Liu Xiaohan spoke with sincerity, as if she had a sudden awakening and wanted to turn over a new leaf.
Although Liu Xiaohan had done many things that harmed others and benefited herself, it was always better to correct mistakes than not. She was still her biological mother, and Song Qinian wanted to give her a chance.
Moreover, ever since her father had an accident and she married Shen Chiyan, their family truly hadn't eaten together in a very long time.
Thinking that Song Jiashu was about to take his college entrance exams, he must be under a lot of psychological pressure. Song Qinian also wanted to let him relax.
Seeing that Song Qinian agreed, Liu Xiaohan was very excited, "Niannian, dress up nicely when you come."
Song Qinian sent a question mark.
"You are Shen Chiyan's wife now, after all. You need to pay attention to your image when you go out. Also, don't let Jiashu worry about you not living well in the Shen family."
"Understood."
Although she knew that she and Shen Chiyan would divorce someday, before the divorce, she was still Shen Chiyan's wife. She couldn't let Jiashu, who was preparing for his exams, worry about her.
That afternoon, Song Qinian found a pink and white dress from the closet. She tied her hair into a bun, put on light makeup, and went to the private dining restaurant Liu Xiaohan had booked.
Liu Xiaohan was wearing a purple qipao and had a very stylish hairstyle and fashionable makeup.
When she was young, she was a well-known village beauty in the surrounding villages. Many people pursued her, but because Song Guanliang was handsome, she married him.
Married life was not sustained just by a partner's good looks. Everyday necessities like food, firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, and vinegar all required money.
Coupled with Liu Xiaohan's gambling habit, it was very difficult for the family to rely solely on Song Guanliang.
However, Song Guanliang never blamed Liu Xiaohan. He still kept Liu Xiaohan looking beautiful, while he earned money to support the family.
Liu Xiaohan had never suffered hardship. In addition, she was naturally beautiful. After deliberately dressing up, she looked radiant and beautiful.
She waited for Song Qinian at the entrance. As soon as she saw Song Qinian arrive, her face immediately lit up with a smile, "Niannian, you're here! Come, come, I've already booked a private room."
Song Qinian gestured and asked, "Has Jiashu arrived?"
Liu Xiaohan's eyes flickered slightly, and she said with a dry laugh, "I just called Jiashu. He's on his way and should be here soon. Let's go up first."
Song Qinian nodded, not thinking much of it.
However, when she entered the private room and saw a strange man sitting there, she was taken aback.
The man was wearing a red suit, a thick gold chain around his neck, and his slicked-back hair was waxed. Coupled with his gaunt face, he looked incongruous and greasy.
Judging by his age, he should be in his forties.
When the man saw Song Qinian, his yellowish eyes immediately lit up.
Liu Xiaohan immediately pulled Song Qinian in, "Niannian, come. Mom will introduce you. This is my boss, his surname is Gao, and his name is Gao Dashang."
Then, Liu Xiaohan smiled at Gao Dashang, "Boss Gao, this is my daughter, Song Qinian."
"Niannian, hello, hello..."
Gao Dashang extended his hand to Song Qinian. Song Qinian, seeing his deliberately displayed gold watch, frowned slightly and quickly shook his hand.
"Come, come, let's sit down and chat."
Liu Xiaohan enthusiastically pulled out a chair for Song Qinian to sit, and then sat next to her.
After they were seated, Gao Dashang's eyes kept fixed on Song Qinian. He stroked his chin, looking her up and down.
Song Qinian felt extremely uncomfortable being stared at by Gao Dashang. The feeling of being eyed by an evil snake made her very uneasy.
Song Qinian tugged at Liu Xiaohan's arm and gestured under the table, "What does your boss do? What kind of job did you find?"
Gao Dashang seemed not to have noticed Song Qinian's subtle movements and said with great regret, "Niannian, your mother told me that you lost your voice after an accident when you were a child. Alas... it's a real shame. You must have suffered a lot all these years, right?"
Song Qinian's discomfort intensified, but this person was Liu Xiaohan's boss, so Song Qinian couldn't directly show her displeasure. She gave a faint smile and then looked at Liu Xiaohan.
Liu Xiaohan immediately explained with a smile, "Boss Gao owns foot massage parlors. He has over a dozen foot massage chain stores in Jingdu City, with millions in income each month. He also owns several villas and luxury cars..."
Song Qinian found it increasingly strange as she listened. She looked at Liu Xiaohan coolly, "You found a job at a foot massage parlor?"
Liu Xiaohan was glad that Boss Gao couldn't understand sign language. She whispered to Song Qinian, "What's wrong with a foot massage parlor? As long as I can earn money, I'll do anything."
Song Qinian didn't have any prejudice against foot massage parlors. If it were a legitimate establishment, it wouldn't matter.
It was just that this boss didn't seem like a decent person at all.
Liu Xiaohan had never worked outside before, and Song Qinian was afraid she might be tricked.
"Find another job!"
"I won't. Boss Gao is paying me a very high salary, over 10,000 yuan a month, and he just wants me to supervise the employees of the foot massage parlor. He doesn't want me to do manual labor."
Song Qinian found it increasingly odd. How could someone hire a闲人 (idle person) for over 10,000 yuan?
"Niannian, don't judge Mr. Gao by his appearance. He's actually very wealthy. His hometown is Xishan, where he made his fortune mining coal. Five years ago, he came to Jinghua City to build his business, starting from one foot massage parlor to over a dozen chain stores. He's too amazing. And do you know? He's still unmarried. Whoever marries him will inherit his future fortune..."
Upon hearing this, Song Qinian suddenly stood up. Liu Xiaohan was startled by her sudden movement, "What are you doing, child?"
"When is Jiashu arriving?"
Liu Xiaohan was a bit guilty. She took out her phone to check and said while making a call, "Why isn't Jiashu here yet? I'll call him."
Just then, the waiter served the dishes. Liu Xiaohan saw an opportunity and smiled at Song Qinian, "Niannian, chat with Boss Gao for a bit. I'll be right back."
Before Song Qinian could react, Liu Xiaohan had already hurried out of the private room.
Song Qinian's expression was not good. Seeing Liu Xiaohan close the door when she left, Gao Dashang smirked evilly.
Then, he got up and sat in the chair next to Song Qinian.
As he approached, Song Qinian smelled a strong perfume. She frowned uncomfortably and shifted to the side.
"Niannian, this private dining restaurant has been open for over thirty years. The taste is quite good."
Gao Dashang enthusiastically put a piece of braised beef into Song Qinian's bowl, "Here, try it."
Song Qinian took a deep breath, feeling very suffocated.
Liu Xiaohan had found a job after a long time. This Boss Gao didn't seem like a good person, but what if she was being prejudiced and misunderstood him?
Shen Chiyan had been either taking care of Lin Qiutong or busy with work recently.
Today, a business partner had invited him to a private dining restaurant to discuss business. After several rounds of drinks, the contract was successfully signed.
The partner was so happy that he ordered another bottle of wine, wanting to have a few more drinks with him. At this moment, his phone suddenly rang.
Seeing that it was Lin Qiutong calling, he walked out of the private room and was about to answer the phone when he saw a familiar figure furtively hiding by the door of the adjacent private room, peeking in...