Surprise

"Hey, Shihan, what are you doing here?"

Having just left home, Li Xingwen had Zeng Xianbing drive him to the bank to withdraw some money. The moment he entered the bank, he spotted a young woman in a bank uniform who looked very familiar.

As he drew closer, she happened to turn around and face the entrance. Li Xingwen recognized her immediately. Wasn't this his beloved niece, Li Shihan?

Li Xingwen was utterly surprised. He hurried over and asked, "Shihan, why are you wearing a bank uniform? Do you work here?"

When Li Shihan had returned a few days ago, Li Xingwen had subconsciously assumed that she was merely home for a few days of rest before returning to Peng City. Whenever relatives gathered during holidays, Li Shihan had always said she would not come back to work and would stay in Peng City from then on. And that was exactly what she had done all these years.

But now, this completely overturned what he thought he knew.

Li Shihan was busy directing customers who had come to handle business at the bank. This was not originally part of her duties, but with a mindset of learning, she decided to give it a try first.

Hearing the voice, she looked up. Seeing that it was Li Xingwen, she walked over and asked with a smile, "Second Uncle-in-law, what business are you here to handle? Yes, I'll be working here from now on. This is my work badge."

As she spoke, she removed the small badge from her uniform and showed it to Li Xingwen.

"Senior Client Manager!"

Li Xingwen read the five words on the badge aloud. Though he recognized them, he simply could not connect this job with his beloved niece.

A dancer and artist had actually come to a bank to be a client manager. The career leap was just too great.

And banks were difficult to get into in the first place. On top of that, she held the title of "Senior Client Manager." That was no ordinary level of difficulty. How had his beloved niece managed it?

Li Xingwen found it unbelievable. Just as he was about to ask, Zeng Xianbing's voice sounded behind him. "Second Uncle-in-law, huh, Shihan, when did you come back? Why are you—why are you working here?"

Zeng Xianbing, who always seemed to be dressed in a suit and leather shoes, was equally dumbfounded the moment he saw Li Shihan. This was far too strange.

Li Shihan's expression immediately darkened, and she even became somewhat displeased with Li Xingwen, her second uncle-in-law.

"Miss, how do I handle this?"

Just then, a middle-aged auntie approached Li Shihan with a form in hand and a bewildered expression. Li Shihan took the chance to let Li Xingwen handle his own business, then walked away.

Out of sight, out of mind.

"Second Uncle-in-law, why is Shihan working here?"

Zeng Xianbing still asked in confusion.

Li Xingwen instantly felt awkward and a little annoyed. I introduced you to her, but you didn't take the initiative yourself. Now you're asking me? I'm only her second uncle-in-law, not a worm in her stomach. How would I know why she's here?

His good mood was suddenly ruined.

After withdrawing the money, Zeng Xianbing seemed to come to his senses and asked, "Second Uncle-in-law, do you think Shihan and I still have a chance?"

Li Xingwen replied irritably, "I only introduced you. I'm just the middleman. A blind date isn't something that works just because the parents approve. You two have to talk it out yourselves. You need to take the initiative and pursue her. If you don't take the initiative, what chance do you have?"

Hearing that, Zeng Xianbing became unhappy as well. "A blind date is a blind date. If you meet and feel your conditions are about the same, that should be enough. Why would I need to pursue her? If I wanted to chase women, I would've done it long ago. I have money—it's not like I don't. There are plenty of girls waiting for me to chase them."

Li Xingwen opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end, he said nothing. He only cursed inwardly, Damn! I was really stupid to introduce this kind of minor rich kid to Li Shihan. He's not just missing a screw—he doesn't see marriage as a responsibility at all. He just wants to pick up girls.

On the way to the card tables at the teahouse, neither of them spoke.

Sitting in the front passenger seat, Li Xingwen took out his phone and sent a message to his eldest daughter, Li Shiyu, asking about Li Shihan's recent situation.

His eldest daughter Li Shiyu and youngest daughter Li Shixin had grown up with Li Shihan and were extremely close to her. The two of them basically knew everything about Li Shihan.

After failing to set up the blind date, Li Xingwen felt somewhat awkward toward Li Shihan and was not in a good position to ask her for details, so he thought of asking Li Shiyu instead.

Li Shiyu replied quickly. Just as he had expected, she knew Li Shihan's recent circumstances perfectly well.

"It's because of Zhou Feiyu. That bank president specially arranged a position for Li Shihan."

"Five days a week, eight hours a day, Five Insurances and One Fund, plus year-end benefits."

"I heard Zhou Feiyu's company is opening tomorrow. Things are going very well too, and quite a few people want to invest."

"Good lord, this Zhou Feiyu is really capable."

Li Xingwen was greatly shocked.

Everything Li Shiyu had told him was what Li Shihan had said to her in private. Other than more specific details and matters that needed to be kept confidential, Li Shihan had told her almost everything.

Li Xingwen easily drew two conclusions.

First, Zhou Xingwen's startup was doing well, and many people wanted to invest.

Second, Zhou Xingwen had powerful connections. Even the bank president was willing to do him a favor, specifically creating an "arts officer" position for Li Shihan so she could work at the bank and hold a public-sector job.

"His opening ceremony is tomorrow? Should I go offer my congratulations?"

Li Xingwen then thought of this. No matter what, it was the opening ceremony for his beloved niece's boyfriend's business. Since her second uncle-in-law knew about it, he ought to show some support.

Still, Zhou Feiyu had not invited him, so showing up on his own felt a little inappropriate.

Thinking of this, Li Xingwen could not help turning to glance at Zeng Xianbing, who was driving. The words of that young lawyer at the teahouse that day naturally came to mind.

Indeed, capable people were all low-key, and rich people would not go around saying they were rich.

"Zeng Xianbing, do you know that Zhou Feiyu's company is holding its opening ceremony tomorrow?"

Li Xingwen felt it was necessary to give Zeng Xianbing a hint. His matchmaking efforts would be best ended here, completely and directly.

"I don't know. Why?"

Zeng Xianbing answered casually, looking utterly unconcerned.

Li Xingwen looked at him again and could not help making it clear. "Since my niece has already made her decision, I think you should give up. I'll introduce you to another girl another day."

Only then did Zeng Xianbing understand. He sneered. "I'll find out tonight where his company is opening. Tomorrow, I'll personally go over and offer my congratulations."

Li Xingwen was instantly speechless. "Hey, don't cause trouble."

Zeng Xianbing curled his lip. "I'm just going to congratulate him. What are you worried about? I've got a million-dollar fortune, and I haven't even had enough fun in this colorful world yet. Do you think I'm stupid?"

Li Xingwen was still somewhat worried, but there was nothing he could do. He secretly regretted speaking up.

Their situation did not affect Li Shihan's work or mood.

As soon as she got off work, she rode her little scooter to Fei Yang New Material Company in the Nanjiang County Industrial Park. The company had workshops, an office building, a cafeteria, and dormitories.

Of course, the employee dormitories were elsewhere. Zhou Feiyu had specifically found several offices in the office building to use as rooms. Conditions were limited, so he, his parents, and Li Shihan would stay there for now.

When Li Shihan arrived, Zhou Feiyu was still chatting with Xiao Jianguo and Jiang Xinyi, the married couple.

"Big Sister-in-law, you're off work!"

The moment they saw Li Shihan, Xiao Jianguo and Jiang Xinyi both greeted her with smiles.