This is awkward, Zheng Peian laughed dryly twice: "It's me, Zheng Peian, you don't even recognize my voice."

Xu Jiawen laughed: "How could I not recognize you? Just teasing you. Hurry over, it's starting to rain a bit." She sent the location over.

Zheng Peian drove to the location she sent, and from a distance, he saw a mother and daughter dragging two large suitcases in the sparse rain.

As soon as the car stopped, Zheng Peian pushed the door open and rushed out, moving even faster than Xu Chunliang, appearing in front of Xu Jiawen with a big smile: "Jiawen!"

Xu Jiawen, though middle-aged, maintained herself well, exuding a gentle and dignified aura, with the distinctive intellectual beauty of a refined scholar in her every move.

Beside her, Zhen Chun was dressed in a white hoodie, covering her head tightly, with her hands in her pockets, yet she wore a black short skirt, revealing two slim and straight legs.

"This is Xiaochun, right? Last time I saw you, you were just a kid." Zheng Peian reached out, wanting to touch her head, a gesture of affection from an elder to a younger.

Zhen Chun leaned back exaggeratedly, avoiding Zheng Peian's hand: "What's up with that!"

"Xiaochun, don't be rude, this is Uncle Zheng."

Zhen Chun rolled her eyes.

Xu Jiawen couldn't control her rebellious daughter and said awkwardly: "I'm sorry, I've spoiled this child."

Zheng Peian smiled: "It's good for young people to have character."

Xu Chunliang also came over and called out, "Aunt."

The last time Xu Jiawen came back was two years ago, she looked at Xu Chunliang with some surprise: "Xiao Cong, you've changed a lot, you're so handsome now!" If they had met on the street, she might not even recognize her precious nephew.

Xu Chunliang smiled at Zhen Chun: "Hello, sister!"

Xu Jiawen said: "Your brother!"

Zhen Chun reluctantly grinned, not appearing friendly, seemingly giving a sarcastic smile.

Xu Chunliang felt this child was a bit impolite.

Zheng Peian busied himself with the luggage, while Xu Chunliang suggested they get in the car first to avoid the rain; these two suitcases were really heavy, and Xu Chunliang put them in the trunk.

Sitting in the co-pilot seat, Zheng Peian said: "Buckle up, I'm going to drive now."

Xu Chunliang told Xu Jiawen, Grandpa had already prepared rooms for them at the Huichun Hall, but Xu Jiawen said they had already booked at the Marriott, they would settle in at the hotel first and then visit Grandpa at Huichun Hall.

Xu Chunliang couldn't say much, but knowing Grandpa was eagerly waiting for them, he would definitely be disappointed.

Zhen Chun kept looking out the window, indifferent to everyone.

Xu Jiawen asked about her father's health, Xu Chunliang thought to himself, can't you go see for yourself? If you truly cared, you wouldn't visit only once every two years; he perfunctorily answered a few lines and didn't want to say more.

Zheng Peian sensed the atmosphere in the car was a bit subtle, so he actively tried to lighten it: "Jiawen, didn't Guowei come back with you?"

"He's been busy with a new project lately..."

Having been mostly quiet, Zhen Chun sneered: "Why not just say you guys are divorced."

The car fell silent instantly, a flash of anger crossed Xu Jiawen's face, but facing her daughter's defiant gaze, she softened, took a deep breath, and dispelled the anger in her heart.

Xu Chunliang was taken aback, they all didn't know about Aunt's divorce; he glanced at Zheng Peian, that guy couldn't hide his joy, the crow's feet at his eyes were dancing, he was indeed still harboring feelings.

Xu Jiawen calmed herself and said: "Alice, what did you promise me before coming?"

Zhen Chun said: "I can't be as fake as you, divorced is divorced, who cares?"

Xu Chunliang said: "Aunt, it's better not to tell Grandpa about this." On the surface, it seemed like he was advising Xu Jiawen, but actually, he was warning that rebellious little cousin; they only came back once in two years, not to upset Grandpa. If Grandpa found out Aunt was divorced, he would definitely be unhappy.

Zheng Peian said: "I didn't hear anything."

Xu Chunliang turned to look at Zhen Chun, and Zhen Chun rolled her eyes at him. Xu Chunliang said with a smile: "Xiaochun, you don't want to make Grandpa angry, do you?"

Xu Jiawen gently tugged her daughter's arm: "Your brother is talking to you."

"Call me Alice!"

Xu Chunliang said: "I don't understand English." He wasn't lying about that.

Zheng Peian thought to himself, this little girl is a bit rebellious; she has no idea how capable her cousin is, dealing effectively with many medical disturbances, let alone handling a little girl.

Zheng Peian first sent the mother and daughter to the Marriott to check in. After waiting for a while, only Xu Jiawen returned alone; her daughter threw a fit and refused to go to Huichun Hall, insisting on staying at the hotel to rest, so Xu Jiawen had no choice but to go alone.

On the way to Huichun Hall, Xu Jiawen apologized to the two of them. Since their divorce, their daughter had become rebellious. This time, she brought her back to let her feel the family bond.

Zheng Peian consoled her, saying everything has a process. Everyone goes through a rebellious phase when they're young, even Xu Chunliang almost jumped into the river this year.

Xu Jiawen was startled and quickly asked what happened to Xu Chunliang.

Xu Chunliang was speechless. Zheng Peian, when he saw Xu Jiawen, could hardly keep his mouth shut, wanting to spill everything to her.

Xu Chunliang told his aunt he was fine, saying it was a misunderstanding while he was trying to swim.

Zheng Peian also realized he misspoke and quickly tried to make up for it, saying he was just joking.

Xu Changshan had been waiting for his daughter at the entrance of Huichun Hall. Seeing the car returning, he quickly went up to greet them.

Before getting out of the car, Xu Jiawen felt fine, but upon seeing her father, she was overwhelmed with emotions and burst into tears, calling out "Dad" and crying in his arms.

Half of her tears were for her own experiences, and the other half were out of guilt toward her father. If it weren't for the divorce, she might not have come back this time.

Xu Changshan laughed, "Silly girl, it's good to be back, it's good to be back."

Back home, Xu Changshan was concerned about whether his daughter had eaten. Hearing she hadn't, he immediately went to the kitchen to cook dumplings for her. In a father's eyes, his daughter is always a child.

Xu Jiawen took a box out of her travel bag she brought along, which contained an Omega watch for Xu Chunliang.

Zheng Peian also received a gift. Xu Jiawen gave him a Parker pen. Zheng Peian said it was too valuable, but he couldn't stop smiling. He didn't really care what gift Xu Jiawen gave him, as long as she thought of him, it meant he held a place in her heart.

Xu Jiawen told him to go back and rest; she would definitely chat with the old man late into the night and might not return to the hotel tonight.

Zheng Peian knew she implied he was being a bother. Though deep down he wanted to spend more time with Xu Jiawen, tonight wasn't the right time.

Xu Chunliang saw Zheng Peian out the door. Zheng Peian said, "I'll come over early tomorrow. Tell the old man, I'll buy the groceries, so he doesn't have to worry."

"Don't you have work tomorrow?" The day after tomorrow is the holiday, that's why Xu Chunliang asked.

Zheng Peian laughed, "I took the day off."

Xu Chunliang realized this guy was more excited than during New Year, couldn't help but remind him: "You're welcome to come, but don't get any other ideas."

Zheng Peian said, "Your aunt is recently divorced and in a bad mood, as a friend, shouldn't I comfort her?"

Xu Chunliang put a hand on his shoulder, "Uncle Zheng, do you know who Sima Zhao is?"

Of course, Zheng Peian knew, Sima Zhao's intentions were obvious to everyone; this kid was teasing him.

Zheng Peian wasn't afraid of the tease, laughing, "You're overthinking it. I'm getting on in years; there's nothing I can't handle? My intentions are very simple, your eldest aunt's family is coming tomorrow too, I took a leave to help the old man."

Xu Chunliang patted him on the shoulder with a smile. Old Zheng was a good guy. If he could really become his second uncle, that wouldn't be bad, but looking at his little cousin's behavior, it seemed like a tough goal to achieve.

The day before the holiday, Changxing Hospital was exceptionally lively. A long queue formed in the parking lot of the hospital ward building.

The reason was the union's issuance of holiday gifts to employees. In previous years, it was a 600-yuan shopping voucher, but with new leadership, this year they were giving out actual items: a bag of rice, a drum of oil, two boxes of dry goods, and a box of seasonings, adding up to not much money, but the whole affair was made quite grand.

The supplier had two large trucks parked in front of the ward building, and retired employees came early in the morning to collect the gifts.

After work started, representatives from each department came one after another, with carts and hospital beds, forming lines over fifty meters long. Patients stopped to watch this rare display of prosperity and bustle at Changxing.

Union Chairman Zhang Junke and Security Chief Yu Xiangdong were on-site maintaining order. Many retired employees were complaining, calling the display just for show. These items didn't add up to much money, but they were heavy to carry.

These retired employees had to stand in line for their items, and later carry them home, all in the name of sending warmth, but it felt more like consuming their energy.

Seeing each other, the retired employees were very affectionate, chatting in groups, and with many voices, some complained that this year's gifts added up to less than 600 yuan. Originally they could go directly to the supermarket, but now there was a middleman, and they felt cheated, blaming the new hospital director.

Someone jokingly said to Zhang Junke, "Xiaozhang, is the supplier a family friend of yours?"

In front of so many people, Zhang Junke was a bit embarrassed and explained with a smile, "I don't know them, the hospital leadership directly sourced from a wholesaler, aiming to give the employees the greatest benefits."

Retired Pediatrics Director Pan snorted, "Who are you fooling? All these things together would only cost about 400 yuan in the supermarket."

As she said this, those around her chimed in.

Seeing things turning unfavorable, Zhang Junke quickly slipped away, hiding in the flower bed next to them, finding Yu Xiangdong already there smoking. They exchanged a glance, both revealing a wry smile.

They actually had many words against this method of giving tangible goods, increased workload aside, mainly they couldn't stand the complaints from everyone.

Yu Xiangdong handed a cigarette to Zhang Junke, lighting it for him, and said meaningfully, "Those retired employees aren't easy to deal with, are they?"

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