Li Chuanmo still said nothing. He just stared at Gao Tinghua, his face giving nothing away. His silence put Gao Tinghua, this young master on edge. Was he going to help or not?
Although he made it sound like a cooperation, it was obvious that Li Chuanmo would be doing the bulk of the work. Gao Tinghua had few to no connections in the underworld, not to mention that his father and uncle were very wary of the mysterious organization.
After a few moments of squirming on Gao Tinghua's part, Li Chuanmo directly said as he stood up, "Fine. Send me the details of how exactly you want us to cooperate, and I'll see what I can do."
The fact that he didn't reject him made Gao Tinghua relieved. From his little understanding of Li Chuanmo, his words meant that he had agreed, which was a happy thing.
Of course, Li Chuanmo was already prepared to take them on, even without Gao Tinghua saying anything. Since Pei Yueran wasn't against acknowledging the Gao family, it meant she would have to face this organization sooner or later.
Li Chuanmo's assigned role was to stand in front of her and eliminate obvious and potential dangers.
That said, he turned to walk out of the restaurant, but not before dropping the words, "I don't think my wife would mind a text or two from Madam Gao. Just make sure to not disturb her."
Gao Tinghua was shocked, then he reacted quickly with a smile, "Thank you. I'll let her know." His mother would be very pleased to hear this.
This meeting actually ended without gunpowder and smoke, something that was impossible a few months ago.
Indeed, change is the only constant thing in life.
*****
As the days drew nearer, the whole country was in enveloped in an atmosphere of merriment that increased as the holidays came closer. Companies and businesses began playing music and putting out festive decorations.
Even the air felt different. Families had begun cleaning out their houses and pasting red couplets on their doors.
This was especially so in the Capital, a place steeped in traditions. A tourist would have felt like he traveled back in time due to the atmosphere.
Preparations for the annual offering to the ancestors, as well as the New Year's Eve dinner were all underway.
For the students of Anping First Middle School though, the excitement was totally due to the half month holiday they had.
After so much studying, they had finally finished writing their first term exams. Amidst the loud complaints about how difficult the exams were, no one could deny the joy of the upcoming holiday.
Even those that were lamenting their about their poor performance were quickly cheered up by one sentence or two from their friends.
Li Yuchen was one such person. He slumped on his bed with a groan, "Yichen, I think I really did poorly in Literature despite my best efforts."
"Try harder next time." Han Yichen said as he put his luggage next to the chair and tidied up his bed.
"Brother, how could you be so unfeeling? I'm very sad, I need some comfort!" Li Yuchen sat up and pouted in his direction.
Han Yichen replied, "I see. Okay don't worry Brother, you'll have two more weeks to cry about it."
Li Yuchen: "...."
What kind of "comfort" was that?
"You're mean. I don't want to talk to you today."
"That's fine, but if you don't pack up now, you won't be in time to see your goddess."
"What? My Goddess is coming today? Why didn't you say so earlier?!" Li Yuchen jumped up with alacrity. He wasn't very keen on the journey home at first because Li Chuanmo had already informed them on the family group chat that he would be the only one coming to pick them up.
Han Yichen shook his head, "Is your phone for decoration or what? They have said that the plans changed more than an hour ago. They're on their way already."
Li Yuchen practically flew from his bed, dragged his half packed bag and threw a few more things in while complaining about how he shouldn't have been kept in the dark, before gushing about the fact that he would soon be seeing his goddess again.
Han Yichen just ignored him. he was talking so fast that he couldn't even interject, not like he had anything to say anyway.
Somehow, they were both ready by the time Li Chuanmo's message came in.
"We're here."
Seeing his concise words, Li Yuchen carried his bag and dashed outside with considerable speed.
The words "slow down" hadn't even left Han Yichen's mouth by the time Li Yuchen disappeared. Shaking his head, he smiled as he walked out sedately...
Just in time to watch Li Yuchen, who was already a distance away, run headfirst into the group of three boys on their way out.
Li Yuchen who hit them immediately acknowledged his mistake as he rubbed his aching forehead, "I'm sorry, I was in too much of a hurry just now, I didn't see you guys."
"You should walk with your eyes open, or else, wouldn't that mean they are useless?" This mocking voice that responded made Li Yuchen lose his politeness almost immediately.
He straightened and looked at Jiu Renxin, the offender, "Oh, it's Delusional. No wonder you were walking sideways like a crab. Please leave the road, I'm in a hurry."
Tian Jue, who had raised his hand to say "hi" burst into laughter, earning a glare from an annoyed Jiu Renxin, "What's funny?"
"You really do walk sideways sometimes." Tian Jue said with a smile, not caring about Jiu Renxin's angry face.
Seeing a supporter, Li Yuchen nodded with enthusiasm, "Exactly. Anyway, just pack yourself to the side. I'm too excited today to mind you."
Instead of moving aside, Jiu Renxin stepped forward and properly blocked his way. Li Yuchen was a bit taller than him though, so it wasn't very intimidating.
"Why are you excited?"
"And why is that your business?"
"Can't you even talk politely for once?"
"Politeness is a higher form of communication, which shouldn't be wasted on people that do not understand basic human language." Only when Li Yuchen was in front of "enemies " would he become so negatively eloquent.
Jiu Renxin took a moment to digest this before becoming angry again. He opened his mouth to speak, but Tian Jue came out to smooth things over, "Alright, let's end the term on a friendly note. Yuchen is probably excited because he's about to go home now. It's worth being excited about."
The three of them would also be returning to the Capital the next day, and were looking forward to it too.
Li Yuchen couldn't help but smile at Tian Jue, who he had labeled the only normal one of the trio.
Not to be outdone, Jiu Renxin muttered, "What's so exciting about going home to a stepmother?"