Who gets reborn with a daughter?

The minor incident didn't affect the two families' meal.

Although Cao Dezheng was brought over, as the deputy director, he quickly adjusted and discussed important social issues with Fang Tianmiao.

The two women didn't talk much; they came from different backgrounds.

Liu Minghui is busy in the store all year round, like an ordinary citizen, while Sun Linyu is a civil servant in an office, and her life is more refined.

Whenever their conversation reached an impasse, Fang Chusheng would interject with a perfectly timed remark to keep the conversation going.

In addition, he would also bring along Cao Linluo, who remained silent, so that Cao Linluo wouldn't seem too insignificant.

An hour later, everyone had eaten and drunk their fill.

Fang Chusheng received a signal from Fang Tianmiao and left under the pretext of going to the restroom.

He didn't go to the restroom, but went to the front desk instead.

Anyone who has done business knows that you have to settle the bill quietly. It's awkward for anyone to pay when the waiter brings the bill.

In 2013, the bill was settled either in cash or by credit card.

Fang Chusheng didn't have cash, so he could only pay by card. The meal cost 2,300 yuan, but the invoice showed an amount of over 3,000 yuan.

This was something he did intentionally; most hotels would accommodate such requests from guests.

After paying the bill, Fang Chusheng returned to the private room and saw Cao Linlu walking out of it.

Cao Linluo was surprised that Fang Chusheng would return at this time, and the introverted girl stood there at a loss.

"Little Sister Luo Luo?"

Fang Chusheng stepped forward to greet him.

"Little Fang, brother."

Cao Linlu responded softly.

"Ready to go home?"

Fang Chusheng asked casually.

That's how it is when elders have a meal together; the children usually can't sit still, and they consider it a victory if they can finish eating.

"Um."

Cao Linluo nodded gently.

"Be careful on the road."

After Fang Chusheng finished speaking, he pushed open the door to the private room and went inside.

He and Cao Linluo weren't even friends, so naturally he never thought of taking her home.

Cao Lin breathed a sigh of relief, ran to the end of the corridor and looked back, but Fang Chusheng was already gone.

Inside the private room, Cao Dezheng glanced at Sun Linyu and gestured to his wife to settle the bill.

They came here for dinner today but there were no private rooms available; Fang Tianmiao "forced" them to treat them.

In theory, they didn't need to pay the bill, but as the deputy director of the Land and Resources Bureau, he was well aware of interpersonal relationships and didn't want to owe anyone a favor over a meal.

In addition, he knew that Fang Tianmiao was in the building materials business and had a close relationship with the Land and Resources Bureau.

"I'm going to the restroom."

Sun Linyu left with a smile, but quickly returned and shook her head at Cao Dezheng.

Cao Dezheng looked puzzled and his gaze fell on Fang Chusheng.

Fang Chusheng noticed Cao Dezheng's gaze, raised his glass and said generously, "Uncle Cao, let me toast you."

Cao Dezheng did not refuse and raised his glass in a gesture of respect.

The two were quite far apart, so they didn't clink glasses. Although Fang Chusheng stood up, he kept his glass very low.

After finishing his drink, Cao Dezheng felt the meal was about right. He chatted with Fang Tianmiao for a while before they went home separately.

On the way, he asked Sun Linyu, "Linyu, what do you think of Lao Fang's son?"

"He looks a bit roguish, but he's very capable and speaks tactfully. He's quite good."

Sun Linyu shared her opinion.

If it weren't for Fang Chusheng, her conversation with Liu Minghui would have reached a stalemate, and he could have also brought along her taciturn daughter while breaking the deadlock.

"Indeed, he's only a high school graduate, but he's much more shrewd than those recent college graduates in my bureau. He probably paid the bill too. Old Fang did a good job raising his son. I wish our daughter was half as shrewd as him."

Cao Dezheng sighed.

"Isn't it because you spoiled our daughter that she's become like this?"

Sun Linyu rolled her eyes.

"Haha...who told me I only have one daughter?"

Cao Dezheng laughed it off.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Liu Minghui, carrying two bags of leftover food, asked Fang Tianmiao, "Who is this Old Cao? When did you two meet?"

She didn't know Cao Dezheng, and when she first saw Sun Linyu, she thought it was her son or husband having an affair.

"Two years ago, I had a project in Licheng, and I worked with Lao Cao for a while at that time."

Fang Tianmiao did not hide anything.

"Oh," Liu Minghui wouldn't pry into her husband's business affairs, but she was curious about when the bill was settled today. "By the way, when did you settle the bill today?"

"That was from my son."

Fang Tianmiao looked at Fang Chusheng.

"Huh? Your son got married? When?"

Liu Minghui was stunned.

"When I went to the restroom."

Fang Chusheng explained.

"Ha, so you two are keeping everything you do from me now?"

Liu Minghui was somewhat dissatisfied, but then she thought that her son seemed to have really grown up and was no longer the rebellious son who needed her supervision to study.

Neither the Fang father nor his son spoke; they had done many things behind Liu Minghui's back.

It was a rare occasion for them to have a meal together, and Liu Minghui didn't go back to the shop that night. Instead, the family chatted and laughed as they returned to Tianhe Community.

As soon as they got downstairs, they met Bai Xiaochu's father, Bai Haijiang.

"Old Fang?!"

Bai Haijiang pushed up his glasses, thinking he must have misread it.

"Old Bai, long time no see," Fang Tianmiao said, taking out a cigarette and offering it to him. "Where are you going so late?"

"I've quit," Bai Haijiang waved his hand and said, "Jiang Yun is taking her daughter to her parents' home for a few days, I'll go and see her."

Fang Tianmiao put away his cigarette and asked, "Want to grab a drink sometime?"

Bai Haijiang thought for a moment, then said, "How about the day after tomorrow? How long are you coming back this time? How about our two families have a meal together?"

"Let's go out again at the end of the month. It's settled then, let's have dinner together the day after tomorrow."

Fang Tianmiao smiled and nodded, watching Bai Haijiang leave.

Back home, he took off his coat and asked Fang Chusheng, "Son, Lao Cao and Lao Bai's daughters are both quite good. Cultivate good relationships with them; they'll be valuable resources in the future, you know?"

"Is this how you raise children?"

Liu Minghui's ideas are rather traditional.

"Know."

Fang Chusheng recalled what his father had told him in his previous life. He hadn't understood it then, but now he realized it was all about social experience.

Unfortunately, he was only focused on writing novels at the time and didn't pay any attention to these "social resources".

Liu Minghui glared at her husband, then looked at her son and said, "Son, you can't be like your dad when you're dating. If you cheat on him, I'll teach you a lesson."

"Uh..." Fang Chusheng was speechless for a moment, and after a long while he said, "Don't worry, I promise I won't be two-timing."

He was thinking that if two boats weren't enough, then surely three or four boats would work?

"Hey...you two should catch up."

Liu Minghui didn't say much, and carried the bag containing the leftovers to the kitchen.

After his mother left, Fang Chusheng stretched out his right hand and rubbed his thumb, index finger, and middle finger together with his father.

Seeing this, Fang Tianmiao pretended not to notice and walked towards the room, saying, "I'm tired after a long day, it's time to sleep."

Fang Chusheng wasn't about to let his father escape, so he immediately blocked his path. "Dad, you don't want Mom to find out about the computer and phone, do you?"