Susu hadn't seen Ya Nan for a long time, and finally managed to arrange to meet her after work today.
Ya Nan worked at an accounting firm and was busy. After getting home, she also had to take care of her adopted child, making it difficult for her to have time to go out for meals or shopping with Susu.
Susu had asked her out tonight, partly to tell her about Xiao Xing's plans to study abroad, and partly to prepare some things for him to take with him.
They agreed to meet at a restaurant in the mall. Susu arrived first. Knowing Ya Nan's preferences, she ordered the dishes in advance to save time.
Ya Nan rushed over in a hurry. As soon as Susu saw her, she waved enthusiastically.
"My goodness, what were you telling me on the phone earlier? You're actually sending Xiao Xing abroad to study? You can bear to do that," Ya Nan asked eagerly before she even sat down.
Susu knew Ya Nan had a lot of affection for Xiao Xing. Ya Nan had also taken care of Xiao Xing for a period of time before he was reunited with Tianyi.
"Don't be so anxious. Sit down and have some water, and I'll tell you more."
Ya Nan had no choice but to sit down and drink half a glass of water in one go. She knew the traffic was terrible at this hour, so she had parked her car near the subway station and taken the subway.
Kangxi was away on a business trip these past few days. Tonight, after work, she had entrusted the child to a neighbor, an elderly aunt, to look after.
Susu waited until Ya Nan had caught her breath before explaining that this was also Xiao Xing's own idea. Although Xiao Xing was only in seventh grade, he had already reached a high school level, so he would be applying directly to high schools abroad.
"I knew Xiao Xing would be smart with his studies," Ya Nan said, accepting the news. "When he was little and with me, I taught him accounting, and his mind worked so fast. He was very sharp with numbers."
Susu smiled and said, "This child has suffered a lot with me. I feel his maturity is faster than children his age. He's becoming more and more like Tianyi."
"It's not a bad thing for children to endure hardship. When our child is a little older, I'd even consider throwing him into a challenging environment to toughen him up," Ya Nan said. Ever since she adopted Yang Shasha's child, she had been watching the child grow and was already considering his education.
Susu chuckled and asked, "Can you and Kangxi bear to do that? By the way, are you out to dinner and shopping with me tonight, and Kangxi is at home watching the child?"
"He doesn't have time. He's on a business trip. I asked a neighbor to help," Ya Nan said with a hint of complaint.
Susu quickly replied, "That's just the nature of his job. If it's really too difficult, haven't you considered hiring a nanny?"
"I am considering it. I'll discuss it with him when he gets back from this trip."
While they were talking, the waiter had already served all the dishes.
Ya Nan didn't stand on ceremony and started eating, saying, "I'm so hungry. I was too busy at noon to eat properly."
"Then eat more. Stay with me afterward and let's go shopping to see what we should buy for Xiao Xing to take abroad. I'm afraid he'll lack something when he gets there."
"Okay, the two of us together will make sure we don't miss anything."
As they ate and chatted, Ya Nan suddenly remembered something and said, "Right, I saw Kangxi helping your husband with a case recently. Did you encounter any more trouble?"
Susu stopped eating and said in surprise, "No. Did Tianyi look for Kangxi? I didn't know. He didn't tell me."
"It could be a commercial case. Last time I heard Kangxi on the phone with someone from the Commercial Crimes Investigation Department, he seemed to be consulting about what evidence constitutes intellectual property infringement."
Susu wondered if Tianyi was asking Kangxi to help investigate the matter of Huangfu Sisong and his wife framing Dr. Song's family. She said, "Then I'll go back and ask him."
Ya Nan nodded and said, "You'd better ask President Qin. Is what Kangxi is investigating dangerous? I'm always a little worried."
"Okay, I'll ask him and tell you. Kangxi is a police officer himself, he knows how to protect himself. Don't worry too much."
Ya Nan sighed and said, "I know his profession always involves facing danger, so it's inevitable that I worry about him all the time."
Susu could understand her feelings and comforted her, "It's okay, don't scare yourself. Kangxi will take care of himself knowing you're waiting for him."
After finishing their meal, the two of them bought many things for Xiao Xing to use abroad in the mall, filling the entire trunk of the car.
Susu asked Xiao Lin to take Ya Nan home first before she headed home herself.
Alone in the car, she thought about what Ya Nan had said and couldn't help but call Kangxi.
"Sister Susu, is there something you need this late?"
Susu asked tentatively, "Are you at home? It's nothing, I just wanted to ask if you're busy lately. When do you have time to bring Ya Nan and the child? We could go camping in the suburbs this weekend."
"I might not have time recently. I'm on a business trip out of town now," Kangxi said.
Susu asked, "Are you investigating a case out of town? What case are you investigating? Actually, Tianyi and I have some criminal case issues we'd like to consult you about."
"Let's talk about it when I get back," Kangxi said vaguely. "I have some things to attend to here, I'll hang up now."
"You be busy," Susu said, putting away her phone. She could sense Kangxi's unnatural tone on the phone. It seemed they were indeed hiding something from her.
If it were any other time and she mentioned consulting him about a criminal case, he would have anxiously asked for details about what happened.
But Kangxi hadn't even asked her and Tianyi what specific issues they were facing on the phone just now. That could only mean Tianyi was contacting Kangxi privately.
When Susu returned to the villa, Xiao Lin helped her carry the items for Xiao Xing into his room after several trips.
Tianyi watched from the side. After Xiao Lin had finished moving Susu's purchases, he said, "Wife, are you planning to move the entire mall home?"
"I bought enough for Xiao Xing to use for a year abroad. I think we'll visit him at least once a year." Susu felt a sense of relief seeing the room filled with food, clothes, and daily necessities. At least he wouldn't lack food or clothing, or be cold or hungry when he got abroad.
Tianyi was completely impressed. "How many suitcases will Xiao Xing need for this trip abroad? They sell everything abroad that we have here."
Susu closed Xiao Xing's room door, completely ignoring his words, and said as she walked back to their room, "Your private jet should be able to fit all these suitcases. He needs to take all these things with him."
Tianyi followed her and said, "Yes, yes, my dear wife."
After they returned to their room, Susu suddenly turned around and interrogated him, "What are you and Kangxi investigating again, and why are you hiding it from me?"
Tianyi was stunned for a moment. He thought Kangxi wouldn't tell Susu.
Then why was Susu asking this so suddenly? Was she trying to trick him?
Tianyi smiled and tried to embrace her, "There's nothing to hide from you. You know I'm investigating the events that happened in Song Jiaping's family years ago. I thought I could leverage Kangxi's convenience at the police station to introduce me to colleagues in the Commercial Crimes Investigation Department, as they are more professional."