This wasn’t a scam message, but rather one from Lin Mengyan, inviting him to her house the next evening because an elder of the Lin Family was going to host a birthday feast.
Fang Yi didn’t know the elder, but since Lin Mengyan had sent the invitation, it would have been rude for Fang Yi to decline.
"Shen Binan probably received the same message as me..." Thinking about Shen Binan’s expression in the car at the time, Fang Yi guessed that must have been the case.
However, Fang Yi didn’t care to overthink it; since Lin Mengyan had invited him, he would attend.
The next day, as usual, Cai Cai was waiting at the door early, but Fang Yi noticed that Cai Cai wasn’t carrying her school bag.
"Cai Cai, no school today?" Fang Yi smiled.
"The school is closed today," Cai Cai replied.
Fang Yi gave a nod, and asked, "Where’s your mom?"
"She went out," Cai Cai said.
Probably to sell breakfast again.
"Uncle, can I come with you?" Cai Cai looked up at him with big, hopeful eyes.
How could Fang Yi disappoint her? He smiled, "Sure, of course you can."
Then Fang Yi took Cai Cai straight to the office.
Upon arriving at the office, Cai Cai’s cute little face was full of surprise, and her big watery eyes were filled with curiosity. Watching the bustling office, the little girl was very happy and excited.
But Cai Cai still held onto Fang Yi’s hand tightly, afraid of getting lost, and stayed close by his side.
As the sound of high heels approached, a metropolitan beauty appeared before Fang Yi.
Ding Miaoyan gave Fang Yi a sideways glance, and then noticed Cai Cai holding Fang Yi’s hand before turning back to Fang Yi and asked, "Who is this little girl?"
"Big sister, my name is Cai Cai." Before Fang Yi could respond, Cai Cai introduced herself.
Ding Miaoyan’s beautiful face softened with a gentle smile, she bent down slightly, patted Cai Cai’s head, and said, "What a cute little girl, what grade are you in?"
"Hmm, make sure you study hard and aspire to improve every day, don’t pick up bad habits from certain people," Ding Miaoyan said, clearly implying something.
Once they reached the sales department, Fang Yi leading a little girl in naturally garnered a lot of attention.
"She’s adorable." Huo Xiaoxuan immediately dropped her work and rushed over to hug Cai Cai.
"Big sister, I... I can’t breathe..." Cai Cai gasped.
"Oh, sorry!" Huo Xiaoxuan quickly let Cai Cai go.
However, Huo Xiaoxuan still didn’t release Cai Cai completely, kept asking her name, her relationship with Fang Yi, and whether she had been bullied. Eventually, she even went as far as to ask whether Fang Yi had any particular quirks. Seeing this, Fang Yi quickly pulled Cai Cai away.
"Cai Cai, come here, I have some candy for you," Huo Xiaoxuan grabbed a handful of candies from her desk drawer.
Fang Yi’s forehead creased, no wonder he always saw this girl munching on something, she liked sweets.
"No, I’m not coming over. I want to stay with uncle, sorry big sister," Cai Cai stood her ground.
Fang Yi smiled proudly.
Huo Xiaoxuan gritted her teeth and said, "You big villain."
Fang Yi chuckled mischievously, "Don’t call me a big villain, call me uncle."
Huo Xiaoxuan puzzled, "Why?"
"Because Cai Cai calls me uncle, she calls you big sister, what else could you call me?" Fang Yi said.
At last, Cai Cai still got a bunch of candies from Huo Xiaoxuan and enjoyed them immensely, her spirits were lifted high. Soon after, Fang Yi was called into Shen Binnan’s office.
"Ren Tianqing has demanded that I hand over the hostages." This was Shen Binnan’s opening line.
"What did he say?" Fang Yi, sitting across from her, lit up a cigarette.
Shen Binnan glanced at him and said, "Ren Tianqing threatened that if I don’t release his son, I’ll disappear. He didn’t say this to me directly, but to my father."
"What was your father’s response?" Fang Yi asked.
"Naturally, he played dumb, but my father wanted me to ask for your opinion since the hostages are in your hands."
Fang Yi shook his head and said, "No, the decision is still in your hands, since you’re my boss."
Shen Binnan couldn’t help but rub her temples and said, "You really give me a headache. Why did you have to capture Ren Hao as a hostage?"
Fang Yi replied, "But this also benefits you, doesn’t it? At least it keeps Ren Tianqing from acting rashly."
"Much as I hate to admit it, you make some sense."
"By the way, are you going to Lin Mengyan’s family birthday celebration tonight?" Fang Yi brought up the topic.
"Not going!" Shen Binnan decisively said.
Fang Yi just ’oh’-ed, without further inquiry or comment, just casting a peculiar look at Shen Binnan.
After work, Fang Yi rode his bicycle with Cai Cai towards Lin Mengyan’s residence.
Just as Fang Yi and Cai Cai had left, Shen Binnan left the office and followed them from a distance in her car.
Twenty minutes later, Fang Yi, riding his bicycle with Cai Cai, arrived at a lavish hotel, which was at least a four-star establishment.
The entire hotel was decked out in Golden Splendor with lights and festoons. There were banners with congratulatory messages at the entrance and Fang Yi locked his bicycle and led Cai Cai over.
At the entrance, there were elegantly dressed women, all in cheongsams, welcoming the guests. There was also a designated area for receiving gifts. A line had formed there, offering gifts; the atmosphere was buoyant.
Suddenly, Fang Yi felt a bit awkward; coming empty-handed with Cai Cai to eat and drink for free without bringing a gift seemed inappropriate. He hurriedly took Cai Cai to a nearby supermarket and bought two small bottles of liquor and a pack of sparklers, thinking that should be festive enough.
Afterward, Fang Yi and Cai Cai returned and queued. After about five or six minutes, it was their turn.
Fang Yi placed the two bottles and sparklers on the table, and the middle-aged man who was registering the gifts glanced at them and casually asked, "What gift is this?"
"You can see for yourself," Fang Yi replied.
The man peeked inside the bag, frowned, and said discontentedly, "Young man, it’s the patriarch of the Lin Family’s birthday, and this is all you’ve brought?"
Fang Yi smiled and said, "It’s the thought that counts."
Behind Fang Yi, a scoffing laugh sounded.
"With that poor look of yours, you came to give a gift?"
"If you can’t afford a proper gift, you shouldn’t have come at all. It’s so embarrassing!"
Hearing this, Cai Cai became immediately irritated and wanted to retaliate, but Fang Yi held her back.
Suppressing his displeasure, the man said, "Though it’s the thought that counts, how much gift money do you plan to give?"
"Gift money as well?" Fang Yi was suddenly overwhelmed; he had hardly brought any money with him today.
"Of course, gift money is necessary!" the man insisted sternly. "The Lin Family in Moon City is a major family. How can the patriarch’s birthday proceed without a substantial gift? Normally, you should start with at least two hundred thousand. Don’t you have it?"
Two hundred thousand? Jesus, it’s like robbery!
Just then, several young men walked out from inside the hotel.
The leader, dressed in a suit and extremely pale, strode up to Fang Yi, narrowed his eyes, and said coldly, "Are you here to cause trouble?"
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