Qian An and Director Mu were all smiles when their discussion had ended.
Shuishui didn't know what they had discussed. The two men shook hands before they parted. Shuishui followed behind her father. When they got into the car, however, Qian An's expression changed. "Damn it, this old fellow," he said.
"Dad?" Shuishui was slightly stunned. Could it be that their discussion earlier didn't go well?
Qian An patted Shuishui's head. "Director Mu is an old fox in the business world. I didn't think that the discussion would go well, but I also didn't expect that he already knew what was happening, and he reduced our share of the corporation."
In the dim light, Shuishui saw her father's twisted expression. He looked very unhappy. The negotiation didn't go well, but he had no choice but to negotiate—was that what he meant?
Qian An had not started the car yet and was still muttering.
Shuishui sorted out her words before she said, "Father, will you continue to negotiate? If you give an inch, will he take a mile?"
"Not at all. Everyone has a bottom line. He saw what my bottom line was, so he took advantage. This matter isn't easy to negotiate. If another company intervenes, it might change the current situation. Shuishui, I want you to see it from my point of view. I hope you can remember one thing. All businessmen are cunning, no matter how kind they appear on the surface. In the future, if you delve into business, remember that you can't trust others easily—even your own family members," Qian An told Shuishui in a grave tone. Qian An did not really worry about the negotiations because he knew he still had a chance to turn things around in his favor. However, he knew that there were people who would fight to deprive him of that opportunity, and he would have to pay the price.
"Dad, I know I can't help you now, but I will work hard and study so I can help you one day. Dad, you have to wait for me." Shuishui felt a little sorry for her father. Business matters were not always smooth-sailing. Even when Qian An had his own difficulties, when it came to his children, he would still treat them warmly. He would never vent his anger and frustrations on them and on other people around him.
Qian An hoped that his children would remember his good side. He felt that he failed that day, because he showed Shuishui that he was frustrated and very angry.
She reached out and patted her father's back. "Father, don't be angry. It won't help if you get angry."
He felt that it would be better if he could take a breather.
Qian An closed his eyes. He felt very lucky to have such a sensible daughter. The company's affairs had not been very good in the recent days. The bribery incident had not yet been thoroughly investigated and his name remained uncleared. The stock market was also greatly affected. His reputation had been damaged, and it would be difficult to redeem himself. The company was stained. Even if the issue against him was not true, his competitors could use it against him.
"If I lose money one day and would no longer be able to buy you a big house, would you hate me?" Qian An asked Shuishui. He didn't understand why he would ask such a question, especially to his underage daughter.
He felt very tired. He knew that there were some things that couldn't be avoided. A single mistake could lead to all kinds of failures.
"No. I will work hard to earn money to support you," Shuishui answered in a serious and determined tone. Even if she didn't have her own money yet, she would work hard to earn and improve the quality of her life.
Whether she had money or not wouldn't determine her happiness. She knew that her happiness would depend on her state of mind.
She found happiness in the simplest things. She was contented that she had a father who loved her. She could take care of him until he was old, and she could make up for the wrong things she had done in the past.
"Dad, I'm serious. I'll work hard to earn money. I might be able to support you," she repeated confidently.
Her eyes flickered as she looked at her father. However, Qian An's mood was still relatively low.
Shuishui sat quietly. She knew that her father was under a lot of stress because of the many problems he faced. She prayed that he would overcome his obstacles soon. She needed to find more time to accompany her father. She was worried, and she thought of what she could do to help her father. She couldn't think of anything. The more she thought about it, the more confused she became.
After a while, Qian An started the car and said, "Shuishui, be good. Father will work hard. Also, don't think too much about it. It's just that I have been a little busy recently. I'm just a little upset."
"Hmm." Shuishui responded calmly. A number of cars started to pour in one after another.
Was she too stupid? She wanted to comfort her father, but she didn't succeed. Instead, her father became gloomier, though he forced himself to smile. She felt very bad and wondered what she should do. She planned to ask Zilin what she should do.
When Shuishui got home, she called Mu Zilin.
Zilin answered the phone. "Have you settled your problem with your phone?"
"Er, yes. My father just sent me back to the apartment. I have something to ask you. When your parents are unhappy, what do you do and say?" After she asked the question, she realized something. She was dumbstruck. How could she have asked Zilin? She and Zilin had known each other for so many years, and he was mostly the reason why her parents had been angry with her over the years.
Shuishui listened quietly as she waited for him to respond.
Mu Zilin was a little proud. "I don't know. They used to be angry with me all the time. Now that I'm doing much better, he even praises me. I think it's a little magical."
"Uh, it's nothing. I'm just asking casually. What have you been doing these two days? You have been very quiet." Shuishui casually changed the topic.
"I went out. I heard that you lost your phone. I wanted to call you and comfort your little heart, but my brother told me not to disturb you. He was inexplicable. He even said that if I went to visit you, I would only cause more trouble for you. What logic was that? He has been quite strange recently. Do you think he is unhappy with us because he saw that we have such a good relationship?" Mu Zilin's imagination ran wild.
"You think too much. I have a strong heart, so I am braver and stronger than you." Shuishui would always ridicule and tease Zilin whenever she had the chance.
"I still wanted to comfort you. You're so ungrateful. However, a grown-up doesn't hold grudges. I won't hold a grudge. I'll bring you a delicious breakfast tomorrow. I know you're in a bad mood, so I'll give in to you," Mu Zilin said.
Shuishui was speechless and did not say anything. She felt that calling Mu Zilin was a big mistake.
Mu Zilin remembered that he had put his game on pause. "All right. If you need a shoulder to cry on or someone to listen to you, I am here. If there's nothing else, I'll go. I am playing a game."
"Go ahead." Shuishui glanced at her phone and hung up the call. She sat down, looked up at the ceiling, and went to sleep. 'Mu Ziyu probably won't come today. It is getting late. It is already eleven o'clock,' she thought.
She didn't know why Mu Ziyu didn't visit, but she felt a little uncomfortable in her heart. She was unused to the feeling. She shook her head and thought, 'What's wrong with me?'