A Beauty in the 80s Goes on a Blind Date with Her Child, Captivating the Military Compound - Chapter 105

Noticing Shen Sisi’s visible discomfort, Xu Hongying averted her gaze. “Alright, I won’t nag you. Just be careful with your health while you’re busy. If the Gu family’s flesh and blood is already in your belly, you’ll need to be doubly cautious.”

Shen Sisi thought to herself, We haven’t even made a start on that! Nothing had happened between her and Gu Chengfeng. Even if she wanted something to happen, was Gu Chengfeng… even capable?

Despite her private skepticism, she maintained a submissive and obedient expression. “I understand, Mom. I’ll be careful and make sure I don’t overwork myself.”

Xu Hongying smiled with satisfaction. “That’s the spirit!”

The more she looked at Shen Sisi, the more she liked her. Not only was she beautiful, but she was also incredibly capable. Although being an “individual entrepreneur” wasn’t exactly a prestigious title in these times, Xu Hongying didn’t find it embarrassing at all. The Gu family already had plenty of people pursuing fame, merit, and official rank; they didn’t need Shen Sisi to be another one. As long as Sisi could live peacefully with her son and give her a few chubby grandsons, she would be content.

Early that morning, Shen Sisi first stopped by the oil mill to hand the blueprints to Jin Shan. Afterward, she headed to the docks to meet up with Cao Hua. Surprisingly, Dong Xiaojiang was nowhere to be found. Usually, Xiaojiang followed Cao Hua like a shadow; his absence today was quite unusual.

“Where’s Xiaojiang?” Shen Sisi asked out of concern.

A flash of deliberate concealment crossed Cao Hua’s eyes. “Oh, him? I sent him off on an errand. Let’s wait here for a bit; Mr. Wen’s car should be arriving shortly.”

Shen Sisi nodded. She and Cao Hua chatted idly about the future development of the medicated oil and the matter of trademark registration.

As they spoke, they spotted Yang Rong, the chief manager of Rongchun Hall who had caused trouble previously. He was leading a group of people around the docks, questioning everyone they saw.

“What’s going on?” Shen Sisi asked. Cao Hua shook his head, clicking his tongue in confusion. “Strange. Manager Yang should be at the workshop. Why does he have time to personally lead a team to the docks?”

“The workshop?”

Cao Hua pulled out a cigarette and held it loosely between his fingers without lighting it. “A few days ago, didn’t they sign an agreement with that Russian supplier? After those families went back and discussed it, they pooled their money to rent a factory and set up a production line. He should be extremely busy right now…”

As they watched, Yang Rong made his way over to them, questioning people one by one. Upon seeing the two of them, Yang Rong’s expression turned somewhat peculiar. “Well, if it isn’t Boss Cao and Boss Shen. I trust you’ve been well?”

Shen Sisi gave a polite, silent smile. Cao Hua, however, rose enthusiastically and offered him a cigarette. “What wind blew you here, Manager Yang?”

It was obvious Yang Rong had something on his mind, but he was being secretive, clearly unwilling to let them in on it. He took the cigarette with a smile. “I’m just here to ask if you’ve seen that Russian trader you were in contact with recently?”

Cao Hua thought for a moment. “Haven’t seen him. Why? He didn’t run off, did he?”

Yang Rong’s expression stiffened for a second before he quickly regained his composure. “What are you talking about? A supplier of that scale… how could he just run off? There are just some matters regarding product requirements I wanted to discuss further with him.”

Cao Hua could tell something was definitely wrong, but there was nothing he could do to help. “Go to his ship and find him. That massive vessel is still sitting right there,” Cao Hua said, pointing casually.

The moment Yang Rong saw the ship, he looked slightly more at ease, though he still seemed unsettled. “I already checked. He’s not there. No one knows where he went.”

“Anyway, I won’t disturb you two further. I’ll keep looking.” Yang Rong waved his hand and led his subordinates toward the adjacent pier in a frantic hurry, stopping everyone in their path to ask questions.

Once they were out of earshot, Cao Hua turned to Shen Sisi. “Sisi, what do you make of this?”

Shen Sisi rested her chin on her hand, her brow furrowed. “It’s hard to say, but my gut tells me that man has likely already fled.”

“I think so too!” Cao Hua sighed softly. “Good thing you warned me back then. Otherwise, I would have been blinded by the prospect of that ‘pie in the sky’ hitting me in the head.”

“In business, it’s always better to be cautious. ‘Careful sailing keeps the ship afloat for ten thousand years,’ as they say.”

The two of them were pessimistic about Yang Rong’s situation. After a few more quiet words, they heard the sound of a car horn from ahead. A black sedan was parked at the edge of the road connecting to the docks.

In this era, anyone who could drive a sedan was either extremely wealthy or highly influential. Such a sight was even rarer at the docks. As soon as the car appeared, it drew a crowd of curious onlookers, all marveling at the luxury of the vehicle.

Soon, the rear left window rolled down. Wen Rong appeared, still dressed in his sharp suit, looking every bit the refined and noble scion. He drew the gazes of everyone nearby.

“Boss Shen, Boss Cao, please, get in!”

As he finished speaking, his assistant hopped out to open the door for them. Under the envious stares of the crowd, Shen Sisi and Cao Hua entered the car. Shen Sisi took the front passenger seat, while Wen Rong and Cao Hua sat in the back.

“My apologies, I was delayed by some business on the way,” Wen Rong said with humility. His gentle and elegant demeanor made being around him very comfortable.

Shen Sisi replied softly, “It’s quite alright. We only just arrived ourselves.”

“Then… let’s head out!” At Wen Rong’s command, the car began to move.

This wasn’t Shen Sisi’s first time in a sedan. Her last memory of being in one was before her father was dismissed from his post. At that time, a Chinese-American businessman had come to Lin County to build a “Hope Primary School” and had used a sedan to pick up her and her father. To convince the man to build an additional library, her father had accompanied him in drinking until he suffered a stomach hemorrhage and had to be rushed to the emergency room in the middle of the night.

Heaven does not betray those who are diligent; the library deal was finalized, ensuring her father’s desperate efforts weren’t in vain. But later…

Shen Sisi sighed softly and turned to look out the window. Many people said her father was too fragile—that he couldn’t handle the weight of a false accusation and chose to hang himself. But no one knew that what truly killed her father wasn’t that rope.

Her father was the most selfless person she had ever known, someone who cared deeply for his students and was determined to dedicate his life to education. When he was branded with the filth of “improper relations with colleagues,” “molesting students,” and “corruption and bribery,” how could a man of his pride endure it?

Only death could prove his innocence.

Shortly after his death, that businessman found out and rushed back to clear his name, proving he had never taken bribes. On the contrary, many of the school’s facilities had been obtained only because her father had begged and pleaded for them. Later, the student who had claimed to be molested also stepped forward, admitting her father had never touched her; she had simply resented him for catching her in a “puppy love” romance and reporting it to her parents, so she had framed him out of spite.

However, there was never any closure regarding his colleagues. The female teacher who claimed her father had abused his power to force her to be his mistress had vanished without a trace. Over the years, Shen Sisi had asked many people, but there had been no news of her…

Her wandering thoughts gradually returned to the present. By the time she snapped out of it, the car had already stopped at the foot of a great mountain.

“We’ve arrived,” Wen Rong said softly.