Lives of Their Own

"Hello?" Bei Wei's voice trembled slightly, tinged with nervousness.

A loud laugh came from the other end of the phone.

Instantly, Bei Wei's heart sank, and she heard only one sentence.

You're going to be a mother!

Inside the Tan Palace, a sea of joyous excitement filled the air.

"Oh my, little aunt!" Bei Jiajia's face flushed with excitement as she exclaimed repeatedly, "Young master, little princess!"

She hugged Bei Jiajia tightly, her movements gentle yet affectionate.

"It's not that tense yet," Bei Wei chuckled. "Right now, the little one might only be... this small."

"That won't do either, we definitely have to be careful," Bei Jiajia insisted.

The staff at the Tan Palace are all discerning.

A group of aunties immediately came over, calling her "Madam, Madam" repeatedly, busy trying to curry favor and get on her good side in advance.

With a smile, Bei Wei gently stroked her lower abdomen, as if she were sinking into an ocean of happiness.

··

Zhang Yang, far away in the Gangge Republic, smiled as he looked at the endless array of combat simulators before him.

My dream has finally come true.

He was overjoyed to have his first child, but for Bei Wei, it was the fulfillment of a dream she had held for many years.

Well, let's give that villa in the Tan Palace to Bei Wei. Then, the medical team and security team can also be arranged to go there.

In the medical field, the largest private hospital in China is wholly owned by the Cloud Sea Group, which boasts the industry's top professional team and the most advanced medical equipment. As for its target customer group, it mainly targets high-end people and has a unique reputation.

From now on Bei Wei can stop all her business ventures and focus on her pregnancy.

He already had a name in mind for the child.

If it is a boy, he will be named Zhang Haoxuan, which means bright eyes and white teeth, and a dignified and imposing appearance.

If it's a girl, name her Zhang Caiwei, which has the meaning of collecting beautiful things.

Amidst a flurry of thoughts, Zhang Yang strolled down, walking among tens of thousands of simulated robots. Wherever he went, the simulated combat robots knelt on one knee, creating a scene resembling the undulating tides of the sea.

At that time, the Honey Badger Security consisted of a large number of armed personnel, civilian staff, and tens of thousands of lifelike combat robots.

Such armed forces, taken individually, are enough to dominate a small Africa country.

Unbeknownst to him, his Honey Badger Security had grown into a key force capable of determining the course of events in a region.

Africa is so vast that it can no longer accommodate its growth.

Next, Honey Badger Security aims to expand globally.

··

In the same year, outside of Africa, during a local war in a certain region, Honey Badger Security for the first time.

During the conflict, the Honey Badger Security's exceptional combat capabilities and fearless performance impressed many factions.

Amidst the hail of bullets and real-world combat achievements, orders, large and small, have been placed with Honey Badger Security.

The total value of the orders reached nearly one billion US dollars.

At the same time, Zhang Yang's SC Industrial publicly announced its cooperation with the Ministry of Defense of the Gangge Republic to jointly develop a series of military equipment. At the same time, it offered extremely generous benefits to attract global military experts.

A future super military industrial enterprise is beginning to rise at this moment.

··

Yinghai

Wealth Harbor Building 1

The headquarters of Haiqin Catering Co., Ltd.. occupies an entire floor. Inside the general manager's office, there are a series of stunning group photos.

Li Kaiguang, who had just taken office as general manager, was impeccably dressed and riding high on his success.

After several years of experience, he worked his way up at Haiqin Restaurant, starting as a management trainee, then becoming a store manager, a regional supervisor, and finally a deputy general manager and general manager. He climbed the ladder step by step.

"Shanshan, are you off work soon? Yes, I'll pick you up." Li Kaiguang made a phone call. "Okay, sure, that's all for now."

A moment later, he put down his phone and walked straight out of the office.

Along the way, he naturally encountered one subordinate after another.

"Mr. Li."

"Hello, Mr. Li."

Greetings were constantly being exchanged.

Li Kaiguang smiled and nodded as he left the company.

Five or ten years ago, he would have been smug at this moment, but not now.

Firstly, because he worked his way up from the grassroots level, his current success is the result of gradual growth rather than instantaneous achievement.

Secondly, Li Kaiguang was well aware of who had brought him everything he had today, even the attitudes others had towards him, so he felt only gratitude and appreciation.

He will do his best to help his aunt manage this business well.

The headlights of Mercedes E-Class- Class in the parking lot below the office building flashed briefly.

Li Kaiguang went straight there, got into his car, and started the engine.

Then, we set off immediately.

Over the years, his life has changed dramatically, most notably in his income, which has increased from a monthly salary of over ten thousand yuan to an annual salary of one million yuan.

He has a car, a house, and a fiancée... naturally, he has one too.

And this trip, naturally, was to pick up his fiancée for dinner.

He had a class reunion at noon today, and he was the one who organized it.

Downstairs in an office building in the city center.

A pretty and gentle-looking girl jogged out and got into Li Kaiguang's car.

"How are things today? Are you busy?" Li Kaiguang smiled slightly and handed over a bottle of water.

"It's alright, I almost finished the work this morning." The girl smiled and looked at her boyfriend beside her. "By the way, I've always had a question."

"Hmm? What do you mean?" Li Kaiguang said while driving.

"Your class reunion could have been held at your restaurant, why did you choose another place?" the girl asked, puzzled.

"You'll find out about that when the time comes." Li Kaiguang smiled but didn't say anything.

The car continued its journey and arrived at the restaurant.

The girl got off the bus and looked up.

Memories of Jiangnan

"Is this the place?" she asked.

"Yes, come on, they should all be here." Li Kaiguang smiled, took the girl's hand, and walked straight into the restaurant.

The restaurant has a high-end and elegant ambiance, without the usual noise of a typical restaurant.

A stunningly beautiful figure was standing behind the front desk.

This person is none other than Li Xiaoxuan.

"Boss lady," Li Kaiguang quickly put on a big smile.

"Mr. Li, this way please." Li Xiaoxuan warmly led the way. "Your classmates should all be here by now."

"No... just call me by my name," Li Kaiguang quickly said. "It's fine for others to call me 'President Li'."

The girl stood to the side, completely stunned.

Why is that?

Why was Li Kaiguang so polite to this person?

You know, he is...

"We're here, this is it." Li Xiaoxuan led the two to the door of a private room. "I won't see you inside."

"Okay, go ahead and get busy," Li Kaiguang said quickly.

Inside the private room, the faint sounds of laughter and chatter from former classmates could be heard.

Behind him, Li Xiaoxuan had already gone far away.

"Kaiguang, who is she?" The girl finally couldn't help but ask, "You seem to be very polite to her, even a little..."

According to her understanding, Li Kaiguang's current status is, at the very least, that of a company CEO, not to mention, there's that other connection... a connection that would scare people to death if it got out.

"What do you think?" Li Kaiguang laughed. "Do you know who owns this shop?"

"Wasn't that the proprietress just now?" the girl asked curiously.

"It's true she's the proprietress, but do you know that this shop also has another owner?" Li Kaiguang said meaningfully.

The girl opened her eyes wide.

Could it be...?

"Yes... I know you've always been a low-key person. I'm telling you this, but don't tell anyone else." Li Kaiguang said solemnly, "The other boss is my younger brother. I don't need to elaborate on their relationship, do I?"

He will never forget what happened that day.

Once, Zhang Yang returned to Yinghai discreetly and brought him here for a meal.

He witnessed Zhang Yang's intimate behavior with the man he had just met, and what shocked him even more was... the little girl who Zhang Yang's godfather.

Such a relationship is simply...

"Oh, I see. But... but you're his brother too," the girl continued, still puzzled.

"What am I..." Li Kaiguang chuckled. "Remember this, I'm his older brother. My help is only meaningful when something serious happens and he really needs it. Otherwise, you'd better not take yourself too seriously."

Yes, he is Zhang Yang's older brother, and their mothers are sisters, so he is considered Zhang Yang's aunt's older brother.

But so what? He's not my biological brother.

These days, even brothers aren't always reliable. He's only gotten this far thanks to his aunt's help, and he's quite self-aware.

But the other party... she's Zhang Yang's woman. Her whispers in his ear are no match for a thousand words from me, are they?

He knows what's more important, doesn't he? Shouldn't he show more respect?

Besides, respect is mutual; the boss's wife actually respects him a lot too.

"Then... can you still see him now?" the girl couldn't help but ask.

"Now?" Li Kaiguang smiled, a carefree laugh. "Come to think of it, it's been several years since we last met... I can only catch up on his news from the news. Let's go, don't keep my classmates waiting."

He smiled, took the hand of the person next to him, and pushed open the door to the private room.

···

Li Xiaoxuan did not stay in the store for long.

A moment later, she left Memories of Jiangnan and headed straight for the school.

Today is Friday, and there is a parent-teacher meeting at school this afternoon.

Afternoon, Yinghai First Primary School.

The lengthy parent-teacher meeting made many parents drowsy, but Li Xiaoxuan remained focused throughout, occasionally scribbling down notes on the teacher's key points.

She always paid attention to every detail of Tongtong's studies and life.

They care far more than other parents.

After the parents' meeting, Li Xiaoxuan and Tongtong walked side by side on the way out of school.

Along the way, the mother and daughter chatted quietly, sharing interesting stories.

"Mom, I haven't seen my godfather in so long. When can I see him?" Tongtong suddenly looked up and asked.

She's already a third-grade girl.

She's no longer the little girl who cried when she went to kindergarten.

Of course, Li Xiaoxuan still looks youthful, with fair skin and a beautiful appearance; she looks to be only twenty-five years old.

"Didn't we just see each other half a year ago?" Li Xiaoxuan gently stroked the child's hair and said with a smile, "Seeing each other once every six months is already enough. Do you think your godfather is so free that he can see you whenever he wants? As long as you study hard and behave well, you will naturally see your godfather in due time."

"Okay! Then I will definitely study hard!" The little girl nodded, a determined look flashing in her eyes.

"Come on, Mom is going to visit your Aunt Meng later," Li Xiaoxuan said with a smile.

Aunt Meng was none other than Meng Baihan.

The two were destined to meet. After a chance encounter a few years ago, they gradually became acquainted and are now close friends who can talk about anything.

Moreover, their relationship as best friends is anything but ordinary.

"Go to Aunt Meng's?" Tongtong's eyes lit up immediately. "That's great! I've missed Aunt Meng so much!"

"That's perfect, let's have dinner with Aunt Meng again tonight," Li Xiaoxuan said with a smile.

Later that evening, Li Xiaoxuan took her car and drove Tongtong straight to Cloud Sea International School, the only high-end private middle school in Yinghai.

Yes, this school, including its parent company, the education group, was acquired by Cloud Sea Group long ago and has become an industry under the education sector of the Cloud Sea Group.

Meng Baihan is now a member of the school's board of directors.

In Yinghai case, she's essentially the one who calls the shots at Yinghai's Cloud Sea International School.

Cloud Sea International School

Board of Trustees Office.

Li Xiaoxuan and her daughter met Meng Baihan.

The young Teacher Meng of yesteryear is now poised and elegant. Of course, in front of familiar people, her once innocent and carefree nature remains unchanged.

"Tongtong! Come here to Auntie." Meng Baihan smiled, bent down, and opened her arms.

Tongtong smiled and stepped forward, standing on tiptoe to hug Aunt Meng in front of her.

Hello, Aunt Meng.

"Hey, Tongtong, hello." Meng Baihan smiled at Li Xiaoxuan. "Xiaoxuan, please sit wherever you like, don't be shy."

The office was quiet, and no outsiders came in.

Tongtong wandered around the office freely.

Li Xiaoxuan and Meng Baihan, best friends, had endless topics to talk about and kept chatting.

"This child has been having some trouble with his studies lately, and I'm really worried about him," Li Xiaoxuan said, shaking her head slightly. "I've noticed that he's become a bit playful and always wants to watch TV."

"With the child's godfather here, what's the rush?" Meng Baihan said with a smile.

"But Tongtong has to be ambitious herself," Li Xiaoxuan said.

"I think Tongtong is a very good child," Meng Baihan suddenly said. "If you don't mind, you can leave her with me for junior high school, and I'll guarantee her admission to a prestigious university for her future studies abroad."

"We'll talk about that later," Li Xiaoxuan said, expressing her gratitude first.

As they were talking, Meng Baihan suddenly received a phone call.

"What? Are you sure?"

"Are the test results definitely okay?"

"Okay, thank you, doctor!"

She put down the phone, her eyes momentarily glazed over.

"Are you alright?" Li Xiaoxuan asked upon seeing this.

"I... I want to..." Meng Baihan gently grabbed Li Xiaoxuan's sleeve, "I'm going to be a mother!"

Li Xiaoxuan was stunned for a moment, then her eyes widened.

She finally realized what was happening.

"Oh my god! Really?!"

"It's absolutely true! Zhang Yang came back a while ago, didn't he?" Meng Baihan said excitedly. "I've been feeling a bit off about my period lately; it hasn't come, and I was a little worried, so I went to get a blood test. And the results just came back! I'm really pregnant!"