Shen Xue watched the splash of water on the floor and turned off the faucet, glaring at the man currently hiding behind the door.
Chen Yang looked a little sheepish. Men, after all, had their little hobbies.
"You can wash them yourself. I'm not helping you anymore."
Shen Xue ignored the clothes in the basin. She was mortified. It was one thing to do it in the house, but this guy was getting bolder and bolder.
If she hadn't turned on the faucet, who knew how much noise he would have made.
Chen Yang didn't dare to retort. He grinned and took the enamel basin, starting to wash the clothes.
When Chen Yang hung the clothes to dry in the hallway and pushed open the door, he found the two little ones sleeping soundly.
Shen Xue had her back to the door and ignored him.
"Still mad?"
Chen Yang tiptoed onto the bed and nudged her, trying to pull the woman into his arms.
Shen Xue didn't move.
"I'll listen to you from now on. If you don't allow it, I absolutely won't do anything bad, okay? Don't be angry anymore, be good."
The older man coaxed his wife. Under his persistent efforts, Shen Xue finally turned around and nestled into his embrace.
"At home, you can do whatever you want, but outside, we need to maintain appearances."
"That young lady downstairs had an issue last time. She made such a scene. How will I be able to show my face outside from now on?"
Shen Xue hugged Chen Yang. She was happy that her husband liked her body, but she also needed to save face.
In this conservative era, Shen Xue's thoughts were naturally incomparable to Chen Yang's, who had experienced the information explosion of later generations.
"Okay, okay, I'll listen to you. I won't embarrass you anymore."
Chen Yang kissed his wife's flushed, pretty face. No wonder that waitress had treated him so poorly. So that was why.
Rain on banana leaves, moon hidden, a shy person.
The night passed without incident.
When they got up the next day, Shen Xue was too embarrassed to go down with Chen Yang. She took the children down first, and Chen Yang followed.
"Ahem, well, you don't need to tidy the room. We're staying another night."
Looking at the service staff with dark circles under their eyes, Chen Yang's old face blushed. Last time he hadn't known, but this time, even with his thick skin, he felt a bit hot.
"Stay, stay. It's not my shift tonight. You can stay as long as you want."
Liu Hong yawned. She was beyond desire.
Seeing Liu Hong's indifferent reaction, Chen Yang naturally wouldn't seek out more trouble.
He planned to visit Zou Chenguang. If nothing else, the smooth opening of branch stores in the counties under Qinghe City was all thanks to Zou Chenguang's help.
It was only right and proper to pay a visit and express his gratitude.
Chen Yang also took Chen Hao to Hu Dong's house. One reason was to let the children meet each other, and the other was to invite Hu Dong along, as he truly didn't know where Zou Chenguang lived.
Lei Baoguo had gone to Meng Hui's radio shop early in the morning to help Zhang Weiyang, and he was very enthusiastic about having something to do.
His father-in-law and mother-in-law accompanied Chen Yang to Hu Dong's house and were very fond of his twin daughters.
Chen Yang didn't know that his in-laws were already privately discussing a marriage arrangement with Yu Lili.
Chen Yang couldn't fathom the thoughts of the older generation.
He hadn't even considered it. The children were so young, what did they understand?
When they grew up, it would be a time for free love. Who would care about a childhood engagement?
By now, Chen Yang had bought gifts and was going to visit Zou Chenguang with Hu Dong. Zou Chenguang was still in a meeting, so he greeted his secretary.
Hu Dong and Chen Yang had to go to his home to wait and meet him when he returned home for lunch.
"Auntie, please don't trouble yourself. Jingze wants to see Hao Hao. Why don't you take him over to play? We'll just grab something to eat at a restaurant later."
As soon as Chen Yang and the others arrived, Zou Chenguang's wife busied herself preparing a meal. This woman had always remembered Chen Yang saving her son and daughter.
The children were saved, and it seemed as if everyone had become younger. Chen Yang was also happy. He was truly grateful for his impulsive actions back then.
If the parents of those children couldn't find them, they would probably suffer endlessly.
"How can that be? Last time we ate at Dongzi's place, and this time that young Chen has come to our home, if I don't cook a good meal, Old Zou will definitely get angry when he returns."
"You just sit there. Zou Jingze, come here and peel garlic."
"After eating, I'll take you to see Little Winter Melon. Be good, or I won't take you to see anyone today."
Although the child had been lost for quite some time, she was much more capable of handling children than Shen Xue. With just a few words, Zou Jingze had no temper.
He quickly ran over to help with the work. Although one of his hands had been harmed by the trap, his other hand was still very nimble.
Chen Yang could see that this auntie hoped to cultivate Zou Jingze's independence. Given the circumstances, she couldn't change anything.
It was false to say she didn't dote on her son, but she didn't want to give Zou Jingze special treatment. One day, she and Zou Chenguang would grow old and pass away.
She hoped that Zou Jingze could stand on his own, so that even if they were gone, he wouldn't struggle to survive.
Around one o'clock in the afternoon, Zou Chenguang finally arrived.
"Little Chen, Dongzi, I'm sorry. I'm late because of the meeting. Sit down, quickly sit down. My dear, bring over the wine I've been hiding."
Zou Chenguang warmly greeted Chen Yang and Hu Dong as soon as he entered. Chen Yang naturally wouldn't be presumptuous and quickly stood up to welcome Zou Chenguang.
"Uncle, I see that you and Auntie have both become much younger. Your spirits are getting better and better."
Chen Yang looked at Zou Chenguang. He was completely different from when they first met. According to the Su Dan Novel Network,
Previously, Zou Chenguang's hair was half white, but now, whether it was because he had shaved his head or not, new stubble had grown on his head, and the white hair was not as noticeable.
"Yangzi, our uncle is in high spirits when something good happens."
"Uncle, has the matter in today's meeting been decided?"
Hu Dong had a smile on his face. Seeing Zou Chenguang return so happily, he assumed the meeting had gone smoothly.
"Old Uncle, what good news? You two are so mysterious."
Chen Yang raised his eyebrows. Although he had guessed something in his heart, he didn't say it directly.
Good news should naturally be spoken by the person involved, making them feel more at ease. He didn't need to pretend to be smart and steal their thunder, as that would seem too intrusive.
"It's nothing. It's just that at the city's general meeting, the vice mayor in charge of industry and commerce is due to retire. The leadership intends for me to take over. So, it was discussed at the meeting today."
"The city has already passed it, and it's being reported to the province. The organization department is currently evaluating me. If the province approves and the evaluation is satisfactory, it should be finalized this year."
Zou Chenguang had nothing to hide. Matters that had already been discussed at the meeting were basically settled. He couldn't spread it to outsiders, but Chen Yang and Hu Dong were not outsiders, so telling them in advance was fine. He believed they wouldn't spread it.
"Old Uncle, congratulations. This is great news."
When Chen Yang heard this, it was indeed as he had expected. Zou Chenguang, who was already the head of the police station, was qualified to take this position. However, because his child was lost, he had lost all his drive.
Now that the child was found, they had established the Administration for Industry and Commerce and issued the first individual business license in the country.
This event was even reported nationwide, clearly indicating that this achievement was recognized by the leadership, and he was to be promoted and reused.