Godfathers

At the shop entrance, two young women dressed in antique-style shop assistant uniforms were smiling and ready to greet customers from all directions.

"Hello sir, welcome to Memories of Jiangnan."

How many of you are there?

As soon as Zhang Yang stepped forward, the two men came to greet him.

"Me? I'm looking for someone." Zhang Yang smiled and nodded amicably to the two of them.

That smile made the two girls' hearts race.

"Who are you looking for?" the little girl blinked and asked softly.

"Your boss lady." Zhang Yang walked straight into the store.

The interior is decorated in a classic style, full of the charm of Jiangnan, and is quiet and peaceful, far from the noise and hustle of ordinary restaurants.

There were indeed diners by the floor-to-ceiling windows, but they were all well-dressed and spoke softly.

You can tell at a glance that this restaurant targets a different demographic.

"Sir, sir?" Two little girls followed behind.

"You guys go ahead with your work, I see someone." Zhang Yang smiled and waved at the figure in the distance.

That was none other than the hot mom, Li Xiaoxuan.

The two shop assistants were about to speak... in the distance...

"President Zhang..." From afar, Li Xiaoxuan looked up in disbelief, her expression flashing with surprise and delight.

Zhang Yang smiled and opened his arms.

The next second, the hot mom rushed over and threw herself into his arms.

The shop assistants present were all astonished.

Who... who is this? Could it be...?

"Mr. Zhang, you're actually back!" Li Xiaoxuan hugged Zhang Yang tightly, looking up at him as she spoke.

"Look at this shop, you've done a great job," Zhang Yang said, embracing the mature and beautiful woman in his arms.

Li Xiaoxuan smiled, then looked around, took a deep breath, and said, "Everyone, come here for a moment."

The shop assistants nearby quickly gathered around.

"Let me introduce you all to this gentleman... this is our restaurant's owner, Mr. Zhang!" Li Xiaoxuan solemnly introduced him to those around her.

Everyone suddenly realized.

Sure enough, it really was the boss.

"One of the bosses," Zhang Yang explained with a smile, "Everyone has worked hard. Today is Mid-Autumn Festival, so everyone's salary will be calculated at six times the normal rate as a small gift from me."

The moment the words were spoken, a small commotion erupted around them.

"Mr. Zhang is so generous!"

"Thank you, Mr. Zhang!"

Zhang Yang took Li Xiaoxuan's hand and walked straight to the side, where they found seats and sat down.

A moment later, several plates of delicate dishes were served, and each person had a glass of wine.

Li Xiaoxuan sipped her wine, gazed at Zhang Yang, and recounted her experiences over the past six months.

"I'm coming over with the child; my mom will help take care of him now."

"The shop has hired someone, so I've been mostly here lately, at Memories of Jiangnan."

"You've worked hard." Zhang Yang smiled and shook Li Xiaoxuan's hand.

"But..." Li Xiaoxuan hesitated for a moment, "But we've been losing money for several months already. It's my fault for not running the store well."

"Don't worry about that, take your time," Zhang Yang comforted him. "Reputation takes time to build. Don't worry about making a profit or loss. Just focus on improving the food and service, and things will naturally get better in the future."

"Really?" Li Xiaoxuan asked softly.

"Absolutely true, let me try the food." Zhang Yang ate a few bites of the food, then nodded repeatedly.

The chef they hired at great expense did indeed make very authentic-tasting dishes.

Normally, if a store this big continues to lose money for months on end, an ordinary owner wouldn't be able to sustain it for long, but he doesn't care.

It doesn't matter how many months we lose money.

This shop could easily stay open forever, year after year. As long as the food is delicious and the reputation is good, the number of customers will always increase.

He didn't care about the losses or gains, but Li Xiaoxuan did.

"By the way, Tongtong will be starting elementary school next year, right?" Zhang Yang asked.

"Oh yeah, you still care about Tongtong?" Li Xiaoxuan asked with a sudden tenderness in her eyes.

"This child is lovable," Zhang Yang said. "I see that your current house isn't in the ideal school district. I happen to have some free time this afternoon, so I'll buy you a house in a good school district for your child's future schooling."

He had heard that the child's household registration had always been with Li Xiaoxuan.

In this way, when we move to the new house with Li Xiaoxuan, we can naturally use the school district.

As for claims like "raising someone else's child"...

It's fine to say this to ordinary people.

For him, it was just a drop in the ocean, a mere trifle in the ocean, and he was happy to accept it.

"What?" Upon hearing this, Li Xiaoxuan was stunned, and the wine glass at her lips tilted slightly.

Zhang Yang smiled, took a tissue, and gently wiped the red wine from the corner of Li Xiaoxuan's mouth.

"Don't refuse, don't ask any questions, this is a reward for you."

"But··"

"No buts, are you finished eating?" Zhang Yang asked again. "If you're done, come with me."

Happiness came so suddenly that Li Xiaoxuan was completely dazed.

In the car, Li Xiaoxuan suddenly grabbed Zhang Yang's hand.

"What's wrong?"

"Mr. Zhang, I know what I'm saying sounds a bit wishful thinking... but..." Li Xiaoxuan gently bit her lip, "Could you... be Tongtong's godfather?"

"Godfather? Sure." Zhang Yang nodded in agreement.

Given his relationship with Li Xiaoxuan, and the fact that Tongtong is such a lovable child, it wouldn't be unreasonable for him to adopt her as a goddaughter.

"Really?" Instantly, Li Xiaoxuan beamed with joy, unable to contain her emotions, she hugged Zhang Yang and gave him a passionate kiss.

She could finally accept that Zhang Yang wanted to buy her a house, or rather, buy Tongtong a house in a good school district.

After all, there is a reason to follow.

In the afternoon, the housing prices in Yinghai, a well-known community with two good school districts, once soared to the highest in Yinghai.

Even now, it still stands out in the Yinghai real estate market.

Inside the sales office, Li Xiaoxuan, arm in arm with Zhang Yang, looked at the model and the apartment layouts under the guidance of the saleswoman.

"Sir, what size are you considering?" the saleswoman asked Zhang Yang softly.

"Let's buy a one-stop solution," Zhang Yang said, looking at the apartment layout.

The largest apartment here is 180 square meters, and including the price, it would cost over four million.

A house costing over four million yuan would be considered old and dilapidated in Magic City, but here, it can buy a 180-square-meter apartment in a dual school district.

"Isn't it too big?" Li Xiaoxuan whispered in Zhang Yang's ear.

"Who would complain about a big house?" Zhang Yang said with a laugh. "Even if it's a few dozen square meters more, with two more rooms and a bathroom, it's not really that big, is it?"

In his concept, what is big?

A place that occupies several acres and has a building area of several thousand square meters is considered large. As for this place?

Buying a more spacious one, is that alright?

The saleswoman standing nearby beamed with joy and quickly led the two to choose a house.

The apartments are priced individually based on the floor. Zhang Yang glanced at the model and immediately chose the building with the best view in the complex, and then selected the sixteenth floor.

The saleswoman was busy calculating various discounts and deals.

Zhang Yang wasn't listening. He told him to bring the contract directly. "Pay what needs to be paid, issue the invoices what needs to be issued. No more dawdling, just take it."

A moment later.

The money has been paid, the invoice has been issued, and the purchase contract has been written.

Everything is in order.

Holding the file folder and the house key, Li Xiaoxuan seemed to be immersed in an ocean of happiness.

"For the house renovation, I recommend someone to you. You can contact her later." Zhang Yang then thought of the designer, Xiao Lin. "I'll transfer the renovation funds to you."

"Hey... no." Li Xiaoxuan suddenly whispered. "I want to earn the renovation costs myself. You've already helped me so much, with my dad's job and this house. I can't let you pay for the renovations too."

"What's the big deal about being stubborn? Finish the renovations sooner, move in sooner. Waiting to earn the money yourself is a waste of time, isn't it?" Zhang Yang chuckled. "Do you really need to be so polite with me?"

"Please," Li Xiaoxuan pleaded incessantly.

"Alright then, I'll give you the money for the renovations first, and you can pay me back slowly later, is that alright?" Zhang Yang shook his head helplessly.

"This... this is fine." Li Xiaoxuan nodded, her face flushed.

It was around three or four in the afternoon, and Zhang Yang planned to go back home for the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Nowadays, although their family restaurant is thriving, Zhang Zhaohai and his wife no longer necessarily have to work there and have begun to gradually relinquish some of their responsibilities.

Tonight's Mid-Autumn Festival reunion dinner will certainly not be missed.

Before leaving, Zhang Yang escorted Li Xiaoxuan all the way to the bottom of her building.

What a coincidence!

As soon as the car arrived downstairs, two middle-aged men led a little girl out of the stairwell.

It was Li's parents and Tongtong.

"Tongtong." Li Xiaoxuan got out of the car, bent down and opened her arms.

"Mommy! Mommy's back!" Tongtong skipped and hopped over, then snuggled into Li Xiaoxuan's arms.

Zhang Yang also got out of the car with a smile.

"Mr. Zhang... Mr. Zhang." Mr. Li walked forward in disbelief, his expression full of restraint.

He now works as a driver for Zhang Yang's Four Seasons Hotel, earning 20,000 yuan a month. Because of Zhang Yang, he receives all sorts of preferential treatment at the hotel, and he's living a very comfortable life.

"Hmm." Zhang Yang nodded amicably. "How's work lately, Uncle? Are you happy with your job?"

"Thanks to Chairman Zhang, everything is fine. President An is also very kind to me, my colleagues are easy to get along with, and the work is very easy," Mr. Li said hurriedly. "Chairman Zhang, please come up and have a seat."

"I won't sit today, let's do it another day." Zhang Yang politely declined with a smile, then looked at Tongtong, who was looking at him timidly.

The little girl is growing up and learning more and more.

Plus, I hadn't seen him for a long time, so I was naturally a little shy.

"Don't you recognize me?" He squatted down.

"Tongtong, hurry up." Li Xiaoxuan urged softly.

Mr. and Mrs. Li, who were standing to the side, were also a little anxious.

Hurry up and go!

It's obvious that Chairman Zhang really likes Tongtong, so hurry up and pick her up!

"Mom..." Tongtong hesitated, her expression shy.

"Go on, go hug your godfather," Li Xiaoxuan whispered in Tongtong's ear. "From now on, your uncle is your godfather, and he's prepared a big gift for you..."

"Godfather? Does that mean Daddy?" Tongtong's eyes lit up, and she gently slipped out of Li Xiaoxuan's arms.

No one around has offered an explanation yet.

Zhang Yang then smiled and hugged Tongtong, lifting her high in the air.

"Okay, that's fine."

The little girl's face immediately lit up with a smile, her initial shyness vanished instantly, and she affectionately wrapped her arms around Zhang Yang's neck.

Li's parents, who were standing to the side, were overjoyed and looked at Li Xiaoxuan.

Li Xiaoxuan pursed her lips, smiled, and nodded.

A moment later, Zhang Yang said goodbye to everyone, got into his car, and sped away.

Li Xiaoxuan remained where she was, holding the reluctant Tongtong's hand, watching the car disappear into the distance.

"Xiaoxuan, this..." Li's mother, unable to contain her curiosity any longer, finally asked.

"Mom, we'll talk about it when we get back," Li Xiaoxuan said with a smile.

At home, Li Xiaoxuan and her parents sat on the sofa, watching Tongtong run around and play.

She took out a folder and then the purchase contract.

"Mom and Dad, this is a school district house that Mr. Zhang bought for Tongtong. It cost over four million yuan."

"What!"

"Chairman Zhang bought you a house?!"

The couple stood up in surprise.

"Chairman Zhang also said that he wants to be Tongtong's godfather, and that this house is something he prepared for Tongtong," Li Xiaoxuan added.

The couple were so shocked that their mouths gaped open, and they couldn't utter a single word.

After what seemed like an eternity, Mr. Li finally plopped down on the sofa.

"Chairman Zhang has shown you and the children such immense kindness! Our family can never repay this debt of gratitude! Xiaoxuan..." Mr. Li suddenly looked at Li Xiaoxuan, "Remember this, you will spend your whole life repaying him."

"Dad, I know." Li Xiaoxuan nodded gently.

This debt of gratitude is more than just a lifetime; it could take several lifetimes to repay.

She gazed at the child and suddenly made a somewhat unfair decision... she wanted to gradually diminish the concept of the child's biological father.

Even if this behavior is somewhat inappropriate.

But so what?

Can Tongtong's biological father really go this far? If he can't, he might as well withdraw from his child's world.

She wanted to let Tongtong know who was truly good to her.

Everything Zhang Yang has done must have meaning.

··

In the evening, Zhang Yang returned to Villa Purple Garden No. 1.

In the garage, Zhang Zhaohai and Song Wenqin's cars were parked, so it seemed they had both returned today.

He got out of the car, smiled, took the gift box of Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs he had brought back from the hotel from the trunk, and then walked straight to his front door.

Upon opening the door, a sense of warmth and familiarity immediately greets you.

"Mom and Dad, I'm home!"

"My son is back!" In the living room, Zhang Zhaohai was eating pomegranates and watching TV when he looked up and saw Zhang Yang. He immediately stood up excitedly.

From the second floor, the voice of her mother, Song Wenqin, could be faintly heard.

"My son is back! That's wonderful!"

A moment later, footsteps approached, and Song Wenqin excitedly came downstairs and headed straight for him.

On the Mid-Autumn Festival, with the full moon shining brightly, the family of three was finally reunited to celebrate the festival together.

"Mom, steam the crabs." Zhang Yang handed over the large hairy crab in his hand.

"Yes, yes, yes, we have everything we need at home." Song Wenqin happily took the crabs from Zhang Yang's hand, then went to the kitchen and brought out the hairy crabs that had just come out of the steamer.

The hairy crabs are large and plump, clearly full of roe and fat.

Zhang Zhaohai was in high spirits and went to the wine cabinet to get some good wine, planning to have a good drink with his son today.

As evening fell, the family of three gathered around the table.

While enjoying their Mid-Autumn Festival reunion dinner, they clinked glasses, drank, and chatted casually.

"How long are you staying this time?" Zhang Zhaohai asked, squinting at his drink.

"I'll leave after the holiday," Zhang Yang said.

"Good, a man's ambition lies in all corners of the world. Your parents know your business is booming and you don't get to come home often." Zhang Zhaohai picked up his glass and clinked it with his son's. "Don't worry about your business outside. Your parents are doing well at home, so don't fret."

Zhang Yang nodded, raised his glass, and drank it down in one gulp.

On this Mid-Autumn Festival, the moon shines brightly outside the window, a time for family reunions.

The Zhang family, who have gradually transcended social classes, are now quietly enjoying the moments of family reunion on this Mid-Autumn Festival night.