You tricked me into raising your son? You'll divorce me and become my aunt.

Cheng Xi felt more and more heartbroken as she listened.

After listening, she reached out and brushed the stray hairs from Ruan Ning's cheek, saying with concern, "You've been through so much tonight, you haven't eaten properly, are you hungry?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a "cooing" sound rang out.

It was Ruan Ning's stomach growling.

Ruan Ning hummed in agreement.

Cheng Xi got up and walked towards the small kitchen: "Sit down and rest for a while, I'll cook you a bowl of tomato and egg noodles, it'll be ready soon."

The small kitchen was brightly lit, and the sound of running water could be heard softly.

A few minutes later, Cheng Xi served a steaming bowl of tomato and egg noodles.

"Thank you," Ruan Ning said softly.

"Honey, why are you being so polite with me? Eat up."

Ruan Ning ate in small bites.

It tastes just like before.

After finishing her noodles, Ruan Ning took a shower.

She and Cheng Xi were about the same size, and Cheng Xi gave her her pajamas to wear.

After taking a shower, Ruan Ning turned on her phone.

There were more than a dozen missed calls on my phone, all from Fu Tingchen.

Ruan Ning didn't return the call, and instead opened WeChat.

There were also messages from Fu Tingchen on WeChat.

【Where are you?】

【Ruan Ning, could you please reply to my message?】

Don't wander around so late, I'm worried about you.

Where did you go?

Ruan Ning, come home and tell me what's wrong. I'll be waiting for you there.

The last message was sent more than ten minutes ago.

Come back home?

That's not her home.

She no longer has a home.

Ruan Ning remained silent for a moment before replying with a message.

I'm with Cheng Xi.

Less than two minutes after the message was sent, Fu Tingchen called.

Fu Tingchen: "How are you? Give me an address, I'll come pick you up now."

"No need, I'm fine, I'll stay here tonight."

Fu Tingchen paused for two seconds, then said, "Alright, I'll have my driver pick you up tomorrow morning."

"No need, I have something to do tomorrow."

She had arranged with Gu Mingzhou to report to his company the next day.

Fu Tingchen was afraid she might do something rash, so he offered a few more words of comfort.

"Don't blame your father. He was just too impulsive. After all, you are father and daughter. You should talk things out."

Ruan Ning remained expressionless. "Hmm."

Fu Tingchen: "Your father still cares about you. Don't be willful. Talk to him properly another day."

capricious?

Ruan Ning laughed in exasperation.

She was too lazy to say anything, and just gave a curt "hmm".

"Regarding your company's investments and your sister's studies abroad..."

Ruan Ning interrupted him impatiently, "Do you have anything else to say? If not, I'm hanging up."

Fu Tingchen: "Alright, we'll talk about these two things after you've calmed down. You should get some rest."

Ruan Ning didn't respond to him and hung up the phone directly.

Cheng Xi walked over and asked, "Is that Fu Tingchen?"

"Um."

Cheng Xi comforted her, "Don't pay attention to him. He's just talking without understanding the situation. He has no idea what kind of life you've been living at home since your dad remarried."

At night, Ruan Ning and Cheng Xi squeezed into the same bed.

The two leaned against each other, just like countless nights during their four years of university, squeezing onto one bed to chat and confide in each other.

Back then, they chatted about interesting things that happened in college and their hopes for the future.

At that time, Ruan Ning was bright and confident, with a promising future and high expectations for the future.

Now, after three years of marriage, she has given up her career, lost herself, and is living an increasingly humble and insignificant life.

Fortunately, she regained consciousness in time.

She's only twenty-six years old; she has a long life ahead of her.

Everything is still in time.

The next day.

Ruan Ning woke up early.

Today is the day she reports to Gu Mingzhou's company.

The teacher's brain-computer interface project will not officially start until March next year.

She has been away from the industry for too long in the past three years, and is somewhat out of touch.

Gu Mingzhou had previously invited her to join his technology company as a technical staff member, which would serve as a transition period to fill the three-year gap.

Cheng Xi got up and heated up milk and bread for Ruan Ning. Seeing the renewed light in Ruan Ning's eyes, she was genuinely happy for her.

"Go ahead, baby. Don't worry, take your time. You've always been excellent; you've just been quiet for too long."

Ruan Ning nodded with a smile.

Yes, she was already very talented.

For the past three years, she has buried her own brilliance for someone who doesn't love her.

After breakfast, Ruan Ning said goodbye to Cheng Xi and took a taxi to Gu Mingzhou's company.

At nine o'clock, the human resources department of Gu's Group started work on time.

After the staff checked all the documents, they looked up at Ruan Ning.

"Ms. Ruan, all the documents have been approved, and the employment contract is ready. You can check the terms and sign it once you're sure there are no problems."

Ruan Ning took the contract, quickly glanced through it, and signed it.

"OK, thanks."

"You're welcome. Mr. Gu has specifically instructed you on your onboarding process, and I've simplified it for you. Once you've completed the formalities, I'll take you to see Mr. Gu."

Gu Mingzhou was standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, having just finished a work call, when he heard a knock on the door. He said, "Come in."

Ruan Ning walked into the office.

Gu Mingzhou: "Is the onboarding process complete?"

"Yes, just finished." Ruan Ning placed a backup copy of the document on his desk. "Thank you for arranging this, senior."

Gu Mingzhou smiled and waved his hand, gesturing for her to sit down.

"You don't need to be so polite with me. I know you haven't worked in a long time. Don't be nervous. The job I've arranged for you has a moderate workload and is perfect for your transition."

"I will do my best," Ruan Ning said earnestly.

"I believe in your abilities." Gu Mingzhou nodded, then dialed an internal line. "Have Lin Wei come to my office."

After hanging up the phone, he said to Ruan Ning, "Lin Wei is patient and meticulous. It's your first day at work, so I'll have her show you around first. If you don't understand anything, you can ask her or me directly."

Ruan Ning smiled and said, "Thank you, senior brother."

Less than two minutes later, there was a knock on the office door, and a woman in a smart suit pushed the door open and said respectfully, "Mr. Gu, you wanted to see me?"

Gu Mingzhou: "Lin Wei, this is Ruan Ning, a new employee. You will be in charge of showing her around the work."

Lin Wei replied, "Yes, Mr. Gu, I understand. Don't worry."

Gu Mingzhou looked at Ruan Ning, "Go."

Ruan Ning stood up and said goodbye: "Then I'll go to work now, President Gu."

Lin Wei led Ruan Ning to her workstation.

"Ruan Ning, this is your workstation. I've already activated your computer, account, and office permissions. Today, you'll mainly be familiarizing yourself with the work. Let me first explain the daily work of our department."

"Thank you for your trouble, Sister Lin." Ruan Ning said humbly.

"No trouble at all. President Gu specifically instructed me to take good care of you."

Lin Wei opened the project folder while patiently explaining.