I met my whole family through Baidu Tieba.

(There were two instances of the book being swallowed in the previous text, and Fang Tianming's wife's name was wrong. These have been corrected.)

The TV show is still playing.

It gets dark early outside the window; the streetlights in the neighborhood are already on. Looking out the living room window, I can see a tree swaying gently in the breeze.

Gu Jinhua picked up her teacup and took a sip.

Fang Tianming's words sounded welcoming, but not a single one addressed what Philip truly wanted. They were all just phrases like "Get the materials first," "We'll study them," and "We'll talk about it after the New Year." It was like laying a red carpet at the door, but the door still hadn't been opened.

Liang Siyuan seemed to sense this as well. His gaze lingered on Fang Tianming's face for a moment before he suddenly said, "Director Fang, I've heard that the province is providing substantial support to local businesses. Are they planning to let them try out some new things first?"

Fang Tianming said, "We have some considerations. Local enterprises, especially those with physical presence, employment, and contributions in the local area, will definitely receive support from the province. But Director Liang, rest assured, we will not adopt a closed-door policy. Companies like Philips have brands, technology, and experience, and we hope you can stay long-term. This attitude has never changed."

Liang Siyuan said "Oh," and laughed, "That's good. What we fear most is that the local authorities will close the door and do their own thing."

"Director Liang is overthinking it," Fang Tianming said. "Qianlin may be a poor place, but we've never been xenophobic. As long as it benefits the people, we welcome both locals and outsiders."

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Excuse me for a moment.

Fang Tianming said something, stood up, and walked towards the entrance.

Upon arriving at the door, Fang Tianming peeked through the peephole before opening the door. He saw Shen Kang standing outside, carrying a fruit basket.

"Since you're here, why bother buying anything?" Fang Tianming said with a smile.

Shen Kang then peeked over Fang Tianming's shoulder into the room, trying to see if Fang Shiqi was there. "Director Fang, is your daughter not here?"

Seeing his attitude, Fang Tianming said irritably, "What do you mean? You think you can just leave like that? If she were here, would you turn around and leave immediately?"

Shen Kang didn't see Fang Shiqi immediately, but through a crack in the window from the entrance to the living room, he saw half a face – it was Director Liang from Philips, whom he had just met recently.

Not seeing Fang Shi, he withdrew his gaze and said with a grin, "Look at what you're saying as a father. What do you mean by 'see or not see'? It's just that your daughter has grown up to be beautiful, and I might lose control if I look at her too much. And I'm a person of principle. I run my own business, and if I get entangled with the families of my superiors, I'm afraid I won't be able to explain myself, so I simply keep my distance. You can call me a coward."

Hearing Shen Kang praise his daughter's beauty with such a story, Fang Tianming nodded, reassuring Shen Kang, "Don't worry, she's not here; she's gone to swimming lessons."

"When you called before, didn't you say she went to piano lessons?"

"...Did I say that on the phone?"

"Um."

"..."

Looking at Shen Kang in front of him, Fang Tianming couldn't help but laugh. He felt that this little Shen was quite clueless at times. He blurted out things that everyone else was talking about without saying them, which made Fang Tianming feel a little amused.

However, he didn't argue with Shen Kang any further and directly countered with a Tai Chi move: "I understand your concerns, but as long as you have a clear conscience and don't do anything crooked, even if you really become my son-in-law, what's there to be afraid of? I won't provide you with any benefits, and I'm not afraid of anyone investigating."

:

Upon hearing this, Shen Kang was greatly disappointed: "Huh? There's no benefit to being your son-in-law? Then what's the point of being your son-in-law? It's a losing proposition, I won't do it."

Fang Tianming was both annoyed and amused, but he also understood that Shen Kang was rejecting his daughter again in another way.

As the two were talking, Luo Liqing heard the noise outside and came out of the kitchen.

"Old Fang, is that Xiao Shen?"

As Luo Liqing spoke, he walked towards the entrance, holding a spatula in his hand.

She had met Shen Kang once before when she was at Qianmin University. She had a good impression of him at the time, but thought that the young man was too smart and that her stupid daughter probably couldn't handle him.

Her concerns were not unfounded, as she had witnessed two real-life examples.

One is the daughter of Old Liu from the Provincial Development and Reform Commission.

The girl was mild-mannered and had been protected by her family since childhood. Right after graduating from university, she met a salesman. The young man was eloquent and charming, and he also pleased Old Liu and his wife. Before the wedding, he ran around doing everything for them. When Old Liu's mother died, the young man was the one who cried the most loudly at her grave.

The first two years after they got married were fine, but after Lao Liu was transferred to the CPPCC, the son-in-law's attitude gradually changed.

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He didn't care about anything at home, and he didn't bring his salary home. When asked, he would say he was busy at work. Later, the girl went back to her parents' house with her child, crying, saying that he was having an affair.

Old Liu wanted to intervene, but he was no longer in office, and his words carried no weight. The man was still out there doing business with partners, telling everyone that his father-in-law used to work for the National Development and Reform Commission. But everyone knew he had long since stopped caring about that family.

Another one is the daughter of a former section chief in Luo Liqing's workplace.

The girl was a good girl; she married a university professor who had come from a rural area. Before they got married, the young man treated her very well, picking her up and dropping her off by bicycle every day. But her family always felt that their son-in-law was too dull, didn't like to talk, and didn't know how to toast others at the dinner table.

Less than two years after their marriage, the man had trouble getting a promotion. He drank and took his anger out on his wife, blaming her family for not putting in enough effort. He then physically assaulted her: first by pushing her, then by smashing a glass, and finally by beating her arm until it was bruised. The woman didn't dare say anything, feeling helpless.

Finally, Luo Liqing and a few other female colleagues couldn't stand it anymore and helped them move out. After the divorce, the man told everyone at work that he was looked down upon by his father-in-law's family, which was why he ended up like this.

It's just so frustrating.

This also led Luo Liqing to feel that such "too smart" boys were too unreliable, and she felt that it would be better for her to find an honest and simple guy.

Unexpectedly, today's events surprised her: Lao Fang told her that this Xiao Shen was avoiding Qi Qi; he wouldn't come if Qi Qi invited him, but he would only come if Lao Fang invited him.

"Hello, Auntie," Shen Kang greeted.

"Hello to you too." Luo Liqing returned the smile. "Welcome to my home. By the way, I heard from Lao Fang that you're a local, so you can handle spicy food, right?"

"Yes, you can."

"That's fine then." Luo Liqing glanced at him again and said to Fang Tianming, "Little Shen has come to visit, and you're just making him stand outside the whole time?"

"Isn't this just a matter of speaking in the heat of the moment?" Fang Tianming stepped aside to let people in.

:

After welcoming him, Luo Liqing went back to the kitchen to cook, while Fang Tianming led Shen Kang to the living room.

In the living room

Liang Siyuan and Gu Jinhua exchanged several glances, both looking somewhat surprised.

They had just met Shen Kang a while ago and still remembered his domineering manner at the dinner table. They were also quite familiar with Shen Kang's voice, so they recognized him immediately.

Furthermore, once Fang Tianming uttered the name "Xiao Shen," they became even more certain.

What surprised them was that Shen Kang actually knew Director Fang as well.

Logically speaking, if a local Yangcheng company like Anjia were to deal with someone, it would be with the municipal government. How did it get involved with the provincial government?

Moreover, it seems to be more than just a general understanding.

Didn't you see even Fang Ting's wife come out of the kitchen to greet them? And judging from their conversation, it seems their guest tonight is Shen Kang? ...

Liang Siyuan and Gu Jinhua had many questions on their minds at that moment.

However, at this moment, Fang Tianming and Shen Kang also came over, so the two of them stopped thinking about it and stood up.

"This is Director Liang Siyuan of Philip China, and this is Manager Gu Jinhua..."

Fang Tianming introduced them to each other.

After the introductions were finished, Liang Siyuan spoke first, smiling slightly, "Director Fang, we are old friends with President Shen. We even had dinner together a few days ago."

"Oh?" Fang Tianming was somewhat surprised and looked at Shen Kang.

Shen Kang nodded: "A few days ago, I went out to dinner with a group of newly acquainted friends. One of them was a relative of Gu Jinhua. Manager Gu even came over to pay the bill for us, so I went over to introduce myself."

Upon hearing this, Fang Tianming understood the nature of the relationship.

Gu Jinhua then chimed in, "President Shen didn't bring any books with you today? I really admire that about you. You manage to balance your career with your studies. I've been telling Xiaofei these past few days to learn from you, President Shen."

"Hey, I was just learning by chance," Shen Kang said modestly, waving his hand. "I was actually reading a book, but I didn't bring it with me since I'm a guest here."

Fang Tianming was very interested. "What book?"

Gu Jinhua then recounted the "Legend of the Learning God" that he had heard from Gu Pengfei.

After listening, Fang Tianming remained silent for a long time.

Shen Kang impressed him in his career, which was undoubtedly excellent, but in terms of academics... well, he was just so-so. After all, Shen Kang only got into Yang University of Science and Technology, and during the university's classes, he, a student from Yang University of Science and Technology, actually went to Qianmin University for a "tourism" trip.

You call this kind of student a studious person? And even a genius?

Isn't that nonsense?

:

But Gu Jinhua was telling the truth, and Liang Siyuan, who had already heard the story, was also quite interested in it, adding his own comments from time to time, as if he had personally witnessed how a top student studied.

Shen Kang remained silent.

How come I never noticed before that Lao Yin has such a talent for making up stories?

Even a fool could figure out where this "legend of academic genius" came from.

He thought to himself, "No wonder something felt off that night; Yin Mingyang's gaze was so evasive."

After hearing Gu Jinhua finish speaking, Shen Kang waved his hand and said modestly, "Taking care of both career and studies, and balancing work and life, has always been my life motto. It's nothing to mention, nothing to mention."

Fang Tianming was very suspicious, but in front of Liang Siyuan and the others, he didn't say anything, only saying a polite remark: "I only knew you were good at work before, I didn't expect you to be so good at studying, Xiao Shen."

Shen Kang continued modestly, "It's nothing special, Director Fang, you flatter me."

Fang Tianming corrected him, "You call my wife 'Auntie' and me 'Director Fang,' which is a bit confusing. How about this, I'm not taking advantage of you in terms of age, so just call me 'Uncle.'"

Shen Kang thought for a moment, "How about I still call him 'Big Brother'?"

Fang Tianming was taken aback, then immediately realized what it meant that Shen Kang didn't want to call him uncle but only elder brother: in terms of seniority, he would be of the same generation as him and be Qiqi's elder.

Liang Siyuan and his group had conveyed all the necessary messages during their visit. Seeing that Fang Tianming had guests and was having a lively conversation with them, they wisely took their leave.

After leaving Fang Tianming's house, the two went downstairs and into the underground parking lot. After getting into the car, they didn't drive for a while, but sat in the car quietly, seemingly thinking about something.

A moment later, Liang Siyuan's voice came from the back seat.

"So, what's the relationship between this Shen Kang and Fang Tianming?"

Gu Jinhua, who was in the driver's seat, thought for a moment and shook her head: "I don't know. Normally, he could be a relative of the younger generation, or the son of a family friend, but Shen Kang said he should call him 'elder brother,' which doesn't seem right. It sounds more like a friend he met somewhere."

Upon hearing this, Liang Siyuan joked, "Could it be that, like us, you happen to be some kind of niece or nephew of Fang Tianming, had dinner with him, and then bumped into him and got to know him?"

Gu Jinhua did think it was a possibility, "You know what, it really is possible."

Liang Siyuan thought about it again, then shook his head, confused. "Never mind, it has nothing to do with us anyway."

"Judging from Fang Tianming's attitude today, it seems difficult to offer us exceptionally preferential treatment, but he probably won't make things too difficult for us. We should receive the necessary assistance. You still need to ensure your work here is done properly; make sure all the necessary materials are prepared..."

……

In Fang Tianming's living room

After Liang Siyuan and Gu Jinhua left, Fang Tianming sat on the sofa, looked at Shen Kang sitting opposite him, and finally asked the question that had been bothering him.

"You're a top student?"

"It is possible."

:

"?"

Fang Tianming chuckled helplessly, finding the kid's words quite amusing: "What do you mean by 'can be'?"

"It means that when necessary, it can be..."

Shen Kang briefly recounted what happened that night, "...I had just bought two books and hadn't returned them. I guess my childhood friend, in the heat of the moment, just went along with what I was saying."

Fang Tianming found it amusing and laughed, "So, what were your grades like at school?... "

The two chatted casually, just like a younger person coming to visit and a parent asking, "How are your grades at school?"

After chatting for a while, Luo Liqing called them over for dinner.

Fang Tianming's house has a small dining area next to the kitchen, where the three of them ate.

The meal was quite plentiful, with four dishes and a soup. Luo Liqing's cooking skills were also quite good; it looked delicious. Shen Kang picked up a piece of sour fish soup and tasted it, finding that the flavor was indeed quite good.

Shen Kang enjoyed his meal and chatted with Fang Tianming every now and then.

Luo Liqing wasn't really in the mood for food, eating slowly and deliberately, glancing at Shen Kang sitting opposite him every now and then. Then, finding a moment, he asked, "Little Shen, what do your parents do?"

Fang Tianming glanced at his wife, somewhat displeased: he had invited Shen Kang over to discuss work. Last time, he was able to call Shen Kang directly to his office because they happened to have some documents related to lipstick, and it was a proper work discussion. This time, the work they were discussing wasn't particularly important, so calling him directly to the office might not be appropriate. That's why he invited him to their home as a "private gathering." And yet, this woman of yours has pulled this stunt.

He thought for a moment, preparing to speak and change the subject from his wife's. Otherwise, if she continued asking questions like this, who knows how long it would go on and on.

As a result, before he could even speak, Shen Kang's words left Luo Liqing speechless.

"I grew up in an orphanage, and I don't even know what my biological parents did," Shen Kang replied casually.

Because of the agreement with Zhou Man and the others, he skipped over the "family of four" part and went straight to his true situation.

"..."

Luo Liqing was at a loss for words.

Fang Tianming, who had just been trying to change the subject, was intrigued by this unexpected answer. "You grew up in an orphanage?"

"Yes, Yangcheng Third Welfare Home."

"It's really not easy to get into Yang University of Science and Technology," Fang Tianming said with some emotion.

He had previously thought that "Shen Kang is a genius" was somewhat of a joke, but now that he knew the truth about the other party, he suddenly realized that, in a sense, this little Shen was at least a top student, if not a genius.

After all, he wasn't a child from a normal family; he grew up in an orphanage. It's truly rare for someone who grew up there to be able to get into a university like Yangko University of Science and Technology.

"It's not that difficult. Just study harder and you'll pass the exam."

"How old were you when you went to the orphanage?"

:

"I was here right after I was born, maybe a few months old? Anyway, I heard from our director that I was abandoned at the gate of the orphanage."

"Then how did you get the money to found Anjia in the first place?"

"I met a benefactor during the summer vacation. I told her about my idea, and she thought it was good, so she gave me some money to start my own business."

"This really is a benefactor... So you're not the owner of the An family now? The An family has other shareholders?"

"I'm the boss. She said that money was a loan to me, and I haven't paid it back. I've been using the money to develop the company, so I still owe hundreds of thousands in debt."

"Given Anjia's current situation, this amount of debt is nothing. The benefactor you met is truly a benefactor; giving money without taking a stake, only treating it as a loan, is even more of an angel investment than angel investing..."

Luo Liqing had planned to ask Shen Kang more questions at the dinner table, but Shen Kang, who said he "grew up in an orphanage," completely disrupted her plans. She didn't say anything more during the entire meal; Fang Tianming and Shen Kang did all the talking.

After the meal, Fang Tianming pulled Shen Kang directly to his study.

Shen Kang knew that this must be the important matter he was about to discuss—his invitation to dinner today.

: