“The child is still young. She hasn’t fully come to her senses yet and doesn’t realize we’re a family. If the kids spend time together, they’ll naturally develop feelings. If we adults interfere, it might actually affect their relationship.”
Seeing Lin Dayong speak so seriously, Su Ting didn’t insist further in order to avoid suspicion. She sat back down, deliberately rubbing her temples, her tone full of confusion.
“Su Xiaomei used to be such a well-behaved and sensible child. I don’t know if something possessed her lately, but she keeps arguing with me. Raising children is hundreds of times more exhausting than treating patients!”
Lin Dayong smiled faintly. He could tell Su Xiaomei’s temperament had become problematic, but his identity was sensitive, so it wasn’t appropriate for him to interfere too much.
Early the next morning, Chen Hai was already standing at the entrance of the Lin family’s house, waiting to go fishing with Ruanruan.
He startled Su Ting, who had gotten up early to prepare breakfast. She couldn’t help worrying that he might have come to complain.
“President Chen, what brings you here?”
Chen Hai said cheerfully, “I came to pick up Ruanruan to go fishing. It’s not too hot in the morning, and fewer people are there.”
In truth, the main reason was that whenever he stayed near Ruanruan, he felt unusually comfortable—as if even his luck improved.
Su Ting frowned. She couldn’t understand how Lin Ruanruan’s “luck” had made Chen Hai treat her so specially.
Comparing that with the disappointing Su Xiaomei made her even more annoyed.
Still, she kept up appearances. She originally planned to say it wasn’t safe for such a young child, but before she could speak—
Ruanruan had already come running excitedly.
“Uncle, I’ll be ready soon! Wait for me!”
“Alright!”
“Ruanruan?” Su Ting was startled. She thought the girl was still asleep. “Why are you awake already?”
“Auntie, I’m going fishing! I’ll go tell my dad first!” Ruanruan immediately ran off on her short little legs toward Lin Dayong.
Lin Dayong had already woken up and was doing some warm-up exercises.
When he saw his daughter, he said, “Eat breakfast first before going! Ruanruan, you’re so young. If you want to fish, you must go with an adult. How about I take leave and go fishing with you?”
“No! Dad, you still have things to do. I’m just going fishing.”
Ruanruan said in her soft childish voice. Resting her chubby chin in her hands, she stared at her father.
“I’ll protect myself. And don’t you want to build a good relationship with Uncle Chen? With me around, it’ll be fine!”
“You silly girl, what nonsense are you worrying about?”
Lin Dayong tapped Ruanruan’s little head, deeply grateful that his late wife had raised their daughter to be so thoughtful and sensible.
It was true that he had approached Chen Hai partly to leave a good impression with the old leader. That way, if there was another chance for promotion, it might finally be his turn.
Previously he should have been promoted, but someone had deliberately suppressed him. Because of that, his late wife never had the chance to move here with him.
“I’m not so useless that I need a child to help me build connections. Ruanruan, all I want is for you to grow up happy.”
Ruanruan sensed something wrong in his mood and immediately hugged his leg, acting spoiled in her sweet childish voice.
“Dad, you’re the best! I love fishing. I’ll protect myself. If I hook a fish that’s too big to pull up, I’ll just let the rod go.”
“Mm.” Lin Dayong’s voice turned slightly hoarse. “Good girl. Nothing is more important than your life.”
“Okay, Dad!”
Ruanruan motioned for her father to crouch down. Then she hugged his face and gave him a loud kiss.
“Dad, go to work obediently. I’m going fishing!”
Su Ting pretended to be considerate and stuffed two large steamed buns into Ruanruan’s backpack.
Since Lin Dayong didn’t object, she couldn’t keep opposing it.
Ruanruan and Chen Hai arrived at the fishing spot the system had detected yesterday.
By now quite a few people were already fishing along the shore.
“Uncle, let’s start fishing!”
“Alright!”
Not long after Ruanruan cast her line into the sea, the familiar system notification sounded in her ear.
[Ding! Congratulations, host. You caught one sea bass. Points +10!]
Even Chen Hai—who was famous for often catching nothing—started pulling fish one after another. It shocked him.
Just then, Ruanruan’s stomach suddenly hurt.
She said to Chen Hai, “Uncle, I’m going to the bathroom. Help me watch my fish!”
“Go ahead!” Chen Hai waved his hand.
After finishing, Ruanruan was about to return when she heard someone speaking in a lowered voice.
“You came here without anyone seeing you, right?”
“Don’t worry. I’m experienced with this! Otherwise do you really think they can catch that many fish with fishing rods alone? Don’t be naive! As long as you give me one hundred yuan, I guarantee you’ll win the championship!”
Little Ruanruan’s eyes widened instantly.
Someone wanted to steal her championship!
Wait—this was cheating!
She quietly crept closer. When she looked carefully, she realized she recognized one of them.
It was Liu Qianqian’s father—Liu Dazhuang!
“Are you freaking robbing me?” Liu Dazhuang suddenly raised his voice. “One hundred yuan? My monthly salary isn’t even that much!”
The dark, thin man wearing a straw hat didn’t get angry. Instead he said cheerfully:
“Lower your voice. If someone hears us, I won’t take responsibility! I’m just a fisherman. I’m not like you, a cadre with a stable job.”
Liu Dazhuang paced back and forth angrily.
Spending a hundred yuan to buy fish felt like someone was scraping flesh off his bones.
But he really wanted first place in this competition so he could make a good impression in front of the leadership.
He had stayed in his position for too long. He had heard that his superior might soon transfer to another post, and he couldn’t help but start entertaining some schemes.
Ruanruan had crept a little too close and unconsciously breathed a bit louder.
The dark, thin man immediately noticed.
He instantly became alert and looked around.
“Someone’s eavesdropping!”
Ruanruan hadn’t expected him to be so sharp. Taking advantage of the large reef blocking the view—and her small size—she quickly slipped away.
The man scanned the area warily, while Liu Dazhuang’s heart nearly jumped into his throat. Forgetting everything else, he hurried after him.
After searching around, they didn’t find anyone.
“Did you see wrong?” Liu Dazhuang wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, a hint of dissatisfaction creeping into his voice.
The dark, thin man glanced at him but didn’t respond.
He was certain he hadn’t heard wrong.
The breathing had been faint—but his hearing was sharper than most people’s.
“Let’s keep looking.”
The two searched again and soon spotted the supply cooperative’s director, Chen Hai, fishing nearby.
They exchanged glances.
The dark, thin man lowered his voice.
“Only those two are fishing around here. Go ask them.”
Liu Dazhuang nodded quickly and walked over.
“Director Chen, what brings you here?”
At that moment Chen Hai was completely absorbed in fishing and didn’t hear Liu Dazhuang’s question at all.
Liu Dazhuang wasn’t annoyed. Instead he turned with a smile toward Ruanruan.
“Ruanruan, how come you don’t greet your elders when you see them?”