there was no need to push drinks, everyone was here, each took their seats, the couple naturally sat on one side, Fang Qing and Li Shuru sat on the other.

Li Shuru took off her coat, the luxurious hue of her one-shouldered satin long dress lost its cover, becoming the most splendid highlight on the crowded second floor, passing people would sneak a glance, regardless of gender.

"Sister Fang Qing, aren’t you hot?"

Li Shuru, full of aura, turned her head.

The air conditioning in the shop was running at full power, plus the lively crowd, the temperature was indeed high.

However, Fang Qing didn’t seem to feel it much, still wrapped in what could be called a bulky down jacket, after all, she had just arrived, which was understandable.

"It’s alright."

"Sister Fang Qing, take a look, is there anything else we need to add to the dishes?"

Hong Xiaoyu didn’t lose face, just like when people are closest to happiness, they are the happiest, when closest to pain, they are the most pained, instead, when the moment really comes, comparatively you can often calm down.

He couldn’t jump out of a window or dig a hole, all he could do was bravely face it.

"I’m fine with whatever."

Hong Xiaoyu didn’t push, took back the menu, anyway, he had already prepared in advance, ordering some dishes Sister Fang Qing liked.

"Haven’t seen you for a while, Sister Fang Qing, your skin looks even better."

Sitting on the same side, Li Shuru looked at Fang Qing’s face, this compliment was a bit too much, for ordinary friends, it’s okay to exchange pleasantries, but here, it was really unnecessary.

"Perhaps it’s the nurturing soil and water of my hometown."

Fang Qing smiled.

Hong Xiaoyu chimed in, "You really think so, has Sister Fang Qing gained weight?"

"Really?"

Li Shuru couldn’t help but check up and down.

"No. I just weighed myself two days ago."

Fang Qing looked calmly at Hong Xiaoyu, this lad is lucky to have a girlfriend, spicing up the atmosphere is fine, but couldn’t he talk about something else, doesn’t he know discussing weight is a woman’s taboo?

"No, Sister Fang Qing, your jawline wasn’t this round before."

Hong Xiaoyu stubbornly stood his ground, self-righteously claiming what he feels rather than what others might think.

"Okay, let’s just say I gained weight."

Fang Qing’s expression vanished completely.

"Maybe it’s the clothes, a visual perception."

Duan Xueying had no choice but to interject, saving the day for her boyfriend while pouring tea for Fang Qing.

Carefree excitement seeped into Hong Xiaoyu’s realization, looking somewhat awkward before spotting sister-in-law’s schadenfreude smile.

His smile grew stiff, closing his mouth, sipping water silently.

It seemed to validate himself, or maybe he felt the temperature within the store after sitting for a while, Fang Qing took off her bulky down jacket, revealing a brown cashmere sweater beneath, evident for all to see, her figure remained slim and toned, no signs of plumpness.

"There’s no need for you to make the trip personally, such a hassle."

Removing her down jacket, Fang Qing opted to end this childish and slightly boring conversation.

"Actually, I came as part of a business trip this time."

Briefly glancing at the counterpart’s splendid figure, Li Shuru diverted from the previous topic, smiling, "I was just chatting with Xiao Yu and Xue Ying, Tianci is preparing to collaborate with Jinhai and several other institutions, integrate resources, draw on each other’s strengths, and maximize efficiency..."

"Sister-in-law, why does it sound so pressing?" Hong Xiaoyu couldn’t help asking.

Li Shuru looked at him.

"Exactly, it’s a race against time. You’ve seen what the entrepreneurs overseas are doing, this is our best chance, and also our last, if we don’t seize it, the world won’t give Shen Zhou another chance for renaissance."

Including Fang Qing, the other three fell silent, all staring at Li Shuru, emotions varied.

"I know, foreign countries are starting to research brain-machine interfaces too, once successful, humans would shed physical limitations, the blind can see flowers, the mute can say ’Mom, I love you’, paralyzed patients could become great athletes."

Hong Xiaoyu murmured.

"Therefore, we mustn’t still be researching branding and lending. Whatever foreigners do, we must do it too, and even the things they don’t, we must do them faster and better."

Such grand ambition.

Amidst the silence, Li Shuru chuckled lightly:

"These aren’t my words; they’re Mr. Jiang’s. Sometimes, I too think of him as a madman."

Hong Xiaoyu suddenly realized, he occasionally imagined what his cousin’s life was like, now, he knew.

"This world is driven by madmen."

He said, his eyes unfocused.

"Moreover, my brother isn’t a madman, he’s a hero."

Hero, in this era, isn’t exactly a compliment.

However, Li Shuru didn’t counter, heroes might not always be cherished, but humanity will always need them.

"Are you proud of him?"

Hong Xiaoyu responded without hesitation, "Of course, I’m proud of my brother!"

"Me too," suddenly interjected Duan Xueying.

Li Shuru was momentarily dumbfounded, then broke into a wide smile, more eager to converse, "Do you know his dream?"

Hong Xiaoyu was slightly startled, then said, "He never told me. Sister Fang Qing, do you know?"

Fang Qing shook her head silently.

"Maybe it’s because you’ve never asked. It was a long time ago, he hadn’t graduated yet, we had just started dating, I jokingly asked him. He didn’t have such a big career back then, but he sure could brag."

"...How so?"

Hong Xiaoyu immediately asked.

Duan Xueying also looked at Li Shuru.

Only Fang Qing on the side had her gaze on the dining table.

"He said his dream was— to comfort his parents and give glory to his children."

"At that moment, I thought this was the most boastful thing I’d ever heard in my life, even until now, I feel the same."

With that, Li Shuru sighed softly.

"But."

"It seems he has accomplished it."

Fang Qing seemed like a bystander, holding the water cup quietly in her hands.